“All right, well just … I dunno. Tell ‘em to be careful.” Kesla sighs and looks round at the rest of us for a moment while Tulen dips her chin again with a somewhat cowed expression, nervous now. Clearly she don’t like being messenger for potentially bad new, or maybe it’s just Kesla’s sudden agitation’s getting her worked up too. Our leader’s not long making that connection herself, her own face softening a touch as she sucks in a quick, hissing breath. “Shit … sorry. It’s just … after the other night –”

“I understand.” Tulen mostly just mutters it, still looking down, but after taking a breath of her own she raises her head again. “I’m worried too. I’d just as soon we could have all stayed together for this. They think they can handle it, but …” She falters and looks so lost now.

Shifting Trampler a little closer now, Kesla reaches out as best she can and gives Tulen’s shoulder a good squeeze. Reckon she’d have preferred a hug, but under the circumstances that ain’t too practical. “If Shay reckons they’re good, they probably are. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, an’ she’s been doing that kinda stuff almost long as I have.” She lets go at last, and Trampler snorts a little as he gives a couple little hoof-stomps and backs up a few feet again. Getting restless, looks like. Reading the mood.

Nodding, Tulen pauses for a moment, thoughtful, then finally lowers her head again as she closes her eyes and folds her hands together again. “I’ll tell them to be careful.” she breathes, mostly to herself, before falling silent as she must begin her communication again.

Giving Trampler a little pat on his neck to try and calm him, Kesla looks round again, but this time looks like she’s scanning our surrounds. I don’t blame her, I been doing the same since we stopped here in the middle of the street because I’m fully expecting us to get beset by a patrol of townsguard any minute. Or worse, maybe Terrors. I mean most of us definitely don’t belong here, gods know we been drawing enough stares from those passers-by we’ve encountered.

When this intriguing Lady Naru suggested our group go see one of the people she trusts in the local nobility for an in, I figured this meant we’d be returning to Redarra House. Sure, that’d mean another trip up the Hill and we’d probably have to suffer more well-hidden distrust and insults from the Terrors, but at least we could be reasonably sure we wouldn’t get pestered about being up there. Certainly I was ready to follow her, but then she’s real intriguing, I can’t stop checking her out every opportunity I get, even though I know it’s starting to get on Kesla’s nerves. Maybe that’s part of the charm there …

But no, turns out we’re doing this on the downlow, and that means taking a step or two off the beaten path. So not long after crossing the river, we took one of the smaller, more twisting roads up into the residential parts of the various estates and gated communities that sprawl their way up the hill, climbing uncomfortably high for me now. Ain’t so much I don’t know the place, I been to these corners of the city before, but never in the bright light of day. Usually it was with a small gang of fellow prowlers on a break-in …

Instead we’re riding in full view of the residents under the bright light of the afternoon sun, and even if we are being led by a very obvious member of Rundao nobility it’s clear most of the rest of us shouldn’t be within a mile of this neighbourhood. MY only hope would be that some of ‘em hopefully think we’re just her bodyguards, but if we keep sitting here like this I doubt the effect’ll last. Not least while we got a bloody golem at the back of our group.

“Chill, Art.” Kesla says to me after a moment, clearly seeing right through me now. “We’ll get going in a minute.”

“Yeah, well this place in the daylight gives me all kinds o’ creeps.” I grit my teeth as I cast about again. All I can see is security walls and sculpted hedges, with large, opulent buildings rising beyond ‘em that ain’t seen so much as a speck of soot or grime touch their walls since they were built, probably. Lots of big glass windows to show off the owners’ excellent fortunes, plenty of space to roam within the grounds too. The cobbles in the roads themselves ain’t worn smooth from years, maybe centuries of wear, here they’ve been carefully set so they’ll be as level and unobtrusive to carriage wheels and the hooves of noble steeds as possible. Even the pavements are surprisingly clean, with nary a crack in sight. There are even little ornamental bushes set in strategic places along their lengths, and wooden benches for folk to sit on.

Hell, just a block back I saw a middle-aged woman and a small child, couldn’t have been more’n five years old, sat on one of ‘em in all their rich finery, and they had a paper bag between ‘em they were scooping handfuls of crumbed bread out of. A small but enthusiastic flock of pigeons and sundry other birds had gathered at their feet and were enthusiastically pecking away at the crumbs as the two tossed them to the ground. Seeing that … gods, it made me feel sick to my stomach. There’s families down in the Drumhalt can’t even afford a half-stale loaf to feed their kids and here these rich people can just throw it away to have some weird experiential interaction with nature? It took all I had in me not to spit on the pavement as we rode past, and I could tell Kesla was thinking the same thing.

A piercing cry echoes from somewhere a little further round the corner where we’re heading, and it sets my nerves on edge as much as anything else. Ain’t the first time I heard that today, but I really was hoping I wouldn’t. More’n one sneaky heist job in my time’s been proper fucked when one of us had the bad luck to run into one of these estates’ pet peacocks, and it’s given me a fierce hatred for the damned things.

Giving in to a little shudder despite the lingering warmth in the air, I shoot a cautious look to Lady Naru. “Um … ma’am, apologies, but … how much further we gonna be going?”

The impossibly beautiful woman turns her brilliant blue eyes my way and I swear part of me just goes right away when they make contact with mine. “Not far now, we’ve only another block to go. I’ve sent word ahead, so we’re expected.”

Through the corner of my eye I notice Kesla cocking a brow at that, and I gotta shoot her a look in return. Ain’t sure how I’m s’posed to feel about that, and it clearly bothers her too.

Then Tulen looks up again, clearing her throat as she loosens her fingers and takes up her reins again. “All right, that’s done. They’re going in now. Hopefully we … um, won’t be getting a call right away. If it goes right. I don’t know.” She winces a little, seemingly lost again.

