Part Ninety-Six
The council was reconvened the next day and in the shelter of the pavilion surrounded by smoking braziers no one noticed if the Lord of the Silver Wood seemed to sink into his cloak for warmth or seemed to squint at the smoke in the air. No one asked if he had been drinking. However, the Elves spoke more softly than usual.
The Orc Chieftains on the other hand, and the Men and Dwarves with them, were not so soft spoken.
Lenaduiniel called for order. "It has already been decided there will be land granted. We will hear argument on all the details of where, when, how, and in what amount in proper order. Today is only for deciding where the lands shall be. My staff has prepared a presentation." Lenaduiniel saw some about to comment. "Those of you with votes on the council will already know that my staff has visited with your camps and heard your suggestions outside the council as well as within the past days here. We have taken all your suggestions into consideration in making our map, so when I have it uncovered, there is no need to argue that certain lands should not even have been considered, as we have taken suggestions from all sides. You only need to form arguments on where your parties believe the land should be, or why other choices are unsuitable. The more sound and civil your argument, the more others may be inclined to vote with you."
Some of the Orcs grumbled. Lady Lena was often suggesting they did not argue properly, when Orcs knew very well how to argue a decision.
"Now, I will have the map uncovered. Please remember that we have time to argue the worth of each location and that some here need concentration and time to converse with those who are with us over distance, so be courteous."
"There must be some outrageous suggestions if the Elves are telling us not to overreact," Miller said to his Lord Royalhill.
"There are many interested parties here to have made suggestions. There is a chance some have suggested the selfsame locations, but if not, there may be as many as twenty five proposed locations. At least one is bound to encroach on another's claimed lands."
The Men had the most votes, being eight, not including those Men who would be represented by the Rangers two representatives voting for areas where many races settled together, and the Orcs were still objecting to this, saying that those who were united under one king had sent princes to speak and vote to make their number greater, but the Men argued that they already claimed many lands and the Orcs, who had six votes now, including Dale's, had only one stronghold, and five Orc votes were given as a kindness and consideration to their numbers. The Elves had five votes, for there were presently that many Elven settlements east of the sea. This did not include the Rómendar, who had been denied votes, as those present were not counted as a people but conquered individuals in Elven custody, and those who remained free were not considered allies that they should be granted a vote. The Halflings did not have a separate vote but were counted at present within the territory represented by the Rangers of the North. The Dwarves had sent enough Lords that three of their settlements were represented, but the Dwarves were a highly secretive people and refused to say what number of their settlements had survived the wars and which settlements these Lords had come from. The Wizards also had one vote, which would be cast by The Grey.
Lenaduiniel revealed the map, drawn on fabric stretched on a frame and suspended between posts of the pavilion's structure. The familiar landmarks and borders were drawn in nearly-black ink and the many proposed locations were drawn in red. Some locations were identical or overlapping, indicating to some that the various parties had already formed alliances to argue together for the same locations. Still, there were more proposed locations than there were races involved.
Everyone immediately saw reason to object to at least one location.
Dale saw the map through the seeing stone. He was quite good at using it and able to send secret messages only to one wielder of his choosing. He communicated a message to Royalhill, The Grey and Galadhiel, all who were physically sitting at the council. "I am coming there!"
"Dale is coming," Galadhiel reported calmly.
The Grey sighed.
"I suppose Dale-Chieftain is opposed to one of the proposed locations," Lenaduiniel said.
"He wishes to make certain there is a chair," Galadhiel said.
"It will take him a long time to get up from his sickbed. Let us here another argument first," Gibil-Chieftain suggested.
"Are we to know which party suggested which location?" Marduk asked.
"No," Lenaduiniel said, "You may make a guess based on your observations of the arguments, but the parties behind each proposed location will be confidential, including yours."
Marduk had suggested the location along the river, between the mountains and the City of Newhaven. Until recently, Orcs had held that land, and it was familiar enough land that Orcs might be persuaded to leave the mines to dwell on it. He did not think they would be granted the land. Parties seemed interested in either keeping him in the mines, or far removing him from the mines.
Dale arrived, and near everyone was surprised. He had ridden Nightmare to the pavilion and Jareth arrived some time later, panting, as Duma and Ugarit came from the other direction, likewise disheveled and breathing hard. Dale had sent birds to summon them.
"Dale," Lenaduiniel said, "welcome. We had a seat and space at our tables for you, but we believed you preferred to speak from a distance, being in recovery."
