Once everyone is in the room, Caylee shuts the door. Arden says, “Tell us what happened.” Each takes turns relaying their story to Arden and Kara. They both look at Zildi. Arden asks, “How will the Crownsguard take this?” Zildi replies, “Lord Nutwood was as corrupt as they come; a good half of the Crownsguard was in his pocket, and they hated sharing with the Bloodhoods. Please, trust me, I had no idea about the slavery operation. If I had known, I would have gone in myself to get them out.” Caylee says, “We went in, and trust me, you would have died or ended up a slave yourself.” Zildi looks at her uniform, “My sergeant gave me this insignia,” she holds it out so that everyone can see it, “He told me this morning that something could happen soon. He didn’t know what, when, or where, but he told me to keep my head down when it happened. He said it would let the good people defending the city know I was on their side.” She leans up against Ava; Ava smiles and puts an arm around her.
Kara asks Zildi, “What will the Crownsguard, not in Nutwood’s pocket, do?” Zildi replies, “I think they will stay out of the fight and just protect the people they can until one side starts to emerge as the winner; then, they will move against the winner.” Caylee says, “We started a war in the city. We should get out there and help.” Arden looks at Caylee, “Go over there and look in the mirror, girl; none of you are in any shape to help anyone right now. You will stay here in this temple, heal, and defend it if anything comes our way. Now, show me what evidence you found.”
Caylee, Kal, Lynn, and Valovar remove the papers they found. They list the sale of slaves to a few very well-known houses in Cragcall. Everyone is looking these over when Kara looks up and sees the prisoners they freed huddled up in a corner of the room, with the elf sitting between the prisoners and her group. Kara still feels like she is as weak as a mouse. She says, “Help me over there, now, please, someone.”
Everyone stops and looks in the direction of the prisoners. Aran and Ava reach under her arms and help her walk under as much of her power as possible to the elf. Kara sits on the floor in front of the elf, “I am Karael, but you can call me Kara. I’m so sorry, we ignored the most important part of this whole thing.” The elf lays the two daggers between them. Kara feels Ava and Aran tense up. She places a hand on Ava and Aran, and the elf touches a hand to her heart, “Shaedove Windwatcher, Karael. Shae must ask, are we free or simply prisoners of another?” Kara holds her hands out, palms up, “You, all of you are free. It will be safer if you remain here until this crisis passes Shaedove Windwatcher. We freed some others on the road earlier this week at a camp to the south…” Several of the prisoners start speaking at once, asking, “Have you seen?”, “Did you save?”, “What about?” Kara holds her hands up, and everyone quiets down after a few seconds, “Please, one at a time. Persi, you recorded the names.” Persi comes over and pulls out some papers; he sits down with them and starts talking to them. Arden and Caylee come over. Caylee asks, “If you have this, we’ll go over everything with High Priest Stormhaven?” Kara nods. She is still holding her hands out. It is evident to Ava that the effort of holding her hands out is starting to tax her. Caylee and Arden go back to where they were. Kara’s hands start shaking when Shaedove reaches out and takes Kara’s hands, “You may call Shaedove Windwatcher, Shae.” Kara relaxes, “Shae, Kara hates to ask her to remember things she may not want to, but did she hear anything about Azura when she was captured?”
“Why wouldn’t Shae want to remember? Memories make us who we are. Yes, the people who captured Shae spoke often of the fiery one. They burned Shae’s village.” Shae smiles, “Shae’s people killed many of them, giving time for many more to escape. Shae personally tracked them and freed many more before they captured her. This is a good thing. Many lives are worth far more than a single life, are they not?” Aran says, “But the things they did to you.” Shae replies to Aran, “Are just things, young warrior. Shae is alive now. That is what matters.” Zildi walks over and sits a little way away; Ava holds a hand out to her and invites her to come closer, “I think they are done asking me questions; I felt like a broken wagon wheel just standing there listening.” Kara says, “Thank you, Zildi, for standing and fighting with Ava.” Aran says, “Hey,” Kara grips his leg, “Thank you for running to their rescue.” Aran gets a proud look, “Ava was fighting naked.”
