Putting the bundle down, I stepped back as Horn went to sorting the clothing.

“Nann’s always a gentle soul. But it’s surprising to find Landi sending so many gifts too. What’s gotten into her? Old age, maybe?” Horn wondered with a chuckle.

I smirked as I went to step around him, and stare down one of the several isles of racks and shelves within the room.

The lane of supplies went quite a distance. There was a small pillar near the center, where the racks and shelves separated to make room for it. That pillar was important… especially since it kept a good section of earth up above from falling down and burying the whole room. It was one of many.

“Oh look at that. A bunch of hats,” Horn hummed as I listened to him shuffle around some of them. A few had fur by the sounds of how they rubbed against each other.

“Hm,” I stepped to the next aisle, and was glad to see that this one too looked stocked full. Nearly every shelf and rack in this storage building was full. Full of supplies. Clothes. Food. Tools.

Everything and anything.

Just in case.

“Well?”

I turned, and found Horn wearing an ugly hat. Something made from beaver, likely.

“Least it works with your horn,” I said.

He smirked and shrugged. The horn that extruded from his forehead was only a few inches big, but it was sharp. The hat rested on it a little, but not so much that it would be an issue.

Horn took the hat off and laid it on the table with the others… but instead of returning to the task of sorting them, he instead focused on me.

“You look tired, Vim,” Horn noted.

“I’m traveling with both Oplar and a woman who has decided to become my wife,” I answered.

Horn tilted his head, and his horn actually glimmered a little even in the dimly lit room. “Yes. I suppose you are…” he admitted.

We’d arrived a few hours ago. It was midday, but there was a storm nearby. It made the world dark and moody, and even a little cold. But down here beneath the surface… it felt warm. Dry.

Quiet.

I was enjoying it. As much as I liked hearing Renn and Oplar happily chat with one another…

There was a faint luxury in silence.

“How’s the family been?” I asked.

“We’re always fine, Vim.”

“Always?” I asked.

“Yes. Even when hurt. Even when struggling… we are fine. We’re hardy folk,” Horn defended his answer.

Well…

I guess I could at least let him have that.

“Has anyone visited?” I asked.

“No. It’s been quiet. A few years ago my daughter rescued a pair of slaves. They spent a few months healing, and then we sent them on their way,” Horn said.

“Slaves?” I asked.

“From the east. Those folks with tattoos all over them,” Horn described them.

Interesting. They had likely been fleeing the wars and plague. Possibly escaped their servitude thanks to such chaos, in fact.

I’ll ask his daughter about them later. Just to confirm they weren’t a threat or would reveal anything to anyone down the road.

“We did have a small forest fire, too. About a year ago. But it was short lived. It rounded the lake to the north, two mountains are still somewhat bare thanks to it,” Horn added.

I nodded. “Some of the forests here do look due for such fires,” I said. That wasn’t a surprise to me at all.

“Other than all that… all’s well, as always. No issues. No visitors. No chaos. No strange prophecies,” he said.

That last thing was the best news of them all. “How is she, anyway?” I asked.

Horn frowned then turned to go back to the table. Although he returned to sorting the hats and clothes with increased seriousness, I knew it wasn’t because he suddenly wanted to get the job done. He simply didn’t like my question. “She’s been fine. She’s a quiet girl, you know that, Vim. Most of the time she only ever speaks to her mother anymore. But she seems happy enough. She likes to fish. Likes to sew. Likes to clean and tend the gardens. A typical, normal, daughter,” Horn said.

Watching the man as he stacked a pile of clothes, I noted the way his elbows were a little stiff.

He was hoping I’d drop the subject.

So… might as well.

“There’s been a vote called. You’ll need to either go to Telmik and cast it, or send it via a letter,” I told him.

“Hm? What kind?” he asked as a studied a hat. It looked like one for the deep snow and cold.

“If I should retain my position as Protector or not,” I said.

