“After the bath,” Replied Arad while staring at Mira and Aella.
“I should go in as well,” Alcott stretched his arms, walking inside the bath with Arad and Jack.
Aella walked in with Ginger while Mira and her mother headed back.
Inside the bath, Arad noticed the hair on Alcott’s back and chest had grown. Something was off as just yesterday he didn’t have that much.
“Do you mind if I ask something?” Arad looked toward Alcott.
“You already asked, what is it?” Alcott smiled.
“The hair on your back, didn’t it grow?”
Alcott laughed, “Of course. The more manly you are, the hairier you get.” He tried to diverge the conversation from his mixed blood.
“That makes no sense,” Jack stared at them.
“It makes sense. Remember how much power I used to get us out of the dungeon?” Alcott stared at him, “All that adrenaline would give you a hair or two.”
“That isn’t what I meant.” Jack scratched his head, “All barbarians I know are smooth.”
“They rage. There is nothing manly about being angry.” Alcott clenched his fist, “Drawing your strength with your free will is the right way.”
“It doesn’t matter as long as you win,” Arad looked at them.
“True strength isn’t smashing things. It’s controlling your rage, anger, and the power to direct it. Don’t lose yourself. Otherwise, you will hurt those close to you.” Alcott stared at them with a sharp glare.
“Did you lose control?”
“I did one time. Luckily for me, Ginger was strong enough to keep me in check.” Alcott smiled, remembering the day he lost control and transformed.
“There is no way a single person can cause a lot of damage,” Jack cracked his neck, “One sleeping dart, and it’s all over.”
Alcott looked at him, “Have you ever wondered why Nina is working as a receptionist?” A look of terror crossed his face, remembering the blood bath.
“Didn’t she just retire?” Jack looked at him.
“You have to ask her about it. I don’t think she will mind telling you the story.” Alcott smiled, standing up. “I will be going out,”
***
On the other side, Aella stretched her arms, cracking her shoulders. “It’s always amazing to rest after a long fight.” She said, looking toward Ginger, “That’s right, it mends the bones.”
Aella looked at Ginger’s overly pale skin, blue-ish fingernails, and blood-red hair, “Are you okay? Aren’t you sick?” She asked.
Ginger shook her head, “I hear that a lot, but I’m fine. It’s just how I look,” She replied with a smile.
“The water is hot. I don’t expect someone’s nails to stay blue here. You look as if you were standing in the cold,” Aella stared at her, “An elf’s eyes can’t mistake such things. As if your blood isn’t circulating well,”
Ginger shook her head, “I don’t move a lot and Always had a weak body. I’m fine.”
“I can’t imagine a weak body surviving that.” Aella pointed toward Ginger’s back. Three claw-shaped scars ran from her neck down to her hips.
“Ah, those?” She smiled, “I got them from a monster. He clawed my back when I wasn’t paying attention. The moon was full that day, as the wolves howled in the distance,”
“The moon, was it a werewolf?” Aella asked, and Ginger nodded, “A strong one at that. But for now, let’s talk about something more pleasant.” She smiled.
“Like what?” Aella tilted her head.
“Arad, how are you two doing?” She grinned, resting her chin on her hand. “Did he make any move? Or did you make a move?”
Aella pushed her hand under the water and splashed Ginger, “Who gave you the idea?”
Ginger protected her head with her palm and laughed, “This reaction. I’m right. You elves are proud and cocky. It was strange seeing you following him happily.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Aella growled, splashing the water at Ginger with a red face.
“Come on, be honest. What did trigger you with Arad?” Ginger smiled, approaching Aella. “Speak.”
Aella looked away, “I just thought he looked strange at the start. His eyes held a weird power in them.” She looked around. The bath was empty, “But after he saved my life from the frog, I discovered he was a dragon.”
Ginger looked, “Hmm, I see. It’s different from Alcott and me.”
“How did you two get together?” Aella asked.
