Dooley whooped stretched exaggeratedly. “Finally out of that stuffy office!” He put his hands on his hips and stared down at her smaller frame. “Tour time!”

He grabbed her small hand in his, the cold metal of his gauntlets making her shiver. He walked in large strides and pulled her along, gesticulating wildly. “Let’s start from the back! Then we’ll be by the entrance when we’re done!” Without waiting for her reply he muscled his way across the walkway. The guards in the courtyard watched on with amused eyes.

“Well, in the very back is the canteen!” His head swiveled around and his eyes narrowed before he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Don’t tell the cooks I said this, but the stuff is inedible.” He shuddered and immediately straightened as they reached a large door, opposite to the entrance they took across the courtyard.

He pushed it open and beckoned her inside. Long tables stood in the center of the room, all identical. The walls were inset with simple square windows, one was cracked. The ceiling held some hanging plants with little purple flowers, but otherwise the space was empty and unadorned. “Mealtimes are pretty sanctioned, so that’s why no one’s here right now.”

He waved his hand casually toward the back wall, which only stood up to his waist. A lip jutted out of it into a wooden counter space. “That’s where the cooks serve their… food.”

They made their way over and she was able to appreciate it in more detail, even if the counter reached just below her shoulders. Little leaves were engraved into the side.

Behind the counter was a large kitchen filled with hanging edible plants. Vibrant chillies of every color conquered the space. For some reason she couldn’t smell them, even from so close by. She leaned forward on her tip-toes over the counter and was suddenly hit with a wall of spicy fragrance. She sneezed. Repeatedly.

Dooley clutched his stomach and laughed, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “Forgot to warn ya about that. The cooks are big fans of spice, so we had to put up some runes in order to block the smell.” She coughed and rubbed her nose, her eyes watering. “Dunno how they survive back there, those things could be used as a weapon, seriously.”

Daffodil nodded in agreement. A door opened on the other side of the counter and a man and woman walked in. The woman was tall and hefty, but her intimidating presence was mitigated by the frilly apron she wore. The man beside her had no such issues. He stood tall, half of his face in shadow and adorned with scars. His visible muscles rippled as he walked. The woman’s eyes narrowed at Dooley and he shrank back. “Well! Looks like it’s time to go Daffy!”

He quickly grabbed her wrist and turned to leave. The woman’s eyes grew puzzled before following his movement. The moment she laid eyes on her, her eyes softened. “Well, well, what little darling have you brought me today, lazy Vice-Captain?”

Dooley stopped and hunched in defeat before collapsing onto a nearby chair, a tangible aura of gloom radiating from him. Daffodil took the opportunity to introduce herself. She nodded her head in greeting. “Daffodil, Deacon of Vita’s Garden.”

The woman seemed to melt and she immediately moved from behind the counter to engulf her in a warm hug. “Aww, aren’t you precious! It’s so nice to meet you Deacon. I’m Martha, and the broody guy behind me is Garth.” Daffodil stiffened a bit before relaxing bonelessly into the hug. “Mmn.”

Martha stayed like that for a moment before letting her go and sat down next to the Vice-Captain, her hand lingering on her arm. He tensed. “Ahahah… Martha! It’s good to see you…” He trailed off with an aggrieved expression. Martha gripped his shoulder and he winced despite his armor. “I hope you haven’t been saying anything bad about me to our little darling deacon, hm?”

“Of- of course not, Martha! I’m just giving Daffy a tour! Since it’s her first time here ‘n all.” He looked towards Daffodil for help, but she busied herself by taking Martha’s hand into her own.

A thunk resounded in the kitchen and they all turned their gazes to see Garth using a cleaver to chop some onions. Dooley gulped and it looked like his soul left his body. Martha sighed. “Oh, that’s right. We have to do lunch preparations. So shoo, and maybe after this tour the Little Darling can join us? Hm?” Daffodil nodded before Dooley could decline for her, her eyes shined. He seemed resigned and patted her on the head. “Good luck, Daffy.” He stood with a solemn air and looked at her with eyes as if he was watching a person march to their deaths.

