I stumbled back to The Shadow's Respite, my body aching from the long night of tending to the wounded. The smell of smoke still clung to my clothes. My brand-new clothes already needed to be burned. Maybe I could find a smoldering fire in village and toss them in—an offering, if you will.

As I approached my tavern, relief washed over me. One of the shopkeepers had assured me it had escaped the fires unscathed, but I needed to see it with my own eyes.

There it stood, untouched by the flames. It still looked run down. The walls needed paint and fresh wood. A few shingles hung from the roof's edge, barely clinging, and would need to be replaced. Dirty windows and shutters that were only partially able to close. But it was mine.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. At least something had gone right in this mess of a night.

“It still stands,” Lady Ophelia said. “Isn’t that amazing? And here I’d hoped it was ash so you could start learning a different profession. For instance, how to exist as a powerful necromancer.”

I shot her a sharp look, but she just looked down and stretched her fingers out as if examining her nails.

I was about to unlock the door when the unmistakable sound of footsteps made me spin around.

"Hey, Varix. You look a little worse for wear," Caden called to me.

I frowned, my hand still on the door handle. "Morning, Caden. Or is it afternoon? I'm so tired my head is spinning."

Caden approached, and we did a single handshake.

"That was some night, but I'm afraid it's not over. There's some grousing up at the wall. The orcs want to know when they can eat. Urzan said he'd like to talk to you. Although it was actually more like ‘Where Varix? We hungry now!’"

I groaned inwardly. I had hoped they had returned to their camp so I could have a little time to get organized. And get some rest.

"Urzan, huh?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "Alright. I'll go see if I can calm him and his band of maniacs down."

"Cavorting with green skins. What next? Summoning demons to dance in your tavern?" Garin’s voice dripped with dissatisfaction.

Caden clapped me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. Come on, I'll walk with you. You look like you might fall over if left on your own. That was a really nice trick, Varix. Getting orc help like that. I saw the bandits—what’s left of them. It’s not a pretty sight. We’re going to need a new grave site."

“Are the orcs our allies now?”

“What else do we call them? They walked here, helped us take out a threat that was becoming a serious problem, and now they aren’t attacking Everspring or trying to slaughter the people. It’s a big step, my friend.”

Even though my feet only wanted to carry me to one place, to bed, we set out.

Zyn appeared ahead—leaning against the wall like he didn’t have a care in the world, which was technically true. I nodded at him once when Caden’s attention was distracted by us walking by The Jolly Cleaver, but Zyn barely acknowledged me or the other two ghosts who were still in tow.

Stupid cursed ring. I clenched my hand and considered chopping off my finger just to remove it. Caden got along with half a hand. How hard could it be?

“Wanna say hi to Shellen?” I asked him.

“She’s probably still at home, asleep.”

“Caden. The entire village was up all night dealing with bandit raids, orcs, and fires. She probably hasn’t slept.”

“I shouldn’t bother her. I'll come back later."

I sighed softly and approached the door. Putting my hand to the window, I glanced in and spotted her, then pushed the door open.

“Hi, Shell. How are you faring? We were walking by, and Caden wanted to ensure you were okay.”

I grabbed Caden and gave him a gentle pull through the doorway.

Shellen’s face reddened. She only looked a little worse for wear. Her hair was a little messy, and a smudge of soot was on her cheek and forehead. Her gray dress had a light dusting of ash, as well.

“Caden!” Shell exclaimed. "I didn't expect to see you this morning. How are you? Were you in the fighting last night? Look at you. Of course you were in the fighting last night. You probably led a charge. I'm glad you're safe. You look, um, you look…" She glanced down at her clothes.

"I was in the thick of it, but our allies did most of the work. We-"

“Wait. Can you wait here for a moment? I was just about to change my clothes. It will only take a moment," Shellen cut in.

Ophelia looked Shell up and down. “I believe that woman would like your strong young friend to help her change out of her clothes.”

“Aye. Those two will be married within three months,” Garin prophesied.

“Um, sure.” Caden nodded.

“I’ll go talk to Urzan,” I told Caden after Shell fled into the back.

“This won’t take long.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “Oh, my friend. I believe Shell would like to spend more than a few minutes with you. I'll be fine."

"Aye. She’ll be back with her hair clean, her face free of soot, and a change of clothes. Probably smelling of roses," Garin said.

