Grannik and his people ended up staying for a few more days before departing without Tharok who had insisted to remain behind for a while more. During the ti while they were around, the atmosphere mostly remained tense, but more than anything, Lance used the opportunity to learn more about the world and the surroundings, which was very important, and the rest shared in the knowledge, especially Zarra. Knowing what the territories around held would help guide their scouting activities when geared towards exploration.
Five days after Grannik and his n left, the beastkin rchants ca by again. They had been on their way elsewhere, only passing through to avoid wild beast, which Lance's surrounding territory lacked.
They were surprised to see Tharok, after all, it was strange to see a dwarf so far off into the wild lands. His expertise helped Kaeli purchase exactly what they needed. Also, with his presence, they got to pay with money for the purchase, rather than barter. That was for the minerals alone. For the rest of the goods, Lance had paynts readied.
They were able to get new seeds, alongside a few other things of importance. After the recent exposure, Lance now worked towards preparing for this invasion of so demon army and the potential troubles that would co with it.
As lance sat beside himself, drawn to his own thoughts, Rynne approached him, her spear in hand, like always. "You appear more distracted these days. Worried about the demon lord talk, huh?" She said, looking straight ahead.
As though sensing her completely, Lance didn't look back to see who it was as he recognized the voice, he too looked forward, "you can say that. If it is indeed as we heard, then there's no saying how much ti we have left. We need to prepare for what is to co." He said, his words hanging in the air as Rynne let them sink in for a mont it seed.
She finally spoke, her voice calm, but her tone more concerned than serious. "Sohow, I feel that's not what bothers you most… Is it us?" She asked.
Lance sighed softly, letting out what seed to be so built up tension, if ever so slightly. "Sothing like that." He said, his tone holding so doubt of sorts. "With all we've built here, having to abandon everything to flee, to save our lives… sohow, that doesn't bode well with ." He continued. "But taking everyone into consideration, wanting to remain and stand our ground against such a force as the demon lord, seems like sothing 'I' want to do, sothing that will endanger everyone." He said, expressing his mind.
Rynne thought about it briefly, not appearing to need much processing before she spoke. "I don't see why that matters. You are our chief, our ruler and leader. Whatever you decide to do, we will always stand by you, no matter what it may be." Rynne said. "Perhaps, its different with human culture, but we goblins are different from humans." She said.
Lance felt as though she didn't entirely understand him, but he also found so sense in what she said, and at the sa ti, it ca as a perfect and realistic answer. Despite being here for months, his years of experience in a fully functioning human society still remained. Losing it all in such short ti certainly was impossible.
'I need to always think like a leader… one with loyal subjects. There's a lot to do then.' He thought to himself.
Resting her spear against the wall as she sat cross-legged beside Lance, her elbows on her knees, Rynne's usual confident deanor faded away, replaced by a hesitant expression... perhaps, one of concern.
"Lance," she began, her voice low, "can I ask you sothing?"
"Of course," he said, noticing the shift in her energy.
Rynne hesitated, then gestured toward her muscular arms. "Do you think I'm… too much? You know, too… 'warrior-like' to be…" She trailed off, clearly struggling to find the words, perhaps, uncomfortable even.
Lance noticed this, and more than anything, he could share in her feeling at that mont. Gently, he asked, "to be, what?"
"To be… attractive," she finished, her voice much lower.
Lance blinked, caught off guard by her words as it was definitely not what he had expected at all. "Rynne, are you kidding? You're incredible. Your strength isn't just physical, it's who you are. And more than anything, that's part of what makes you attractive."
Rynne looked away, her cheeks flushing a little even though her expression was different, displaying a kind of dissatisfaction. "It's just… Mira, Zarra, Kaeli, Lia—they're all so different. I feel like I'm just… the strong one."
"And that's what makes you unique," Lance said, his voice firm. "You're not 'just' anything. Not to ntion, you're easily one of the most beautiful and attractive goblins in the entire tribe."
"Really?" She said, seemingly genuinely surprised.
"Of course… there's no way you don't know this, right? Sure you have muscles, but it's not in a bad way, and it does help you in 'other' areas as well."
"Other areas?" She asked, a bit confused. "Does that an, you don't find unattractive?"
"Rynne, I don't think there's any man who will find you unattractive in anyway, I like you the way you are, I wouldn't ask for a different Rynne."
A small smile tugged at her lips as she heard his words. Feeling the direction things were moving in and not particularly feeling the mont was right, Lance shifted the topic.
"Hey, why don't we go spar?" He said.
"Yeah. Afterall, if you don't keep yourself in shape, all those fancy weapons kaeli's making for you will be useless." Rynne joked.
"I sure hope not, I want to get to use them. I need to hurry up and beco more powerful."
As they trained, Rynne's movents slowed, her strikes more controlled. After one particularly close exchange, Lance perford a precise sweep, causing her to fall forward unto him, her lips brushing his in a fleeting kiss. As they stared at each other while on the ground, Lance brought himself into a seating position with Rynne on him. Drawing closer, he locked lips with her in a simple but firm gesture. The exchange left Rynne wide eyes for a mont before she gave herself to it, holding the kiss for a brief mont before they separated off.
'Guess I was worried over nothing.' Lance thought to himself as their lips separated, holding a deep eye contact with Rynne, just before their lips ca close again for the third ti.
…
A/N: Now, before anyone goes off about how Lance is being slow on things and whatnot, rember that he was a single man until reaching this world, and still is at the mont. He doesn't have personal experience with relationships or girls in general… well, except for say the nurses at the hospital and the few girls he would have been on greeting terms with. So, basically, patience, as we witness a boy beco a man.
Also, this work will soon transition out of its free stages into its paid era. That would happen soti after Chapter 45 at least.
Lastly... WITH A RATHER POWERFUL KOWTOW, I BEG OF EVERYONE READING, NOT JUST PLEADING ANYMORE... TAKE A MINUTE OF YOUR TI AFTER THIS CHAPTER TO LEAVE A REVIEW. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANYTHING LONG. It can be what you like about the book, what you find interesting, your thoughts about the future and story path, a word of encouragent, criticism, etc.
One more thing, thank you all for the support so far with golden tickets, powerstones, and that which cos first, your interest in the story, I'm happy you're enjoying it.
I certainly can't ntion everyone; but, Matt_Hardesty, my day one reader and supporter of this book, Mizuken, Itolar, ThatWizardGandalf, Gattychan, Spec87, Macen_green, Jero_Buchanan, Interdonato1, ForgottenHope... Taitiruk, thank you for pointing out all the grammatical errors and misspells, I'm working on fixing them... Imagine_Wagons, you have so critique and insightful views, and those are very much welco, they help with the developnt of the story into a better direction where neccesary.
If I didn't ntion your na, no hard feelings, maybe in future.
Have a good day/night!
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