"If I tire, I will take to a bed," Dale said as he dismounted. He walked into the pavilion and saw his seat was between Elves and Orcs. He gave a glance to the map, doubting for a second he had seen it accurately in the ether of the networked seeing stones. He had hurried to arrive, but he was well dressed and his hair was neatly braided, so he did not appear one who had just risen from bed. "I have a strong objection to one of the proposed locations. I do not know who proposed it and do not care, but that valley is mine!" Dale pointed out the location, in the north, between the mountains closest to the sea and the hills where the ancient capitol had been located.
"Yours?" One of the Elf-Lords asked. Dale knew him fairly well, as he was the son of the Lord who had become Dale's caretaker. He had been among the party that found Dale there, alone and mad. Dale wondered if their people had been the ones to suggest the location. They might have even thought it fair, as Dale seemed to be for granting lands to Orcs and Dale had that land to give. But if they had thought it was land only Dale could object to, then they understood it really was his.
"As grateful as I am to our Lord, I do not count myself among his kin. I am a Vale Elf, and that valley there was the last home of Vale Elves, in fact, it was never abandoned by Vale Elves, as I was last to live there, until I went, by choice, to dwell with other Elves and learn from them. Though there are Elves of those Represented by Galadhiel near there, they do not claim the valley itself, but the mouth of the river only, and lands west of it. I know there are Dwarves there also, in the mountains near that valley, but they have not moved into the valley. Halflings live still to the south and the Men have not extended their settlements over the Hills. That means, it is still mine, as no one has moved into it since I left, that I should have had to fight them to defend my claim. It belongs to Vale Elves, and they are not lost, as there are three within this very wood and all of an age to conceive children. It is mine, because I last ruled there, and I claim it and I shall defend my claim. I do not grant it to Orcs, unless they be kin to Vale Elves also."
"Strange as it was for us to learn of the circumstances, we were told your vote was counted among Orc chieftains," Anto said, "Now you argue a claim as a Vale Elf?"
"Yes. I am a Chieftain of an Orc Clan and I am a Vale Elf. If you say I cannot rightly vote in the interest of both, then allow my vote to count for Vale Elves and recognize our claim, and let the vote of my Orc Clan pass to Duma."
"We have had a week of arguments and now you wish us add a seat to the table when the shift in numbers might have made a difference last week?" The Dwarves asked.
Dale smiled. "You voted to grant lands to Orcs, in some fashion. Do you think Duma or I would have voted otherwise?"
"I think we must have a vote on whether we can allow Dale's request," Lenaduiniel said, "We shall first vote whether the Vale Elves as a people should have a vote and if that is agreed by the majority, we will hear further arguments on this northwestern valley location, as we will on all locations. Are there any who wish to give a reason why the vale Elves should not have a vote?"
If Dale was allowed to represent Vale Elves without loosing a vote for his Orc Clan, it would bring Elven number of votes equal to Orc number of Votes, and so the Elves must be inclined to allow it. It would also mean that Dale would remain at the table, while Duma came to the table with an additional vote, and the Orcs who might have been opposed to loosing an advantage in numbers of Elves might trust that Dale's votes in interest of Vale Elves could not be far from their interests, as Dale was also an Orc. If Elves and Orcs voted together, that gave Dale eleven votes out of twenty-five. He would need thirteen to scrape by. He was certain the Dwarves would be against this, unless they were those who lived in the mountains Dale had mentioned, and believed Vale Elves would vote with consideration to that region. Dale could not afford to lose all the Men. He was not sure how The Grey would vote; the Wizard was devious.
The votes were cast with wooden tiles dropped into a box passed around the table and counted by Lenaduiniel and then confirmed by a second counter that today had come from the Men.
Duma came to Dale's side and whispered to him. "You know what you are doing?"
"If I did not even try to defend our claim on that valley, it might have become the home of Orcs and taken away your choice. Even if this vote goes bad for me, I have made a suitably dramatic show of my opinion. They will remember I do not like that location and perhaps choose another."
"Do any of them seem very likely?" Duma asked. "Lenaduiniel only got so far in my lessons, but I think there must be some party here that will object to each location."
"I have already spotted one that seems good to me," Dale said, smiling. It was the one he had suggested, but he meant not to show large favoritism toward that location unless it was necessary. He would simply watch others object to the various locations and vote as he believed seemed right.
