Elivera sighed and put her hands on her hips, examining her work. She could see her own reflection in the shine of the polished wood. Her face was thinner, and her features a little more defined as she entered her thirteenth year. She smiled at herself and then went back to the bar to fetch more polish and a fresh cloth. The tavern would open soon, and there was still work to be done. There always was.
“Admiring that pretty face of yours, sis?” Neyra asked from her perch behind the bar. Both Tallfellow girls had to step up on stools in order to face each other over the enormous counter. Greybeard’s Tavern had accommodations for all manner of folk, including little ones. Most taverns in Ashikaia did. The diversity of the population here still astounded Elle.
Neyra scrunched her face up at Elle and smiled. Now well into her sixteenth year, Neyra sat at the precipice of adulthood. And it showed. Her cheekbones were more prominent, with plentiful freckles still scattering their surface. Her lips were fuller, and her ears had finally reached their full, pointed length. While Neyra had gained absolutely no height in the years since fleeing home, she had come in possession of far more curves than she used to have. Neyra was quite beautiful, though she would never believe you if you told her.
Elle smiled as she watched her big sister, hard at work cleaning mugs and tankards. She looked even more like their mother now. Or at least, she thought she did. Sadness crept into Elivera's heart as she tried to capture her mother’s features in her mind. Her fingers fumbled for the small seashell necklace that hung down her neck. The small likeness of their family contained inside it was smudged and blurry. With every day that passed, the details got hazier and hazier, and she feared the day when they would disappear entirely.
Neyra glanced at her, awaiting a reply. Elle just blushed, trying to change the subject,
“You know, I liked the layout of the old place better.” She looked around, drumming her fingers on the bar. Neyra gave her a playful smack with her cloth.
“Don’t dare let him hear you say that. He’ll get in one of his moods,” Neyra’s expression was serious, but her eyes still shone with mirth.
“Don’t let him hear you say what now?”
A gruff voice came from the storeroom. Greybeard poked his face out from the doorway, a keg of ale under each arm.
“Only that this new building has so much more potential than the old one!” Neyra said, “and far fewer rats, too,”
She winked at Elle, who suppressed a laugh. With a loud grunt, Greybeard set the kegs on the countertop and slid over to where the girls were chatting.
“It’s a damnable shame we had to run. A bloody, gods damned shame. That building was in my family for centuries, centuries!”
He spoke with feeling, but spared a smile for the Tallfellow girls. Of course, he truly had been sorry to leave the original Greybeard’s Tavern all those months ago, but they had escaped relatively unscathed. The same couldn’t be said for the rest of the refugees from Zerial, a city that now lay in ruin under the oppressive darkness of the shadow army. The Tallfellows and Shamil had recognized the signs immediately, and with their warning, Greybeard had much of their wealth stowed and was ready to flee at a moment’s notice. They were among the first to run, and also among the first to arrive in the great walled city of Ashikaia.
Ashikaia was every bit as grand as Zerial had been, and even more so. The city stretched between the western and eastern shores of the continent, spanning fifty miles across from shore to shore, forming a great divide between north and south. It was home to hundreds of thousands. And, as rumor would suggest, it was one of the few strongholds left against the oppressive threat of the shadow army.
Their preparedness had served them well, enabling them to find a large enough building both to live in and to do business while many others still lived in camps. Though Elle was convinced that Greybeard's suspiciously extensive friend network had something to do with it. Despite all that had happened in the last two years of her life, Elle felt mostly grateful. They were still alive, and they were still together.
Just then, the doors of the tavern swung open with a loud bang. Elle nearly jumped out of her skin as she turned to see who was there. Greybeard just laughed,
“Why, Miss Shamil! I thought you were in the forge today with Arv!”
“If you’re tryin’ to get me to wait tables like these two dunderheads, you can forget it!” She said with a sly smile as she strode briskly up to the bar. She stood on her tiptoes to give Greybeard a small kiss on the cheek as she went past him to the stairs.
“So what are you doing home so early, then?” Elivera asked, eyebrow raised, already knowing the answer. Shamil just smiled wickedly as she hurried upstairs to their living quarters. Neyra rolled her eyes and just kept at her work polishing the mugs. Before long, Shamil came thumping back down the stairs, a massive crossbow slung across her back.
“Hitting the range again?” Elle asked.
“Like that’s even a question,” Neyra said, flashing a bright smile at Shamil as she passed. Shamil stuck her tongue out in reply.
