The girl reached out to him though the bars once again as her face dripped off like water, running onto the floor of her little cell. Once more he had to watch as one boy burned to death, flesh sizzling away. As one by was consumed, slowly by insects and another turned into stone before his eyes. All pleading with him to save them. Just as her eyes pleaded, jeweled dagger protruding from her chest, as the light faded away in her eyes.
Xerro sat upright as he awoke with a jolt. He sat on his bedroll next to the campfire. The night was quiet, save for the nickering of the horses tied up nearby, and the heavy intake and exhale of the sleeping knight. The princess was in her tent, sleeping away as well, he was sure. The horizon teased the coming of dawn, and he knew he would not be getting more sleep this night. The dreams had been absent in Adelphi. He was unsure if the holy city had somehow comforted his mind, but if it did possess some enchantment to accomplish this, he would certainly not have been able to benefit from it. And as he thought back, the nightmares that crept into his mind every night were present that first night. They had stopped only when he had been sleeping next to Melodie. Was he so comforted by her sleeping curled up against him he hadn't even noticed they were absent until these last few nights on the road? These last few nights on the road since… Just thinking about it now threatened to start him tearing up again. He was loath to admit it, but Angeline was correct. He had been in danger of breaking down at random times over the last three days. He was certainly not up to the task of watching his own back for now. He walked up to the sleeping Kingsblade and crouched down. Wogan opened an eye, being a light enough sleeper that just approaching him was enough to rouse him from slumber.
“Teach me.” He said to the big man in hushed tones as to not wake the princess.
“Teach you what exactly?” He grumbled, obviously desiring rolling back over and getting some more sleep.
“I have been running my whole life.” He replied, “events of the past week have proven that this will not always suffice. Teach me to fight sir Wogan, please.”
Xerro could swear the knight's face achieved half a smile as his eyes fully opened and he got to his feet.
It did not take Xerro long to work out just what the smile was about as it seemed to be because he had just given the man carte blanche to cause him pain, both physical and to his pride. The man battered his knuckles and his rump mercilessly with the sticks he had dug up, both equal in length to their prospective heights.
“Wouldn't swordplay have been better lessons?” Xerro asked as the sticks clattered together.
“The chances of having a sword on you as opposed to any common object with a decent haft are minimal.” Wogan replied, the man was enjoying playing the part of instructor. “But anything from a broom to a spear can be utilized if you can wield a staff.”
As the two battled, Angeline stepped from her tent yawning. Her two companions were apparently busy trying to batter each other while something simmered in the pot over the fire. “Can you not kill each other before I've broken my fast?” she pouted.
“Porridge should be ready shortly,” Wogan told her without letting up a step in his humiliation of Xerro. “And he is the one who asked to learn to fight.”
“Well, then I cannot save you.” The princess confessed as she grabbed a bowl and began to fill it from the pot. “Not if you asked for your fate.”
The two eventually joined her, having spent a couple hours working up an appetite. Xerro was sucking on red knuckles, already beginning to bruise.
“Cup your bowl for a few minutes,” Wogan offered, “let the heat seep into your hands, it will soothe the pain.”
Xerro held the bowl and the knight's advice seemed to be spot on.
Clean up and packing camp followed and before the sun had made it over the nearby trees, the group was on the road once more.
The blonde and tone bodied elf nuzzled at neck the raven haired, leather clad warrior.
But rather than looking enamored, her appearance was that of someone getting more and more annoyed.
“Babe, babe,” she protested, pushing him away. “Hey, why don't you go fetch us some more drinks?”
The elf grunted with a nod and rushed off to the bar. Stelletta rolled her eyes and sighed. The fire haired gnome shook her head in disbelief, “what is the problem? Reincarnation is random, and believe me he could have come out worse. As half elf yourself, I would have thought you would have been happy.”
“I am. Kind of. I mean, it's just…” Stelletta groaned and buried her face in her hands, letting out a soft scream into them. “It's just that… Well, now he's prettier than me.” she let her face fall to the table with a flop.
Tina broke into a fit of her high pitched, bell-like laughter. “So? For Alyssa's sake, now maybe you can finally get him out of those smelly hides and into matching black leather. I mean, you two could look like twins.” The image as she described it forced her into another fit of giggles that Pyre, the group's sorcerer, had to join in on to the chagrin of Stella. When Brute returned with four mugs of ale, the newly born elf was confused to say the least.
“What funny?” He grunted.
“Nothing babe,” Stelletta smiled as he put down the mugs and slid onto the bench next to her. She gave him a kiss on his elven lip and looked into his eyes, “how about we go shopping tomorrow?” She said unable to resist her own fit of giggles this time.”
Tina sighed as the laughter died down, “with what money, unfortunately?” This brought the mood of the group down quite quickly, “our coffers are almost empty. We need a job soon unless we want to take up skipping the Inns and start roughing it.”
