With the coins—both won and freely offered—Vermilion Wing managed to restock their dwindling supplies, as well as afford their fill of stew and fresh bread.
And even after their splurge, they found themselves able to get rooms at an inn within the middle district. A lot more pleasant than their options in the slums. Cozier than camping out in the woods as well. Though, it wouldn’t be long before they found themselves lodging just off the beaten path as they made their way toward their next destination.
“A moment, brother,” Vivian signaled for Kai to step over toward the common area within the inn’s lobby. Mira and Torrik had already retired to their rooms. With a shrug, Kai met his sister by the hearth. The flames were well past the point of needing a fresh log, but the heat still fought off the bite of night’s chill.
“What is it this time?” Kai sank into an old leather armchair. Head thrown back he let out a sigh. “And please make it quick, I could use a bath.”
“Well, brother,” Vivian took her place at his side. Having to sit on a stool as her brother had taken the only armchair left available. “What are we going to do?”
“I was thinking we would sleep, relax. That is what people do at inns I thought.” Vivian glared Kai’s way, brow furrowed and eyes narrowed in the same fashion their mother used to when they were younger. When the two of them were less skilled at causing trouble. “Sorry,” Kai groaned. Fixing his posture to look back at her. His tired expression was difficult to read sometimes, but Vivian could tell he was just as uncertain as she was. “Let’s just enjoy the company we have. We’ll get by,” Kai reached over and took his sister’s hand. Cupping it gently like their father had the night he left them, “I promise.”
“You never planned to actually bet away my evening, did you?” Vivian switched subjects, a coy smirk on her face.
“I’m not inclined to answer that,” Kai chuckled. “Though, I’m glad that bet didn’t go through. Nearly lost that game, and then I’d have to live with the shame of what that meant.” Vivian playfully, and a bit too roughly punched Kai in his shoulder. Causing her twin to wince in pain.
“I like them,” Vivian leaned back. “Mira, and Torrik I mean. They’re family.”
“We’ve only just met them, sister.”
“Yes, and you’ve fallen in love. Don’t deny it. You never were good at keeping a secret from me.” Her brother once more used his hood to hide his face. “Oh, come now. It’s not so bad. I approve.”
“I don’t need your—”
“And I’ll help if you want.”
“Please don’t,” Kai stood up. “I’m going now. And please, don’t say anything.” Vivian watched her brother ascend the stairs. She was certain he was mumbling curses under his breath the entire way. Once she was alone, Vivian dropped her smile. Eyes grew heavy with sorrow.
I really do like them, she slouched over. Eyes locked on the floor, But, what have I done for them? What can we offer them so they stay around? Torrik seemed as though he’d be easy to keep around. As long as there was food, ale, and blood to spill, he would likely continue to venture with Kai and herself. But Mira, she had no reason to stay. She was a traveling priest from another land. And in that time, had they ever once asked why she had come to Valstrom? Had she or her brother shown any interest in what she wanted from life? Do I ask now? Vivian felt it might be too late for all that.
Thunder clapped; the gentle tapping of rain soon followed. Well, glad we lodged in town tonight. Vivian got up and made her way to the window. Watching the rain ride howling winds: sheets obscuring the silhouettes placed against the remnants of twilight. Her worries still weighed on her heart. Worries that would still be there in the morning. That was when she would worry about them.
A shadow ran past the window. The figure’s frame and posture reminded her of her brother. But that couldn’t be right, he was busy enjoying a hot soak. He can’t lie to me, she reminded herself. Kai had never been able to lie to her. No matter how hard she tried. Now that her mind lingered on her brother, she realized the aches in her joints. A hot soak would do wonders for her muscles. Maybe I should follow his lead from time to time.
Rolling her shoulder, she began to make her way towards the room she was to share with Mira. The girls had lucked out with a room on the second floor, meanwhile, her brother and Torrik had been placed on the fourth floor. She couldn’t help but laugh as she imagined her brother complaining over the flights he needed to climb just to meet his bed. And come morning, Torrik would make a similar complaint over the stairs keeping him away from breakfast.
