Mira sat patiently and played with the straw in her fizzy drink. Ravenna leaned against the bar beside her and pushed her glasses up her nose. The women had tossed their fancy dresses aside and wore plain, unremarkable clothes to blend in with the city commoners. Mira like blending in better than Bo’s abundant, obnoxious attention seeking behavior. She watched him clink his stein against another man’s and arm wrestled as they chugged their ales.
“Are you sure that he will show?” Ravenna asked, “I mean, I don’t know with Bobabano’s declaration earlier.”
“Did you know he was going to do that?” She sipped her drink with an uninterested gaze.
“No. Usually, we share everything,” She shook her head, “He’s been secretive after he started sleeping your bed.”
“You know it’s not like that. And...” She paused, “I would prefer you don’t mention that in front of my friends.”
“If I’m not in the room, what happens in your bed is of no concern to me,” She winked, “Though I know my cousin would kill a thousand men to bed you if he thought it’d help.”
“Why is he so insistent on that recently?” Mira rubbed her hand against her face in annoyance, “I haven’t done anything different. He has been insistent on annoying me.”
“Goddess above, Mira,” She laughed, “We were attacked by a sea monster. You saved the entire ship and every man that went overboard. You dove into the water to save my cousin yourself! By Her ashes, no man has ever met a more powerful woman besides the goddess herself.”
“That shouldn’t matter.”
“He bragged that you kissed him,” Ravenna laughed, “That might also have something to do with it.”
She groaned and put her head on the bar, “He said he wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“That,” Tiero cleared his throat as he approached, “And things we cannot discuss here.”
“Good evening, Shaman Tiero,” Ravenna hiccupped as she sipped her wine, “Where have you been today?”
“Making sure your rooms at the palace are well guarded and lacking any dangers, Princes Ravenna,” He turned to Mira, “And dealing with the former thralls of Captain Bo’s ship.”
“Thank you, Tiero,” She nodded, “I appreciate your help.”
“Of course, Lady Mira,” He grinned, “It is not every day an orc bends his knee so vehemently for a woman and releases his men to impress her.”
She decided to ignore the statement, “Where is Amethyst?”
“The former thralls pledged themselves to your service,” He blinked when he realized she didn’t know, “Elder Amethyst has informed them of the Wilted Rose. I thought you already knew this.”
“What?” She dropped her straw, “All of them?”
“They know only to serve,” He nodded, “The compassionate woman that released them is as good a master as any.”
“I cannot house them. I do not know where they will –”
“Elder Amethyst is working on that,” Tiero looked over the tavern to see Bo slamming another man’s hand against a table, “You will likely be updated shortly. If I understand correctly, they may be useful for your plans tonight.”
“True,” She looked back at her drink, “I will learn more then.”
“What are you planning?” Ravenna questioned, “Can I help?”
“It is better if you do not know,” She patted the pink orc’s manicured hands, “Though, you will likely hear about it in the morning.”
Mira twirled the straw in the fizzy concoction before taking a sip. She hadn’t even ordered the drink –Bobabano did. It reminded her of a bitter lemonade and the fruits that floated in the liquid were less appetizing than the drink itself. Her fingers drummed the bar top as she waited patiently for one person to arrive.
“Lady Mira!” She heard Val call, “Over here!”
She turned to see a sly smile on the woman’s face. Next to her was Jonen, and another elven man she did not recognized. As she approached, she saw the familial features between the men. Val waved goodbye and joined the forming group at the bar for her own beverage. Mira threw her arms around Jonen in a tight hug. The unsuspected action nearly knocked him from his feet, but he squeezed her tightly in his arms. As she pulled away, his sapphire eyes sparkled with joy.
“Jonen!” Mira grinned, “You came!”
“We hardly got to talk earlier with –”
Jaspen cleared his throat, “Brother, you should introduce us.”
Jonen wanted to hold her longer, but his brother created line to keep some distance in public. He let go of their embrace and took a step back.
“Ah, yes,” He ran his fingers through his golden hair, “Mira --I mean, Lady Mira, this is my brother, Jaspen Devorte de Devorte.”
