I pick up my pistol from a wide eyed paralyzed elven girl. I decide to take advantage of the situation, I sit down next to her and pull her up so that her stomach is on my lap, I use my left hand to steady her and lift up my right hand up. I swing my right hand down and start spanking her.

*Smack* "That is for beating me up in the village." *Smack* "That is for trying to manipulate me." *Smack* "That is for acting like a spoiled brat." *Smack* "That is for following me." *Smack* "That is for waving around a dangerous weapon." *Smack* "That is pointing the weapon at me."... I continue doing so until I run out of reasons, I look down down and see a quivering elf, her eyes are puffy and red from crying. I decide that now is good time to test out my sleeping spell, and... it works, I call it chloroform. My mother always said that a person remembers a lesson or information they learnt right before falling asleep, hopefully it is true. I lay her down inside of the stone shelter and cover her up with her blanket.

I return to the campfire and focus my mind on something that I have suppressed since waking up. I killed 10 sentient beings, 10 humans. Their intentions were visible from their actions, the way the kid looked at Aelynthi, the way they acted as if the kids action was common. I wonder if they specifically were looking for elves or just a detour past the elven territory? From what I have heard from Kate slavery exists here, but I don't even know if their objective was elven slaves or we were just unlucky, or better said they were unlucky. If I knew the language then would the outcome be different? They did not even react to the words of Aelynthi as she mentioned whatever she did, I wonder what my words would change something, if anything at all… The stupidity of it all… The kid following his primal desires and his parents indulging him because they have the power to do so. Yet, I had more power and killed them. It was self defence, of myself and Aelynthi... I ..

Trying to think positive thoughts I suppress the trembling of my hands. Good thing I did not understand them otherwise this would have been way too similar to novels from back home and I would have to listen to the kid talk about the power his father holds and how well he will treat Aelynthi. I bet I would not be able to bare listening to them for a few minutes before I would have deemed them as animals that need to be put down... It seemed Aelynthi was not angry at me for killing them, most likely she realised the nature of the situation after the fact... It will be a long night.

*Aelynthi POV*

I wake up to the smell of fried vegetables, as I recall what happened last night I tense up in shame and anger, the bastard is cooking breakfast. I take deep breaths to calm myself... When I convinced one of the horses to carry him to safety, I found a collar and chains amongst their belongings. The collar made me realise how naive I have been. I understand the bastard was angry and punished me for... but why did he have to hit so hard? What right does he have to do such a thing? I will beat him up during training, but what if he uses that thing to paralyze me again? It was not a pleasant experience as I felt it through my body... As much as I hate the bastard, he did save my life if not from an even worse fate so I will forgive him for now. Who am I kidding? I have been only a nuisance to him since I decided to follow him. Maybe I should leave after all but how can I repay him? If I ask him I am sure he will tell me to repay him by leaving but I do not want to leave... He is the first person that is not family who does not want me for my looks or to use me for personal gain... I have decided, if he asks me to go away, I will leave.

"Good Morning"

I ignore him and sit down to eat breakfast, I flinch when I feel the pain on my buttocks. The bastard smiles and I grit my teeth in anger and shame. He passes me my breakfast and starts making his own. As he cooks I notice something else, he is tired. I pause, did he sleep at all during the night? Is there some kind of problem?.. By the way he killed them, it did not seem to be his first time... I may have misjudged him.

I gather my courage to ask him: "First kill?" He does not answer and continues to cook his breakfast, damn bastard ignoring me when I show concern for him and only making me worry. Answer me! I can... how can I comfort him? I have not killed anything living, and he killed 10 humans, his own race. Wait, why did he kill them? I understand my fate in their hands would be worse than death, but what relation does that have with him? I would still be alive so the lifelong servant contract would not affect him and by the time the elven crown finds whatever is left of me he can be thousands of kilometers away or he can work directly under some human king making artifacts. He had the option to choose and he chose to save me. My heart starts racing as I think of this. Does he like me after all? After all?... Why am I worried about him liking me? Do I like him?... This feeling is similar to what mother described to me when I asked about how it feels to love someone... Do I love him? We have spent 3 months together, is this fast? Or slow? He is a human after all, I heard that they are fickle and... I do not know! I am not of age, when I will be of age he will be on the verge of death. It is not meant to be... but what if he asks me? Will I say no? I heard Human men are rumored to be very forceful towards women. Will he force himself on me? Will I be able to resist? Will I resist?...

*Anton POV*

I stop hearing sounds from Aelynthi, I turn around to take a look and see a pinkish face with pinkish ears, when I look at her she avoids my gaze. What is wrong with her now? "Are you alright?"

She avoids eye contact and says "You saved me."

"Yes, and?"

She starts to fidget while avoiding eye contact but does not say a word. I facepalm, does she think I saved her because I love her? Time to burst her bubble. "I saved myself and in consequence you, as I do not want to join any faction and I seek freedom, so hostile actions against that group of humans would have happened with or without you."

Her eyes widen a bit, she turns and looks at me, some seconds pass, her face has disappointed now. "Do you dislike me that much?" I will not even try to understand what is happening in her head.

"It is not that I dislike you, I do not wish to start a relationship in my current circumstances nor do I wish to start a relationship on " I pause. "a lie." I guess this would best describe her misunderstanding of my actions of saving her without sounding insulting towards her.

She thinks for a moment and nods: "Alright."

"If anything, I find your antics cute."

Aelynthi is surprised then starts to 'fidget' as she changes color yet again. The color change may just be my imagination but she stops and now she is showing anger mostly due to my smirk. She seems to about to tackle me but stops, she looks at me with a smirk of her own and says "Your breakfast is burning."

I turn around and see burnt omelet and bacon, I am visibly saddened from the loss of good bacon and eggs. I throw it away and get some more meat, I guess no eggs today. The princess seems quite happy now. You may have won one of the battles but there are more to come and it is obvious that I will win the war. "Do all elves go red in their ears when they feel bashful?" The princess freezes at my direct attack, I suspect the only thing that is stopping her from becoming more bashful is the topic at hand is about her bashfulness. Before I know it I am on the ground with my hand in pain, I can not help but think about more wasted bacon.

"The bacon will burn."

She takes the pan, lifts it up and... blackness.

*1 hour later.*

I am kicked awake by an angry elf, this method of waking up is becoming quite common. I think about my rash decision to continue teasing her and can not help but smile. Now I understand the phrase 'one of man's greatest pleasures is to tease a beautiful woman' even if the consequences are dire. As she sees my smile she grits her teeth and sends another kick my way.

"We need to change our tradition of waking me up with kicks, how about water? Water provides a good shock, sobering effect and does not damage the body. If that is not enough to satisfy your sadistic tendencies you may try pouring ice water on me."

She pauses and looks at me strangely, then nods and says "I think I will." Why am I giving her ideas? Well, it is true that water will not damage me... and someday my groin will be unprotected, that day I will be nice to her. I get up and we continue on our journey.