When she reached her room, Mira had positioned herself at the center of the floor. Legs folded beneath herself, hands clasped at chest level and eyes closed. Must be a holy ritual, Vivian was unsure of the religious practices of her own homeland, let alone what was done across the seas.
Quietly as she could: Vivian tiptoed across the room. Careful to make as little noise as she could while slipping into the attached bathroom. One of the perks of lodging within a large city such as Arasta. Public baths were not something Vivian ever felt concerned about. She felt no shame in her body and felt no reason to hide her form from onlookers. But it was a luxury to be allowed to take one’s time and truly enjoy the experience.
A large iron tub sat center of a very plain room. Large enough to fit three people: bottles of scented oils sat on a table. Vivian activated the faucet. Pipes rattled as water from the nearby hot springs. Steam quickly began to fill the room, vented out through a narrow window that gave no vantage for anyone trying to peep in on patrons. Vivian slipped free of her travel clothes and tossed them into a basket left by the door. If she so desired, she could take them to the lobby and request a washing. Something she was certain she would do after putting herself at ease.
She underestimated just how thin the oils would be. Pouring more lavender into the water than intended, Shit! As it turned out, the lavender oils weren’t very strong and the scent hadn’t become overpowering. Relieved, she stopped the flow of water. Letting herself sink chin-deep into the scalding bath. Kai would die of laughter if he knew I enjoyed such things, Vivian smiled as the lavender scent rose from the waters to meet her nostrils. Even she couldn’t put up a façade when embraced by the soothing grasp of luxury. Cupping her hands, she gingerly splashed and scrubbed her face. A thick layer of dirt and dust broke free of her skin. It had been too long since she’d given herself a thorough cleaning.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
ΦΦΦ
Rain soaked through Kai’s cloak. Loose hairs stuck to his face as he glided from shadow to shadow. The weather had done well to deter the common folk from wandering the streets that night, but he still had the blasted guards to worry about. Each sound he heard could be turned into a pursuer if he was not careful. Even the obvious sounds of stray beasts scrounging through trash for a meal needed to be considered as someone following him.
Kai couldn’t quite explain why, but he felt something was off about his earlier encounter. The level of skill that old man possessed—not to mention his wealth—led him to be curious. So, he lied to his sister in order to sneak his way back to the lower district. Perhaps the elder was still at the tavern. If so, Kai would use the cover of night to find out exactly who that man was.
He had to leave his bow behind. While it was not impossible for him to shadow someone with his bow in hand, it was another thing to creep around the city at night with a bow and not seem like a hired assassin. At least the daggers at his hips were a much more mundane weapon for the self-defense excuse. It wouldn’t be hard to believe a traveler would carry a blade or two in case of robbery.
As Kai reached the lower district he caught a glimpse of a few patrons from the tavern. They had all been there earlier in the day. And among them was the old man who’d played him in darts. From the way the crowd moved, it was clear he was in charge of the group. All the others circled around him as though putting up a defensive wall. Hired goons? If he hadn’t had a reason to be suspicious before, he had one now.
Between the rain and the distance, Kai was unable to hear what they were talking about. Shit, Kai ducked into an alley. He’d expected the lot to move further into the lower district. Instead, they had begun to make their way towards the middle district. Well now, he grinned as they swept passed him, at least now all that gold makes sense.
Halfway towards the middle district, the group stopped. Kai thought he noticed the elder turn in his direction. Had he been spotted already? Relief washed over him once the crowd began to move again. If he’d been caught, nothing was to be done about it. Yet.
“We’ll strike tomorrow,” Kai overheard one of the tavern goers; finally close enough to eavesdrop over the rain. “They’ll never see it comin’.”
“Good,” the elder laughed. “See to it nothing goes wrong.”
“What about those people from the tavern?” another of the patrons pressed.
“Ah them,” the elder stroked his chin. “Yes, I supposed we should take care of that loose end as well.”
Loose end? Kai was unsure whether to be angry or insulted. It was bad enough that they considered Vermilion Wing for whatever it was they were doing, but also for them to be treated as an afterthought. He reached for one of the daggers at his side. Prepared to take the fight to them.
