by Jen Wylie
"I… Yes?"
He chuckled. "We have heard of the brother and sister down the street named Bo and Aro."
A flush spread across her cheeks as she grimaced.
"How have you been?"
The question took her by surprise. Apparently, he hadn't forgotten. "I…I've been well enough." Looking away, she set the dagger she'd been holding down gently. "Why did you help me that day?"
His eyebrows rose, and then he shrugged. "You looked so hopelessly lost." He paused for a moment. "Did he mean so much to you?"
"He does," she answered quietly.
"He is–" The Were stopped abruptly and frowned.
A sudden laugh escaped her and she turned to face him fully. "He is Fey. I know." His shocked expression amused her. "And you are Were."
His eyes widened further, then his brows drew together in confusion.
"What is your name?" She diverted the questions forming on his lips.
"I…Hale." He jerked his head in the direction of the living quarters. "My brother, Laek."
"Thank you, for walking me home that day."
The confusion hadn't left his face. "How do you…How could you…"
She smiled wryly at him and went back to testing the daggers before her. "My best friend is Fey. I returned an Elven prince to his home and am welcome in Rhee-En's land."
Understanding dawned on his face. "You are the girl in the cave. That the dragon came for. The one who will heal the Fey." He hesitated again. "I have heard the king wishes to speak with you."
She nodded. "Yes." Pausing, she considered her next words carefully. "Does he know I'm here?"
Hale's lips quirked into a smile. "If Rhee-En knows, then yes, he does."
The answer wasn't one she wanted to hear, yet she wasn't surprised. "I figured as much."
He must have sensed her unease, as he rested a hand gently on her arm. "I don't know the details of why he is looking for you, but you needn't worry. He is a good and fair king to us."
Easy for him to say. "I'm not Were," she muttered.
"Even so. Should you heal the Fey they could fight alongside us once more. This is no small thing."
Shrugging a shoulder, she tried to keep her emotions hidden. It wouldn't do for the Were to see how terrified she was of meeting his king.
"He won't harm you here. We have laws even he won't break when it comes to humans in their cities."
Apparently, she wasn't that great at keeping her fear hidden.
She met his eyes once again. The feeling in them both surprised and confused her. Why did he tell her such things now? Looking back to the table before her, she picked out a pair and held them up between them. "I'll take these."
He glanced at them briefly and nodded. "A good choice." Turning, he led her back to the counter and their conversation turned to bargaining over the price and trading in her unwanted pair. Finally, they reached an agreement and she paid.
"Will you…will you tell him I was here?" She tucked her new blades into her belt and pulled out her gloves.
His head tilted slightly to the side as he regarded her. "Only if he asks," he said finally.
She nodded and then smiled. "Thank you."
Heading for the door, he surprised her yet again.
"Please come back again. I'd… I'd like to talk some more. Sometime. If you like."
Looking over her shoulder, she couldn't help but smile again at his flustered earnestness. "I will."
With a last smile, she pulled up her hood and headed back home. The short walk didn't give her enough time to figure out why she told so much to the Were.
As to why she'd agreed to see him again, perhaps he could make her something to kill a dragon.
∞ ∞ ∞
After returning home, she checked the fires and warmed up in front of them for a bit before eagerly returning to her practice room to try out her new purchases.
She couldn't keep a giant grin from her face when they flew straight and true. After throwing for a while, she checked and cleaned the blades before once again bundling up to head out.
There was a bounce to her step as she hurried to the tavern to meet the boys for lunch. Being barely noon, she wasn't surprised to find the tavern empty of customers.
Elaina knelt by the fireplace at the side of room and rose as she came in. "Good afternoon."
"And to you," Aro replied with a smile.
"Horrible weather out there. Usually it's not like this for at least another month."
Bo entered from the back, a large cask over one shoulder, and headed behind the bar.
Pulling off her gloves and hat, she wandered up to the bar. "Watch your back."
He gave her a sour look over his shoulder. She laughed, taking a seat on one of the barstools.
"Your brother has been quite helpful to us," Elaina said, taking a seat beside her.
"I imagine so." She grinned at Bo, knowing full well why he was so helpful.
"You're in good humor today." Bo fiddled with the cask, getting it set in place.
Has something happened?
She looked around and found Garen curled up under their usual booth. "Look what I got." Pulling out one of her new daggers, she set it on the bar. Bo stepped over and picked it up.
"Nice."
Elaina wrinkled her nose. "Pretty?"
"You should see them fly," she said excitedly. "I got a pair. I'll show you later."
Bo handed it back to her. "Where'd you find those?"
She didn't miss the warning tone in his voice and shifted uncomfortably, her excitement dimming. The boys had been quite adamant she not go off on her own in the city. "Just up the street," she said evasively, tucking the blade away.
Bo frowned.
"The blacksmiths?" She turned to Elaina in surprise. The woman shrugged. "No one else on our street sells weapons."
"Aro," Bo grated out through clenched teeth. "We'd agreed–" He stopped and ran a hand over his face.
Everything is fine, she told them. I'll tell you later.
