Chapter Two

New Faces

The army tavern was much dingier than what they were accustomed to at Greybeards, and it obviously served a much rougher clientele. A haze of acrid, earthy pipe smoke filled the air and the sounds of dice clattering against tables rang out just as often as the clinks of mugs. Elivera wove through the post-graduation crowd, leading her siblings to the very back corner of the establishment. Neyra and Shamil were nimble enough to keep up, and of course Arv just split the crowd with his mere presence.

At a large booth in the corner sat the group she was looking for, and at their arrival, a tall figure rose from his seat and bowed to Elivera.

“Ah! Ensign Tallfellow. We’ve been expecting you.”

He extended his hand and Elivera grasped it, trying to fight down the blush that crept up her cheeks. Not only was she still unaccustomed to her new title; but this man, the newly promoted Captain Valdora, was possibly the most beautiful person she had ever laid her eyes on. He was her instructor for officers' training, and as such, she had spent quite some time in his presence already. But he still made her feel a little weak in the knees. And she wasn’t the only one. She lost count of how many people threw themselves at him during training. And she cringed at the memory of how many polite, yet firm dismissals he handed back in return.

He had a head of pale, silvery blue hair which cascaded in perfect waves around his well chiseled features. His skin was a cool shade of tan, only slightly lighter than her own. Sharp, chiseled cheekbones and a strong nose framed his icy silver eyes.

But most impressive was the way he held himself. Valdora had an aura of calm authority about him that made him easy to listen to. He was competent, respectful, and a natural born leader. He was almost a little too perfect, actually. It made her feel a bit unsettled if she thought about it too hard.

He smiled warmly down at her. Elle shook her head and quickly gestured to her family, trying to get his attention anywhere but on her burning face.

“Captain, these are the recruits I was telling you about.” She ushered Shamil forward to face Valdora, speaking as she did so, “This is Shamil Quilltone. Top of her marksman class, and an expert sho–”

“Ohhh yes. I’ve heard of Recruit Quiltone. You were the talk of the shooting range these last few months. I heard you even broke General Roth’s record. Your skill will be put to good use on our team,”

Shamil stepped up to him with all the confidence of a giant dragon, extending her hand gracefully and never breaking her smoldering gaze as she looked up at him. His shapely, pale brows raised in slight surprise as he shook her hand. Back home, the Quiltones were known for their firm (borderline painful) handshakes. Shamil was absolutely no exception.

“Oh, it will. I assure you.” She said as she backed away and into her seat at the booth. Did she seriously just wink at him?! Gods above!

Still flustered, Elle waved Neyra forward next.

“And of course I’ve told you of my sister, Neyra Tallfellow. She is one of only a few arcane specialists in the forces, and the only one trained by master Irene herself.”

Valdora bowed solemnly as he took Neyra’s hand small hand in his large one.

“Ah yes. Ensign Tallfellow has told me a great deal about you. Our team needs your capabilities, Specialist Neyra, and we are most grateful to have you.”

Neyra mumbled something unintelligible in response. She glanced off to the side; her freckled cheeks turning pink. Elle couldn’t help but smile. Even all the years away from home hadn’t helped cure her sister's awkwardness with men.

“And last, my brother, Arv Tallfellow. You’ll find that his sparring record speaks for itself.”

Captain Valdora’s eyebrows raised slightly at the mention of the word ‘brother’, but ‌he turned to face Arv, looking him up and down.

“The Army of the Light has many soldiers, but only a select few could have earned marks like yours. Your services would have been requested for this squad regardless of your connection with the Ensign, I’m sure.”

Arv just grunted in an affirmative tone as he crushed Valdora’s hand in his. He was giving the man the full protective brother treatment, it would seem. Elle rolled her eyes and left Arv with Valdora, making her way to sit down with her sisters. They were engaged in polite conversation with the others at the ‘small folk’ end of the table.

