A New Companion...?

"Objective fulfilled: Gain a follower."

"I didn't agree to anything yet!" I shot back at Penta, who was getting ahead of herself. I wasn't even sure how that was possible, but then again, Penta plays by Penta's rules. "Also, seriously, where the hell has Zeta been? Did you two get into a fight?"

I also hadn't anything more from the new one, 'Xeno,' despite my apparent success in spite of his interference...

Turning back to Moya - because I knew Penta was not about to answer - I folded my arms and looked her up and down with a stern expression. "So, you betrayed your people, in the hopes of throwing your lot in with me?"

"We kobolds would not describe it so harshly," she explained, her expression, even now, neutral. "We have been known to work as mercenaries. We are just not a popular choice."

I hummed thoughtfully, pretending to mull this information over. In truth, I had no idea what kobolds typically did or didn't do in this world - based on what I had been told leading up to now, I should've been extremely surprised these creatures talked as coherently as they did, with or without an understanding of their language.

"So, you want to be employed by me, is what you're saying?" was the conclusion I eventually came to. Boy was she in for a surprise when she found out how much gold I had on me.

"No, a small share of the spoils of your journey would suffice," she replied with a shake of her head.

A very reasonable offer, almost too reasonable. Then again, with what kobolds considered valuable, I imagine it wasn't hard to satisfy her requirements, no matter what I did.

I didn't necessarily trust her, but I doubted much would come of it, even if she ended up betraying me. Besides maybe slitting my throat in my sleep, anyway.

"Fine. You can tag along, for now," I said at last, with a sigh. "But as far as anyone's concerned, you've been Tamed, and that's why you're in my service."

Moya stared at me in silence for a few moments. Eventually, she nodded.

"If that's what you wish."

"Great. Now, let's gather up a few things and head back to claim our reward!"

We did exactly that. Moya had her pick of anything the kobolds left behind that I didn't see any value in, including kobold-sized leather coverings - it hardly qualified as armor - that had been squirreled away in one of their dwellings. It was the first thing she went for, come to think of it, and knew exactly where to find it, despite its hidden nature...

I managed to find a small sack among their belongings and used it to carry what little valuables I could find, as well as a few fragments of the exterior walls. The gold I had recovered amounted to only 23 pieces, and I had no idea what that could actually afford me. I took the gems with me, as well, and made a mental note to get them checked out later, in the hopes that they might have some value, or maybe even some practical use.

Pretty soon, we had gained all we could from the ruins of the nest, and were ready to depart. I got onto Rockford, who hadn't moved a non-existent muscle since his destruction of the nest had concluded, and beckoned for Moya to join me. Given her small stature and even smaller weight, I suspected my stony mount would have no trouble carrying us both.

The kobold, meanwhile, seemed hesitant. No wonder, given all that she had seen Rockford do.

"It's fine. He does whatever I want him to do, so as long as he's under my control, you won't be harmed," I explained, using very particular words in order to ease her concerns, while also shielding myself from future accusations, should Rockford suddenly go berserk.

Moya gave me a level stare, but made no move to get on. After several moments of quiet contemplation, she, at last, took my outstretched hand and got onto the rocky beast's back. I, meanwhile, couldn't help but be surprised at how light she was - I practically lifted her straight into the air when helping her up. No wonder they were not particularly popular as mercenaries.

"Perhaps, this would work better for you, in the future?" I suggested, handing back a sizable knife sheathed in a scabbard that I had found amongst the ruins. I realized, after the fact, that I was presenting her with an opportunity to quite literally stab me in the back, but I pushed the thought from my mind. "You know, instead of your...club?"

Moya looked from the knife to the club that she still clutched in her hand.

"You can even strap it to you, so you don't have to hold it all the time." The club was, after all, just a makeshift weapon made of wood and embedded with random assortments of metal, and had no real means to carry it otherwise.

At this, Moya finally let the club drop to the ground and grabbed ahold of the sheathed blade.

"If that's what you wish," she repeated passively, affixing the blade to her side. Although it was a simple knife to me, it looked more like a shortsword to something of her size.

Finally, it was time to be off. I figured our first stop would be Slyrest, to inform them that the problem had been taken care of. They might have some questions about why one of the kobolds was in tow, but as the quest was more of a preventative measure, I couldn't imagine much open hostility coming from the residents just yet.

"Wait," I thought suddenly, "how the hell do we get back to town? Do I even know where I am?!"

We had traveled quite some distance, first in Rockford's finding of the kobolds, and then our tracking of them back to the nest.

I don't suppose the same trick would work...twice?

"Rockford, return to Slyrest!" I commanded silently, hoping Moya wouldn't question why it was taking so long to get moving.

At first, just as before, nothing happened. Then, without a sound, the stony beast took off at a brisk pace - I made sure to restrain him from going all out again - towards, presumably, the town.

I felt something touch my side and for a split second I thought that my new companion was about to make a deadly move, but then I felt the same sensation on the left side, as well - and found that the kobold was gripping either side of me tightly. The experience, even at a subdued pace as this, was probably not a very pleasant one, I could only imagine. She remained silent, however, and I had a sneaking suspicion she was still wearing the same, neutral expression as always, in spite of her fear.

Our progress was swift - pretty soon, I had to direct Rockford to slow his pace even further to avoid bursting onto the roadway for all to see. I had enough questions waiting for me in regards to Moya, let alone this stone monstrosity.

Moya and I dismounted a little ways from the roadside, and once again I directed Rockford to remain on standby. My rocky companion once again settled down into the brush, quickly looking like some sort of statue from a lost civilization that had been reclaimed by nature.

As I turned back toward the direction of town, I noticed my kobold comrade looking up at me.

"Yes?"

"The beast does not come with you?"

"No," I said simply. "Too many questions. Not worth the hassle."

Moya simply stared, as usual. It seemed like she had further questions - maybe, it was hard to tell with her - but did not press the issue. Either way, I motioned for her to follow, and we made our way toward Slyrest.