Banished Pt. 15

"Well, I'd say you deserve a night with me at least to make up for it. Especially after all this."

She blushed a little.

"I just... don't want you to feel obligated, as if I'd be less interested in my role if you didn't do that," she said, and I pulled her close, and ruffled her hair playfully.

"Well, we could always make a night of it. Invite Evie, Molly. Have ourselves a ball."

She frowned.

"Maybe. Although, just a night with the two of us sounds pretty nice," she said, and I smiled.

"It's a date," I said, but as she cast a tentative glance backwards, she shot me a teasing look.

"I can't help but see your harem expanding in the near future," she said, nodding subtly to Sheila and Blair, both of whom I'd noted had been stealing the odd glance at me every now and then.

"I dunno. Maybe now with a few more guys around, you girls have a few more options."

She scoffed, leaning in to whisper:

"I can't see myself trading the odd night with you for any of these."

I poked her in the side, and she giggled a little.

"What about trading me for a guy like Ethan?" I suggested, and she rolled her eyes.

"Why? Because he's strong?"

I shrugged.

"He seems nice enough. He's likeable, charismatic... good looking."

"If I want to date a mini-you, then maybe I'll just wait for one of those pregnant women of yours to give birth to a son," she teased, and I laughed.

"You'd date my son?" I shuddered a little. "That just reminded me; Cameron loves to tease me by acting like you and Bianca are like our kids, or something."

"Oh~. I could get on board with that, although I don't think she'll like the way I call you 'daddy'," she said, with a wink.

"How fucking far is this thing?" Wilt called, as Blair pulled him along gruffly, prompting him to stumble.

"Watch your step," she teased, and he scowled, slightly in the wrong direction too, to my amusement.

"It's just up ahead, actually," I called, but as we moved within sight of the cluster, Sheila let out an awed gasp.

"Holy fuck. Am I imagining things?" Sheila asked, and I chuckled.

"Nope. And believe it or not, this is just our temporary base."

"What? What is it?" Wilt asked, apparently quite perturbed by missing out on whatever it was that prompted that kind of reaction from Sheila.

But the others were quickly expressing their own marvel at the grove trees, and as we moved closer to the cluster, I spotted a small figure running at full sprint out towards us.

"Naythannnnn!" Lucia cried out as she leapt, crashing into me hard, and I spun her around a bit, before pulling her in for a hug.

"Holy crap- is her skin actually green?" Devin asked, and I nodded, turning my attention to Lucia.

"Missed me, did you?"

"Lucia missed plenty!" she called excitedly, and I gasped at how much her pronunciation had improved.

"You're getting better at that," I said, and she smiled proudly.

"Lucia fights better! Faster! Next time, take Lucia!"

I pinched her nose affectionately, as Cameron and some of the Kobalt quickly gathered to greet us.

I set Lucia down, and she scampered off as Cameron moved in, and she kissed me, then hugged me tight.

"Gods bless whoever brought you back to me in one piece," she said, but my eyes quickly zeroed in on her stomach, where the bump was now outwardly visible, and she shot me a slightly proud look.

I kissed her again, but as the kiss went on for a bit, Francesca cleared her throat.

"Fuck, sorry," I said, and she shook her head, shooting me a teasing smile.

"I'll go find Evie," she said, but I stopped her, as I nodded to Samantha.

"Take Samantha with you," I said, as I turned the face the girl. "Evie is our resident physician; she should be able to get you everything you need to treat her wound," I explained, and Samantha nodded.

She shot Sheila a slightly worried look, but the girl nodded.

"Go on ahead," Sheila said. "We might need to sort through this before I can come see you."

I passed the medical supplies over to Francesca while the two girls said a quick goodbye, and Samantha nodded, then headed off with Francesca.

"So, who are all of these?" Cameron asked, and I rubbed the back of my head nervously.

"New transfers. We kind of helped them out, and some offered to join up," I explained, and Cameron nodded.

"Frida?" she asked, turning around until she spotted one a timid looking Kobalt girl. "Can you get Alva to prepare some guest rooms?"

The girl quickly nodded.

"Yes, Frei Camryn," she said, bowing, before heading off.

"You all must be hungry," Cameron said, and as the tired expressions on the faces around her answered her question, she nodded. "Gretchen? Where are you?" she asked, and a Kobalt girl stepped forward.

"I exist, Frei Camryn," she answered.