“They’ll be fine.” Kesla renews her reassurance, although she don’t seem much more convinced herself now. I find myself gripping the reins in my hand a little tighter than I’d like right now myself, and I have to make myself loosen each paw in turn.

“Yes, I’m sure of it.” Lady Naru’s silky, honeyed words seem to carry more weight, I find. “I’m sure it will go perfectly smoothly for them.”

“Really? Way our luck’s been going lately?” The words are out before I can stop ‘em, and I don’t blame Kesla in the slightest for the daggers she glares right at me now. Tulen mostly just looks crestfallen again, but maybe there’s a little annoyance too. “Shit … sorry, I didn’t mean that. Just ignore me.”

“Look, there’s nothing we can do ‘bout it right now, anyway.” Kesla finally growls, wheeling Trampler around a little now. “We got our own job to do, best get to it. Tulen, you good?”

For a moment it seems she won’t answer, but then the young wizard finally blinks and turns back, frowning a little. “Um … yes. I am. Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Kesla sighs, and this time she doesn’t look back our way. “C’mon, anyway. Let’s get this done.”

Lady Naru doesn’t seem to need any more convincing, she simply turns Tandy too and gives her the gentlest little nudge to set her walking again. Gael insisted before we part ways, when it was decided we’d need our mounts for this, that her da’s friend take her horse, and it seems to have been a good choice. Seems the young mare’s already really taken to the sorcerer. Or maybe it’s just a magic thing.

Whatever it is, we fall in behind her quick enough, but then reckon most of us just want this over as much as I do. Dumoli’s clearly not that comfortable on his own mount, but then I suspect he’s more used to smaller horses. Unfortunately when we were trying to get hold of a decent mount that could manage his solid dwarven weight and gear all they had for rent at the Iron Shark that could do the job was an older but still strong draughthorse. It was something of a process just getting him into the saddle, and gods know what we’re gonna do when he has to mount up again after we’re done. As it is he looks small and more’n a little lost up there on that big muscular swayback.

That being said, the horse is amenable enough, and he’s clearly accustomed enough to being in the saddle, it’s just the proportions and situation that are vexing him right now. That being said, don’t reckon he’s enjoying being separated from his friends either right now, but Kesla insisted he come along with us rather than join ‘em, and I suspect it’s mostly down to him needing to finish recovering from the other night first. She was probably thinking the same thing about me when she kept me close too.

Shay, on the other hand … yeah, her letting Shay take the lead with the others was a bit of a surprise. I know she seems like she’s back to her old self, but I don’t know how convinced I really am. I know Kesla’s been musing on it herself since. Worrying if she really made the right choice there. So I give my filly, Silky, a little more lead and catch up with her now as she follows close behind our fancy new guide.

That being said, I’m a minute or two coming up with what to say about it, and I can tell she’s growing tense having me ride alongside her now, like she knows I’m about to open a can of worms on her. So before she can turn and rag me out for it, I just blunder ahead with whatever words I can scrape together. “So, boss … Shay leading the other group, that’s … y’know …” I have to grimace when I just come up short.

“She’s good, she’s fine. Gael’s with her, they wouldn’t have left her side.” Her jaw works hard as she’s clearly grinding her teeth, and I know I’m right about what’s really working on her now.

“Yeah, you’re real convincing about that one, clearly.” I try not to wince when it clicks what I just said, but it’s too late to take it back now.

Kesla just gives me the coldest sidelong glare she’s capable of. “Thel needs a strong hand right now, looks like. We want that boy alive, right? Shay’ll make sure she don’t just stove his head in like she was itching to all this past week.”

Yeah, she’s got a point there. But … “You’re still scared Shay ain’t all the way back yet. I mean she only just proper woke up again this morning, right? Don’t sound that great to me.”

“Thel will watch out for her.” I’m a little surprised to find Dumoli ridden up on my other side now, and I realise I’m kind of getting thrown into shadow now riding between these two massive mounts. “I’ll admit, she can be a bit enthusiastic in the heat of the fight, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders. If you say we need that one alive, she’ll do her best to take him that way.”

Looking up at Kesla again, I see she’s watching him sidelong now, and while her jaw’s still working he might actually be winning her over. Finally she just lets out a little sigh and I see her cheeks soften as she loosens her jaw again. “You’re a good friend, clearly. How’d you two end up together in the first place?”

Dumoli frowns, looking her way for a long beat, and as he ruminates I start to wonder if he’s just gonna clam up about it. “She was a in a tough spot for a while, when she was younger. A friend of mine found her after he retired down to Abharet, picked her up and put her back on her feet. Took her in and trained her, gave her some focus. When he got himself …” He shoots a cautious look her way now, then down at me too, finally looks ahead and just ponders for a moment.

“Did he die?” I’m too late realising my words might be somewhat indelicate, but it’s too late to take ‘em back now.

“No, Mulden … I’m not really sure what happened, he wasn’t all that forthcoming about it. But there was an incident, down in Hedesh, and he got himself locked up over it. I went down there to try and help him out, but …” He growls under his breath, and his massive hands audibly tighten round his reins. “There wasn’t any getting him out of that. He won’t be leaving that prison again, not alive. So I made him a promise, to make sure Thel had a better life than what we saw when we served.”

That makes Kesla perk up, much as I would’ve expected. “You were soldiers?”

“Men-at-arms. Rundao Regulars. Served out of Ebett, although we didn’t spend much time there. Saw a lot of action in the Reaches, so we were all over the ranges back in the day. After we mustered out Mulden swore he’d had enough of being cold for a lifetime, so he just went straight south. I was happy to settle for Untermer, decided to get into the mercenary game. I was still pretty young, so …” He shrugs, and when he reaches over to rub the head of his warhmammer, propped over the horn of his saddle, it seems a somewhat unconscious, instinctive act, much like I seen Krakka do. “Might not have been the smartest move to bring Thel into it too, but … well, it was all the life I had at the time, and I had a pretty good crew together at the time, so after Mulden’s training she fit right in.”