Elaina surprisingly came to her rescue. "She's not a child. I'm quite certain she can take care of herself, more so than I could even." She raised her eyebrows. "Shopping isn't dangerous, Bo. Except for your purse, perhaps."
"That's not the point," he muttered.
"Has he always been this protective?"
Aro snorted. "Yes." Her irritation faded as she smiled fondly at Bo. "He's the best brother a girl could have."
His face softened at her words and he leaned over the bar to ruffle her hair. "Such a troublesome pup."
She grinned and swatted his hand away.
Smiling, Elaina sighed softly as she watched them. "I don't envy any young man who comes to court you, Aro. He'll have quite the time impressing your brother."
What to say to that? Flustered at the change in topic, she tried to think of something to say.
"That won't be a worry, I don't think," Bo said gruffly.
Elaina rested her elbow on the bar and stuck her chin in her hand, smiling mischievously. "It will be sooner than you think."
"I'm not even seventeen yet," Aro argued. Courting led to marriage. She certainly wasn't ready to consider that.
"Hmm, I thought you were older."
She shook her head and looked away. Did she look older? She avoided looking in mirrors as often as possible.
"What did you think of Hale?" At Bo's questioning look, Elaina continued, "The youngest blacksmith. I hear he is quite handsome and kind."
Bo grunted as Aro shook her head quickly. "He's not my type," she said softly.
Elaina made a soft noise in her throat, likely thinking about her and Kei. Of course the woman couldn't be more wrong. Her heart belonged to a man of another race entirely.
"How about we eat, before the customers start coming in," Bo suggested into the awkward silence.
She couldn't have loved him more for that.
∞ ∞ ∞
The next day the fallen snow melted in the streets
, leaving a muddy mess.
"Are you helping at the tavern today?"
Bo grinned. "I will later. We shouldn't waste the nice weather. Are you ready to go?"
She nodded, uncertain if she should be happy or not. So far they'd found nothing on her brothers. Though expected, it remained frustrating.
"We should be able to finish off this area today. There were only a few places we didn't get to. Next time we'll start in the area around the docks."
They set out in silence, enjoying the warmth and sunshine and watching the streets fill with people.
"Hey, Bo." She bumped his shoulder and glanced up at him. "Thank you."
"For what?"
Shrugging, she turned her gaze to her boots. "For doing this. Helping me. They aren't your brothers."
He threw his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight against him. "But you are my family, so in a way they are. You know I'd do anything for you." He stopped and turned to face her, tilting her chin up with his fingers so she had to look at him. "You understand that, yes?"
She smiled wryly and pushed his fingers away. "I do." Giving his shoulder a punch, she turned and they headed down the street again. "I'd do the same for you," she said quietly.
His loud laugh startled people nearby. "Yes, pup. I know."
"Even if you are a pain."
"Me? How am… What…" he sputtered.
His response made her laugh. She twirled a hand in the air. "Always running off with a girl."
"You get to put up with that. I had to watch you and Prince dance around each other for weeks."
"True," she admitted. "How are things going with Elaina? You've been over there a lot lately."
"Good," he answered. "Her father's not been well, so I've been helping out when I can."
"Rot, I didn't know."
He shrugged. "He's getting older and works too hard. The girls can only do so much. I don't mind helping."
She grinned. "I bet you don't, what with the pretty daughter about." Resting a hand on his arm, she smiled up at him. "I'm happy for you, truly."
She could have said more, about them leaving, about a lot of things, but didn't. Bo was happy, and there was time. He should enjoy it now while he could.
Chapter 13
Weapons
"Weapons."
Aro raised her eyebrows as she stopped and turned in the hall. "I have a dagger."
Bo headed toward the dining room, and she followed him in. "We're not shopping. The docks is a dangerous area." He tucked a dagger into his boot. "Thieves, cutthroats, drunk sailors." He strapped a few more onto his belt.
She followed suit quietly, wondering what they were getting themselves into. "Swords?"
He considered. "No. Not this time. We'll see how things are. Ready?"
She patted the array on her belt. "And one in each boot. Good enough? Should I bring my bow?"
"Not funny. I’m trying to keep you safe."
With some effort, she managed not to roll her eyes. Grabbing their cloaks, they headed out the door, Garen padding along beside them.
"Listen to your gut. Pay attention. Keep an eye on your purse, too. Don't trust the children, they'll steal from you or stick a dagger in your gut without any hesitation…"
On and on he went as they made their way west through the city.
Listen to him, Aro. This is not a game. He has experience with such places and people.
She grimaced down at Garen but nodded once. Perhaps today would be more exciting than she wanted.
He was still giving advice when they finally reached the streets closer to the docks, though he'd at least slowed down, growing quiet now and then until he thought of something else. He'd also begun to repeat himself, but she didn't point that out either. It didn't escape her notice how on edge he was.
Despite his worries, they avoided any conflict walking down the streets. As instructed, she kept her head high, shoulders straight, and paid attention to everything around her.
The taverns they entered were much darker and dirtier than the West Wind, and so were the customers. After a quick look around, Bo would head to the bar each time, order an ale, and talk to whoever tended it. They'd stay a while and listen and then head to another.
