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Slinking back to camp was an odd feeling. Norton felt nothing much at all as he marched back, aside from fear. Not fear for himself, or fear for his future, rather, fear of what may happen to Lydia or Ava. They were the ones to fight Miriam, not him. Whatever happened to him afterward was really his own fault. He looked to Ava, then down at their joiend hands. He gave her the slightest squeeze, embedding her feeling in his mind.

Ava broke off their hands as they encroached upon the camp. "Sorry," she said. "I know we need the cat in high spirits."

"Right." Norton nodded. Lydia soon came into view. She was cleaning off her sword. "No word yet on Miriam?"

Lydia shook her head.

"All the more time to prepare, then," Ava replied.

"Is there much to prepare?" He did manage to retrieve some supplies after all, but aside from that, they weren't working with much.

"Sure, preparation of food, my chef." She patted his shoulder. "Get to it."

"Fair enough. And what will you do?"

Ava placed her hands on her hips. "Little tricks and traps to know when the fish approaches." She produced her knife. "She might know a few but I'll do my best."

"That sounds good. Uhm, do let me know if you need help."

"I'll probably need help slicing up her body." She ran a thumb along the blade. "But no, I'm fine." Ava spun around and walked back into the woods. "Keep cleaning that blade, cat!" she shouted.

"I suppose I'll get to cooking now," Norton said. He moved over to the fire and set down his pack. "Is there anything you might like to eat, Lydia?" He dug through the backpack. What a mess of food and items it had become. Out of all things, he would probably be most happy to stop lugging this damned thing around.

"Fish." Naturally.

"Then fish it is." Not many cooking implements but he could do something with what he was provided, he supposed. He went to work cooking up the meal, skewering it on a stick.

"Had fun in the city?" Lydia asked. She didn't move, still focused on the sheen of her sword.

"I suppose."

"I can tell she tried one of her tricks." Lydia let out a short chuckle.

"Something like that." He watched the fish cook. "Lydia, may I ask something of you?"

"I hardly think you have to request permission for a question at this point."

"When we made love." Such a funny way to put it. "Did you mean it? It wasn't just something to get back at Ava, was it?"

Lydia briefly paused. "I suppose some of it was that. An annoyed act. Yet still, your kiss did fire something within me. Striking back at the wolf was merely a bonus of sorts." Norton let that hang. He wasn't sure how serious he was about her wanting him to choose now. Cowardly of him, he knew, but he hoped she might drop the issue. That is not to say Lydia didn't have her allure. He didn't need two admirers. "So boldly flaunting money from a killer, and with such cheer too. Fair I strike back, hm?"

"I don't think Ava meant much by it." Though, knowing her, maybe she did.

"Intent is irrelevant. She was aware."

Norton looked to her. "Do you miss that bond you once had?"

"Bond? Ava is attached to my side through circumstance." Her ears flittered. "Were it not for falling into the stupidity of joining with Miriam in the past, I'd have never met her or glanced in her direction."

Norton shrugged. "It always felt as though you were good friends, and... I'm sorry I've come between you two." The feline offered no response, which comforted Norton in a way. Maybe that was how she silently agreed with the sentiment. Or she was stewing in anger. Lydia's expression remained an enigma, making it hard to ever picture what she was thinking. Her body did the speaking. For the most part. Norton pushed those thoughts away and focused on cooking the meal. It might be the last good one they have for a while.

With only the stare of Lydia and the crackle of fire for company, Norton finished up the meal, cutting it into three pieces. Just as he finished, Ava came waltzing back with a large grin. "The cook is finished. I could smell it a mile away," the wolf said.

"I hope you enjoy. I'm a little rusty on the particulars," he replied. Norton held up the stick. "Take your pick."

"Why thank you, dear." She plucked a bit of fish and tore a chunk from it. "Delicious. Is that some apple in the mix?"

"We had a few to spare. The leftovers will make good food for the forest."

"What a cute fellow you can be."

Norton moved to Lydia's side. "And your pick."

