#friele

Friele looked between the two, uneasy. The gnome child looked at her with bright, excited eyes. She was kicking her feet back and forth and bouncing. “Are you a dragon? A ghost?”

The cursed woman sighed, and closed her eyes. Her arms elongated, hair began sprouting all over her body, and her face stretched out. Within seconds, she was back in her canine form.

The gnome’s eyes flew open with excitement. “You’re a DOG?! I’ve never seen a dog in real life!” She pointed at her and giggled. “I DIDN’T KNOW DOGS WERE PEOPLE!”

She managed to smile, finding happiness in the child’s reaction. The dwarf reached over and poked his finger in her tiny ear, making her giggle again. “Aye, leave the lady alone. Speakin’ of lady, I’ll need something better to call ye.”

Friele took a seat and hesitated, realizing she hadn’t yet given her name to anybody. “Friele.” The name fell out almost unfamiliar to her; surely it would grow with time.

“Friele it is then. I’m Bronzel, and this little one is Kimley.” He smiled for a second then went back to eating. Kimley was cross eyed and trying to say the name.

“I can’t say that, it’s too hard.” She pouted a bit. “I’m going to call you Free.”

Friele smiled at the nickname. Free... For once, she was feeling like that. These were the first people she had met that didn’t throw torches her way, or pitchforks. It was liberating.

“That’s fine by me.” She chuckled once and went about eating her stew- the first she had eaten in two days.

Bronzel was already done. He stood and wiped off Kimley’s face with a napkin and walked into the kitchen. “When ye finish eatin’, there’s some toys and hearthstone cards in the den. But whatever ye do, don’t go outside- ye won’t make it back.”

Friele watched him and nodded. She gave a quick look to the window, noticing howling winds and blistering snow flurries. Even her thick fur wouldn’t keep her safe.

“In the morning, we’ll set off to find whatever it is you’re looking for.” Bronzel nodded and smiled at the two. “I’ll be in here givin’ my thanks to the Light for yer safety. Don’t let the little one wear ye out too bad.”

Kimley stuck her tongue out at him and broke into a laughing fit. Friele grinned and noted that she was a lot like her brother. She finished off her stew and took Kimley’s empty bowl with her to the kitchen, stopping when Kimley called out.