“How’d she come to be the boss, then?” I venture, and I see Kesla’s brow cock when I say it, but there’s a little smile starting to her lips too.

When Dumoli frowns again it don’t really convince this time. “How do you mean?”

“I seen how you an’ Brung are with her. You’re all friends, but … I dunno. It’s like us, with Kesla. We do what she says, cuz she never steers us wrong.” I shoot her a look. “Not usually, anyway.”

Dumoli thinks on that for a long moment. “I never really noticed anything like that myself. But like I said, she’s got a good head on her shoulders. And I was never really officer material myself, so … I don’t know. After what happened in Tabaphic, I guess it just felt right, and Brung just listened to her right from the start. It’s just the way she is, I suppose.”

“You love her, don’t you.”

The way Dumoli looks at Kesla for a long beat after she speaks says more than a whole lot o’ words. “In a way, aye. I do. Before Thel … I didn’t have any real family for a long time. She’s like the daughter I ...” He clears his throat, his voice getting thicker now, and even under that heavy beard reckon I can see his jaw tighten. “That was before.”

He doesn’t say any more, but when I look at Kesla again she’s thoughtful again. Watching him with something like commiseration, and get it. She knows dwarves better than I do, I know they got certain ways o’ doing things, even ways of saying things, and I’ve picked up enough from her to understand what he means by that. They don’t talk about loved ones they lost, the memories are real private for them. The hurt I can see in Dumoli’s a very particular one, something I ain’t come across too often, but I know what it means. It’s a special kinda hell when a parent loses a child. No wonder he’s so protective of Thel.

“I’m sorry.” It feels so inadequate, but I say it all the same. I hear Kesla grunt an affirmation of her own, but when I look I can see she’s a little haunted now too. I know her hurt’s a different kind, but it’s just as strong.

Just nodding, Dumoli lets out a heavy sigh and I see him deflate a little. This time when he touches his hammer it’s with a more desperate grip.

It’s a lonely business, I noticed. Most of us in this line of work, either we lost some family that had us running from the pain, or we never had any to begin with. Sometimes it’s a bit o’ both. They call us sellswords cuz we fight for pay, but it ain’t just the money drives us to do what we do. We do it as much cuz we ain’t really good for much else, and if we actually stopped to think about it for any amount of time it could be the end of us. There’s good reasons so few of us live long enough in this business to retire.

“We’ve arrived.” Lady Naru’s soft, soothing voice carries surprisingly well to be able to cut through the reverie now, but I s’pose I’m just wired sharp enough to pick up on it. She’s brought us to a particularly large estate, I notice, the perimeter wall tall but not so much I can’t still see trees cresting it, or the roof o’ the central mansion some way within. As we come round the bend I see the gate hoving into view and it’s a typically large, heavy affair, thick timbers bound with substantial banded iron that’s nonetheless as richly appointed as anything else around us. Interestingly, the watch’s access door’s already open in it, and as we approach someone steps out of it.

Two figures, one in heavy armour and livery I imagine is a guard on the estate’s personal security detail. Given the size of the place I imagine he’s one of an impressive number, but while he’s got a substantial longsword on his hip he don’t look particularly dangerous. Or maybe it’s just the half-smile on his face which makes him even more handsome. He’s sure pretty, and I can’t miss his subtly pointed ears, instantly marking him as a half-elf. After all, his hair’s surprisingly short, shorn to stubble at the back and sides and clipped to little more than tawny brown bristles on top, while he's got a tightly trimmed goatee decorating his chin.

The other’s significantly older, dressed in thickly draped robes in somewhat subdued shades of maroon, and this human looks like she could be approaching eighty years once I get a good look at her. Her bright white hair’s bound back in a severe bun, but her heavily wrinkled face surprisingly warm, and her smile brightens further as Lady Naru reins Tandy in a little short of ‘em and the rest of us just kind of jumble to a halt behind her. “Well met, my Lady! It’s been too long.”

“Yes, well met indeed, dearest Til. I trust we haven’t come at an inopportune time?”

Til, as I imagine the old girl must be called, simply beams up at her. “Oh no, not at all. My Lady is happy to receive you and your guests.” She turns and nods to the half-elf, who does the same before looking back through the doorway and clicking his fingers. The gates start to shift as a whole an instant later, no sound of bolts or bars first so I guess it was already open and ready for us.

“And a good afternoon to you as well, Captain Jinar.” Lady Naru continues to smile warmly as she regards the half-elf herself now. “How are you settling in?”

“Well enough, Milady.” His own smile’s just as brilliant as I would’ve expected with his blood, but there’s a clear, genuine fondness to it too. “Must thank you again for your recommendation.”

“Nonsense, you’re exactly the right fit, I wouldn’t have steered your new mistress wrong.” She turns back to us now, cocking her head towards the gates as the gap grows wide. “Quickly now. Best not linger.”

She’s already spurring Tandy forward as the two on foot step aside to allow us room, so as Kesla prods Trampler into a walk after her I give Silky her own lead and the others fall in behind us. Within moments of Big Man clearing the threshold the gates start swinging back into place again, but we all keep going along the gently winding road into the grounds.

Ain’t the first time I been in one o’ these big rich estates, but I’ll admit I never done this during the day either. By some standards it’s surprisingly simplistic, but I guess the proper term most o’ them would use to describe it is tasteful, I certainly seen a whole lot more garish layouts than this. The expansive lawns are well-cropped and bright green, very healthy grass indeed, and what flowerbeds there are seem more set out simply to give a splash of extra colour than to actually show off like some of the gardens I seen. There are no showy statues or nonsensical follies on display here, just simply, well-maintained landscaping and the buildings themselves.

