by M. Gregg Roe
“I think Audrey may have plans tonight,” she said to him just after they took a sharp right turn. “Why not stay the night? We have plenty of room.”
That he could believe. Minutes later he found himself seated in what the woman referred to as a parlor, an enormous sitting room flanked by two beautiful stone fireplaces. He estimated that six houses the size of the one he had grown up in would comfortably fit inside. His parents lived in a larger home now, but only because of the money he had given them.
He was trying to estimate the worth of the furnishings when his hostess returned, carrying a wooden tray decorated with dragons. She placed it on the table in front of him, and he watched as she filled the two cups with the teapot and handed him one. The aroma was pleasant, and the plate of small cakes looked appetizing.
After taking a sip, he nodded approvingly. “This is excellent. Thank you, Almera.”
“I only buy the best,” she told him proudly.
The round cakes were moist and had a lemon flavor. He ate two and then refilled his own teacup. It was far better than the fare served aboard the ship he had taken.
After refilling her own cup, Almera raised it in salute. “Welcome to our family, Ferikellan.”
He understood her meaning. “It is a privilege to work for the Guardian of Andoran’s Realm,” he intoned solemnly, raising his own cup.
Almera carefully set her teacup on the table. “It is also a great responsibility. I worry what will happen when Audrey moves away from here.”
He considered the matter as he sipped his tea. Many of his own concerns about Audrey had vanished when he learned of her living situation. She was part of an extended family that included Almera and her husband, as well as her two cousins and Daragrim. Audrey might be the only Guardian, but she was far from alone.
“So you are the one to finally capture Rosalind’s heart,” Almera said, eyeing him and tilting her head.
Was it speculation or something that Rosalind had confided to her? “I do not know,” he said, wanting the assertion to be true. It was his first attempt at a proper relationship, his first time to fall in love.
She abruptly stood. “My father is at the gate. I’ll show you your room first, then take you to his cottage.”
After fetching his pack from the entryway, Ferikellan followed Almera through the parlor. He was looking forward to finally meeting the man he had heard so much about.
Before they took their seats at one of the two tables, Ferikellan noted that all four of them were close to the same height. But that was only for the present. Audrey’s two cousins would probably grow another three or four inches, while he and Daragrim would only lessen in stature as they aged. Last night they had all taken their evening meal in the mansion’s dining room, at a long table that could easily have seated twice their number. Audrey hadn’t been there for dinner, but she was present now, helping Almera cook breakfast.
“So,” Ilona said, smiling impishly as she looked his way, “are you and Rosalind planning to have children?”
“Now, now,” Daragrim scolded. “That is not an appropriate question.”
“We’re just curious,” Iris said. “Audrey said they were together.”
Now wondering if Rosalind wanted children, and how he felt about that, Ferikellan was grateful when Audrey walked over holding a spatula like it was a weapon. “No personal questions,” she ordered, frowning sternly at the girls. “Talk about the weather or something.”
Both girls looked peeved now, but he could see that it was only an act.
“It looks to be a fine day,” he said, pointedly gazing out the nearby window. “It does,” Daragrim agreed, grinning through his beard as he played along.
At the other round table, on the opposite side of the front area of the kitchen, sat Draymund and Saxloc. Ferikellan had been introduced to them, but he had spent most of his time speaking with Daragrim during a long walk through the grounds after dinner. Although enjoyable, their conversation had added yet more items to his vast list of future research subjects.
Seated to his right, Iris leaned toward him. “You said you grew up poor,” she said in a low voice, “so why do you talk all formal?”
It was a personal question, but one he didn’t mind answering. “I did not want my manner of speech to mark me. That was especially important when I began selling my services as an alchemist and spell-caster.”
“How did you talk before?” Ilona asked. “Like we do?”
“Yes, but with a simpler vocabulary and a great deal of profanity.” He didn’t miss those days.
Almera gave him an approving look as she served his food. The plate held scrambled eggs, seasoned rice, and a plump sausage. It smelled wonderful. He waited until they all had their food before he picked up his fork. The girls attacked their portions as if starved, and they finished well before he and Daragrim did.
He chuckled at the expressions of exasperation and repeated eye-rolling that resulted when Almera asked Ilona and Iris to help clean up the kitchen. But again, he could tell that it was all an act. The two girls probably did that every day.
Audrey accompanied him as he headed back to his room. “My old room,” she said, pushing open the door. (Interestingly, Almera had also referred to it that way.) It was nicer than any guest accommodation he had ever encountered, even having its own toilet and a nice bathtub with piped-in hot and cold water.
“Is there anything else you need?” she asked as he headed to the bed to retrieve his pack.
He had already purchased several items from an alchemist shop in Zardis while he was there. “Are these mattresses available for purchase here?” he asked. It was vastly superior to the one he was currently sleeping on.
Audrey’s eyes widened in surprise. “I should have thought of that. I’ll get all new ones for the keep.” She frowned. “I’ll need to measure what’s there and then have Almera order them for me. It may take a while.”
“There is no urgency,” he said hurriedly. “And thank you.”
