She peered down into her mug, and for an instant, saw Prodal’s form staring back at her in its reflection, giant dog-like demon’s mouth grinning. She slid her mug away with a frown. It’s not real.
“Shit, Ny. You’re a fucking genius,” Juzo scoffed. “And an incredibly bold one.”
“Ny… is something wrong?” Walter asked. “You’ve gone white as Isa.”
“No, no,” she said quickly. A wave of heat passed from her chest to her cheeks. “It’s just a lot to recount now.” She dared another glance into her tankard, finding only her reflection. Could he be…? No. She couldn’t let herself entertain the idea.
“Why don’t we talk more on that some other time,” Walter graciously suggested. “We’ll have many more meals together.”
“That sounds good, Walt,” she said, forcing a laugh. “Juzo, I remember you telling me you were doing some contracting in the West, but we never got to discuss it. What were they like?”
Juzo slurped from his tankard and placed one arm over his chair’s back. “Yeah, I had a few contracts near Eagles Edge. There are a few small settlements there. Er… were. I’d found some former Bredener’s had rebuilt their lives there and needed some help. Don’t like boasting, but they did pay well.” He sipped another long drink.
Grimbald threw his head back in a roar of laughter, Claw joining him with his own breathy snicker.
“What?” Juzo glared at the laughing men, wiping foam from his lip.
“You boast? Never!” Grimbald thumped his fist on the table.
“Killed some bandits there, did you?” Isa asked in a serious tone. “Lot of wealth around the islands surrounding the Scalded Peak. Do you know what they pay for a bandit gang there now? Killed a few for the Tower during Bezda’s reign, long ago.”
Juzo raised his hand at Grimbald, eyes unfocused. “Quiet, I’m talking. So, there was a gang giving some of the settlements some trouble, dragging folk to the forest, robbing some, killing others,” he said to Isa, then the others who seemed to be listening.
“And shitting himself on the roads, leaving a horrible mess for any passersby. Get to the point already,” Lillian said, gesturing. Laughter went around the table. This time, even Nyset joined in.
Juzo groaned. “You’re ruining all the fun. Fine, I’m getting to it.”
“So, what did you do?” Walter prompted.
“Killed the bandits, of course. Took their heads to prove I did the job to collect the reward.” Juzo leaned over the table with a conspiratorial expression.
“How pragmatic,” Nyset added.
“Couldn’t just leave them alive and bring them in?” Claw asked.
Juzo waved his hand. “Leave them alive, says the barbarian. Then maybe they’d kill someone else. No, I couldn’t. And I needed the marks. Not that anyone would mourn their passing.”
“Let’s raise our mugs to the dead bandits,” Grimbald chuckled. They all took big sips. The alcoholic warmth was starting to liven Nyset’s spirit, lightening the load she’d always felt on her back.
“They were eventful times in the land of man,” Senka said, furrowing her brow and peering into her mug “The King of Midgaard at the Tower, Tigerians at our docks, Death Spawn… finding I could use the Dragon. It was a lot. And I met Isa.” She lifted her eyes to regard him with a smile. He grinned back at her. It was such an odd expression to see on his face it made Nyset grin too.
“We’re all thrilled for the both of you, Senka,” Juzo said, leaning toward her. “Why don’t you tell us how it felt to be fighting that giant bastard, Bezog?”
Senka regarded Juzo with an impassive stare while she sipped from her tankard. “About how you’d expect. I was in a lot of pain, and there was a time when I truly thought I couldn’t win. But he kept exposing his leg, almost like he wanted to lose, like he wanted me to see it.”
Isa folded his arms. “No. He was careless. Too confident in his strength.”
“A common mistake,” Walter muttered.
Senka shrugged. “I got lucky.”
“You deserved to win, you were the better warrior,” Nyset said, retrieving a spiny fruit from a bowl and trying to determine how to eat it. Claw gestured with his knife for her to cut it down the center. She gave him an appreciative nod.
“Thank you, Mistress.” Senka gave her a warm smile.
“It’s really amazing when you think about it how much luck plays a role in most successes and failures,” Nyset said with a wistful expression. “Were there any lovers for you, Juzo?”
For a moment, Juzo’s eyes tightened. “None that I care to talk about.”
“Why? Too ugly?” Walter teased.
