15

                                    

                                          
ZAIRO
I weave through the couples that fuck and moan, B-lining for Elystia. She looks as shocked as I expected her to. She truly had no idea what she signed up for by joining my camp.
I ignore the lustful calls of entertainers that I walk past. I only have eyes for Elystia, who's frozen in her spot. Her friend, Sidra, is gapes at the sight of me.
I stop before the women, staring at Elystia amusedly. My stomach filled with a warm feeling I've never felt before. One I can't recognize.
"What did you said about me being a beast?"
Her lips twitch as she struggles to respond. "I—I'm sorry. I could have never guessed..."
"It should have been a simple realization. You met me when you broke into my tent and ran into my arms."
Sidra's shock becomes confusion. Elystia must have kept our meeting a secret.
"Walk with me," I tell Elystia, wanting to get away from the loud moans that surround us. I'm used to this, but I can tell that she's uncomfortable.
She lowers her head and follows me. My eyes keep shifting to her. She's not wearing her typical hunting garb. The simple hide dress that she wears shows her figure. Her femininity. There are dozens of naked entertainers in my path, begging with their eyes for me to touch them. But I'm only attracted to the entertainer whose curves are covered in a dress and whose face is curtained by her hair.
"It seems you didn't know what an entertainer's job entailed."
"I didn't," she mumbles. "A merchant I met, Kinno, assured me that there were no sexual obligations in this camp. And I guess she was right because the ban forbade intimacy until the festival." She sighs. "I should have known. This job sounded too good to be true."
We drift off toward the lake, where there is no lighting except for the moonlight. I set my hand on the hilt of my sword, feeling uneasy as I would before a battle. It's because of Elystia. I'm unnerved by the thought of her leaving camp to escape the responsibilities of entertaining.
"You won't be forced into entertaining anyone," I say.
I'd paint my golden blade red before any male bent her over.
"But there are no more open positions for servants," she counters. "So I cannot be a servant."
She's right. There are more than enough servants in the camp, so we closed enrollment.
"I will take care of your title. Come see me at my tent tomorrow night to receive your next assignment."
Silence takes over. I tune into the sound of water trickling, imagining Elystia swimming nude in the lake as she had a few nights ago.
"Captain Za, I'm truly sorry about my comments. If I had known who you were..." she drifts off.
"My name is Zairo," I reply. "And I took no offense to your insults. I enjoyed our time together in the forest, and my boot needed polishing, so your spit was well-received."
"Oh no," she groans, humiliated. "I will never live that down."
We stand by the lake for the next few minutes. My sword weighs heavily at my hip as I scan the dark horizon. I will need to escort her back to camp soon. It's safer there. Safer from the assassins that might be lurking in the shadows and safer from me. Because I would very much like to pounce on the beautiful, quirky entertainer who amuses me like no other.
"Will you... will you still need my services?" comes her soft voice.
I chuckle. Even now, after the camp revealed its true colors, she remains innocent.
"If you are offering services, then yes. I reckon I could bend you over and–"
"I meant my lectures!" she blurts. "I–I didn't come to this camp to...to..."
"To fuck," I finish for her.
"Yes," she whispers.
I wonder if her cheeks are darker. They always darken when she's embarrassed. I've yet to see that enchanting effect on another female. It makes me wonder what other marvelous things her body can do.
"I want to check on my friend Sidra if that's alright with you, sir."
"You may continue to call me Za or Zairo," I tell her.
"I don't think that would be appropriate," she replies. And she's correct. Very few camp members have the authority to call me by my given name. But being addressed formally by Elystia displeases me. We've come a long way after sharing our evenings in the forest.
"I insist. Call me by my given name in private."
She hesitates. "Do you suppose we'll be spending much time in private?"
"Yes," I reply with certainty. "We will."
I set my hand on the small of her back and gently turn her around. We walk back to the camp, which still bursts with festivities. Couples fucking on the dirt paths. Others dance, drink, and smoke. This is nothing new to me, but Elystia is overwhelmed. She keeps her eyes low to offer privacy to the couples.
I grip the hilt of my sword and belt to keep from touching her again. I'm too direct. Too impulsive. And I have no interest in scaring her away. Life as a Captain is lonely, and I have every intention of turning our friendship into something more. But it will take time.
I lead her to her tent. Her friend, Sidra, paces outside.
"See me tomorrow night," I remind Elystia. "I trust that you know the way."
Given that you slipped into my tent a few nights ago.
She claimed to have been wandering while asleep. I can't wait to uncover what this alleged condition is about. Can't wait to learn everything about this woman.
She hangs her head, and I walk away. I hear her friend pummel her with questions. Sidra is horrified about being an entertainer and asks if they must leave camp. The last thing I hear before they're out of hearing range is Elystia replying, "no. I don't think we're leaving."
Fuck no, she's not. Although the war is calming, the streets are still unsafe. I need her in my camp, where I can protect her. Besides, if she left camp, she wouldn't have access to the forest. Archery is her passion, and it seems like she doesn't have much academic skill, so finding other employment would be difficult. She thrives in the forest. She's a great hunter and teacher.
"Captain." The Headmistress finds me sitting on a crate, my broadsword lying across my thighs and my arms crossed.
"The festival was a great success. The food was delicious, and everyone is content."
I nod. "The camp deserved this."
"I've planned a meeting with the clerk tomorrow night regarding the missing merchandise. We're suspecting theft."
Tomorrow night?
"Meet without me. I will be busy tomorrow night and not to be disturbed."
She looks surprised by my response. I rarely skip these meetings. Keeping order in the camp is a job I don't take lightly, but I'm not interested in spending the night searching for a petty thief. Not when I have a far more exciting thief to meet: Elystia. The thieving entertainer that steals my laughter, focus, and the peace in my pants.