“Why, Garin. Are you a romantic?” Ophelia asked the paladin.

“Ah. I suppose anyone who remembers young love still has a hint of the romantic.”

Lady Ophelia shook her head.

“Later, buddy,” I bid Caden goodbye.

As I departed the shop, I looked back one more time. Caden looked like a deer in the headlights.

----------------------------------------

He’d be okay.

The walk back to the edge of Everspring took me past The Whistling Kettle. I glanced inside and spotted Milo sweeping the floor. I ducked my head inside. “Psst. Milo. Can I get a coffee to go?”

“To go where?"

“To go with me on a walk to the end of the village. I have a meeting, and I need a serious caffeine fix.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“You want to take coffee with you?” He looked around like he needed to ask ermission, but no one was there.

“Tell you what. I’ll leave a few coppers as a deposit. When I return the mug, you give me the coppers back.”

“Sure. Yeah.”

I stepped inside and walked to the counter. There was no one else in the shop. In fact, I'd never seen another customer here at the same time as me.

He dumped the coffee beans in the bottom of the mug, turned to pick up one of the perpetually heated kettles, and poured a long measure over the cracked beans. Milo reached under the counter, pulled out an even larger spoon with smaller slots, lifted it in the air, and waved it a few times like a magician with a magic wand.

“Nice.” I nodded.

“What is he doing?” Garin moved closer to the counter to get a look. “Gods, but I wish I had my sense of smell.”

“I, for one, appreciate my lack of smell, Sir Paladin. I’m certain you would reek of goodness and whatever else paladins have under their armor. Probably vanilla beans and suppressed sexuality.”

“I beg your pardon?” Garic turned on Ophelia. “I've had children, you know.”

“I’m sure you did. Tell me something, Garin, did you ever see your wife out of her clothing? Or was there a sheet involved in procreation?”

“How dare you speak of my wife! If I had form, I’d give you a smack.”

“Well, now,” Ophelia's eyebrow arched. “You've finally said something interesting.”

Garin glared at Ophelia.

I wished, not for the first time today, that there was a way to shut these idiots up.

Milo had done a decent job of keeping the largest chunks of beans out of the cup when he poured the coffee into another mug through the slotted spoon.

I removed flour coppers, two for the coffee, and held up the last two. “You hold onto these,” I said, picking up the mug with the fresh coffee. "When I bring this back, you return the two coppers. Okay?”

“Deposit?"

“Very good, Milo.”

“Why didn’t you say deposit in the first place?"

“I’m asking myself that question even now.”

Milo rolled his eyes. Yeah, I deserved that one.

Back outside the shop, I sipped the coffee while I walked and wished I had a bottle of Tylenol to help with my aching muscles from the activities the night before. Add in a few ibuprofen for good measure.

Garin and Ophelia continued to bicker. I spun and quietly hissed at them, “Would you two shut up and get a room already?”

They glared at me.

I glared back.

----------------------------------------

I set out again, and a figure appeared ahead, but the light was behind them, and I couldn't see a face. They carried a staff, and as I got closer, I realized it was Seraphina, the gem dealer who had purchased all of Morthisal's stones, allowing me to purchase The Shadow's Respite.

"Good morning, Varix," Seraphina said with a bright smile.

She wore a flowing, deep purple robe that shimmered in the morning light. The sleeves were adorned with intricate silver embroidery that depicted constellations, and she wore a belt woven of pearlescent beads around her waist. Her hair was pulled back and partially braided, revealing elongated ears that came to a subtle point.

"It's a good morning, indeed," I said, and that was mostly true, except for the whole not sleeping at all last night part. At least Everspring was safe, and the bandits had been dealt with.

"I understand you had a hand in bringing us Everspring's new allies?"

I nodded, noticed the stone on top of her staff, and cocked my head to the side. "I like to think I helped. Nice staff. I'm actually on my way to talk to our new allies."

"I'd like to accompany you, if that's alright. I would look upon our saviors."

"Don't get too excited. They're on the fugly side, if you ask me."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed for the briefest of moments before she said, "If nothing else, I can walk the stiffness out of my legs."

"Long night?"

"I warded some of the village from burning. As I told you, someone in Everspring wanted to purchase this staff, but they haven't paid yet, and I quite like it. A part of me hopes they won't buy it, and I can keep the stone. It's been quite helpful in bolstering my own small magical abilities."