The tiles were cast and counted once. Fifteen were for, but it was a definite majority. It might have meant all the Dwarves and the Wizard had been for Dale and all the Men against, but it could also have meant some Men were for him and others against. Dale sank into his chair in relief.
The votes were counted a second time and the numbers matched.
"It is decided," Lenaduiniel announced, "The Vale Elves may have a vote in the council, and as we have no reason to deny the Death-shadow Clan the vote we granted them, a chair will be added. The majority needed will now be fourteen. If there are no challenges, we shall let Dale sit for the Vale Elves and allow him to appoint Duma Mapleseed of Death-shadow Clan his replacement."
"If there were to be a challenge, it would come from the other Vale Elves," Gwindor said, "Tigh and Lain should be summoned, and perhaps Gwende, as she is married into their house."
"I have no objections to having the Treeweavers summoned," Dale said, "If Tigh wants the seat, I will yield it to him, so long as Vale Elves do have a vote." If Tigh asked for the seat, this would not please the Orcs.
"Very well, a short recess until the Treeweavers, who are Vale Elves dwelling in our Wood, are summoned. We shall need a few more chairs."
Duma bent to speak at Dale's ear. "Are we to be in alliance?"
"For the most part, unless some issue seems better or worse weighed against the interests of Vale Elves or Orcs."
"Not all Orcs, only our Clan. If we were voting in interest of all Orcs, there would need only be one Chieftain here."
Dale chuckled softly. "Yes, in the interest of the Clan, I will leave you to it, if the council agrees, but think, the interests of the Clan may coincide with Orc interests on many issues."
"I am an Orc," Duma confirmed, "but Marduk would not know if I voted differently than he did on any issue, nor would the other Chieftains."
"Ah, and they would not really know what each other is voting, unless that are telling each other by some means. Even so, you must consider the good of Orcs when you argue or vote."
Duma was not so confident about the arguing as the voting.
Tigh arrived soon, but Lain was not with his bother. In stead, Loriol walked behind Tigh. The messenger who summoned him said Lain was unable to attend the council and had given word before witnesses that Loriol might speak as his proxy.
"Is the young Elf well?" Lady Royalhill asked. She sat at the table to speak for the Horse Lords, though her husband spoke for their principality to the south of the silver Wood.
"At worship," Tigh said quickly.
"Pick and a sail," Duma said under his breath and laughed.
Marduk must have understood the simple rhyming slang, because he also laughed, rather suddenly it seemed to those seated farther away.
Lenaduiniel wasted no time in getting back to business. "You have been summoned to the council because you are Vale Elves, and we have just had a vote on a proposal to add a seat to the table and representation for Vale Elves. The majority supported the proposal, so now we ask if you have objection to Dale being your representative."
"May I confer first with Dale?" Tigh asked.
Lenaduiniel nodded.
"More privately, if you are able," Tigh said.
Dale rose from his seat and walked a short distance from the tables to the edge of the pavilion with Tigh, Loriol and Duma. "One of the locations they suggested for lands to be given to Orcs was our valley."
"It is not really ours. Orcs took it. There is nothing there to claim."
"Have you seen it since you left it?"
"No, not since the day we departed on our trade route."
"I have seen. Yes, it was overrun by Orcs, and they did fell some trees for firewood, and they certainly hunted the lands, but the land itself was no more tainted than this Wood, where Elves desire to labor. I took it back from them. It is mine, Tigh. Mine to safe keep for Vale Elves and those they count kin. I will not have it given over to Orcs again, even in peace. If it is granted to them, then Duma will have no choice other than to live with the other Orcs or try to make a living in a Man city."
"I can take care of myself," Duma insisted. "It is well enough you want to look out for my interests, I am grateful, but you need not go to effort if it disturbs others."
"Because Tashmetum has died have you changed you mind?" Dale asked. "Where will you go when this is over? That valley is where you were spawned, if you saw it, you would know better than anyone where to find food and where the terrain presented shelter or avenues of attack. I do not say you must live there, only that the land should be available. If it is given to Orcs, then our choice to return there is taken away. I want to have the option, and I do not want to give our land to all Orcs, though if it is agreed the land is ours, we could let them visit, if they will continue to have peace with us."
"They are more peaceful with you now since they are beginning to believe that we did help defeat that Wizard and his plot and that you survived a Wizard attack."