Martha’s face darkened. “What’cha mean good luck, boy? You aren’t going to skip my well intentioned meal, are ya?” Her tone grew crass and she loomed over the unreliable Vice-Captain. “No ma’am! I’ll be there ma’am.” He stood and saluted. It was the cleanest salute she’d seen from him yet.

Daffodil’s gaze grew more profound and she tightened her grip on Martha’s hand.

Against her wishes Martha disentangled their hands, but gave her a quick hug to appease her before she whisked back into the kitchen. Garth gave her hand a squeeze when she returned to his side before handing her a very large knife.

Dooley dragged her out before she got any ideas.

Dooley paused for a moment after they’d escaped out the doors with his head bowed and a hand on his chin. “Like her.” Daffodil offered and Dooley sent her a look of betrayal. “No! Sweet Daffy please don’t like her!” He pushed her towards the courtyard. “Look at all the cool guards swinging their swords! They’re pretty likeable too y’know! I’m also super strong!” Daffodil sent him a bleak gaze and he wilted. “I really am…”

He sniffed and visibly pulled himself together. “Whatever. You’ll know how cool I am eventually Daffy! But this tour can’t be interrupted! I’m on a mission!” He clenched his fist. “Wren is pretty cool. Her office is next. You can admire her. She’s so much better than Martha. Wren’s office is opposite the Courtyard to the Captains.” He took a few steps before Daffodil tugged on his arm. He looked back at her. “Wren busy.” He cocked his head to the side before his eyes widened. “Oh, yeah, guess we could go after lunch. She should be done with your mom’s posters by then.”

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He continued walking. “Well, the barracks aren’t very interesting, and watching the guys train will get dull in a bit…” He stopped suddenly. “Man. I just realized the Guard House is kinda lame.” Daffodil looked up at him in confusion. “I mean! The Guard House is really cool and watching the guards train is really fun and not monotonous! Because the guards are cool! Cooler than Martha!” Daffodil sighed. He recovered his wits.

“There isn’t much more for a civvie to do, really. I’ll just take you back to the entrance. We can go look at the board and see if there’s anything fun there.”

The people inside all looked up when they walked through the doors and she hid behind Dooley’s figure. Two new people had entered since she went to the Captain’s office. One was a larger man with thick leather accessories adorning his body. A thick apron and thick gloves were the most prominent. Beside him stood a younger figure with dirty blonde hair and striking orange eyes. “Oh, it’s you!” He called and grinned. His arms were full of swords, but he quickly set them down on the counter to walk toward her. The larger figure frowned.

He stuck out his hand enthusiastically. “I’m Charlie! Charlie Crane! I saw you in the Church when Priestess Tulip healed my hand! I also saw your naming ceremony! It was rad!” Daffodil met his enthusiasm with a small nod of her head. “Daffodil, Deacon of Vita’s Garden.” She hesitantly met his hand with hers and it was soon being shaken vigorously. “Nice to meet you!” His smile was wide and filled with teeth, exuberance flowing out of his body.

“Charlie.” An annoyed voice rang out and he flinched. “Oopsie.” He turned on a dime and returned to the man’s side. The man patted him roughly on the head before turning to look at her.

“Hello, Deacon Daffodil, my name is Denard Crane.” He turned after introducing himself, returning his attention to the matter at hand, content with his brief introduction. Charlie seemed to vibrate in place and when he determined his father was sufficiently distracted by the guard he flew to Daffodil’s side.

“So, what’cha doin’ at the Guard House?” Daffodil pursed her lips. “Help.”

Charlie waited for more and stared blankly. “You’re here to… help? Or get help?” She nodded. “Get help.” He hummed. “With what?” She frowned. “Mom.” He narrowed his eyes. “Well that’s not very much information.” He paused. “Your mom is here?” She shook her head. “Gone.” His eyes widened a little. “Oh, I’m sorry!” He looked a little contrite. “You know, it’d be a little easier to understand you if you talked a little more.” She frowned heavily and furrowed her brows. Dooley patted her on the head with a sigh.