“Don't blame me,” Pyre complained, “whatever that waiter did ruined our last job. Not me.”
Tina rolled her eyes, “we know. We aren't blaming you. But it doesn't change the fact that we need a payday.”
Pyre was crossing his arms and still pouting when he glanced toward the front desk of the Inn. “Well what do you know?” He muttered. “I see someone we know.” He said, getting the attention of the group.
The last ten miles of the journey was in pouring rain. Angeline twirled off her cape, spraying water across the floor of the lobby.
“This is what cloaks are for,” Xerro jabbed at Wogan, as they too removed theirs.
He scowled at the younger man as they all hooked the soaked fabrics up on the pegs.
“Stop it.” Angeline told them. She had enough of their bickering on the road. The wet conditions had not left them in the best of spirits. “Wogan, please get us some rooms. Xerro and I will get a table so we can have dinner and turn in. I am exhausted.” she leaned her head against his chest as if to simply illustrate how tired she was. He put a hand behind her head, supportively.
Xerro smiled and saluted as the knight looked at him with a raised eyebrow, “I will protect her with my meager life.”
“You better, or I have been training you for nothing.” With that said he stepped up to the counter and the princess and the pauper walked into the tavern.
“No,” said Tina sternly.
“Come on, they are the reason we didn't get paid. We could use the payback and we can relieve them of their money, solving two problems.” Pyre wasn't dumb, as Tina knew, but as a pyromancer he was, as to be expected of the title, hot headed. She knew he never thought things through. She found it easier just to shut down any idea out of his mouth on principle alone. “No. And again, no. You forget we are almost broke, not just because we didn't get paid, but because it took almost all our money to get Brute reincarnated. And why is that? Oh, because that Kingsblade cut him to pieces.” She finished her tirade through clenched teeth, trying not only to punctuate her point, but also to not be loud enough that the dealer of death overheard and came for a repeat performance.
“But they are right there. And I for one want to know how a member of the kitchen staff counters one of my spells.” Tina knew Pyre was agitated because he was already tossing a small ball of fire from one hand to the other.
“Please do not burn down the Inn,” Stelletta said, driving a dirk into the table in front of him. “Especially with us still inside of it.”
Pyre looked at the black clad, leithe assassin, “Don't you want to pay that sellsword back for killing your boyfriend.”
Stelletta glared at the sorcerer, wrapping her arms around the elf Brute and squeezing him tight, “what I want is to not have to bring him back from the dead a second time.”
“Enough,” snapped the cleric, “this isn't a discussion and it is not up for a vote. We do not approach them or make trouble while I find us a job.”
While the princess, her knight and Xerro ate, the pyromancer stared daggers at them, earning a few angry stares from the gnome. Tina was relieved then when they finished and headed to their rooms. But when the group headed for their communal room, Pyre remained seated.
“What are you doing?” Tina asked, already sure she knew.
“I'm going to have another pitcher,” he replied, “excuse me if I don't want to turn in until those two are done.” He pointed at the other two already half tangled in each other.
“Love is a beautiful thing, there is no reason to hide it.” Tina preached.
“Pardon me if I like my love private.”
As the rest left, Pyre sat there fuming.
Wogan aided Angeline as far as he was allowed in getting ready for bed and retired to his one of the three rooms he rented. Xerro was still in the tavern, the cold rain had started his knuckles to aching again and he decided to stay and order some hot tea so he could try Wogan's trick again. It helped dull the pain, and when the tea had cooled too much he slipped it down and headed for the steps to the private rooms upstairs. He was walking down the hall past the common rooms toward the steps when the world went black.
Pyre stood there holding a sap with the waiter unconscious on the floor at his feet. He quickly stowed the blackjack and hooked Xerro under the arms and began to drag him to the common room his compatriots rented.
“Skite Pyre! What did I tell you?” Screeched Tina, her face as red as her hair with anger. The young sorcerer was dragging an unconscious lad through the door to the room. The cleric rushed to the unconscious boy and looked him over. There was a lump on the back of his head, but he would survive. The gnome lady set her hand on the lump and prayed, but nothing happened. The voice of her goddess, ever-present in her mind, was silent. “What the gods?” She muttered.
She looked over at Pyre, who was already dumping the lad's satchel out on his own bed. She stood and began to walk over to the sorcerer. She had barely moved three paces before the voice of her goddess returned. Tina stepped back and forth a few times, listening to the song of Alyssa bloom and disappear as she moved in and out of Xerro's circle. When she was satisfied with what she was experiencing, she walked over to the black robed magician and thwonked him ever so not lightly on the back of his head.
Pyre clutched his head and dropped to one knee by the bed. “Skite, Tina! What the hell?”
She looked on the bed at the poor collection of bric-a-brac strewn about on it. “Six bits. Congratulations Pyre, what a score.” She then took a hand and touched his head praying. The lump she left him receded as did the pain. Confirming her magic still worked away from the boy.
