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— Garrett, you're an experienced warrior, you should know: she's not human. Nor am I, for that matter. Gifted children are interesting, but Ayko gained her skills through experience,” Kelian dra suddenly appears from the adjacent corridor. “Our leader is a worthy person, managing to handle all matters, and I believe she's no less capable in battle. Everything around here exists thanks to her enthusiasm and the princess's support.
Kelian dra smirked. Did Garrett mistake Ayko for a child? Seriously?
As soon as they stepped out of the room and began a more informal conversation, Kelian dra joined them...
The Burrow Queen listened to Garrett's question and the Lunar's answer in complete silence and with dignity, only briefly rubbing her forehead at the very beginning.
— Mr. Garrett...,” Ayko said finally, with a slight weariness. “Yes, I see that you're really not from around here, not from Welfern, that's for sure. And there's a good chance you're not even from this planet,” she allowed herself a light joke, although she was sure that Garrett was not a native. “But it's okay, I'm not angry, I understand that you just haven't heard. Don't be offended that I'm going to enlighten you a little: I belong to the glorious tribe of dwarves,” she propped up her chin and widened her eyes. “A small, magical people who live underground, mine gemstones, enchant objects, and are physically no worse than humans, although not better. From my point of view, we don't look very much like human children, but still, if you have doubts due to unfamiliarity, our most obvious distinguishing feature is here,” she brushed her hair aside and showed her elongated ear, although not as long as the Lunar's.
— And you know, there are so few of us that you're actually not the first to mistake me, not just in my lifetime, but even in the past week. What I find more puzzling is: how, being convinced that this is some kind of misunderstanding or joke, did you still go ahead and sign a contract for employment without a shadow of a doubt? Did Her Highness set such strict conditions for you that you didn't even think to investigate everything thoroughly and think twice before signing? — Ayko smiled. “But I hope that we have now clarified everything. In the future, try not to be shy...”
— I understand, you're a dwarf! I've never heard of any "gnomes," probably just a self-designation? But I have heard stories about the short and stocky people of the dwarves, living in dungeons somewhere very, very far north. We've never had any of them around here, and even when I went on a trip abroad with my brother, we didn't get to meet any. I always thought it was all a lie, just fairy tales, and now... Well, well!
Garrett laughed heartily, and at that moment, a long-forgotten childlike mischief seemed to light up on his worn face. Then he turned to the Lunar.
— Well, about you, Kelian dra, I immediately understood that you're not human, you have lovely ears. But even we have people like that on the edge of the world, so I wasn't particularly surprised. However...
He turns back to Ayko, taking on a serious expression.
— I really am in a difficult situation, and my motives are precisely to try to understand the situation. And what could be better for this than to do what I'm good at?
Without waiting for an answer, he continued.
— Well, dear Ayko, I apologize for my tactlessness, don't be angry with the "alien from another planet," ahem. I was just very eager to find out something about my new commander. It's good to have a sorceress on your side. Call me when you need me, boss, I'll be waiting for your orders.
With a flourish, Garrett salutes and leaves.