Kara looks at Ava; Shae says, “Fighting naked is the most honorable combat; it shows you hide nothing and display everything to your opponent.” Ava says, “I wasn’t naked, I was just…”, Zildi says, “I kind of liked it, up until I got stabbed through the chest.” Kara smiles at the conversation; when they quiet down, she looks back at Shae, “Yes, Shae is correct; many are worth more than one. Memories do make us. Kara has been relearning that very recently. Did they speak of the Fiery One here in the city any?” Shae shakes her head, “No, only at the place Shae was held in the woods before the fat one purchased Shae.” Persi scoots next to Kara, “Nearly all of them know someone we rescued. One is the mother of the two boys I talked to. I will bring them some food, water, and clothing. I’ll be back in a few.” Everyone nods to Persi, including Shae and Zildi; Shae says, “Persi has a good heart; Persi was healing them and saying comforting words while freeing the enslaved.” Kara says, “Yes, he is.” Shae says, “Shae will join your cause, Kara. It is just.”
Everyone looks at Shae with surprised expressions. Kara says, “Shae doesn’t know our cause, and we are heading far away. Doesn’t Shae want to rejoin her people?” Aran adds, “We’re not even from around here. When she says far, she means far.” Shae says, “Shae is of age. When Shae’s people come of age, they journey on a Life Quest. Shae has failed at her Life Quest, so she has no home, so Shae will join Kara.” Ava says, “What was your Life Quest, Shae.” Shae looks at Ava, then Kara. Her anxiety begins to visibly rise as she fights mentally to answer the question. Kara interjects, “Shae and Kara will speak of the Life Quest later when Shae is ready, and not before then.” Kara looks at Ava and Aran with an expression that says. “Drop it.”
Ava says, “Doesn’t she sound…” Kara says, “Kara would be honored if Shae joined us, and when we find our way home and our people, Kara has someone she wants to introduce Shae to. But we’ll need to find Shae more than a blanket to wear.” Shae smiles. Kara says, “Now, if someone helps me back over, let’s see what they are discussing.”
Persi directs acolytes in handing out food, water, and clothes to the people. Ava and Aran help Kara back to bed. Caylee says, “We’ve identified the families involved in this slavery ring. The bad news is we’ll have to wait until the situation calms down to turn over the evidence. The good news is since we have the evidence, they may think it’s destroyed and feel secure until it’s too late.”
Kal and Valovar open the portable hole. Everyone looks inside. Aran says, “That’s a big safe. Why did you put it in there with the door down?” Kal smacks him in the back of the head. Kara says I have an announcement to make. Shae is now a member of Wandering Mountain. Everyone looks at the elf. Kal and Zaos simultaneously say, “So that’s your name.” Shae says, “Shae is honored. Shae thanks all of you for helping.” She pulls the daggers, twirls them in her hands, stops, and then holds the blades with the handles out toward Kal. Kal holds the palms of his hands up, “No, Shae, they are yours now. May they serve you well.” Shae bows her head to Kal, “Shae is honored.” Valovar leans over to Aelgir, “Why is she…” Aelgir slaps the back of Valovar’s head. Aran asks, “What the hells is it with you people and slapping heads.” Even Arden laughs at the question, which never gets answered.
Eventually, it is determined that it will be easiest to remove everything but the safe from the portable hole, then open it upside down and dump it onto the floor. The people are escorted out and taken so they can get cleaned up. Priests join them to talk to them and ensure they don’t need healing or otherwise. Arden leaves to set up a triage area for casualties starting to flow in; he creates a permanent Zone of Truth to question those that can be questioned to find out what side they are on.
