Chapter 15: Clean Up

The morning sun rose gently over the village, casting a warm golden light across the rooftops and fields.

Caled, Quinn, and Meisie stood at the edge of the forest, ready to begin their task. A small group of villagers had joined them, their faces a mix of determination and relief.

The goblin nests had been a constant threat, but today, they would be wiped out for good.

The villagers knew the forest like the back of their hands. They led the way, pointing out hidden paths and shortcuts.

The goblins that remained were weak or injured from the previous night's battle, making the task easier than expected.

By midday, the last of the goblins were gone.

The villagers cheered, their fear replaced by gratitude. The goblins they had dreaded for so long were no more.

Caled wiped his blade clean and sheathed it, his expression calm but satisfied. Quinn adjusted her gauntlets, a small smile playing on her lips. Meisie, though tired, looked proud. They had done what they came to do.

As the afternoon sun hung high in the sky, Caled and his party prepared to leave.

The village leader approached them, his hands clasped together in gratitude. "Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You've done more for us than we could ever repay. Please, take this as a token of our thanks."

He held out a small pouch, its contents jingling with coins.

Caled shook his head. "We agreed on the initial reward. This is enough." His tone was firm but kind.

The village leader hesitated, then nodded, his respect for the trio growing even more.

The entire village gathered to see them off. Children waved enthusiastically, their laughter ringing through the air. Elders nodded in approval, their eyes filled with gratitude.

Caled, Quinn, and Meisie walked away, the villagers' cheers fading behind them as they entered the forest.

•••••

The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds. Meisie walked beside Caled, her steps light and her expression bright.

"You were amazing last night," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "The way you fought that Marauder Goblin… it was like something out of a story."

Caled chuckled softly and patted her head.

[Affection Meter: 75.]

Meisie's cheeks turned pink, and she smiled shyly, savoring the warmth of his touch. Quinn, walking a few steps behind, watched them with a knowing smile.

She said nothing, but her eyes sparkled with amusement.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the trio decided to make camp. Quinn began preparing a meal, her hands moving deftly as she lit a fire and set up a pot.

Meisie volunteered to search for fruits, her eyes scanning the trees for anything edible.

Caled, meanwhile, gathered firewood, his movements steady and efficient.

After collecting enough wood, Caled made his way to a nearby river. The water was cool and clear, reflecting the fading light of the day.

He stripped off his shirt and stepped into the river, the water washing away the grime of the day.

His muscles glistened in the dim light. He took a moment to enjoy the tranquility, the sound of the flowing water soothing his thoughts.

When he emerged from the river, he found Meisie waiting under a tree. She had a bundle of fruits in her arms, but her attention was entirely on Caled.

Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight of his wet, toned torso. A blush crept across her cheeks, and she quickly looked away.

Caled approached her, his footsteps soft on the forest floor. "We should reach the capital before noon tomorrow," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.

Meisie nodded, her gaze still averted. "Last night was… intense. I still can't believe we survived that battle. It's all thanks to you," she said, her voice tinged with awe.

Caled shook his head. "You were just as important. I couldn't have done it without you."

His words were sincere, and Meisie's heart swelled with pride.

He took a step closer, and Meisie instinctively stepped back, only to find herself against the tree.

Caled placed a hand on the trunk beside her, effectively caging her in. Meisie's breath hitched, and she looked down, her face burning.

"Are you afraid of me?" Caled asked, his voice low but gentle.

Meisie shook her head quickly. "No… it's the opposite. I admire you. A lot."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Caled leaned in, his face inches from hers. "And now? Do you fear me?" His tone was teasing, but his eyes were soft.

Meisie shook her head again, her heart pounding in her chest. Caled closed the distance between them, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle kiss. Meisie's eyes fluttered shut, and she kissed him back, her inexperience overshadowed by the warmth she felt.

The kiss deepened, Caled's hands moving to her hips to pull her closer. Meisie's hands found their way to his chest, her fingers tracing the lines of his muscles.

A soft moan escaped her lips, and Caled smiled against her mouth before pulling away.

Their eyes met, the desire still lingering in their gazes. Caled's smile widened, and Meisie looked down, her face flushed.

She mumbled something about needing to wash and hurried toward the river, her steps quick and slightly unsteady.

Caled watched her go, a satisfied smile on his face. It seemed his display of strength the previous night had left a lasting impression.

[Affection Meter: 90.]

He turned and made his way back to the camp, where Quinn was stirring the pot over the fire.

"Everything alright?" Quinn asked, her tone casual but her eyes knowing.

Caled nodded. "Everything's fine." He took a seat by the fire, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the river.

When Meisie returned, her hair damp and her cheeks still pink, she acted as though nothing had happened.

She joined them by the fire, her eyes avoiding Caled's as she accepted a bowl of food from Quinn.

The three of them ate in comfortable silence, the crackling of the fire and the sounds of the forest filling the night.

As they settled down to sleep, Caled couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.

The journey had been long, and the battles had been tough, but moments like these made it all worthwhile.