Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  “What do you suggest, Evans?” I asked him.

  “Right here would be my choice,” he replied immediately, indicating a spot in the valley just beyond the walls of the fortress. “The caravans will be well-protected from any threats, but outside the walls of your fortress. Your people will have access to the inn, but the visitors will be outside your defenses.”

  It was an interesting choice—the caravans that visited us would have to drive through both the Garrison’s fortifications and the fortress’s outer walls, but would never enter its inner courtyard. Instead, they would be diverted to one side, through a secondary gate and into the valley, where they could then find shelter at the inn. Anyone planning to use the caravans as a ruse for an attack would still have to overcome our most heavily guarded defenses.

  “Thank you, Evans. I would not have considered that,” I confessed gratefully.

  “Does that location suit you?” I then asked Travis and Annia.

  “It should be fine, um, my lady?” Travis stumbled.

  “Her title is Dreya Sintári,” Tási offered him with a wink. “Though she doesn’t quite like it, so be sure to use it as much as possible.”

  “I think we should build some shops, perhaps even a small village around that location as well,” Venna chimed in, cutting off my objection once more.

  “That would be a very good idea,” Stel added thoughtfully. “See what Ilvain thinks of it when you talk to him later. Unless you have any objections, Dreya Sintári.”

  “No, sounds good to me,” I said as I hung my head and rubbed my temples in frustration. They really did seem to enjoy making me uncomfortable., and even worse, they were good at it.

  “Then it’s on to future plans,” Stel announced. “Travis and Annia, feel free to join Venna and Ilvain later to discuss the construction of the inn, but for now I have to ask that you take your leave.”

  “Not you, Evans,” I added quickly when he rose to leave as well. “Your presence it still needed here.”

  Once Travis and Annia were gone, Stel continued.

  “We will be reviewing our plans for future construction,” he began. “Housing, various facilities and the like. You are more than welcome to stay for that, and offer your input, but what we really want is your help with our military planning.

  “You have seen Daebreak Garrison,” Stel continued and I flinched as he said the name, “and now the plans for the fortress that will guard Dreya’s Palace.”

  Did he really have to pour it on so thick?

  “We would welcome your thoughts on those fortifications, and on our plans for an outpost beside the main road.”

  “The Garrison’s position at a choke point is almost ideal,” Evans began. “There’s not much I would change about it. I have the same opinion regarding Dreya’s fortress—whoever drew up these plans knew what they were doing. As long as you have enough people to defend them, these walls will not fall easily, if at all.”

  “But I would advise you to wait a little while before you build your outpost,” he cautioned. “If I have the numbers right, you’ve just doubled your population. You’ll want to take at least some time to integrate the new people, and add some of them into your militia, before you bring in any more of them.”

  “That was one of our concerns,” Venna replied. “I’m glad to hear that you share it.”

  “Speaking of militias,” I jumped in quickly. “I have a job offer for you, Evans.”

  His eyebrows raised just slightly, and everyone else turned to face me as I made the surprise declaration. I had decided to extend this offer to him almost the minute I found Evans among the new arrivals but had kept it to myself until then.

  “My Realm,” I began as I cast a quick glare at Stel, “is going to need a leader for its military forces. I would be honored if you would accept that position.”

  “I left The Citadel to be free of my obligations, not to assume new ones,” my heart sank as Evans replied slowly. “But I find myself intrigued with what you are doing here. The opportunity to take part in something as grand as what you have planned is not something one can easily dismiss. And the fact that the Gods themselves have so generously blessed you–all of you–cannot be overlooked.

  “I accept your offer, Dreya Sintári,” Evans finally pronounced as he rose and offered me a salute.

  “Then I name you First Marshal of the Realm,” I said as I stood up and met his gaze. “You have full authority over all military operations from this moment on. This building is now your Headquarters, and I will leave the defense of my Realm in your capable hands. Broda has been overseeing most of those duties until now; you may wish to consult with her to aid your transition.”

  “I hate to start on this note, Dreya Sintári,” Evans replied. “But I will need a budget; funds to pay your troops. We cannot have a professional Army without professional soldiers. And those soldiers will need to be paid.”

  “Let me see to that, Sintári,” Stel volunteered. “I am well aware of our resources, and I should be able to take care of the First Marshal’s needs.”

  “You may also wish to speak to Hilgreth,” Broda added. “She’s been making all the armor and weapons for the Garrison, but if we’re moving towards an official military, you may want her role, and her payment, to be more clearly defined.”

  “There will be a great deal to attend to,” Evans replied. “But the smith will be high on my list. I hope you do not mind if I place a few of the soldiers I brought with me in key positions. I won’t be able to deal with everything myself, and I know their capabilities.”

  “You have my complete confidence, Evans,” I assured him. “I only ask that you don’t overlook the people we have here. They know the Garrison, and more importantly, the people who make it work. You would do well to include some of them in your inner circle.”

  “I will make consulting with Broda on that matter my first priority, Dreya Sintári,” he replied with conviction.

  “Perhaps we should meet together weekly, to review our progress and make additional plans?” Stel offered.