Horn paused… and dropped the hat he had been studying. He turned to look at me, and I was glad to see the shock on his face.

“To… remove you?” he asked.

I nodded… but then hesitated. “Well… to be honest I’m not entirely sure yet. I don’t know if it’s an outright call to banish me, or simply to change my authority and duties. I’ve not yet really… spoken with those who have called the vote, just yet,” I said the truth.

Horn took a deep breath and sighed. “Who is doing such a stupid thing?”

Shifting a little, I wondered if I should blame Rapti or not. From what I’d been able to deduce from Oplar so far… she was the source, but not the cause. There were many involved. “From what I’ve gathered so far, the religious sects of Telmik. Though to be honest I’m not sure if it’s the whole order, or just a few members,” I said.

He groaned and reached up to his face. Unlike other people who rubbed their eyes, or the bridge of their noses, he rubbed instead the horn. As if it was stiff and painful. “Those religious idiots,” he mumbled.

I smirked at him. “Wonder if your daughter will agree with them or not,” I said.

Horn let out a deeper groan, realizing exactly what I meant… yet he kept his words to himself.

He’d speak ill of others, particularly those who were religious, but never his daughter. Never.

“You can learn more from Oplar. And I’m sure you’ll receive more letters explaining more eventually, too. It’s to happen on the eve of foundation, two years from now,” I told him.

“Hm… You know it might be a good excuse to travel. Berri has recently made a few comments of traveling. She’d likely enjoy it,” Horn said.

“Oh? Then sure. Maybe we can plan it… I wouldn’t mind escorting your family when the time comes. Just let me know,” I said.

Horn nodded, and his frown told me he very likely would do such a thing. He seemed to like the idea.

I was glad he was receptive to my offer of escorting them.

Even if they didn’t have horns on their foreheads… I’d need to.

They were too… special… to not have me with them when venturing into the lands of humans. Or anywhere beyond their safe haven, really.

As Horn decided to go back to sorting the clothes, I stepped down one of the isles. I studied the little markings and plaques beneath the boxes and shelves of stuff. Some were very easy to read and make out, others I had to pause and really study. They were that old and faded.

There was no real rhyme or reason to their sorting method. They had nails next to thread. Below the thread was cans of pickled vegetables. Behind them were what looked to be a box of…

Rounding the aisle, to the other side, I pulled back the box to make sure I wasn’t mistaken.

I hadn’t been. Within was a violin.

I tapped the box’s edge, and wondered when it had found its way here. It was the one I had made many years ago. For that blind girl.

Reaching into the box, I pulled out the small instrument. It was oddly clean, especially since I knew it had likely been in the box for over a decade at least… yet it and even the strings all looked good.

“Hm? What is that, Vim?”

I turned, to show the instrument to Horn. “When’d this get here?” I asked him.

“I uh… don’t even know what it is, to be honest,” Horn said.

“It’s a musical instrument. I made it a long time ago. I wonder who brought it here,” I said as I wondered.

“Oh…? Huh… Well, you know how it is. A lot of strange things find their way here, Vim. They have ever since Narli was born,” Horn said.

Right. Right…

Putting the thing back into the box, I hesitated.

Hadn’t I once thought of giving such a thing to Renn…?

I didn’t see its bow in the box, but it’d be easy to make a new one.

But…

Deciding to let it be, I pushed the box back onto the shelf. To hide it away… since it obviously seemed like it wanted to be.

I sighed as I stepped over to accept a pile of clothes from Horn. He was ready to put some away.

Following him down another aisle, we quickly reached a rack with larger boxes. Ones that slid out a little, on rails.

Horn opened them and we put away the clothes that Nann had made for them. They joined similar fashioned clothes… that Nann has sent over the many years.

“She really is such a nice person. These would be great during the cold winters,” Horn said as he patted them, and then went to shutting the boxes and securing them away.

“Then use them?” I suggested.

“Hm. Maybe one day,” he nodded and smiled.

