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Chapter 16
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2022-07-03 16:39:00Related chapters
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 17
Four months later...Sig's wife Leida was heading back from a long day in the market on the outer walls of Rumstead. It was a long wagon ride to and from their home in North Woods. But Leida had had a successful day in the market, selling nearly all of her confectioneries and pocketing a purse full of money. Typically she and her wizard husband would go to the market together but Sig had to remain at home to spend the day gathering the plants he needed to sell.Now bulging with pregnancy, it had become very difficult to stay on her feet for such a long time and she was definitely feeling exhausted. Sig was constantly scolding her for not slowing down and taking it easy. In fact he was trying to get her to stay home while he went to the market and sold his poultices and herbal remedies. But Leida was far too independent and stubborn to give up her trade. She was pregnant, not infirm.She traveled the roads alone, not seeing a soul as she neared the border of the North Woods. No one liv
Last Updated : 2022-07-03Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 18
Twillow gave Kendrick an expression of surprise when he told her of the human wizard he had allowed to stay in his forest and whom had made this huge garden possible.Kendrick gestured to his garden broadly, "Fair trade wouldn't you say?""It's...amazing." Twillow stated, gazing around her."It's something I've always wanted." He mentioned as he moved toward one of the apple trees to pick the fruit.Twillow landed on the huge leaf of a squash plant which sank minutely under her weight, "There are lots of beautiful gardens in the Parliel Realm. Not like this one though. I like it. It's very surreal."Kendrick picked an apple and glanced over his shoulder briefly, "Well...you can come here whenever you wish.""I'd like that." She admitted.From behind the apple tree Kendrick retrieved a large basket that looked like it was weaved with paper thin slices of entire trees. He deposited the produce he'd collected into it. Then he knelt down next to the vegetables and began uprooting sapling
Last Updated : 2022-07-04Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 19
Afternoon came and Kendrick was awoken by his hunger. He rose up, stretched, and padded over to his kitchen to figure out an afternoon meal. Twillow, meanwhile, was leaning back against the wall of the mantel near the new bookshelf, reading. She heard him get up and she watched as he moved past her shirtless, stirring the air. Her violet eyes peeked at him from over the pages of her book, not missing the gray muscular physique that sailed in front of her. An embarrassed blush lit her green cheeks when she looked a little too long. But he really didn't notice. He scratched the back of his head and turned to look at her. Her feet drew up a bit as she held the book."Oh. You um...found a good one?" he rumbled.+Twillow nodded.He returned the nod, actually sounding pleased, "Good...good. Would you like some lunch?"Again, she nodded, "That-that sounds nice."At her affirmation he began gathering ingredients from his shelves and set to work. Twillow watched him for a moment, moving such e
Last Updated : 2022-07-04Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 20
In the weeks that followed, Twillow stayed with Kendrick in his mountain home. The first few days they seemed to be keeping their distance from one another. Kendrick would be gone most of the day checking out his territory or maintaining his garden. Twillow would pass the time however she could, reading, flying around, staying out in the garden, and other activities.They did share meals together albeit they sat at opposite sides of the table. But it was usually how they spent most of their time in each other's company. Kendrick always did the cooking as it was his home and he was the only force able to prepare the vast quantity of food needed to satiate his massive appetite. His meals were simple, but filling and always tasted good. One evening he had prepared a simple meal for them both."Um...Twillow? Your supper is ready." Kendrick announced in a gentle voice so as not to startle her.The winged fae perked her head up from a book she was reading in her bed. Sitting on the end of
Last Updated : 2022-07-04Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 21
After a while, Twillow started to worry once it got dark and still her giant friend hadn't returned. She was almost ready to go out to look for him when she felt the first vibrations of his footsteps. A few weeks ago, she might've felt anxiety at his returning but now she felt relief that he was back.He was coming through the entryway when his silhouette paused. She could hear him smelling the air. Twillow flew up off the floor toward him, glowing like a firefly.+"Hello, Kendrick!" she greeted as he started to come in, "You're home...late." She noticed even in the dim light of the starlight flowers he was drenched, dripping like a huge, gray storm cloud, "Why are you all wet?""Oh, um...just took a bath in the lake and washed my clothes on the way home." He explained. He sniffed deeply again, "Something smells nice...you made yourself something?""Vegetable pot pie. I made some for you too." She couldn't hide the mild excitement in her voice as she flew back toward the fireplace whe
Last Updated : 2022-07-04Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 22
The next morning... After breakfast, Kendrick and Twillow had left for the visit he had mentioned the night before. He hadn't told the fae where they were going or who they were going to see but he was bringing a basket filled with all kinds of produce. Flying just over Kendrick's head, Twillow followed him as he leisurely waded through the forest. After awhile though, Twillow began to slow from fatigue. It almost felt like the air was heavier here in the Lower Realm and she couldn't fly as long as she once could. Eventually Kendrick seemed to notice her falling behind and stopped. "Are you all right, Twillow?" "Just a bit tired. Can we rest?" she asked, wings seeming to stutter with fatigue. He thought a moment and contemplated something he'd never proposed to her. They'd lived together for almost three weeks and other than their first meetings he'd never touched her. But given that she'd made notable strides in trusting him he decided to offer.+ He gently patted his shoulder, "
Last Updated : 2022-07-06Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 23
"He saved me from some human poachers. Then, one night, he brought me in out of the rain because I couldn't fly with wet wings and was cold. He offered to let me stay with him and I accepted." Twillow explained. Alec smiled at her but then a frown crossed his mouth as he seemed to 'look' at his son, "You 'saved' her from human poachers, hmm? 'Dealt' with them did ya?" Kendrick's eyelids lowered, his voice flat, "Yes. What of it?" "You know how I feel about that, Son." Alec's tone was firm and reproaching.+ "I do. And I'd rather not discuss it again." Alec sighed, steadying his breath. It was as if an invisible storm was trying to brew between the two titans. Twillow felt herself shrink back a bit Finally, Alec spoke again, defusing the situation, "So what have you brought me today?" Kendrick handed him the basket and Alec began meticulously feeling and smelling the fruits and vegetables it contained. "Ooo. You brought me some of those strawberries. Those were so good last time.
