The temperature rapidly fell as the sun set behind the horizon. A light snow had begun to fall, muting the steady click-clack of the carriage as it meandered under garlands of holly leaves and colored lanterns. “Why’s it look so festive, Herd-mate?” asked Reina, poking her head in the window. “Hard to say. Depends on who’s celebrating what. There are holidays the whole city engages in around the winter solstice, but it's...

Crossing the pass proved to be uneventful as they steadily descended from the highlands to the lowlands. This led them to Mog Marsh, a shallow basin so expansive it hadn’t been entirely mapped. “We’re here!” Trixi announced. “We are?” Lysander questioned, looking in all directions. “The edge of my tribe's territory. From here on, we go by boat. There should be some hidden in the grass somewhere.” With Lysander putting her...

Heat tumbled off the cascading granite spires defiantly pointing toward the sky. Few creatures called the badlands their home. It was dry, hot, and contained almost no natural resources. Nearly no one ventured into this region but the rare intrepid adventurer or those needing a shortcut to more habitable lands, making it even stranger to see a group of four travelers trekking across this barren stretch of land. "I'm gonna...

“Now to go get new clothes!” Azalea sang as they exited the goblin smith’s shop. She was happy and a bit amused, watching Chitchat walk unsteadily trying to acclimate to her new accessory. “Yes, we’ve had enough distractions for one day,” asserted Reina. “We have a bit of a walk,” groused Chitchat. “This way.” The job Chitchat had anticipated to be simple was proving more than she and her rear had bargained for. She rubbe...

The trio made their way back to the bustling ring of the shopping district, stopping in front of a statue of what must have been some iconic blacksmith when Devin turned to the girls. “I have a shop I want to visit. I thought of a few presents I wanted to buy the two of you. Do you mind getting a head start and finding a seamstress? Oh, and Azalea, can I borrow the drawing you did of… my… er… me?” Azalea gave him a quizzi...

More mountainous and nearly impassable compared to the eastern half of the kingdom, the western region of Lindone was a natural fortress fortified by the jagged peaks of the Snowsquall mountains to the south. This environment border, running the entire length of the country, was intersected only by the Frigid Fingers Peaks that curved northwestward. Along with three valleys that were the only feasible means of travel in t...

After dinner, Devin retired for the night. His footsteps faded up the stairs and left the girls alone with Ellyn and her father. Ellyn sat down after having finished cleaning up dinner, sewing kit in hand, and set to work mending some shirts. Without pausing, she asked Devin’s ladies, “So, how’d you two enjoy your day on the farm?” “It was so much fun! I'm sad we can’t stay longer,” Azalea replied as she unbraided her hai...

Gylan exited the barn to find Erinnah while Ellyn took Priscillia’s milk, which she had set down earlier, to a work table to process and document. “Um, Life-mate?” “Yes, Azalea?” “I’m sorry. I sorta made a mess of your clothes,” she said bashfully. Azalea stood up, revealing a large wet spot on his shoulder Devin ran a finger across it and tasted it. “I don’t know how you manage to produce something so sweet, but maybe we...

Another morning dawned bright and clear, dissipating the last wisps of fog lingering over the ground. All was silent except the crackle of the fire. Thinking it odd the fire hadn’t died down, Devin squinted open an eye. Reina sat serenely, her legs tucked under her nursing a steaming mug. He was about to wish her a good morning when he felt a familiar pair of arms and thighs. Lifting the blanket, he was not particularly s...

"It hasn't been that long, and you're already writing so well!” enthused the tall shield maiden, patting the head of her companion. The mute goblin smiled in return and hugged the wax tablet she had bought for him. She encouraged him to learn to write in order to communicate more effectively. Bouncing along in the firm grip of his traveling companion, he scribbled a sentence and held it up. Emma smiled. “I’m happy you're...

“Princess Emmaline, this is already highly unorthodox! I implore you to please reconsider! Your safety, not to mention your virtue, is at stake!” “I already have, Chief Steward, more times than you can imagine – lying in bed at night wondering who I was going to be married off to for what political favor or economic gain – and I have come to the realization that since I’m third in line for the throne, my virginity is unne...

“Why did my order have to establish such a blanket mandate?” brooded the confused paladin as he re-adjusted the shield on his back. “I told you why,” rebuked a coarse female voice. “You pillars of justice, righteousness, and other fancy-sounding words were failing poorly at your vows of abstinence.” “I’ve never done anything to damage the reputation of the knights.” “Maybe not you personally, but your compatriots have – o...

During the trek back to camp, Reina lagged behind. She felt a little awkward with her new family, but she was also giddy. ‘I can’t believe I finally found a herd-mate!’ she thought. ‘He’s not what I imagined he’d be; he’s not even a demi-human, but he didn’t mind my oddities or disfigurement, and he… he actually kissed them!’ She put her hands to her face, blushing at the memory. ‘Speaking of kisses, Azalea kissed me, as...

Two hours later, Devin pulled the wagon to a stop next to a rotted log. Azalea was still snoozing on his lap and drooling. She had uncurled from a fetal position and into a tangle of blanket and limbs sprawled every which way. Chuckling, Devin estimated the accumulated time he had seen her naked now exceeded that for her clothed state. Untangling her limbs from the blanket, he took a peek at her crest, noting the energy g...

Along the king’s highway, among the edge of the tree line, a small fairy flitted her way between the scraggly firs and majestic spruce. At first glance, it appeared she had no particular destination in mind. She kept stopping every so often, perched on a branch and looked expectantly toward the road a few moments then then took off again. As she steadily made her way south, she soon spotted a dot moving toward her in the...