Right. Sure.

Damn man was a hoarder, I swear.

Oh well. It was fine. After all he’d happily give anything in this room to any Society member the moment they asked for it.

And that was the original purpose of this place, too. In a way.

Once done, Horn and I headed for the exit of the storage. He walked slowly, and crossed his arms in a way that told me he had a thought he wanted to share.

I waited, and we nearly reached the door before he finally figured out how to properly say it.

“This vote, Vim… Is it serious?” he asked.

“It might be, yes,” I admitted.

“Did something happen? To cause it? I don’t understand why anyone would even think of doing such a thing,” he said.

“Well… I think, honestly, there are just a lot of people that are… upset. I do fail after all. I do make mistakes. They have a right to be upset,” I said.

“Your mistakes are never intentional, nor are they ever that bad, though. Or did you recently really screw up?” he asked.

I shrugged lightly. “I’ve dealt with a few Monarchs. There’s been some losses… a few villages, and members, are lost to us now. Not a few of them were lost while I was nearby, as well. So in a certain sense, yes. I suppose,” I said.

“Knowing you that likely means they really don’t have any grounds to stand on. Oh well… Maybe Narli was right then,” Horn said with a sigh as I paused, both to let him open the door that led to the stairwell… but also to process what he had just said.

“What was Narli right about?” I asked carefully.

Usually I never wanted to know, but…

“Hm…? Just that you’d lose something important before coming back here. Maybe she meant your position? Hm,” Horn nodded, as if it made perfect sense as he opened the door.

My eyes narrowed, and I refused to allow the shiver that wanted to run down my back. I denied it existence.

Following Horn out of the storage room and up the stairwell, we returned to the first floor of the building. I shut the storage door behind me, and turned to watch his wife approach us.

“Still I’m surprised they’re that foolish to try again. Do none remember what happened after Celine died?” Horn said with a huff, not realizing his wife was stepping up behind him. He had turned to watch me close the door.

“No. Most don’t anymore,” I told him.

“That’s a good thing, in my opinion. Let the past stay behind us. It’s cruel and depressing,” Berri said, startling her husband.

He turned, and gave her a massive smile upon realizing she was here. He stepped forward to kiss her on the cheek, which she accepted with such gentleness and surety that it made me jealous.

I couldn’t blame Horn for being so in love.

Berri was a beautiful woman. In many ways.

“How’ve you been Berri?” I greeted her. We had seen each other earlier, but Oplar and Renn had basically swarmed her and her daughter. Horn and I had snuck away rather quickly, without really getting a chance to let us say much.

“Very well. And I’m even better now that I got to meet something so adorable,” Berri said.

I frowned at first, but quickly realized what she meant. “She is, isn’t she?” I agreed.

Berri nodded and turned to her husband. “You should go meet her, dear. Your friend has finally found a mate. Don’t miss this opportunity to know her,” she told him.

Horn frowned, and then turned to look at me. “Wait… you were serious, then?” he asked.

I nodded. “I think so?”

His eyes went a little wide, and then he looked to Berri… who smirked happily and nodded. The left side of her face, and its scars, made the smirk look a little wobbly… but it was beautifully pure all the same.

“Then… yes. I really should. I’ll go do so now!” Horn turned, not even waiting to say or hear more. He hurried to the exit of the building, where Berri had come from.

“They’re at the house, dear,” Berri told him as he left.

Watching him go, I sighed. “I plan to stick around for a short time. There’s no need to rush,” I told her.

“The world doesn’t care for our patience, or our neglect,” Berri said.

I shifted at that, and wished Berri hadn’t grown so old. I missed her back when she was a youth. And not because she hadn’t suffered her wounds and gotten those scars… but rather because she hadn’t been tainted by her daughter back then. She had been easier to talk to.

“How have you been Vim?” Berri asked gently.

“Fine. There’s been a little drama and stuff… but nothing more than usual,” I said.

