Riley appearing on the horizon.
“Hey, Evie.” My exaggerated wave causing her pace to quicken.
“Lucy!” Hugging me with all her might. “It's so good to see you.”
“Yeah it's,” my voice catching, “it's really great to see you.”
“Did you get shorter?” Her shit eating grin momentarily making me regret my words. “But seriously, I was getting really worried, when I came here earlier in the cycle you weren't here.”
“I'm off two, four and five.”
“And I've got one and three,” she says, disappointment evident. A second later the girl perking up. “Wait, so you and Kate are off on four, and Jack mentioned he was off then, too. I'll see if I can submit a request for a permanent day change. There're a lot of people still getting situated so it shouldn't be a problem. Only paperwork, and hopefully I can get it slid through.”
“Lucy, Evie. Good morning.” Wolfe arriving only a handful of steps behind Riley. Joining our group.
“So what's on the agenda for the morning?” says Riley, “Jack is out on patrol until late afternoon, but until then I'm all yours.”
“I was thinking about heading outside the gates. Manticores.”
“Outside?” Wolfe balks. “I don't think so, not after yesterday. Evie isn't getting off that easy.”
“What'd you do yesterday?”
“Oh, you'll see.”
***
“Thank God,” says Riley, trying to still be upset, but too visibly relieved at finally getting back above ground for it to be completely genuine. “I need a bath, like, right now, and maybe I should burn these clothes instead of having them cleaned. Kate, I still can't believe I let you talk me into-” Riley's pent up tirade being stopped cold by Wolfe's single, grime covered finger. Patting her nose and painting it. “You bitch! Okay, stop it! I'm sorry!” Riley peeking through her fingers to make sure, then dropping her guard when Wolfe decided not to escalate. “As a silver lining,” she says, “I'm glad we get to deal with stuff like that and not something you'd feel sorry for. As far as I'm concerned we're doing the world a service putting those things down.”
Heading over to the bathhouse, handing over our clothing and then going for a soak.
“So, Kate, how are you sleeping?”
Wolfe pretending she didn't hear, staring off into space.
“She's probably sleeping like a baby,” says Riley. “That spell she used a few times down there, that squiggly white ripple, is something else. I don't know if you saw her fire it off from where were standing, but it, like, bends the air, and when it hits them, well, I assume you saw what happens. All I've gotten recently is something to help me talk loud, and something to conjure holy water.”
“Drinkable?”
“It-” the girl glancing around. “-is. It's not busy in here so I doubt anyone is going to mind.” Cupping her hands and whispering a soft chant. A pea sized water droplet appearing, floating above her hands. Within a few seconds the small drop of water expanding to reach bowling ball sized proportions. “Try some. It's pure.”
Wolfe leaning over and taking a drink. Leaning over and doing the same. Ice cold, straight from a mountain stream. Pure, she said, and it tastes like it. This has to be what Shaker-
Riley, with a giggle, throwing the icy water in my face.
“You bitch!” Dunking my head under the warm water and then countering with a splash. Escalating enough to earn looks of disapproval from the other people in the bath. Getting out and then changing back into our newly cleaned clothes.
“So, for lunch,” says Wolfe, “Red Lion?”
“Nah, getting tired of that place.”
“How about that place we were at a couple times last cycle?” says Riley. “That was really good.”
“The place with the curry? That'd be- oh, that actually reminds me. Evie, Kate has already declined, but I was wondering if you'd be interested in going on an expedition.”
“An expedition to where?”
“The desert.”
“The desert?” Very unamused. “No. Lucy, being in here is supposed to be my time off, and I don't mind putting up with you - when in reasonable doses - but after doing what we did today I'm going to try to exercise some better judgement. The absolute last thing I want to do - okay, the second to last thing after ever going down there, again - would be going out to some desert and playing around in the sand.”
“Kate, that level of honesty is something we should both aspire to.”
“No kidding.” Wolfe honestly impressed.
Riley glancing back and forth between us, trying to figure out if we were secretly making fun of her, but then deciding it wasn't important and waving it off.
Sitting at the restaurant at an outdoor table, food having just been delivered in front of us. Pints placed in front of me and Riley, with tea for Wolfe.
“Kate, it's well past noon, you're making me feel like an alcoholic.”
