Finally finished, Elmerin was exhausted and really wanted to sleep. But he wasn't done yet.
Getting up, he walked over to a small desk shoved between the kitchen and storage area. He pulled out a prepared Agreement custody paper and began filling it out.
"I talked to Rammeld about the manticore that's coming," he said. "He'll be sending scouts out to watch for it, and he's agreed that you will definitely be on the team. It didn't take much convincing." He re-dipped his reed pen. "Rammeld's also going to keep Falchan off the force that goes to deal with it."
"Really?" Drysia said, surprised.
"Apparently the chance for Korrum to have a Black Opal is too good to worry about Cothmore will think." Elmerin cast Spinning Breath to dry the sheet. "I suspect that the Cothmores will be quite restricted while the investigation is going on, as well." He dipped the pen again and brought it and the paper to Drysia. "Since I've done everything you've asked, including your original request and an additional one, please sign Kres over to me."
Drysia grabbed the paper and read it over. Elmerin had written it out in simple, but not insultingly so, language, taking into account her level of education. Grunting, she put it against one of the tent poles and signed it. On getting it back, Elmerin quickly dried the paper and stowed it in an item pouch.
On cue, he felt Drysia behind him, slipping her hands inside his belt and waistband. Elmerin closed his eyes and held back his temper. Not only for the approaching manticore, but for the release of the Demon King that was coming in less than twenty years.
If not for those...
He grabbed her wrists as they came around forward and pulled her hands and arms away from him as he had earlier, shoving her away. She looked at him in shock.
"I don't know why I had sex with you in the first place, but that was a one-time thing," Elmerin snarled. "I. do. not. like. you. I'll stand against Cothmore to help you and Kres, but don't ask for anything else! Now, out!"
Wide-eyed, Drysia slowly nodded. You did not get to Diamond class without knowing which fights to avoid, and right now Elmerin was radiating more danger than the vine monster had. Slowly, she backed away until she found the door, then turned and dashed out.
Elmerin sat down hard among the cushions, then wrinkled his nose; Drysia's scent still remained. "
Oh, right. He mentally searched out the warding for the tent entrance and adjusted it to refuse Drysia entry. A tent's enchantments were supposed to be handled by a panel, usually by the door, but that just struck Elmerin as persnickety and annoying.
But now certain futures wouldn't -couldn't- happen… the tormented young man, scarred outside and broken inside… the warrior who fought with grim abandon, with no thought for his safety, much less his life… the adventurer who lost his Diamond status when he struck down the mother he hated, and paid the price.
Hopefully happier futures now awaited.
He was dozing when there was a rustle at the tent door. The footsteps sounded too light for Alexavier, and that rustle sounded like robes… he looked up to see Nera entering the tent.
She walked over to him and looked down on him, frowning. "You did something magically demanding, didn't you?"
"I was helping Drysia." Elmerin didn't bother sitting up; Nera would just tell him to lie down again. "Worth it. She finally signed the papers to transfer custody."
Nera clapped her hands and dropped to her knees beside him to hug him. "That's great! Things are slow at the healers' tent up here, so I came to check on you." She sat back and frowned. "Because we both know you have trouble listening to instructions."
His hand was still on the small of her back from hugging her back. "Thank you for this morning. If you hadn't healed me, I would probably still be feeling half-drunk and sick."
"I'm just sorry I couldn't identify the toxin." Nera looked regretful.
"Don't look so guilty. I've only been exposed to one toxin recently." He closed his eyes, frowning. "The Lustvine. Although it shouldn't be possible for it to last that long."
"Maybe monsters are different?"
Elmerin's eyes flew open as he partially sat up.
"I'm sorry-"
"No. Don't be." Elmerin, chin in his hand, considered. "Many drug-producing plants and animals have the effects change when monsterized. The drug's effects lasting longer isn't recorded, but just because it hasn't been seen doesn't mean it's not possible." He turned to her. "I know just who to ask to look into it. It'll have to wait until we get back to the city to send it, but I can write the letter now." He started to get up.
"Oh no you don't!" Nera pushed him back down. "You are resting and that's it! Write it later!" She glared at him. "An extra day won't mean anything right now."
"Be careful when you do that," Elmerin said dryly. "Pushing someone down has quite another meaning." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him.
Nera blushed furiously but still glared at him. "We're not doing that either. Get. some. rest!"
"I outrank you."
"Wasn't it you who said to not let anyone override me when I was making decisions about their health?" She thwacked him on the shoulder. "I don't need to go back to the healers right away. I'm going to stay right here and make sure you actually sleep."
Elmerin caught her chin and gave her a long, slow kiss. Breaking apart, he touched his forehead to hers. "Very well. Since you're staying here with me."
As Nera flushed and snuggled closer, Elmerin silently cursed Drysia again. He'd wanted to keep Nera at arm's length while her crush ran its course. Drysia's stunt had thrown both him and Nera in deep, leaving him to navigate a much rockier course to make sure Nera came out reasonably intact on the other side.
*******
People in this chapter:
Elmerin
Drysia
Nera
Note: Nera's change of heart about Kres and his parents has come about because she's realized just what a fuckup Falchan is, and just how much Drysia doesn't want to be a mother.
Timeline up till now:
Day 1 -Before story begins. Elmerin and his temporary party enter the labyrinth.
Day 5 -Story begins. Orc General and Goblin Sorcerer killed.
Day 6 -Death Eagles' first appearance. They meet Elmerin's party.
Day 7 -Vine monster encountered. Tunnels collapsed, dungeonization stopped, Bolat crystal destroyed.
Day 8 -Elmerin and Drysia leave the labyrinth.
Day 9 -Rammeld takes Elmerin and Drysia's reports.