“This can't be it,” the sorcerer complained. “I mean, look at him. He travels with royalty.”
“And when we last saw him he was a server in an Inn.” Tina replied.
“The Kingsblade carries the money, idiot.” Stelletta laughed, prompting Brute to guffaw along with her. Not because he understood what was funny, but because his lady was laughing. “That's how it always works. People are less likely to rob a six foot murder machine.”
Pyre's face contorted in shame and anger. He picked up a small stuffed rabbit and tossed it at Brute. The elf looked at it and smiled, stoking the cheap velvet.
But Tina returned to the boy’s side. She went through her herb pouch, forced to dust off her non-magical healing skills. “Regardless of the fact that you did exactly what I told you NOT to, there is definitely something strange about this kid.” Tina muttered as she cared for the boy. “Put his things back in the bag and help me get him in the bed.” She ordered the mage.
Once he was on the bed, Tina opened his shirt, performing a thorough examination. Scars and fresh stitches adorned his body. The tiny gnome sat up on the bed with him and attempted to create light in her hand, time after time failing. “The boy is in a completely magical dead zone. He has probably never had magical healing in his life.” She said, tracing some of his scars gently with her fingers. She produced a potent smelling herb and began to wave it under his nose.
“Hey,” complained Pyre, “shouldn't we tie him up before we wake him?”
“Contrary to what you planned, he is not a prisoner.” She rebuked, “we want him friendly and forgiving.”
Xerro's eyes struggled to open through the searing pain behind them. When they did manage to open the first thing he registered was a tiny cherry haired girl in red silk robes.
“Hey there, sweety. How are you feeling?” she asked in a high childlike voice, as she stroked his cheek.
“Like something is gnawing on my brain.” He replied hoarsely.
“Sorry about that.” She said sweetly before actually giving him a small kiss on the forehead. “One of my partners kind of went rogue. He will be punished I promise.”
“What?” Complained Pyre, but she gave him a look only she could manage and cut his whining off.
“So please accept our apology.” She pleaded, “and there is no reason to involve the Kingsblade.”
At the mention of Wogan, Xerro took his first look about the room. He recognized Pyre immediately. He sat upright so quickly he thought his head would explode. “You!” he groaned, holding his head. “You all were trying to kill the princess.”
Tina shushed him, rubbing his temples, “that WAS our job a while ago, but we are no longer under that contract, so we are no threat. It was just a job.” She hopped off the bed and sprinkled some herbs into some hot water. “Now since I can't take away your pain with my magic, I made you an herbal painkiller.”
Xerro froze. She was aware of his curse. He knew he had to escape before they figured out how to use him. “I'm supposed to drink something given to me by assassins?” He asked, trying to devine their plans.
She genuinely looked hurt at his words, “we are not assassins. We are mercenaries. Yes, that does mean sometimes we are hired to kill people, but only when we are really desperate for money.” she pouted, a look that almost convinced Xerro she was truly hurt.
“You are a cleric, you said.” He watched her responses carefully, “I find it hard to believe Amon would be fine with assassinations.”
The gnome let out a laugh that sounded like the tweeting of a canary, “oh Sweety, I'm not a priestess of Amon. No, I serve Alyssa.”
Xerro expected a feint or even a convoluted reasoning to allow it. This caught him completely off guard. “The.. goddess of fertility?”
The gnome girl nodded, “I felt the call while working my previous profession.”
“Midwife?” Xerro guessed.
“Prostitute.” Stelletta interjected. Tina was a whore.”
Xerro stated at the tiny, but inarguably pretty gnome. She pouted at Stelletta before continuing. “I don't like that word. But I do still practice from time to time, to make ends meet.” She smiled at Xerro with a wiggle of her eyebrows, “three slivers covers most acts. But there are some things that cost extra.”
“Um… no. Thank you but no.” He replied.
“Your loss.” She said with a shrug and a smile.
It was when Xerro looked back at the leather clad warrior he noticed the toy in the male elf's hands. “Give that back!” He snapped, but then softened his tone, “please, that is important to me. Please give it back. Please.”
Tina saw the look in his eyes and immediately ran over to Brute, taking the toy from him despite the pout she received from the barbarian. She walked back over to Xerro holding one hand over the small bunny. “It is important, I can feel it.” She said as she handed it back to Xerro. “I can feel the love connected to it. Who is she?”
Xerro held the bunny tightly and try as he might the damn was breaking. Tears flowed and he degenerated into great sobs.
“You all need to go.” Tina said to her teammates.
“Tina…” Stelletta tried to argue.
“Stella, I need some time with him.” The cleric replied. “please.”
The fact that Tina called her “Stella” let the warrior know it was serious. She coaxed her lover toward the door and yanked a complaining Pyre with them.
“But,” he began.
But she silenced him with a simple, “shut up.”
