Page 64 of The Anointed's Paladin

Talon sighed and started skinning the rabbits, being very careful to keep any mess off his clothes. He cut the meat into small parts and skewered them on a stick.

“It’s a shame I can’t smoke them here,” he said. “I’ll have to show you one day what I can do with the proper tools.”

Kaine cocked an eyebrow. “Chef Talon. I’d like to see that.”

“Don’t believe I can cook?” Talon folded his arms.

“It’s not so much the cooking, pet. I’ve got a weak spot for bears in aprons.”

For some reason, Talon went pink and muttered something about not having a beard. I was very pleased I knew slang enough to figure out that “weak spot” meant Kaine liked it. I wondered how hard it would be for me to catch a bear for him. Probably not that hard. Getting it into the apron would be a different story, but maybe Talon could help me?

I hummed happily as I pictured it.

Soon, an amazing smell was filling the campsite.

“Are they ready?” I asked, peering at them.

Talon inspected them carefully. He’d been cooking them forages. “Yeah, we can eat,” he said, lifting the skewers and handing them out. Kaine and I dived in, devouring our portions in a matter of seconds.

Talon ate much slower and neater.

Kaine chewed his skewer, cleaning off every last scrap. He hungrily side-eyed Talon’s half-finished helping.

I sat back in amusement as he pounced, trying to snatch another piece. Talon, to my surprise, was ready and lifted his food high above his head.

“No way,” he said as Kaine continued to try and steal some meat. A small locket slipped out of Kaine’s pocket and fell to the ground. Neither of them seemed to notice, absorbed in the struggle for food. Talon’s foot almost landed on it, and I fluttered down, picking it up.

“Here, you mooch.” Talon took some off the end and gave it to Kaine.

“It’s not as fun if you share,”he grumbled, taking it.

“I think this is yours,” I said, the locket in my hands.

Kaine glanced up as Talon plucked it from my hands.

“What’s this?” he asked, unlatching the locket. “A sweetheart pendant? Should we be jealous?”

“Hey! Give that back—” Kaine snatched at it, but a well-placed wing kept him at bay. I was curious, too, darting up to peer inside as Talon opened it.

Inside was a small portrait of…I squinted at it.

“Is this…you?” I asked incredulously.

It was. A small, beautifully detailed picture of Kaine, smiling smugly. We burst into laughter, and Talon closed his fist, snapping it shut.

Kaine pounced on his back, scratching at him. “That’s mine!” he snarled. “Give it back!”

“Why…am I not even surprised?” Talon said. “Maybe I’ll keep this. It’s a nice picture.”

Kaine finally managed to catch hold of the chain, and Talon let it go.

Kaine huffed, straightening his shirt, tucking the locket back in and glaring at us.

“I think you have a problem,” Talon said.

“Oh, please.” He sniffed. “It was a gift. About the only nice thing that ever happened to me.”

“That reminds me!” I said, darting to the ground. I concentrated as I summoned special hardwood. White for Kaine and black for Talon.

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