by Sarah Noffke
The other dwarf picked something out of her teeth and pointed toward the corner. “Good ole Steel is over there. Why don’t you take him this and save me the trouble?” She slid a beer with too much head onto the bar in Nevin’s direction.
He picked up the greasy mug and headed to the dark corner where a large man sat staring in his direction. He had his head down and most of his face was obstructed by a thick beard. His shoulders were easily the size of two large men, and Nevin would have thought him to be a giant. He had heard from a reliable source the bounty hunter was a magician, though.
“The bartender said this was for you,” Nevin said, setting the mug of beer onto a table that wobbled fiercely as if it was about to topple over.
“What brings a pretty boy like you here?” Steel Face demanded.
Nevin had half expected the man to have scars on his face or have it covered in bits of metals. Instead, his skin was slick, like he’d had too much plastic surgery, although that seemed unlikely.
“I heard you might be able to help me out with something.” Nevin tried to keep his voice steady.
Steel Face took a drink, foam getting into his beard. “For a price, I’ll help just about anyone with anything. Who do you want dealt with?”
“So, what I heard about you is true, then?” Nevin asked, needing to make sure his information was correct.
Steel Face laughed. His face hardly changed, having a plastic look. “It depends on what you heard, but yeah, I don’t discriminate. Who you need taken care of? An elf, a magician, a gnome?”
Nevin shook his head. He wished he could sit down so he wasn’t standing so precariously in front of the table. He eyed a chair that didn’t look stable enough to support him and was probably covered in a multitude of plague germs and grimaced. Bringing his attention back to the bounty hunter, he said, “Dragons. I need you to go after dragons.”
The man narrowed his eyes at him. “I don’t do dragons.”
“I thought you said for a price, you’d go after anything,” Nevin fired back.
Steel Face drained his beer as a fight broke out at Nevin’s back. He swung around to watch the two half-breeds fight, one of them head-butting the other in the face and picking up a chair with a promise in his eyes.
“You’re that politician I saw on the telly, aren’t you?” Steel Face asked, bringing Nevin’s attention back to him.
He sidestepped to keep his back from being turned to the fight that was escalating and, unfortunately, getting closer to the magician. “Yes, that’s me. Dragons are dangerous, and there’s been more reports of small ones on the loose. They pose a threat to mortals and the world at large.”
“So, you want me to go after these little dragons and do what?” Steel Face demanded, his eyes diverting briefly to the fight before refocusing on Nevin.
Nevin tilted his head to the side. “Do what you do best.”
“As I said before, I don’t go after dragons,” Steel Face stated. “I’ve got no beef with them. They’ve never done me wrong.”
“They haven’t had a chance since they’ve only just returned,” Nevin argued. “You really want to give them the opportunity?”
“I thought they were around to protect,” Steel Face countered.
“Some might,” Nevin stated. “But others are evil. Imagine this place when a bunch of bad dragons are soaring overhead pillaging and destroying everything.”
Steel Face held up his beer glass and made eye contact with the dwarves behind the bar. “I don’t much care what happens to this planet. If I did, I wouldn’t do what I do.”
“Then what do you care if you go after dragons?” Nevin asked, nearly getting hit with shards from a busted chair that slammed against the wall beside him.
Steel Face shrugged. “I guess I don’t, but hunting them down won’t be easy. It’s going to require more than my usual fee.”
Nevin pulled an envelope from the breast pocket of his starched suit and laid it on the table in front of the bounty hunter. “Half now and half after you’ve completed the job.”
Steel Face peeked into the envelope, hiding any reaction. “How many are we talking about?”
“My reports have counted at least a half a dozen different dragons,” Nevin answered.
The man pursed his lips. “I want another payment after I’ve slaughtered three of them.”
“That’s highway robbery,” Nevin complained.
“I’ll be making myself an enemy to evil dragons and the Dragon Elite,” Steel Face replied. “Another payment or I’ll turn my attention to hunting you, politician.”