“There's no point,” she says. “I knew something was going on, but last night I finally realized what. Matt and I split a bottle of wine at dinner, and nothing happened. It turns out I can't get drunk. Always on regeneration means I'm basically immune to alcohol.”
“My condolences. That's miserable. There are alternatives, if you're interested.”
“Not that worried about it at the moment.”
“I'm just saying, and just so you know.”
“Not a concern.” Starting on her food.
“So this thing you're going to the desert for,” says Riley, “why're you doing it?”
“It's some caravan route. There's a big group heading out this time around. The spices in this curry are from out there.”
“The spices... who are you going out there with?
“Ishtar.”
“Ishtar? Really? You should reconsider. I went a couple days ago with some people from the temple to House Ishtar's shrine. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting.”
“I was there the other day. I've seen their thing.”
“You did? Then you should- oh, neither of you can hear them, can you? The gods. Their voices. Honestly, I don't even know if I should call them gods, even if that's what they allegedly are.” Shaking my head, and Wolfe, with evident relief after seeing me do so, shaking hers, as well. “The ritual I attended at Ishtar was rather, how should I put it, uninhibited. I bailed out partway.”
“Ishtar's thing isn't worse than a number of the others. Which one are you going to choose, anyway?”
“Still shopping around.” Taking a drink and gesturing with her halfway empty mug. “A couple of the ones I've talked to at the temple seem alright, I guess. Wyrmsblood also invited us to see some holy sites next cycle in the mountains up north. After seeing Ishtar's shrine I'm not sure if I want to go.”
“You should. I mean, you said it yourself, they're not all like Ishtar's. I don't really know exactly what you're dealing with, but when you do decide on one just make sure to pick one that's not too annoying. Ishtar's patron has issues, but I can't imagine it's terribly demanding.”
“Not demanding?” Finishing her mug and putting it down. “I don't know the precise demands, but the ritual made it abundantly clear what behavior she expects from her followers. And in public, nonetheless.” Studying the bottom of her empty mug before meeting my eyes. “But I guess you're not necessarily wrong, they all seem to require something. Promise me that you're going to be careful if you're going with them.”
“I will. I promise.”
“How long are you going to be out there, anyway?”
“Three full cycles.”
“Three? That's a long time.” The girl chewing on her lip. “You are planning on coming back, right?”
That had been one of my backup plans. Skip town entirely, maybe keep heading west and start over completely somewhere else. The other side of the desert, or past that. Avoid the sword hanging over my head entirely and get as far away as possible. Away from Shaker and away from everyone here.
“Without a doubt.”
“I'll hold you to that. I'm also expecting a souvenir.”
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“Evie, you're really something, you know that?”
“It's to make sure you come back.”
“So... you want me to bring you a pile of sand?”
“I mean,” she says, getting flustered, “you're not just going to be trudging around in the desert, right? What are you even thinking?”
“No, I'm going to Tasnanca, whatever that is. Either an outpost or a city. Initially I assumed it was a merchant outpost, but now I'm thinking it's bigger than that. The only reason I even know the name of the place is because of these.” Pulling out one of the disjuncted pebbles. “That right, Kate, I've got your cut from yesterday.” Digging into another pouch and counting out four gold.
“Were you guys out all day?” says Riley.
“Nah, apparently those ugly things down there are worth quite a bunch. And today, with all three of us, disjuncting only those things, and with the newt skins on top, we may have done very well for ourselves.”
***
The bell on the door at Ink's Charms jingling at our entrance. The child sitting at the front desk hopping off his chair.
“Hey lady, welcome back,” he says. “I'll get my Mom.” Wandering to the side room. “Moooom.”
Ink coming in a couple minutes later, with an envelope in hand.
“I really appreciate you doing me this favor,” she says. “It's a delivery for my brother. I don't mean to spread gossip, but he went head over heels for some painted skank almost a decade back and they eloped to one of the villages nearby. The whole business really ruffled some family feathers so a couple months later they ended up leaving the Empire altogether. Last I heard, a few years back, he was running a shop like this one in Tasnanca. It's a family talent, you might say.”
“What are you sending him?”
“He may be something of a black sheep, but he's still my brother, so a letter, and you.”
“Me?”
