Author: Kailan Counahan

The tavern was lively around Bivara as she helped the bards around her set up on what she guessed counted as a stage. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted a face she wouldn’t forget, at least not in this lifetime. Coming down the stairs, Lord Almer Elamoira briefly glanced around the room.

“I can’t believe this is the best inn and tavern in the city,” the snotty voice of Lord Almer’s sister, Lady Lura Elamoira, sounded behind him. 

“Not every city or town has the money or ability to have the lavish inns you’re used to, my lady,” Savara Amastacia responded in her absurdly cheery voice, causing Lura to scoff. 

Almer’s eyes landed on Bivara, who was still glaring at him as he came down the stairs. His brow furrowed, but he shrugged it off as he couldn’t place her face. 

“My gods Almer, what have you done to that bard?” Lura asked, chittering, “If looks could kill dear brother, I don’t believe even Viessa could bring you back. I fear you would be lost to us.” 

Almer slapped her hand away from his face, glaring at her. Captain Viessa Oristina snorted, glancing over at the stage, “My lord, I believe your sister is right. You should be worried, she might be able to kill you with one look.”

Almer rolled his eyes, “She’s not even an actual bard,” he muttered. 

Several birds startled and flew away as a groan sounded loudly just on the outskirts of Rustpeak, “How much longer do I have to spend on this fucking dog?” Dera “Dagger” Everhorn shouted.

“Keep complaining kender and you’ll be dragged behind my horse, as I’m sure your small legs couldn’t keep up,” Armsman Khader Murgen taunted haughtily, forgetting his dwarven commander riding just ahead.

“I’ve told you before, I’m not full kender you fucking idiot. I’m half human. Thank the gods I’m not full human or I might’ve also ended up a complete fucking moron like you.”

Major Tishla Hodik cut off any retort from Murgen, “Shut it, both of you. We’re staying here for the night, warlock, so stop complaining. You’ll get a bath and a warm meal.”

“And a bed?” Dagger asked, perking up at the prospect of some comfort. 

“It’ll depend on the accommodations and what’s available,” Tishla responded.

Murgen leaned down slightly on his horse, “If you’re wondering, kender, that means no.” As he straightened in his saddle, he landed face first on the ground on the other side, causing Dagger and Tishla to laugh.

“Armsman Murgen, you need to learn to keep a closer eye on your surroundings,” Tishla chuckled.

“You didn’t stop her from loosening my saddle?” He asked dejectedly.

“No, I didn’t. Some lessons are better learned the hard way. She’s not in chains. She’s free to move around as she pleases so long as she doesn’t move over one hundred meters away from one of us. You have to keep that in mind.” Tishla thought for a moment, “Maybe if you stopped antagonizing and degrading her, she wouldn’t do these things to you.”

The armsman grunted but didn’t respond to his superior. The trio rode the short distance into town to the inn and tavern in silence. A young stable hand raced toward them. He put his fisted hand on his chest and bowed slightly as a sign of respect for the crown and their military status, “Good evening Major and Armsman, will you be staying at the inn?”

“Assuming there is room, yes,” Tishla answered. 

“I believe there is ma’am, but let me double check for you,” he said before dashing off to speak with the owner. 

“See kender, that is how you should act. Giving respect to us and the crown,” Murgen started in on Dagger. 

She barked a laugh, “Do you notice I give Major Hodik the respect she deserves? I even call her by her proper title because she has earned my respect for her authority through respecting me as a person. You don’t respect me as a person, so you’ll never have my respect for your authority. Your crown does not rule me anyway, so why should I respect it? I’m ruled by the Queen of Air and Darkness, not your high elf bullshit.”

“Watch it, Dera. That type of talk around the wrong people will get you killed,” Tishla cautioned, causing Dagger to look up at Tishla and nod her head both in thanks for the reminder and also for not taking action against her for her heated words. Tishla had a soft spot for the young half-kender. Dagger spoke the truth when she said she had nothing but respect for the Major. They had bonded over their mutual frustrations concerning their companion and his misogynistic attitude. 

Before any of them could speak again the stable hand came back, “We have five rooms available, all with two beds.” He paused, glancing at Dagger, “There are a few cots available if you all wish to stay in the same room but need a third bed.”

Tishla nodded, “We’ll all stay together in one room. Please have a cot brought up. Would it be an issue if our mastiff came in with us, or would it be preferred for him to stay in the stable?”

The stable hand shrugged, “I would say your mastiff is likely cleaner than half the patrons inside. No one should have any objections to your dog going inside.”

Tishla nodded, “Thank you.” She passed him five silver pieces for his help. 

“It’s a pleasure, ma’am,” he responded with a grin and a nod of his own. 

The two soldiers dismounted their horses and Tishla helped the warlock off the dog. Dagger muttered her thanks before following the pair into the tavern.

“Murgen, find a table. I’m going to speak with the Lady and Lord Elamoira and Captain Oristina.”

“I should come with you. The kender can sit on her own until we’re done,” he argued.

Tishla fixed him with a glare, “No. Go find a seat with the warlock. I will be there shortly.” Murgen opened his mouth to respond, but quickly closed it with one look from Tishla. 