  “I think that would be an excellent idea,” Venna concurred. “This room works well, and we have plenty of space for everything. What do you think, Dreya Sintári?”

  She knew that I was uneasy with the formality of my title but seemed to relish every opportunity to prod me with it.

  “I agree,” I said as I glared back at her.

  “Very well,” Venna said as she stood up from her seat. “I think we have finished all of our business for the day. Unless something urgent comes up, we’ll meet back here in a week and review our progress on these issues.”

  As we left the building, I cast another glare at Venna while she headed off to find Ilvain. She just smiled at my irritation and continued on her way.

  “You know that only makes it worse,” Tási commented with amusement.

  “What?” I practically snapped at her.

  “That,” she smiled back at me. “Letting her know just how much it bothers you.”

  She was probably right about that. My reaction was exactly what Venna had been trying to provoke, and I kept walking into her trap. Despite my irritation at her pointed use of my formal title, I resolved to try and ignore it, hoping that the lack of response would dissuade her.

  There were several people I wanted to see that day, and I took Tási’s hand and pulled her along with me as I headed for the first of them. Fortunately, I found him right where I thought I would.

  “Good morning, Georl,” I greeted him as he stared into the forge from just outside its perimeter.

  “Good morning, Dreya Sintári,” he replied. “Did I get that right?”

  “Yes, you did,” Tási replied for me as I held my tongue.

  “Let me introduce you to Hilgreth, our smith,” I prompted Georl before I guided him into the forge.

  Hilgreth stopped hammering on the bright red hunk of metal she was working on as we approached. I caught her glaring at Georl for just a second b
efore she relaxed and took up a more neutral expression.

  “Hello, Dreya Sintári,” she greeted me. “What can I do for you today?”

  “I would like your assessment of this blade,” I said as I drew the dagger from my belt.

  Hilgreth took the dagger from me and evaluated it carefully. She ran her fingernail along its edge, looked over its perfectly formed angles, and even tapped the blade against her anvil to listen to the ringing of its steel.

  “It is a very fine blade,” she finally pronounced. “Equal to anything I could craft. I’d be honored to meet the smith who forged it.”

  “I hoped that you would say that,” I smiled at her. “This blade was a gift to me, one I was honored to receive. The man who forged it is called Georl, and he’s standing right in front of you.”

  Hilgreth was clearly taken aback by the revelation. Although it came as a shock to her, and she clearly waged a struggle inside herself, to her credit, she held her tongue until her better judgement could prevail.

  “I will not lie to you, Georl,” Hilgreth replied honestly. “I did not think your people were capable of such craftsmanship, but I have learned much about such preconceptions since coming here, and I’m happy to learn that I was wrong.”

  “Thank you Hilgreth,” Georl answered her warmly. “It is rare to meet someone as open minded as you are.”

  Hilgreth and I shared a knowing look at Georl’s ironic praise. It had been a bumpy road to get Hilgreth to this point, and we both felt a certain amount of pride in how far she had come. So, on that note, I finally revealed my purpose for coming to her.

  “Now that you’ve seen his work, and you know what he is capable of,” I told Hilgreth, “I’d like you to find a place for Georl here.”

  “I can do that,” Hilgreth surprised me by responding immediately.

  I had been prepared for some resistance from her, so when she offered no objections, I was at a momentary loss.

  “Good, then we’ll leave you to it,” Tási said when I hesitated before leading me away.

  “That was too easy,” I commented as we left the forge behind.

  “You are so dense sometimes,” Tási sighed in response.

  “Now what?”

  “Hello? Sintári?” Tási mocked me. “Your whole thing is getting people to do what’s right. It’s not always going to be as simple as that, but you really shouldn’t be too surprised anymore when it is.”

  “Come here, hold my hand,” I said as I sidled up beside her.

  I almost had her in my grasp before she recognized the look in my eye, and the petty act of revenge I had intended.

  “Nope,” Tási said as she drew her arm back quickly.

  We were almost to our next destination before I was able to convince Tási that I wasn’t going to send her any uncomfortable impulses, and she finally let me take her hand. When we arrived at the home that was next on my list, I knocked on the door and waited patiently for someone to answer.

  “I’m so glad you were able to come by!” Jessah exclaimed as she flung the door open and welcomed us inside. “I thought for sure that you’d be too busy with all that’s going on.”

  I felt Tási’s grip on my fingers tighten as we walked inside, and I sent her the tiniest tingle in warning. Her eyes flashed wide for a second when she felt my gentle reminder and I squeezed her hand reassuringly.

  “Irisse is upstairs; please, have a seat and I’ll go get her,” Jessah said as she gestured to the table in the common area.

  “I promised I would talk to her,” I quickly explained when Jessah vanished upstairs. “And I brought you with me. That was not by accident.”

  Although Tási seemed mollified by my words, before she could reply, Jessah and Irisse had joined us.

  We exchanged a few pleasantries before I asked what had brought the two of them to my Realm. The last time I’d seen them, they were living happily in Orlan, and I wasn’t sure why they would leave the capital city for my little domain in the wilds.