“So? If Arv wants to cover my shift so I can get in more practice, who am I to stop him?” She checked her quiver of bolts. “He does like hanging out with the other orcs, you know that. Plus, he keeps saying something about how the forge gets him more muscle gain than the sparring ring. There are fewer recruiters staring down his back there, too.”
Neyra frowned slightly at the mention of recruiters, but Elle worked to contain her excitement as she pressed Shamil for details.
“Are they back? I thought they were scouting out the western half of the city this month.”
Shamil shook her head as she went about checking the components of her weapon,
“Nah, this is another group. They’re gettin’ more persistent, Elle. Before you know it, they’ll take anyone, even a little waif like you.”
She winked as she teased Elivera.
“Now, now, miss, there’ll be none of that,” Greybeard said with a sigh, stepping in to put a hand on Elivera’s shoulder. Her cheeks reddened as he did.
“You know well as I do that Elle here is gonna get a summons for officer training any week now.” He looked down at the floor and absentmindedly stroked his beard, “Or maybe any day now, by the sounds of it…”
Elle willed her cheeks to return to normal color and continued her polishing. Her time spent in the dueling ring at the militia’s camp hadn’t gone unnoticed. Neither had her search for books on battle tactics, it would seem. Neyra gave a small huff from behind the circular bar as she wiped a tankard with annoyance.
“Get out of danger just to jump right back into it, huh? I don’t understand why any of you want to push yourselves back into this. Think of how bad it must be out there for another recruiting group to be sent out!”
“All the more reason to go! They need all they can get!”
Elle glared back at her sister, more annoyance slipping into her voice than she intended. Shamil just grunted in agreement.
Neyra threw her hands up in the air.
“Haven’t we done enough?” She asked, her shoulders slumping in defeat as her hands came back down to the bar. Silent tears dripped down her face. “Haven’t we done enough?”
Greybeard slipped behind the bar and put a large hand on Neyra’s shoulders.
“Little lass.” He leaned over to kiss her head, “It’s alright. It’s alright.”
Neyra shook with suppressed sobs as Greybeard held her. Elle had to look away. Her heart ached, but she knew that what she was doing was right. It was what Ma and Da would’ve wanted them to do.
“I’m fine,” Neyra snapped, rubbing her eyes with her apron as Greybeard pulled away.
“You most certainly are not! Now you take the rest of the morning. Just be back by dinner rush. Now, now, now don’t you go makin’ that face at me, lass! It’s Greybeard’s orders.” He stood with chest puffed out as he glared down at Neyra. She narrowed her eyes.
“Fine,” she spat, and with that, she stomped out the doors.
***
Neyra let her feet lead her without even thinking about it, blinking back the remains of her tears. She felt so stupid for reacting like that. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help. But what good was she? Being the bossy, know-it-all who reads books and cries? She shook her head, clutching the strap of her bag closer to her chest. It swayed with the weight of several books and notepads as she made her way through the city streets.
In the short time since they had arrived in Ashikaia, things had changed substantially. Streets were more crowded, vendors more stingy. The energy in the air was tense, and everywhere she looked it seemed she saw either soldiers or posters for the Army, the damned force that wanted to put her family in danger again. She furrowed her eyebrows and hurried on her way, trying to put herself together.
Soon, the familiar sounds of chimes met her ears. It always let her know she had arrived before she ever had to look up. Plants grew up the walls and nearly covered the windows of the humble building, a small stone dwelling crammed between two larger ones. It had an air of mystery. And perhaps that’s why she liked it so much.
Her shoulders lost some of their tension as she crossed the threshold into the little shop. The scent of leather and parchment and fresh ink wafted around her as she took a breath and sighed. This was her sanctuary.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Hello, dear,” said mistress Irene, her voice warm. Neyra nodded politely at the woman and smiled.
“Just bringing these back,” she said, carefully placing three massive books on the counter. Mistress Irene raised her eyebrows.
“Finished already? Child, I gave these to you yesterday!”
Neyra just shrugged and grinned as Irene took the tomes back for re-shelving.
“Do let me know if you need help to find anything?”
Irene gave her a knowing grin. Neyra never needed that help. And today, especially, she knew the exact book she was looking for.
As quickly as was polite, Neyra scurried away towards the back of the building. Her brown eyes scanned the shelves, her mind calculating the exact location of the text she required. With a satisfied grin, she found it, a black bound book worn with age. Its leather was so dingy and worn, she could just barely make out the symbols on the spine. Some of that wear had come from her, surely. There wasn’t a time she visited this shop where she didn’t read this book. But she didn’t dare borrow it.