Once the safe is out, Kal looks at it, “I don’t know how to open this. It’s some combination mechanism.” Persi looks at it, “Maybe an acid?” Kara says, “If I wasn’t so weak right now, Misery could open it. Maybe Ava can use Misery. By the way, where is Misery.” Ava holds out a hand, “I love these gloves. I hope you don’t mind.” She holds her hand out, and Misery appears. Kara says, “No, they’ve been in storage for fifteen years. They are yours.” Ava climbs on the safe and starts looking around, “Where?” Persi climbs up on the safe and inspects it, “There.” He points at a spot.
Ava rears back and brings Misery down. There is a loud bang. Nothing happens. Persi starts inspecting the safe again and finds another place, “There.”, Ava repeats with another loud bang. Nothing happens, Ava shrugs. Persi inspects the safe again, “There, this should do it.” He hops down. Ava swings again as hard as she can. There is another loud bang, and this one sounds hollow. The safe cracks in half, but it’s so heavy nothing more happens. Ava gets down and works her fingers into the crack. Zaos smirks until she pulls it open. Aelgir reaches over and closes his mouth: gold, platinum, gems, papers, and more spill out. Now, everyone except Kara and Shae stares open-mouthed at the amount. Persi says, “This is going to take a while.”
Arden walks in while the safe contents are being divided and counted. Ava, Aran, and Shae divide the contents based on the type of coins, setting the gems and papers aside. Of the documents, what little they’ve looked at is the damning evidence for some families and a few city officials; everyone else, except Kara, is counting. Arden stops and stares for a little while, too. He asks Kara, “What will you do with all that?” Kara says, “Take what was stolen from us. Give what is still owed to the former slaves to them. Caylee said they want a small amount as a service fee, then the rest. That’s for you to decide. I’m sure the city will need a substantial amount to recover. How’s it going out there?” Arden says, “So far, minimal innocent casualties. The Crownsguard is doing exactly as Zildi thought; the corrupt ones are going after the Bloodhoods and vice versa, and the rest of the Crownsguard are hanging back and watching. I’ve watched this city go down the sewers over the last few years, trying to find a way to bring it back. You show up, and a few days later,,,” Kara says, “Don’t count your dragon hatchlings yet; it’s not over.” Arden puts his hand to her forehead, “How are you feeling?” She replies, “I feel like my strength is returning. I still don’t understand how memories can make me so weak.”
Persi stops and runs over to Kara and Arden, “In all the excitement, I forgot.” Kara looks confused, he continues, “The Princess used a Sending to contact me yesterday, a couple of them. When she failed to contact you,,, four times.” Kara nervously says, “And.” Persi says, “Well, first, I told her that you were testing a new kind of spell we found to hide from all magic.” Kara, looking worried, says, “and.” Persi says, “Well, I don’t think she bought it.” Kara says, “and” starting to look very nervous. Persi continues, “Then I told her that we were here working with the temple and we would see them soon.”
Kara pulls the blanket up to her face, Persi continues, “I think she was pissed.” Kara pulls the blanket over her head, then pulls it back to her eyes. “I need some makeup; I need to look normal. Not like I’m dressing up, just normal. If I know her, and I know her, she will use Scrying. Probably on me, so I will need a mirror too so she can see my reflection. I need her to stay calm and believe we’re on holiday while going home. Why are you still here? Get Ava to get me some makeup.” Persi runs over to Ava and whispers to her; Ava looks up and then goes over to Caylee. Caylee fishes around in a bag and pulls out some stuff.
Kara asks Persi, “How long ago was this?” He says, “Yesterday afternoon.” Kara says, “Shit, sorry.” Arden asks, “Is this the scary girl?” Kara and Persi nod. Ava and Caylee come over, and Caylee asks, “What’s going on?” Ava says, “The Princess will use Scrying on Kara, and she needs to look normal.” Caylee says, “Your Princess?” Kara nods, still worried, “What other Princess would it be?” Caylee shrugs and opens a bottle while Ava starts combing Kara’s hair. Shae asks Aran, “Is that normal? Shae doesn’t understand this ritual.” Aran shrugs, “I stopped trying to understand them all together.” He slides another pile to Shae, “Shae is tired of counting; Shae’s brain hurts.”