“It’s my responsibility,” she told him seriously “I’m the one that forced you to move there.”
“And you have my gratitude for that,” he said sincerely. “I was pursuing an avenue of research that might have caused grievous harm to the denizens of the Gray Forest.”
“And I still feel guilty for ignoring the Gray Forest for so long,” she shot back. “If I was smart, I would have hired people to look into it years ago. But at least I now have you and Rosalind.”
Underestimating her own intelligence was one of Audrey’s adorable quirks. And it was much preferable to the opposite.
Ferikellan shouldered his pack and looked her in the eye. “I am ready to return.”
After a curt nod, she teleported them to his bedroom and then vanished.
Rosalind’s face lit up as she seated herself on the edge of her newly refurbished bed. Audrey had even provided new linens and quilts. The two gworn, who had left after helping change everything out, had thanked Audrey profusely for their own new mattresses.
“Do you want to try it out?” Rosalind asked, her demeanor leaving no doubt what she meant.
“We are dining with Birchbark and Fern,” he reminded her.
Rosalind glanced out the window. “It is about time to head over there.” She pointed a finger at him. “But we’re trying it out later.”
“As you wish.” When it came to matters of intimacy, he followed her lead. She was both more experienced and remarkably creative.
The evening air was pleasantly cool as they strolled over. Rosalind greeted every ogre they passed by name, but Ferikellan merely smiled and nodded. He still only knew a few of them personally, but that was natural. She frequently went out among them in her role as priestess, doling out healing and advice.
“Who is that?” she whispered as the house came into sight.
He was wondering the same thing. Standing in the doorway, Fern was speaking with someone who resembled a female half-elf, but one with no hair an
d deep yellow skin. She glanced over as they approached, revealing disturbingly large yellow-green eyes like those of a cat. Her youthful features were delicate, including a small mouth with thin lips. For clothing, she wore a loose gray shift and leather sandals.
“This is Bethany,” Fern said in her soft voice. “She and her people live to the east of here. They are the last of their kind.”
Ferikellan exchanged glances with Rosalind. It had to be the village whose smoke they had spotted.
“Fern says that you two work for the Guardian,” Bethany said in a high-pitched voice. Her skin color altered as he watched in amazement, visibly shading toward a pale green. “We call ourselves amalgams. We were created by melding several distinct races.”
“By Andoran?” Rosalind asked, staring in fascination.
“No.” The green color darkened. “We predate Andoran’s Realm. We were created to oversee the Zardis Thieves’ Guild, but it is no more.”
Ferikellan had some knowledge of that organization. Several years ago their massive headquarters had been destroyed, and it was rumored that the Witch’s City had been responsible. At the time, he had found the news of their setback heartening.
“I have heard that the Guild is still operating,” he said hesitantly. His parents certainly believe that.
“Only in name,” Bethany countered. “We are all that remains of the true Guild. My kind secretly ruled Zardis for much of its history.”
“Shall we go inside?” Fern suggested, looking uncomfortable. “It is rather chilly.”
During dinner, he and Rosalind learned more about Bethany and her people. The color of an amalgam’s skin directly reflected their emotional state, making dishonesty all but impossible. Bethany implied that amalgams were long-lived but offered no specifics.
As they were strolling back to the keep afterward via an indirect route, Rosalind casually said, “Bethany asked me if I thought you would agree to impregnate her next year.”
Startled by the implication, he didn’t respond immediately. Bethany had told them that all her kind were female, but that they could breed with a variety of humanoid races. “Do you think she was serious?” he finally asked, still wondering how such a thing was possible.
“Yes, and she emphasized that would be the end of your involvement.” She flashed him a devilish smile. “She thinks you’re good breeding stock. They value intelligence above all else.”
Her comment was both flattering and embarrassing. “I will consider it,” he told her. At a minimum, it would provide an excuse to visit their village.
“What about breeding with me?” she asked lightly. “I plan to eventually have children.”
The conversation had taken a serious turn. Elated by the proof of her genuine interest in him, he scarcely noticed as they came to a stop. Children had never been part of his plans, but neither had romance. The thought of offspring who might carry on his researches was dizzying. How joyous it would be to teach them! He and Rosalind might found a dynasty of skilled researchers.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, now standing directly in front of him and dimpling her cheeks.
He suddenly realized that he was smiling, beaming even. That was what she was referring to. His heart was pounding, and there was such a feeling of warmth, of love for the woman he had so misjudged. He could no longer imagine living without her.
“I don’t mean soon,” she continued, taking his left hand with her right. “Maybe in a year or two.”
“Our children will be elves,” he pointed out as they continued their stroll. “Will that not offend your half-elf family?”
Rosalind squeezed his hand. “I don’t care. It’s my decision and my life.”
It was indeed.
[ 29 ]
Career Paths
It never failed.
After placing the folded up blanket next to Benson’s bed, Audrey watched as he sauntered over and cautiously sniffed it. He circled once before climbing on top and settling down. It was what she did whenever his bed needed cleaning. Pleased, she bent down and gave the cat a gentle stroke along his back. He had the softest fur.