Jaspen knelt and pulled Mira’s hand into his. He pressed his lips to her hand and then placed it against his forehead, the formal meeting in Vanora. She curtsied as he stood.
“Lady Mira, it is an honor. I understand you a revered aquellan of the Cauldronbone tribe. That is a most notable title have bestowed upon you,” He released her hand, “Though I only have heard some stories from my younger brother, I look forward to learning more about you.”
“Eighth son of Lord Devorte,” Mira spoke in a soft voice in his native elvish, “The honor is mine, Lord Jaspen.”
He blinked, “I did not realize that languages was one of your many talents, it seems.”
“Your mother’s work is some of the most respected music outside of Vanora,” She looked into his hazel eyes as she remembered, “I believe you accompanied her in the duet piece she composed twenty years ago, yes?”
“The very same,” He cleared his throat and proudly adjusted the collar of his shirt, “I seem to be at a larger disadvantage than I realize. Jonen, you did not tell me she was this well-educated.”
Jonen looked between them in amusement. His brother did not fluster so easily, and yet Mira quickly took every little thing Jaspen bragged about from under him. His brother did not believe him about her. Jonen was glad that Mira hadn’t changed in the slightest.
“You spoke about me?” Mira blushed and shyly tucked a stray curl behind her ear.
“Yes,” Jaspen teased, “He even wrote home to our mother.”
“Jaspen--!” He scrunched his nose.
“You were able to hear back from her, then?” She studied his face with a concerned expression, “I know you were worried.”
“Yes,” Jonen smiled softly, “I sent her bracelet. I should be getting another letter from her soon, I think.”
“Good.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke,” He reached to squeeze her hands, “Goddess, I wanted to be but—”
“It was better that you weren’t,” She shook her head, “You will already be in trouble for seeing me today.”
“Give her the gift,” Jaspen whispered as he elbowed him.
“Oh, yes!” Jonen pulled a small, wrapped package from the pouch at his side, “I wanted to – well, I saw – Um—”
He stammered through a sentence without reaching its end. Instead, he held out the present for her to take.
“Thank you,” She blushed, “You don’t need to say anything else.”
Jonen liked the way her face turned red when she smiled at him. It made the butterflies in his stomach flutter. Her honey-colored eyes seemed so warm when they looked at him. He couldn’t have imagined her this friendly before.
This Mira was happier than the first time they met. It showed across her smiling face. The coldness thawed and she was a new person. It made his heart jump as her eyes slanted from her large smile.
“Val, I think her name—” He let the package slip into her hands, “Well, I didn’t know you had found my shield. I thought it was gone forever.”
“I knew your father’s shield was important to you. You had me look for it once,” She pulled the piece of twine that kept the package closed, “You shouldn’t sell it again. Keep it safe. I do not think it can take much more damage.”
Her fingers delicately pulled the fabric from the wrappings. The small silver broach attached formed a small lily. She ran her fingers over it before throwing the shawl over her shoulders happily.
“I love it,” She clasped the lily broach at her shoulder, just as Jonen intended.
“I remember you and Tella loved the lilies in the temple garden,” He paused a moment, “High Priestess Nara sent me word of what happened… how is Tella?”
Mira’s face dropped at the mention of the young girl, “She will not speak with me.”
“Why?”
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“It’s best we don’t talk about it, here,” She shook her head, “Thank you for the wonderful gift. I will treasure it always.”
“It seems you made the right choice then,” Jaspen laughed, “He was so worried you’d be disappointed.”
“Jaspen—” He narrowed his eyes.
“I will never be disappointed in anything you gift me, Jonen,” She lowered her head shyly, “I remember the sweets from the festival fondly.”
Jonen blushed as he remembered the festival, “Yes. I also want to talk about –”
“Mira!” Bobabano wrapped his arm around her waist and picked her up, “You are missing out on all the fun. Come, join us.”
Bo moved the hair from her neck to kiss it. He took his time to spread her scent across his face. She winced and controlled herself from lashing out at him. It shocked Jonen as her shy demeanor quickly iced over in at the publicly affectionate orc. He watched the man’s hands run down her body as her eyes narrowed. The orc whispered something in her ear and pinned her hips against him. Her jaw set in irritation before she forced an exaggerated sigh.