"You gave this tart a Star of Luminas? Are you mad? That is near priceless."

I wanted to tell her it wasn't priceless to me, but it had been instrumental in buying The Shadow's Respite.

Seraphina glanced around, eyes narrowing.

"Is everything okay?"

"Ah. Tis nothing. I thought I heard voices on the wind."

She could sense Ophelia? Interesting.

"When I'm tired, I sometimes hear things, as well. Funny how the mind can play tricks on you," I said, looking past Seraphina to shoot a warning stare at Ophelia.

"Possibly. Shall we?"

"We shall." I nodded, and set off.

As Seraphina and I walked together, I found myself enjoying her company. It was refreshing to have a normal conversation with someone who wasn't a ghost.

"So, Seraphina," I began, "have you lived in Everspring your whole life?"

She shook her head, her silver hair catching the morning light. "No, actually. I moved here several years ago to open my shop. Everspring has been... welcoming."

Something in her tone gave me pause. "Welcoming? That sounds like there's a story there."

Seraphina sighed softly. "Well, as you might have noticed, I'm half-elven. Some communities aren't particularly fond of... mixed heritage. But here in Everspring, I've been able to fit in quite well."

I nodded, understanding all too well the feeling of not belonging. Here I was, walking around in the body of a former dark lord, trying to blend in with the people who had fought against him.

"I get that," I said, careful not to reveal too much. "Sometimes it's hard to find a place where you feel like you belong."

As we continued our walk, Ophelia's voice piped up again, making snide comments about Seraphina. I did my best to ignore her, and focused instead on my companion's words as she described her experiences in Everspring.

I sipped my coffee while we walked, and by the time we reached the palisade, I'd finished off most of it, leaving me to deal with the dregs.

Ahead of us, the orc host lounged in loose formation with their weapons glinting in the morning sun. It was an impressive–and somewhat terrifying–sight.

Urzan spotted me. He stood tall, and strode toward me. He was carrying something round in one hand.

"It is you! We are hungry! Give good fight!"

"How’s it hanging, Urzan? What's that?" I nodded at his hand, then grimaced. As he drew closer, I realized what it was.

"Is that orc carrying a human head?" Seraphina asked me out of the corner of her mouth.

"He has a thing for ripping off heads," I whispered back.

"Cook! When is cook?"

"I'm getting it together right now, Urzan. Can you give me until the end of the day? I have to make a lot of stew for you and your warband. You're all heroes. Did you know that? You drove off the bandits."

Off to the side, Garin and Ophelia stood, arms crossed, probably judging me. I ignored them.

"Of course, orc drive off, bandit!" He gestured vigorously with the head as he spoke. "Orc true to word!"

"Thank you, Sir Urzan. You have saved us all," Seraphina said, raising her voice before offering him a curtsey. "All of you have helped us. We thank you!"

I looked around and noticed Doan and Mira standing with Alic. I motioned behind my back for them to join us. Mira got the hint and spoke up as she strode forward. "Yes. Thank you, Urzan. You are heroes!"

Doan shrugged, lifted his hammer in the air, and with a bored tone, proclaimed, "Yes. Great work."

Urzan's mouth split open in what I had come to believe was an orc smile.

"Cook make stew! Make heat! Big heat!"

The clatter of horse hooves on the road suddenly drew my attention away from the orcs. I squinted against the bright morning light. A horse-drawn carriage, crafted from dark reddish wood that gleamed in the sun's rays, came into view. Its ornate details and well-maintained appearance hinted at wealth.

Around the transport rode at least a half dozen well-armed men. The driver and another man next to him were similarly attired in polished metal armor, and on either side of the men, hanging from the sides, were heavy crossbows.

"Wonderful." Seraphina's eyes were also drawn to the carriage. "Baron Bertram Swiftwood has returned, and just in time to miss the action last night. Typical."

"I've heard of him. I think he's the guy who purchased the other tavern in Everspring."

"I believe you are right. He's also the one who wanted this staff."

Upon spotting the orcs, the armed guards bolted in front of the carriage and formed a line. The driver slowed to a stop and grabbed the crossbow. The orcs eyed the approaching coach and rose to their feet. They reached for weapons as they turned to Urzan, obviously waiting on orders.

"What is this?" Urzan demanded of me.

"Well, shit," I muttered.