In Caelumn.
"If Ihrad asks about Dayesh, tell her that he is missing and presumed dead," ordered their new leader, Erhoth.
"As you command," replied by Dayesh's former comrades from his time in leadership.
Though they felt saddened by his decision to take a different path, they could not forget his contributions to their many successful missions, especially those involving the elimination of dangerous creatures.
"I want to visit Sir Dayesh sometime," Khafa whispered to his companion, Ghoth.
"Take me with you when you go."
"Let us not draw attention. We will do it during our time off."
The other nodded in agreement.
A week later, Khafa and Ghoth decided to visit Dayesh.
The two knocked on the door of Jauna's house. She opened it and invited them inside. She prepared drinks for them and placed them on the table.
"He is not here right now, I apologize."
"That is alright," Khafa replied as he sipped the warm chocolate drink. They noticed Lzith playing nearby. When the child saw them, she approached.
"This is Sir Dayesh's child, correct?" Khafa asked.
"Yes, she is. Her name is Lzith."
"Why does she not seem to take after Sir Dayesh?" he asked jokingly.
Jauna and Ghoth laughed softly at the remark.
"She did inherit something from him, just not physically," Jauna replied.
"May I ask where Sir Dayesh is?" Ghoth asked.
"He is working," Jauna answered briefly.
The two exchanged glances, but before they could ask further, Jauna added,
"There is a guild here that offers missions. Dayesh takes on quests and completes them in exchange for rewards."
"Ahh," the two responded in unison.
"That is why he is often away. Only Lzith and I remain here most of the time. In the afternoon, my steward returns from the town."
Moments later, the two men felt a strange presence. Ghoth turned toward the window and saw the silhouette of a shadow with long antlers.
"W-what is that?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Jauna looked toward the window.
"That is one of the beings Dayesh captured and brought here. He wanted to remove it from the forest where it once stayed. It may think you mean harm."
"We are not dangerous," Khafa said, waving.
"I am merely watching," the shadow replied through telepathy.
"We promise we will do no harm."
"Who are you?" the shadow asked.
"We are former comrades of Dayesh in the military."
"There is no need to worry. They are good people," Jauna reassured the shadow.
At that moment, Dayesh arrived in wolf form, carrying a bag in his jaws with an item box inside. An owl was riding along with him.
"Sir Dayesh!" Khafa and Ghoth stood and saluted on him.
He returned to his human form.
"You do not need to do that. I am no longer your leader. What brings you here?"
"We only came to check on you, Sir Dayesh. We are glad to see that you are well."
"If you are worried that I feel lonely here, you are mistaken," he said with a soft laugh. "When you find the woman you wish to spend your life with, you will feel contented."
He walked over to Jauna and wrapped an arm around her.
The two men clapped at the sight.
"We brought some wine. If you permit us, we would like to drink it here," Ghoth said, taking out a bottle from his bag and placing it on the table.
"It has been a while since I last drank," Dayesh replied. He turned to Jauna. "May we drink it here, my love?"
Jauna nodded.
The three began drinking while sharing stories about their lives. They reminisced about their time working together, recalling their experiences and how they knew one another. Meanwhile, Jauna prepared food for them.
"Your current work sounds exciting, Sir Dayesh. If I ever grow tired of my job, I might join you on your journeys. Right, Ghoth?" Khafa said.
"I am interested as well. It does not sound boring," Ghoth replied.
Hooo…
The owl flew onto Dayesh's shoulder, as if seeking his attention.
"This one is part of my mission. I will bring it to the town tomorrow," Dayesh said. He then turned to the owl. "You may play with my child."
He brought it to Lzith, who was near Jauna.
Khafa and Ghoth witnessed Lzith transform and were both startled.
"Sir, you must never reveal what Lzith is when she transforms," Khafa said seriously.
"I know. That is why I cannot bring her to Caelumn under any circumstances."
"It would be dangerous if they found out. Your child does not possess an ordinary form."
"Do not tell anyone about her."
"You have our word, sir."
After a few hours, Khafa and Ghoth said their farewells and prepared to return to Caelumn.
Dayesh was slightly affected by the alcohol. When he entered the room, Jauna was already lying down. He approached and embraced her, then began kissing the back of her neck, moving toward her ear and teasing it gently with his tongue. His hand wandered across her body.
Jauna turned to face him. Even with the taste of wine still on his lips, she kissed him deeply. The longing between them was evident.
Afterward, Jauna rested her head on Dayesh's arm like a child.