Chương 66: So Long, Partner

Morton whistled as servants of House Seran hauled crates into their carriage. One servant shoved it from behind while another inside dragged it backwards by the handles, the wood scraping across the stone of the cobbled road. Sacks of grain had already been wedged beneath the benches, waterskins hung from hooks along the wall, and expensive blankets and canvas were strapped to the roof, hidden beneath an intentionally filthy tarpaulin.

It was large—impressively large, but purposefully subdued enough that their likelihood of being robbed was significantly smaller than if it had been more visually opulent. No, it looked like a standard cargo carriage that was about to be pulled by two trusty steeds.

"Mighty impressive," Morton said.

"A lot crammed back there."

"Everything you need," Korra assured him.

"You have enough food, water, and fire-starting equipment to last you a couple of months, plus any other camping equipment you might need."

"Heh." Morton ran his hand through the hair beneath his hat.

"It almost reminds me of when I used to go campin' with my daddy back in the day."

"That sounds like a wonderful bonding experience," Korra mused.

"Self-initiated survival training is certainly one of the best ways to toughen someone up mentally."

"Ah, nah, mostly I just think Daddy really liked gettin' away from my mother a bit, sittin' around a fire and drinkin' beer."

"While also acclimating his daughter—""Son."

"Right, sorry—son—to wilderness survival."

"Suppose you could look at it that way," Morton said.

"Though, if imma be honest with ya, I was a big ol' baby at first, real big one. Could barely survive sleepin' in my backyard, but… ah, hell, idk, s'ppose I just sorta came to tolerate it, then love it. There was a term for what that was called… Ah, I can't remember, but yeah, me and my daddy had some good times out in the woods.

"I remember the first time my daddy took me campin'. I was… maybe around six or so? Heard a coyote hollerin' somewhere in the trees. Hell, I was convinced at any moment I was bouta be dragged outta my sleepin' bag and eaten up by a monster."

"I see," Korra said.

"I was probably… I do not recall what the equivalent Kharani age would be to you, but I think I was about seven as well. I remember I lost my toy somewhere in the woods, and I left my mother to go find it. I did… three days later."

"Must have been important to ya."

"Not really." In the distance, Tahir and Kurik were walking towards them.

"You got good taste in poetry and fashion," Kurik said.

"It was nice hanging out with someone into that type of thing for a change."

"Thanks," Tahir said softly.

"Oh, and when the time comes, I am sure your new wife will be lovely." Tahir's ears flattened.

"Y-yeah, thank you."

"And…" Kurik rubbed one paw against his opposite arm.

"If she does not appreciate your poetry, then she honestly has dreadful taste." Tahir looked at him. His ears lifted slightly.

"Thank you." As the servants forced one last crate into the carriage, one of them turned to Korra and said:"My lady, we are finished." Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Morton grinned.

"Welp, looks like my ride is here."

"Indeed," Korra said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Oh, and you can have these back." Korra reached into her coat and dropped several brass bullets into Morton's open palm. Morton looked down at them, then looked back at her.

"You know I always had far more, right?"

"Of course I did," Korra said.

"But you never had enough to take down my estate; I was always sure of that."

"Deed, I need to figure out how to get more." She stuck out a paw, which Morton firmly took.

"I want to make one thing clear: I do not like House Orien. I do not like your master. I will send a letter to the Orien estate in due time to assure Her Highness that her son is safe in your hands—but if anyone from that household ever steps in my estate ever again, I will not be hesitant to have my guards kill them, consequences be damned." Morton chuckled.

"That sounds like ya', I reckon."

"However, I have great admiration for you, Sir Christian. I do not care if you are an Elf or a Human, a man or a woman; you are one of the most honourable people I have met in a very long time, and honour is something horribly lacking in today's world."

"I getcha."

"You alone are welcome in my estate at any time, and if you ever wish to switch allegiances, well, there is always a high-ranking position in my estate." Morton's smile faded for a moment.

"Will keep that in mind."

"Oh, and one more thing, Sir Christian." Morton turned around.

"Yeah?"

"You have a weird bend in your left knee."

"What?"

"Your left knee—it faces slightly inwards naturally. Try and flare it out when you are in a fighting stance." Morton looked down. He bent his left knee once, frowned, then flared it outward.

"You see it now?"

"Ah, well, fuckin' hell, how did I never notice that?" Korra grinned.

"There is always room for improvement in any facet of life." Morton chuckled and tipped his hat.

"So long, partner." Morton and Tahir climbed into the carriage. Morton cracked the reins. The two horses leaned against their harnesses, snorting. Leather creaked. The overloaded carriage gave an unhappy wooden groan before it kicked its ass into gear and the wheels began to turn. Morton leaned partly to the side and tipped his hat. Korra lifted one paw. The carriage rolled beneath the estate gates and onto the road east until it vanished from view. Kurik approached his wife.

"I am not going to lie to you," he said.

"I am feeling kind of jealous."

"For what?" Korra said, feigning ignorance.

"Sweetheart, I saw how you were looking at him." Korra's remaining eye followed the empty road for a moment. She shrugged.

"I'm a woman."

"I know, but…" Kurik said nervously.

"You and him have so much more in common… you wouldn't leave me for a femboy, would you?" Korra shrugged again.

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Oh," Kurik said.

"I'm just teasing," Korra said.

"I simply have eyes."

"Eye." Korra slowly turned towards him. Kurik's ears flattened.

"…I love you." Korra grinned a fangy grin and flicked her ears. She brought her paws towards his waist and began lovingly caressing him as she pressed her muzzle against his ear.

"Well," she said sultrily, "I suppose you are just lucky I fell so deeply in love with you first." As the two leaned in to kiss, a servant said, "Um, my lady, there is something urgent for you to attend." Korra snapped her head backwards.

"What could that possibly be?"

"It's, um… your mother." Korra went still like a rabbit. Her paws were still against his waist, but she could no longer feel his body beneath them. Korra heard ringing in her ears. Slowly, she took her paws off her husband's waist and marched forward like a zombie before her laggard march turned into a sprint.