The main house is as suitably impressive as the rest, in fact from the look of it this might be one of the richest estates here, not just from the size but the clear cost of the place. The architecture is, like the grounds, understated, but it’s clearly made of the best stone, and there are more of those substantial windows that the nobility always enjoy showing off, as well as plenty of balconies. As for the drive itself, this seems to be made of some of the cleanest white gravel I ever seen, so fine it barely crunches at all under our horses’ hooves. There are other buildings here, an impressive stable built off to one side while another stands a good way across the main lawn that I suspect is the guard’s barracks. The guards themselves, however, seem notably discreet for now. Aside from the half-elf ain’t a single body in evidence.

“Wow … this is a nice place.” I can’t help muttering.

“Much thanks, Master …” The old woman falters, but takes it in her stride all the same as she regards me with as much fondness as Lady Naru, which throws me some.

“Art of Shadows.” I grimace. “Sorry, never did work out how folk’re s’posed to address me formal. Bakaneko names are … tricky that way.”

If this vexes her it don’t show. “Of course, Milord. Have no worries, you are as welcome as any other companion of our wondrous Lady Naru.”

That has me cocking a brow at the sorcerer, and looking to Kesla I see I ain’t alone. “Wondrous, eh?”

“Oh yes, she is very special indeed. Held in the highest regard in all of Rundao.”

“You don’t say?” I notice Lady Naru’s doing a very good job of avoiding my gaze right now.

Despite the size of the place it don’t take us too long to approach the house from the gate, and as we make our way I find my attention shifting to a substantial stretch of open water that seems to have been built in the middle of the main stretch of lawn. As I get a proper look I can see the perimeter seems to have been laid out in a relatively haphazard, natural pattern, but the banks themselves are smooth, well-paved stone, and the water is unusually clear. I can easily make out that the stands of water weeds and pieces of twisted, gnarled wood have been planted here to give a loose approximation of nature, while the waters seem to be teeming with fish of various kinds and sizes.

I notice there are two children playing around it, too. The elder of the two, a human boy of maybe seven years in simple short britches and loose shirt, is fishing off the bank with a long rod and reel, while the other child’s clearly making an effort to sneak up on him from behind. A little girl, no more than six I reckon, wild-haired and decked out in some vague and decidedly child-like approximation of an adult noblewoman’s flowing light robes.

She’s got potential, I notice – she’s genuinely sneaky, moving with impressive caution as she steals closer to this boy who I realise is obviously her brother, and even when she’s within a few feet of his back he ain’t shown any sign he’s aware of her presence. She pauses for a long beat, and I reckon she’s evaluating whether he’s caught on yet or not, then finally edges closer still, reaching out with her tiny hands now. Even from here I can see stone cold concentration on her face as she prepares to push her brother in.

The anticipation’s so great I can’t help reining Silky up on the spot so I can just watch, slow to realise I’m actually holding my breath now. The girl pauses one more time, licking her lips now, then finally lunges and gives her brother a good hard shove in his lower back. Crouched as he is at the edge of the water he has no chance of stopping himself, and as he tumbles forward he lets go of the rod with a startled whoop.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

When he hits the water the girl starts jumping up and down, howling with laughter mixed with excited cheers as she dances with glee. For a moment the boy’s gone in a great splash, but he’s up again almost immediately, the pool itself is less than three feet at its deepest so he’s in no danger as he breaches and immediately starts yelling at the top of his lungs: “Mara! Mara, you little shit!”

“Language, Master Thadeon!” I realise the rest of the group have stopped along with me when Til smilingly berates him, and I can see the others found this as amusing as I did. The boy, on the other hand, shuts up on the spot, straightening right up the moment he’s addressed, full on standing to attention in fact. The little girl meanwhile, Mara I guess, is just running right for us, still laughing her adorable little head off.

“Apologies, Miss Til! I was just surprised, that’s all!” The boy, Thadeon, calls back in a penitent voice, and I can see how red his cheeks have already gotten.

“Did you see me, Feo?” Mara pipes up as she draws close, and I can see now she’s making a clear beeline for the half-elf. “I did it just like you showed me!”

“I did, yeah. Well done, Mistress Mara.” Captain Jinar’s smiling down at her with obvious affection. “You’re coming along grand, I must say. Keep it up and you could be good as a prowler before you’re ten.”

Kesla shoots me a look at that, and I cock my own brow in response, but I can’t help grinning broad right now. He ain;t lying, this little girl’s got real talent for stealth already.

Mara’s grin just gets even bigger at the compliment, then she turns to take the rest of us in and it starts to fade a little, but only cuz it’s being replaced with curiosity. She lingers on me for a long moment, and Tulen too, I see, but it’s no surprise at all she just stops cold, eyes going very big indeed, the moment she spots Big Man.

“What is that?” The awe in her little voice is palpable, and while she’s shivering now it’s clear enough it ain’t fear, just anticipation of some great revelation soon as her questions are answered.

As if on cue, Big Man shifts a step so he can face her fully, and rumbles: “I am a golem, Mistress Mara. I am designated as Driver 8, but I am known to my friends as Big Man.”

Mara’s eyes grow even wider than I would’ve thought was possible, and her mouth’s become a perfect O now as she seems genuinely lost for words. I imagine it’s the realisation that not only can he talk, but our golem has an actual identity and that we regard him as a true living individual.

“He’s a remnant from the Old World. Before the Sundering.” Thadeon’s approaching now, his rod slung over his shoulder with the line wound in now, and he’s hefting a substantial bucket in the other hand that I can just make out has water in it and, it seems, a couple of fish too. “You know, from our studies?”

Finally tearing her eyes away from Big Man, Mara turns to face her brother. “The what?”

“Don’t reckon Mistress Ludevinger’s got that far with Mara’s lessons yet, Master Thad.” Captain Jinar chuckles.

