When the seven of them stood before Lady LeMewn the following morning, Judd was full of gratitude for she had settled their debt with the owners of the tavern.

“You are too generous, Lady LeMewn.”

“For your bravery, your skill with the blade and your remarkable companions, it is the least I could do.” She replied.

Not only had she settled their debt, but Her Ladyship had purchased more clothes for them and made sure that they were all well shod with spares. Cleric Caste was in his travelling tunic and cappa clausa but packed in his bag were some of Clariet’s clothes.

“Whatever will I do with them? And it is unlikely they will fit the cleric who will take Clariet’s place. They are more suited to your height and build.” Lia had insisted. She turned to Verne. “Have you enough arrows?”

“Indeed, Your Ladyship,” Verne bowed, “I have plenty of arrows.”

“And you, Aalis?” Lady LeMewn turned to the young healer who met her gaze shyly. “The gowns fit?”

“They’re lovely.” Aalis insisted, wanting to check her hood was over her dreadlocks. It didn’t matter that everyone already knew her hair was unusually styled. She found the attention uncomfortable.

“Every young woman deserves something lovely to wear.” Lia insisted.

Aalis wore her soft, supple leather boots over tights, a gown of lavender with a travelling cloak of dark blue. Her eyes were luminous in the hood, deepening into blue.

“Please, convey our thanks to your guard for the gift of a shield.” Judd added, nodding to where Giordi stood, one of Quarre’s guard shields leaning against him.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“I am not sure your minstrel is thrilled by it,” Lia smiled with a glimmer of mischievousness in her eyes, “it lacks a lyrical flare.”

“My Lady, I am touched by the implication that I am worth shielding.” Giordi said graciously.

“Well, I was going to gift you with this…but if you prefer the shield…” Lady LeMewn gestured to her steward who brought an object out with a rather bulbous end, hidden by a red silk cover. “This was my father’s and it has been in a box for far too long.”

Giordi drew the red silk aside, gaping without restraint at the beautiful lute in the hands of the steward. “It’s…it’s…”

“I’ve never seen him speechless before.” Verne whispered.

Giordi’s fingers itched to take it but to his credit, he restrained himself. “It is too much, Lady LeMewn…”

Lia stood and took it out of the steward’s hands, walking up to Giordi and handing it to him. “Please, accept it with my deepest thanks for the duet we gave.” She urged. “I had almost forgotten what music sounded like.”

Giordi swallowed then accepted the lute. “I shall so long as you promise me to continue to play. Perhaps, one day, if I return, we might perform another duet.”

Lia smiled. “I would like that.” She seemed to hesitate then she darted forward and kissed him briefly on the lips. “Thank you.” She said breathlessly.

Giordi handed the lute to Judd and stepped forward, scooping Lady LeMewn into his arms and dipping her down into a deep, warm kiss. No one knew where to look for several long seconds and there were numerous red faces as Giordi drew back and said,

“No, thank you.”

Lady LeMewn was a little unsteady on her feet, her bosom showing a happy flush. “Oh my…well…”

“We should take our leave.” Judd said, bowing, hoping everyone else was following suit. “Farewell, Lady LeMewn.”

He turned and left, taking the steps down to the main square where their horses waited for them. Quell was hitched to Suvau’s wagon which he had previously drawn himself. The wagon had several packs on it while Zeke held the rest.

“Honestly, you can’t be trusted…” Verne grunted at Giordi.

“She needed a good kiss.” Giordi defended.

“You risked offending a woman of noble birth!” Caste groused.

“She kissed me first!”

“That is not a good reason to do anything!”

“You’ll get used to the arguing.” Judd assured Suvau who nodded. “Right, on to Fort Omra!”