"Gather the rest of the companions and have them prepare a communal meal for our new guests in the entry hall," Cameron ordered, and the girl gave a slight curtsey, before heading off.

"You seem to be in your element," I teased, and she smiled.

"If you don't want me to act like an old dowager, then don't give me servants," she replied teasingly, and I smiled.

"Jesus. How big is this group?" Wilt asked, and Blair chuckled, as she nudged him suddenly from behind, and smirked a bit at his slightly panicked reaction.

"Trust me; it looks more like a town than a group," she said.

"A town? I thought those weren't safe," he said.

"They aren't. But here is because no-one knows about it, and we're trying to keep it that way," I explained.

He nodded, though I could tell from the expression on his face, he was reconsidering his whole position.

"What's with the blindfolds and the binds?" Cameron asked. "Did these three misbehave?"

"Well, this one's a prisoner, and these two; well, they're not exactly keen on joining us," I explained, before giving her a quick rundown of what happened.

"Ethan, huh? Well, I guess it can't be helped."

I nodded.

"Can we keep her somewhere by the carts? Like we did with Raul," I suggested, and Cameron shook her head, smiling at me a bit mysteriously.

"Sure, keep them by the carts," she teased. "We have five whole trees, numb nuts. I had Raul and the artisans organize some of the rooms in the lower level of one of the uninhabited trees into holding cells."

She turned around, then spotted another of the girls.

"Vera, was it?" she asked, and the girl nodded timidly. "Have Gisela organize an escort to take these three to the prisons."

The girl bowed, then headed off.

"Prisons? Seriously?" Wilt asked, and Cameron shrugged.

"Sorry, kid. But until we can figure out how much you're allowed to see; you'll have to deal with it. Although, it's less of a dungeon and more of a... room with no windows," she said. "As for the rest of you, you look like you could use a shower and some fresh clothes," she offered.

"I exist, Frei Camryn," another girl offered, and Cameron smiled, ruffling the girl's hair playfully.

"I'm starting to like you, Alina. Gather up some companions, and have these gods and goddesses pampered a little," she said, before turning to the group. "You'll be brought down for dinner afterwards. Is that acceptable?"

"Acceptable? You mean a shower, with actual water?" Sheila asked.

"Yep," Cameron answered, and the girl shook her head disbelievingly.

"Then sign me up. I could sell my soul for a shower right now," she exclaimed, and Cameron grinned.

"Don't make promises you're not willing to keep," she said, but as she noted the slightly bothered look on my face, she turned to me.

"What's wrong?" she asked, pulling me aside.

"I don't think I can stay," I explained.

She pouted in response.

"But you just got back," she complained, and I nodded.

"We were supposed to meet up with Ethan at the guildhall, but I have no other way to contact him, so I might have to overnight there. Is there anyone I can take with me, though?"

She frowned a bit, as she considered it.

"Bianca's spent, and Raul's been working all day on that tree removal project."

I glanced over her shoulder to where the fallen tree was still sticking halfway out of our grove and into the woods beyond.

"Jordan?"

"He was out appraising plants all day," she replied.

"Molly, then? Or Jeannie? Even Nolan."

She frowned.

"I want you to make it back alive," she replied, as Blair quickly moved over to us.

"I can go," she pipped, and Cameron turned and eyed her a little.

"Newbie, and in armor to boot, huh? Your core doesn't look as good as you do, though."

"Plus; that armor needs to be properly earned," I reminded her, and she frowned.

"Fine~," she sang, as she wandered away.

I eyed her subtly as I turned away, however, noting that she seemed to be acting unusually... girly.

She seemed to be baiting Cameron for a reaction, but Cameron seemed too busy thinking about the situation to take notice.

"Take Lucia!" Lucia cried out, and I spun around, just as the little one sneaked out from behind one of the others.

"Out of the question," Cameron replied, and the girl stomped her feet in response.

"Not fair!" she exclaimed, shooting me a pleading look that was borderline criminal.

"Sorry kid, but your core capacity needs to get much higher before I can take you on a long run in armor like that," I said, ruffling her hair, and she folded her arms and growled, then stomped off.

"You could always take me in armor," Cameron suggested playfully, and I raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm kidding," she quickly added, waving away my concern. "Guess it'd have to be Leanna, then."

I frowned.

"Do you think she can handle it? We might encounter some monsters," I said.

"Geisterung?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"Spider things."

She shuddered a little.