“Hm. I’ve heard most of it already,” Berri nodded.

Good. I didn’t like sharing such news with her. I’d rather talk to her about things that were happy, as to see her smile.

She turned a little, gesturing down the hall. Away from the entrance, where her husband had just left through.

“Hm,” I nodded. She must want to sit and talk.

Threaten me with a good time.

Berri turned and headed down the hallway. She walked slowly, with a slight limp. Her left leg, like the rest of that side of her body, was malformed. Forever ruined.

Although she now walked with a limp, I still couldn’t help but gaze a little at the way she strode. She had the same kind of gait that Renn did. One of surety and confidence. One that told the whole world that she was happy, and content, and nothing would ever hamper that.

She didn’t care at all how the world saw her. And that pure independent confidence was what made her so beautiful.

“I hear your daughter saved some slaves,” I said lightly.

Berri nodded, and I watched the way her horn left my sight for a small moment, thanks to the angle. It wasn’t as pointy as Horn’s, but it was a tad bigger. “Indeed she did. They were good girls… I was okay with letting them stay here, but Narli saw something. Something that required them to move on,” Berri said.

Well that wasn’t something I wanted to hear. Now I really will need to ask her about them.

“Anything else happen? Horn had mentioned a fire too,” I said.

“Hm. Nothing really happened this time, Vim. Even our winters have been rather mild, to be honest,” she said as we rounded a corner and headed for a small sitting area.

This building didn’t have rooms, or a kitchen, but it did have a small meeting area. It was honestly more of a resting place, more than anything. A place to rest when working in the storage room for extended periods.

Berri took a seat, and I noticed the way her left leg curled a little into her healthier and stronger right leg. As if for warmth.

Although crippled… Berri sat up straight and elegantly. Unbothered by her deformities, nor ashamed of them.

As I sat, I couldn’t help but smile at the beautiful woman.

“She suites you,” Berri said gently.

“Thanks… I guess.”

“Hm… I’m glad to see you’re taking the teasing so well. It means you’re being serious,” she said as she studied me.

“I’m trying to,” I admitted.

“She’s a cat, right?” she asked.

I nodded. “A jaguar. It’s a large forest cat. A true predator… in fact… she’s more like Lilly than not,” I said.

“Huh… I wonder where she came from. I’d like to hear her story,” she said.

“She’ll share it if you ask. She keeps a few secrets, but not enough in my opinion,” I said.

Berri giggled at me. “How horrible that must be for you,” she said.

Hmph.

“Narli noticed your arrival, Vim. She grew very excited… now I’m starting to think it was her, and not you,” Berri said as she thought of it.

“Likely. I’m boring, after all,” I said.

“Wouldn’t really call your existence boring to Narli, Vim,” Berri commented.

Well… likely not. But I didn’t want to admit more than that.

“Before we get too… deep into conversation, I’d like to hear of this vote, Vim,” Berri then said, revealing the reason she had wanted to talk to me alone for a moment.

I nodded. “It’s real. I’m not sure how many, or who, are actually involved… but there’s enough of them to make it serious. I also don’t know how far they’re going to try to take it, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they try to go all the way and banish me outright,” I told her.

Berri sighed. “Did they not try after Celine? Are they the same people doing it this time?” she asked.

“Most of those individuals are either dead, or left, Berri. Most today aren’t that old anymore,” I told her.

She frowned. “Really…?”

I nodded. “Those like you, and Nann and the others… are rare now. Take Renn for example. She’s about two hundred years old, and even she could be counted amongst the oldest. Though she likely hasn’t realized it yet,” I said.

“That is unsettling to hear. I did get the letters from Renn, and I did notice how few there were. I thought it was simply a lack of communication, but… it’s because many are gone, aren’t they?” Berri asked.

“Sadly, yes,” I said.

“Is that why I’ve not heard from Yaz lately? Or Millie?” she asked.

Jeez how long has it been since I heard their names? “They’re gone, Berri. They have been for at least a century,” I said gently.

