Making amends

The path home was quiet, save for the occasional crunch of leaves beneath their feet. The soft glow of lanterns flickered through the trees, casting shadows over the dirt road.

The village was winding down for the night—doors creaked shut, voices murmured from open windows, the scent of burning wood drifting in the cool air.

Aria walked beside Ash, arms crossed tightly over her chest. She was deep in thought. He could tell by the way she chewed the inside of her cheek, the way her strides were more clipped than usual.

Finally, she exhaled sharply.

"It's getting worse," she muttered.

Ash glanced at her. "The crops?"

She nodded. "Faster than before. The decay is spreading wildly, and we still don't have an explanation for it." She ran a hand through her hair, frustration evident.

"The head of our division was supposed to get a message to the Queen. We should've had a response by now, but nothing. Either the Queen hasn't received it, or she's… ignoring it."

That last part hung in the air like an unspoken fear.

Ash frowned. "Would she really ignore something like this?"

"She's never ignored us before. If something was happening, she'd act," Aria said. "But the Elders keep telling us they'll 'work on it,' that they'll 'find a solution.'" Her tone darkened. "Meanwhile, the crops are dying by the day. At this rate, we won't have anything left to eat in a few weeks."

Ash absorbed her words, his mind already working through the information.

A Queen who had mysteriously missed a major ceremony. A spreading decay no one could explain. No response from the palace. Elders who seemed too passive about the whole thing.

The pattern was unsettling.

Ash kept his voice calm. "Have the Elders suggested any theories? Any reason why the crops are decaying like this?"

Aria scoffed. "Nothing concrete. Some think it's an imbalance in nature, but that doesn't explain why the soil itself feels lifeless. Others whisper that it could be sabotage, but there's no proof. Just guesses."

Ash nodded, processing everything. He wanted to keep asking, but before he could say more—

A voice rang out.

"Aria!"

It came from behind them. Loud. Familiar.

Aria stiffened immediately.

Ash turned, curious, but Aria didn't even look over her shoulder. Instead, she muttered under her breath, "Not again."

That alone told Ash everything he needed to know.

Bad news.

The elf coming toward them was big.

Thickly built, heavily muscled, with broad shoulders and a chest that swayed slightly with every step.

Her strong frame gave her a towering presence, and she moved with the confidence of someone who knew they were intimidating. Her breasts were bountiful that her clothes were struggling to keep it in place.

Her grin was wide, but there was nothing friendly about it.

Ash barely spared her a glance before facing forward again, picking up on Aria's signal that this was someone not worth engaging.

Unfortunately, the elf had no intention of letting them ignore her.

She caught up quickly, overtaking them, cutting off their path.

"Well, well," the lady sneered. "Didn't think I'd see you back here, Aria. Thought you ran off for good."

Aria's expression didn't change. "Thikana, I'm not in the mood for this."

Thikana tilted her head mockingly. "Why? Because you're too busy hiding? I heard you relocated out of town. What, you scared of me?"

Aria's jaw tightened. "I have better things to do than entertain you."

Thikana's grin widened. "Oh? What could possibly be more important than our little unfinished business?"

Aria shook her head and stepped forward, moving past Thikana without giving her the satisfaction of a reaction. She grabbed Ash's arm as she walked, pulling him along.

Ash didn't resist, though he stole a quick glance back.

Thikana's gaze immediately shifted to him.

"Oh?" she said, her voice laced with amusement. "And who's this?"

Neither Ash nor Aria answered.

That didn't stop Thikana. "A new elf tagging along? You sure have a habit of surrounding yourself with weaker people. What, did Naya send this one too, just to hold your hand?"

Aria's grip on Ash's wrist tightened, her nails pressing into his skin.

Ash could tell—that hit a nerve.

Still, Aria didn't take the bait. She kept walking, ignoring Thikana entirely.

But Thikana wasn't done.

She called out, louder this time, her voice carrying through the village path:

"I already sent the Black Leaf to the Queen!"

Aria froze.

Ash felt it in the way she stopped so suddenly, the way her fingers clenched slightly before letting go of his wrist.

A slow breath.

A controlled inhale.

Then, she turned—just slightly. "You did what?"

Thikana grinned, enjoying this moment. "You heard me. Sent it days ago. Just waiting for the Queen's approval now."

Aria's expression remained unreadable, but Ash could feel the shift in her energy.

The black leaf.

It meant something.

Something serious.

But whatever emotions stirred beneath the surface, Aria suppressed them. She simply exhaled, then gave Thikana a flat, unimpressed look.

"Go get a life," she said.

Thikana's smirk twitched.

Aria kept walking.

She didn't wait for Thikana's response.

Didn't acknowledge her any further.

Just moved on.

And, naturally, Ash followed.

Unspoken Frustration

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The village sounds had faded, leaving only the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of night insects.

Ash let the silence settle, sensing that Aria needed a moment.

Finally, he asked, "What was that about?"

Aria sighed, rubbing her temples. "Thikana has had a grudge against my family for years. Specifically, against me."

Ash waited, letting her take her time.

"Thikana's sister was supposed to lead the sub group of botanists in our village, but the role went to me instead. I didn't even fight for it— I just got chosen. But Thikana took it personally."

Ash nodded. "And she takes it out on you?"

Aria made a frustrated noise. "Yes. Even though I have nothing to do with it. I had nothing against her sister."

"Is that why you left town?" Ash asked, recalling what Thikana had mocked her for earlier.

Aria hesitated, then sighed. "Partly. I just got tired of the constant fights. She'd pick arguments over everything. It was exhausting."

Ash could tell—she was frustrated. And tired.

Which meant he needed to drop it.

He let the silence take over again as they walked.

Home & Rest

By the time they reached the cottage, the night air had cooled significantly.

Inside, warmth greeted them. The fireplace still held embers from earlier, casting a soft glow through the room.

Aria stretched her arms. "I'm going to bathe. You should too. And don't train tonight."

Ash raised a brow. "Why?"

"Because you'll be overthinking." She glanced at him. "Sleep on it. Let the knowledge settle. Tomorrow, you'll practice. Not tonight."

Ash considered arguing.

But she had a point.

He was the type to overanalyze things. Maybe a night of rest would help.

So, with that, they bathed. She gave him another blowjob. They ate a simple meal, and settled into rest.

As Ash lay back, his mind still drifted—

Tomorrow.

He would try again.

He would make this work.