"I will not object to this, Dale," Tigh said. "I understand your motive now and support you. I had never considered returning there, but perhaps there is good land and trees that need tending."
"The Orcs have been gone from there for some years. Nature has washed or worn away any foulness they left. The trees and flowers have gone wild, but Elves love nature, do we not."
"Yes, but it should be manicured a bit."
Dale smiled, because this was typical Elven settlement, to love nature but believe they might refine its beauty by encouraging certain natural things to grow.
"Lain admires you very much, Dale, he would not object," Loriol said softly.
"Tigh, if you would, remain and advise me," Dale offered.
"Little work would get done if we all attended the council, but I will sit here when I have time to advise, if you think my opinion can be of value."
"You are the eldest Vale Elf known to us," Dale said quietly. Tigh was not very old himself, for an Elf.
They walked back to the tables and Tigh announced their agreement and support of Dale.
"Dale shall sit for Vale Elves then, and Duma for his Clan, in stead of Dale-Chieftain. Perhaps we can now continue with today's scheduled tasks and hear arguments on the proposed locations. We shall start with the valley Dale brought to attention, not only because it is in mind, but because it is the most northwesterly location on our map. We will proceed through the locations in an orderly fashion, going outward in arcs toward the southeast. Anyone have an argument for or against these valley lands?"
Duma stood, and several others immediately afterward.
"Duma?" Lenaduiniel said hesitantly.
"Even though I am half Vale Elf through the dominance of male Elven blood in the breeding pit of our Clan, which was then led by the Legendary Dumuzi, whose whip is in Dale's hands, I speak now for the aptly named Death-Shadow Clan, and I must argue against the Vale Elves…"
"I pray this is some ploy to gain others' confidence before he betrays them by making alliance with us," Dale groaned.
Duma continued, "In actuality, the vale in question already belongs to Orcs, as Dale's claim that he was last to hold a claim over the land and has gone unchallenged, only supports my own argument, because we must remember that Dumuzi is credited with doing what only Wizards had done before, and that is making an Orc of another creature that was not born or spawned an Orc. Thus, from the time of the Vale Elf massacre, through the time Dale was sole claimant to the lands, and until now, the lands have been the territory of Death-shadow, heir of Dumuzi, also known as Dale Maple or Mapulinanlóme, the Shade of the Valley of Maples. This individual, Dale, was born an Elf, but we must remember he has become and Orc and is a recognized Chieftain and this is an integral belief of his Clan and of all Orcs who fear and respect Death-shadow."
Dale stood. "Master Mapleseed is correct in that I am an Orc. Yes, it is important to remember that, yet I am a Vale Elf by birth and thus Vale Elves have equal claim to the valley."
Marduk stood. "That may be, but whether these lands belong to you because you are Orc or Elf does not matter, if you agree the lands are yours. Orcs must be given some other uncontested land. I demand we be given no contested land that we will have to defend before even reaching!"
Gwindor stood, "I recognize what Marduk-Chieftain says, but the argument is not completely irrelevant, if the valley already belongs to Orcs. Why must we go through these debates, if there is already a land Orcs may call a home?"
"I was just about to explain that when the much esteemed Dale-Chieftain interrupted," Duma said haughtily. Gwindor and Marduk sat, and a moment later, Dale sat also and waved his hand at Duma to continue. "As I understand the treaty between Orcs and Elves made in this Wood, Lady Lenaduiniel is to use her influence to see that Orcs are given lands, and I know much debate went into the particulars of that treaty, including certain conditions as to the type of lands to be granted, as well as to what Orc authority the lands should be rendered. The treaty does not mention individual breeds or clans, but 'Orcs' and 'Marduk'. Thus, a territory claimed by a particular Orc Clan or Breed at present does not meat the conditions of the treaty, even if other races declare they recognize the area or its claimants and inhabitants as a nation. The treaty calls for a newly established Orc Sovereignty and lands, thus the lands must not be those already claimed by an Orc authority other than this yet unestablished sovereignty and they must be available for granting. One cannot give what belongs to another. This goes also for the Mines, and I will have words to say on that matter when we come to that part of the map."
