"…So, the hen laid an egg, startling everyone!"

James laughed with Jamie as she finished her story. How they ended up on chickens was a mystery to him, but it passed the time as they walked through the demi-human district.

"Hey, James!" an avian called out.

Waving as he spotted the man, James was greeted by another man from the tavern. It was the elf that he had saved.

"Greetings, Master Cultivator." Bowing his head, the elf came to a stop. "I hope your day finds you well."

"It's been a good day," James said. "Will we see you tonight again?"

"Most certainly!"

Clapping the elf on the shoulder, he gave the elf his best smile. "Good, good, but I'll try to not pay for every drink again."

"That was the best part!"

Laughing, James started walking again. Before he made it ten feet, a wolfman stopped him. He wasn't a Fenrir, but a simple gray wolf.

"Staying away from my girl tonight?" the man joked.

"You couldn't handle Luna even if she gave you a chance," James shot back.

"And you can?"

Wavering his hand, James gave his answer.

The large wolf smacked James's back before laughing. "I'll try to only buy her enough drinks to get her away from you!"

Rolling his eyes, James pushed the man away. "I'll only let her maim you a little."

"She can kick my ass any day."

Sighing, Jamie pulled on James's sleeve. "Let's go, dear brother."

The wolf waved goodbye before walking off. James moved through the crowd, reaching the market within a few minutes. Jamie pulled him away from the stalls before he had a chance to look.

"That's my gold too," she reminded him. "And Luna said I'm not allowed to let you shop without her."

"Oh, come on!" James protested.

"I'd rather make you mad, than Luna." Jamie continued to lead him to the inn.

As they approached, they found a large group of demi-humans lingering outside. Frowning, James tapped an elf on the shoulder. "What's going on?"

Jumping a few inches off the ground, the elf turned to him while clutching his chest. "James!"

"Yeah?"

"The elder is inside the bar. Did you do something?"

Frowning, James noticed nearly every pair of eyes was on him. "I don't think I did anything. Is there really an elder inside?" Reaching out with his Soul Senses, he did indeed find Elder Bo sitting with Luna and Amber. Mender was near the door, nervousness rolling off him.

"I should probably get in there," James muttered.

"Are we in danger?" A lizardman asked.

"I hope not," James said with a chuckle, hoping to ease the tension.

Every pair of shoulders drooped as they parted for him.

"I'll make this quick," James said. "Heavens only know we all need a drink. Jamie's paying!"

"What?" Jamie shouted.

A few of the patrons chuckled before he walked to the door. Jamie clung to his sleeve; her nerves frayed as they entered the tavern.

James kept a smile on his face as he found his wife talking with Bo. Amber was fidgeting restlessly at the table, her fingers tapping the wood rapidly. Mender took a deep breath as he caught James's eye.

"He's here," Luna announced as she turned to him. "I told you he was on his way."

"What's going on?" James asked cautiously. "I'm curious why an elder would be visiting us."

Standing, Elder Bo bowed deeply in greeting. James matched him a second later.

"Greetings, James. I missed you in the sect and thought to join you here."

Frowning, James walked over to the table and pulled out a chair. Luna slid her chair over to his, taking her place next to him.

"Elder Bo was just telling us about the Running River Sect. Apparently, they are threatening to invade, and he was very excited to buy the items you have been making."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Frowning, James glanced at Jamie who had stopped near Mender. Turning to Amber next, he found her watching him with wide eyes, her ears twitching and tail flitting in anxiousness. Only Luna was calm.

"I don't want to be involved in the politics," James said after a moment. "Why bring this up?"

Bo smiled. "I was hoping you would help dissuade the sect and bring peace to our respective parties."

"Why me?" James rubbed his chin in thought. Why would they need me for something like this? He isn't hoping to use my soul cultivation for his own good, is he?

Bo seemed to sense his thoughts. "I believe you have a problem of your own that I will be helping with."

"What problem?" James asked.

Cocking a brow, Bo smiled. "Three days?"

Frowning, James nodded. Of course he would know. "Yeah. Three days sounds about right. My flock is keeping an eye on it."

"Eye on what?" Luna questioned.

"The giant." James didn't try to hide the answer. "It followed us."

Gasping, Luna grabbed his arm. "Are we fleeing?"

"No," James answered. "We can't escape the monster. We need to stand and fight if we have any hope of surviving."

"And us elders will be helping," Bo added. "Tim and Ling know and are preparing."

"Tim?" James asked with a laugh. "You have an elder named Tim?"

Frowning, Bo nodded. "Is it so weird? You know that the east has mixed with western people ever since the war. Our names are the most notable change."

Still chuckling, James nodded. "Yeah, but Tim? I mean, come on. Tim? Really?"

Sighing, Bo picked up a cup of tea that appeared out of nowhere. "I do find it humorous as well…"

Luna smacked James's arm. "I'm sorry about my husband. He's a child most of the time."

"I am not!" James huffed and crossed his arms. "If I'm a child, what does that make you?"

"A maiden, desperately in love."

Amber snorted, breaking character.

Winking at the cat, James said, "I made a ring for you, my dear kitten."

