LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND

“Iris Stuart,” Helda, the telv innkeeper, said in an incredulous tone. Her stern gaze bore into Iris as she leaned over the counter.

“Yes, Miss Helda?” Iris replied, her voice sweet and light, masking the exhaustion underneath.

Around them, the interior of the inn was warm and inviting, the crackling hearth casting long, dancing shadows on the worn wooden floor. The hearty aroma of stew filled the air, tempting their senses and reminding her just how long it had been since their last warm meal.

Okay, maybe only a few days… But still. I’m hungry.

Helda gestured vaguely towards the stables. “What's this I hear about an owlbear, of all things, being in my stables?” she asked. “My poor stableboy ran to me screaming. The poor boy is terrified.” Her tone was somewhere between exasperated and unamused.

Iris shrugged nonchalantly. “That would be Laken's new, uh, friend.”

Of course, his dumb [Ranger] path would give him a cheat ability that let him form a bond with an animal. And of course, they would find a badass animal that he could conveniently save.

“Did you ride through the night to get back?” Iris nodded, and the innkeeper sighed. Helda pointed a thumb at Akane, who was awkwardly shifting from foot to foot. “And what's the story with her?”

Iris sighed. “She's upset that I scolded her for being... uh, irresponsible.”

Helda's eyes lit up with mirth as she let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, that's rich!” she exclaimed, slapping the counter in amusement. The innkeeper then turned her attention to Akane. “Come along, dear, let's get you something to drink. You look like you could use it.”

Akane let out a joyful yip, perking up at the mention of a drink. Helda raised an eyebrow and scowled at her. “None of that yipping, girl. We're inside.”

The telv innkeeper turned her gaze back to Iris. “Get some food in you, then go relax in a bath. Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll have one of the girls fill up a tub for you. Oh and Iris? We'll need to talk later,” she said more seriously. “Especially if you speak to Neri.”

With a promise to converse later hanging in the air, the innkeeper led Akane away while Iris turned her attention to the rest of her group, scanning the ragtag bunch of adventurers with a thoughtful gaze.

Gryff glanced around the room before shrugging and declaring with an air of finality, “I'm going to take a long bath.” His voice was gruff but held an undertone of relief.

Iris quirked an eyebrow at Gryff, curious about the sudden decision. Before she could comment, however, Kaira gently grabbed her arm, pulling her attention away. The elf wore a soft smile as she said, “Let's get a drink, Iris. I think we both could use it.”

With a shrug, Iris gave her agreement and locked her eyes on Bree. “You coming with us?”

The sun elf medic smiled and nodded. “Of course! Lead the way.”

The three women made their way into the tavern area of the inn, instantly hit with the familiar hubbub of the tavern–the clatter of mugs, laughter and murmured conversations, the smell of ale and Helda’s rich stew.

That shit is so good.

Iris’s arm was held by Kaira as the shorter woman led her on, and behind them, Bree followed, her vibrant energy evident in her every movement.

The moment the three women entered the tavern, the strumming of a lute accompanied by a robust singing voice filled the air. Bree's eyes lit up at the sound, a wide grin splitting her face.

“Oh, I'll catch up with you two later!” she declared, her excitement palpable. Without another word, she pranced off, moving towards the source of the music– a telv man expertly plucking at the strings of his lute. His rich voice filled the air, singing a jaunty tune that had patrons tapping their feet and clapping in rhythm.

Watching Bree disappear into the crowd, Iris and Kaira exchanged amused glances, the two women chuckling, before moving to a table and settling down across from each other.

Just as Iris and Kaira were beginning to unwind, a figure approached their table. Neri, a young telv with strawberry blonde hair, bounded over with her apron flapping behind her, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Instead of taking their order as they had expected, the girl slipped into the chair next to Iris.

“Iris! I've been waiting for you to come back!” Neri exclaimed, her voice filled with barely-contained enthusiasm.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Iris blinked in surprise, shooting Kaira a bemused look before turning back to Neri. “Why's that, Neri?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

Before the young barmaid could answer, a sudden clinking sound silenced the tavern. All heads turned to the source of the noise–a small object, presumably a glass, was bouncing on the wooden floor.

Clink.

Clink…

On its third bounce, it shattered loudly, causing a hush to fall over the room.

“You've had two shots! Are you seriously already drunk?” Helda's voice rang out, filled with exasperation.

An offended yip echoed from the other side of the room. Iris sighed, recognizing Akane's voice.

A man’s voice shot through the silence. “Sh-She has tails! What is she?!”

Shit. That’s my cue.

Before she could get up, Helda's voice rang out again.

