3. Volezimir

3

VOLEZIMIR

T he lush jungle of Aurelius is always a welcome sight as I stand on the beach, only water on the horizon. The air here is thick with humidity, alive with the calls of strange creatures.

Lamain and June materialize from the dense foliage, their faces breaking into warm smiles at my arrival. My chest tightens, a mix of relief and something I can't quite name.

"Volezimir," Lamain clasps my forearm, his grip firm. "Right on time, as always."

I nod, carefully setting down the supplies. "Your castle remains secure."

June's scent is starting to tell of her pregnancy, which Lamain informed me of during my last visit. She looks no different, though, as she moves forward, placing a gentle hand on my arm. "Thank you for this. We'd be lost without your help."

I grunt, uncomfortable with the praise. "It's nothing."

Lamain chuckles, a deep rumble. "Nothing? You're our lifeline, my friend."

As I hand over the pack Lamain's expression turns serious. "We've been busy since you were last here. Making trips to various ports, rescuing humans in need."

My brow furrows. "Rescuing?"

June nods enthusiastically. "Yes! We actually just got back this morning from Vhoig. It was... intense."

Lamain's eyes darken. "The situation there is worse than we thought. Slavers are getting bolder, snatching people right off the streets." He shakes his head. "And the dark elves don't back off as easily as I like."

I feel a growl building in my chest. "And you intervened?"

"Damn right we did," Lamain snarls, his demonic nature flaring. "We got more than half a dozen slaves right out from under their noses."

June places a calming hand on his arm. "It was risky, but we couldn't just stand by and watch."

I study them both, noting the determination in their eyes. This isn't just about survival anymore. They're building something here, a sanctuary.

"You're taking quite a risk," I rumble, concern coloring my voice.

Lamain meets my gaze, unflinching. "Someone has to."

I nod, swallowing hard. I forget what it is like to have a purpose, and Lamain is meant to be a leader. He was a waste as the party prince of Galmoleth.

"We've made some changes to the island, too," June adds. "Would you like to see?"

Most of the time my weekly trips are just long enough to pass off the supplies and return to the castle. Rarely do I stay longer, even if they do invite me.

But today, the idea of returning to that empty castle…

I nod, my curiosity piqued. "Show me."

Lamain leads the way, cutting a path through the dense foliage. June follows, her steps light and sure through the nonexistent paths they've been fighting to make. I bring up the rear, my bulk making it harder to navigate the narrow trail.

We emerge into a clearing where several wooden structures stand. They're simple but sturdy, blending seamlessly with the surrounding jungle. They're all built up off the ground to avoid the animals and any flooding.

"Our first priority was shelter," Lamain explains, gesturing to the buildings. "We've built about twenty of the treehouse-style homes, but we're expanding."

June chimes in, her voice filled with pride. "We used fallen trees and vines. Everything here is from the island itself."

I run a hand over one of the structures, impressed by the craftsmanship. "You've done well. These will withstand the storms."

We move on to a large plot of tilled earth. Various plants are sprouting in neat rows, some already bearing fruit.

"Our garden," June beams. "We're growing juba roots, spineberries, and even managed to get some gillifruit to take."

Lamain chuckles. "June's got quite the green thumb. Who knew?"

I raise an eyebrow. "And you, Lamain? What's your role in this?"

He grins, a flash of that party boy still there. "I'm more useful elsewhere. Come on, I'll show you."

We follow him to a cleared area where makeshift targets and training dummies stand. The ground is packed hard from frequent use.

"Training grounds," Lamain says, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Most of the people we rescue have never had to defend themselves. We're changing that."

I nod approvingly. "Smart. They'll need skills to survive if they ever leave here."

June's face falls slightly at my words, and Lamain wraps an arm around her. "We hope they won't have to," he says softly. "But we want them prepared, just in case."

"What about medical care?" I ask, suddenly realizing I haven't seen anything resembling an infirmary.

June's eyes light up. "Oh! I almost forgot. Follow me."

She leads us to a small structure tucked away near the edge of the clearing. Inside, shelves line the walls, filled with various herbs and poultices.

"I've been learning healing magic," June explains, her voice filled with excitement. "It's slow going, but I'm making progress."

Lamain beams with pride. "She's a natural. Saved more than a few lives already."

I feel a twinge of something unfamiliar. Pride? Admiration? Whatever it is, it's clear that Lamain and June have found their purpose here.