Last Updated : 2022-07-06Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 24
A couple days later... Kendrick was taking an afternoon nap on his bed whilst Twillow sat on the edge of her hanging bed finishing a basket she'd been weaving. She held up the simple form to check it for weak points or gaps. She sighed with frustration, noting it wasn't really good. "This would be so much easier with magic." She mused. Though she could utilize her internal magic for little things like transferring flames or bringing small objects within her reach, she kept up her frugal conservancy. In the Parliel Realm her magic was strong and she could have it do multiple tasks at once with little strain. Magic was so easy to replenish there; almost like drinking water when one was thirsty. Here in the Lower Realm it was a desert for magic; she had to conserve what she had. But as she looked at her less-than-stellar basket, a thought occurred to her. Kendrick knew a human wizard who could utilize the magic of this realm...maybe he knew of some ways she was unfamiliar with to keep
Last Updated : 2022-07-06
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Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 41
Kendrick looked completely unsure as he stepped closer to the horse and patted it very gently, almost too gently, "Hey...Hershel." He looked at the animal with doubt, "Are you sure I won't hurt him?""He weighs over one thousand pounds Kendrick." she gave him a look of visual assessment, "You're...maybe two hundred seventy plus? Believe me, he can hurt you worse than you can hurt him." Helia reassured truthfully.Taking a readying breath, he put his foot in the stirrup."Wrong foot, Kendrick."He sighed and switched, grabbing the saddle horn and seat."Now just stand on your one leg in the stirrup." Helia urged him when he hesitated.He did so shakily."Ok. Now just swing your other leg over his back and sit down."Kendrick did so, but Hershel decided to move nervously to the side which sent Kendrick flopping over the other side and onto the stone floor. He grunted with pain laying on the ground and Helia snorted a laugh at his expense whilst she reigned the horse.Eyes flashing angri
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 40
Kendrick's nose had been hit with a whiff of strong fear scent coming from his garden. Something was scaring Twillow. His first instinct was that he had been right all along and the slayer was responsible. Without hesitation he came charging down the tunnel and ran into his garden to see what was wrong.Twillow screaming "STOP! STOP THIS! PLEASE!" spurred him on.But what he saw sideswiped his expectations. He saw Helia battling what looked like another fae on the branch of the tree. Then there was a bright light that he couldn't look at directly it was so intense. But he could smell Twillow's fear and see her silhouette.Then Helia yelled at him, "Kendrick! They're taking Twillow!"A surge of protective rage crackled through him as he demanded she be returned. Whoever they were, they would not get away with this. He would destroy them until there was nothing left and Twillow was safe. Kendrick reached out toward the light and the silhouettes but suddenly the winged being wearing the
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 39
Twillow seemed to snap out of her funk, "Oh...nothing. I thought I sensed something." She shook her head, "Go on. Show me."Shrugging, Helia held her sword at an angle from her shoulder and put her feet in a stance, "Ok. This is something an old pirate taught me...bear with me though. It looks different when I don't have a sparring partner.Twillow watched Helia maneuver the blade, arching it low and then bringing it up in broad to short patterns that seemed built into her muscle memory. Despite her interest in the blade acrobatics she couldn't shake a sense she was having. It felt like there was strong magic nearby. She'd felt something earlier today too whilst reading but it was so brief and faint she wasn't even sure if she had felt it at all and dismissed it.And then she felt the presence of magic distinctly close along with the sound of wings that weren't hers. Her head whipped around and suddenly someone grabbed her through her wings and around her chest, placing a gloved hand
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 38
At a distance over the forest...The afternoon sun shone brightly over the Northern Woods, early summer in full flower. Then, the ideal setting was disturbed by a crackling of yellowish lightning and a sudden gale of wind whipping the trees. Golden liquid fell to the trees in thick globs as the portal opened with a bright flash that challenged the Lower Realm sun. The portal to the Parliel Realm was opened just large enough for two figures to fling themselves through before it closed with a violent crackle of energy. Then the day stilled, returning to pleasant normality....Earlier...Kendrick arrived back at his home a little over an hour later as Helia had been killing the spiders well beyond the border of his typical range. He traversed through his home to find Twillow in the garden. He placed Hershel on the ground, making sure his tiny reins were tied to one of his corn stalks so he wouldn't run away. The horse freaked out a bit but began calming, even sniffing and nibbling at th