The big man beside him hit him upside the head. “A week. It’s been a week since Priestess Tulip made the announcement, and yet, you immediately disregard her.” The boy had the grace to look abashed, his cheeks flushing. “Sorry.” He looked up at her. “Didn’t mean anything by it.”

Dooley shook his head. “Doesn’t matter, her matters don’t concern you anyways, kid.” Charlie frowned. “I really am sorry, I just get frustrated when I don’t understand somethin’.” Daffodil nodded. “Me too.” He beamed. “I’d like your stuff to matter to me.” He gave her a shy glance and a wary one to Dooley, who suddenly looked a little intimidating. “You’re probably one of the only other people our age to be in an apprenticeship, y’know, so I wanna be friends.”

They fell into a momentary silence.

Daffodil suppressed the annoyance she felt and gave him a considering glance. Tulip told her to meet people, but she hadn’t thought about making friends. “Okay.” She’d give him a chance. He immediately sent her an even wider grin, impatiently looking towards his mentor.

Denard rearranged the swords on the counter carefully. The burly guard behind the desk pulled one slightly from its sheath to reveal a silver blade embedded with runes. It was quickly hidden again and the guard nodded. The red-eyed guard from before gathered them in his arms and walked past them toward the courtyard, quickly disappearing from sight.

“Thank you, Denard. As promised.” The guard pulled out a leather pouch that resounded with the sound of clinking metal. Denard opened it briefly but didn’t bother to count the contents. He nodded to the guard and turned to go. He eyed Charlie for a moment before sighing. “Figure out what to do for the rest of the day, Charlie, and return home for dinner.”

He swept out of the Guard House and quickly disappeared amongst the townspeople.

Daffodil blinked at the abrupt departure, but Charlie seemed unbothered and rushed up to clasp her hands. “Are you busy? Can we hang out?” She turned to the Vice-Captain and he shrugged, his armor clanking with the movement. “We were just about done anyway. I can show you the board another time, maybe when Wren is done with the posters.” She nodded.

Charlie took that as a go ahead and dragged her back into the courtyard. “This is SO COOL! You’re so cool, I mean.” Daffodil tilted her head. “What mean?” He wrinkled his nose. “You’re already learning magic and stuff! My dad won’t let me anywhere near rune engraving until I can make weapons.”

He slumped onto a bench and stared at the guards who were overlooking the new weapons. He stared ruefully at the runes on the swords. “It has to be the same as reading and writing, right? They’re the same runes! Just with magic!” He waved his hands around before turning to her. She shrugged and sat beside him. “Don’t know.”

He widened his eyes a little. “Wait, do you mean you don’t know how to read and write? But you’re already learning magic! How can you learn magic without runes?” She tilted her head and sent a little source magic to her daffodil, making the area glow gold. His eyes sparkled. “Woah!” He admired for a bit and then straightened suddenly. “Hey… What if… I helped you with your writing and speaking, and you teach me that?” He bit his lip and furrowed his brows. “I mean… I’m sure the Head Priest Dahlia and Priestess Tulip are teaching you, but we could hang out and learn together! I think that’d be cool. My dad always says to learn from everyone you can.”

He unconsciously straightened and a steely look covered his face as he mimicked his dad. “You never know where you’ll get inspiration.” He slumped back into his casual posture. “Or something.”

Her eyes widened and she fell into deep contemplation, subconsciously ignoring his pleading stare.

She nodded once to herself looking determined and then met his eyes. “Yes.” She wanted to learn, and channeling was harmless. Tulip said anyone could do it, so she figured it would be alright.

Charlie pumped his fist with a whoop of victory. “Yes!” Then his stomach growled. The guards glanced in their direction, their keen hearing picking it up. Some of them paled and then rubbed their own stomachs. They started packing away their weaponry and cast solemn glances at one another. They looked toward the back of the courtyard, where the door to the canteen slowly opened with a resounding creak. Garth stood there and stared them down. Daffodil sat confused until Charlie, with equal solemnity, turned to her. “It’s lunchtime.”