Delicious and Dangerous (A Short Story)
I wrote this story on legal paper during lunch at work. 😅
- Susan
The Evergreen was quieter than usual that morning. Mist clung to the snow dusted trees like stubborn thoughts. Nythera adjusted the straps of the pack on her shoulders and winced. Age was catching up to her bones but she would be gods damned before she ever admitted it.
Her daughter, Taviel, stood nearby in dark forest toned clothing that swayed in the light morning breeze. She casually leaned again a wooden support beam of the outpost, arms crossed with a smirk on her mostly elven features.
“So,” Taviel started, head cocked to the side, “Heading out again. Into danger. Ice and snow. Political nonsense. Wild beasts. The usual.”
Nythera arched a brow and dryly responded, “You act like I’m the one who causes all that.”
“Oh please! Chaos flocks to you like tavern boys to ale. Speaking of which…” Taviel pushed off of the support beam and strode over to her mother, her green tinged face alight with amusement. “I left you a little something for the road.” She gave Nythera a peck on the cheek as she patted her pack a little too casually.
“What did you do?” Nythera asked with narrowed eyes.
“Me? Nothing! You wound me mother!”
“You are many things Tavi, but subtle isn’t one of them.”
Taviel let out a mock gasp, “You doubly wound me mother.”
They shared a long, loaded look. One only family could share–one forged with old humor, barbed wit, and shared experience.
Later, when Nythera met up with Logrhyn and Ruby, she double checked her supplies and there she found it: tucked between her whetstone and an extra pair of socks, a glass vial shimmering with obsidian liquid.
A note was tucked in with it:
“For when you want to look delicious and dangerous. You’re never too old to seduce a younger man… or at least rob him blind. Have fun, but not too much fun. Love you. - T”
“Little shit,” Nythera muttered in a warm tone.
And for the first time in a long time, Nythera considered darkening her salt and pepper braid. Not for vanity. Not for seduction.
Just because Taviel would find it funny.
And she missed laughing with her daughter already.
