Tansy of the Wilds

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Tansy woke up abruptly to a heavy knock on the door of her cabin. She jolted upright and Xer'tal's large arm wrapped around her waist. "Leave it, woman." His voice was husky with sleep as he pulled her back close, tucking her tight to his chest.

Tansy gave a sleepy smile as she relaxed into the embrace, "It might be important." She yawned and he grunted as his large hand slid up her back, giving her a slight shiver and such a soft feeling of warmth and adoration in her chest it almost left her breathless. Blood soaked hands belonging to a warrior orc who had seen battle after battle, whose calluses were born of violence, and yet they were so gentle with her.

"Unless it's askin' me t' toss that damned piss ant of a carver out on his ass, it's not." At the grumble Tansy gave a sleep chuckle. She could agree slightly with that. She hoped Tenzin wouldn't stay on, she didn't want him glaring at Xer'tal or insulting her husband. She wasn't prone to violence but she didn't know what she would do if he did so in front of her. She made a sleepy mental note to get Xer'tal to teach her how to properly throw a punch.

The knocking continued and Tansy gave a small groan before her ears perked up as the person knocking spoke. "Come now, Tansy. Do not leave me on your stoop!" The words came through the door and she jolted upright, a wide smile on her face.

Xer'tal grumbled and tried to hold onto her and Tansy wiggled out of his embrace. "It's Daffodil!" Her older sister rarely came to visit. Usually they would make a trip out to the fishing village where she lived with her husband and their children.

"I don't care which of yer family it is, they can all rot." Xer'tal swiped at her, trying to grab her again to drag her back onto the bed with him and Tansy giggled before she pulled the shutters closed slightly, giving him privacy.

"Oh hush you!" Her heart still hurt slightly from the confrontation yesterday but she put her mind to trying to mend the relationships and she would do so. She grabbed Xer'tal's tunic from the floor and yanked it on. She spotted his pants and tossed them into the small opening between the shutters of the bed.

Xer'tal sputtered, "Bloody he- gettin' a face full of my own trousers is not the wake up call I envisioned this mornin', woman." Tansy's face flushed at how he had probably intended their morning to go but it would have to wait.

She dashed for the door and opened it, beaming at her older sister. Daffodil raised an eyebrow as she looked at her but Tansy didn't waste any time and hugged her tight. "I have missed you! I should have come visit!" She gave her a squeeze and Daffodil hugged her back.

"Yes, yes, yes, I missed you too. Now scoot, let me in." Daffodil pushed her away, giving a shooing motion. Tansy backed away, letting Daffodil sweep inside, she glanced behind her and was surprised to see her niece and nephews were no where to be seen. "They are at the big house." Daffodil waved her off and Tansy felt a little curious about that but closed the door as Daffodil went straight for the stove and grabbed some pans.

"When did you arrive?" Tansy felt excited as she walked over to start helping Daffodil with breakfast and the woman huffed.

"This morning." It came out slightly clipped and Tansy faltered in her movements. Daffodil glanced at her and then pinched her lips together. "I am not peeved at you, don't worry." She reached over and gave Tansy's shoulders a soft rub. "Archie sent a missive, you got married." She could tell her older sister was trying hard to make her voice lighter and Tansy nodded slowly.

"I did." She felt a little apprehensive and Daffodil gave her a soft smile, something that felt more genuine and had Tansy feel a bit more sure of herself.

"And he makes you happy? Archie said he did in his note but I know how he can exaggerate." Daffodil gave her a knowing look and Tansy couldn't argue with that. She loved Archie but he did have a tendency to exaggerate, just a little.