Thadeon turns to regard the half-elf guard for a moment, then nods with a cool smile. “Right, of course.” He turns to look us all over now, and I can see the sharp young man he’s going to become in his eyes now. He gives Big Man a good appraisal, me too, but doesn’t seem anywhere near as surprised by Tulen as his sister did. Finally he settles on Kesla and Dumoli, who are both looking back with typical stoicism. “Greetings. I am Thadeon Vezrim of House Asirnis. You are most welcome.” He tips us a deep nod, and I’m deeply impressed by the generous and surprisingly grown-up gesture.

“Well done, Master Thadeon.” There’s a note of real pride in Lady Naru’s voice as she regards the boy now. “By any chance, could you perhaps let your mother know we’ve arrived? I’m sure Captain Jinar can see to your catch well enough.”

When she speaks he perks right up, turning to her now I see him stand up straighter than ever, and another blush starts to touch his cheeks as he smiles again. Wow, smitten already, clearly. “Lady Naru! Hello! Of course.” He starts to step forward again, then pauses, frowning a little as he looks down at the bucket still weighing him down a bit on his left side. Setting it down, he looks back at her, tips another nod, this one even deeper, and starts running straight for the house.

As Mara blinks after her brother, Lady Naru pipes up again. “Mara, perhaps you’d like to accompany us?”

Her eyes going wide again, Mara regards Lady Naru for a long moment, then smiles again, although I’m surprised by how much more sly it appears compared to the last one. She looks us all over again, finally turning back to me, and runs the rest of the way up now, stopping just below me. “You’re all furry.”

I hear Kesla’s complete failure to stifle her snorting laughter in time, but keep my attention trained on our tiny host as I put on my most charming smile. “That’s cuz I’m a bakaneko.”

“Is that a kind of cat?” She cocks her head, almost exactly like a quizzical little dog, I realise, as my charm completely fails to have any effect on her. “You look like one.”

“In a way, yeah.” I try real hard not to growl the words as Kesla continues to laugh out loud, keeping my face as warm as I can. “Half o’ one, at least. It’s a little complicated.”

“Help me up, then.” She reaches up with both hands, and her face is so earnest now I’m a little lost at what to do for a moment.

“Oh, wait, Mistress Mara –” Captain Jinar starts, looking as sheepish as he sounds now.

“No, it’s fine.” I say as I finally snap back to myself, leaning down in my saddle so I can offer her my own hand. She grabs hold with a surprisingly fierce grip and even as I start to pull her up she’s already starting to climb up my arm. In the end I don’t so much lift her into my lap as she just clambers into it. “Um … hello. My name’s Art.”

“I’m Mara.” She offers me a brilliant smile, and now she’s so close I can see she’s got two big gaps in her teeth right now, which only seems to add to her cuteness. “What’s the Suddening?”

The others have started their horses walking again, while Captain Jinar is now retrieving Thadeon’s bucket of fish, so I give Silky a gentle nudge to set her moving again too. “The what? Oh! The Sundering. It was this massive disaster, changed the whole world. It’s why the seasons are all weird now, an’ the days are the same length, apparently. And it’s why half o’ Tao’s always dark. Happened ten thousand years ago.”

“Wow, that’s like a really a long time ago. Do you think my grandfather would have been around then?”

This time Kesla can’t stop herself from just roaring. I look down at Mara for a long moment, her big eyes, a very warm, light brown, locked on mine, and she’s still so earnest. “Um … maybe. I don’t see why not.”

“Cool.” Mara smiles again, as brilliant as before, and looks around me now to regard Big Man at the back of the group. “You’re really old.”

“I am.” Big Man rumbles “I do not remember it, though.”

“Why not?”

“Because I was in hibernation for much of that time. My systems were shut down until I was reactivated by one of my friends. It was a few years ago. I have been fully operational since.”

“Oh.” Mara’s eyes have become very wide again. She really is fascinated by Big Man. “That’s cool too.”

Chancing a look over my shoulder, I see Driver 8 plodding away behind us. He’s still perfectly inexpressive, but somehow I feel like he’s walking a tiny bit straighter now. I’ve known him long enough I get the feeling compliments really do mean a lot to him, so the sweetest six year-old girl I reckon I ever met thinking he’s cool is the very thing that could happen to him right now.

As we finally reach the front of the house I see there are a few guards starting to hustle their way out to meet us, but there don’t seem to be any inherent threat in their approach. They’re dressed in much the same manner as the Captain, albeit a little plainer, and while they also have swords on their hips their hands are empty now, and their faces are calm. It’s a lot different from the greeting the Terrors gave us at Redarra House.

Stepping up in front to greet them, Captain Jinar just gives a waves that might seem dismissive, but his amiable expression softens it considerably. “It’s fine, lads. They’re safe.”

Most o’ the guards relax pretty much right away, stepping off to the sides to let us through, but one or two still eye us a little as we pass. Big Man especially, but he has that effect on everybody. Finally we rein up outside the main entrance, and as I look up the half dozen broad, shallow steps leading up to the doors the full understated splendour of the place really hits. This is a classy place, the thief in me’s already starting to drool thinking about the wealth of riches that must be inside.

Kesla’s dismounting, but Lady Naru’s already beaten her to the ground, I see. Then Captain Jinar steps up to Silky’s side and I realise he’s come to collect Mara, who’s already squirming round in my lap so she can jump down into his arms as they stretch out to her.

“Careful there, Mistress Mara.” I find myself saying, trying not to touch her in case I just throw off her own intentions and she falls.

“I’m all right, the Captain takes me riding sometimes.” She plants her feet for a moment and then springs right off my thigh into the half-elf’s embrace, and as he easily shifts her into the crook of his left arm she turns those big eyes towards me again. “It was nice meeting you.”

“You too, Mistress.” I can’t help smiling in response, and she returns it. When I finally look away I see Kesla on the ground now, grinning up at me with obvious amusement. “Good day to you.”