High Priestess Avvaran enters Sasha’s temporary chambers, Ambriel and Encarna. Her Handmaidens flank her. Anya is sitting on the balcony chair, studying The Needle, “Your Highness, I have prepared several spells; if one doesn’t work, we will try another. Would you like to try Scrying first?” Sasha replies, “Yes to Scrying, but I will link my mind to yours once you make the connection. I’ll be able to see and hear everything you see and hear, plus I’ll be able to speak through you. Most of my treasures linking me to Kara were destroyed in the attack, but I have a lock of her hair, this locket, a dagger she gave me, and our wedding ring. I assume that will be more than enough?” Avvaran bows her head, “More than enough, Your Highness.” Sasha says, “When you are ready.” The high priestess snaps her fingers. Some lower priests enter with an elaborate silver mirror on the stand. The high priestess says, “The items, please, Your Highness.” Sasha hands the items to Ambriel. Ambriel, in turn, hands them to Avvaran.
She begins casting, calling on her knowledge of Kara and focusing on the items. The mirror fills with fog, and then an image appears. It’s an inferi girl, a young half-orc, and Persival. Sasha links her mind to the high priestess, “Kara, Kara,” Sasha hears Kara’s voice in her mind, “Yes, Babe, I’m here.” Kara holds up a mirror so Sasha can see her. Tears start to form in Sasha’s eyes, no matter how hard she tries to hold them back. Kara says, “No tears, I’m fine. Look, I’m with lots of friends right now. Let me introduce you.” Kara sits the mirror down, “You know Persi, he has mad skills with alchemy, of course, you know that. Aran, he’s turning into quite a warrior, then my protege, Ava.” Ava holds up Dawnbreaker, “She named her maul Dawnbreaker. When we get home, I’ll let her tell you the story about the name in person,” Sasha sees Ava hold her hands up, shake her head, and turn red with embarrassment. Then Sasha looks on around the room, “Caylee, the fearless leader of the Nameless Shields, they came,,,” Kara clears her throat, “They’ve been a tremendous help to us. When I lived here, before Nexus, Kal knew me, but we had never met. Aelgir, Valavos, Zaos and Lynn.” Kara looks at a wild elf, “This is Shae. She will be joining us for our journey home.” The wild elf gives a strange, almost forced smile, “Shae says hello to Kara’s mate.” Kara continues to look around the room, “Finally, and don’t panic, please, High Priest Arden Stormhaven.”Sasha sees an older version of that stone-chiseled face she saw in Shadowbell fifteen years ago; she feels a wave of panic rising; she remembers he is the one that cursed Kara and, if not for Cyndra, would have let her die, “Arden and I have become very good friends Sasha. Honestly, it feels like I have found my true father. Don’t tell your father that, please.” Kara looks back in the mirror, then smiles, “Or do. I think it may make him smile.”
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Sasha says, “I tried to contact you yesterday, and Persival fed me some story about magic. We also found some disturbing material in Persival’s lab. What is going on?” Kara loses her smile. “I, well. Persi tried something a while back. He should have approached us about it but was afraid, so he tried to deal with it himself. Arden and the Temple of Veleris took care of it. It’s no longer a problem. Okay? Trust me.” Sasha says, “I trust you. Now, what about yesterday?” Kara rolls her eyes like a teenager getting caught doing something they should not have done, “Coming back here has dredged up old memories I haven’t had to deal with in a long time. I haven’t dealt with them very well, but my friends are helping me. I will be fine. The absolute truth is that I was unconscious yesterday, but everyone was watching over me. I’m better today, and Arden and Shae have been helping me learn to deal with these memories. I wish I could see you.” Tears start to form in Kara’s eyes. “I wish I could reach through this mirror.” Kara lowers the mirror, and Sasha sees everyone else leaving the room. Sasha says, “I know you won’t lie to me, but it still feels like you’re not telling me everything. What else is going on, Kara? I promise I won’t do anything crazy?”
