The captain helped the man called Tomel to his feet with a few scolding words. He was drunk, but managed to thank him before stumbling down an alley.

Rolo followed Captain Dennis inside. A little bell tinkled as they entered. Rolo had a bit of trouble maneuvering his “pack” through the narrow doorway but managed after a few awkward thrusts.

The tavern felt much larger inside than it should have been, including a loft on one side and over a dozen tables scattered on the ground floor. Rolo counted thirteen patrons, all deep in their soup bowls or drinks. Rolo could feel everyone’s eyes on him and his strange baggage as they made their way through the tables.

A fireplace blazed in the corner. All the furniture and decor was crafted of wood and smelled of a strong, oaken sap. It was rustic, clean, and quaint, but it didn’t have rooms for let, Rolo discovered. There was no need, since most who crossed over from Delamar never venture this far inland. Near the back was a bar, where a woman stood wiping metalware. Barrels stood on the counter and around the base of the bar. Some were positioned as barstools.

“Evening, Jane,” said the Captain, giving her a nod and leaning one arm on the counter. He took his hat off and held it to his side.

“Dennis,” she said, with a nod back. “What brings you this far from the wall at this time of night? And who’s your … companion?” The woman looked Rolo up and down with a mix of intrigue and skepticism. She was in her earlier twenties to be sure, but there was an air of maturity beyond her years there. She wasn’t hard on the eyes either, Rolo decided. Dark hair, dark eyes, with nice enough skin. And pleasantly endowed too. She didn’t dress like the other women he’d seen here, which made her stand out. They usually sported light dress wear. Jane dressed in trousers and a light linen shirt, like a man.

“Jane, this is Rolo. He’s, uh, a … traveler. Come from afar, since last we crossed to … well to help me with something.”

“Would you like a drink, Rolo from afar?” said Jane.

“It’s about that time again, I think,” said Rolo, sitting atop a barrel. “What do you have?”

“Ale,” she said, setting the cup she was cleaning down on the counter. “And more ale.” She put a hand on her hip.

Rolo nodded. “Ale it is then.”

“A drink for you, Dennis?”

“Aye, dear, thank you. Say, is your nephew still here?”

Jane eyed Rolo for a moment, focusing on his pack, then glanced back at the captain as she wiped a cup for him. She poured both from the spout of a barrel before responding. “He’s tending to the kitchen. What do you want with Felix?”

The captain looked up at Rolo, then back at Jane. “Rolo here has a … proposition for the boy.”

“That right?” said Jane, looking at Rolo, hand back on her hip. “What kind of a proposition?”

“The life changing kind,” said Rolo.

Jane narrowed her eyes, bit her lip. “That right?” she said, a bit more slowly this time. “Perhaps you’d like to set your luggage down in the corner? That looks like a heavy burden.”

“I can’t,” said Rolo, taking a sip. “Oh, wow. That’s strong.” He puckered his lips. “Yes, very strong. Good though. Hits you right in the back of the throat where it counts.”

Jane blinked, looked at the captain who cleared his throat. The old man was about to say something when Jane cut him off. “You’ve come to take him away, haven’t you?”

“Or help you bury him,” said Rolo, nonchalantly, taking another sip. He cringed. “If he doesn’t survive the transition.”

The two stared at each other for a long moment, saying nothing. Then the captain sucked in a breath, held up a finger, and was about to speak when Felix walked out from behind a swinging doorway holding a large, steaming pot. The boy slammed it down on the wooden counter close to Jane and let out a groan as he stretched his back. He was dressed in trousers, similar to Jane’s, and wore an oversized shirt that looked more like a sheet with holes in it. Big enough to cover the massive lump on his back. A strap of spider leather around his waist. He was much younger than Jane but taller still, even slouched as he was. His skin was darker than hers too, more of an olive complexion.

“Soup’s ready,” said Felix, then noticed the two men on the other side of the bar. “Captain!” he said, smiling. “What brings you here?”

“Hello Felix. The night treating you well?”

“Well enough, sir,” he said, reaching over and clasping hands with the old man.

“How’s that lump of yours?”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Felix stood up straight the best he could without losing his balance. “Still there, unfortunately,” he said, his excited tone slightly diminished.

The captain grunted a “yes, yes,” then glanced at Rolo. “Felix, I want you to meet—”

“I’m Rolo,” said the archon, extending his arm across the counter.

The boy hesitated, eyeing Rolo for a moment, then shook.

“I’m here to help you.”

“Are you a doctor?” said Felix. He glanced at his aunt, who’s dark, skeptical look hadn’t changed.

“No,” said Rolo. “I’m an archon. Just as you are. Or will be very soon by the look of things.”