A large, dwarven woman named Hilda Steelforge waved a calloused hand at the serving maids. Then, her rich voice bellowed out over the ambient noise of the tavern.

“Some drink for my little friends here, if you would!”

She clapped Shamil on the back and leaned in, her broad features crinkling into a friendly smile. Shamil became lost in the mess of light ginger curls that engulfed her.

Elivera had gotten to know Hilda a bit during officers’ training. They brought her in for the week they studied subterranean tactics. She was hard to forget with that bright head of hair. She knew Hilda kept all that hair tightly braided during combat, but when off duty, it flowed freely. Like many dwarves, Hilda took great pride in her hair, which included long sideburns that twisted into small braids down the sides of her face. Her large, round ears were home to dozens of rings and studs of various sizes, and they clinked softly as she talked to Shamil. Hilda was boisterous, headstrong, and downright stubborn. But she was also incredibly loyal and fiercely protective of those who needed her. Elle remembered fondly how she stepped up to show her the ropes her first couple of weeks in the army. She tolerated no nonsense, but if she saw you were willing to listen and learn from her, then by the hells she’d teach you until you got it right. Elivera was honestly a bit surprised Hilda hadn’t received a squad of her own to command.

“But don’t let ol’ Zarl over there have any of yours, okay? Poor lads had enough. Ya hear that, Zarl?! Yer a lightweight!”

Hilda bellowed a laugh, gesturing to a small fellow in army garb who was sitting (a bit unsteadily) on her other side. He stuck a pointed tongue out at Hilda and flashed a sharp, toothy grin. His warm green skin flushed with pink at the tips of his long pointed ears and the apples of his cheeks as he leaned past Hilda to get a look at the newcomers.

Zarl Tik’tik was a goblin, but it was hard to tell from first glance. He was probably the only goblin that Elle ever heard of who took such great pride in his appearance. His thick black hair was styled and swept to perfection, framing a face with sharp, handsome features. Elle knew him from her first few weeks at camp, before she had split off for her officers’ training. He was the same age as her, and he had enlisted around the same time she did. Zarl had a bit of a reputation for his eccentric personality, and she could remember how he put everyone in their training group at ease with his jokes and friendly manner. He had a talent for making even the most miserable of soldiers break into laughter around a good campfire. He was also damn good at what he did. There wasn’t a scout in the entire army who could disappear like him. He specialized in reconnaissance, and he was almost as good a shot as Shamil with his bow. She wasn’t at all surprised that Valdora had chosen him for this squadron.

He looked at them through lidded eyes and nodded his head a bit unsteadily. His ears twitched as he leaned forward a bit more. Elle still found him so odd compared to the other civilized goblins she had met in her life. Which, to be fair, was not a lot of goblins. But Zarl still stood out. His way of speaking and his refined appearance were just so distinctly…un-goblin like to her. He strangely reminded her of home, and she wondered if he had halfling blood in his family line somewhere. It would probably be rude to ask. The green of his skin, the sharp claws and teeth, and his comically large ears marked him as an obvious goblin, just a strangely good-looking one. He spoke with an accented and slightly slurred voice, interrupted with brief hiccups here and there.

“And whomight these be, Elle??” He leaned his face on his hand as he studied Shamil and Neyra. “Friends o’ yours?”

Elivera noticed his eyes widen as he finally saw Neyra, and his face melted into a dopey, drunken grin. Elle cleared her throat and gave him a sharp look.

“Best watch yourself, Zarl. This is Shamil, our ranged weapons expert. And this,” she put a protective arm around Neyra as she sat down, “is my sister, Neyra.”

***

On the other side of the table, Arv was making acquaintance with the most interesting group of individuals he had ever laid his beady, yellow eyes on.