Growling, Luna squeezed his hand. "Stop flirting with the cat!"

"But, my dear maiden, I'm only trying to be sincere to our new member."

Amber shook her head. "If she won't put out, you can always sneak away with me."

Whirling on the cat, Luna snarled. "Are you really making a move on my husband, right in front of me?"

"It's not my fault he finds me attractive. Haven't you noticed his eyes lingering on me?" Amber joked.

Switching back to James, Luna narrowed her eyes. "Am I not good enough for you, dear husband? Have I not satisfied you enough, that you must chase after another tail."

"I bet her tail could coil around me nice and tight," he teased. "Makes you wonder, doesn't it…"

Bo cleared his throat. "I believe we have gotten off course."

Snickering, Amber winked at James. "We can tease her later."

"I agree." James turned back to Bo. "You are going to help me and you want me to help you. But after I was attacked last night, why would I care what happens to your sect?"

"Those fools," Bo muttered. Sighing, he summoned another cup of tea for James. "I don't condone such behavior. If you had not killed them, I likely would have."

"Even if you angered another elder?" James questioned. Picking up the tea, he sampled it, only for his body to reject the liquid.

"Not to your liking?" Bo asked.

"More like I can't drink anything," James stated. "Can't eat either."

"Side effects," Bo said, "yet Luna can do both."

"Everyone's different." Shrugging, James glanced at his wife. "I'm sure you've noticed that we give off different auras."

"Yes. Luna draws the eye and certain attractions. You repulse everyone until they grow closer to you."

Grunting, James agreed with the blunt answer.

Luna frowned at both of them. "If you repulse everyone, then why does Amber feel comfortable around you already?"

"Soul mates," James joked.

"Alas, James and I were meant together," Amber added. "Thank you for keeping him warm for me."

Face falling blank, Luna stared at the cat. "If you touch him, I'll cut off your tail and feed it to you."

Amber quickly grabbed her tail. "And here I was thinking I would share with you." Turning to James, she held out her hand. "Let's go, Lover."

Snorting a laugh, James waved her off. "We're going to die if we keep teasing her."

Growling, Luna pushed Amber's hand away. "We are in the middle of a serious conversation!"

James returned his attention to Bo. "After you help me, you want me to help you with the sect."

"Yes."

Rubbing his chin, he thought it over. It doesn't hurt to help and we do need the elders for the coming fight. I'd rather not have the city destroyed. I don't think Luna and I can stop the giant ourselves.

"If I agree, how long will I need to remain in the city?" James asked.

Bo sipped his tea before answering. "We will set out for the Running River Sect a few days after the fight. It'll just be you and I."

"You're asking me to leave behind my wife?"

"Both wives," Amber joked.

Rolling his eyes, James didn't laugh.

"Yes," Bo answered. "You will need someone to protect your friends while you are away. I don't doubt that some of my fellow cultivators will try to act with you gone."

"Figures…"

"I'll be fine, Honey," Luna said. "If anything, I'll feed Amber to them and run away with the others."

"Hey!" Amber protested.

Giggling, Luna winked at the cat.

James ignored them. "You have me in a tight spot." Sliding his tea to Luna, he added, "I should assume that the other elders don't agree with this plan."

"They don't know it," Bo stated.

"Of course not." Rubbing his temples, James agreed to the plan. "Very well. I'll prepare over the next few days. I have to collect my leather and finish enchanting my items. Once my flock come for me, I'll head out to fight."

"And we will be with you," Bo assured him. "We have to protect the mortals after all."

"Yeah, because you have done such a fine job protecting the demi-humans over the years," Amber snorted.

Sighing, Bo nodded. "It is our greatest flaw."

"And yet it won't change." Amber shook her head. "Once I'm strong enough—"

"Stop," James said. "Only a fool will try to change a mountain in one day."

"Well said," Bo said. "The discrimination is all humanity knows. To change the course of behavior would take years and more time than you can spend here."

Grumbling, Amber relented.

Luna rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I need a drink. A strong drink."

Bo stood and took the tea back into his storage ring. "I will leave you for now. Your wives need your comfort."

"Ha, ha," Luna deadpanned.

Smiling, Bo started toward the door. Jamie and Mender parted for him as they all watched the elder leave. Once he was gone, everyone came together at the table.

"What now?" Jamie asked.

"I fight," James said. "I need the help to destroy the giant and I will owe the elders. I brought the giant here after all."

"I did too," Luna added.

"What is this giant?" Amber asked.

Turning to her, James took a pause before answering. "Imagine a Forsaken that is several stories tall with hands and claws that could easily grasp your body and squish you. It shakes the world as it walks and hunts its prey with unnerving accuracy."

"Oh…" Amber shivered. "I think I'll stay in the city for that fight."

"You all will," Luna stated. "And for now, we drink." Raising her hand, she motioned to Mason who had finally come out of the back. "Keep them coming. Amber is paying."

"I am not! James is. Isn't that right, dear husband."

Pulling out a gold coin, he flipped it to the moose. "Bring something that will help the women get along."

Chuckling, Mason went into the back to grab something.

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