"Well, she's not reliable in a fight, that's for sure. And she'll walk right into a tree unless you tell her it's there; but she sure keeps an eye out for anything that moves."

I nodded.

"That'll do," I said. "One more thing, though."

I took a tentative look around, then turned Cameron away from Blair.

"The teasing blond," I said, dropping my voice to a low whisper.

"The one who's eye fucking you to see if it'll piss me off?" she asked, and I nodded.

"Emily two point 'O'," I said, and she bit her lip nervously in response.

"Will inform the Kobalt immediately," she said.

She sent another Kobalt girl to fetch Leanna, and while we waited, I caught sight of Casey over by the entry hall across from where we were.

At first, I thought maybe she hadn't heard that we were back, but eventually I caught her stealing glances at me, though she still didn't come over.

"How has she been?" I asked, and Cameron frowned.

"I'm not sure. She's being helpful; with skill training and that kind of stuff. And I saw her going through some plans with Nolan about where to settle down."

"That's a relief," I said, and Cameron nodded.

"Yeah. Having her off suicide watch was a major relief," she teased, and I shook my head at her.

I looked over as I spotted Leanna making her way over to us.

"Nate. You're back!"

The relief on her face was palpable, and she quickly wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tight.

"Sorry to ask this, but I need to go back to that guildhall, and I need someone to watch my back," I began, but she quickly shook her head.

"It's fine. Casey's organizing my armor and some supplies," she explained. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, and she smiled.

"How have you been holding up?" I asked, and she smiled, looking around.

"Everything feels so different. Everyone tries to talk to me... it feels like if I'm in a completely different place now."

"Oh~. I'm glad to hear it. What about the Kobalt, though? Do they still spook you?"

"Uh... a little bit," she admitted timidly. "Jordan has been really helpful, though. Like, if I'm not sure why they're doing something, he takes the time to work it out with me. Even when I'm being difficult. You wouldn't think it, but he's actually a really nice guy."

Wouldn't think it, huh?

I suppressed a smirk at that, and chuckled a bit awkwardly.

"He's kinder than most people I know," I concurred, and she smiled.

"You're kinder than most people I know," she said, moving to take my hand. "I'm glad you came back okay."

She was nuzzling my hand, when I caught Lucia's eyes on me, and I noted a slightly glaring look there.

I thought for a moment to wave her over, but she turned and walked off just as Casey came over with Alva by her side.

"Your armor," Alva offered, and Leanna accepted the slivers from the girl.

Cameron moved to help Leanna activate them and put them on, while Casey moved closer to me, a little awkwardly.

"Any injuries?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"Six new sets of armor, though," I said, offering my satchel to her, and she raised an eyebrow.

"Six sets? What happened?"

"Newbie hunters," I explained, and she shook her head disbelievingly.

"Inside of here? That doesn't make sense."

I pulled her away from the new group, then nodded subtly.

"I have my own reservations, but they're legit enough," I said, and she watched me carefully, as I gave her a quick rundown of what went down.

"Fuck. Are you sure it was Caleb?"

"Yeah. Except he said something weird," I replied, and she studied me, as I looked around. "He said he was gonna get revenge on me for killing him."

She shook her head.

"But Raul was the one who killed him," she said, and I nodded.

"What do you think it means?" I asked, and she rubbed her chin.

There was a weird look on her face, and she took a deep breath, then nodded.

"I, uh- I have an idea, but it's related to the thing that I don't want you to know about just yet," she said. "I know that you hate this, but-"

I cut her off suddenly with a kiss, surprising her, and even myself a little.

"Sorry," I said. "I couldn't help myself. It's just so sexy when you don't lie to me and stuff," I teased, and she blushed.

"Fucking idiot," she muttered, though there was a little hint of a smile on her face.

"Did Raul ever tell you what he did with the cores? From Caleb's group, I mean."

"I think he turned them in at the hall," I said, and she frowned.

"So, Danica was right then," she said, as she shook her head. "As long as they have access to our cores, they can turn us into monsters..."

While we talked, Leanna indicated to me that she was ready to leave, but Casey pulled me back as I moved to go to her.

"Look, Nate; I know you think that I'm overly suspicious, but this whole set-up stinks. There's a hell of a lot of co-incidences strung together, and I'm not sure it all adds up," she said, and I nodded.

"I agree," I said. "But I'm not sure who's pulling the strings. The only person to finger is Ethan, and he could just as well be another piece, rather than the orchestrator..."