“Bo,” She callously acknowledged him, “I told you that I was meeting my friend here tonight.”
Jonen watched the pair and understood that Val was right. Mira did not seem to enjoy the way his hands combed over her delicate curves and squeezed her against him. Bobabano didn’t appear to be as drunk as he acted. It seemed to be why he grabbed at her. His overly affectionate attitude seemed awkward against her stoic gaze.
“Ah yes,” He eyed Jonen as he wrapped his arms around her waist, “The halfling–”
“Do not call him that,” She interrupted him and threw his hands off her, “You know that is a slur. Mind your tongue.”
Jaspen gasped and gripped his brother’s shoulder. Many people looked down on the mixture of races, especially in the upper echelons of society. Orcs tended to view themselves as superior to half orcs and saw the other races as even weaker. It was why Agrowl thrived on thralls and battle. Only the strongest won.
“Yes, my mermiana,” He cleared his throat, “I apologize. I do not like sharing the attention of my lady.”
“I am not your lady,” Her icy words bit into the air around him, “I haven’t agreed to claim you. Let alone put up with this nonsense.”
“Yet here I am showering you with love and adoration,” He grinned proudly.
His dark eyes shot over to the half elf. Jonen blinked at the open hostility before he realized Mira must have talked about him to her new friends. He tried to stop the blush from rising on his cheeks.
“I didn’t ask you to do that,” She sad flatly.
“Shall you at least introduce me to your friends?” Bobabano looked between the elves and ignored her words, “Or shall they remain nameless?”
“Bobabano,” She motioned to the brothers, “This is Jaspen Devorte de Devorte. Eighth son of Lord Devorte of Vanora. This is his younger brother, Jonen Lafayette de Sfagroth. Both are sons of Lady Leveilleur de Devorte.”
“Leveilleur?” He rubbed the stubble on his chin, “The harpist?”
“The very same,” Jaspen shook Bobabano’s hand, “It is an honor to meet you, Captain Bobabano.”
“My cousin has a taste for music,” He grunted, “Perhaps we can arrange something between our tribe and your mother.”
“Cousin as in –” Jaspen’s eyes grew.
“Ravenna!” His voice boomed cover the ramblings of bar around them, “Come join us, cousin!”
The pink orc flinched at the heralding of her name. She sat down her empty glass and wove her way through the crowd from them. She twitched awkwardly to avoid the bustling environment she did not belong in. As she approached the group, she pushed her glasses up her nose and looked to her older cousin.
“I thought we were trying to be discreet, cousin,” She sighed and looked to the group, “Oh, you are the man from earlier, right?”
“This is Ravenna, first daughter of Queen Yteva,” Bo grunted to ignore her comment, “Ravenna, these are Mira’s friends: Jaspen and Jonen.”
“Oh, hello,” She raised her hand in a small wave.
“May I?” Jaspen reached for her hand.
She hesitated, “Yes?”
Jaspen forced his brother to kneel beside him, “Had we known we were meeting such an esteemed member of royalty, we would have prepared better gifts. Please accept my humble praises to your –”
“Please,” Ravenna pulled her hand back and waved them awkwardly, “There is no need for that. Just… Just treat me like a regular person, okay?”
“Ravenna does not like much attention,” Bobabano chuckled, “Much like my woman.”
“Bobabano was telling us how you like music?” Jonen looked to his brother, “Our mother is Leveilleur. My brother is a prodigy under her guidance.”
“I favor the lute,” He nodded, “But it would be an honor to play for you, Lady Ravenna.”
“That would be fantastic,” Ravenna looked between them and fiddled with her glasses, “Mother has not allowed any musicians in the main palace in some time. I wanted to learn myself, but she doesn’t believe it is a suitable hobby for me.”
“The moment you request it, I’ll throw away my entire schedule,” He grinned devilishly, “I couldn’t be happier to play for you. If there is time, I could even teach you some simpler songs.”
She smiled sheepishly, “Thank you, Lord Jaspen.”