She opened the book with careful fingers, its binding creaking and crackling with her touch. Symbols, diagrams, and ancient words that once seemed so foreign to her now beckoned her with gentle familiarity. Fear bubbled up in her chest as she flipped to the page she needed. Was she really going to try this? She scanned the page, putting the words to memory.
This spell seemed simple enough, and Neyra was confident she could perform it outside in the alleyway. She took a breath and held up her hand to make sure she was performing the somatic component properly. Once that was practiced to her satisfaction, she glanced again at the words. She mouthed them carefully, enunciating each syllable with exactness. It was only when the book burst into massive flames that Neyra realized that she must have said the words aloud.
With a shrill scream, she dropped the book. The flames died out quickly as the ancient tome fell to the ground, amazingly unharmed. Shitshitshitshit, Neyra thought. Her ears rang, her heart pounded, and she was too scared to move.
“Child.”
Neyra froze even more in panic as she recognized the voice behind her. Mistress Irene stepped into view from behind the adjacent shelves. Gingerly, she bent down to collect the book. She looked up into Neyra’s eyes and smiled.
She reached her hand out to Neyra, extending her palm upward. A tiny but beautiful plume of green flame bloomed in her hand. It hovered effortlessly above her palm, creating no heat, only soft light.
“It looks like you need a teacher.”
***
Arv looked down at the familiar little person next to him. Shamil was busy securing her hair into the signature buns she wore atop her head.
“What do you mean, you’re not nervous?” He asked. A bead of sweat trickled down his neck. The line was moving.
“I mean, that I’m not nervous. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,”
She narrowed her gray eyes, looking ahead of them to the recruitment tent. The two of them had been old enough to enlist for some time now, but they didn’t want to join until Elle could, too. Arv gulped. He knew Shamil was out for blood, but the way she had been lately was frankly scaring him a bit. And ever since Elivera left for officers’ training and Neyra moved in with that strange soothsayer lady to study magic, it had been nothing but him and Shamil’s weirdness to fill the days. Perhaps she was right. There was nothing to be nervous about. Besides, this was where he needed to be. Da told him to protect his sisters and protect them he would. But could he protect them from basic training?
***
From the desk of Quartermaster Varion, head Quartermaster of Unit Four of the Recruitment Forces of the Light
Recruit Arv,
It gives me no pleasure to be writing again on the behalf of your ration requisition. For the last time, boy! Eel pies are not a part of the standard rations package, nor will they ever be. I understand your unique palette and as the bleeding saint that I am, I will let you off with this, my last warning. EAT THE BEEF LIKE THE REST OF US OR I WILL BE REPORTING THIS TO MY SUPERIOR.
Signed,
Quartermaster Varion
P.S.
Learn to darn your own socks!
***
From the Desk of Lieutenant Valdora of the Army of the Light
General Roth,
I am writing this memo to inform you of a development. Recruit Elivera Tallfellow of officer’s class fourteen is performing at a pace exceeding my initial expectations.
It is my humble opinion that, despite her age, she be promoted to Ensign immediately upon graduation. I have attached her most recent exam scores and hope to impress this upon you further at the next council meeting.
Best regards,
Valdora
***
Public Notice
To whoever is using my shoes for target practice, know this: When I catch you, I’m gonna rearrange every single bone in your body. How did you even shoot my shoe up into a tree that high, anyway??
Sincerely,
Frustrated
***
From the journal of Neyra Tallfellow
Volume 3, Chapter 4, Subsection 10
A.V. 345, 7th Day of Dal
My training seems to progress at the expected rate, that rate being exceedingly fast. I’m a fast reader, after all. Master Irene seems quite impressed with my technique and will show me the advanced cantrips later this week. She told me to consider it a late birthday present. I still can’t believe that I’m seventeen years old now. All these months with my master have flown by so fast.
In other news, Arv keeps sending me his socks via courier boy so that I can fix the holes. Although my first instinct was to be annoyed, I can’t help but feel a certain fondness every time I take the package from the (extremely relieved) courier. I miss him so terribly. And I miss Elivera and Shamil just as much. I see them on the training grounds sometimes, as Master Irene and I often go there for evocation practice. They graduate basic training at the end of the year, and although I had my reservations at first, I find myself nothing but proud of them. They will make fine soldiers indeed.
Now if you will excuse me, Arv’s socks need mending. And I have transmutation magic to practice.
Yours in sincerity,
Neyra Tallfellow
***
Dew sparkled on the grass the morning of graduation, wet blades tickling the boots of the recruits who stood at attention in their ranks on the open field. Clouds covered the sky, dimming and transfusing the soft glow of morning. Thunder rumbled gently in the distance as General Roth took the stage.