When they had left, Tina climbed up in the bed and put her forehead to his, “how long ago was it, Mr?” She whispered.
“Xerro. And Less than a week.” He managed between sobs.
“Nice to meet you Xerro. Tell me about her.” She continued.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Her name was Melodie. She was amazing.” He began, surprised at himself for opening up. But her demeanor and warmth was almost intoxicating. If he didn't know better he'd swear it was magic. But she was simply that caring. He closed his eyes and continued. “And beautiful. Gorgeous jade eyes and raven hair. With a voice like an angel and a curse as bad as mine. And she loved me more than I had ever felt loved before. I saved her from a literal hell pit, but I couldn't protect her. She was murdered. Simply because she existed. By a man who it turned out was her father. How anyone could not love her enough to kill her I don't understand.” His voice faltered as another wave of tears overtook him.
“Did she know you loved her?” She pushed again, trying to reach the core of his heartache.
“She asked once. I never answered.” He replied with a sniff.
“I didn't ask if you told her. I asked if she knew.” she repeated, men could be so dense sometimes.
“I… I don't know.” Xerro replied, having never thought of it in that context.
“Did you hold her in your heart in every action? Did she sit in your mind even when she wasn't there? Did your dreams in days yet to be, have her with you? If these hold true, then I am sure she knew. Love is not just a matter of words. It is what you do, and how you look at someone. The warmth of your interactions and the touches you only feel in your heart. Breathe, take in that she loved and was loved by you. Leave behind the regret and carry only memories.” The tiny girl pressed her lips to his and kissed him tenderly. “I knew I was loved, carry the memory of me and leave behind the regret.” She whispered after breaking their kiss. He could swear it was Melodie's voice.
“What was that?” Xerro asked, confused as to her change in demeanor.
“I'm sorry,” she said sitting back on the bed, “that part usually goes better if I have access to my magic.” She shrugged and attempted a shy smile at him. “One of my duties to Alyssa is as a surrogate to those who have lost someone they love and have things left unsaid. But this curse of yours keeps me from connecting to her soul.”
Xerro managed a smile at the tiny priestess, “it's fine, thank you anyway. I believe it did help a bit.” He held his head as the crying had aggregated his head again.
“Oh dear.” She peeped, hopping off the bed. She retrieved the cup of herbal tea and offered it to him. “As I said this has pain relieving herbs. And please, I promise I am not poisoning you. Besides, if I did, I fear your Kingsblade would just slaughter us all.”
“He is not MY Kingsblade.” Xerro corrected, taking a sip of the now lukewarm tea, “in fact, if you were going to kidnap one of us I was the better choice. If you had grabbed the princess I believe you would all already be dead.”
“Please, we are not a threat.” She pleaded, “Pyre's actions were not sanctioned by the group. He can be an idiot but he's not all bad if you get to know him. We all are not so bad.”
“Well, I'm coming around to you, so I'll take it under consideration.” The little gnome lady's smile was infectious, and her company was improving his mood.
Tina glanced at the bunny on the bed next to him, “you said she was cursed, was it like you?”
“No,” he said, setting down the empty cup, “her curse was that anyone who heard her voice fell into a deep sleep.”
“So she could never speak to anyone. How lonely she must have been.” Tina's eyes widened suddenly, “oh my, your curse. As long as you were around she could speak. No wonder she was fond of you, Xerro. You gave her back her voice, gave her back connection.”
“What?” He asked, seeing a strange knowing smile taking hold of her face.
“I do not believe you met by chance.” She said with a grin.
“I'm not sure I believe that.” Xerro admitted,though he hated to rain on her faith.
She was, however, unwavering, “you meet a girl, also cursed, and your curse just happens to cancel out hers when you are near? Xerro, that is far too perfect to be a coincidence. Alyssa wanted you two to meet. You were destined.”
“And then she was taken away?” He watched her smile waver.
“I do not have an answer for that, I'm sorry.” She said, putting her small hand on his. “But you can't tell me you are not the better for knowing her.”
“”Yea,” he replied with a shrug, “I guess I am.” He looked at the petite lady thoughtfully, “her mother was in your profession.”
“Priestess of Alyssa?” She defected coyly, batting her eyes at him.
“Prostitute.” He replied, hanging his head as the memories forced their way back. “It was what got her and Melodie, who she was carrying cursed in the first place.”
“That is abominable.” Her voice was audibly agitated. “Prostitutes are sacred to Alyssa. The followers of Amon know better.”
“The Archbishop was involved with her. Got her pregnant with Melodie and when he was made Archbishop he cursed her to bury their relationship. Her name was Delilah.”
“Delilah of Adelphi?” She gasped, “she was the high priestess of Alyssa! She vanished one day fourteen years ago. None of us found out what happened to her.”