Arv knew there were a handful of beasts like this one in the army. Hells, he’d even been on the sparring grounds with a couple of them, but this was the first one he had ever heard speak. His name was Cretin Nu’ul, and he was even bigger than Arv. Dark brown fur covered his whole body and most of his face, even down his broad, flat nose. His ears were pink and pointed, and they twitched and swiveled as he spoke to Arv. He had piercing orange eyes that oddly reminded Arv of the old tomcat that lived in the alley behind Greybeard’s. He flashed sharp canine fangs when he spoke and he had bottom tusks similar to Arv’s, though not as pronounced. He was a friendly fellow, and he set a mug of ale down in front of Arv the moment he took his seat.

As odd a fellow as Cretin was, the person beside him was even stranger. Arv was sure Neyra had babbled on and on about lizardfolk at some point in their lives. Explaining at length about the properties of cold blood and the mechanics of tails for water propulsion. All of her research couldn’t have prepared him to actually meet one, and that’s even if he had been paying attention.

“Riza Hess,” she said, adding extra hissing emphasis on her surname, “It’s a pleasure.” Her rough, scaly hand was cold in his, and Arv gave an awkward smile as he watched her forked tongue flick in and out her drink. Large scales glimmered in shades of bright green and blue, and her face was framed with exotic frills and spikes. Her tail swished gently under the table, thumping his foot every now and again. Riza was surprisingly talkative and full of questions. She was especially curious about his hometown and halfling culture. Arv answered in earnest, all the while thinking to himself that Neyra would get along wonderfully with her.

Captain pretty boy sat beside Riza, talking quietly to a beautiful woman with curly bronze hair and dark, coppery skin. Her expression was serious, and she did little but nod as Arv met her gaze. Valdora turned and looked up at Arv with his stupid, handsome face.

“Arv, this is my lieutenant, Kaida. And I see you’ve already met our friends Riza and Cretin.”

He turned again and jerked his head to the end of the table, where one more person sat primly. Her features were elven, but not enough to mark her as a full elf. She was half at most, in Arv’s humble estimation. Her straw blonde hair was cut short at the chin, and her almond-shaped eyes shone a bright shade of hazel in the dim light of the tavern booth. She gave him a curt nod as she sipped her wine. Her olive skin was free of blemish and her fingers were long and delicate. She didn’t seem like much of a soldier at first glance, but Arv knew her from the sparring grounds. Her skill with a blade was nothing short of magnificent.

“Elwin Nero,”

She spoke with a small smile. And she refused to elaborate further. Arv nodded, turning to look at what his sisters were up to at the other end of the booth, and to get a read on the last two people who sat there. The dwarf woman he liked, he decided as much when she pushed another drink at him from across the table. But the little green fellow made him feel uneasy.

He glared over the rim of his mug at the oblivious goblin. He was talking animatedly to Neyra, and she responded with a loud burst of that sing songy laughter of hers. Arv’s expression darkened as he watched the fella stare at her while she giggled. He didn’t like that look in his eye. He couldn't be certain from his spot at the booth, but it almost seemed like the guy was trying very hard to make her laugh on purpose.

***

Neyra felt funny. Her only encounter with alcohol before this night was sneaking a bottle from her parents’ pantry the night she turned thirteen, and the resulting hangover was enough to make her swear it off for the rest of her life. But that was before she became part of the army, before she was recruited into a specialist force! These people were trained experts! They were the military elite, and she didn’t want them to think she was just some snobby bookworm killjoy. So she drank a mug, and then another, and then another. Now her cheeks were warm, and she felt like hugging everyone at the table. And she did, or at least she was pretty sure that she did? Did it even matter? She loved everyone here, and she wanted them to know it. She and Elivera (who was also several mugs deep) giggled as they leaned into each other.

“Sis, yourethe best, yaknow that?” Elle slurred as she hung onto her sister.

“Hilda? Zarl? Didn’t I tell ya she’s the best?” She stood on her seat, leaning over the table to take Hilda’s face in her hands. “She’s magic too! Does all sortsa magic stuff. Right, Neyra?”