Lydia instantly pulled one off and shoved the whole thing into her mouth. "Quite good," she said between chews.

The man nodded and returned back to the fire's side to quietly eat his last piece. The forest was quiet, aside from that flame snapping and biting at the air. The fish wasn't the best meal he had. Perhaps cooked too long, or maybe he had the bad piece. His nerves could have been getting to him as well. As much as he was calm about the inevitable before, the closer they crept to their confrontation, the more a burning settled on his nerves. Maybe Miriam wouldn't be alone. Maybe she was prepared for them. Maybe she was already watching them.

Norton's eyes flicked to Ava, then to Lydia. Not a hint of fear or nervousness in their expression. That was what he should strive for. He was one of them now, right? Right. He straightened himself up and continued to munch away at his meal. It would be a long night.

_

Every minute felt like a tightening grip around Norton's neck. He had taken to cleaning his one knife for the sake of passing the time, which had been hours now. Night had come, leaving only the fire and the distant lights of the city as illumination. Neither Ava or Lydia had budged from their spots. The man wasn't sure how they managed to remain so still without losing their minds. Norton's cleaning sped up. "Norton, you can go to sleep if you'd like," Ava said. She stood up and walked over to him, promptly taking a seat next to him. "We'll take care of Miriam before you know it."

"I don't think I could sleep, even if I wanted to." His eyes didn't shift from the blade.

"She is right," Lydia replied. She was clad in her armor once more. The feline took up the other spot next to Norton, leaving him smushed between them. "There will not be much you can do against Miriam." Norton sighed. "Your work will be afterward, tending to our wounds. That will be the most important work." Lydia certainly had a way of lifting his spirits.

"Very. Now," Ava petted him, "leave your woes to sleep. Who knows if she'll even arrive today?" The wolfess smiled. "We'll need you at your best to save us afterward."

"Well, alright then." He looked up from his knife and stored it away. "Just promise me that you'll wake me up. I won't stand to be left asleep while you fight."

"If anything we'll take care of her while you sleep."

"Ava."

Lydia placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rest. We will awake you when the time comes," she said.

Ava pulled him over to her bosom, away from Lydia. "Then we'll celebrate with drinks in the morning."

"I get it." Norton stood up. "I'll set out my resting area. Be careful, please."

The two beast-women nodded.

_

A snap tore Norton out of sleep. He shot upright and scrambled to his feet. Ava and Lydia were already prepared for the assault. The feline simply had her sword drawn, while Ava took position behind a tree, blades at the ready. Norton froze, unsure of what he should do himself. Ava nodded over to another tree. As much as the thought of hiding pained him, he obliged, settling behind a trunk. There was a distant squeal. A cry that pierce the quiet of the forest that went quiet. Then, nothing. For several minutes the only thing Norton could hear was the pounding of his own heart. He placed a hand on his knife, running a thumb across the handle. It did little to assuage his fears.

A low thump began to permeate the quiet. Footsteps. Large ones. The crunch of foliage accompanied each step. It would pause every once in a while and a loud crunch would follow. Ava's traps? Norton took deep breaths. Were you supposed to do nothing? No, he had to partake, somehow. Those thoughts quickly fled his mind as a figure came into view. It was an odd mass that he could only just barely make out. It was large enough to be Miriam, but there was a large formation on its left side. Had she gotten bigger? Do lampreys do that? His answers were soon answered.

Now made visible from the orange of the fire, Norton could see Miriam proper. A large deer hung from her shoulder. Her head had firmly latched to its side, and at this proximity, he could hear her loudly sucking its innards. She let it drop to the ground with a thud, now revealing her rows of teeth bathed in a crimson red. "Mammals," she groaned. "I expected the reptile to do something so poor."

"Lay down and die," Lydia replied instantly.

"Why? I have a good life." Miriam chugged from her jar of water. The red of her teeth washed out and spilled out over her. The jar fell to the ground. "It may yet get better." Her elongated head looked every which way. "And the dog? Where does she hide?" The lamprey's head then snapped to Norton. "And your human. He is poor at hiding." He froze. The beating of his heart quickened. Miriam's head lowered again. "And what do you hope to gain from death?"