Kara’s hands come to her eyes, and Sasha hears her start crying. In fifteen years, she has never heard Kara really cry over anything; she has never heard her in true emotional pain. Now, she hears pain, sadness, and loss. “I miss her so much. I put on a show for the others, but I miss Camiella so much. We made that promise, and I held to it, but it hurt so bad.” Sasha can’t help but start to cry, too. Ambriel and Encarna look at each other. They’ve never seen Sasha get emotional like this. “Kara, Kara, listen, as soon as we get everything here under control, we’ll have a day of mourning. We lost a lot of good people, and I miss her too.” Kara gets some composure back and wipes her eyes, “I was going to tell you we’re having the time of our lives, but we’re not. We shut down a slavery operation on our way to Cragcall. I think I had a hand in overthrowing the Lord of Cragcall. He was corrupt anyway. There is a small civil war going on outside, but we’re safe in here. I promise.” Sasha chuckles and says, “Yep, that’s my Kara, My Seed of Chaos.”
Then Kara says, “My brother.” Sasha says, “WHAT?” Kara says, “Calm down, please. My brother is still here. We’ll deal with him. Remember, you said “Nothing crazy.” you promised. We can deal with him.” Sasha says, “I can send..” Kara interrupts, “You need everything you have at Nexus. Period. We can deal with him.” Kara pauses for a long time, looking in the mirror so Sasha can see her face. Sasha gets very serious and says, “There is something else you’re not telling me. Something you’re afraid to tell me. What is wrong, Karael?”
Kara smiles, and more tears form. Sasha sees these as happy, and then she remembers that she had seen Kara cry like this thrice. Kara says, “We will be fine; Elirae is watching over us. I’m pregnant.”
Then the connection suddenly ends, and Sasha yells at the high priestess, “WHAT HAPPENED?” The high priestess goes to her knees, “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I can only maintain it for a short period.” Sasha growls out, “Well, cast it again.” The high priestess lowers herself further, “Please, Your Highness, I am only strong enough to cast that once. We can try again tomorrow.” Ambriel and Encarna each lay a hand on Sasha’s shoulders; Sasha says, “I apologize, Avvaran, that was unbecoming of me. No, your resources are better served for Nexus. We’ll try again when everything is better. You may leave.” The high priestess sees herself out. Anya walks over in front of Sasha. Sasha sits for a few seconds, then smiles and snatches Anya off her feet into a hug, “I’m going to be a mother again.” Ambriel and Encarna sigh in relief before Sasha grabs them, kissing their cheeks and hugging them.
Kara sits quietly alone in the room, thinking she didn’t want to tell Sasha that, or about her brother, or about the panic attacks, or the slavers, and so on, but she’s never been able to keep anything from her, no matter how hard she tried. Now, she must confess to everyone that she spilled the beans. But she feels much better now, not just emotionally but physically. She’s always hated secrets, keeping them, not being told them. Secrets suck. She sees Ava peek through the door, “Come back in.” Ava walks over, Kara sits up and swings her legs over the side. Ava asks, “You are feeling better?” She nods, “I do. I confessed everything to Sasha.” Ava says, “But,,,” Kara replies, “I know what I said. But I can’t keep secrets from her. Speaking of another “Her,” where is Zildi.” Ava says, “She is going to her home to check on her parents and let them know she is safe.” “She went alone?” asks Kara. Ava says, “No, Caylee went with her to ensure her safety.” Kara looks at Ava. Ava says, “Shit, dammit.” Kara chuckles and squeezes Ava’s hand.