Dagger snickered but didn’t say anything, she simply followed Murgen to a table. “Lady Elamoira, Lord Elamoira, Captain Oristina,” Tishla pressed her fist to her chest and bowed deeply in respect not just for the nobles, but for Viessa as well. 

“Major Hodik,” Viessa responded with a smile, “It’s lovely to see you. What brings you all the way to Rustpeak?”

She pointed over her shoulder toward Murgen and Dagger, “Prisoner transport and armsman training.”

Lady Lura scoffed, “Surely there are better uses of one of our majors’ time than transporting a prisoner.”

Lord Almer took in Dagger. “I have to say I agree with my sister, unless she’s a war criminal. Though she certainly doesn’t look like the type.”

Tishla leaned in slightly and lowered her voice, “If I’m being honest, I think my colonel really just wanted a chance to set the armsman straight. We’ve been having issues with him and women. Any woman over him has complained, and given my background, the higher ups thought time spent with me might help straighten him out.”

Viessa nodded her approval, “Quite right. If you can’t fix him, he should be removed from service.”

Savara leaned in slightly, “What of the kender? Are you actually taking her to prison?”

“Half-kender, and yes. The warlock stole from the wrong nobleman and has already broken out of four maximum security prisons as well as the initial jail she was locked in pending trial. I was also tasked with her transport because of my ability to use the cuffs on her wrists to prevent magic use.”

“Warlock? Does anyone know her patron?” Savara asked.

Tishla shook her head, “To my knowledge no, but she has let it slip the Queen of Air and Darkness is who she is ruled by,” Tishla shrugged, “So perhaps the Queen is also her patron? Is that even possible?”

Almer and Savara nodded their heads, serious looks overtaking their faces, “If you’re right, Major Hodik, you need to be extremely careful. There are rumors on the wind that a war is coming between the Seelie and Unseelie courts.” Sarvara’s mouth pressed into a hard line before she continued, “Even I have been asked to return to the Seelie court to assist.”

Everyone’s attention at the table snapped to Savara. “You aren’t being made to go back are you?” Almer asked quietly.

“No, thank the gods. I haven’t fully renounced my title in the Seelie court, but I have enough ties and connections to court here that for now Queen Titania cannot call me back.”

Bivara and the bards surrounding her began playing a lively tune while the nobles and their companions continued speaking. “When will she be allowed to call you back?” Viessa questioned.

Savara shrugged, “I suppose if she went through proper channels, as I did to shift my courtly duties, she could put a request in with the King and Queen for my immediate return which they can refuse, but likely should war begin tomorrow, I would have a few months minimum before I would have no choice but to return or be branded a traitor to the Seelie court.”

Viessa reached out and squeezed her shoulder, “Let us hope it doesn’t come to that. It seems as though the fae are always on the brink of war. Perhaps this time is the same?”

Savara gave her trusted companion a grateful smile though it didn’t reach her eyes because she knew this time was different. War was in the air, not just between the two largest fae courts, but also between Sylnasari and Ocrar. “What brings you lot away from Averius?” Tishla asked, bringing Savara out of her thoughts.

“Special assignment from the Crown. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumblings about Ocrar starting skirmishes on the border,” Viessa dropped her voice so low that those around her could barely hear her, “But what you might not know is that Ocrar has managed to push a few of our outposts deeper into our territory. We’re losing a lot of lives to Ocrar, so we were asked to deliver inscription papers to every available person of military service age, and call on our reservists.”

Tishla was shocked. She had heard of the attacks, but soon after she heard of them, she noticed the only news anyone seemed to have was gross exaggerations which was a normal response from the Crown. If everyone was spreading obvious fiction, no one heard the truth if it happened to get out, which it rarely did. “Are they taking everyone right now?”

Viessa shook her head, “Inscription papers are only for training new reservists. The current reservists will serve and should the time come, the inscripted soldiers will be called on, but the hope is there won’t be a need and the reservists will be the bolster needed to prevent an all out war.”

Tishla’s head whipped around as a ruckus started across the tavern. Tishla rolled her eyes as she turned back to those with her, “Duty calls.”

Viessa laughed, “Good luck with that one Major. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”

“Safe travels, Major,” Savara said with a smile. 

“You lot as well,” Tishla responded with a slight bow, before walking over to her companions. “Armsman Murgen, have you been on the road so long you’ve forgotten you represent the crown when you wear that armor?”

Dagger and Murgen’s heads turned around in shock at Tishla’s approach. “The kender started it.”

“I didn’t ask who started it, Murgen. I asked if you had forgotten who you represent when you get dressed beyond your wee skivvies in the morning.”

“If she had an ounce of -“

Tishla spun Murgen and his chair around quickly to face her, effectively quieting the Armsman. “Respect? She’s a bloody criminal, Murgen. She hasn’t got an ounce of respect for our laws, what makes you think she’ll have any respect for the people who make those laws?” Tishla sighed. “You canna bully her into respecting you, the crown, or our laws, so stop trying and act like you’ve got some damn sense.” The Armsman opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it with one look from Tishla.