Chapter 69. Traders

With the girls both with Voras I had some alone time. Unlike last time where I'd grown bored almost instantly this time I had something to do. Well sort of.

The silk cocoons were still left hanging from the tree and the were very macabre. Not quite the way I wanted the land to look in the grand scheme.

So with my silk cutting knife I set out for the tree again. It would also be a decent way of getting a few points. I know Voras gave them to me as if she was discarding trash but I will definitely take freebies. Every bit counts.

As I left my house I took a second to just appreciate everything that I now owned as the sun warmed my face. Was it all worth it? Was leaving my old life wort this one?

That wasn't a hard question to answer. Of course it was all worth it.

I mean sure I miss my phone and the Internet but having my own land that wasn't taxed simply because I lived on it was a great change. I let out a shiver at the thought of taxes.

If Tilty's father suddenly popped out saying I owed money for the last week I've been here I'm going to quietly stage an accident where a certain Dragon is going to destroy his home while he's still in it. That's how you pay taxes in this world right?

They will never be able to prove it was me. Nope, not at all.

I discarded the thought and continued to make my way over to the webbed tree.

The only problem is it wasn't quite. Voices could be heard arguing as I approached but it quickly became apparent that they were familiar.

"Well we could pass so that seems like a them problem." Mavalk yelled towards the trees.

I couldn't make out any faces but I definitely remembered that Drows voice from my time in the Underdark. She had been the most vocal about getting into my pants.

"But did you ever think about why that is? It could be a trap." I could hear Ventress say with a sigh. "Keep your heads on a swivel girls. Just because we got through the Kobolds doesn't mean we're safe."

"Oh don't worry about that." I said coming around the trees that were blocking my sight. "They ca....."

In their defense I should have said something BEFORE coming up on them so this was my fault.

The bolt from a crossbow hit my chest before an arrow bounced off my head. Both in such rapid succession I froze to actually process what had happened as the sound of them coming and the impact felt at odds.

"Crap. It's the male!" One of the Drow I hadn't spent a lot of time around cried out.

What broke me out of my stunned state was the healer Drow that had inspected Zeldi about her pregnancy coming up and placing her hands against my chest. Really should have gotten her name.

The unnamed Drows hands glowed a yellow as she and the rest of the Drow started to panic.

"Well that's one way to say hello." I joked stepping back enough that she dropped her hands.

"Oh rail me with your whole fist! How are you still alive?!" Mavalk asked running up and poking my shoulder.

She gave me a bemused look before whispering. "Definitely not an illusion."

"Zeldi said he would live, do you not remember?" Ventress scowled before waving her hand.

What followed was an ox without horns and given a diet of excessively protein powder and then given some tiny wings that would not lift it at all. And it was pulling a cart through the trees like it was nothing. Also, it was green. The kind of green that would hide it well in long grass.

I do mean that in the literal sense. It would smack its head into a tree to move it if there wasn't any space. You give that thing a rino horn and the Juggernaut theme song and I'd be terrified.

"And you fully believed her when she said that?" Mavalk said while sticking out her tongue. A few of the other Drow girls sighed at their companions antics.

"We had to. It was the only way Zeldi could calm down their Dragon. You do remember that she almost tore a hole through the side of our family house correct?" Ventress deadpanned back.

Why am I not surprised Tarakona did that? It also explains where her dress went... Note to self she rips things when she transforms.

Before I could make a comment a figure I definitely did not see with them in the Underdark came forward hugging the side of the cart as much as she could.

She was in the simplest of terms a Monarch butterfly that had been crossed with a Human then dolled up in fluffy bits and two large antenna.

Once I saw her she dominated my vision as her wings even folded together towered over her from behind with the familiar orange, black and white from my world.

"I see you've found Dríade. She came apon us as we got closer to your farm and asked for protection." Ventress said after following my gaze.

"What is she?" I found myself asking without realizing it.

"Don't know. I think some kind of forest dweller." Ventress shrugged. "Hey Dríade! Come over and introduce yourself!"

The butterfly woman hesitated for a second but nodded her head. Instead of walking over she flapped her wings to decrease the distance between us, avoiding the stray branches with ease.

"Hello. You must be the Deed owner of this land." She motioned with a bow. Her voice soft like a mothers touch with a slight hint of an accent I couldn't quite place.

I was right. Along her wrists and ankles was what looked like a bracelet of black fuzz that was definitely coming out of her skin. I say that because all she was wearing right now was what looked like a skin tight once piece swimsuit with an open back for her wings in the same orange.

Though that didn't keep my attention for long as I realized her eyes were completely black. No iris or or pupil, just a black abyss.

"Ah yeah. The names Clovek." I tried to say back through my distraction.

I mentally checked Trespassing but it was still the same. Only traders can come during the day and Livestock can stay all the time. She must be a trader then.

She was also very well proportioned. No lean muscle that I would expect on a flying hybrid, Dríade was all soft huggable curves.

Wow Voras must have left me really pent up if that was one of the first things I was noticing.

Shaking my head I indicated to the cart. "Well let's get that somewhere then I can give you the tour. The girls are all busy so we have some time."

"That would be wonderful." Ventress said with a nod.

"Ugh. You wouldn't have somewhere to bathe at all? We've been traveling for a while and I am in desperate need of a wash. Then I can find a new way to get dirty."

Whack.

Ventress smacked Mavalk around the back of the head.

"Do you have someway to turn you off?" The lead Drow grumbled.

"Not when something like that is right in front of me!" Mavalk countered while pointing at me.

"Well there is a stream running through my land. You can use that to bathe if you brought some swimwear." I offered peacefully.

"Nuh ah. Can't clean properly if I'm still wearing something." Mavalk countered waggling her eyebrows.

Whack.

"Please for the Matriarch can you act like we're still somewhere dangerous?"  Ventress growled. "If you speak again I will sap your lips together until nightfall. And that includes your mouth as well."

That shut her up.

Deciding to pivot I started walking back out of the treeline as the rest of the Drow followed. There were eight of them not including the butterfly woman and considering I only knew two of their names I needed to try more.

"The lake would still be a wonderful boon." Ventress spoke as she caught up with me. Her spear remained in her hand as her eyes kept darting around. "We can take watches as some bathe."

"No need." I returned. "Only my Livestock and traders are allowed on my land. Part of the reward system."

"Really?" She asked with interest.

"Yes. It's been quite handy at keeping everything that wants to steal from us out." I replied bringing up the trespassing conditions.

Deed owner Clovek and livestock allowed full access. Temporary access during daylight will be granted to those wishing to trade.

I should change that if they stay later.

"That would explain why others couldn't enter when we passed a threshold we didn't even know was there." Ventress exclaimed looking over her shoulder. "What my mother would give to have something similar in our home."

"Did you have any problems getting here?" The question was innocent but from a few drops of blood on some of their spears betrayed the outcast before Ventress even said anything.

"Just a few kobolds that tried to ambush us. Nothing we couldn't handle."

Still more of them? Dam, I'd have thought Voras killing over twenty of them would have made them think twice about actually coming close.

"They seemed to be trying to create some kind of barricade. What for I couldn't tell you." Ventress continued.

Of course. I was wondering why no traders were coming through even after Tilty had been dealt with. At least Ventress had made it through.

We exited the trees and came apon the empty plains of my land.

"Well this is it. Welcome to my home."