“My mermiana,” Bo leaned to whisper to Mira, “When are we moving to our nightly plans?”
“Not until Amethyst has returned,” She shook her head.
“Care to join us for a drink, then? I’m curious how you have gained my lady’s attention,” He grunted at the men, “I hear she kissed you, even.”
Jonen froze. The man’s muscular, mossy green arms wrapped around her protectively as he glared down at him. Mira took a deep breath and tried not to tense at his touch. Bobabano did everything in his power to make her angry. She was almost sure of it.
“I would be honored,” Jaspen grinned, “Come, brother.”
Bo stood over a table of drinkers and grunted until they noticed him. He jerked a thumb to the side and the men moved from the table. He was at least a head taller than every other orc in the bar and nearly twice the size of any dwarf. His imposing size gave off an unspoken threat – much like Mira’s mana.
As Mira approached, Bo pulled a chair out from the table for her to sit. She deliberately walked past the chair and sat in another. Jonen moved to sit next to her, and Bo quickly sat on her other side.
“So,” Jonen cleared his throat, “How did you two meet?”
“She was a thrall when we first met in Agrowl,” Bo nodded before he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, “Now, she my esteemed mermiana.”
“What does that mean?” Jaspen tried to place the word, “I’m not as skilled in orcan as the other languages.”
“Mermaid,” Mira and Bo said at the same time.
“I see.”
“What changed your mind about her, then?” Jonen asked, “Especially since you tried to kill her a week ago.”
Bo frowned and glared at him.
“I was unfortunately unaware of her magnificence. She is the strongest creature to walk any land or sea,” He ran his fingers affectionately down her arm, “How could I resist? It's hard to keep my hands off her now.”
“She is?” Jaspen motioned to Mira, “No offense, Lady Mira. Jonen said you were skillful, but have you killed anyone before?”
“Yes.”
“One or two surely wouldn’t make you—”
“I do not attempt to count the number,” She replied coldly as she moved Bo’s hand off of her, “My former master had me… dispose of many people he did not like.”
Jaspen’s hand fell to the table, “Uh, well – I heard but didn’t want to assume –”
“Bobabano, please get us some drink,” Ravenna sat her glass down on the table with enough force to cut the tension, “I finished my last glass.”
“Yes, dear cousin,” He stood from the table and kissed the top of Mira’s head, “What would you like?”
Jonen felt that the orc tried to entice him to fight. He knew that Bo knew what he was doing. The two locked eyes and thought similarly of how they wanted to get the other away from her. Jonen looked at the stony expression on her face at the other man’s insistent touch. It made him smirk because they both knew she liked Jonen more.
“It will be on me, of course,” Bo twirled a lock of her hair between his fingers, “You know I can afford it.”
“Then go get them,” Mira narrowed her eyes, “You can order for me again. The last drink was too bitter.”
“My lady has a sweet tooth?” He chuckled as he turned away, “I’ll return shortly.”
“I apologize for him,” Mira shook her head, “Bobabano is… something.”
“He is just shocked about what you admitted in court this morning,” She chuckled, “He’s jealous. You haven’t said anything about him like that.”
“What did you say?” Jonen studied her, “I wasn’t allowed to join.”
“I spoke truthfully about what happened in Vimgraunt.”
The orc looked over to her cousin as he whistled to get the attention of the bartender. She shook her head and wondered why Mira didn’t tell him exactly what she said. Surely Jonen would appreciate her compliments.
Jonen cleared his throat, “Why would he be jealous of—”
Ravenna fidgeted with her glasses to interrupt him, “Do you think they would…?”
“Perhaps,” She drummed her fingers on the table, “Jaspen, Jonen… Ravenna is a Seer. Would either of you care for a reading?”
“Absolutely!” Jaspen enthusiastically nodded to change the subject, “I would like to know if I am getting a contract I bid for. Is that something you can see?”
“I see small passages of time. More, if I focus,” She placed her glasses on the table and looked to the elf.
Her cherry red eyes glazed black as her eyelids flickered. After a few moments she held her, eyes closed and explained the scene. The imagery settled into a strip of information she could share.