Felix’s eyebrows furrowed.

The captain sucked in a breath. “Maybe we should speak somewhere a bit more pri—”

“What’s an archon?” said Felix.

“A terrifying creature,” said Rolo, with a theatrical flare and a smirk on his face. “Or have you not heard the stories?”

Felix looked at Jane, one eyebrow raised. “Does he mean one of those … bird people? The ones Dale and Ned were talking about from the church service.” He looked back at Rolo. “Are you saying—”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Rolo,” said Jane. “But Felix and I have soup and meat to serve to our paying patrons. Felix, please make the rounds, dear. The customers are waiting.”

Felix scoffed. “I’m not a child, aunt Jane, I can speak to the man—”

“He’s not a man,” said Jane. “As he said.”

“Half,” corrected Rolo.

“And I’d like a private word with him for a moment, if you would?” said Jane. “Please.”

Felix gave his aunt a flat look. He glanced up at Rolo, who shrugged and took another sip. Then he looked pleadingly at the captain who raised his hands to indicate he had no part in this. Felix shook his floppy mop of hair, picked up the pot, and hobbled towards the nearest table.

“You’re a bold one, aren’t you, Mr. Rolo?” said Jane as soon as Felix was out of earshot.

“Just Rolo is fine.”

“I’ve heard the stories about your kind, you know.”

“Have you now? What kind of stories?”

“The kind that gives you good reason to lock your doors at night.”

“Ah, those kind. Yes, I’ve heard many a tale myself.”

“You admit they’re true?”

“I’ll admit there are good men and bad men in this world, Jane, no matter what extremities they have. I’ve met my share of each.”

“So have I,” she said. “And I can usually tell the two apart after a word or three.”

“Can you now? Pray tell, what’s your assessment of me thus far.”

She grabbed another cup and began to wipe it clean. “Arrogant for one. A bit of a pompous arse for another. And I’m not going to let you take him away from me.”

“Rolo snorted a laugh and looked at the captain. “You weren’t kidding about this one, were you?”

Jane looked at Dennis, confused.

Dennis shook his head, held up his hands again. “I … no, what he means to say is, my dear, we were just discussing—”

“Here’s the plain truth, girl,” said Rolo, setting his cup down, his voice suddenly deep and serious. “Very soon, that boy will have to endure the most agonizing event of his life. I’d no idea he was so far along or I would have arrived earlier.” He eyed the captain accusingly. “If he survives, I’ll offer him the choice to follow me to a place where he can grow and thrive with others of his kind. I know there's a good reason not to trust archons. Believe me. Give a handful of men the freedom to simply take to the sky to avoid consequences, and there will be some bad ones. Trust me, I’ve met most of them. Personally executed one myself not too long ago. Which was extremely difficult, given how few of us there are.”

Just then, Felix let out a groan and collapsed on the floor. Soup spilled everywhere, and everyone in the tavern turned to look. Jane ran around the bar to aid her nephew, Rolo and the captain close behind her. A few patrons stood, unsure of what to do.

“Are you okay?” said Jane, kneeling beside the boy, who was already pulling himself back up.

“I’m fine, he said, pushing Jane’s hand off his shoulder. He got to his feet a little too fast, his heavy lump pulling him off balance. Rolo caught the boy just in time and set him right. “Just another back spasm, that’s all,” said Felix, his face reddening. “I’ll get the mop.” He pushed his way past Rolo and disappeared into the back room without another word. Rolo watched him go, noticing the long red slits of blood staining his back. A telltale sign things were imminent.

Rolo offered Jane a hand, who was still on her knees. She ignored it and stood up on her own.

“How often?” said Rolo.

Jane sighed, put a hand on her hip. “How often what?”

“The back spasms. How often does he get them?”

Jane sighed again, this time much deeper. She stared at the door to the kitchen for a moment, deep in thought. Then she looked pointedly at Rolo, a bit resigned now. “Often,” she said. “They didn’t used to be so frequent, but as of the last couple days …” she let the comment drift.

Rolo nodded. “Did you see the blood on his back? You’re a nurse, I hear, I’m sure you can gather what that means.”

“How long does he have?” said Jane, softly.

“Not long,” said Rolo.

Jane rubbed her face and forehead. She turned her back to Rolo, walked back and forth, then nodded. “Okay, archon. What does he need?”

“A hospital and lots and lots of strong ale.”

“Aye, there’s one down the way,” said the captain, stepping forward. “I’m sure Sister Darla would be very accommodating.”

Jane snorted a laugh at the mention of Sister Darla’s name. “Accommodating? Have you met the old bat?”

The captain shrugged. “I know her well, I’m sure she’ll oblige.”

“I’ll make sure she does,” said Rolo.