After picking up the bed, she carried it to her sewing room. Today she would also replace the bed’s cotton stuffing. She started by using a brush to remove as much cat fur as she could manage from the dark green fabric. (How did he shed so much without going bald?) The bottom of the oval bed had a line of buttons, so it didn’t take long at all to remove the old stuffing, which had lost much of its fluffiness. She crammed in new cotton stuffing until the bed was bulging, then buttoned it back up.
“There,” she said, smiling as she held it up. “Good as new.”
As soon as she put the bed down in its usual place, Benson returned to it. (He knew the routine.) She picked up the blanket, turned, and noticed that she had a spectator. Standing outside the large window, Iris showed a hesitant smile. Audrey waved for her cousin to come in and then went to put the blanket away in the drawer at the bottom of her wardrobe. When she came back out, Iris had seated herself in the chair closest to the fireplace.
“Bed cleaning day?” she asked as Audrey took the other chair.
“Yes. I’m hoping to save up enough loose fur to make a new cat,” Audrey said with a straight face.
“You’re so silly,” Iris said, but her expression was serious. She took a deep breath and drew herself up before saying, “I’ve come to a decision. I want to become a druid.”
Audrey hid her surprise by matching her cousin’s serious expression. “Okay. Do you want me to see if Birchbark will take you on as his apprentice?” He was supposedly retired now, but he might make an exception for Iris.
Iris waved her hands. “It’s too far away, and… ogres scare me.”
Audrey liked her ogres, but she knew most people found them frightening. “Then what did you have in mind?” she asked lightly.
“Draymund told me about a druid that lives near Redflower. He said she’s looking for an apprentice.”
There were twelve miles of thick woods between the Witch’s City and the village of Redflower to the southwest, but there was a well-maintained trade route that was relatively safe. Audrey had never visited, but the village had an excellent reputation.
“I assume you want me to take you to see her,” Audrey said, mentally reviewing her teaching schedule.
“Yes, and I know she might not accept me.” Iris clasped her hands together. “Please.”
Audrey seriously doubted that her cousin knew just how much work might be involved. Apprentices were essentially servants paid with knowledge instead of money. It would be nothing like the pampered life the girl lived now. And there definitely wouldn’t be an indoor toilet.
“I’ll need to arrange time off,” Audrey told her. “And we will be walking there.”
“Walking?” Iris asked in dismay.
“Yes, just like regular folk. Wear boots and heavy clothing.”
“But I thought—”
“You thought what?” Audrey snapped with narrowed eyes.
Iris held up her hands. “Never mind. I’ll start looking through my clothes. And I need new boots.”
Audrey waited until her cousin had let herself out before standing. Iris had always been the one to show the most interest in plants and gardening, often working with Almera and looking through books on the subject. But a druid? Audrey had never expected that, and it made her wonder if Ilona had a plan for her own future.
There was much to be done, including speaking with Almera and Daragrim. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to Ilona, either. After placing the old stuffing in the waste bin behind the cottage, Audrey set off on what would definitely be a busy day.
“No. No. No,” Ilona said, shaking her head repeatedly. “I want to live in a city, not in some nasty woods.”
“What about your plans to become an adventurer?” Audrey asked, arching an eyebrow as she eyed the girl.
“That was when I was just a child!” Ilona protested, rolling her
eyes.
Audrey was certain that her cousin had been saying that just last year, but she let it slide. The two of them were in a sunlit corner of the mansion’s huge parlor, each seated in chairs upholstered with dark red fabric.
“I’ve thought about becoming a priestess,” Ilona admitted, then glanced out the window.
“Of which deity?” Audrey asked.
Ilona was incredulous. “Lasrina, of course. I could start off studying at a Temple of Arwon since Lasrina is his consort.”
“And then you’ll go study somewhere else?”
Ilona blinked in surprise. “I know there’s a temple in Kamisa. It’s run by… Jerious?”
“Jurious,” Audrey corrected. “He’s a dwarf.” Now fully restored, the huge stone temple sat squarely in the center of the rapidly growing town.
“What’s wrong with dwarves?” Ilona demanded.
“I was just pointing it out. Dwarves are fine.” Audrey smiled at her cousin. “I would be proud to have a Priestess of Lasrina in the family.”
Ilona leaned forward eagerly. “Then can you take me to Kamisa sometime?”
“Yes, but not soon. Have you talked to anyone at the Temple of Arwon here?”
“Actually…” Ilona looked away.
“Yes?” Audrey prompted.
“I thought I’d talk to Branwyn first. I like her.”
Audrey also liked the woman. “The last time I saw her, Branwyn mentioned having to turn applicants away. Her temple is much smaller than the one here.”
Ilona’s disappointment showed in her pursed lips and sorrowful eyes. She must have had her heart set on studying in Rohoville. It still might happen, but the girl needed to learn to plan better.
“Why don’t you start by speaking to someone at the temple here?” Audrey suggested.
“Will you go with me?” Ilona begged.
Audrey smiled at her cousin. “I’ve got time now. We’ll go there and then eat dinner out somewhere. Okay?”