“I see a snowy elf with white hair and green eyes. He is wearing a tall hat and tailored suit. You are playing a lute in a band behind him. A letter arrives with a pressed flower. It’s a short note, but I cannot see what it says,” She hummed and searched through the next few images, “Besides that, you will be practicing a fair amount.”
“It sounds like I do get the job,” He grinned, “Please, do Jonen next.”
Ravenna took a deep breath and looked at Jonen. Bursts of images poured into her mind. Strong emotions showed themselves easily and she could read him like an open book. Ravenna filtered through to see what she could understand. His sword clashed against Bo’s in one scene. In the next, he caressed Mira’s face softly. He kissed the nape of her neck and whispered sweet somethings in her ear. In the next, his hand slid down her bare torso and pulled her into him. Mira nodded approvingly, and Jonen laid her on the bed beneath him. The next few more intimate scenes flashed before her eyes faster than she could stop them.
“Oh Goddess!” Ravenna blushed in embarrassment and quickly put her glasses back in place to stop the vision.
“What? Is it bad?” Mira worriedly between them, “Is something going to harm him?”
“No no no no no,” She replaced her glasses on her face and took a calming breath, “No! No, all fine!”
“What is it?” Jonen asked, “Please, tell me.”
“Are you joining the tournament?” She cleared her throat.
“I plan to.”
“You will likely face my cousin in battle,” Ravenna looked directly at the suddenly interesting pattern the wood grain on the table.
“Ravenna,” Mira lowered her voice and leaned in, “What else?”
“Do you remember some of those books I had on the ship?” She hoped Mira would not make her say it out loud.
“Yes?”
Ravenna cleared her throat softly and circled her hand in the air to express what she couldn’t saw in words.
“The ones you study with…?” Mira furrowed her brow before she realized and relaxed, “Oh. I see.”
She blinked the images from her mind, “He will be perfectly fine.”
A deep, burning redness crossed her cheeks. She hadn’t read the books but knew what they generally contained. She did not own Jonen’s attention, but she hoped Ravenna’s vision involved her in some small way.
“What made you so nervous, Ravenna?” Bobabano set the glasses on the table.
“Nothing!” Her and Mira replied at the same time.
He eyed them suspiciously before he looked to the elves. Ravenna’s hands flew to cover her face as her cousin pestered her with questions.
“We have as much understanding as you do,” Jonen shrugged and took the ale in his hands, “Ravenna just read me.”
“I think I understand,” Jaspen looked between the women before he patted his brother’s back, “If I may be so bold to suggest that someone will be jealous?”
“Yes,” Ravenna grabbed her drink, “That is the politest way to describe it.”
Mira took a sip of her own drink as another orc across the bar caught her attention. Amethyst nodded once to confirm Mira’s unspoken question.
“It seems we will have to leave,” Bobabano clocked the older orc.
“Lord Jaspen, it was wonderful to meet you,” Mira placed her hand over Jonen’s for only a moment, “Jonen, I do not think we will be able to meet until after the tournament begins.”
“What?” He frowned, “Why?”
“I have some business that I cannot attend to while you are here. I do not want to risk your livelihood,” She smiled softly, “Please, have a wonderful night.”
“How can I when I’ve only seen you this much?” He wished the words never escaped his lips until he saw her smile, “Perhaps we can spend some time together, just the two of us?”
She bit her lower lip and thought of the implications of Ravenna’s vision, “I would like that.”
“You are supposed to be at my side while we are here,” Bo grunted, “Not flaunting about with some boy.”
“Be respectful to my friend. Jonen is not a child. Neither am I,” She stood and glared up at him, “I will remind you... You do not own me. I do not need your permission.”
He frowned, “I told the queen of this country that I wouldn’t leave you unattended. I intend to take that seriously.”
Jonen cleared his throat, “I don’t want to get in the way if there is something –”
“No,” Mira said as Bo said, “Yes.”
Bo grabbed her face and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Mira, why are you doing this? Can you at least –”
“I only came here to see him,” She frowned, “You promised you would be fine with it.”
“Come, let’s get on with our business,” He kissed her forehead and peered at Jonen, “We have a date, after all.”