“Family helps family. When you get in I'm sure you're going to have a number of those.” Pointing to the pouch of stones in my hand. “He can help you turn them into something a little more worthwhile. And for the trip, here's your payment up front. ” The woman holding out a simple, silver chain necklace. “It'll keep you from feeling the heat - at least not quite so much - and the cold, too. It helps regulate your temperature. To an extent.”
“That seems like a bit much for a letter.”
“This thing? A customer ordered it sometime back and never bothered to pick it up, so it's been sitting in a drawer. Better with you, I figure.”
“You made that?” says Riley, breaking in.
“Yes, that's what I do,” says Ink. “And your friend - really all three of you, since you've been helping her - has been extremely helpful for clearing up my backlog of client requests. If that necklace helps her, it helps me, and my brother gets a letter. I probably come out the most ahead in the whole exchange.”
“Well, Ink, if you say so. I graciously accept. Now, for these.” Opening the pouch and carefully pouring the sixteen black stones onto the counter.
“More of these?” The woman picking one up. “These are interesting. Based on the properties I'd imagine you got them from down below. Or possibly the graveyard. Near the graveyard. They don't have quite enough necrotic energy to be from there, directly. When you get back I'd appreciate you making some trips into there.”
“I'll have to negotiate something with Wrymsblood. They're not going to appreciate me trespassing on their turf.”
“I might be able to smooth things over,” she says, “or we'll come up with something. For payment, one oh five each, so let me get you another bank note.”
Riley letting out an astonished gasp.
***
Standing in the bank lobby, today's cut in hand. Just under eight gold.
“A fine!?” Riley practically yelling. “Whaddya mean I've got a fine?”
“Surely you remember,” says the teller, “it was only a couple days ago. Assault with a deadly weapon, on the streets of the guild district, against one of your compatriots. The fine is three hundred silver.”
“You're talking about-” Riley pursing her lips and then flicking her hair. “That guy deserved it.”
“Ms. Riley,” says the teller, “that sort of behavior is not acceptable within city limits. Additionally, there is the matter of your unpaid citizenship fees. Five hundred silver. Because of your status we are granting leniency for the next few months, but those need to be paid by the end of the year.”
“Yeah, yeah, take my blood,” she grumbles. “I'll deposit four and keep what's left.”
“Certainly,” says the teller. “The current balance of your account is seven hundred eighty two silver. Thank you for banking with us.”
“Can you believe these people?” The girl, fuming, stomping over.
“Par for the course. Don't let it get to you.”
Wolfe coming over from her teller, exuding much less storm and fury, but also visibly upset.
“They get you, too?” says Riley.
“They said I had a fine.”
“What'd they get you with?”
“Loitering. There's this really beautiful spot on the pier that I've sat at a couple times. It's right by the harbor master's office - I found it when I was delivering packages - there's a bench there and everything. When Matt left for work this morning it woke me up and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I got up early and watched the sun come up. It's a great shot of the bay, you can see them loading and unloading the ships. The fine is twenty five silver.”
“Loitering? Kate, that's not even a charge. But don't let it get to you, twenty five is nothing.”
“I guess,” she says, still downcast. “Hold on, did you both get fines? What did they charge you with?”
“Five counts of assault, one with a deadly weapon.”
“That sounds like you.” Riley giving me a pat on the back.
“Five counts of assault?” says Wolfe. “A deadly weapon? Lucy, they're going to put you in jail.”
“Over that? That's piddly stuff. All they care about is getting their money. You start racking up assault charges and I guarantee you'll never see a loitering charge ever again. They're not going to bother making up stuff like that.”
“That's because I'll be loitering in jail.”
Riley starting to crack up.
“Kate, you're worrying about something you shouldn't. Seriously. Listen, even if they keep hitting you with loitering charges, don't let those fucks stop you from sitting there. You not doing that anymore is how they win. And then they'll get you with something else.”
“I guess.” Wolfe sighing, then her attention snapping to Riley. “You seem very nonchalant. What was your charge?”
“Assault with a deadly weapon.” Shrugging. Ho hum.
“With a deadly weapon. A couple of hardened criminals; that's who I'm hanging around.”