"Freedom."

"Shallow. Return to being a beast of the land if you wish for freedom." Miriam stepped forward, bringing more of her unsettling visage into the light. "I desire life. Which I receive from death." She readied herself, putting up her fists. "And I would like yours first." Miriam charged forward, smashing into Lydia with a clang. The cat's sword came close to the fish's neck, but was held back by her large hand. Move now, Norton urged himself. Move now. Lydia hissed and pushed back, digging the blade of her sword into Miriam's neck. Before the fish could retaliate, Ava dashed out from her place and jabbed two daggers into the fish's side. She screeched and backhanded Ava, sending her a short distance. Norton knew she was fine, yet his mind still screamed.

Lydia yanked her sword away, and with it, a gash of blood. She steadied herself and pointed her blade forward, readying to plunge into Miriam. The fish raised her hand. "I wouldn't dare, mammal!" she yelled. Lydia paid the threat no mind as she dashed forward. The tip of the sword pierced the fish's chest. Miriam's hand came down, catching the handle of the blade, stopping it. "I warned you." Lydia seized and began shaking violently. Norton inadvertently stepped out of his spot, yet his body would step no further. Lydia shook for a moment and came to a stop, falling limp. "Well worth its gold." The man could only make out a small, glowing rock in her hand.

Now it was simply Ava and Miriam circling around one another. "Think you'll make a good cloak, fish?" Ava asked. Her fangs were bared. Knives at the ready.

"And you, a coat."

"Her hand, Ava! She has something magical in her hand!" Norton croaked. He took another step forward and looked to Lydia. What would he do?

"Magic or not. I'm coming away with your head," Ava barked. She howled and dashed forward, narrowly dodging another brutish punch. One dagger firmly lodged into the fish's neck, the other twisting into her stomach. The wolfess was fast, but not quick enough to dodge the kick to her stomach. She reeled back but was undeterred, pushing forward with another assault. Two more strikes to the lamprey, and yet another hit came back to her. Miriam was now dashed in stripes of red from her wounds, yet seemed no worse for wear. "Land too much for you?"

"I find it just fitting." Miriam let the rock fall and raised her hands again. Ava managed to land a few more nicks.

Then, Miriam grabbed her.

Ava wildly stabbed at the fish's arms, but it made no difference. Norton's eyes widened. His heart raced. He ran forward stupidly, only to be pushed back with a simple kick. He fell to the ground, having all the wind knocked out of him in one simple motion. He could only watch as Miriam tossed Ava to the ground and stomp on her chest. A crack rang out. Ava screamed. "Blood is best when it runs." Miriam pulled her foot off Ava and looked to the human. "You know your place." She stomped over to him, dripping blood. "I find that to be an excellent quality in humans." Her head raised to show those teeth again. Gnashing incisors.

Miriam stepped over Norton and lowered herself. A hand pushed against his shoulder. "And what shall I do with you?" Her head turned. One eye glared down at him. He had no words to speak with. No breath to yell. He craned his head to look at his partners. "I know your story. The poor boy swept into hell. What happens to you now?" She let out a gravelly chuckle and traced a finger along his face. "I could have you myself as a pet." Her teeth gnashed. "Or as a meal after the others. Maybe before. I doubt you would want to see them drained."

"Don't," Norton whispered.

"I will."

"Don't you dare."

"And what will you do?"

What would he do? Norton's mind raced as he stared at the beast. Between the stabs of her neck were those little holes. Gills? "What will you do, human?" she repeated. Her head swiveled back to look at the bodies. "They failed, good as they were." Norton hardly heard her. Knife, you have a knife. And what else? What else could you use? All you had were medicines. No poison. No deadly concoctions. His hand traveled over his pockets. "It's a shame. I could have used them more, but they grew a conscience." Norton's hand bumped into something. He pulled it out. That icy orb that held fire. The dragon's tear. "They became too... generic." Norton stabbed at the thing, forcing his blade to its core. It fizzled, then burned brightly, leaving only that burning orb. Norton grabbed the thing.