Aran and Persi sit down to eat with Shae in the temple’s main hall. Aran asks, “Where are you from, Shae?” Shae looks at Aran and tilts her head from side to side, “Shae is from the forest.” Aran rolls his eyes. Persi already sees where this is going, so he pulls out a map. “Shae, do you know which forest?” Shae looks at the map and puts her finger on the Swiftwater Forest. Persi says, “We’ll pass through there on our way home. Maybe we can check on your people?” Shae shakes her head, “Shae’s people will have moved. Shae would not be welcomed home.” Aran asks, “Why?” It looks like she is trying to decide on words: “It’s difficult for Shae to explain to outsiders. Once a Swiftwater chooses a life quest, it must be completed.” Persi hands Shae a piece of fruit, “We’re not outsiders now, Shae. You became like a sister when you joined our group, especially to Kara. Do you understand that we are family to Kara? She will trust you implicitly and expect you to trust her the same.” Shae takes the fruit, puts it in her mouth, takes a bite, and starts chewing. She talks while chewing, “So, mmph, if Shae mmph is Kara’s sister, mmph, mmph, then you are mmph, gulp, Shae’s brothers now, and Ava is also Shae’s sister?” Aran nods, “Yeah, something like that. There is a little more involved.” Shae nods, “When Shae left the others to hunt and free Shae’s people, Shae chose a life quest. Shae can’t return to her people in this life. Shae can only return afterlife.” Aran looks confused, but he sees Kara walking without aid and Ava very close to her, ready to grab her if she falls. Aran and Persi stand.
Shae looks at them, not understanding why they stand. She looks around and sees Ava and Kara. She jumps out of her seat to Kara. Aran tries to reach for her but misses her. She wraps her arms around Kara, “Sister Kara,” she looks at Ava, “sister Ava, brothers Aran and Persi explained to Shae how Shae is sister now.” Persi and Aran shrug. Kara returns the hug, and then Shae releases her and sits back down. Kara says, “It’s something, no, exactly like that, Shae; we are brothers and sisters now. It’s been a while since I’ve viewed life that way, and it’s time to start again. But you don’t need to call us brother or sister. Our names will work.” Shae smiles with a mouth full of food. Persi looks at Kara, “You’re looking better?” Kara says, “I couldn’t hold anything back from her. I’ve never been able to. I told her everything, and I felt much better when I did. Now, something for all of you.”
Tears start to form in Kara’s eyes, but she maintains her composure, “I miss her.” Aran says, “We know, we’ll have you home in….” Persi lays his hand on Aran’s arm, and she continues, “Not Sasha, well, yes, Sasha, but I’ll see her soon. I mean Camiella. I’ve been putting on an act. I kept telling myself that it was for all of you. But it’s been for me. She was one of my closest friends, my battle sister, and I miss her. I keep expecting to see her waiting for me to spar, go drinking, or talk. I keep wanting to call out her name so we can do something, but then I realize she is not there anymore.” Shae swallows, “Shae does not know this, Camiella, but Shae guesses Camiella has gone to the after. Your friend Kara can still hear you when you talk to her. Death is just the next step in life's adventure.”
Kara stands there dumbfounded, wondering why this thought has not occurred. She kisses Shae on the cheek, saying, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She leaves, and Ava throws her arms around Shae from behind and hugs her. Shae’s eyes bug out some from the unexpected strength of the hug, and Ava says, “I love you, Shae. I don’t know how, but you knew the perfect thing to say at the perfect time.” Shae takes a big bite of meat and smiles while she chews.
Kara finds a small chamber for private prayers, walks in, and sits down. She says the tenants of Galathor first: “Camiella, let me tell you about four of the most wonderful people…” She sits for the next hour, telling Camiella everything that has happened up until Shae explaining to her that she is still there listening.
Aelgir, Kal, Lynn, Valovar, and Zaos leave the room with the treasure, and Kal locks the door. Zaos says, “That was a lot.” Lynn says, “That brings tears to dwarven eyes. How does one man accumulate so much?” Kal says, “By being a thief, has anyone heard anything about Nutwood?” Valovar says, “Let’s go find out. High Priest Stormhaven is probably still in the triage.”