Shamil laughed at Neyra as she stood up on top of her seat and pulled her sleeves up with a flourish.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Yessiree! Magic!” and with a considerably greater amount of effort than was normal, Neyra cast a fountain of sparkling lights over their booth. The twinkling orbs cascaded down around their heads, casting rainbow colors on the faces of her new best friends. She began to twirl and dance as the lights fell around her. An all new fit of giggles struck Neyra, which sent her tumbling down from her perch and straight into the lap of an equally inebriated Zarl.

His cute laugh stopped abruptly, and he froze as he looked down at her. He had such a silly face. Why was it so pink? And such a long, pointy nose! She reached out her hand and gave it a soft boop before breaking into a fit of giggles once more. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, curling her legs up into his lap and burying her face in his neck. He was warm, and he smelled so nice. It would be so lovely to just fall asleep here. Surely he wouldn’t mind.

Suddenly, large green hands grabbed her from behind and hoisted her up like a sack of potatoes.

“I think you’ve had enough tonight, sis,” came that familiar, deep voice. Neyra turned to smile at her little brother.

“But Arvvvvvv, can’t we stay with our new friends?! I just love them so much.” She cried as Arv reached down to grab Elle with his other hand. Her sister was snoring gently, interrupted occasionally by a drunken giggle as she held onto Arv’s back.

“NO.” was all he said. Why was his face so grumpy and scrunchy? And why was he smiling so hard at Zarl? Wait! Were they best friends now too?! Hold on, was he growling? That wasn’t very nice! Neyra giggled some more as tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t make out what Arv said to the pretty captain man, but soon Arv walked them out of the fun place. She raised her spinning head to look at their new friends. The nice dwarf lady was laughing super loud and saying something to Zarl that she couldn’t quite make out. His face turned more red than green, and he remained frozen in place, blinking his pretty yellow eyes at her in shock as Arv carried her away. Neyra waved and blew him a kiss. Maybe that would make him feel better.

***

Arv was fully prepared to use every ounce of his dexterity to carry his sisters through the evening crowds. However, he found that the milling people parted like waves in his wake. He didn’t think he was scowling that hard. Was he? He turned to catch his reflection in a shop window. Damn. He did look angry. Maybe he was overreacting. Or was he?!

As if on cue, Neyra stirred on his shoulder, hiccuping and snorting ever so slightly in her sleep. Arv smiled softly, despite himself. It wasn’t her fault, quite the opposite, actually. Arv was no idiot, thank you very much. He knew full well the effect that his sisters had on people, and this wasn’t the first time he had to go brother mode on someone. But it had been getting so much worse now that they were nearly fully grown halfling women. Elivera concerned him less, even though she was ‌considered the prettier of the sisters (he’d had to clap two soldiers' heads together at that comment a few weeks back). She had her fiery spirit along with her sword to keep her outta trouble. Elivera also knew how pretty she was. She could take care of herself. But Neyra, Neyra was just…Neyra. And for how smart she was, she could be quite oblivious‌. Even though she was his elder in every sense of the word, he felt an intense need to keep her safe from harm. Especially if that harm came from some smarmy goblin guy named Zarl Tik’tik.

Even with all the commotion inside his brain, and the frequent stops to readjust the girls on his back, they were back home in fair time. He knew the way by heart, nearly subconsciously, even though it had been some time since visiting Greybeard’s. Arv smiled as he ducked into the doors, careful to not bump his precious cargo. It was well past last call, and Greybeard and the barmaids were nearly done with the evening cleanup. It still smelled of spiced ale and beer in the warm common room.

“Arv, my lad!” Greybeard called from behind the bar, quickly dropping his task and hustling out to greet them, “Are they okay, boy?” He asked with fatherly concern as he noted the (still very drunk) girls on Arv’s back.

“Shamil was fine until the end there,” Arv chuckled, setting her down unceremoniously in an empty booth, “but these two…” he held his sisters up by the backs of their shirts, much like one might hold the scruff of a kitten, “these two are in a state.”