  “It was a truly odd series of events, really,” Irisse volunteered when I asked. “The inn we were working at was sold, and the new owner sent everyone packing so he could bring in his own people. We tried to find new jobs, but nothing was available. Our money was running low, and things were getting pretty desperate. Then, we happened to meet Stel one night and Jessah recognized him. He was talking to Travis and Annia about coming here to open an inn of their own, and, well, it seemed like our only option.”

  That little tale was beginning to sound quite familiar, and I wasn’t the only one who thought so. As Irisse told the story, Tási squeezed my hand, letting me know she recognized the pattern too.

  “Have you seen Venna yet?” I asked when Irisse was done. “She’s making sure everyone gets settled in their permanent homes, and also helping to get the inn built.”

  “Yes, actually we were just packing up our things when you got here,” Jessah responded. “Venna promised to have a new place built for us close to the inn, but she’s moved us as near as she can until its ready.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, Dreya Sintári,” Irisse added sincerely. “You’ve taken us in and are providing us with so much. I don’t know what to say.”

  “I’m doing everything I can to see that everyone who comes here gets off to a good start,” I told her. “But after that, I expect you to do your part—to be productive and contribute. And most importantly, to be a decent person. I’ve laid out the guidelines that I expect my citizens to follow, and as long as you adhere to them, there will be a place for you here.”

  “They posted the words from your speech around the valley and at the Garrison for everyone to see,” Jessah replied. “I wish I’d been here when you gave it. From what they tell me, it was an incredible night.”

  “When did that happen? I didn’t tell anyone to post that,” I said as I turned to Tási.

  “That was me,” she muttered as she stared down at her lap.

  “Jessah, Irisse, it’s been great to see you both again, but I’m afraid we need to go now,” I said as I rose from my chair.

  Tási seemed reluctant to leave, and I had to practically haul her up by the hand I was firmly grasping.

  “I’ll try and stop by again and see how things are going,” I promised as I dragged Tási outside.

  “We’ll look forward to that,” Jessah smiled as she and Irisse started to giggle.

  I waited until we were out of sight before I whipped around and turned on Tási.

  “Why would you do something like that without asking me first?”

  “I thought it would help,” Tási tried to explain. “With so many new people, I wanted to make sure everyone knew what was expected of them.”

  “And what if I already had plans for how I wanted to accomplish that?”

  “Oh,” Tási replied softly.

  “Please don’t do anything like that again,” I responded more calmly. “I need your help Tási, but you can’t do something that important without checking with me first.”

  “I’m sorry that I ruined whatever you had planned,” she apologized.

  Instead of answering her, I held out my hand. She looked at me and then reluctantly took it, expecting me to send her a powerful tendril, but I didn’t. Once I held her hand in mine, I simply guided her away towards our final stop for the day.

  “You didn’t ruin anything, Tási,” I told her as we walked down the narrow path. “I was still trying to figure out how I was going to tell all the new people.”

  “But you…” Tási stammered. “You made me think… oh, you’re such a bitch.”

  “You are so dense sometimes,” I echoed back to her.

  When we reached the home that was my final destination, no one answered the door. I had a quick look around, but there didn’t appear to be anyone nearby, so I gave up and headed for our own house.

  “Who were you expecting to meet?” Tási asked curiously.

  “Marli and Ella,” I answered honestly, even though
I knew she wouldn’t be happy with my reply.

  “I like Marli,” Tási responded innocently.

  Her delivery was perfect, and her tone was just right, so I couldn’t help but laugh at her pointed reply.

  “You spent a great deal of time with her yesterday. What did you learn about Ella?” I asked once my giggling stopped.

  Tási let out a huge sigh before she began her answer.

  “She absolutely worships you,” she said to my surprise. “You’re the reason she left her job and started adventuring. What you did in Tula, killing that man, it impressed her. She didn’t say as much, but you’ve told me the story, so I figured it out.”

  “Then you know her role in those events as well,” I told her when I recovered from the shock of what she had said. “She helped me that night. More than I had any right to expect. I owe her a great deal.”

  Tási let my statement go without responding to it, and we walked the rest of the way back home in silence. When we arrived, Bane was waiting for us on the front porch with his usual report, and we headed inside to wait for the others to arrive home.

  Once we were all together, everyone went over how their various assignments had gone. Venna, Broda and Ilvain had managed to house everyone, and even worked out a rough design for the new inn. Stel had spent most of his time coordinating with Evans, and the two had come up with what they believed would be a workable pay scale for our new military. They had even managed to draft Hilgreth and Georl with the promise of not only a regular salary, but the shared title of Chief Armorer of the Realm. It seemed a bit gaudy, but I had given Evans wide authority to run the military as he saw fit, so it was too late for me to object to the First Marshal’s methods.

  “What did you do all day, master dwarf?” I asked as he was the only one of us who hadn’t had an official assignment.

  “Um... well… that is,” he fumbled.

  “He pranced around in his new armor for all the pretty ladies is what he did,” Broda glowered.

  “Why, master dwarf, I’m shocked,” I said in mock surprise.

  Broda tore into him for a while after that, almost to the point of where I pitied the dwarf—almost.