God. It burned. It burned so much.

He yanked free from the hand on his shoulder and punched with all his might into one of those gills. There was a crunch of cartilage. Miriam screamed and pried herself off of him, clutching at her neck. One hand clawed at the hole. Her body heaved as she tried to speak, only wheezing. She fell onto her back, groaning and yelling in agony. That wasn't enough. Damn her. She deserved more. Norton scrambled to his feet, knife in hand. "I'll kill you!" he yelled as he leapt onto her and began stabbing wildly. "You godforsaken, worthless creature!" Every plunge of his blade into her made him more fervent. She deserved to die for all she had done. Pathetic worm. His blade began striking at her head.

His blade snapped. It took several more thrusts for his mind to realize that fact. He dropped the handle and stared at his work. Miriam was a still mess of red, nearly unrecognizable. The dragon's tear still sizzled in her throat, smoldering inside. The man stood up and stumbled off of her, falling to the ground as he did. It was done. By his hand. Something stirred in his stomach. No. He looked up at his fallen partners. He had to help them. The man forced himself up. He hissed as the pain of his burned arm hit his now conscious mind. That would wait.

Norton stumbled over to Ava. Her breathing was ragged, but stable. Lydia? He moved over to the feline. Her breathing was strained and halting. The rock that hit her sparked nearby. Electricity? Norton set out to pry her armor off as fast as he could. His head forced against her chest. Only a quivering uneasy heart could be heard. Instantly he pulled back and placed his hands over her chest. It hurt so much. He began pumping her chest and breathing into her mouth. Norton listened again. No change. He grabbed the rock and stared at it. A gentle squeeze made it zap. He raised up and slammed the rock against her chest, then quickly listened again. Lydia gasped, giving way to a steady beat. Norton sighed and fell back.

After collecting himself, Norton moved back to Ava's side. His good hand carefully moved across her chest, putting the slightest bit of pressure. Her breathing deepened as he pushed against a rib. Cracked or broken. Carefully he undid her clothing. No spatters of red. Fortunately nothing had torn through her. He could only pray that the bone didn't pierce anything else. He moved back to his pack and pulled out one of the slices of meat. Still extremely cold. Kunka's ice magic worked wonders. He laid the slab of meat against her broken body and went over the rest of her, checking for anything he might've missed.

"You really do like them, hm?" a familiar reptilian voice said. Norton looked to his right, seeing a small figure standing at the edge of camp. "I expected worse, really."

"Hello, Mehni." Norton rubbed his eyes. "Thank you again, for your service."

Mehni moved over to his side. "No need to thank me. Your money was enough."

"May I ask why you're here?" He lifted his arm and wrapped it in gauze.

"I wanted to see how it would go. Maybe take something." She looked to Miriam. "Turned out well, it seems."

"I'm afraid I had to use your gift."

Miriam's corpse sizzled. "Not what I had intended for, but I'm happy nonetheless." She sat down next to him. "What happens to you now?"

"I get these two proper medical treatment."

"I asked about you, Norton. Not them."

Norton looked at the two beast-women. "Not sure. Being on the run has blinded me for some time."

"You have to be your own person. I knew from the moment I saw you, this wasn't your line of work."

"And what? Go back to the forest? Hide in my home?"

"Why not settle in Hull?"

"I can't imagine that will go over well with Byron."

"Ah, the fat cat, right." She hummed. "I guess you did lay claim to his daughter."

"Can all the beast-folk smell it?" That was getting tiresome.

"Oh yes. Yes we can." She smiled.

"Naturally." He tapped the bit of food on Ava. "Would you mind chilling this more?"

"After I've done so much?" Mehni touched the thing with a blue finger. "Really, Norton, I should be asking more of you."

"You should be. Don't suppose I could ask you to help me get them to a camp?"

"Oh no. Once the fat one catches wind that his daughter is in this condition?" She whistled. "No way there won't be an army to drag you and her back to Hull. Plus the wolf."

