Page 4 of Blackwood Milk Farm #7

Playful Evening

The sun slowly set to the western horizon. The last rays vanished from the sky, leaving a warm yellow glow.

Stars twinkled across the inky black heavens, shimmering in the vast distances. Night’s cloak enveloped the world once again, but within a farmhouse, the evening had just begun.

Subdued chaos swirled through the kitchen and common room. Chairs and couches were moved into position as snacks and wine were being prepared. Asher, Amber, Nuha, and Keefa set up the common room to be comfortable for all. Paasha, Nyn, and Blyss prepared trays of small meats, bread, and cheese. Nyn opened bottles of wine, letting them breathe before she began pouring into glasses.

Asher moved a seat to a spot beside the couch, a happy feeling coiling along his spirit. He remembered how he and Nyn had announced to the household that tonight they would sit and discuss ideas for their next play. The pair had to find everyone in different parts of the household for the announcement. An excitement filled eyes from the announcements, especially knowing there would be plenty of wine and food.

Aside from the small royal play with the goblins, there were no new plays since winter. Asher remembered how Tessa, his uncles betrothed, had kept dark secrets. When they came to light, and she fled, the mood became too dark to truly enjoy another one.

Asher was hurt by Tessa’s actions. When she fled, it was another nail in the coffin of enjoyment of the special play they had enjoyed.

It took time for everyone in the household for those dark moments to fade away. There were still trysts but the end of the Queen of Gems play left a sour stain on everyone’s enjoyment.

With the announcement of creating a new play, a new excitement filled hearts and minds.

Asher watched as the chaos began to ebb. He sat on the couch as Amber stepped over to him. She gave him a loving smile before she turned, sat down, and leaned her upper body against his.

Blyss and Paasha sat on a loveseat. Nuha sat on a lone chair. Keefa sat on the other side of Asher, and leaned against him. The goblin snuggled to his side and he wrapped his arm around her.

Food and wine were already placed on the low table in the center. Hands reached out for glasses of wine and food. The mood was warm and comfy as Nyn stood before everyone seated.

The elf looked at everyone with blank eyes as she took a sip from her glass. When she pulled the wineglass from her lips, she addressed her family.

“My beautiful family, we gather here tonight on this late spring night to discuss a new play,” the elf said with showmanship flair.

Everyone sitting was stunned, including Asher. The elf was truly letting her hair down and acting in a different way than they expected. Nuha, Paasha, and Blyss leaned forward in their seats. Keefa lifted her head to stare at the elf. Amber drank her wine while still looking at Nyn as she continued.

The elf held her arms out from her sides and tilted her face up, like she was talking to the ceiling. Her eyes took on a sharp madness as an unfamiliar smile bloomed.

“Too long have we dwelled in shadow. We must emerge from darkness and enjoy the fruits of our lusts and desires. Allow our hunger to feast on sensations. Feel our passions explode on, or within us,” she said as she lowered her gaze to everyone present.

The room was captivated by the elf.

Nyn pointed a curled finger at Amber and swept it across the room to Nuha.

“I command all who hear my voice to allow your desires to be free. Speak your minds so we may form our new,” Nyn was cut off by the kitchen door opening.

The moment was frozen. Elara looked in with wide eyes.

“Finish what you were saying!” Nuha demanded of Nyn.

Laughter erupted from the common room.

Nyn smiled as she was surrounded by laughing faces.

Elara stepped in with a smile, unsure what was happening.

When the laughter died down, Nyn eyed her family.

“I simply was going to say, speak your minds, so we may form our new play,” the elf shrugged.

“When did you learn to speak like that?” Amber asked with wide, curious eyes.

“Nadia and I practiced it. Since my first book was a success, I may have to appear for signings. She told me that those who show a little flair tend to gain more readers,” Nyn explained.

“It worked. I want to read your book,” Amber laughed.

Small laughter filled the common room. Nyn walked over to a chair and sat down with a drink in hand.

“Is everything well with our new guest?” Asher asked Elara.

The elf seemed a little on edge as she sat down in a chair and quickly scooped up a glass of wine. She took a long sip before she sat back and tried to relax.

“She is getting used to Farmhouse West. She also wants me to be her attendant during her stay. I am to bring the elixir to her, alone.”

Asher nodded, seeing in her gaze that they would talk later.

The lord of Blackwood changed the mood by addressing the room, “Shall we discuss a new play?”

Heads nodded in agreement and then there was silence. Everyone looked at each other to say something, but no one came forward. The longer no one spoke, the more the mood shifted into weary silence.

“It would appear either we are all out of creative ideas for plays, or the last play ruined the mood,” Elara said before taking a sip of her drink.

“We have explored much, and we can explore more,” Nyn added.

Amber spoke up, “It’s not for a lack of lust and desire. We still have our intimate moments. I think we haven’t thought about any new plays in a while.”

“We have spent so much time with farm duties and our own new activities, it has left little room for a new play,” Asher added.

“We must have a new play,” Nuha said with a goblin fierceness in her eyes.