As the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in deep purples and oranges, I follow Lamain and June to a large clearing. Fires flicker to life, casting dancing shadows across the faces of the gathered people. The scent of roasting meat and familiar spices fills the air.

I hang back, leaning against a massive tree trunk as I watch the scene unfold. Lamain moves through the crowd with ease, his presence commanding yet comforting. He clasps shoulders, offers words of encouragement, his deep voice carrying over the general chatter.

June flits from person to person, her bright hair catching the firelight. She kneels beside a young woman, speaking softly as she checks a bandage on her arm. The woman's tense posture relaxes visibly under June's gentle touch.

My gaze sweeps over the gathering, taking in the details. There's a mix of ages and races, all bearing the haunted look of those who've seen too much. But there's something else there too – a spark of hope in their eyes as they look to Lamain and June.

A group of children dash past, laughing as they chase each other around the fires. One trips, skinning his knee. Before I can move, Lamain is there, scooping the boy up with a grin. He whispers something that makes the child giggle, the pain forgotten.

June appears at Lamain's side, a plate of food in each hand. She passes one to the boy, ruffling his hair before moving on to an elderly couple huddled near one of the fires. Her smile is warm as she settles beside them, listening intently to their quiet words.

I watch as Lamain and June work in tandem, moving through the crowd with practiced ease. They're more than just providers of food and shelter – they've become the heart of this fledgling community.

A low murmur catches my attention. Near the edge of the clearing, a small group has gathered. Their faces are tight with worry, voices hushed but urgent. Lamain notices too, excusing himself from a conversation to join them. I can't hear his words, but I see the tension drain from their shoulders as he speaks.

June approaches me, two steaming bowls in her hands. She offers one to me with a smile. "You're welcome to join us, you know. You don't have to stand here alone."

I accept the bowl with a nod, but make no move to join the others. June doesn't press, simply leaning against the tree beside me. We stand in comfortable silence, watching as Lamain the others.

I can't help but feel a twinge of something unfamiliar. It's been a long time since I've been part of something like this – a community, a purpose larger than myself. I push the thought aside, focusing instead on the warmth of the bowl in my hands and the quiet strength of the woman beside me.

As my gaze continues to scan over the people gathered around the fire, it halts on a woman I haven't seen before. She stands apart from the others, her posture alert yet relaxed. Auburn hair catches the firelight, framing a face that's both striking and subtle. Her eyes, a deep emerald, reflect the flames as they dart around the clearing, ever watchful.

She's beautiful.

Something about her draws me in. Perhaps it's the quiet strength in her stance or the hint of wariness in her gaze. Before I realize it, I'm moving through the crowd towards her, murmuring to June as I walk away.

As I approach, her eyes lock onto mine. There's no fear there, just curiosity and a hint of... amusement?

"I don't believe we've met," I say, my voice low. "I'm Volezimir."

A slight smile tugs at her lips. "Zylpha," she replies, her voice carrying a hint of roughness. "You're not from around here, are you?"

I raise an eyebrow. "What gave it away? The horns?" I feel a smile pulling on my own lips. "Or the charming personality?"

Her smile widens a fraction. "Oh, definitely the charm. It's practically oozing off you."

I feel the corner of my mouth twitch. It's been a long time since anyone's matched my dry humor so effortlessly.

"I'm wounded," I deadpan. "And here I thought I was being the picture of congeniality."

Zylpha chuckles, a low, warm sound. "Oh, is that what you call it? I'd hate to see your idea of standoffish." She inclines her head toward the forest. "You've been standing by yourself for a half an hour looking like you were contemplating jumping into the fire yourself."

"I'm observant." She only nods to that.

We fall into an easy silence, watching the festivities around us. After a moment, Zylpha speaks again, her voice softer.

"So, what brings you to our little island paradise? Besides the obvious allure of bug bites and perpetual humidity."

I consider my answer carefully. "I bring supplies. From... elsewhere."

Her eyebrow arches. "Mysterious. I like it. Though I hope you brought some bug repellent in that last shipment. I'm starting to think the insects here see me as a walking buffet."

I find myself smiling despite myself. "I'll add it to the list for next time."

As we continue to talk, I feel something shift inside me. The idea of returning to the empty castle suddenly seems less appealing. For the first time in a long while, I find myself wanting to linger, to learn more about this intriguing woman and the sanctuary she's found here.