The group had made a makeshift camp within a ‘safe’ part of the forest. Velasteros had to trust it was safe, as the children told her so. Apparently, they used to go camping with their uncle, which was how they survived a few days already without proper support.
Eating today’s prize, everyone was enjoying having a full stomach. Though Velasteros had a little difficulty eating with a human mouth.
"Be careful. You are going to spill something on your clothes.”
“I’m trying…”
“You haven’t eaten in the wilderness before, have you…?”
“Not exactly… I’m just used to eating fruits and softer food…” With her scorpion jaw, this type of meat felt so much easier to eat.
Difficulties of the human form… worthwhile sacrifices for the power of hands….
The scorpion justified the burden in her mind as something she merely had to overcome. If the two children were doing just fine, then there was no reason a smart scorpion couldn’t as well!
Wait… there is a chance their [Intelligence] is higher than mine!
The realisation was painful.
Keh! I will surpass them soon!
What the scorpion didn’t know was that her almost spectacular failing at eating convinced Nieca that she wasn’t someone related to the kidnappers. The ever-so-slightly younger sister had to hold back from sighing when her eyes wandered over to her brother. He was immediately trusting of Valmyst after she tried to help them. Nieca had been hesitant to let Valmyst out of her sight in case she went to grab reinforcements, but she felt it was necessary so she could have a private talk with Thomas about his behaviour.
However, her own worries had greatly lessened once their friendly stranger returned. The woman seemed calmer, which was potentially a dangerous sign, but the dinner they were having proved the other possibilities were likely more true.
Valmyst was an absolute mess that no kidnapper who had any real-life experience could match. If something wasn’t on her person, she forgot it so quickly. Thankfully, it was just the sticks she was using to hold the meat, but Nieca could only imagine how bad it would be with more important items. Then there were the other factors like eating… which Nieca decided to not dwell on.
Combined with Valmyst’s earlier statements, Nieca felt that the young woman was sheltered, but not necessarily the rich kind. She held back from asking follow-up questions and decided that more probing questions could happen in a natural conversation.
Once they were done eating, the scorpion wiped her human hands on the grass. She took out a book. Her great plan was to read it out for the children as a method to prove her intelligence.
This is going to be perfect!
Velasteros was a little self-conscious.
“Well… before it gets too late. I’m going to do some reading, if you would like to listen or for me to be quiet, let me know.”
“Of course! Go ahead; these last few days have been so boring.” Thomas was all too ready.
“Hmm.” Nieca nodded. “Please go ahead.”
Velasteros took out a book she had kept in her clothes before she had met the children. She didn’t want there to be any risks when it comes to the ring. Starting from the beginning as a new audience meant a restart was necessary, so Velasteros continued to read the book for as long as a night would allow for her.
Once she was done, her throat felt a little dry, but the reread was certainly enjoyable.
Thomas praised, “You are so good at reading!”
“Yes, you have a lovely reading voice,” Nieca agreed.
Velasteros didn’t know how to process the children’s compliments, as they didn’t feel deserved. “...My teacher used to read to me. So I am just copying her.”
“Don’t compare yourself too much to her; it is still your own work.” Said Nieca. However, the intent of the words went right past the scorpion.
If my sounding like Sarah is convincing the children of… something… then I must be doing well!
“Ke Keh Ke Ke.”
“What is she doing…?” The brother asked, concerned.
“I think it is a nervous laugh.”
“I see…. Well! Valmyst, have you read Starriffic?”
“No?”
“Then you should give it a try; it is one of my favourites.”
Velasteros smiled. “I will certainly keep a note of that.”
“Valmyst!”
“I’m coming!” Velasteros quickly rushed back from the forest to meet the children.
“Are you okay?”
“YES! I was just looking for some food…” Food and finding time to stay untransformed. She handed over the non-poisonous berries she found. “From what I’ve read, these should be perfectly edible.”
“Thank you.” Nieca examined the berry before eating one. “A little bitter, but much nicer than grass.”