Berri didn’t like that news, and I felt horrible. Didn’t I just wish to only speak of happy things with her?

“It seems you and I will have to… catch up a little. I’d blame you Vim, for not telling me, but it’s not your fault. You answer honestly, always, so it just means I’ve not ever asked,” Berri said as she realized it.

I nodded slowly. “We can talk of those gone and still here later, if you’d like,” I said. I didn’t want to, but I’d not deny her the simple right of knowing if her friends were still alive or not.

“Yes. I’d like that… or well… I likely won’t, but,” Berri gave me a sad smile as she nodded.

Right. “It won’t be long until a new census is taken. I expect the vote to result in one. Probably the most accurate one made in a long time,” I said.

“Some good news, at least,” she said.

I gestured lightly with a wave of the hand. I wasn’t sure if the vote itself was really bad news yet, myself.

It wasn’t like much would change either way the vote went. At least in my perspective.

“Well… for now let’s leave such sad words unspoken, shall we?” Berri decided.

“Sure,” I agreed, happily.

She gave me a tiny grin, and I noted the way her hair slid along her horn. It kept some of the loose strands of her bangs on one side of her face.

“My daughter tells me you carry something precious,” Berri said.

“I do.”

“At first I thought she spoke of Renn, but seems not?” Berri tilted her head as she made sense of her daughter’s strange insight.

“It’s a heart,” I told her.

“Hm. Should I open the Keep?” she asked.

“I’d be thankful if you would,” I said.

She nodded. “Want to do it now? Or?”

“It can wait. Renn knows of it, but Oplar doesn’t. I’d like to keep it that way,” I said.

Berri’s smile became a little odd. “Oh my? Is that because she had been involved, or is she special in more ways than one?” Berri asked.

I sighed. “Both, I guess,” I admitted.

Her smile became more awry, and she slowly blinked with her only eye. “Interesting. I regret leaving so soon. I had thought this vote was more important to speak of, but maybe she holds fate in her hands right now and not you,” she said.

“If only,” I said.

Berri giggled and then tilted her head in thought. Her strands of hair danced again, now the other side of her bangs rested against the horn. “It’s been a long time, Vim. Since you’ve brought such entertainment. How fun,” she said.

Please.

Although not very glad to hear that things really were becoming… chaotic, in a way…

I was glad to see Berri so joyful. I was glad she looked happy. I was glad she was still the same.

Though…

I glanced around, and the windowless building reminded me that we were alone.

Something that might be rare here shortly. The family of narwhals rarely separated too far from one another. Especially the mother and daughter. And now with Oplar, the gossiper, and Renn the friendly cat…

This might be the only chance I get, without making it awkward.

I gulped, as I realized I was going to actually have to ask. I was going to actually admit it, and put someone else’s thoughts and mind into a place that required such thoughts.

And I was going to do it to someone who I’ve spent hundreds of years trying to tip-toe and be gentle with. Someone who I’ve always treated gently, on purpose.

Yet that was precisely why I needed it to be her.

I had a few others in mind to ask… eventually… but for now she was the one in front of me. She was the one I needed to ask.

A few long uncomfortable moments of inner turmoil kept me from saying anything, and Berri noticed. She blinked at me, telling me she saw my internal discord… yet she said nothing.

She simply waited for me to find my nerve.

Nodding, I took a tiny breath and decided to just get it over with.

“I have… a heavy ask of you, Berri,” I said softly.

“Hm?” she tilted her head at me, and some of the stray strands of hair on her scarred side of her head shifted, to dangle in front of her scarred eye.

I nodded gently, and felt ridiculous… but I had to say it. I had to ask it.

There weren’t many I could. And I needed to keep my options open. I needed to prepare… just in case.

“You look terribly distraught Vim… what is it?” Berri asked gently.

I’m sure I did.

“It’s Renn,” I whispered.