“Yeah, whatever, Kate. Sure they got us for assault, but at least we weren't loitering. I'm sorry, miss, that's public property, only fit to be shit on by the gulls.” Riley giving a snort of laughter. “You see us in irons? You see us being hauled away? I've said it before, and I'll say it again: you're worrying too much. Fines are the most natural part of quote unquote, 'civilized living', so accept they're gonna happen, and then choose to live how you please.”
The girl penned in by my smiling face on one side, and Riley's smiling face on the other. Letting out another huge sigh. “Okay, I'll try.”
“Kate,” says Riley, after we left the bank and are starting to go our separate directions, “something you said just clicked.” Wolfe turning back, puzzled. “You were loitering over by that bench this morning, right?”
“Matt just disappeared and it woke me-” The girl's face going red and a hand shooting up to cover her mouth.
“Yeah, busted,” says Riley. “After everything you said about wanting to go slow with him, and already the next day you're doing the deed.”
“Well, um...” Wolfe's hands not sure where they should go. Getting tangled. “It's not like we're actually,” bumping her index fingers together a couple times, “you know? But, like,” fingers fluttering, “you know? I am still trying to take it slow, but, like, he's a guy, you know?”
“Kate, I'm only teasing. That's a wonderful reaction. I'm glad I set you two up. Lucy, how'd your date go?”
“We didn't click. Not after what happened.”
“That's fair.” Riley catching my vibe and dropping the topic immediately. Her eyes sliding all the way to the side. Then back. “Hey, I gotta run. Lucy, are you sure you really want to go with Ishtar? Is there anything I can say to talk you out of it?”
“I'm going”
“Fine, I guess, and Ink did give that letter, too.” Pulling me in for a hug. “Please be careful.” Releasing me, already back to her usual, cheerful self. “And don't forget to bring me back something nice. Kate, I'll see you later.”
Wolfe mumbling something as Riley hurried off.
“Kate?”
“Do you think I'm a bad person?” The girl's head down and eyes crawling across the cobblestones.
“Compared to me, you're a saint.”
Her dour expression morphing into a full blown frown. A beat later, without warning, the girl latching on and hugging me for all she's worth.
“I think I'm going to miss you more than I thought,” she says. “You told me you were leaving yesterday, but now it's really hitting home. I don't want any souvenirs, I'm not expecting anything, so just make sure you come back.”
“I will, even if I have to crawl the entire way back across the desert.”
“I hope you don't have to go that far.”
“Yeah, me too.”
***
“For the desert?” says the cobbler, stroking his mustache. “I'd think lighter tread than your current pair. More breathable, but similar height. How about in a light brown?”
“Sounds good, I'll be here to pick them up at seven in the morning, three days from now.”
“More than enough time, they'll be ready.”
Handing over the money and then going to the clothing store.
“Desert gear?” says the woman. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Okay. For color, something to blend in, so tan, probably. I need a bandanna, a shirt similar to what I'm wearing - the pockets on this one are invaluable - and then pants and a cloak. This current set is really comfortable, so hopefully something as good as this.”
“I won't need to treat the material to be as waterproof, so it'll probably be better. What's your budget? You seem to be moving back up in the world.”
“For this I was thinking no more than three, including two more sets of underclothes and socks. Oh, and gloves. I need the gloves today, if you have 'em, and a couple pieces of spider's silk and a higher quality needle. I guess with that I'll say four. Then I need to upgrade this pack,” beaten, waterlogged on more than one occasion, and frayed, “this thing has gone beyond its limit.”
“Style?”
“Functional, but don't make it ugly. I've got to walk around wearing this stuff.”
“I'll see what I can do,” she laughs. “For six I'll deal with your pack situation, and the clothing. It'll be sturdy and light and, most importantly, not ugly.”
“Deal.” Shaking on it and handing over six gold coins.
“You will not regret it, the material is divine.” Turning to head toward the exit, but her voice calling out again, “Ms. Macarthy?” Turning back. “I just wanted to say you look much better.”
“I- thank you, I guess. What are you talking about?”
“Well,” the woman hesitating, “you were something of a fright the very first time you walked into my shop. I can still see it, a little, if I really look for it - the smallest hint of an aura that blends in with your people's ordinary glow.” Squinting. “But barely anything, now. You seem to be doing much better and I'm glad to see it.”