They all start to walk in that direction, and then Kal stops, “I think I need to stay here and guard this room. That’s too much to leave unattended.” Zaos nods, “I’ll do the same, but I’ll grab us some food. I’ll be right back.” Lynn and Valovar decide to stay, too. Lynn yells, “Us too.” Aelgir says, “I’ll go find the high priest.”
In the main hall, Zaos sees Aran, Ava, Persi, and Shae, he walks over. Persi says, “Well?” He hands Persi a scrap of paper, and he looks at it. His eyes get big. Aran and Ava look, and their mouths drop open. Persi shows it to Shae, and she shrugs. The paper reads 221,543gp in coins. Zaos says, “We haven’t even started on the gems yet.” Caylee walks over; Ava is looking at her. Caylee says, “What? No, I didn’t hit on your girlfriend. She is home. Her parents are safe.” Ava says, “Thank you. How is it out there?” Caylee says, “Not as bad as you would think. The Crownsguard and Bloodhoods are going at it in alleys, mostly in the slums. The Bloodhoods have hit the barracks. Otherwise, the merchant’s quarter is untouched. People are being careful; most merchants are closed. I think it will blow over quickly.” Aelgir comes running through and sees Caylee and Zaos. He changes direction and stops.
“Nutwood was seen leaving the city just after dawn, heading south. Sir Gurvar Stedz has placed a twenty thousand gold piece bounty on his head. Every company in the city is gearing up.” Caylee grins and says, “Gotta go.” Zaos starts toward the food, then stops and changes direction to chase after Caylee and Aelgir. Ava looks at everyone at the table, “I guess they are heading out. Wonder how long they will be gone?”. Aran says, “They’ll probably say “bye” before they leave. I hope.” Shae says, “We will see them again. Shae foresees this.” Persi stands up, “The loot isn’t going to guard itself.” He walks out, followed by Aran and Ava. Shae stands up, grabs a chunk of bread on the table, and follows them while eating.
The four get to the room with the loot just as The Nameless Shields prepare to leave. Kal says, “Good, you made it. Here’s the key to the room. We’ll be back as soon as we collect a pig.” He hands the key to Persi. Shae asks, “Shae thought you were going after the former leader of this village, but you say you pursue a pig?” Caylee says, “Yeah, he looked like a pig, right?” Shae gets a look of realization on her face, “Ah, now Shae understands. Gut that pig for Shae.” Caylee goes to Aran and gives him a long kiss, “Bye sweetie. See you in the future.” then she goes to Ava and repeats the kiss, “Bye lover, see you too.” then she jogs to the door, stops, turns, looks at Aran and Ava. She points at both of them with two fingers, then adds a third finger, “Next time.” She blows both of them a kiss. Lynn says, “To love and love again and again.” She laughs and jogs out behind her. Aelgir, Valovar, and Zaos follow them. Kal stops at the door, “If you are gone when we get back, we’ll see you at Nexus. I want to see that place.” He turns and runs off. Ava elbows Aran in the ribs, “I’m a lover. You’re just a sweetie.” Aran walks over toward the coins, holding up two fingers to signify he laid with her twice.
As Kara approaches it, Caylee rounds a corner, “We’re going after the pig, big bounty. You may be gone by the time we get back.” Kara says, “Be safe…” Caylee grabs her and kisses her on the lips. It's not a long kiss, but much more than a peck. Kara’s eyes go wide. Caylee lets her go, “Had to get that at least. If we’re not back before you leave, you’ll see us at your Nexus. I’m all for you, me, and the Princess.” Kara starts laughing as Caylee jogs off, “Be safe.” The rest jog by, and Kara holds a hand out and touches each of their hands as they go by. Kal stops. Kara says, “Don’t try to be a hero, Kal. Being a hero just happens.” Kal bows his head to her, “Till we meet again, Karael.” He runs after the rest.