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 37
The queen spider had pulled Helia closer until she was but a leg's length from it; just out of its reach. Its glossy black fangs, which were as long as Helia's forearm, dripped with the promise of venom. Helia knew she wouldn't be able to cut the webbing in time so she readied herself to stab the beast when it gave one last tug. Quite abruptly the spider seemed to freeze.And then, Kendrick's voice was directly over her, "Ugh. I hate these things almost as much as I hate slayers."His huge boot came up, hovered over Helia a moment in debate.Helia froze. Was he going to step on her?But then his boot passed over her and came down on the queen spider with an abrupt, gooey crunch. His action was so casual despite that fact that Helia herself had been mere meters from death. For him it had been as simple stepping on a regular spider. The simplicity made her feel very small and inadequate...that pissed her off.Kendrick removed his boot from the slimy pile of ooze that used to be the spid
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 36
A few days later...Kendrick was returning from the daily patrol of his territory, as was his routine. It had been a quiet day; no poachers, no trespassers. However, this also left him alone with his thoughts, which as of late had been consumed with Twillow. A little over a month had passed since he had made the difficult decision of burying his feelings for his fae friend in lieu of admitting them to her. He, in essence, sealed up his hearts' desires behind metal plating and doors to ensure they would be contained and their friendship safe. At first he was convinced he would be content with that choice.However, little things would pick and probe at the metal doors of his hearts, searching for weak points. Her soft, demure smile, the quick flutter of her wings when she was amused, the way her skin would light up when she was happy, the musical sound of her laugh. And the gods help him if she ever kissed his cheek; it was like setting off explosives against those metal doors. They buc
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 35
Back to the PresentPresent...Twillow had explained her and Kendrick's year and a half relationship to Helia in just a few minutes, even though there was so much to tell about that time. The redheaded slayer listened as she dried off in front of the fireplace. It was certainly an interesting way for two completely different beings to meet, if not slightly familiar."So...did this wizard, Sig, ever figure out how to open a portal to your realm?" Helia asked.Twillow shook her head, "He's gotten a bit closer but we're missing a key ingredient. Parliel Ichor is what he called it."Helia made a face, "Sounds...disgusting. What is it?""When the portal was opened to this realm there was a golden goo that was present when the barrier was breached. Sig says we need some of that to render down to use with the Sunfire Topaz." She sighed, "But...if the portal doesn't open again then there's no Parliel Ichor for us to collect. So..."Helia nodded with understanding, "Well...if I ever see any 'o
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 34
The next day...Twillow had been excited about the invitation to see Sig and Leida. Kendrick, on the other hand, was feeling sick to his stomach. He couldn't eat his breakfast and he hadn't slept much the night before since his brain wouldn't quit torturing him with all the 'what-if' scenarios of the next day's plan. Most of the situations always seemed to end up in the worst way; the worst of all being Twillow felt so appalled by the idea that he loved her that she left and he never saw her again. Every time he thought of that his guts clenched painfully.Surely it wouldn't end that badly?"You're quiet today." Twillow mentioned in his ear, "Are you ok?"Kendrick jerked slightly, jostling her, "Oh. I- I don't mean to be."The fae moved her wings a bit, staring at him, "You seem...nervous."He made a scoffing noise but didn't say anything because he knew he'd have to lie."She's on to you dummy...she's going to keep at you until you fess up and ruin everything!" his mind warned him om
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 33
Kendrick gestured down the path, stood up, and then stepped aside, "We can talk on your way home.""Uh. Ok." Sig agreed, taking the reins again and urging his horses forward.The animals weren't so keen on passing Kendrick's boots as they shied away but once they were past him they resumed their gait. Kendrick waited a moment and began lightly, treading behind and off to the side of Sig's wagon...or at least as "lightly" as a giant could tread. The horsethes didn't like that much either but gradually they kept pace."So...what questions did you have?" Sig asked, watching the huge boots swing and settle next to his cart with giant's steps."How is Leida and your children?" Kendrick asked."Good, good. How's Twillow?" Sig returned the question."She's...uh...she's good too.""She didn't come with you?"Kendrick shook his head, "She doesn't approve of what I do when I'm patrolling my territory...so no.""Ah. I-I see." Sig read between the lines of what he meant.The giant was quiet for a