Nevin let out a frustrated breath. This was what he got for dealing with this type. They couldn’t be trusted. That was fine because he couldn’t be either. He had no intention of paying the bounty hunter when he completed the job. He couldn’t risk leaving him around to talk. Instead, he’d already hired someone else to take Steel Face out when the time came.
“Yeah, fine,” Nevin agreed, pretending to be reluctant. “You have yourself a deal.”
Steel Face smiled, the expression looking all wrong on his face. “Then, I’ll be delivering three dragon heads to you soon.”
Chapter Fifty-Four
Still recovering from the Burning House, Sophia had decided to take the day off even though Hiker had asked her bitterly, “Your legs aren’t broken, are they?”
She’d trudged away from his office, saying, “Neither are yours, sir. But you keep just sitting behind that desk.”
For a moment, Sophia worried the leader of the Dragon Elite was going to come after her and knock her block off. He didn’t, and she hoped they had broken new ground with their friendship. She knew Hiker wasn’t meant to be out running missions. That was the job of the dragonriders. He was right to lead from the Castle at the Gullington. She also knew he thought she’d earned a bit of respite before setting off again. Her magic had been seriously depleted after fighting the demon at the Burning House. Rushing off again could be a way to make serious mistakes.
Liv always told her, “You have to know when to fight and when to rest, otherwise the fights won’t go your way, and the rest will be you in a coffin.”
Sophia knew there were a few things she could do in the meantime, so she set off for the housekeeper’s room. When Quiet had taken ill, she’d learned where the staff’s corridor was located. It was blocked off most of the time, but since Ainsley had returned, Sophia hoped she had access to it.
She stopped at the wall where she knew there used to be a hallway leading to the staff’s residence. It was closed off.
Sophia slumped. “Come on, Castle,” she said, talking to the gnome that ran the place. It was confusing because Quiet was the Castle, and then he was so much more—the Gullington and the Pond and the Expanse. She thought of him as separate from the Castle, as though it was one of his multiple personalities. She liked to think the Castle was his mischievous side, the Pond his wild side, the Expanse the peaceful part of him, and the Cave and Nest his darker, more hidden side no one but the dragons really saw.
“I want to see Ainsley,” Sophia argued. It appeared like she was talking to herself, but she knew the Castle heard her—it always was listening and responding in kind. “Please.”
Nothing happened.
Sophia let out a growl. She was about to pull back her foot and launch it at the stone wall she knew led the staff’s residential corridor. Just before she did, the wall shimmered and then disappeared to reveal a long hallway with multiple doors.
Sighing, Sophia smiled with relief. “Thanks, Castle. I owe you one.”
Before, Sophia had visited Quiet’s room when he was sick. She didn’t really know which of the doors led to Ainsley’s bedroom. The Castle must have sensed this because a moment later the second door on the right clicked open.
Taking the hint, Sophia peeked her head into the room. The space was dark and a figure was lying in the four-poster bed at the back. The area was smaller than Sophia’s room and not adorned with furnitur
e as nice. In her bedroom, she had a sitting area in front of the fireplace and an en suite bathroom, as well as a lot of beautiful old artwork.
In contrast, Ainsley’s room was quite bare, with just a dresser and a few cabinets.
From the faint light streaming from the mostly covered windows, Sophia could see that Ainsley was awake and watching her as she studied the room. She didn’t know what to say, and the tentative expression the housekeeper was giving her made her throat tighten, remembering what she’d shared with her right before passing out.
Ainsley had been pregnant with Hiker’s baby when she had nearly died. There was no way to save her and the child, according to Quiet. The haunted expression in Ainsley’s eyes told Sophia it weighed on her heavily. She must have been processing a lot as she reviewed all the memories she’d forgotten. Sophia couldn’t even imagine.
“I’ve always liked the less is more approach, and the Castle knows that,” Ainsley said, breaking the silence.
“Huh?” Sophia asked, wondering what she was referring to.