“Well, ya did good bringing them back ‘ere to me, lad,” Greybeard said, reaching up to take Elle in his thick arms. She groaned slightly as she stirred, nuzzling her face into his beard with a giggle.

“You halflings and your liquor…” he muttered, “Let’s get them upstairs. Shamil will be fine til we’ve finished with these two.”

Arv spared a glance for the slumbering gnome, and he quickly used his free hand to toss a tablecloth over her before following Greybeard up the stairs.

After a short trek, and a few bumped elbows, they had the little ones tucked in for the night.

“So you reckon they’ll be okay by morning? This new Cap'n fellow says we leave at first light.” Arv asked.

He sat hunched over on a sturdy stool, pulled close to the bed where his sisters and Shamil now slept in a tangle of limbs and messy hair.

“Aye. I’ve used that tonic for many a lightweight halfling in my time.” Greybeard said with a soft smile, taking a long draw from his pipe, “Suppose they’ll have a bit of a headache, but maybe that’ll teach ‘em to pace themselves next time.” He shook his head and snorted. “So tell me again about this Zarl fella? Was he really bein’ that forward?”

“I—well. I mean…I—I could tell that he wanted to be, that’s for damn sure!” Arv was careful not to raise his voice lest he wake his sisters and Shamil.

“Lad, it’s a good thing you never waited tables here with them. Why, if I had a silver for every time someone got flirty with those two, well…” he trailed off, noting Arv’s dark expression with a grin, “Actually I suppose they got a silver each time, eh? Good thing too, I was ‘bout to go bankrupt buyin’ all those books and quills for li’l Lass there.”

He nodded to Neyra, who was drooling all over Elle’s arm.

“But that’s beside the point. Lad…”

Greybeard turned to place a hand on Arv’s shoulder, looking him in the eyes, “When ye enlisted I was scared, but now that you’ve told me about this special squadron you’ve been assigned to, well…I’m downright terrified.”

Arv’s brows furrowed in concern as he looked down at the man that he loved like a father. Not once in the years they had been under his care had he seen Greybeard like this. He continued,

“I know the general forces are dangerous enough, but at least the public has an idea both where they are and what they’re doin! I’d be able to keep in touch, send messages, but this?” He shook his head in exasperation, “Lad, I don’t know what they’re going to have you do, where you’re going to go. Do you?”

Arv frowned and bowed his head.

“They said it’s classified,”

He looked back up at Greybeard, who nodded with a knowing grimace. Greybeard stood then, putting down his pipe and moving closer to Arv, holding his shoulders with both hands and pressing his wrinkled forehead to his broad chest.

“Lad…you don't know how much you and the girls mean to me.”

He took a shaky breath and Arv could swear that his gnarled old voice was breaking. “I’ve been alone all these years, no family left. No one…until you four came stumbling into my tavern.” He raised his head, looking up at Arv with glistening brown eyes, “I need ye to tell me, lad. I need ye to swear to me.” Tears welled up in Arv’s own eyes as he looked down at his Pa, and saw for the first time that he was just as hurt and vulnerable as the rest of them.

“Swear that you’ll all come back home.”

In one swift move, Arv flung his arms around Greybeard, crushing him with gentle force. It took everything he had to keep those tears from leaving his eyes as the two embraced. With a surge of strength, he managed the words.

“I swear.”

***

It was still dark outside when Elle awoke. With bleary eyes, she looked up at the figure crouched beside her. Shamil had already changed from her formal colors to her basic armor and uniform. Her beloved crossbow was secured tightly to her back, and she had bundles slung over each arm.

“Rise and shine, little lass. Did you have fun last night?”

Elle groaned, trying to bury herself back in the blankets. The memories were hazy, and with a start she remembered Neyra had broken her renunciation of liquor last night. She sat bolt upright and began searching around the bed for her sister.

