Heart of Aspira

Chapter 3 Pt. 2

“No, no I wasn’t engaged! Aznoth gave me the bead to make me clan. After the war, in which we had fought side by side, he noticed the attention I was getting, so he marked me as his sister and made me clan, see?” The woman explained while exposing her shoulder just enough to show the black Orc ink.

“Aznoth is an Orc?” Xnath asked in shock. He had never heard of such a thing outside of marriage and never with a human.

“Well, yes, he’s an Orc, one of the finest I have ever shared a battlefield with. I miss him and the others, he probably has a whole brood of kids by now.” She stated with a broad smile. Both he and his mate wanted a big family.

“Kids huh, now that I think about it, you love children, don’t you Heart?” The Dark Elf cooed, enjoying the light blush that painted her cheeks.

“Now there is something you don’t see often. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you blush before, Heartfilia.” Azuk stated while smirking.

“Yeah, well it’s not something I tend to talk about.” The woman huffed while poking her food.

“Awe, why not?” Xnath asked curiously. He couldn’t help but notice his brother was paying very close attention to the conversation even if he hadn’t joined in yet.

“Because even though I love children, hell I have raised plenty of orphans, I don’t know if I can actually have any. I have suffered some serious wounds in the past and, well, even my body can only take so much damage before it breaks.” The female explained. All the men felt sorrow, they understood all too well with their own female warriors.

“Whether you can have children or not does not lessen your value as a woman. There are many young people in this world who would love to be raised by someone as remarkable as you.” Xutag said softly, his deep tone relaxing her more than she cared to admit.

“Thank you, it truly means a lot coming from a great warrior like yourself. So, tell me, do any of you have kids and Sirress, do you plan to adopt once you settle down?” The hunter asked, the teasing glint in her eye telling the Dark Elf it was revenge.

“You know as well as I do that the chances of me finding someone aren’t exactly high.” The Dark Elf muttered.

“Why, I’ve seen you fight and the way you treat Heartfilia proves you would be an excellent mate.” Xnath stated, confused. The woman smirked, knowing she hadn’t misread the looks the Orc had been sending her friend.

“Well, people don’t really like Dark Elves, to start with, then there is the fact that I prefer male company. It doesn’t leave one with many options.” Sirress explained honestly, ignoring the disgusted look Arlen shot him as he dropped off more food.

“Well, I don’t mind you being either of those things, you’re a good man and you’ll find someone who will never let you go.” Xnath encouraged, ignoring how his friends lightly teased him about his crush in their home language. However, when Heart started to snicker he felt his face flush. The woman was clan to Orcs, of course she would understand what they were saying.

“Oh, relax Xnath, the dialect is different, but those words mean the same in every language.” The s**t eating grin she shot him made him want to sink into his seat, well as much as a six-foot nine Orc could hunker down. His brother wasn’t helping either, smirking right there next to her.

“So Heartfilia, do you have any other tattoos?” Kogan asked to give Xnath a break and to gauge his leader’s reaction.

“Yeah, I’ve gained a good amount over the years, but I’ve always made sure to keep the place I want my mating tattoo clear.” The woman chimed, her eyes lighting up at the mere thought. At least until she saw their confused faces.

“My people get tattoos once mated to symbolize their unity. It is designed by the blooded clan member to represent the couple, and the ink is a clan secret that only the Elders know. It looks stunning on the flesh. My father’s mate crest always awed me as a child, it would shine in the light, especially when he as sparring with my siblings. I thought it was magic when I was little.” The carefree expression that sat on her face left everyone slightly armoured, apart from Judith, who was sending her most venomous glare at the small woman.

“You rarely speak of your family Heart, why is that?” Sirress asked while sipping his ale.

“To be honest, it’s because I miss them. I have five brothers who are so over-protective it’s ridiculous, and six sisters who like to give me heart attacks every chance they get. They are always getting into fights and taking out dark guilds. Then there is my father; a giant overbearing, over protective,-Bagh-Naka-wielding romantic. I grew up in a very nurturing and loving home, though my occupation doesn’t make it seem that way. There are times after a rough hunt I just want to go home and curl up in my own bed, knowing that my pack is there if I need them. I also really miss sparring with my brothers, Naru and Logi.” Heart admitted, a small sigh falling from her lips.

“Does everyone in your family fight? You make it sound like you’re from a family of conquerors with all the in-house fighting.” Azuk asked nervously.

“Well, one of my ancestors must have claimed our home land at some point, but it’s been passed down for so long I honestly couldn’t tell you who was the first. My family are warriors, my brothers all serve in the army, my sisters are mages and healers. It is law for our people to serve in our military for at least ten years. We are all skilled hunters, as well as trained in assassination, diplomacy, literature and healing. My siblings are simply more flamboyant than I am in almost every aspect. I suppose that comes from me being the oldest.” The woman chirped.

“Your sisters are mages?” Kogan asked, both shocked and impressed.

“Yeah, Roz, Kimber, Vatali, Kagali, Shazi and Shea are all mages, though each has their own element in which they are proficient. Shea is an amazing healer; she always patches us up. I usually write to the general every few months to check in and make sure they aren’t causing too much trouble.” Heart stated, smirking at the thought of the old man pulling out his hair in frustration.

“General?” Azuk questioned, just in time for Arlen to bring more ale and glare at the Dark Elf.

“We all served under the same general in the military, but some things happened, and I needed to go and reconnect with my instincts. I still keep tabs on everyone though. Also, if you glare at my Elf one more time, I will punch you in the stomach.” The woman hissed, eyes flashing dangerously. All the men moved away from her slightly except Sirress, who smirked from behind his mug.

“Anyone would glare at that filth, a Dark Elf and gay? I’d say go to Hell but that’s where you came from-” What-ever Arlen was going to say was cut off by a fist in his gut and two glowing blue eyes glaring down at him.

“If anyone here is filth, it’s you. I should rip out your tongue and shove it down your throat.” The woman growled.

“What do you think you are doing?! You can’t attack people like an animal, you, you monster!” Judith screamed while rushing to help the terrified Elf to his feet. Sirress watched closely as the hunter froze. None of the Orcs dared to move, every instinct telling them to flee.

“Monster? Just what would you know about monsters, you little brat? Can you wield a blade? Do you know how to protect yourself and others? Have you ever even been in a real fight? I have fought and killed, for my loved ones, for the innocent, for the hell of it. I have sacrificed myself repeatedly to the point that I may never have children to ensure that my fellow soldiers could return home to theirs. Yet I am a monster! I have seen my friends ripped apart, butchered and slaughtered. I have been tortured, beaten, whipped, sold into slavery where I was r***d every day, but I am a monster! You know nothing of monsters, but the next time one ventures too close to this inn, I will simply leave it be and then, then you will know of monsters!” Heartfilia raged, her eyes glowing, hands clenched so tightly they bled.