“It wasn’t easy, neither pleasant for me, to be honest.” Ginger shook her head, “He walked to my house, beat the hell out of me, and dragged me back to his home, where he chained me for weeks.”
“He can’t do that!” Aella gasped.
“No, I can understand where he was coming from,” Ginger smiled. ^I was a powerful vampire lord. He invaded my castle and then took me back to try transforming into a vampire.^ She giggled in her thoughts.
“It doesn’t matter if you understand,” Aella gasped again.
“I would have done the same in his place,” Ginger smiled, grabbing Aella’s hand, “You have to make a move. Before you lose him.” She said.
“Lose him?” Aella thought, the image of Mira and Merida flashing in her mind. She immediately shook her head, her two ears flapping on her cheek, “Why did I think of those two?”
“See? You already care. It’s better to start early.” Ginger smiled, “Can you cook?”
“Why ask?”
“The closest way to a man’s heart is his stomach. That is at least true for Alcott. Start by cooking something delicious. That will give an edge on him.” Ginger suggested.
“Arad is a dragon. Last time I heard of him, he liked monsters raw.” Aella said with a sigh, “I can’t cook that,”
“Then hunt something for him. When on a quest. Just hunt a small monster and give him a snack.” She poked Aella’s stomach, “He won’t refuse it, and slowly you will get up his list.”
“Is there any normal food that he might like? Except for meat.” Aella smiled,
Ginger shook her head, “You elves don’t like meat, but that’s a plus for you.” She smiled, “Cook him some meat,”
“I hate handling it, and we can’t even digest it,” Aella replied.
“That’s the point. Arad knows you hate meat. Seeing you go out of your way for him is a massive advantage.” Ginger grinned, “Arad and Alcott are of the same breed. You can always rely on them when you need them.”
“What do you mean?” Aella asked.
“I know a caring man when I see you. Just ask Arad to carry you back to the inn and see how he will react.” Ginger said, “He won’t turn you down. And in the years to come, you will have a country destroying dragon behind your back.”
“You know a lot about those things,” Aella replied.
“I don’t have that much experience myself,” Ginger giggled, ^Since Alcott dragged me with him.^ She thought.
“As more people for advice. But don’t ask Lyla, as she might have already set her eye on Arad for her daughter.” Ginger scratched her chin, “Amber might be a good choice as well.”
Aella looked at the wall, “I did want to ask. Since where you and Alcott are married, you don’t seem to have children,”
Ginger smiled, “We’ve been married for twenty years. I sadly can’t bear children.” She patted her belly, ^That who has no like can’t grant it,^
“Isn’t that a problem with Alcott?” Aella looked at Ginger with a strange face. Elvish women find it hard to bear children since they live for so long. Usually, they blame it on the males for having weak seeds. .
Ginger shook her head, “You might not know it, but Alcott was a father before he met me.” She smiled, “Albite, that woman disappeared right after getting pregnant. She never showed up again.”
“Do you know her?” Aella asked.
“Of course, she was still with Alcott when he dragged me out of my house. To this day, I still remember her purple eyes and extremely dark hair.” She scratched her head.
“What was her name?”
“I don’t remember. It was ori something like that.” Ginger stood, “Let’s get out. You still have a long night with Arad.”
“I don’t have anything planned for the night,” Aella stood, replying with a red face and a sharp voice.
Ginger laughed, “At least give him a massage or ask him to give you one. It works both ways.” Ginger grabbed Aella’s shoulders and squeezed them, “Try to sleep together every once in a while. I heard some adventurer girls trick their partner into saving money by renting a single bedroom.”
“Our inn’s room has a single bed. I share it with Arad,” Aella said with a straight face.
“Splendid and perfect. How long can you keep that up?” Ginger asked.
“The bartender said a two beds room would be available by the end of the week.” She replied.
“You have that time to make a move. But remember, the inn walls are thin. If you want to do anything, ask me first, and I will get you a decent private room.” Ginger smiled, patting Aella on the back as they walked out.
