Bael and Shandalar landed by their ruined home, a modest hut reduced to ash, blowing away in the wind.

Shandalar sighed, “We’ll have to find a new place to live.”

Bael paced through the ruins, kicking ashes over with her boot as if searching for something.

“Indeed. I’m going to have a look around, but for now we will stay in the town,” She dug through her satchel and pulled out a hefty pouch of gold, handing it to Shandalar, “I’ll fly us there, you get us a room. I have some people I will need to visit.”

Shandalar nodded, adjusting a few bandages on her arms before moving up to Bael.

“I’m ready, let’s go.”

Bael swept Shandalar off her feet and spread her wings wide, gently lifting the pair into the blue sky. On foot it would have taken them hours but Bael’s chosen mode of transportation, flying at blistering speeds, had them arriving in minutes.

Bael was careful to land softly and set down in the town center by an ornate fountain.

Commoners scurried from place to place, their lives busy. After landing a few people waved at Bael, grinning as they continued on with their day.

Shandalar cocked an eyebrow, fixing her frazzled hair.

“You seem popular amongst the townsfolk.”

Bael draped her arm over Shandalar and laughed, “They were scared of me at first. Though they were too scared to tell me to leave, considering I’m a few heads taller than everyone else here?”

“Not the scary claws and your sharp teeth?” Shandalar smirked.

“My dear! Are you insinuating my beautiful scales and immaculate teeth are terrifying?” the dragoness pouted, “No, I of course charmed the folk with my incredible, vast charisma!”

Shandalar stifled a giggle, “It certainly wasn’t your modesty.”

Bael placed a claw to her heart and swayed to the side.

“My dear you wound me! The tiny elf has slain the evil dragon,” Bael said mockingly, bending over.

Shandalar got up on her toes and pecked Bael on the cheek.

“Oh hush. I’ll go find us a room and hopefully some food. Though I’m getting a bit too used to your cooking.”

Bael couldn’t help but watch her wife wander off. Her heart raced every time. She walked away, there were machinations to set in place.

By the end of the day Shandalar was downstairs in the tavern, drinking alone in the corner. Her eyes lit up as she saw Bael struggling to get through the door. Everyone seemed to fawn over her as she entered. The elf rolled her eyes, feeling a twinge of jealousy in her chest. However she couldn’t help but smile dreamily.

Bael looked around the tavern, pushing through the crowd towards the lonesome elf.

“I apologise for taking so long, my love. But I got what needed to be done sorted,” Bael said while sitting down, “Have you got us lodging?”

Shandalar nodded.

“Yes, I gave the owner a little extra gold because I presumed we would be staying longer than a few nights and she was happy to oblige,” Shandalar took a sip of her mead, “I’m curious, why do you have everyone in town fawning over you?”

The dragoness let out a hearty laugh.

“I think at one stage they had almost welled up enough courage to ask me to leave, when one of their hunters came scrambling into town screaming about a Hagest Swine roaming the forest and putting a damper on their hunting efforts,” Bael paused for a moment, motioning for the barmaid to bring her drink before continuing, “So I spoke up and said I’d kill it. When I brought the body back within the hour and refused the reward they held a feast as thanks for me. But I didn’t stay, I couldn’t keep my lady waiting.”

Shandalar rolled her eyes.

“You have some use then. They realised you weren’t a big bad monster”

The barmaid placed down a pitcher of mead along with two mugs and scurried off to the next table.

Bael ignored the two empty mugs and started drinking straight from the pitcher.

“Indeed! Keep the gold my love. Maybe use it to buy yourself some tools for your craft. We may be here a while.”

The two drank into the deep hours of the night, eventually deciding to retire for the evening. Shandalar stumbled her way up the stairs, her face red and head spinning. Bael grabbed the elf’s shoulder and steadied her.

“You can’t hold your drink can you?” she teased.

Shandalar only grunted, stumbling till they got to their room. Shandalar stopped them in their tracks and glared at the bed.

“Too big,” she slurred, “Get on there so I can shleep on you.”

“But we can finally sleep side by side, my dear, you don’t want the space?” Bael offered.

“No, you’re my bed,” Shandalar whined, her eyes drooping shut.

Bael sighed, “Of course my dear.”

She picked Shandalar up and carried her to the bed, pulling her on top of herself, smiling in content.