“My room,” Ainsley replied. “I see the way you’re looking at it like you’re sorry for me for not having a room as nice as the one you…well, I’m sure you’re sorry for me for a lot of other reasons too, but I sense that’s currently on your mind.”
Sophia gulped. “It’s a nice room.”
Ainsley shook her head. “No, it’s a servant’s room, and I was made to believe I was one. I never even thought I deserved a better space because I was just the housekeeper.” She laughed as if this was funny. “Do you know that I’ve studied art and philosophy all over the world? I’ve been to nearly every country. I was considered an expert on dozens of subjects.” She shook her head as though this was just an irksome realization and not a devastating part of her history.
“I always thought that you were incredibly talented,” Sophia offered with a sincere smile, standing awkwardly at the end of the bed and staring at the shapeshifter. She was used to her being the one in the bed being awoken by the feisty elf.
“Thank you, S. Beaufont,” Ainsley said, sitting up and pointing at the drapes. They slid back, and light cascaded into the room to show just how bare and drab it was. It reminded Sophia of the brown burlap dresses Ainsley wore, which were quite different than the one she’d seen her wearing in the memory from the reset point. Then, she’d worn an elegant blue dress of the finest quality.
“Hiker made you believe you were the housekeeper because…” She didn’t know how to finish that statement. Or was it a question? Sophia didn’t actually know.
Ainsley sighed and pushed up out of bed. She seemed to change her mind and lay back again. “Oh, that man, for all the frustrating things he’s done, did right there. The Castle has been giving me these dreams to fill in things that I didn’t remember after the accident. My memory was a tricky thing then. If they told me who I was, I would get confused and sad. I would try and leave, and then I’d get ill and Hiker or Quiet would have to bring me back.” She stared out the window with longing. Finally, she went on. “Hiker finally decided the only way to preserve my sanity was to allow me to forget once and for all and be made to believe I was the Castle’s housekeeper.”
“That must have been a hard decision to make, knowing you had such a high position before and were accustomed to a different life,” Sophia said sensitively.
Ainsley nodded. “I’m sure it was. I accepted it as my reality because it didn’t conflict with my emotions like my own real history did. Hiker gave me this room, which was fitting for a housekeeper, and I informed the Castle that I didn’t want anything special. Just the bare minimum as far as furnishings went. I remember now the room I had before this one in the Castle. It was beside Hiker’s and quite beautiful.” She closed her eyes, emotion heavy on her face.
“It will take some time to process everything,” Sophia advised. “Don’t push yourself.”
“It’s going to take some time before I can face that man,” Ainsley corrected. “I just can’t, S. Beaufont. And I’m still feeling a bit weak.”
Sophia nodded. “I can help take care of things for you. I mean, you’re not the housekeeper anymore. You don’t have to do anything, actually.”
Ainsley shook her head. “No, I’ll continue with my responsibilities until you have a cure and Hiker has found a replacement.” She glanced around the room with fondness in her gaze. “I have loved my time here in a way. I was happy, mostly. I just didn’t know why I felt out of place, but now I do.”
“That’s good of you,” Sophia stated.
“That’s what the Ainsley before would have done,” she said proudly. “You would have liked her. She rode into battles and stood up to men who thought they ruled the world purely out of entitlement. She fought for the little guys who couldn’t defend themselves. She was just and thoughtful. And she never abandoned her commitments.”
Sophia couldn’t help but smile, although her heart was breaking. “She sounds exactly like you.”
Ainsley laughed. “No, now I’m quirky and strange and lonely… and I was lost, but I’m not anymore.”
“The potions expert is working on the cure,” Sophia told her reassuringly.
“That’s lovely,” Ainsley said matter-of-factly. “I look forward to taking it and finally being able to leave this place for good. I miss my home now that I can remember it. Ireland is beautiful and…I think that’s where my heart is. I’d at least like the opportunity to figure it out for myself. Find out where I belong out there.” She looked out the window once more, a tender expression on her face.
“It will happen,” Sophia promised.