If she was the sacred Prostitute of the fertility goddess, Xerro mused, no wonder the gods rained hell down on the city. Ambrose didn't just anger his god, he pissed off a pantheon. He wondered about his fate now that he wasn't protected by that gem of his.
“By the goddess Xerro, “she said, her smile now gone. “Your Melodie would have been sacred to us.”
“She would not have been a prostitute.” Xerro snapped, harsher than he intended. “Sorry.”
She patted his hand, “it's fine, she wouldn't have to have been. I just mean she would have had the support of every priestess of Alyssa.”
“Where were your priestesses when she was living alone in the bottom of a chasm for a decade?” He said, again, not sure where his anger was coming from.
She looked into his eyes, hers brimming with compassion, “I know you feel that the world let her down. I understand. But we didn't know about her, or we would have been there fighting for her the whole time.” She touched his cheek gently, “I know you are hurting, but you are not alone. Alyssa tells us love is a gift. When it is offered you can choose to accept it or decline, whatever you choose as long as the choice is what makes you happy.” She stood up on the bed, leaned in and once again gave him a kiss on his forehead. “I bless you Xerro, consort to the divine child of Alyssa.”
“What is the divine child?” Xerro asked, as she sat back down.
“A prophecy.” She replied, making a heart on her chest by putting her thumbs and first two fingers together. “A child of light born in darkness who's voice will bring peace to the world.”
Xerro thought of how this sounded like Melodie, “well, I'm sorry she didn't live to fulfill your prophecy.”
“I don't have all the answers for you Xerro.” She said hopping down off the bed. “But I can promise you Alyssa has a plan. All I can ask is you trust it's happening as it's meant to.” She walked to the side table and placed her hands on either side of the kettle there. A short prayer outside Xerro's curse radius and steam was rolling out of the spout again. She poured some tea into two cups and handed one to Xerro. “Ouch,” she said, seeing his knuckles.
“Yea, the knight is training me,” he replied.
She gave him a little bit of side eye. “Well he doesn't have to be so rough.” She pulled yet some more herbs out of her pouches and mixed them into a paste. When she applied it to his hands the effect was even faster than Wogan's heat technique. “Alright,” she said, climbing back on the bed behind him, “might as well be thorough. Where does it all hurt?”
She spent an hour treating various stitches and scars across his body. Balms to promote healing and fade scars, salves to stop infection, Tina was a healing savant. “The princess is good with a suture but she left it open to infection.”
“The church of Alyssa teach all this?” He asked.
“Some of it,” she answered, still working away. “Mostly to aid midwifing. But I have also served as a battlefield cleric. And when you exhaust your magic and soldiers are still arriving, you have to learn non-magical healing. I picked up a lot of herbalism from a druid. The same one, in fact, that reincarnated Brute for us after Mr Kingsblade unalived him.”
“That elf was the barbarian?” he gasped.
“The very same,” she laughed, “Stelletta was beside herself, and that jackhole, Kuss broke contract and we lost out on pay. Now I need to find work for the group or we starve.”
A light knock on the door served as a question that Tina answered with a shout, “yes, we're done. You can come back in.”
Her friends entered, Brute the elf was dragging a sloshed Pyre over to his bed and dropped him rather ungentle like.
Xerro suddenly had a stroke of brilliance. “You all need a job, right?”
“Do we ever?” Stated Stelletta, as she sat on her bed and the barbarian, without a prompt, began unlacing her thigh high boots.
“I might know one that could warrant you a little revenge on Kuss.” He smiled, “how proficient are you with saving kingdoms?”
Angeline sat at the table awaiting not only breakfast but Xerro as well. Wogan sat across the table sipping breakfast tea, “you don't think he's up in his room crying do you?”
“I hope not,” he said, noncommittally as he looked over a map of the region. “We need to be on the road soon. He can cry all he wants on the horse.”
He was immediately struck in the head with a spoon, and looked up to see Angeline's scowl. “How can you be so insensitive, sir Wogan?”
“Because I know he is not crying because here he comes.” As he pointed behind her.
He had a slight smile on his face as he approached. A look Wogan did not trust. He soon saw why as four more figures filed out behind him when he reached the table.
“Princess,” he began, “how do you feel about mercenaries?”
The man in robes the leather clad warrior and an elf in strangely familiar hides and a battle ax remained standing while a chair seemed to pull itself out and a tiny woman in red silks hopped up into it.
“Hello, I am Tinamaria Trisskellion Saphiremoon, and this is my troop.” She smiled. “And before you comment, yes we may seem familiar. A certain lizardman may have, in a point of financial desperation for us, hired us to… work against you. Now we are no longer under contract, but still fiscally struggling. So we provide a range of services, two capable warriors, Magic and healing, “ Xerro noticed an odd twist to Tina's smile as she looked at Wogan and the princess, “and as a priestess of Alyssa, I can guarantee healthy, strong and perhaps… multiple children for you?”