“She’s already downstairs. I think Greybeard’s tryin’ to force feed her some eggs. Not to mention that gods awful tonic of his.” Shamil pulled a flask from her cloak and took a long swig with a grimace, then offered it to Elle. Elivera wrinkled her nose as she took the flask, preparing herself for that wretched concoction to hit her lips. She guzzled as much as she could. As terrible as it tasted, it did help considerably.

“Now,” Shamil continued, “I believe you’re supposed to order us to meet at the rendezvous point? Something about a classified assignment of utmost importance?”

Elle took one last gulp and nodded, leaping out of the bed to get changed.

“I’ll leave you to it. Me ‘n Neyra have to go make some final adjustments for Arv. We’ll meet you in the shop.” Shamil grinned wickedly as she leapt out the door, leaving Elivera to wonder what Shamil and her sister had created this time.

***

“I proudly present to you–” Neyra paused for dramatic effect, her gloved hands gripping the tarp that covered her latest marvel in engineering. With a sudden flourish, she ripped the cloth off, letting it fall to the ground as she said, “–The Howdah! Version two.”

She bounced on her heels and beamed in delight as she saw Arv and Elivera’s jaws drop, their mouths agape in surprise. Shamil just smiled. She had done a lot of the work with her, after all.

“Neyra, this is incredible…” Arv whispered as he walked up to touch the straps of the contraption, “I know you’ve had the idea and drawings for a proper halfling backpack for a long time, but I never thought you’d be able to make the thing!” He turned to look at her. “How much did this cost?!”

“Less than you’d think,” Shamil said, “I had a few debts to call in. You know how bad those forge gnomes are at cards.” She patted the Howdah with a glint of mischief in her eye.

From a distance, it would have looked like only a large wooden crate. But this was no mere crate. The Howdah consisted of the primary chassis, a box made of a strong but lightweight wood, which was secured tightly with bands of metal that connected it to a massive leather harness. The inside had a small bench that could be used to stand or sit on, not to mention dozens of storage compartments and drawers. At approximately 4 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet deep, it truly amounted to only a very large backpack for their “little” brother. However, for them, it was the perfect mobile fortress. Arv was already hurrying to get the straps on properly.

Neyra smiled as she watched him stand up with ease, adjusting his shoulders experimentally and doing a few practice thrusts with his harpoons.

“How’d you make it so light?” He asked incredulously, doing a few jumping jacks.

Neyra waved her hands dramatically and whispered,

“Math.”

Arv chuckled and knelt down on one knee.

“Well, whatever you did, this is amazing. Now hurry and hop on board so we can really test this thing out!”

Neyra grinned and scrambled up the side, using the hand and footholds that were carved into the exterior. She waved Shamil and Elle to join and soon they stood tall and proud as Arv paraded down the sleepy morning streets of Ashikaia, ready to face anything.

***

It didn’t take too long for them to reach their rendezvous. Arv had a wide stride and an extra bounce in his step that morning. Shamil could certainly feel that extra bounce as she struggled to keep her footing in the back of the Howdah.

“Wasn’t there a way to make this less bumpy?” She asked, pushing both hands out to hold herself steady.

Neyra and Elivera simply looked at her with bemused looks, staying perfectly balanced in the back of the swaying compartment.

“What? It’s just like a boat.” Elle said with a smile, her hips and legs continuously making tiny adjustments to keep her steady.

“Yes! Like a boat.” Neyra mused, “And besides, it’s a small price to pay for the protection and vantage point it offers,”

Shamil groaned. She knew they were right, of course, but she didn’t have to like it. She silently cursed herself for all the times she skipped out on fishing boat work while growing up.

Her ears perked up as she caught a familiar voice in the air. It was that dreamy captain man from last night! She poked her head out over the edge of the Howdah, scanning around for a head of silver blue hair.