“Not funny,” Juzo said, tone going hard.
“Serious conversations only then,” Walter said, eyebrows raising while he slurped from his mug. “Ny, if you killed the Shadow Princess, then why did her minions outlive her?”
“I’m not sure,” she said, shaking her head and working her knife through the fruit. “I have a theory. The current theory postulates that the Death Spawn fell after the Shadow God’s demise because they were tied to the Shadow Realm itself. After the Shadow Realm was purged, what remained of the Shadow Princess’s power existed only on our realm. What was once our realm, I mean. The Shadow snakes were no different than a pack of dogs. Just because you killed the alpha didn’t mean the pack died.”
“Usually, a new alpha rises to take its place,” Grimbald said through a mouthful of bread.
“Yes…” Nyset said, biting her lip. “Maybe we can talk more on that tomorrow.”
“Sure,” Walter said, putting his hand on her knee and giving it a squeeze.
“Why can’t we talk now?” Juzo peered up at the sky. “Looks like the new day just started.”
Nyset pressed her lips into a line, then opened them to sip from her mug. She shook her head. “There were too many of them, not that I needed to tell you this, Juzo. I saw you fight, your courage was admirable.”
“You never figured out a fucking way to kill them all?” Juzo planted his hands on the table and pushed himself out of his seat, then crossed his arms. “After all we sacrificed… they still live? Unbelievable. Who else knew this?” he barked, casting his ire around the table.
“Watch your manners, Juzo,” Walter growled and glared at him. A rumble formed in Claw’s throat. Grimbald and Senka shifted uncomfortably, and an amused smile spread across Lillian’s face.
“I believe it’s time for a more potent drink.” Senka made her way toward the cottage.
Juzo spread his arms and scoffed at Walter. “Did you not hear what she said? They’re still—”
“Not going to ask you twice.” Walter stared up at him, not a measure of friendliness on his face now.
“Sorry,” Grimbald said. “So, the Shadow snakes didn’t all die when you killed her?”
Nyset blew out a great sigh. “No, I don’t believe they did. She even called it the Shadow Age.”
Juzo started to pace. “After all we’ve suffered… why am I the only one who’s angry?”
“Think it’s been fairly obvious what happened, Juzo. Given the constant stream of new arrivals… you had to know,” Walter said with an imploring gesture.
“I know. But…” He hung his head, slowly lowering himself into his chair. “Didn’t want to believe it.”
“We all did the best we could.” Nyset gazed around the group, expressions somber.
“Our bests weren’t enough,” Isa added.
“Well…” Walter drummed his fingers on the table. “On that note, who wants another round?”
“Now you’re speaking my language,” Grimbald slurred, throwing back the remains of his tankard. “Time for a refill.” He grabbed the pitcher and filled his mug, handing it to Walter, who was gesturing for it.
Nyset snickered. “It’s nice to be with you all again, despite everything.”
“Mhm.” Claw raised his mug to her.
Senka returned with a bottle of murky green spirits, swi
rling its contents. She started filling shot glasses. “Go on,” she said, handing one to Nyset.
Nyset regarded her with a questioning eyebrow then drank it down. It burned like a hot pepper while simultaneously making her mouth feel cold. Nyset winced. “Oh, what is that? A blow to the liver.”
“The Scorpion’s Tail.” She grinned. “Equal parts Black Pearl and fermented potatoes. Things we have here.”
Everyone tipped back their shots and winced much the same. “It’s a good one, Senka. Almost as hardy as Northern brews,” Claw chuckled.
Grimbald extended his glass to Senka. “Pour us another, bottoms up!”
Hours passed, and conversation flowed easily. The group made a palpable effort to avoid dark subjects and focused on remembering fond times. The fruit bowls and plates of cheeses and nuts were mostly picked clean. Mugs were emptied, shot glasses upturned, some scattered on the grasses around them.
There was a lull in the conversation when Juzo opened his mouth to speak, hesitating and taking on a distant stare. “I met a woman outside a pub, watched her dance. Yetta was her name. She didn’t care how I looked. Seemed to know about my curse, but didn’t care. She had a danger to her though. A warrior’s way of moving. I shouldn’t have ignored it, but I did. Time went on… months maybe. We eventually lived together.” Juzo paused to drink, eyes going glassy. “She was an assassin, a bounty hunter I soon learned specialized in the killing of Blood Eaters. Well… she forced my hand, and I had to survive.”