"I suppose I should just ask Byron, then? Lydia won't be happy about that." He smiled. How simple that seemed now. "Ava would probably find it really amusing."

"And you? How do you feel about it?" She nudged him.

"Byron is a nice fellow, but I can only imagine what he'd do to me if he felt I was at fault." And he would be entirely justified at that.

"There's the generic's feelings. I knew he had them."

"I wish I didn't. Then maybe I wouldn't have gotten myself into this mess. Enticed the love of those two."

"And which do you love?"

Norton shook his head. "I'm not sure I'll ever have an answer for that." He brushed aside some of Ava's hair. "Maybe I should leave them once we reach Hull?"

"I would offer you to join me, but you have a habit of getting in trouble."

"The kiss meant nothing?" Norton laughed, then winced as his arm flared up again.

"Not to say I don't find generics appealing, but it was more for fun. Riling them up has been a highlight of these dreary weeks. No, you're better off with your mammals."

"Please, don't say that word."

"Understood." She leaned close. "Still, don't hesitate to visit me again."

"I doubt I could find you."

"You will if you want to."

_

"Lord Kaur would like a more succinct account of what happened," a feline warrior said. Norton found himself in a medical ward in the heart of Hull, surrounded by more guards than he cared to count. In front of him lay Lydia and Ava in two separate beds. "You must understand the circumstances are more than curious."

"I explained it as is. We had reason to turn around deal with the lamprey ourselves."

"After spending so much time evading it?"

There was hardly any reason to rat out the cat that pushed them back into this mess. "Even if we kept running, we knew Miriam was more than unhinged."

The finely dressed warrior nodded. "And the kobold? Any word on her whereabouts?"

"She left as soon as she realized there was little to take." Norton looked to Lydia. "Is Byron not going to visit?"

"That will be all, Mr. Lowell." As he said that, most of the troop vacated the area, leaving only a couple of guards at the far end of the ward.

"They are gone then?" Lydia whispered.

"Yes, they're gone," Norton replied. He sat down on Ava's bed, settling between the both of them.

"Not so loud," Ava said, rubbing her head. "I've had enough of their moaning."

"Was it necessary to have us brought to Hull?" Lydia asked.

"Hush. Norton did what he had to do. We're lucky we're here to complain. Though I almost wish I didn't, with this headache."

Norton nodded. "I couldn't be sure you had internal wounds, so it made sense."

There was a short silence, then Ava spoke, "What you told them was true, then?"

"Yes." Norton nodded. As much as he didn't want it to be true. He briefly pictured Miriam, bathed in red and gagging for life.

Lydia sat up. "And you did the deed?"

"Lydia, please, you're still hurt, lay down."

"I had arrhythmia of the heart, not broken bones like a certain someone else."

"Wanna trade?" Ava replied, shaking a fist.

"I am sorry I was not there, Norton," Lydia said. "Little did I expect Miriam to make use of simple magic."

"Try rethinking a conductive suit of armor, dear." Ava cleared her throat. "Likewise, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

"I'm fine. Suppose I should be grateful I seemed so pathetic in that moment." As much as it pained him.

Ava reached out and patted his hand. "You're far from pathetic, and hey, no need to worry about a fish anymore."

"It takes a level of bravery to do what you did," Lydia said.

"Or anger," Norton said.

"Hardly different in battle."

"I know Miriam... deserved that, but I can't help but feel like I did the wrong thing." Norton conveniently left out the various swears he yelled at Miriam as he assaulted her.

"Dear, you're not meant for this life. You did what you must, but maybe it's time you left it?" Ava patted him again.

Lydia nodded. "Returning to the world of relaxation and calm. I envy the ability."

That was your way out of this all. To discard the romantic hell and the tribulations he went through. Passing by the adventure, slinking back to the old and dreary. It had been a painful process to be sure, going through everything and have it sink further and further into his heart. It was good in a way, wasn't it? He was alive, for once, and had never seen so much in all his time on this boring mortal plane.

"And who would look after you two?" Norton finally said.