Berri’s smile died, and she tilted her head again. She was now worried.

Before she could ask why, I took a small breath and nodded… and looked down for a moment. Away from her powerful gaze. Finding my nerve, I looked back up and nodded again.

“One day… maybe even soon… I might need to send Renn here. To keep her safe. If… if you’d be okay with it,” I begged.

Berri blinked, and her only remaining eye went wide. She said nothing, and made not a move… didn’t even breathe… then she simply smiled at me.

“So while we’re here… please, you and your family, judge her. Decide if it’d work out or not. If not I completely understand, of course, but…” I felt weird as I spoke, as if I was suddenly talking about something embarrassing.

Yet it wasn’t. It was serious.

Before I could say more though, Berri shifted in her seat.

She stood, and I quickly stood up too. I felt a little ridiculous because of it… since I had bumped the chair a little in the process. It thumped along the wooden floor, pushed away. She didn’t even notice it however, as she stepped over to me.

Berri grabbed my right hand. I froze as she cupped it with both hands. Even the one deformed. It somehow had more strength than her other one, but that was likely because the burns had ruined her nerves. She couldn’t control how much strength she was using with it, she had no feeling in it anymore.

She lowered her head, and suddenly she was making a small prayer.

“Berri…?” I asked softly. She’s become more religious ever since her daughter had been born… but this was a first. For her especially. Yet…

For this to be her answer to my request… the only one I’d ever asked of her in all these years… was very concerning.

Staying still, I allowed Berri to make a tiny prayer of hope. She prayed to her daughter, in her name, that I’d be okay. That the world would be gentle to me, for once in my life.

I squeezed her hands ever so gently with my own, and felt strangely out of place. As if I was being yelled at, or something.

Letting her pray, I waited until she finished… and then she finally looked up. Her only remaining eye, in all its beautiful glory, gleamed at me as she smiled.

“No matter the future, Vim… Know that we will always be on your side,” she said.

Taking a small breath, I felt the unease grow even more.

This was not something I was comfortable with at all. And not just because of the prayer.

“I uh…” I wasn’t sure what to say. Or do.

Berri has always been… somewhat special to me. I liked her. Not in the way I liked Renn, of course… or even how I liked my supposed friends. She wasn’t a Nebl, or a Miss Beak… but…

I’d always been fond of her. She had a wonderful personality. Her soul was beautiful. She was stalwart and without fault, at least in my eyes.

It was why I’d always been so careful of her. It was why I had let her and her family take over the Keep. Both to keep them safe… but also because I trusted them. Because I trusted her, the woman who had given birth to a saint.

So…

“Berri…?” I whispered, wondering what was wrong. Had her daughter said something? Had Renn? Had something horrible happened that I didn’t know about yet? Was she about to deny me my request?

Honestly I couldn’t, wouldn’t, blame her even if she did… but it would startle the hell out of me and…

She squeezed my hand a little harder, and nodded at me.

“Of course you can bring her here Vim. Anytime. The two of you will always be welcomed here… and if it comes to that, we’ll keep her safe Vim. For you,” she finally answered me.

I gulped, and nodded. Although it felt great to have that burden off my shoulder… I somehow felt all the more tense all the same.

Berri then squeezed my hand again, and nodded. “Pray with me, Vim. Just this once. Please?” she asked.

My eye twitched, and I almost tugged my hand free from hers. Almost.

Blinking a little, I tried to fight through my thoughts and their horrible directions they wanted to go.

“Can I know what we’re praying for…?” I dared to ask.

Berri’s smile warmed and I felt my stomach coil a little. How come I found her so beautiful? She should have been born the saint, not her daughter.

“For you and her, Vim. For the both of you,” she said.

From anyone else… I would have scoffed. I would have even said something that might have resulted in discord.

Yet… From Berri…

Taking a deep breath, I glanced around… to make sure we were alone. To make sure Renn wasn’t around.

Then, against my better judgment…

I bowed my head.

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