Nyset stifled a belch, staring at her friend from behind her hand. “I’m sorry, Juzo. That’s horrible.”
“Well, there’s a moral there,” Claw said with a knowing nod.
“And what’s that?” Juzo asked between sips.
“Avoid dangerous women, of course.”
Juzo blinked. “Says the man glued to the Arch Wizard’s side.”
“Bah!” Claw grinned, swatting at the air as if brushing aside the thought.
“Juzo, if you ever want to talk… I’m here for you,” Nyset offered.
“No.” Juzo shook his head. “I just want to drink.”
“I believe I fully understand,” she muttered, words coming out jumbled. She giggled. “I also believe I’m very drunk now.”
Juzo shivered while he stood. “Be back… need to empty the old pee pouch.”
“Pee pouch?” Nyset roared with laughter, and the others joined her.
“Yeah, yeah…” Juzo snickered, stumbling into the thicket.
“Have you all been… getting along well?” Nyset asked no one in particular.
“As long as we don’t bring up certain things,” Senka said.
Nyset furrowed her brows. “Must be a long list.”
Senka nodded. “It is.”
Juzo returned, sauntering over to the table wearing one of Claw’s threadbare tunics over his shirt. He did his best impression of Claw’s voice. “Hey there, lads, looks like you’re having a regular festival here. Alcohol? Well, don’t take too much, or you’ll find yourself staring down into the Oracle’s eyes. Alcohol is a warrior’s nemesis, back in my days in the North…” Juzo belched, unable to speak over his own laughter.
Nyset choked on her next sip, spitting ale down her front. “Where did you get that old thing?”
“Claw’s trunk,” Juzo chuckled. “Where all the latest trends in Shadow Realm fashion can be found. Great for wooing damsels.”
Claw stared at him, a slight smile behind his beard as he shook his head.
Juzo went on with his impression, gesturing in sweeping arcs. “You must all understand that a warrior’s life is toil and work. There’ll be no time for play. No, not for us. We have to follow the Oracle’s words.”
“Alright,” Nyset laughed, seeing the anger brewing behind Claw’s smile. “One Claw is enough. Take that off before you soil it with your depravity, and pour my loyal guard a drink as a gesture of good faith.”
“Of course, my archest of Arch Wizards. Your word is my command.” He chuckled as he pulled off Claw’s shirt, then started to refill Claw’s mug with good humor. “Yours too, Arch Wizard.” Juzo swayed as he reached across the table with the pitcher, sloshing ale onto a plate, then filling Nyset’s mug. “I’ll fill your mug up well because, without spirits, you’re as stiff as a Tower librarian.”
She cocked her head at him with a snicker, rolling her eyes. “Let’s do something fun. Do you have dice?”
“Are we boring you?” Isa said, his eyes seeming unfocused. She’d almost forgotten he was there in his long bouts of quiet.
“I’ve got dice.” Senka reached into a pouch and rattled them in her hand, sending them clattering across the table.
Grimbald cleared his throat. “I have an idea. I heard of a game in the Hissing Gooseberry I’d always wanted to try. It goes like this. One of us starts by saying ‘I’ve never’ and finishes it how they’d like. Whoever did the mentioned thing, drinks to admit they did it. Then we go around the table.”
“Sounds fun,” Nyset squeaked. “You start.”
Grimbald worked his shoulders in circles, meeting her eyes for what was starting to feel like too long. Was there something she missed in that lingering stare? “Alright… I’ve never slept with my friend. And I don’t mean to rest.” He chuckled, his eyes finally leaving hers.
Nyset looked at Walter, both of them sharing in grins and throwing back shots. Everyone drank except Claw.
Grimbald leaned on his elbows. “Well, would you look at that. Knew about Walt and Ny, but not you two. Though I suppose you were friends before anything else.” He gestured to Senka. “You’re up.”
Senka leaned back in her chair, a broad smile forming. “Right, my turn to do this. I’ve never woken after having too much drink and finding myself only in my smallclothes.”
Walter shook his head. Nyset left her drink alone. Juzo shrugged and drank. Grimbald’s cheeks pinked as he followed after him. The only other to drink was Senka, albeit reluctantly.