“Good day to you.” She tips me a surprisingly precise nod, and I can see she’s already learning well how to be a proper highborn lady. That being said, I hope she doesn’t lose that wild side, it really suits her.

“Shall we?” Lady Naru’s watching me as well now, I realise, and when I look round I find the others have dismounted too.

“Ah.” I sigh, thankful for my fur as I feel my face grow hot. “Yeah. ‘Course.” I hop out the saddle with one clean spring, then realise I don’t know what I’m doing with Silky. “Um …”

“My men’ll take care o’ your horses.” Captain Jinar says as he tilts enough to retrieve the bucket from the ground again with his free hand. “We got a first class team o’ grooms in the stables, give ‘em a good brush up an’ feed.”

“Yes, well take care with Trampler here, please.” Kesla warns as she passes the massive black horse’s reins to the first guard to step up. “He’s smart, but he’s a handful. He’s got destrier blood in him, so I’d bank his name weren’t idle when it was applied.”

“Course, Mistress.” the guard nods, a tall, pretty young woman I realise, with pale freckled cheeks and gleaming green eyes, a short but tousled mop of bright auburn curls brushed back from her face. She immediately draws up to Trampler and starts soothing him with an impressively professional air that has Kesla cocking an appreciative brow at how quickly she’s winning the huge charger over.

Half the guards here are women, I realise. That’s interesting. It’s not unknown for women to become security for nobility, it’s a good profession for mercs who want steady pay, but most o’ the hired muscle I’ve encountered in my time’s been male. I realise I ain’t alone in my appraisal either, Kesla’s blinking a little in more guarded surprise as she takes them in.

“I want to go with them.” Mara’s little voice pipes up, and when I look back I see she’s eyeing Captain Jinar with something like frustration. She’s not squirming in his arms though, which says enough. She’s surprisingly disciplined for a six year-old.

“You have lessons, young Mistress.” Til’s tone is very gentle, but there’s a little steel in there, I notice. She’s a surprising one, too. “Captain Jinar will drop you off with Mistress Ludevinger after he’s deposited the young Master’s catch, won’t he?”

Instantly snapping to attention with a tidy click of his heels, the half-elf dips a formal nod to the old woman. “Of course, Mistress Til.” I swear the bucket’s contents don’t even slosh the whole time.

Mara looks ready to argue, but she keeps her tongue, so after Captain Jinar turns towards Kesla and tips another nod she goes along with him without complaint as he stalks off round the side of the house. Til, meanwhile, simply beckons us to follow as she makes her way towards the steps.

She’s surprisingly spry for someone so old. She moves with a surprisingly springy step, and while the steps as gentle enough they’d surely be an unpleasant enough prospect for most elderly folk, but she doesn’t complain once as she leads the way up. Her gait starts to grow a little stiffer once she’s near the top, but she still smiles amiably at us again as she turns again to usher us through the substantial, wide-open double doors. “This way.”

At the top, I take a moment to look back down to find that most of the horses are already gone, but the young redhead is still taking care to earn Trampler’s trust. Closer to, Driver 8’s already making his way up, careful where he plants his feet but the steps are wide enough they shouldn’t give him much trouble one his climb to the veranda.

“Coming?” The honeyed tones surprise me, mostly because that voice is so close, and when I turn I find Lady Naru’s stood barely two feet away from me now, looking down with a slightly quizzical look.

For a moment I’m hopelessly lost, too distracted by those incredible eyes. “Um … I … hmm …” Gripping my fists for a beat, I manage to claw my eyes away and look past her to find the others have already gone ahead through the entrance. “Yeah. Yes I am. ‘Course.” I manage to start moving, and when she starts smiling again I try really hard to ignore it.

It grows cooler as soon as I’m inside, the heat of the Untermer day dropping off but not becoming unpleasantly cold. As I step further in I take in the immense open space in front of me, the entrance hall of this great building spreading out all around under a very high ceiling of simple, smooth granite and well-polished marble. There’s another staircase at the far side of the room, but this one is far grander than the few shallow steps outside, a vast, wide case stretching up to a high mezzanine that spreads out all round the top of the chamber. The floor underfoot is very dark, polished to a high sheen, and looks to have been made of thousands of small diamond-shaped tiles. When I look down into them I can actually see a dark version of myself blinking up at me.

My attention’s drawn back to the middle of the floor quickly enough, though, as the sound of ringing metal finally penetrates my awareness. I almost go for my sword, thinking that perhaps this soft-spoken beauty has led us into a deadly ambush after all, but then I realise it ain’t violence I’m hearing. At least not real violence.

There are two figures moving round on the open expanse of the wide, dark floor, while a third stands by on the outskirts, watching. All three of them are dressed in high quality quilted leather and linen gear, with thick leather gloves, boots and even full-head leather masks to complete the ensembles, although the one standing by has their head bare. I’m a moment realising this is all simply training gear, although it’s of a higher quality than anything I ever wore back when I was being taught to fight back in the Guild. This is proper highborn stuff.

The two wheeling figures are duelling, and moving with considerable skill, as well. They’re both of comparable size, but while one’s somewhat burley, the other’s more lithe and supple, their own movements particularly graceful, a genuinely fluid dance in fact. This one’s definitely the superior fighter, the blunt training longsword in their right hand and more slender offhand knife darting and whipping with truly lethal speed and precision. That being said, their opponent is holding up impressively well, and as I watch them move I can definitely start to pick out a strong similarity in their fighting styles. Clearly, the superior fighter is the teacher here.

We’ve all stopped to watch this impressive training session, but when I look to Kesla I can see she’s particularly engrossed now. There’s a deep, hungry curiosity to her face now, but with an edge, and after a moment I realise it’s a certain wistfulness. She’s thinking of her father. She told me he taught her everything she knows of the blade, which means he must’ve been a truly awesome swordsman in his own right.

