All For Honor

CHAPTER 3

"Are you excited?" Fenris asked.

The cream colored stallion moved under us with a grace that took my breath away, galloping through the trees with effortless power. Wind whipped through my hair as we wove through the forest. I had instinctively wrapped my arms around his waist, clinging to Fenris to avoid falling off the horse. The closeness made my stomach churn.

"Hardly," I replied, my breath coming in quick gasps as I struggled to maintain my composure.

"You must be at least a little," the red-haired Fae pressed. I could hear the smirk lurking in his words, the confidence that came with his kind.

I scoffed, annoyed, "I'm tired," my voice sharper than I intended.

"Right. I forget how fragile you humans are." He laughed. I made a sour face at his back, rolling my eyes at his patronizing tone.

"Tell me about your village," Fenris requested.

"And what if I said no?" I challenged, indignantly.

"Then we would have a very long and very boring ride. But alas, that is your choice," he replied with a playful shrug, his laughter mingling with the sounds of hooves pounding against the earth.

We rode in silence for a bit before I spoke. "Why do you even want to know about my village?" I said dryly.

Fenris turned slightly in the saddle, "I'm curious. I haven't seen your side of the border just as you haven't seen mine."

The thought surprised me. It had never crossed my mind that the Fae could be curious about the human territories. I cast a sideways glance at him, trying to read his intentions.

"Okay, how about I make a deal with you. A question for a question," Fenris proposed, his voice light, almost mischievous.

"Isn't it common knowledge not to make bargains with your kind?" I scoffed. "That's like rule number one."

His laughter rang out, rich and unrestrained, cutting through the pervasive tension in the air. "Rule number one is to never reveal your real name. And alas, Renata, you already fucked that one up." The teasing lilt in his voice did little to mask the underlying seriousness, and for a moment, I felt a mix of embarrassment and indignation prickling at my cheeks.

"Don't worry," Fenris said, his voice unbothered and casual. "Most of those silly little rules you humans made up are false. Names have just as much power here as they do in your lands. Easier to dig up dirt with names, but that is all."

"You're lying to me."

Fenris shrugged, "Are you game?"

For a brief moment, I hesitated, weighing the consequences. But something about his playful tone and his almost human mannerisms urged me to respond. Maybe this was an opportunity to reclaim some of my power.

"Alright," I said, my voice steady despite the apprehension flooding through me. "A question for a question. But just know, if you trick me, I'll... I'll think of something equally clever to retaliate."

"That's the spirit," he replied, clearly amused. I could almost sense a smirk. "Now, what are the human lands like? In detail. Pretend I know nothing."

I sighed, feeling the weight of his curiosity, "Our side is made up of four villages: Windholm, Ironwood, New Greyford, and Wolhaven."

"You're from Wolhaven," he noted, his tone encouraging me to continue.

"Yes," I confirmed. "Windholm is known for its grain production. The village sits on open plains, where strong winds power their mills and their wheat fields stretch to the horizon. Ironwood is known for its skilled blacksmiths and lumber mills. New Greyford, named after our old capital, is the wealthiest of them all—our center of trade, always bustling with merchants, sometimes from other countries as well. And then there's my village, Wolhaven. We're known for our shepherds and our thriving flocks. Picture rolling hills dotted with sheep. Our wool is prized for its quality across the land."