Watch Your Back

Life, Identity

Natalya meets Dimitri and tells him Fenneck is to be the next Lord of Glitterfjell. Dimitri tells her to watch their backs and warns her of a Lenisily agent in Zeitdrache's court. He also tells her that Pufuktin does not fear Fenneck, but that he might fear her and she should use her reputation to protect Fenneck.

Natalya waited in the pass and looked up at the moon. The wind was still. She drew her bow as she heard the sound of feet scuffing rocks. Dimitri appeared and she sighed with relief. She hadn't seen him in months and was glad to see that he was okay. Things in Lenisily were getting rough and she had started to fear for his safety more and more each day. "Hey." He said when he saw her, "How are you?" "Good, well, I have news." She said. He leaned against the rocks, "Let's hear it." "Fenneck is going to be Baegla's successor." Dimitri's old, blue eyes flickered in surprise, "Really?" "Yeah, he just found out this winter." Dimitri's surprise sent a small sense of relief to Natalya. Lenisily didn't know. Yet. Dimitri thought for a moment, "That's a risky choice. He's just a ranger." "He's a duke." She said defensively. Dimitri rolled his eyes, "Okay, still. He doesn't have enough of a reputation to fend off Pufuktin though." "There are other reasons to be a lord." Natalya said. "Sure, but for Glitterfjell's sake it's still risky. Pufuktin has heard of him, but he thinks he's just some archer." "Well clearly he was enough of a match for the KAV's best assassin." She said defending Fenneck and complimenting Dimitri. "Don't get defensive," Dimitri said, "I'm just warning you." She sighed, "We know all this. He's scared to death, obviously, but he loves Glitterfjell too much to turn Baegla down." Dimitri thought for a moment. "Is he still going to help with the refugees?" "Not as much. He's going to be in Flottenheim more." Dimitri gave her a look, "Are you going to still help with the refugees?" "Of course." She said, "We are actually taking on some younger rangers to teach them the trails and keep an eye on the borders. I'll introduce them to you and teach them our system in case I'm ever needed in Flottenheim." Dimitri sighed, "This is risky..." "I know but...but everything is going to be okay." The last part she said more to herself than to Dimitri. She was really trying to believe that this new development wouldn't ruin everything. Dimitri looked around, "Look, with Fenneck in such a position...he needs to be careful. If Baegla dies Pufuktin won't hesitate to try and pull something. He might anyway once he finds out...and he will find out." He thought for a moment, "You should make your relationship public. Lean into this Nat. Let Pufuktin know you're there and that you're in high places. He doesn't fear Fenneck...he might fear you though." Natalya thought about this. "We were worried the other lords wouldn't like it if they...found out about me...about my past." "I think it would do the opposite." "I killed a king Dimitri!" She exclaimed. "You killed Staladin. You killed one of the most treacherous kings to ever walk this earth. He has infinitely more enemies than friends. Use it. Tell Fenneck to lean into it. He needs protection. He needs you." Natalya feared Dimitri was right. "I'm not a politician." She said. He laughed at her, "Every decision you've ever made has been political Nat. I'll meet your new rangers when you feel like some are ready. You should be there for Fenneck. He needs you." "Okay, we have two with us now and Fenneck has a couple more who are training in Flottenheim." Dimitri hesitated, "Look, I shouldn't tell you this but...Fenneck should know. Especially now that he holds some power." He looked around to make sure they were alone. "There's an agent in Zeitdrache's court. Undercover. All I know is that they're a high elf. I...I just want you both to be safe." Natalya nodded and felt grateful for Dimitri and their relationship. Even more so for his loyalty and care for Fenneck and Flottenheim. Up to this point he hadn't used his position to give them intelligence like this and they hadn't asked. Natalya knew what he was risking by telling her this. "Thank you. I'll let Fen know." She paused, "Thank you for not hating him...or me. I know you have had every reason to and-" He cut her off, "Of course. Just be careful. I hope this goes well. I hope I'm being overly cautious and that you'll both be fine and honestly, Fenneck will be a wonderful lord. He may not be the powerful sorcerer Baegla is but he's got a good head on him." "I hope you're right." Natalya said. "Are you two engaged yet?" He asked. "No, but I think it's coming." She said feeling nervous. "Good. I think it will help. Besides, you both have way too much stress on you to not be getting laid." He joked. Natalya laughed softly. "Be safe." He said. "I'll send the next refugees in six days, it will be late at night. Go be with your fancy pants lord." "He not a lord yet." Natalya reminded him, "Six days...got it." "Tell him I said congrats too, it's quite the accomplishment. Don't forget to celebrate that." He smiled at her as he turned to leave. Natalya climbed back into the mountains and into her and Fenneck's home. Their little cave had become so much more than a little camping site over the years. They had a small garden on the back wall that was always in full bloom. From it an apple tree grew and reached it's branches across the roof of the cave offering them a beautiful ceiling of leaves and an endless supply of apples. In one corner, there was a soft resting mat covered in furs and pillows where they slept and spent intimate time together. In the other was supplies and rations from Glitterfjell. They had a small shelf with books, games, and art supplies on it made from magical vines Fenneck had planted. In the center of the cave sat their firepit which held cooking supplies. They also had a chest on one wall that they stored additional weapons in. There was now two more smaller resting mats on the entrance side of the firepit where Chad and Fjord normally rested. When she walked in she saw Fenneck, alone, curled up under a pile of furs reading. Her heart felt a warm glow when she saw him. She put her things down and took off her cloak before joining him under the furs. He snuggled against her. "How's Dimitri?" He asked. He set his book down and started kissing Natalya, preventing her from answering for a couple of minutes. She laughed and giggled from Fenneck's affections. "He's good." Fenneck started kissing her neck very sensually and she had to push him off of her to get his attention, "Fen!" She giggled, "Seriously, do you want to know how it went or not?" He stole one more quick peck on her lips before sitting back, "Okay okay, what? What happened?" She relayed Dimitri's concerns and the intelligence he had offered her and Fenneck thought for a few moments before answering, "He's right. How do you feel about it? I hate the idea of using you like that but...but it does make sense." Natalya thought for a moment, "I think it's a good point. I mean, maybe the gods were doing more than we realized making us soulmates. I would give my life in a heart beat to protect Flottenheim. To protect you. I just would want it to do more good than harm." Fenneck nodded, "I think it's a good idea. Look, we have some time before we need to really worry about that. I want to focus on training Chad and Fjord and getting them comfortable up here. As for the agent in Zeitdrache's court...I'll inform Baegla next time I'm in Flottenheim and see what we can do." He paused for a moment, "We should offer Dimitri protection. He's risking a lot if he's going to start giving us information like this. Tell him I'll write up some papers for him and that if he ever needs to run we won't hesitate to help him. He's done so much for us." Natalya nodded, grateful that the two most important men in her life were willing to help each other the way they did. "Where are Chad and Fjord?" She said, realizing they weren't there. Fenneck smiled, "They are having some sort of contest. I believe it has something to do with who can last longer with their bare balls in the snow. They asked me to join but I politely declined because I have some amount of self-respect." Natalya laughed and kissed him, savoring their moment alone before Chad and Fjord would return with actual blue balls and a little less respect than they left with.