“Soldiers, this threat is unlike anything we have ever faced in the history of our civilization.” His voice boomed with an otherworldly authority, amplified by magical means.
“We cannot stand idly by as this blight covers our lands. We cannot, no, we WILL NOT let our people fall into darkness!”
Neyra stood in the distance, watching the ceremony with great interest. She tried to keep her demure posture as they waited, but her resolve wavered as the General droned on. Neyra bounced on her toes and swayed side to side. She craned her neck, trying to find her family in the crowd. Master Irene chuckled.
“Patience, little one. You will see them soon.”
“How is he speaking so loudly, anyway? Your work, I take it?” Neyra asked, raising her eyebrow at Master Irene, who was leafing through Neyra’s spell book. She shook her head.
“I could fill a book with things I’ve enchanted for General Roth, but that is neither here nor there.”
Her eyes never left the pages of the book as she spoke, but Neyra had become used to that. The last twelve months had been some of the hardest yet most rewarding of her life. For the first time in forever, Neyra felt capable against the threats of the invading army, or at least much more capable than she was before.
The booming voice of General Roth continued to echo through the field as his speech came to an end. He was now calling up the officers to be promoted, pinning each one with their knots of rank. Neyra beamed as she recognized the tiny figure of Elle on the stage. Had her little sister really grown that much? Neyra could have sworn she heard a small, familiar holler from the crowd. It was Shamil, no doubt about it.
At that moment, Master Irene closed the book with a sudden snap. She bent down on one knee next to Neyra, handing over the book with tender grace.
“It is perfection, child. You have done well. I could have asked no better from my ward.”
She gazed into Neyra’s eyes, an expression of firm determination on her face.
“But it is time for you to move on. If my divinations are correct, you will have little need of me in the months to come.”
Neyra’s eyes widened in shock as she spoke.
“What do you mean, Master?”
“I mean, that there is nothing else I can teach you that you cannot teach yourself.” She smiled, gesturing to the crowd of newly graduated soldiers. “Your family needs you, Neyra. Do not be afraid to follow where fate takes them.”
Neyra clutched the book to her chest with reverence, and she bowed her head.
“I…thank you, master,”
“Just promise that you will visit me from time to time?” She smiled. “I have other books that could use a good burning,”
Neyra’s cheeks reddened as she laughed, rushing forward to embrace her master.
***
Elivera stood on the stage, her chest puffed, head held high. The knots of Ensign rested proudly on her uniform and she felt her heart swell with pride as the General proclaimed them as soldiers for the Light. Through the cheers and shouts, and even in the dim light of morning, she found them. Arv stood tall, Shamil at his side. They looked so regal in their military uniforms. Further in the distance, she picked out the tiny forms of Neyra and her master. Elle was certain that Greybeard was in the civilian crowd somewhere, too. She smiled as the sun’s rays finally peeked through the cloud cover. She glanced to her right side at the newly promoted Captain Valdora. He nodded at her and she nodded back. She had work to do.
***
Neyra wasn’t entirely sure how she ended up in the tent of General Roth. But here she was, her sister beside her. She was at a loss for words.
“I… I don’t really know what to say.”
“You’re needed, sister.” Elvira urged from beside her, “General Roth has been in communication with Master Irene and we know what you’re capable of. Don’t you dare deny it. Say you’ll join us...please.”
Neyra looked at her sister and decided. The look in Elle’s eyes was all the convincing she needed. She nodded weakly, and General Roth kneeled down and placed the knots of an army specialist on her shoulder.
A short time later, they walked side by side out of the command tent.
“You had this already made. I KNOW you did!”
Neyra tugged at the collar of her uniform and glanced at Elle. They looked nearly identical in their military regalia. Elle just smiled and gave Neyra a playful punch on the arm.
“I knew you’d come around,” she said with a smile as they approached Arv and Shamil, who wore similar uniforms.
“You’re in the army for ten whole minutes and already you outrank me.”
Shamil shook her head in faux outrage, striding forward to wrap Neyra in a hug. Neyra just laughed and looked around Shamil’s shoulder to find Arv. Her eyes widened as she looked up,
“Did…did he really get that much taller during boot camp?”
Without hesitation, Arv bent down and squeezed them all into a crushing hug, lifting them effortlessly off the ground. They stayed there for a moment, just blissfully happy to all be together again.
Finally, Arv gently lowered them back down, a wide grin splitting his face.
“So, ‘ensign little sis’. What is this special assignment you have for us?”
“Just follow me,” Elle said, setting off down the path at a brisk walk.
“Where are we going?”
“To meet the rest of the team.”