She frowned.

"How strong is he?" she asked, and I bit my lip nervously.

"I don't know for certain. I only saw him attack once, and he was quicker than we are with speed three armor. And he doesn't wear any."

"Fuck. So, he's a tier-four fighter; at minimum. The fact that he's capable of that without armor is scary though."

I nodded in agreement.

"I'd say that I'll be careful, but honestly, my gut tells me that if he wanted to do something to us, we couldn't really do a thing to stop him."

Casey sighed, glancing at Leanna again.

"Couldn't you wait an hour? Bianca might wake up," she began, but I shook my head.

"I'm confident I can find the place in light, but it might be a different story when darkness falls... and part of me wants to give Ethan less motivation to come find me here," I explained, and she swallowed uncomfortably, then nodded.

"Just... remember that we need you, okay?" she said, holding onto me as I nodded and began to turn. "Promise?"

"I promise," I said, and she finally let go.

"Are we leaving now?" Leanna asked.

"If you're ready," I said, and she nodded.

I gave one more wave to Casey and Cameron, then turned, and after gesturing to Leanna we took off down the path at a sprint.

I tried to push Leanna as much as I could, since getting to the hall as soon as possible was our priority, but to my surprise, she seemed to keep up with me without much complaint.

We paused just before the stream for her to catch her breath a little, and as I studied her, I noted that she seemed visibly different.

Healthier for sure... and her attractiveness seemed to be blossoming as a result.

Sweat was matting her blond hair to her forehead, and as she wiped it away, she caught my eyes on her and blushed.

"Sorry. Was I making you uncomfortable?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"When I feel your eyes on me, I feel safe," she said, taking my hand, and bringing it to her cheek.

I smiled at her, then indicated for us to continue on.

The journey through the woods to the guildhall this time was a much simpler affair, but as we approached the place, a bit of anxiety began to gnaw at my chest, and as we slowed down, I shot a quick glance at Leanna and saw that she seemed to be feeling the disturbance as well.

"Did these woods always feel like this?" she asked, suppressing a shudder, and I shook my head.

"We better be on alert," I said, and she nodded, her hand moving instinctively to check for the dagger clasped at her hip.

Nothing appeared to be visibly 'off' as we got to the guildhall as we approached, and as I opened up the door, I kept my guard up; but awaiting us inside was the last person I expected to see.

"Jayden! Holy balls," I said, and the man let out a relieved sigh, as soon as he spotted me.

"Almost gave me a heart attack, man," he said, but as my eyes travelled past him, I noted a new face by his side, and as he turned to follow my gaze, he smiled. "This is Juliette."

"The famous Julie in the flesh. I'm Nathan, and this is Leanna." I said, offering her a little bow.

"Hi," Leanna offered, a little timidly.

"Nate is the one who gave me the armor to come get you," Jayden explained, and Julie's expression shifted from worry to relief.

"Thank you so much," she began, but as I noted that despite her sentiment, she didn't shift from her position on the ground, I studied her carefully.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Jayden bit his lip, as he stooped down beside Julie.

"She was injured in the attack; and now, she can't walk," he explained, and as her eyes began to tear up, Jayden took her hand reassuringly.

"How did you make it here?" I asked.

"Ethan found us, and guided us back," he said.

I moved in and examined her with sensory perception, but even as I noted that her threads didn't seem to go anywhere below the waist, I had no clue of what the problem might be.

"We have physicians back at our camp. Maybe you two should come back there with us," I began, and Jayden eyed me.

"Is that where the others are?" he asked, and I nodded.

"We were attacked here," I explained, and he frowned.

"The two dead guys outside?" he asked.

"Yep. I didn't wanna risk leaving the others, so we took them back to our base. Although, most have volunteered to stay on."

Jayden furrowed his brow a little.

"Most?"

"Everyone except Wilt and Colt," I clarified. "I guess I'll offer you the same deal I offered them. We can take you back to our home if you're willing to join up," I began-

"And if not?"

"Then we'll have to blindfold you; our camp is safe because no-one really knows about it, so if you're going to leave when Ethan is ready to lead you to their camp, we can't have you knowing where exactly to find us."

Jayden nodded.

"That makes sense. Although, if most of the others are really willing to stay, then maybe it might be best. For her too," he said. "I wonder if it's really safe for us to leave this place, though."