Angeline, whose eyes were narrowed in suspicion, were now wide in horror at the minute woman's insinuation. Wogan choked on his tea.
“Miss Tinamar…” she bagan.
“Tina is fine.” the gnome offered.
“Miss Tina,” Angeline, still wide eyed, started in her practiced, diplomatic tone, “first, we are in nonneed of the services of the fertility goddess, thank you anyway. And second, do you expect us to trust you when you tried to kill us a fortnight ago?”
“I apologize for my latter offer. It's just as an embasary of Alyssa I can sense a deep love here. If I am out of place I apologize again. And speaking of apologies,” she gave a side jab to Pyre's ribs.
“Um, yea,” he began, and then rattled off, in what was a tone of obvious practice, “my apologies your highness for what was a rude and thoughtless deed I attempted to perform while under contract with your enemies. I hope there is a way to make up for it, hopefully in the form of attempting the same on the soldiers accosting your kingdom.”
Tina had her head resting on her hand when he finished. Angeline had a look of plainly unmasked distrust. “I assure you he has many redeeming qualities, highness. And my regret is quite sincere, as is our offer of aid. I am willing to cut our usual fee for freeing a kingdom in half.” Tina slid a paper across the table.
Angeline looked over the contract, Wogan looked over her shoulder, “Even though I bested their warriors, they were quite skilled. And with magic on our side it would be a bargain at twice the price.”
The princess tapped her nail on one particular part of the contract, “we pay all your expenses for the duration of service?”
“Yes,” Tina said with a smile, “food, lodging and wear and tear on gear, that sort of thing. But we are also at your beck and call for anything else we may aid you with outside the parameters of the contract for the duration of service. Deal?” the gnome beamed with friendliness, outstretching her tiny hand.
Angeline closed her eyes, and with a deep inhale through her nose took the gnome cleric's hand and shook it. Light flared on the paper as ‘crown princess Angeline of Amberwyben’ burned itself on the contract.
The princess squeezed her eyes shut again and slowly exhaled her deep breath. She looked over at Wogan, “did I just sign a fae contract?”
The moon hung over the castle wall. It was late and the guard walked the ramparts looking for anything suspicious. Kuss lay pressed against the stone under an overhang out of sight of the metal wearing humans. Even through the protection magic of his king, he could feel the cold of the stone attempting to leach out his precious heat. The town, sprawling out in front of him lay abandoned. The queen had sequestered all the people of the kingdom and their food stocks into the castle after the first attack of his armies. The sorcerer king had gathered six tribes of his people from the swamps of the south into this army under his command. But people are grasping and clutching creatures. Food would have been enough for his people. But humans liked their things. He and his men had been scouring the empty houses each night, looking for anything one of these humans might have one of these emotional attachments to. This night a dress was laid across the ever growing pile. It was what looked to Kuss to be colorless. Covered in strange textures and the soft materials that the humans adorned their females in during their mate bonding ceremonies. It surely meant a great deal of these emotions to someone in the castle.
Abigail tugged on Jimmy's arm. He held a crossbow, because he knew that it had to be some kind of trap. But they had drug her mother's wedding dress out, and he knew how much it meant to her to wear it on their wedding day. And by the time this siege was over, sitting out in the open, it would likely be ruined beyond repair. But they never saw any of the lizard troops at night. There was a chance he could rush out and grab it. His buddy Corbin was in watch tonight. He would provide cover if any lizards showed themselves.
“Please Jimmy, you don't have to do this.” She pleaded at the gate.
“I know how much her dress means to you.” He replied.
“You mean more to me.” She said, with an embrace and a kiss to his lips.
“I'll be fine, Corbin has me covered. It's a dozen at most over open ground, at night and not a lizard in sight. Just close the hatch when I'm through and open it if I bang on it twice. Just twice.”
He pulled back the bolt with all his might. It was twice the diameter of his leg. When it cleared the hatch, he pushed it out, taking a look either way and slipped out, closing it behind him and listening for the bolt to slide back. He swung the crossbow back and forth and in seeing no lizards, ran at the pile of objects they had been piling up for the last week.
Kuss saw a young human dash across the field at the bait. With a quick glance up to where he knew the metal man waited above set into his fastest sprint across the ground.
“Skite Jimmy!” Corbin cried, “look out, lizard!”
Kuss heard the bolts strike the ground behind him as he ran. Before the young human could turn and fire, Kuss grabbed his arm holding the weapon and grasped him around the throat with the other hand. He picked Jimmy up by his neck and continued his full speed dash to the edge of the town. Quarrels stuck in the human buildings and Kuss took advantage of their cover. He squeezed the boy's neck as he ran. By the time he passed four buildings he was not only out of danger from the crossbow but the one the human carried clattered to the cobblestones and Jimmy passed out.
