A woman entered behind the fawn, her auburn curls cascading down her back in waves. Unlike the girl, her antlers were fully grown, twisting elegantly into a pseudo crown atop her head. She placed one hand on her hip and huffed. “Holly, what did we say about running inside?”

  The girl caught herself, visibly attempting to slow down—only to barrel headfirst into Warwick’s legs. She tumbled with a thud, landing on her back, her four hooves kicking wildly in the air.

  A startled yelp echoed through the room as Holly flailed helplessly, trying and failing to put herself back on her feet.

  The woman—likely her Aman—groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead. “Holly, stop! You're going to hurt Warwick kicking like that.”

  One of Holly’s hooves flailed dangerously close to Warwick’s leg, but he calmly caught it in his hand before kneeling.

  “It’s fine,” he said, his gruff voice softening as his entire demeanor shifted. His hard features melted into something warm and kind. “I’ve dealt with much worse in my time than a glancing kick from a foal.”

  With a practiced gentleness, he tucked a hand under the sniffling fawn and rolled her onto her side.

  “There. Better?” he asked.

  Holly nodded miserably, leaning back against his legs as she continued sniffling.

  The woman sighed. “Holly…”

  Warwick straightened, unbothered and making no move to dislodge the child. “It's alright, I'm plenty sturdy enough to handle her weight… if you don't mind her being there.”

  The woman waved a dismissive hand, snorting. “Of course I don’t mind. She adores you, and there are few I’d trust more with her than you.”

  Warwick shifted almost imperceptibly, standing taller under her words, though his expression remained unreadable.

  She continued with a playful roll of her eyes. “But most people aren’t built like you. I, for one, already struggle to handle her weight when she leans on me. She’d topple almost anyone else.”

  Her gaze flicked toward us, her expression brightening as her eyes landed on Clover. “You’re back!”

  Clover stepped forward with open arms, and the woman bent halfway down to hug her. Pulling back, Clover wasted no time. “It’s good to see you, Thistle. I was actually going to find you next, but since you’re here...”

  She quickly explained the situation, and Thistle turned to me with a warm smile, gratitude clear in her eyes. “Thank you for helping. Many wouldn’t in your place.”

  I shrugged, embarrassed at the attention. “I was just doing the right thing.” Not wanting to linger on the topic, I shifted gears, addressing Nikoli. “Do you have a blacksmith I can barter with? I need someone who can repair my armor—and possibly craft a weapon sturdy enough to channel high-level spells without breaking.”

  The room’s attention swung to me as the mayor stroked his chin in thought. “I doubt our smith is capable of that level of craftsmanship,” he admitted, “but I’ll ask around. Your armor, however, should be a relatively simple matter.” He grimaced. “Though you might want to build rapport with the town before attempting to buy or sell anything.”

  Thistle grinned, nudging Clover playfully. “Something tells me he won’t have much trouble winning hearts once he starts talking and working. He’s a handsome one. You got yourself a good catch. You’ll have to beat people off with a stick once they trust him.”

  Heat surged across my face, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Warwick tense. Before I could dwell on it, Clover grinned, her gaze sweeping over me with shameless appreciation.

  “Oh, trust me, I’m well-prepared to remind people that he’s taken. He’s mine, and they’ll just have to find someone else.” She poked Thistle with a playful smirk. “For that matter, you can’t have him either. I don’t share, not even with friends.”

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  Thistle laughed, flashing a smile in my direction. “That won’t be a problem. No offense. You seem nice enough, but you’ve got too few legs for my taste.”

  Clover flicked a sly glance toward Warwick. “You also have a thing for tall guys.”

  Warwick hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face. I half-expected Thistle to blush or grow flustered. She did no such thing.

  Instead, she hummed, openly eyeing Warwick. “Yes, well… there haven’t been any offers on that front.”

  Tension crackled through the air as her gaze lingered, charged and unspoken. It mirrored the way Clover had looked at me in the cave.

  The moment stretched before Thistle sighed and broke the stare. “But we should head out. I still have dozens of patients to see. I’ll bring you up to speed when you stop by my shop later. Holly?”

  Holly hefted herself up and hopped to her Aman. The two left after a wave—and one final lingering glance at Warwick.

  Clover inhaled, clearly ready to say something, but Warwick cut her off with a grunt. “Not a word from you.”

  She ignored him, as expected. “You can’t silence me that easily, and you know it. You’re missing out, you know. It’s painfully obvious you two like each other, and she hasn’t been shy about stating her interest.”

  He grimaced. looking away. “It’s complicated.”

  Clover rolled her eyes. “It’s only as complicated as you make it. If it’s about the size difference, she clearly doesn’t care.” Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “That actually works in your favor.”

  A flush crept up Warwick’s cheeks, and he scowled. “Clover...” His tone held a warning, but she raised her hands in mock surrender.

  “Fine, fine. I’m dropping it. But I still think you’re being dumb. Happiness isn’t promised, especially in times like this. Why not take it when it appears?”

  Warwick frowned, contemplative but silent.

  Clover nodded, her point made, but before she could make for the door, I remembered something else we were supposed to discuss with them.

  “Have either of you noticed anything…strange about the tavern owner?”

  Clover tensed from the corner of my eye, but I stayed focused on the others. They exchanged a look before Warwick shook his head.

  “Nothing substantial, though he puts me ill at ease whenever I have to be in the establishment.”

  Clover grimaced. “Good to know it's not just me. We don't have much information, only rumors that we can't confirm, but keep an eye on the waitresses. They might be in danger.”

  Nikoli scowled at that. “You think the owner may be hurting them?”

  She looked away with a sigh. “We don't know. A monk told us he ran into one of those waitresses and she was being chased. We were hoping you'd check on that while we went looking for the herb.”

  Warwick nodded. “I'll personally look into that. It doesn't feel like a coincidence that all his workers are beastfolk women…”

  Nikoli sighed. “I'd like to think anyone who saw something suspicious would come forward with the information but with things as they are lately…”

  There was no guarantee.

  “If it turns out to be the worst case scenario, we'll help handle it when we return.” I said and the others relaxed, if only slightly.

  Satisfied, Clover turned toward the door. “Since that's handled, Frederick, let’s head to the trader. After that, you can help with the quests.”

  She stopped me just beside the door, pinning me with a pointed glare. “But don’t overdo it. I appreciate your determination to help others, but don’t break yourself in the process.”

  Nikoli chuckled. “He’s a self-sacrificing one?”

  Clover sighed dramatically. “You have no idea. It’s just how he is.”

  I huffed. “Don’t make it sound like that. I’m not reckless.”

  She raised a brow, crossing her arms. “Darling, you jumped into the open mouth of a gravity-controlling basilisk on our way here.”

  Nikoli and Warwick tensed in surprise, but I ignored them.

  “To save you,” I countered. “And I’d do it again.”

  Her mock exasperation melted into warm fondness as she kissed my cheek. “Yes, and I appreciate it… but that doesn’t change the fact that you have no regard for your life. Remember your ‘plan’ with the scorpion?”

  I opened my mouth to argue, only to falter. “That! …You know what, that’s fair. I’m going to wait outside before you can tease me any further.”

  She laughed softly and gestured for me to lead the way. “Be safe, Darling.”

  Grumbling under my breath, I stepped outside. “I’m not going to get into trouble just by walking around town—”

  The hair on my neck stood on end.

  Instinct took over, and I ducked just in time to avoid a massive battle axe that cleaved the air where my chest had been moments before.

  Rolling sideways away from Clover, I bit back a groan.

  Oh I’m never hearing the end of this.