Lord Royalhill stood. "I speak for my King who is not here. He says his scholars have been going over the treaty as was relayed to him, and unless there has been error in the relaying of the wording of the treaty, he understands Mapleseed's argument to have merit. My King says the lands granted must be unclaimed wilderness or else voluntarily surrendered by previous claimants for the grant. Speaking now for myself, I see the same logic in the wording of the treaty. Simply recognizing a present Orc stronghold as a nation and declaring one Orc in particular its leader will not satisfy the treaty. Also, granting any land that is not in some way uncontestedly ours to grant will only lead to war and terrorism in the future."
Duma bowed to Royalhill and took his seat. Ugarit pulled at the point of his ear and whispered, "That was very smart. You are truly one who is advantageous to please. I like smart Orcs. I will be pleased to do it."
"Advantageous to know you. I am pleased you are my Orc."
"It was smart, Duma," Dale said, "please keep it up."
"No trouble with that."
Dale grumbled, "This is vengeance for failing to prevent his witnessing my sharing with Tsuki. I hope he comes back and turns Duma into something unnatural."
"And so if there are no further arguments for or against this location, we will have our vote," Lenaduiniel called out, "Remember, when voting on the locations, as previously agreed in a vote, vote 'nay' if you are against the location for any reason and vote 'yay' if you have no opposition to the location, even if you would prefer another. A majority of 'nays' will remove the location from consideration immediately, but a majority of 'yays' will leave the location among those in consideration, until our final vote, when you must vote for one location only. So, in this round, vote 'yay' for any location you would find acceptable."
There were twenty-six votes and fourteen were nays. It meant one less party thought the region unacceptable for Orcs than believed the Vale Elves should have a vote, but it was just enough to indicate a majority were against the location. Dale was glad.
"We shall move onto the next suggested location. There are several equidistant from the last, so let us speak next of this one." Lenaduiniel pointed out the location upon the map. "This area along the mouth of the Brownwater…"
At once a Dwarf Lord, Two Rangers representing free peoples of various races, Lady South and Galadhiel stood to make objections. Galadhiel stood for Laurel, and sat when she saw South would make the objection, but still it amounted to four parties objecting, either on the basis that this was two close to the southern claims of the Halflings, or that it was part of territory claimed by the Lowland people, or that Dwarves, without saying where their settlement was exactly, felled trees in the wood in that area and the wood would not survive the needs of another settlement being cut from it. Shocked as they were at the Dwarves care for trees, it was this claim that swayed Elven votes, as they were staunch conservationists, as well as the Wizard vote. When the vote was announced, an impressive twenty nays were given.
"Ay, the next location," Lenaduiniel began, "is here along the so-called Ice Bay." The Orcs stood to object.
Dale sighed. He wished he had stayed in bed, but he thought leaving now before a recess was called would seem a sign of weakness.
Oromë had asked that Tsuki assume the disguise of an Elf for the next portion of their journey, for he should not yet reveal his identity to Elves east of the sea any more than mortals, even though the Shaman's notice had been ignored. Tsuki tried several bodies before Oromë and Tilion both approved. Elves would know better than others how to spot a false Elf and in present times, such creatures were worries in their mind. Tsuki believed that all of the mutilated Rómendar had been slain on the mountain, but he had no proof of it. Ultimately, it was judged that a brown-haired, blue-eyed Vale Elf was acceptable.
They made their appearance in an old wood, but having seen the Old Forest, this one seemed somewhat younger. It was dark, and from the scent, sky and shapes of the trees Tsuki supposed they were in a more northerly region. They were greeted quickly by a pair of fair-haired Elves who had features not unlike those of Gwindor, that was to say, they might be descended from Sylvan and Grey bloodlines both. They looked enough alike to be brothers, and having more-than-mortal eyes, Tsuki was confident he was not mistaken in guessing they were close kin.
One of the pair spoke in an Sylvan Elven dialect, which Tsuki would have understood only a little before, but understood well enough now he was no longer mortal. "Elves of East-Golden-Wood are honored by the presence of the Lord of Trees." Both Elves bowed.
"Be at ease, Orophin," said Oromë. "My companions and I wish to dwell here some short while and then perhaps go north. We are about our study and training and will not be a trouble to elves here."
"As you wish, Lord, but if you will, please join us, for we would love to hear any stories or songs you have for us. We must make a feast for you."
"Just a small one then," Oromë said with a warm laugh, "I do love Elvish food."