Abigail wept in Corbin’s arms for nearly an hour, sitting on the ground by the gate. Jimmy was gone, and it was for something he thought she wanted. She just wanted him. The dress didn't matter. But he had to be a hero. It was what she loved about him. He was so brave, willing to do anything for her. But now it may have gotten him killed.
Two pounds on the door caused her to scream. Corbin quickly stood and slid back the piece of metal that hid the look hole amongst the hardware of the gate. Through the wood he could see Jimmy's face.
“Abby, it's me,” he whispered. “Open up.”
Corbin slid back the bolt, “it's jimmy,”
He pushed up the hatch and Jimmy quickly climbed in. The hatch slammed shut and Corbin returned the bolt through the brackets.
Abigail practically tackled him, locking him in a deep kiss. He let the dress unfurl from his hand and the girl squealed, hopping up and down, before smacking him on the arm. “I didn't want the dress more than you, you lout. You could have been killed. I thought you had been!”
“What did happen?” Corbin asked.
“I managed to shoot him in his side as he ran. I thought it didn't do any good, but a few miles through town I guess he bled out too much and collapsed.” Jimmy explained. “I high tailed it as fast as I could before I ran into more of them. But I snatched the dress as I ran by.”
Abigail hugged him again as Jimmy stared over her shoulder into the castle.
The elf and the leather woman set up the tent, while Pyre got a campfire going with a snap of his fingers. It was twice the size Wogan would have built, but then again there were over twice the people sleeping around it tonight. Tina even told him not to worry about boobytraps. The tiny priestess said a prayer and traced a circle of blue light around the encampment. She pointed at Xerro when she finished, “just don't you walk too close to the line.”
Angeline stepped up to Xerro as Tina made her way to the fire, and whispered, “she knows about your curse?”
“She figured it out when she tried to heal me,” he replied. “but she has been pretty nice about it. She said mine and Melodie's curses were ordained by Alyssa that we be together.”
“I'm sorry Xerro, I know that still hurts.” the princess gave him a hug as she spoke.
“She kind of helped me through some of that too.” he replied, managing a sincere smile. “I guess talking to a love priestess can be pretty good with heartache.” he started to walk away, but turned and pointed at his side as he left, “oh, and she said your stitches were excellent.”
Wogan sat down at the fire across from Tina as Stelletta was working on something in the pot. The barbarian elf was chopping up more wood and Pyre was on his bedroll, already asleep.
“Smells good,” he said, honestly.
“Between our rations and yours we had enough to make oogalic.” Stelletta replied.
“Oogalic?” he asked, “That's a Cadamarian dish, right?”
“Born and bred in the slums of Tagollig city.” the leather girl smiled.
Wogan looked over at Angeline talking with Xerro.
“I knew I was right,” Tina was smiling at him across the fire. “You love her. Don't deny it, I can feel the love. And she loves you.”
“Not that it matters, but yes.” The big man replied.
Her smile dropped, replaced with a look of pure annoyance, “you did NOT just tell a cleric to Alyssa that love does not matter.”
“I didn't mean love doesn't matter, the truth is I am forbidden from sharing love with my charge. She is my princess and my duty as her Kingsblade comes first. I made an oath.” He explained, even though her smile returned and just kept growing.
“It's so cute you think there is a difference.” She laughed. She saw his look of confusion and elaborated, “you made an oath. Why?”
“It is a sacred promise before Amon to do my duty no matter what.” He was growing agitated, but she seemed to only grow more amused.
“You vowed to Amon, yes. But who do you think is the keeper of all vows?” She reached a smile that Wogan was sure couldn't get any bigger. “All oaths are made from love. Usually love for what you are protecting or what you are serving. And all oaths and promises are kept by Alyssa.” she unrolled the contract Angeline agreed to, “when Alyssa promises two hearts to each other, that trumps all other agreements, contracts, and oaths. They WILL be together.” She put away the contract with a flick of her wrist. “Stop fighting it Mr Kingsblade.”
“Fighting what?” Asked Angeline as she sat down.
Tina smiled as Wogan shook his head. “Princess, have you heard the tale of Thagoric and Emphyria?” The gnome asked, winking at Wogan.
“Thagolic the king of demons?” She gasped. “Why no I have not.”
“Well it is one of my favorite parables of Alyssa,” Tina began, flipping back her hood and shaking loose her cherry red curls.
“Once there was a great and noble knight who was on his way to meet the woman he would marry. At a stop on his way to her kingdom he heard news of a girl from a nearby village who was taken up the mountain by demons. Being a brave and noble knight, of course he set off to rescue the girl, even though it meant delaying meeting his bride. He battled demons all the way up the mountain and soon reached a cave at the top. When he went inside he found the girl suspended over a lake of fire, she was of course beautiful, but beside the lake was Thagoric the king of hell.
He taunted the knight, “she will fall and she will die, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.”
“Please,” begged the knight, “I can not stand by and let an innocent person die. There must be something I can do.”