After a moment the third individual finally seems to notice us, and breaks away to join us. It’s a girl, I realise, strikingly similar to Mara but a good deal older, her own dark brown curls tightly bound and pinned back with only a few errant locks springing free to frame her face. She also certainly has the same striking eyes, which dance with bright intelligence and a touch of wicked mischief, while her striking youthful beauty gives me a good idea of what that little girl should grow up into. She’s flashing a similarly brilliant smile as she makes a beeline right for Lady Naru, but in her case she’s already got all her teeth.

“My Lady, welcome!” She reaches out her lead hand while her offhand never leaves the hilt of the training longsword she has strapped low on her hip, although knowing Kesla I suspect the gesture’s pure habit. “It’s been too long.”

“Pela, dear, it’s so good to see you too.” Lady Naru skips forward with a particular spring, the fondness in her face very much like when she recognised Gael earlier. “You’ve gotten so big.” She grabs the girl’s offered wrist while her own is grasped, but a beat later they’ve simply stepped into a close hug.

“It’s been two years. I’m a woman now.” There’s no real admonishment in the girl’s words, her smile not fading in the slightest as she gives the sorcerer a last crush before stepping back.

“I’d hardly call fourteen womanhood, Pela.” Lady Naru chuckles “But you’ve grown, all the same. You’re more beautiful than ever.”

“I’m quick, that’s what I am.” Pela’s smile regains that mischievous edge. “I’m already running rings around Dery. It’s driving him crazy.”

“No you are not.” The two fighters have broken off now and the heavier-set of the two is already walking over, sheathing the sword at his side after already slipping his knife home so he can reach up and start unstrapping his face-guard. “I swear, you’ll take any excuse you can to show me up, you little monster.”

There’s no more true animosity in the boy’s face than in his voice as he finally pulls the mask free and starts to fold it up so he can stuff it into his belt. He’s as tall as Shay, but almost as broad as Kesla, and while he has the same striking eyes and hair as his sisters he really looks more like an older version of Thadeon. At a guess I’d put him at almost nineteen, certainly with the soft, downy scruff he’s clearly trying to cultivate on his cheeks, chin and top lip. His smile’s more rueful, but he’s regarding his sister with enough fondness to tell me this is just good-natured ribbing.

“Oh really?” Pela skips back away from him, starting to circle now as she grips her sword at her side with both hands, making as if she’s ready to draw. “Shall we go a few rounds so I can demonstrate to our guests just how wrong you are?”

“You are progressing impressively quickly, My Heart, but that’s no excuse for arrogance. Especially in such illustrious company.” The other fighter’s joined us now, and when they finally wrest their mask free I’m a little taken aback, but not so much in surprise as just wonder. This woman couldn’t be more than forty-five to my eye, although given that this whole family clearly have great bone structure she could be older. Ultimately she just gives me a good idea of what Pela could look like when she’s all the way grown up, and she’s really striking, albeit in a rather fierce way. Although perhaps that’s down to the two substantial, prominent purple silken scars lining the left side of her face. There’s something akin to Kesla in this woman, and not just the intensity in her eyes, even while she’s gently smiling.

“Apologies, mother.” Pela grows instantly demure, stepping back into something like a curtsey while she tips a very respectful nod, although I reckon this is more a sign of contrition right now. “Just joshing.”

“The young Master’s clearly got some skill of his own too, from what I saw.” Kesla offers up after a moment “You could be a knight with moves like that.”

For a moment the whole group becomes very quiet, the boy turning to Kesla and regarding her with a very complicated look. It’s not anger, but not quite surprise either, more like a small amount of awe in the mix with something else I can’t place. Finally he starts to splutter a little, suddenly very ill at ease as a blush spreads across his face. “Why … why thank you … thank you very much, Mistress … um …”

“This is Kesla Shoon, I believe.” The older woman’s smile has grown more sly now, and the twinkle in her eye is becoming pretty familiar to me now thanks to her daughters. “She’s here on business, with her friends. Quite the to-do, I’m told.”

The boy starts to frown now. “Shoon? Where do I know –”

Pela just runs roughshod right over him as she stalks forward fast, coming right up to Kesla now and craning a little up at her since she’s still a deal shorter. I’ve seen the look on her face before, she’s a little wild with fascination. “Are you related to Edhril Shoon?”

“The man-at-arms?” Now the boy makes the connection, enthusiasm quickly following. “He was a legend.” He gives Kesla a more critical look now. “But wasn’t he –”

“He was my da.” Kesla sighs, and she’s effortlessly calm despite being caught out now. Ain’t like it’s the first time she’s been pestered because of her name, the legacy she belongs to. Just cuz she’s comparatively lowborn don’t mean she ain’t a big deal herself. “My ma was from the far South in Abharet.”

“Oh yeah, sure.” The boy nods. “Your father was … gods, he was incredible. Our da told us so many stories about him when we were young, he was, like … the greatest common soldier in the Rundao army, that’s how he’d put it.”

Kesla’s brows arch some at that. “Really?” She casts an eye to their mother, who’s just stood by with her arms folded, looking amused, an expression Lady Naru’s sharing. “That’s high praise, I mean he would never have put it like that himself –”

“Yeah, but that’s just because he was, you know, on the ground, in the middle of it. He didn’t realise how amazing he actually was.” Pela’s looking down at Hefdred now, and I wonder if she’s about to ask about the equally famous sword.

“This is … wow, this is incredible.” The boy’s grin fades as a further realisation seems to hit and his eyes widen even more while his mouth forms a little O. “But you said … you said you thought I was good too? Was that right?”

Blinking, Kesla looks to their mother, then shoots a slightly wary look my way. I try to keep my face as neutral as I can, I am definitely not getting into this. “You’ve got a talent, from what I saw. Certainly your mother was going to win that bout, but –”

“I do my best.” The older woman nods with a shrug. “It’s been a long time since I raised my sword in anger, but before the Occupation I fought as hard as any of the Knights of Rundao when it was called for.” She takes a step forward now, easing her arm around her daughter’s shoulders and giving her a gentle crush. “While I still had their father to come home to, that is. He was great when he was young too, before he lost his arm in Tebruth.”

