Chapter 41.1 - Dreams and Dreamers

“‘Stits…” Arx swore under her breath as she gazed upward.

“Thank you,” Mia replied absently, her own eyes parallel to the Do-lilim’s.

For a moment, Arx continued staring up at the giant tree. It was as big around as a house and looked like it had once been tall enough to stretch to the clouds. However, it seemed to have rotted through and broken at some point, leaving only the stump in its place. Not that it mattered. What was left was easily tall enough to tower over every other building in town.

However, the Faen’s words were so incongruous, they managed to briefly pull her attention away. “Sorry, what?”

“F-fuck my… fuck my oatmeal!” Mia’s head jerked a couple of times, then she took a quick breath and clarified, “For the compliment, I mean. I never used to think much about it, but now that there’s someone to appreciate them… It’s a thrill to be able to attract his attention, isn’t it?”

Arx opened her mouth, but too many replies crammed into her throat all at once, leaving her momentarily speechless. While she certainly agreed with the sentiment, as far as she was aware, she had not been complimenting anything. Her manner of swearing was just something she had picked up as a child and never put much thought into.

She had found it funny how the red women’s banter changed when their clients were not around… though, her newfound affectation had not met with the smiles she had intended. ‘Crass and improper’ they had called it. Unfitting of one of her lineage. If anything, that had only solidified the habit.

Especially after…

Her eyes refocused as the old wound sealed itself once more. That business had been ancient history even before her new life had begun. Why was she thinking about it now?

Doesn’t matter.

For now, all she cared about was straightening this creature out. Complimenting her tits? As if. They were so pale, you would think the girl had never seen a day of sunlight in her life. Even her sister’s had more color.

Just because they’re a little bigger than mine?

A twinge of jealousy flared within her at the silent admission. To have gained as much as she had—and through quest, no less—only to lose out the minute some ridiculous Faen came along? It galled to say the least. She was not even a real person!

On the other hand… this creature did have a certain allure. In her own way.

The thought filled her with a heady swirl of desire. Visions of laying the shorter woman to the ground danced behind the Siren’s eyes. Of peeling the filthy rags from her body. Taking those soft orbs into her mouth, glowing in the moonlight. Trailing her tongue down past her naval. Tasting her honey.

While he watched. Or better yet… rammed into her!

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Mia said, intuiting at least some of her thoughts. “You’re quite lovely and plenty large yourself. I doubt you’ve had much trouble snagging his attention.”

Arx narrowed her eyes, her private fantasy dissolving in an instant. The words had sounded reassuring and complimentary on the surface, but she had detected the smug condescension underlying them readily enough.

“You’re right, I haven’t,” she agreed with an evil grin. “And more than just his attention.”

Mia’s eyes flashed, and her lips peeled back over her fangs before she could stop herself. “That was uncalled for. I long for him every bit as much as you ever could, but with no body to call my own? At least, leave me my pride.”

A dismissive snort puffed from the white-haired woman’s nose. “Don’t taunt the Shepherdess if you don’t like getting scratched,” she returned. “Besides, you seem to have body enough. I see no reason you can’t tempt him with it.”

“It isn’t the same.”

“Hmm…”

Silence returned as the pair turned their attention back to the tree. Despite the apparent rot, it was not truly dead. There were plenty of branches scattered at random about its length sporting new growth. However, what was concerning Mia the most was not the tree itself so much as the thing it had supplanted.

It had appeared in the very same vacant lot the monolith had until just recently occupied. In fact, she was not altogether certain whether it had not once been the monolith. The bark of the tree did retain a certain blackness. And she could easily see the Words of what doubtlessly described skills shining amongst its limbs.

What could this mean?

As first blush, this changed nothing. The roots of the tree would function to search for the Core just the same as had the weight of the stone. Heresy, no matter your outlook.

Was this because she had disapproved? Trying to make her feel better about it? And why a tree?

Hmm. Now that I think about it, there is a certain similarity to that one room…

“I can scarcely imagine what this must have been like in its prime,” Arx said wonderingly, breaking into the Faen’s thoughts. “I didn’t know a tree could grow to be so large.”

“They exist,” Mia informed her. “Far to the north and across the Shallow Desert, there are vast groves of them.”

“The Shallow Desert… I’ve never heard that name for it before. Fitting.” Arx scented at the wind once more, then smiled as though from a sudden epiphany. “Dearest must have seen these groves from his Floating Isles.”

The red-tipped brunette glanced up at her. “I doubt that.”

“Doubt all you like. I’m going in,” Arx announced, heedless.

---------

Thoughts so far on the schedule?  Is it nice not having to wait for the next part to drop?  Or is the shorter length killing you?  

On my end, I'm liking it.  I'm already into chapter 42, so if I keep to this pace, I should be able to develop a backlog.  That way, the schedule will maintain itself even if I have to take a break for some reason.

That'll be especially nice once I come back to my editing cycle.

Anyway, ttfn.  See you all next time :)