The devil laughed, “well, if you sell your soul to me I will set her free, sir knight.”
The knight was beside himself, he could not betray his virtues and oaths by selling his soul, yet it would be a worse sin to let the girl die. So even though it meant he would never see his bride, the knight signed over his soul. Instantly the knight fell dead and the girl appeared next to his lifeless body and wept over him.
Thagoric danced all the way back to hell, overjoyed that he had ensnared such a virtuous knight. But when he reached his throne room, Alyssa stood there waiting for him. There she was in all her glory, with one of her angelic scribes by her side.
“Release the soul of the knight and return him to life. I will not ask twice. I have been weaving a legendary love for over a century and I will not allow even you to ruin it.”
Thagoric laughed a laugh that shook the halls of his palace of fire, “I will not, love goddess. I won this soul in fair trade.”
“I said I would not ask twice.” She then turned to her angel, “remain here until he relents, then notify me.” At that she turned to walk out of his palace.
“Foolish goddess,” he laughed, “I will kill your angel the moment you leave hell.”
Alyssa stopped, and with only a slight look over her shoulder she simply stated, “Silly devil, you can certainly try.”
No sooner than Alyssa had returned the the White Citadel, Thagoric leapt at the angel, hand outstretched to crush her neck and snuff out her light. But his hand stopped short, trembling as he looked into her eyes and his icy heart melted. Instantly he knew he loved her, and the thought of hurting her brought unbearable pain to his heart.
The angel was obviously terrified at the demon king's outstretched hand threatening her existence and fell to the floor cowering and pleading with him not to kill her. This broke the devil's heart, and he immediately knelt down beside her, assumed his most comely appearance and professed his love to her. But she knew who and what he was and rebuked him over and over. He promised her sensual pleasures, riches and even a seat in his palace as his queen but still the demon king disgusted her, and she refused.
Tortured and in despair, Thagoric wept for the first time in his existence. He stumbled, dejected to his throne and retrieved his sword prepared fully to fall upon the Star of Twilight and snuff himself into oblivion.
The angel saw his tears and was moved by his inability to live without her. She rushed to his side and knocked the sword from his hand. She pressed her lips to his and kissed him deeply, sharing in the love that grew between them.
“My beautiful Emphyria, what can I do to prove my love to you?” Thagoric asked, still weeping.
“Release the soul of the knight, as my lady requested and I will agree to all your proposals, and stay by your side for eternity.” She gushed.
Thagoric tore the contract and it disappeared in a burst of flame. Emphyria called her mistress and she quickly arrived to claim the soul of the knight.
The demon king pleaded, “please Alyssa, remove this love from my heart! I cannot take it! I fear it will destroy me!”
“Yes,” Alyssa replied, “you did release the soul. But I am afraid I shall not take away this love from your heart.”
The demon king screamed, “but I released the soul, so you can weave this great love you spent a century working toward!”
And the goddess laughed, “silly demon, this IS the legendary love I have spent a century creating.”
Wogan could see Angeline was enraptured in the gnome's tale, “oh, but what happened with the knight? And the angel?” She pleaded.
Tina laughed, “the girl, it turned out WAS the lady from the far off kingdom. She had traveled to the nearby town to meet her husband halfway. As all good loves should meet each other halfway.” Tina shot a pointed glance at Wogan, “And Emphyria is still in hell to this day. Going over every contract hell draws up, making sure none of them ever interfere with her mistress's plans again.”
“That was beautiful,” sighed Angeline, “I wish someday to have love like that.” She was blushing as she glanced over at her knight, a fact Wogan couldn't deny to himself.
The Kingsblade stood, “everyone eat and get to sleep. It's a full day’s ride tomorrow, and we reach Amberwyben by sunset.”
Xerro sat down at the fire and asked, “did I miss anything?”
“Just the best story.” Angeline sighed once again.
“Thagoric and Emphyria.” Said Tina.
“Oh yes,” replied Xerro, “I've read that one. Alyssa gets the best of the demon king?”
“That,” Tina nodded with a smile, “and a lesson about meeting love halfway.”
“I guess I missed that part.” The lad shrugged.
The group slept around the fire, and the princess in her tent. Tina awoke in the night feeling as if a presence was pushing her down into her bedroll. Xerro tossed on his mat and sweated.
“Who are you?” She whispered into the night. “Show yourself.” She looked about into the dark of the night. Whatever this was, it seeped past her protection wards and past Xerro's null field. “Leave him be. Alyssa has plans for him. Do not interfere.”
A voice boomed in her head. Cold and deep as the sea and sharp as the crack of a mountain, “Foolish little thing. My plans for him span millennia. They will NOT be denied. Not by you or your pitiful, insignificant goddess.”
Then the presence was gone. Leaving Tina with a chill in her bones and an ache in her head. She felt the drip on her lip and reached up to touch it, only to pull back and see blood on her fingers.