Orophin led them west, deeper into the trees and his brother fell into step with Tsuki. He spoke in the dialect called Common Elven. "If I am not deceived, you are of the Vale. Until recently, I would not have believed it, but we have had news that several have been found and are known to Elves north and south of this home. I am Haldir. Do you speak any of the Sylvan tongue? Many of our people who are not employed as scouts care little for other languages. How was it you survived and came into the company of Lord of Forests?"
"My name is Lir Birdcatcher," Tsuki said to the Elf, "I was fowling downriver when the massacre took place and was sheltered by the Grey afterward. Are any of those found female?"
"I am afraid your kin share fate with the Treeherds. We have only heard of a few males surviving and only recently. How is it you came into such company?"
"I suffered a terrible fall and woke to find these two tending me and have been their student since."
Haldir touched Tsuki's hand briefly. He seemed about to speak, but said nothing. Tsuki supposed that Haldir assumed Tsuki's fall had caused injuries beyond Elven healing and perhaps severe enough that he would have willed his spirit from the flesh if conscious. Such pain and possibility of maiming was not something an Elf liked to consider.
He had died. Fallen out of the sky.
The local Elven settlement, which was governed by those who governed the wood west across the Great River, was similar to that of the Silver Wood only in that they made homes in tree platforms. Tsuki noticed no other outbuildings, such as sheds or pavilions. The platforms themselves were quite similar, such that Tsuki believed emigrants from the Golden wood had been those to build the ones within the Silver Wood, but these were placed higher in the trees and reached by long rope ladders. The ladders attached not to the edge of the platform, but to a central circular portal. The railings were also of different design, having a lattice-like appearance where they were used at all rather than intricate treewoven forms or the simple lashes posts and rails that could be found in the Silver Wood.
They climbed to one of these platforms and were invited to sit on the floor as the other Elves did. Cups were passed around and then a pitcher of clean water. Orophin and Oromë led others in exchange of news and discussion on current events, wizard plots and Orcs. Platters were passed around containing a sort of thin crispy Elven cakes or biscuits, which were only similar to cakes Beryl had made, jars of honey and berry preserves, and also some thin, rolled cakes made mainly of egg. Later another pitcher was passed around containing a warm herbal infusion that smelled and tasted of berries and wood.
Tsuki was afraid he gave himself away by being unfamiliar with the manner in which such foods were to be eaten; he wished for a pair of eating sticks.
"What is it?" Duma hissed to Dale at the council, as Dale had just made a most queer expression. "Are you well?"
"I suddenly wanted to stew berries and eat a frog." Dale felt a sharp longing to see Tsuki and a tear fell from his right eye.
"Dale should rest," Tigh said. "Dale, please feel justified in retiring for the day. I will sit here for you and you may speak with that stone if you have need."
"I want to go to sleep," Dale said quickly. He stood and went from the pavilion. He did not mount nightmare, but the horse walked after him as Dale headed for the house.
Dale was asleep soon, and when he dreamed, Tsuki was there. They were in the northern hills, near a narrow stream and an old maple. Tsuki was dressed as a Ranger, but all in pale grey. "We should not meet too often," Tsuki said, but he was there.
"Please, Tsuki. I have such need for you."
Tsuki said nothing, but put his lips to Dale's. A moment passed and Tsuki looked into Dale's eyes. "My mind was so clouded. Has it always been thus for you? Walking so easily through memory? So real?"
"If I am here with you, I am not with the Orcs. Tell me you are truly here. Or do not. I do not care. Better dwell with my memory of you than with Orcs. Come, lets us catch some creature that is questionably edible and try to make a meal of it. Put my back to this tree and make love to me!"
"That is not memory."
"Not, but I am dreaming. Do as I wish."
Tsuki made a slight shy smile and drew the knife from his belt. "You will cover me, too?" He handed the knife over to Dale.
"Mount up, partner, I'll watch your back." Dale scraped the blade along his neck without breaking skin.
Tsuki grasped Dale's pant laces. He really wanted to be able to make new memories with Dale. How long could Oromë's lessons last? How long until he could touch Dale?
Dale wriggled out of his pants, and wrapped his arms and legs about Tsuki. His lips brushed softly against Tsuki's right ear. "Do not ride too hard. Make it last."
"Did I not show endurance enough when I was a Man? Have faith!"
"I do. I believe. I believe. I pray you do not test me too long. I want to be with you."
Tsuki pressed Dale to the trunk of the maple. "I will come as soon as I can."
Dale raised a brow, but he made no joke. He knew what Tsuki meant.