“Senka!” Isa balked with a laugh.
She gave him a coy smile. “The Scorpions know how to have fun too.”
Nyset laughed. “Whose idea was this? This game is fantastic.”
“Mine,” Grimbald said with a raised index finger.
“Where’s the band?” Nyset slurred, getting a few laughs.
Senka elbowed Isa. “Your turn, dear.”
Isa narrowed his eyes, peering up at a kaleidoscopic sky of burning reds and shimmering blues. “I’ve never left a lover with the intention of murdering patrons of the barroom in a whorehouse.”
A heavy silence accompanied by frowns fell over the table. Insects buzzed, and the wind whistled through the grasses.
“Uh, too dark?” Isa asked, one hand going behind his neck.
Juzo chuckled.
“Too dark.” Senka nodded, placing her hand on his arm.
“Allow me to try again.” Isa sniffed and stretched his sinewy arms overhead. “I’ve never taken Angel’s Moss.”
“Isa!” Senka glared at him and punched him in the ribs.
“Ow! You didn’t have to hit me so hard,” he muttered, rubbing the spot.
“Maybe if you thought about your words, I wouldn’t have to hit you all the time.” Senka smiled pleasantly.
Nyset couldn’t help but laugh at his social ineptitude. “Maybe you should try again, Isa,” Nyset suggested with a smile.
“Alright, alright. One more…” Isa took a long breath. “Never have I wanted to kill my leader when I was an apprentice.”
Nyset snickered. “Right, everyone. Let’s end on that. Or I fear I’ll never be able to look any of you in the eyes again.” Nyset started to pour herself another glass of wine but frowned at the droplets trickling from the pitcher. “Wine. It’s gone… who can get some more?” She gazed around the table, faces shifting in and out of focus.
“Went earlier.” Walter gestured. “I think. To get more cheese.”
Juzo pushed from the table, rising to his feet. “Mm. I’l
l go. So, everyone is hungry? Cheese, is it?”
“Not cheese, wine,” Nyset slurred.
“More cheese.” Grimbald enthusiastically nodded, but no one else responded. Juzo gave a limp wave as he made his way to the cottage.
“All of you… live in there?” Nyset asked between stifled burps. “Tight spot.”
“No, Mistress. This is Walter’s home. There are others, farther along the paths.” Claw pointed over his shoulder where the path carried beyond the dinner table. “There are others here too. Others who’ll want to see you. Vesla, Thalia, the Elders of the Great Tree… and others. Almost everyone is here,” Claw said, peering into his mug.
“Wow,” she breathed. “They’re all here. No survivors of the Shadow Age.” She slowly shook her head. Her limbs felt pleasantly warm, and for the moment, she didn’t care about the realm of men.
Claw’s jaw flexed while a low growl formed in his throat. “No.”
Nyset’s eyes fell to Isa, his expression tight with concentration, maybe trying to sort out where he went wrong in the last game. “You know.” Nyset sniffed. “Sometimes you can be a jackass… but despite that, I love you, Isa. All of you… I love you all,” she snickered.
Isa regarded her wide-eyed, shifting an uncertain glance between Senka and her. Then he broke into the start of a smile. “And sometimes you can be a stickler for rules, Arch Wizard. And despite that, I’d go to the Fire Realm again for you if I had to.” He raised his glass to her, and everyone joined in, thumping mugs. Isa dropped his mug, sending ale splattering across the dirt. “Damn. Glad it was empty. Would’ve been a waste of ale.”
“Where is Juzo? Cheese not that hard to find,” Walter muttered. “Maybe we should look for him.”
“Did someone say love?” Juzo stumbled down the path with six cheese wheels precariously balanced in his arms. “Whoa!” His foot snagged on a well-placed root and sent him crashing face first, cheese wheels rolling in every direction. “Uh. Damn it,” he muttered into the earth.
“Juzo! What are…” Nyset burst into laughter. Everyone stood to gaze at the spectacle. Grimbald managed to snatch an escaping cheese wheel and placed it on the table. Walter pressed himself against her side and nuzzled his nose into her neck. “See, it’s not so bad here.”
The Shadow Age (The Age of Dawn Book 7) Page 42