The housekeeper nodded. “If anyone will make it happen, it will be you. I’ll take care of things here in the meantime and find a replacement. That person must be strong-willed, strict, and also quick-witted. That’s the only way they will survive the Castle’s hijinks.”
Sophia laughed, enjoying the relief it brought. “Humor makes a difference in all situations.”
“Well, we can’t have a pushover who will allow Hiker and Evan to walk all over them,” Ainsley stated.
“Would you like help to find this person?” Sophia asked. She suddenly felt sad as she realized when she did find the cure, she’d have to let her friend go. She knew it had always been leading up to that, but it just felt so far away until now.
“Maybe,” Ainsley replied. “For now, will you just take care of dinner tonight? I think I need another night to rest before I can get back to things.”
Sophia nodded, knowing that Ainsley also didn’t want to face the leader of the Dragon Elite. That wasn’t going to be an easy first conversation. This person before her was the real Ainsley. The other one, the one she’d known, had only been a shell of the former person. Oddly enough, Sophia could see the new wisdom radiating in Ainsley’s green eyes. She appeared the same and yet like she was so much older and wiser.
“I can definitely take care of dinner and have something brought up for you,” Sophia answered. “What would you like?”
“Sushi,” Ainsley replied, having had it the last time that Sophia ordered from Uber Eats.
“Oh, but Hiker…” Sophia stopped. The old Ainsley was as mischievous as the one she’d known. Hiker couldn’t stand sushi.
The housekeeper nodded, a smile lighting up her face. “Yes, I’m sure he’s starving and looking forward to something hearty.”
Sophia nodded. “Not some ‘posh food,’” she said, impersonating Hiker and what he’d called sushi the last time she’d ordered it. “Okay, is there anything else you need?”
Ainsley shook her head. “No, not that you can help with right now. I have a feeling that the Castle is working on helping me with a list I’m formulating.”
“How do you know?” Sophia was curious.
The elf pointed to the armoire in the corner. “Open it.”
The door to the wardrobe creaked when Sophia opened it. She thought she’d find rows of the brown burlap dresses. Instead, she was awed a
t the colorful silk and satin dresses that hung, all of them beautiful in a unique way and shimmering with elegance.
“They are beautiful.” Sophia ran a hand down the soft fabric of the first dress.
“Yes, and they suit my taste, which I never realized that I had,” Ainsley stated and then laughed. “Imagine me doing chores around this place in one of those gowns.”
Sophia joined her. “You’ll look stunning in them.”
Ainsley nodded. “I think they will make me feel like my old self until I can return to my old life.”
Sophia closed the cabinet and made for the door. “I’ll let you get some rest and have food brought up to you.”
“Very well.” Ainsley slid back down in the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. “Oh, and S. Beaufont…”
Sophia paused and glanced over her shoulder from the doorway. “Yes?”
“Thank you for helping me to get my memories back,” she said. “Thanks for being a good friend and keeping my secret.”
Sophia nodded. “Of course. Your secret is safe with me. I’m lucky to be able to call you a friend.”
“One day, I’m going to repay you for all this.”
Sophia shook her head. “That’s not necessary.”
“Oh, you won’t say that when you find out what kind of political sway I have in this world,” Ainsley told her proudly. “It might have changed in the last few centuries, but for elves who live extraordinarily long lives, it won’t have changed that much. They will remember me, and my return will bring a huge celebration.”
Sophia smiled wide at her friend. “I somehow knew the world was as eager for you to return to it as you are to be out there.”
Chapter Fifty-Five
Even though Ainsley had asked for Sophia to get sushi, she couldn’t do it for a few reasons. The most important was she knew the housekeeper didn’t actually like raw food that much either. Not surprisingly, she preferred the same traditional foods as Hiker, like bangers and mash.
She also knew it was more important than ever that Ainsley eat and replenish her reserves to fully recover. Also, she didn’t want to kick Hiker when he was down after finding out he and Ainsley had lost a child. He was processing similarly as Ainsley. None of the others much cared for sushi, besides Quiet. He would eat anything.