“Hail! Arv! Where are the rest of them?” Came Valdora’s voice from a small way off. He sounded confused, and Shamil could see that he was shielding his eyes from the rising sun to see them better as they approached. Elivera took that opportunity to stand on the bench, which put her head just above Arv’s.

“Ensign?” Valdora blinked in surprise as Arv came to a stop. Elle saluted crisply from her vantage point,

“Reporting for duty, sir!”

“I see, and are the other two in-ah yes, there you are. Specialist Neyra, Recruit Quilltone.” He saluted Neyra and Shamil, who hurried to salute back.

At that moment, the other members of the squad approached. All with curious, bemused looks in their eyes.

“Marvelous,” Hilda said, giving the Howdah an experimental rap with her armored knuckles. “This would’ve saved me so much walking in my militia days.”

Cretin and Riza nodded approvingly and whispered to Kaida and Elwin as they watched Hilda examine the device. They were heavily armed, some in plate, some in mail. Belts held giant swords in their protective scabbards, and hands gripped pole arms tightly. Pouches and bristling quivers swung from hips, clinking softly with their every move, held with countless belt buckles that glittered in the sun. This was a group that was ready to face any danger and face it well.

Valdora walked away, motioning for them to follow as he spoke.

“We’ve been assigned a vital task, one that requires the utmost haste.” He led them to a line of two wagons, which were being hitched to teams of restless mules. He gestured to the vehicles. “General Roth’s intelligence shows an encroachment of the shadow on our southwestern flank. Some miles outside the Western gate lies the settlement of Apo. Our task is to oversee the immediate evacuation of that town back to the safety of the Western gate of our great walled city.” He turned to face them once more. “Stealth is of critical importance. I’m of the belief that enemy riders are already scouting ahead of the main force. It’s likely that this town is already under their surveillance. We need to get in, get everyone, and get out. As you can see,” he said with a gesture to the wagons, “this is as much transportation as we dare bring. I’ve loaded with basic weapons and supplies, as we will need to arm the able-bodied folk and spare the wagons for the young and the infirm. We can let them take nothing else but the clothes from their backs.” He gripped his spear in determination. “I mean to have every man, woman, and child safely out of that town, do you understand?” He was met by salutes and a small chorus of “yes sir!”

“Then fall in. Scout Zarl! Are the wagons ready?”

A small, green figure hopped out of the back of one wagon, landing with a graceful flourish. He adjusted his cloak and gave a quick salute.

“Yes Captain, we’re ready.”

Valdora nodded and walked away with Kaida to the front of the formation, giving quiet orders as he went. Zarl turned on his heel and froze when he locked eyes with Arv.

Shamil grinned, remembering the delightful drama of the previous night. This was going to be fun to watch.

She tapped Neyra on the shoulder and pointed down to Zarl,

“Look, Ney! It’s your friend,”

Neyra’s face popped up over Arv’s shoulder as she leaned out of the Howdah.

“Zarl! Are you feeling any better this morning?” She asked with a friendly wave.

At the sight of Neyra, his face immediately went pink, and he gave a small wave in return. Shamil could feel the heat radiating off Arv’s neck as Zarl took a deep breath and approached the Howdah. The goblin had some guts. She had to give him that. Few people could walk under a look like that from Arv. He stood underneath Neyra’s perch and ran a clawed hand through his hair before looking up at her.

“So uhhh…what’s a fella gotta do to get a ride in that?” He smiled and bit his lip as he gazed up at Neyra. Shamil stifled a giggle and elbowed Elivera so she wouldn’t miss this beautiful disaster that was unfolding. Neyra didn’t even have a chance to respond before Arv whipped the Howdah around in a rough spin. He turned to face the goblin, leaning down close enough for his nose to touch poor Zarl’s.

“Family. ONLY.” He breathed, absolute venom dripping from his voice. And then he swiftly turned and carried them off to their place in the line.

Shamil kept her eyes locked on Neyra, who seemed confused as she watched Zarl scramble away to his own place in the formation. This was going to be a glorious trip.