“So what? And you're going to have a lump on your damn head if you say another rude word you nit. She's my customer, you treat her with respect,” Helda barked.

Neri let out a hesitant chuckle, her eyes darting from Iris to the scene across the room. “Let me... Go help clean that up. Don't go anywhere!” she quickly excused herself, standing up and hurrying towards the commotion.

“I won't,” Iris assured her, turning back to Kaira as the chatter in the room slowly picked up again, and the musician tentatively started the melody once more.

Iris shook her head, a small smile on her face. Life certainly wasn't dull with that Kitsune around.

Kaira, a look of amused bewilderment on her face, turned back to Iris. “Well, that was eventful,” she remarked with a chuckle, shaking her head. “Where were we?”

Iris shrugged, a wry smile on her face. “Ales, I believe?" she suggested. “And stew! Helda’s is so good.”

A twinkle sparked in Kaira's eyes as she nodded, lifting a hand to flag down another server. “Ah, yes. Ales indeed,” she agreed, an impish grin on her face. “I'm in dire need of something strong and cold.”

As they ordered their drinks and food, the noise in the tavern slowly returned to its usual volume, the shattered glass incident fading into the past as quickly as it had happened.

Iris glanced over to where Akane was now seated, a fresh drink in her hand, and Helda standing protectively by her side, daring anyone to say a word. Iris couldn't help but chuckle to herself, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Never a dull moment, huh?” she muttered, earning a hearty laugh from Kaira. This was just another day in the life of Iris Stuart, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

As she happily dug into her food and drink, the strumming of the lute-like instrument filled the air as another song began. Iris and Kaira had been deep in conversation, but the opening chords caused them to pause, their attention drawn to the singer in the corner of the room. Bree, the [Bard], her voice a blend of boldness and mirth as she told everyone to listen close for she had a true tale to tell.

“In the heart of the fray, 'neath the storm-lit sky,” Bree sang, her voice strong and clear. “Came a warrior mare, her courage held high. Dark as espresso, with mane of frothy foam, Against an axe-wielding dwarf, she did roam.”

Iris blinked, a smile tugging at her lips as she listened to the lyrics. “Is she... is she singing about Mocha? I only told her one time what the name meant!”

Kaira chuckled. “She is. Your horse is a hero in her own right, it seems.”

“Mocha, our heroine, sword clutched in her maw,” Bree continued. “Danced through the chaos, in awe we all saw. The dwarf strong and brutal, a fearsome sight, yet 'gainst our brave mare, he lost the fight.”

Laughter bubbled from Iris as she shook her head. “That's ridiculous. And amazing.”

“One mighty swipe, the sword found its mark, a blow so true, it extinguished his spark. His body fell, his head rolled in the dirt, A silent testament to Mocha's assert.”

“Ridiculous, yes. But you have to admit, she paints a vivid picture,” Kaira said, grinning as she swirled the ale in her mug.

“Then she forsook the blade, a new foe in sight, Jonan the poacher, filled with spite. Spells he hurled, a torrent of earthen might, Yet Mocha danced on, lit by starlight,” Bree's voice took on a dramatic tone as she sang, her audience, including Iris and Kaira, hanging on to every word.

Iris clapped her hands in glee, the image of Mocha taking on the poacher while Iris fought to get out of the man’s spell was too comical to ignore. “I can't wait to tell her she's a tavern hero.”

Plus, she did save my ass by distracting him long enough.

Thankfully, Bree spared Iris the embarrassment of her getting her ass kicked because she reacted too slowly.

“Pranced and weaved, she did with grace, dodging magic, in this deadly chase. With hooves of fury, she claimed her space, And made Jonan taste her equine embrace.”

“You should have seen her, Iris,” Kaira said. “Mocha was amazing, and I only managed to catch a small portion.”

Iris shook her head. “I was uhh a little busy.”

Kaira gave Iris a small smile and gently pat her hand as Bree continued her song after a short lute solo. “As the thunder goddess, her power restored, could rise once more, her lightning soared. The poacher fell, his magic ignored, victory for Mocha, our mare adored,” Bree finished with a flourish, laughter, and applause filling the room.

Iris and Kaira joined in, clapping and laughing along with the rest of the patrons, and she had to admit, being called the thunder goddess felt good. Yeah, I have the body of a goddess! She glanced at Kaira. Well, one of us does…

Bree, meanwhile, took a bow before launching into the next song, leaving the tale of the brave mare behind. But for Iris, the image of her beloved horse helping to take on the earthbender with her would forever be etched in her mind, a symbol of their own absurd, yet triumphant, journey.