Tansy of the Wilds

Chapter Eight

Another silence fell and Tansy listened to the sounds of the forest. The day was waning and her legs were starting to get tired from all the walking. She wasn't really used to the pace Xer'tal used, then again she had to take nearly two steps for every one he made. His strides were long and it made her have to move twice as fast as when she moved alone.

She couldn't help the slightly pleased flush she got at him telling her he didn't mind her chattering, that he thought it was refreshing. No one had ever said that to her before and it made her heart flutter in her chest wildly. It made her feel appreciative, that someone didn't mind her being herself. It was a rare feeling, she was so used to being told to tone herself down that having someone tell her that being herself was... well she didn't have words for it, not proper words anyway.

She moved around another mud puddle, this time not jumping, making sure to keep her footing. She learned her lesson for her near slip back there. She enjoyed the busy sounds of the forest and wondered when Xer'tal would tell her it was time to make camp, darkness was falling. She looked around and saw the dim light of a campfire in the darkness. "What in the great hells?" She said it softly before a kobold jumped out from behind a tree and Tansy let out a startled yelp that had the Kobold chittering in amusement.

Xer'tal stiffened, his hand going to his axe handle immediately and once Tansy managed to collect herself, she started laughing. "Flixom! That was so terribly rude!" She smiled though, letting the female Kobold know she wasn't really upset. Several other kobolds immediately started chittering and several scampered over to her. She had her hands grabbed and she was yanked forward.

Flixom nodded, "How is your family? How are the trees? Still growing?" The kobold language chittered into Tansy's ears.

She nodded rapidly, letting the kobolds tug her towards that dim campfire light. "Yes, the family is good. Yes yes the trees are growing well." She did her best to listen to all of them.

"That one, he is new. An orc at that. What is it about?" Flixom asked it rapidly, gesturing to the orc that followed them, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"He's my guard, Xer'tal. I had some issues with a bandit. Foul brutes. I know." Tansy nodded rapidly as they got closer to the campfire where nearly ten other kobolds were sitting. "You guys are so far away from your usual haunts. Has the war spread that far? How are your mines doing?"

Another kobold bounces in place, tugging on her hand. "War is everywhere but we are scouting this direction before we head back to Kelpfar."

"We have been recalled, it is not safe for these young ones and me to be out where no female should go alone." Flixom gave Tansy a knowing look. It didn't matter that Flixom was a kobold, Tansy knew that look, it was a universal look between females that shared the knowledge of how they aren't safe roaming in these times.. "So we scout this area for the next band of scouts."

Tansy nodded at Flixom. "I understand perfectly, that's why I hired Xer'tal. It's safer."

At her response the kobold nodded her agreement. "It is good, he is strong. You need strong in these times." Tansy could only nod in response as they made it to the center of the camp. It was a flurry of constant movement with kobolds that bobbed around like chickens, bouncing off one another. Tansy smiled at it all, it felt comfortable there. She listened to the rapid fire chittering and she laughed at some of the bawdy jokes being thrown around. She also waved her greeting to those who chittered their greetings to her in Kobold.

Tansy was so distracted that when Xer'tal cleared his throat gruffly she nearly jumped. The kobolds at their temporary camp stared up at him with wide eyes. "This is Xer'tal, he's my personal guard. I hired him after some trouble with a bandit." That seemed to mollify them and they all went back to chittering at one another, cooking or sharpening weapons. She turned away from the rapid conversations she was listening to give Xer'tal an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, these are the Kelpfar kobold scouts I met." She explained it as they were both urged to sit down at the fire.

Flixom came over to the large orc, pressing her palms together, bobbing her head. "Thanks. Many thanks. Tansy good. Tansy friend." The common tongue was raspy and chittered but most understandable and Tansy smiled at the words. It was nice to have Flixom class her as a friend.

Tansy glanced back at Xer'tal as he settled his bulk beside her. "The reason they are so friendly with me is I don't judge and I like to chat. A good combo in kobold terms." She turned back to the chatter, nodding and inputting her comments here and there when questions are thrown her way

Nearly an hour later Tansy was all caught up on the scouting party's day to day minutiae and why they were out scouting so far. And she had told them all about the lumberyard, the new growth, the old growth, the various things her family has done since they last saw each other. As well as her journey to Kelpfar so far. She recounted her tale with the bandit and Flixom laughed so loudly she was almost rolling around on the ground.

"It is spunky! I hope the wolves ate his prick! Would serve him right!" The kobold female wiped at her eyes, grinning with her sharp teeth.

Some kebabs are pulled from the fire and handed around. Tansy held out several out to her new companion, Xer'tal. When he didn't take them she turned her head to look at them. "Don't worry, it's venison and rabbit with some mushrooms. Quite delicious." Tansy knew about the rumors surrounding kobolds and they were highly exaggerated. They didn't eat other species. That had been a nasty rumor spread so far it turned into myth.

Xer'tal accepted the kebabs, eyeing them suspiciously but Tansy gently urged him to take a bite, taking a bite of her own. She gave a small moan of pleasure as the rich seasonings spread across her tongue. It was cooked to perfection, just like they always did.

She watched as Xer'tal gave it a tentative lick, his eyes narrowed before he gave a grumble and took a bite. "Good. Yer food ain't half-bad," Xer'tal stated as he took another bite. Tansy watched as he leaned back and seemed to watch the camp with a scrutinizing gaze. "Dunno 'bout yer singin' and chatterin' though," He seemed to add dryly. There were a few moments where Tansy ate peacefully, listening to the kobolds as they talked and argued before Xer'tal stiffened, grabbing his weapon. "We gotta visitor." He grumbled it out, shooting her a dark gaze as his red eyes narrowed.