“And speaking of that group,” laughed the elder as he turned back in Kai’s direction.
ΦΦΦ
Steam rolled off Vivian’s skin; the smell of lavender coating every inch of her being as she made her way towards her bed. Sinking into the pillowy mattress face-first. She hadn’t even paid any mind to Mira. Was she still positioned in her prayers? Had she taken to her own bed? Was she even still in the room? All questions Vivian could not be bothered to ask or confirm. Just one more night, she gave a little prayer. All she wanted was one more night to enjoy the comforts Arasta provided. Not realizing how much she had truly missed them.
“Vivian!” the priest’s voice shrieked. Vivian jumped to her feet on full alert. Fist raised as she scanned the room for danger. All she saw was the reddened face of Mira staring at her.
“What’s wrong?” Vivian dropped her arms to her sides. Sighing in relief over the fact there was no danger.
“Y-You’re…,” Mira trailed off. Her eyes danced up and down the brawler’s form. It was then that Vivian realized she hadn’t dressed after her bath. There had been robes provided, but she had absentmindedly walked straight to her bed after drying. Then, she happened to notice the robes Mira wore to bed were much like her priest robes, baggy and hiding her figure.
“Tell me,” Vivian wore a flirtatious smile, “are you always so modest?”
“Sorry,” Mira averted her gaze; her voice low, her words uncertain. “Did I offend you? Oh, and I didn’t mean to yell.” Mira bowed her head and clapped her hands at shoulder height.
“Relax,” Vivian reiterated. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I’ll tell you when you upset me, and that might come soon if you keep apologizing.” With a sigh, Vivian made her way toward the bathroom. Slipping into a robe and making her way back to her bedside. “We’re family now, so I need you to trust me.”
“Family?” Mira looked Vivian’s way. She gently rested her fingertips against her collar with a sigh. Likely pleased to be able to look Vivian in the eyes without fear of gazing upon her naked form.
“Yes, family,” Vivian said. Her expression grew serious. “Mira, tell me something. Why did you come to Valstrom?”
“Well,” Mira broke eye contact. Taking her spot next to Vivian on the bed, “I came in hopes of learning more about the gods on your land.”
“Do you worship different gods where you’re from?”
“I don’t know,” admitted Mira. “The names are different, but there are many who believe they’re the same beings. So, I wanted to come and see how the people of your land worship. Plus… Well, there’s other reasons, but I can’t talk about them.”
“And I won’t force you to,” smiled Vivian. “Thank you for trusting me.”
Morning came sooner than Vivian would have liked. A pool of drool coalesced by her mouth as sunlight fell into her eyes. “Shit,” she groaned, rolling over and covering her face with her pillow. Oh, it wasn’t that she had gotten no sleep, or even that she didn’t feel rested. No, it was that the bed had been that comfortable! Vivian just wanted to bask in the comfort a moment longer.
“Praise the Bright Mother,” she heard Mira say. The priest talked just above a whisper, doing her best to stay quiet for her companion. Vivian found herself wanting to curse the Light Mother—and whichever god was the Valstrom equivalent, not that she knew the gods by heart—but that seemed counterproductive to the heart-to-heart the two had just last night.
With a yawn, Vivian leaned up. Blurry eyes scanned the room. Catching sight of her clothes folded neatly at the foot of her bed. From the look of things, they had been properly washed. But I never, her gaze turned towards Mira. Did she? As if she didn’t already enjoy Mira’s presence, the half-elf seemed to find new ways to please Vivian. “You head on down while I change,” Vivian said. “We’ll find the boys, and hopefully some work.”
Mira agreed; the priest slipped through the door. It wasn’t long before Vivian followed behind. Dancing down the stairs with a hastened step. As she expected, Torrik was partaking in a feast all his own. Mira and Kai had joined him at the table. Her brother looked as though he’d forgone sleep. When she shot him a concerned look, Kai returned a weary smile. What trouble have you gotten into, brother?
Vivian glided over towards her companions, “This should be entertaining.”
“It is,” Kai laughed. Voice hoarse. “But I found us a job, sister. Best part,” he tossed a purse heavy with coin her way. “I was paid upfront.”