Stranded on The Southern Continent

“So the human kicked us out of our shared bed?” Windthrow sighed, turning away.

“They seemed pretty traumatized.” I shifted closer and wrapped my arms around him. “It's only temporary I promise.”

Across the bunkhouse, one of the orcs–probably Grel–was snoring. Loudly. There was a sharp SLAP. And that lovely noise was Sally slapping him. Back to sweet sweet silence. Oh the joys of sleeping in the bunkhouse!

“Temporary,” Windthrow whispered. “If that human’s empire wasn’t forced to ruin I’d still be a slave. Even now!”

“Quiet!” someone shouted from a few beds over.

“Sorry, sorry! Our bad!”

After a few silent seconds, it felt safe to whisper. Gods, this felt nostalgic. Like a sleepover!

I pressed myself against him and whispered into his ear.

“This human is scared and hurt. They’re not responsible for what the Imperials did to you. They’re just a lone woman”

“You don’t know that, Vylet.”

I flinched. “That they’re a woman?”

How could Windthrow already suspect their gender without seeing what I’d seen yesterday?!

“Huh, what?” He pried himself from my arms, turning to face me.

“What in the Weald are you talking about? I meant that we don’t know their relation to the human Empire.”

“They're like a tiny frightened rabbit. You can’t be serious?”

Raindrops started hitting the roof. A gentle pitter-patter. My eyelids were heavy.

“I mean no offense. But you don’t understand humans like we do. They don’t feel like we do. The trees, the land and even other people–they think about nothing but owning them.”

“But not all of them are like that!” I countered.

“Regardless. You must speak with the human and find out more. You owe the people of Sapwood that much.”

“Okay– okay. I’ll speak with them.” I replied, my voice wavering. “Unrelated, but can you stroke my hair while I fall asleep?”

“You’re such a needy girl. Fine.”

Windthrow’s stroked the length of my hair, occasionally patting my head.

I don’t know how long he indulged my selfishness. The sound of rain, and my mate’s touch, sent me into a gentle slumber.

“Hey! I’m coming in! You better be wearing clothes!”

After an uncomfy night in the bunkhouse, I’d made it to morning. Morning meant checking in on the human. 3 ripe fruits were skewered on my claws. Breakfast for my guest.

No answer from behind the door.

“Maybe they left in the night!” Cleyre shouted from downstairs.

“Shush! Pay attention to your work. I’m handling this,” I shouted back.

I tentatively pushed inside, half-expecting the room to be empty. Did I miscalculate? Would they really just leave?

Nope. They were laying on the bed, staring at me like a deer in headlights. The robe I’d given them hung loosely around their shoulders. Far too big for their delicate frame.

“Morning! I brought some breakfast.” I held up my claws, showing the fruit.

Their already wide eyes, widened further. They made a noise, like a squeak combined with a choke. Then they clambered off the bed and pushed themselves into the corner. Well, shit.

“Hey wait! I’m your friend from last night, remember?” I slowly walked around the bed.

How should I handle this? I put my claws in the air, like I was approaching a wild animal. But that only made them more scared!

I decided to sit on the floor, using my tail to roll over the fruit. One at the time. They absolutely devoured each one, the juice dripping down onto their robe.

Afterwards they resumed their scaredy-cat routine. Although, they did occasionally steal a glance my way.

“Are– are– you going to eat me?” they asked.

Their voice was mousey, high pitched. It cracked several times in just a single sentence. They spoke “High Common”, the dialect that I came into this world speaking. Otherwise known as English as spoken on Earth. More importantly, why in the world did they think I wanted to eat them?

“I’m not going to do that. Of course, I’m not gonna do that!” I said. “Can you tell me your name?”

Their entire body relaxed. The tension flowed from each muscle.

“My name is Teetri”

“Now, why would you think that I want to eat you?”

They looked towards the ground.

“...because you look like one of them.”

“I look like one of what?”

“The invaders! You look like one of the Usurper’s draconic demons!” They made eye contact, before their gaze quickly darted away. “But you don’t act like one of the Usurper’s minions.”

So the Dracier’s were right–I am related to the Usurper.

“I might look like them. But I’m not them. I’m friendly!.”

“But your curling horns! The three clawed talons. And your tail, long as a Dire Snake! You cannot trick me, you are no creature native to the Southern Continent.”

“I live in this village with my partner, a dark elf, and my friends. Friends from many different species. Surely a minion of the Usurper wouldn’t be so chill with everyone?”

Teetri appeared deep in thought; sometimes they nervously scratched at the cuts on their hands.

“I understand. You are a unique creature. Is this truly a village of demihumans–are there any humans living here?”

“No. You’re the first living human we’ve seen. If you’re ready, can you tell me how you got here?”

They bowed their head, clutching it as if they were in agony.

“Ash and darkness. I was in a tower. My family sent me there to be safe.” They collapsed, clutching their knees to their chest. “Why can’t I remember their faces? Or their names! What’s wrong with me?!”

They buckled over and started sobbing–sometimes slamming their fist against the wall. Loud anguished cries. Cleyre would hear all this from downstairs.

I put my arm around Teetri’s shoulder. They recoiled at first but then relaxed as their tears continued.

“Shh. It’s okay Teetri. Everything’s gonna be okay. I’ll help you figure this out.”

Finally, Teetri offered to share what they could from their shattered recollection.

Their memories were damaged by whatever calamity the Usurper inflicted on the human Empire. The clearest memory was of their arrival in the Emel Weald.

They remembered waking up in a tower of steel and stone. Alone. Outside was a sea of endless ash. Everything felt like a dream, or a nightmare. They wandered the halls of that awful tower. Just as they were succumbing to despair there was a sudden flash.

Teetri’s prayers were answered! They’d been taken away from that terrible place. Instead, they were in an overgrown ruin in a forest. The Emel Weald. Teetri walked through the Weald for days, until they noticed torchlight from Sapwood. The rest we’d experienced firsthand.

“That ruin. She must take us to that ruin!” Cleyre jumped from her chair, sending it skidding.

I’d just told her Teetri’s story.

“Cleyre. Just last night you were gonna throw her into the wilderness.” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Why the change of heart?”

“A teleportation circle. She used one by mistake! I must examine that circle. The human will take me there.” She was already grabbing her staff and packing a leather bag. “This is exactly the breakthrough we need!”

“Hold on!” I attempted to snatch her staff, but she lifted it high into the air, allowing me to dangle. My talons barely scraped the ground.

“I said hold on!” I tightly wrapped my tail around Cleyre’s waist. “Give Teetri some time to calm down. They’ve been through a lot!”

Cleyre lowered me down. Her abs flexed under my tail scales. As if she was threatening to burst free!

“And then you’ll convince them to bring us to the teleportation circle, right?”

That might be the best deal I’d get outta her.

“Okay. Give us a few days. Then we’ll all go together.”

And just like that Cleyre was back to her desk and her experiments. Like she’d planned this all from the start.

“Thank you, Vylet.” she said. “Give my welcome to our guest.” She smiled down at her work.