Smiles filled the common room as heads nodded in agreement.

“We should simply say anything we wish to explore. Maybe we can glean from each, creating a new play,” Asher offered.

“Group, or small intimate plays?” Nyn asked.

“Both,” Asher, Elara, Paasha, and Amber said at the same time, followed by laughter.

“A grand hunt? Asher could hunt after all of us, claiming each of us as his prize?” the faun offered.

“It sounds fun but may be too short. I don’t see that lasting more than a few days,” Elara said.

“I like the hunt idea,” Nuha grinned.

“I would give up too quickly,” Keefa laughed.

“As would I. I like the beds here,” Nyn said with blank eyes.

“We’ve had many different plays, some small, and some where we are all involved. It seems we want something a little different,” Elara added before sipping her wine.

Asher felt something in his heart before he glanced over to Blyss. The goblin was silent, almost withdrawn. Her head was bowed and her eyes filled with shadows. Paasha sat beside her, the goblins holding each other’s hand in solidarity.

“Please, any idea is a good one,” Asher said to the group, but in a way, he hoped Blyss took to heart.

The goblin lifted her head. She looked over to him and her heart filled with courage.

All heads turned to the beautiful goblin as she slid off the edge of her seat and walked to the table in the center. She took hold of the tray with food and wine, lifted it up and placed it on the floor. She then put one barefoot onto the table and lifted her whole body up.

Everyone watched as the goblin stood on the low table, yet her spirit made her into a giant.

“I must speak to my Clan Chief and to my family who I love with all my heart,” she said and turned her strong gaze to Asher’s focused eyes.

“I want children,” the goblin said with a dreamy tone.

Asher’s heart ached, feeling the goblin’s needs before she said the words.

Keefa rose from the couch and moved to Blyss’s side while standing on the floor. Nuha and Paasha stood up and did the same. The goblins stood with their clan mistress in solidarity.

Elara sat up, her eyes trembling at the sight of Blyss and the goblins. Her heart pounded in her chest, whispers from the back of her mind only growing stronger.

Amber stared at the goblins with watery eyes. The faun’s soul wept from their bravery.

Nyn sat with sorrow-filled eyes. She looked away, her heart sagging in her chest.

Asher simply stared. The lord knew something was amiss with Blyss. She was quieter and always looked like she was in deep contemplation.

Blyss mentioned a few times about living in the forests for a time. I wonder if she meant to tell me then, wanting a child from our bonding? The elixir and moon tea everyone drinks prevents my seed from taking root. What if things are changing? Our family has been together for over a year. Maybe it is time to truly put roots down and have our love multiply?

Blyss spoke up with a tear streaking down her green cheek, “I didn’t want to say anything before. I was afraid my desires would break our harmony here. I trust everyone here with my life but it hurts to say what lurks in my heart.

“When the bond of a goblin clan is strong, we have children in celebration. Our clan is strong and the urges sing to me,” she said with her hand on her stomach.

Paasha spoke up, “Clan Chieftess has not taken the elixir for months. She is ready to bear your child. All children will be goblins, no matter the father.”

Elara shifted her gaze to Asher. A small fear stabbed into her heart, the possibility her lover never wishing for a child.

Lord Blackwood looked at Blyss with understanding eyes and he gave her a warm smile.

“I would love to be a father,” he said and stood up.

Tears filled Blyss’s yellow eyes as she sniffled. She gave the lord a happy smile.

Asher approached the goblin and hugged her tight. The goblin hugged him in return, her smile remaining.

The mood grew warmer as everyone watched the pair. Happy smiles and tears filled eyes. Nyn wiped at the corner of her eye, trying to remain in control of her emotions.

When the man and goblin parted, Asher looked around at everyone, his hand still on Blyss’s waist.

“This is a big step for all of us, but this is not just about me and Blyss. I would love to have a child with any or all here. I cannot put into words the love I have for everyone here. You have filled me with such purpose and clarity.”

Asher turned his gaze to Elara. The elf looked at him, hanging on his every word.

“Clarity to grow our family, and our legacy.”

A heat filled the room. Asher wasn’t sure if it was what he said, or what was always there. The thought of children had crossed his mind many times during the last year, but with so many battles, revelations, and dispatching of those who would harm his family, the idea of children remained in the back of his mind. But now that the valley was at peace, with a good mayor, and enemies vanquished, perhaps the time had finally come?

Amber sat up a little more, an idea striking her like lightning.

“I think I have an idea for a play,” the faun mentioned.

All eyes turned to the faun with curious gazes.

She stood up on her cloven feet, her gaze to the side as the idea continued to bloom.

“I must perform some research first,” Amber said before she turned and stepped away.

Everyone in the common room watched the faun vanish past the hallway corner. A short moment later, the door to the basement lab opened and then closed.

Elara’s gaze was on Asher and Blyss. The lord turned back to the green goblin with endearing eyes. She looked up at him with equally loving eyes.

A match was lit within the elf’s soul and she wasn’t sure she could snuff it out.