It had been three days since Velasteros had joined the duo, and she had to admit, she was completely exhausted.
Is being around people always this tiring…?
The viability of future plans was beginning to stretch while a deadly war between optimism and pessimism was being waged in the back of her mind. Each side tried to drag more emotions as conscripts into their conflict. It made the scorpion's head feel very bloated.
“Oh, these are great.” Thomas chucked a handful of berries into his mouth.
“Don’t eat too fast. You might choke.”
“Sorry…”
Nieca turned back to Velasteros. “How about you?”
“I nibbled on some while returning… Don’t worry about me.” It had been a difficult balance of trying to squeeze out alone time to ensure her transformation never caused any negative surprises. Coming back from a full refresh, she was ready to make big progress today.
The trio walked along the forest edge. It meant there were minimal physical obstacles, and there was room to run back into the forest if nefarious parties showed up.
What’s that?
Velasteros’s eyes perked up as a large sound of thousands of stomps came towards them. Nieca turned around, and a carriage pulled at extreme speed by what could be described as horses built for war.
“Umm… what do we do…?” Thomas was the first to say anything.
“It is coming at us too fast… if it has no business with us, it should go by without complaint.”
“Do we return to the forest in case?” Velasteros didn’t want to dive right into human conflict.
Nieca didn’t immediately reply, which was a concern for Velasteros. While the young woman examined the blue and whites of the carriage, even if she couldn’t tell the finer details of the carriage from this distance, she worried that it might not be a person they could just escape from.
To the dismay of certain members of the trio, the carriage came to a hard stop near them.
“Hello!” The knightly figure jumped off the carriage. “Is everyone alright?”
“Yes.” Nieca was the first to speak. “Is everything right, Sir Knight?”
“Please, please, Niko is fine.” The knight declared. “I just saw three tired and worn-looking figures on the side of the road and knew! There must've been a terrible tragedy unfolding."
What is this person?
The scorpion tried to cycle between sentences to say.
“Yes… we were kidnapped by bandits, but with everyone working together, we managed to escape.” Nieca said her hand over chance in a heartfelt retelling. “We are on our journey home as we speak.”
Niko looked at the oldest in the group. “You saved these children? Impressive!” Niko judged the situation with no room for disagreement.
Let’s… not argue with this man.
Instincts were telling her that as long as she was in her human and human-adjacent forms, he could easily cleave through her neck.
“If that is the case. Then come aboard. I will take you home without any issue.” He happily declared. Looking over the children, his heart ached for what pain they must have gone through. “And for you, miss, thank you for protecting them. If you wish to return with me to the capital, I know I can put in a good word for you for your spectacular display of bravery and kindness.”
What…?
Her brain hadn’t caught up at all.
“Ni–” Thomas tried to say something, but Nieca squeezed his hand, stopping him.
Neither child trusted Niko. They had been told by their parents to never trust people who smiled that brightly–as they were the enemy of all people. Neither exactly understood their parents' words at the time, but now they do! He wanted to kidnap Velasteros with verbal trickery! What a nasty person!
Even Nieca, who had been on edge and calculating around Velasteros, didn’t want to leave her alone with this wolf.
However, while Thomas was ready to deny all advancements, the situation was a little more complex.
“It’s going to be at least two weeks of travel before we reach human civilization on foot.” Nieca looked at the situation pragmatically.
“Then it should be easy! My lovely horses can take all of us to civilization without issue.”
The risk of being mauled by a wild monster increased the longer they were away from protected lands. It was already considered a risk simply leaving the walls of a city, so being outside in the true wilderness was basically a death sentence for children.
That had to be compared to the risk of any malicious intent possessed by Niko. Though there was the issue that if he carried such intent, then denying his favour would only bring about immediate harm if he truly wished to do so.
Finally, Velasteros thought of something to say. “We would welcome your helping hand, but I would deny your personal request. I plan on going to where these children are headed.” Taking another line from a book without any shame.