Kesla’s frown returns now, subtle but critical all the same. “You were a Knight?” Her frown deepens for a moment while she thinks, and now I realise the name her younger son said earlier did sound somewhat familiar. “Wait … your son, Thadeon, he said his name, his family name, was Vezrim.”

Without moving her arm from Pela’s shoulders, the woman extends her free hand. “Lady Thura Vezrim, of House Dehaal.”

Yeah, I thought I knew that name. The way Kesla’s back straightens she’s made the connection too. “The Hellcat of Kumehn Valley?” She certainly scrambles to take the offered hand, giving it a particularly enthusiastic pump.

“If you will, yes.” Lady Thura’s smile is subtle, but she seems genuinely pleased by the interaction. “You are your father’s daughter, I can see it.” Her face starts to grow sombre again. “I … my apologies. It’s just you look so much like Adda, but also a little like him too.”

Getting very still, Kesla keeps hold of her hand as she looks into her eyes, her own wide. “My … you knew my mother? How?”

“I knew them both. Edhril trained me, like many of the Knights’ elite, once I showed the aptitude. He was a great man, but also a contradiction, I found. He was …” She’s frowning somewhat, but then breaks into a brilliant smile that seems quite amused in the fondest way. “It was funny, really … he could be so strict in the training grounds, but it was always because he pushed every one of us to be our very best, and if we ever found ourselves spending any time with him outside of training he could be … so sweet. So very gentle. He was a kind man, when he wanted to be.”

“Yeah … he really was.” Kesla smiles now, a little shaky but getting over the shock now, I reckon. Finally she realises she’s still gripping Lady Vezrim’s hand, and lets go. “Of course … my apologies, Milady. But … you said you knew my mother too?”

“Yes. We all did, she lived in the apartments above the training barracks, with your father. We never saw her when we were training, she taught in a school in the Barrenbar. But she would spend every available moment she could with him, they were deeply in love. So we saw much of her outside of training. She was very graceful, and even kinder than your father. And very clever, she might have been the most intelligent person I ever met. Most of all, though, she was very beautiful. I know many of the cadets were in love with her too.” She sighs, becoming serious again, as a wistfulness takes hold. “I’m … I was so very sorry when I heard she’d died. I know what a terrible blow that must have been to your father, but worse for you, I can imagine. I’m even more sorry you never got to know her.”

“Thank you …” Kesla has to take a deep breath as her words falter, and I can see how wet her eyes have grown. “Thank you very much for that. It means a lot. It’s an honour to meet you anyway, you’re …” She shrugs, and her smile’s real bittersweet. “Da spoke about you often, he was real proud o’ the warrior you became. You were … something of a hero for me, when he was bringing me up.”

Lady Thura blinks, a little taken aback herself. “My … I’m … very glad I could inspire you. Honestly, it’s just a wonderful thing to be able to meet you. I miss them both terribly.”

“Me too.” Gods, Kesla looks so crestfallen now, so awkward, despite the circumstances. I look at the others, who are clearly starting to feel as uncomfortable as me, and take a deep breath of my own, realising I’m gonna have to get this back on track myself. Even though I got no clue how. Instead Lady Naru, who’s remained comparatively cool, comes to my rescue.

“This is a most excellent opportunity, then!” she exclaims as she steps forward to join them now “I propose a match. Perfectly friendly, of course. Just show each other what you’re really capable of.”

“Yes!” Pela’s enthusiasm gets ahead of her as she springs forward, bubbly with excitement after the suggestion. Her brother’s grinning wide, clearly deeply curious too. “Oh yes, that sounds fantastic! Ma, go on, say you will!”

Looking at her children, then her old friend, Lady Thura frowns. Then she turns to Kesla, who’s frowning too, but there’s the start of a smile on her lips. “I don’t … we have business.”

“No, I really don’t mind.” Kesla’s smile starts to grow. “I’d be delighted, tell the truth. Cross swords with the Hellcat? I’d love to.”

“Well all right, then.” Lady Thura gives Lady Naru a quizzical look, but she’s starting to smile too. “I might enjoy that myself. It’ll give me a chance to show my daughter what a truly gifted, seasoned warrior is capable of when facing an accomplished opponent. Or at least what to do to try and get out of it if they turn out to be better than you.” She gives Kesla a subtle wink at that last point, and my friend grins wide when she catches it.

As the others start to relax again I turn to Tulen, who’s now stood by with her head bowed again, fingers laced as she seems inwardly absorbed, and I hope she’s not getting some bad news right now. I was finally starting to feel good about the day again.

Instead, when she blinks and works to focus again, a few moments later, she looks a little apprehensive but not genuinely worried, which I guess is a good sign. I step her way and lean in close while Kesla moves into the middle of the floor, unstrapping her swordbelt now while Lady Thura’s son seems to be doing the same, likely with the intention of lending her his training blades for the bout.

“So … we all good?” I inquire, keeping my voice low.

“Hmm?” She doesn’t quite jump, but seems surprised enough. “Oh! Yes … um, I think so. They’re all set now. Whatever they’re planning, they’re doing it now.”

“Right …” I try not to wince as I feel a subtle chill ride up my spine. I can’t help it. “Well … just tell ‘em to be careful.”

“I already did.” She sighs, and it seems she really is worried after all. “I’m just … Minerva, I hope they’re all right.”

Stepping up, I wrap my arm round her the best I can, but given how much taller than me she is I just manage to swing my arm round her back instead of her shoulders. “Hey, they’ll be good. Just … trust in Shay.” I can’t help my jaw tightening as I lie, cuz I don’t feel any more confident than she does right now. Worst thing is there’s absolutely nothing either of us can do about it …