Eleanor smiled as she shot to her feet and quickly walked towards him. The full open sky above her and the warm kiss of the sun on her skin mixing with the slightly cool breeze felt like heaven. The trees around her had already turned shades of orange and red.
Running her hands over her backside, she tucked her dress under her as she sat down. Osiris smiled again as he turned away from her to continue his work.
“What are you planting?” she asked.
“Fever few,” he answered.
“Fever few? Why something like that? Do beings catch human illnesses?”
Osiris hesitated, stilling his movements as his back stiffened. “They are… not for me. Or the beings.”
“Then, who are they for?”
“There is an orphanage not far beyond the enclave, but still hidden within the Evermore forest. I am friends with the woman who runs it, she has many children,” he began, setting his watering pail down as he moved to sit beside her. “It is important that the children have a good stock of it before the coming winter, else a common cold could spell disaster.”
Eleanor gaped at Osiris as she listened, but even when he finished, her shock did not dissipate. “Outside the enclave? So they are…?”
“Human,” he answered, “they are all human, even my friend. She was actually the one who taught me how to grow all of this all those years ago.”
He does know another human woman? What if I wasn’t even the first he had done any explorations with?
Lifting her legs to her chest, she rested her head on her knees, still holding Osiris’ gaze. “What is her name?” Eleanor asked, her voice slightly raised.
“Eddy. She is a dear friend, but nothing more,” he added, as if trying to quell the anxieties he knew to be forming within her mind. “I was actually returning from delivering my last harvest when we collided.”
Eleanor laughed softly. “I wish I remembered more about that night. Does anyone else here know about her?”
“No,” Osiris answered, “she wishes to remain hidden away from both beings and humans alike. What about you?” he mused. “Who had you wear a dress only to scare you enough into running away?”
She looked down at the once beautiful dress, now ripped and torn with stains of dirt and grass splattered across it.
“I wouldn’t say I was scared, more, I was angry. My uncle had the grand idea of marrying me off to secure his wealth and grow his influence. To be honest, I ran away before ever seeing the groom. So much for a fairy tale wedding,” Eleanor said, laughing as she spoke.
“So, you mean you were not given a choice?” Osiris questioned, his flames burning brighter. “That is not fair.”
Eleanor shrugged her shoulders. “Most women are not. That night we met; I was fleeing to a town that exists just past Evermore Forest.”
For a second, Eleanor could swear that Osiris’ flames dimmed before he looked away into the distance. “You should be more careful. The forest could be dangerous, and what if someone else had found you?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I guess I am just lucky it was you, Horseman.”
20
OSIRIS
Osiris walked through the busy streets of the marketplace, the smells of other beings, assorted baked goods, and perfumes from the witches, combined with the constant chatter of the beings overwhelmed his senses. It was too much. Too busy. Too loud.
He pulled Shadow behind him, holding her reins in his hand. With each step her hooves clicked on the stone path and the baskets that hung on her rear end brushed against her saddle.
Trying to ignore the turning heads, he weaved through groups of beings, avoiding touching anyone directly. It was all so overstimulating already. The thought of another being touching him, or pulling him into a conversation, was worrisome. He yearned to be back at home, surrounded by the quiet, bathing in the smell of vanilla, listening to the soothing sounds of a crackling fire.
Osiris watched the sun begin its descent on the horizon. His heart constricted further with each hour that passed. Holding the reins tighter, he moved deeper into the market. He wanted to go home, yes. However, Eleanor required a new dress.
Osiris walked by a witch shop selling overly fragrant floral perfumes, one quick glance revealed that they were ‘love potions’. A lone orc loomed over the stall, picking up different bottles to examine them.Bjorn. He was broad shouldered, tall with dark green skin and small pointed tusks that jutted out from his bottom lips. He joined the enclave five years ago. Osiris did always try to make all feel welcome and know each new face. He had a dwelling built forBjornin the rougher terrain. Like Osiris,Bjornappreciated solitude.
Osiris continued until he reached the stall that read ‘WolvenOutfits’ on the sign. Contrary to the name, they fitted most of their enclave with garments. They were so busy last fall that they had lines wrapping around the market.
A smallerwolvenwoman, Thelma, looked up from her work as Osiris approached. Her eyebrows shot up slightly and she jumped to her feet.
