Page 37 of Shadow's Chosen

"Really? So, you can just go wherever you like?"

"Within reason," Nezka said.

"Must be nice."

"It has its advantages." Nezka swirled the canteen around in his hand. "I have never shot off any weapon by accident or hit someone I didn't intend to hit.”

Elise made a face and snatched up the can, taking a drink. "I was ten, and it was my uncle's foot. But from what I know, there hasn't been another incident since. Dad made sure of it."

"Your father trained you?" Nezka asked.

"When I was a kid, yes. Me and my sister at first then..." She looked into the fire and frowned. "Then just me until my step-brothers came around."

"Step?" Nezka asked.

"Not related by blood," Elise said.

"Ah." Nezka seemed to hesitate, then he took the can from her and drank.

Elise smiled. "Ha! I knew it."

Nezka smirked. "I was young too. Don't know how many cycles. I was trying to impress a girl."

"Oh, god, tell me you didn't hit her," Elise said, leaning forward.

"No. But her animal companion had to have an ear removed."

Elise covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to laugh. "That's awful."

"Yes. We didn't talk much after that."

Elise laughed softly. "Never have I ever broken a bone."

"That's a lie," Nezka said.

"It's true...but I have sprained both my legs and an arm," Elise confessed. "Thick bones, I guess. You?"

"Several."

"I had a feeling."

Nezka took a drink then looked around before glancing back at her, giving her a wicked smile. "I have never fainted."

Elise grimaced. "That's not fair." She took another sip and could feel her mind going fuzzy. She should probably stop while she was ahead before she made a fool of herself, but she was starting to get curious and figured she could take a few more shots. She eyed Nezka for a long moment then said, "Never have I ever been to prison."

Nezka's smile didn't fade, but some shadow passed over his eyes as he took a drink.

"How long?"

"Not very," he said. "And it was to find a...bounty."

"That sounds like an interesting story..." Elise murmured.

"For another time maybe," Nezka said. "I have never stolen something personal from someone."

"That's a total lie!"

Nezka's eyes narrowed. "Even so..."

---