And...” She yawns, stretching her arms up in the most fetching manner, “we’ll be ready for a fine day tomorrow.”
She lies down and makes herself comfortable.
I extinguish the sweet-smelling torch and stand for a while, just listening. But the night is silent, except for the usual noises from the jungle.
I put my sword on the floor and lie down next to it.
“Do I smell bad?” Dolly asks.
“You really don’t.”
“Then why not come a little closer?”
I move myself up so I’m almost touching her. She rolls over on her side and thrusts her round behind into my crotch, where there is already considerable swelling.
“You can come even closer,” she says, voice sleepy. “Put one arm around me and keep me safe.”
I shape myself after her position and gently place one arm around her, making sure no weight rests on her. My nose is practically touching her hair, and the scent makes me dizzy.
“That’s it. I feel so safe now. You’re very good at that. Good night.”
“Good night,” I respond, feeling how she wriggles her hips to get even more comfortable.
She goes quiet and just breathes calmly, her body rising and falling under my arm.
I should get some sleep. But I also want to enjoy this to the fullest. Will every night with her here in the woods be like this? With us sleeping this close together? I can’t be sure. I should just stay awake so I don’t miss a second of this glorious experience.
Could this be something that might… last?
After all, some men in the tribe are married to alien women. But Dolly is unmarried. No man has claimed her. Is it possible that I might…?
She appears to trust me. Would she do that if she was worried I might fail again, like when both her friends were taken by dragons because I let them out of my sight?
She can’t dislike me that bad if she invites me to dinner and then wants me to come with her to this place and even stay here for weeks.
Is it possible?
It isn’t, of course. My failure makes it impossible. Because of me, two women were placed in mortal danger. Two of the most valuable and wonderful humans, each worth several tribes. Entrusted to me by the tribe and both chiefs. Both lost, both only recovered because they were able to turn dragons. I have no claim to this kind of happiness.
But right now, for this one moment, I will pretend that I do. I will allow myself to fantasize about what it would be like.
Not just for now.
Forever.
- - -
The next day we all keep busy with building the framework of what Dolly calls ‘the Factory’, and at my suggestion it’s built inside the alien structure so she will not need to do a lot of work in the woods. That makes this entire mission much safer.
“There, please. No, on the wooden frame, so it can be partly tipped over— yes, like that. Thank you!” She stands there like a little Swordmaster, telling the men where to place the various sacks and pots and crates of the things she needs for her mysterious product.
I hide a smile, lifting my face to the sun to feel its warmth. She knows many things that I don’t, and it makes me happy to see.
She comes over to me. “Brank’ox, do you think there’s time for them to dig out some of the guano and carry it here? The more we have inside here, the less we need to go out. We already have all the sulfur we need right in here. And food. This way, the only thing we need from the outside is water. And to check on the charcoal burning.” She’s very energetic.
Another little smile plays at my lips. “It seems like you’re enjoying this.”
She shrugs and returns my smile. “Just a little. Hey, I have my own factory now. I’m allowed to have fun with it.”
“Indeed, you are. Yes, we should bring some of the guano in. I’ll show them.”
With the help of two of the men, I’m able to bring back so much of the disgusting guano that Dolly has to stop us.
“That’s fine, guys. We have enough for years to come.”
And indeed the heap of guano, placed as far from the hut as possible, is quite large.
The men go on a short patrol in the immediate area, and Dolly takes me on a tour of the Factory. We climb over beams and duck under long rods, moving between the various