After the fourth tavern, she chuckled as they headed on to the next. "You're going to be drunk soon at this rate."
He frowned at her, clearly offended, and she laughed.
So far they hadn't found out much, though at least some people had actually heard of Kingsport. For the most part they were told to try closer to the docks where the sailors frequented. On a good note, no one tried to kill them. They'd heard various useless gossip about the pirate Roan, the city's prince, and other people and places she didn't recognize.
The wind picked up, and she caught a whiff of the sea and fish over the stink of the city. Craning her head, she finally caught a view of the harbor. The number of ships docked and anchored surprised her.
"Here's another," Bo said, nudging her shoulder to get her attention. "Last stop for the day, I think."
With a nod, she followed him inside the dark building while Garen again waited outside. Lucky wolf. The smell of smoke and unwashed bodies choked her for a moment. She concentrated on breathing through her mouth as she followed Bo up to the bar.
Standing to the side as he ordered, she surveyed the crowd. All men, mostly in groups, were gaming while others just drank and talked. Loudly. She didn't garner much attention, despite being the only woman in the tavern, but she'd come in with Bo. Though not the tallest, he was certainly among the larger men there. With a scowl on his scarred face, he certainly looked intimidating.
She tilted her head to the side, trying to pick out individual conversations over the drunken din.
Another man at the bar turned suddenly, and she barely had time to scramble backward as he got sick all over the floor. Men cheered as he recovered and ordered another drink. Looking down at the mess, she grimaced. At least he'd missed her boots.
An arm snaked around her waist and jerked her back against a body. She stiffened, her hands going to her daggers.
"How much, darling?"
"For what?" The words escaped her before her brain started working again.
Leaning close to her ear, he told her, explicitly.
"I'm not for sale," she grated out through gritted teeth.
He laughed and pulled her closer against him. "Everyone's for sale."
She elbowed him in the ribs and whirled around, drawing one of her daggers and positioning it carefully.
"That wasn't–" His amusement died quickly when he saw the blade between his legs.
"I'm not for sale," she repeated firmly.
The scruffy young man raised his hands and shrugged. "I can pay."
She snarled and pressed the blade closer.
"Is there a problem here?"
Glancing at Bo, who had appeared at her side, she relaxed and leaned back. "No."
However, another patron hollered out, "He just wanted to buy some of her time!"
Bo looked at the speaker for a moment. "Is that so?" He turned to the man before her. "You calling my sister a whore?"
The man's eyes grew wide. He tried to sputter out a response.
"Hold this."
She barely had time to take his tankard of ale before he punched the man in the face.
"Fight!"
Awkwardly sheathing her dagger, she turned and ducked as men erupted from benches, swinging and hitting anyone in reach.
Well done, she muttered.
Should I come in, Garen asked.
Time to go, I think, Bo said with a chuckle.
She glared over at him and then blocked a punch. It didn't seem to matter which way she went, someone stood in her path. So she kicked and pushed and threw her own punches as she forced her way to the door.
By the time she finally stumbled out, Garen paced worriedly back and forth.
Moving off to the side, she bent over, catching her br
eath as her heart thundered in her ears. Raising her fingers to her head, she felt around and cursed at the wet spot in her hair above her temple. She'd gotten hit by something flying through the air.
Garen growled low. I smell blood. Are you hurt?
Not bad. Bo, are you coming?
I am, I am. Patience, pup.
She snorted and shook out her sore hands. At least her knuckles weren't bleeding too badly, but they'd probably start swelling soon. Licking her lower lip, she didn't taste any blood. She'd caught an elbow there. It felt strange, though, and likely would swell.
Bo…
"I'm here!" He stumbled out the door, a huge grin on his face. "Nothing like a good tavern brawl to get the blood pumping!"
She shook her head. Men. "Can we go home now?"
He threw an arm over her shoulder. "Good idea. I'm hungry."
As they walked back toward their side of town, the strange feeling of being watched came over her. She glanced back over her shoulder. Though many people went about their business, she couldn't see anyone watching them.
Bo led them through various side streets until they came out at their road a bit north of the tavern.
"Are we going back tomorrow?"
"If the weather holds," Bo answered. He rubbed at his eye, which was darkening already, and his swelling cheekbone.
"Elaina's going to love that."
He paused and then shrugged. "She'll be fine." A grin split his face. "The hazards of defending your honor."
She snorted. "I defended myself just fine, thank you."
He grinned. "So you did." He patted the top of her head. "Proud of you."
She veered away with a laugh, trying to avoid his hand.
"Aro!"
Stopping in surprise, she turned, searching the crowd for whoever had called her name.
Bo cursed under his breath, and she soon saw why. The blacksmith moved quickly toward them, his brows drawn together in concern.
Garen growled quietly beside her and backed away to stand behind Bo.
Be nice, she told the boys. He's not a threat to us.
I would not be so sure, the Were replied.
"Good afternoon," she started as he came up to them, but didn't get to say more. He surprised her, taking her face gently in his hands.