Kara walks into the room. Aran and Ava are looking at the piles of coins, and Persi seems to be thinking deeply. Shae is squatting on a table, looking at the daggers Kal gave her. Kara walks to Persi, “A few thousand coins for your thoughts.” Persi snaps out of it. “Oh, sorry. I was thinking we needed to outfit Shae. She would probably be happy in those old priest robes and the blanket, but she needs some leather, and I bet she’s a pretty good shot, too. I must ask, does all this usually happen on adventures?” Kara smiles, “You are right, and yes, this and much more. We’re just getting started.”
Aran and Ava come over; Aran says, “We were just thinking it would probably be best if we got some more beds in here and set up a watch, just in case. This is a lot of gold.” Persi says, “That is a great idea, you two. Why don’t you find some beds? Since we’ll have a watch, we only need three more.” Shae says, “Shae will not need a bed. Shae could never rest on something so soft.” Ava says, “You stand corrected, two more beds.” Aran and Ava leave. Persi hands Kara a scrap of paper. Kara looks at it and hands it back, “I don’t care one way or another about treasure, but that gets a wow from me. Count out what was taken from us. Then count out the rest that goes to the people we rescued, including Shae.” Shae says, “Shae doesn’t need gold.” Kara looks at Shae, “Out here, Shae will need gold. Kara knows she doesn’t think she does right now, but she will need it.” Shae bows her head. Kara says, “Tomorrow, we’ll find you something more suitable. Are you any good with a bow, Shae?” Shae smiles, “Shae can shave a flea’s ass at a hundred paces with a bow.” Persi says, “Well, there is an answer.”
The rest of the day passes peacefully. Aran, Ava, and Persi nap between separating the stolen gold. Kara thinks about her conversation with Sasha a thousand times. Replaying every word. She watches Shae and wonders if Elirae or even Camiella had a hand in her decision to join them. Shae seems so naive, yet she is full of so much wisdom. She reminds Kara of Rinwauld in the way she talks and in the truth she conveys with those words.
Arden has acolytes come in and bag up the gold in bags, each containing a thousand gold pieces, and then the gems take up two more large bags. Arden takes the papers back to his study. He returns with Sir Gurvar Stedz just before dinner time. He’s a human, probably in his forties. Arden introduces each of them to the knight. Gurvar says, “I can’t thank all of you enough for what you have done. Those Crownsguard under…” Shae says, “The pig, oink, oink.” she tries to imitate a pig by holding her nose up with a finger. Gurvar laughs, “Yes, the pig. It needed to be rooted out. The Bloodhoods were taking over the city, too. At the very least, this will set them back, way back.”
Kara says, “This wasn’t my doing. I deserve none of the credit. This was these four and the Nameless Shields, I…” Persi says, “You got the ball rolling on this, and it wouldn’t have happened if not for you.” Gurvar says, “Regardless of who did what. This city is eternally in your debt. High Priest Stormhaven says you want none of it other than what was taken from you and the people you freed?” She nods. He continues, “By city law, twenty percent belongs to you, and I’ll add, The Nameless Shields said the same thing you just said.” Ava says, “Take our twenty percent then and donate it to the people affected by this war inside the city and those you know the pig robbed.”
Kara can’t help but smile. She imagines Sasha giving her a dirty look for showing her hand. Gurvar says, “Cragcall thanks The Wandering Mountain Trading Company. If there is anything.” Persi holds up a hand, and everyone looks at him, “Shae needs armor suitable for a scout and a bow. Considering what she has been through, she deserves at least that.” Shae says, “Shae accepts this.” Gurvar says, “An outfitter will be here tomorrow, and for now, I think the gold is safest here and not being transported around the city while two factions are at war. Again, I thank you, and the city thanks you. Be safe on your journey if I don’t meet you again.” Arden leaves with Gurvar to escort him out. Acolytes bring dinner to them.