laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The great hall was full of revelry as those who survived celebrated life as well as those who fell. It was a tradition amongst warriors of many races, she thought as Adgertesse’ sat with her friends. Eating the cooked pork, beef as well as potatoes and vegetables, she still felt an emptiness without Kailee. Although, neither of them would be here involved with the dwarves if the half-vampire was present.

“You sure,” the dwarven sergeant asked as she turned to notice Sceva and Lita nod. What had they gotten themselves into now? Within moments, two tankards were placed before each and she watched in amazement as the pair drank. Lita seemed to handle her alcohol well but, Sceva on the other hand...

“Oooohh, there wasss amaidn on,” he sang as others watched the aged marshal of Elminoir stumble onto the table and try to entertain the crowd. Marian quickly perched atop the bench behind her husband and tried to keep him from falling as he tortured whatever tune he had chosen. Soon, Tess rounded the long table and helped him down, assisting Marian get him on the floor before he fell.

“Let’s get him back to the room,” she suggested as he smiled at her, breath nearly singing her eyebrows.

“Okay,” Adgertesse’ shouldered his right arm and wrapped her left around his back.

“I luvv you,” he stated.

“I love you too but, we’re cutting you off from the dwarven ale from now on,” Marian vowed.

“Party pooperr,” he laughed as they rounded the table and headed for the doorway as dwarves laughed, pointing at the brave human being carried out by two women. As they neared the large doorway, he began heaving.

“Almost made it,” Adgertesse’ turned away as her friend got sick, not wishing to be sick herself.

Once done, they continued on to their billeting and laid the knight onto the bed. Tess helped take off his boots and allowed Marian to take it from there as she headed to the well in the near corner and drew some water.

“I should’ve talked him out of that drink,” Marian stated as Tess wound the crank and raised the bucket.

“He deserved it,” Tess sympathized. “We’ve been through quite a bit these past few months and it’s not like he does it all the time. None of them do.”

“True. Just don’t want anyone remembering this moment, joking about it later because you know he won’t remember any of it.”

Adgertesse’ smiled as she carried the bucket to the bedside as Marian pulled the blanket up over his legs. “It’s only natural I guess. No one would think ill of him, don’t worry about that. He’s been through much with the core group and they respect him. So do I.”

Wetting the cloth, Marian smiled as she began washing his face. A bit jealous, Tess admired their relationship and turned as she headed back to her makeshift bed and laid down.

“You ever been married,” Marian asked as Tess closed her eyes.

“Only to my blades.”

“Really? We’ve been traveling together for some time now and I hardly know you. I don’t mean to pry.”

“It’s okay. Normally a girl in my clan wasn’t able to marry until after she’d killed her first man in battle and I had that option but, turned it down to get promoted and trained to be an assassin.” Orange eyes opened and turned to see the servant of Elminoir staring back in disbelief.

“I see. Interesting.”

Adgertesse’ smiled. “Not the life you had I take it.”

“Not exactly, no. But, interesting nonetheless. I grew up on a farm with my older sister and two younger brothers until meeting Lady Guenna. I was offering a gift to Elminoir when she and I met. By the time I was ten, she sponsored me to Sonvico to train to be a druid,” she looked lovingly at Sceva. “Amazing to think that he and I were roaming the same compound all those years and didn’t even know one another. Funny, really when you think about it.”

“Sceva’s a great guy, you’re lucky to have him. Kailee always spoke highly of him also.”

Hazel-brown eyes turned back to her as Marian sat on the bed. “How long has it been since you were home?”

Tess tried to remember without the painful thoughts of how she met Kailee. “It’s been several years. I’ve actually lost track to be honest. Truth be told though, I don’t miss it. My home is here with all of you.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you’re on our side. Seeing you fighting today made me appreciate your skill and I was afraid the dwarves would turn on you in the heat of the battle. Glad they missed when they threw their axes.”

“I know, me too,” she nodded. “I had a feeling that might happen.”

“What are your plans when all this fighting is over?”

“Settle down with Kailee and try to keep her out of trouble, as always.”

Marian chuckled. “Good luck with that.”

“It’s a full time job, no doubt,” she looked up to the ceiling and closed her eyes. “How about you two? Children?”

“Hopefully, yes. We’ve mentioned returning to Sonvico and perhaps teaching. That’s a while away though, I think but, it’s good to at least have something to fight for. You’ll have to come see us from time to time, you know you’ll always be welcome.”

“I appreciate that and I’m sure we’ll take you up on it. Just warn the locals first.”

A hearty laugh lifted Adgertesse’s spirit also as she smiled and sighed. “I really hope you both realize that dream, I know no one hears my prayers at night but, I know Elminoir loves you two.”

“They’ve all protected us as a group. I’ve seen things that I had only read about or heard bards sing of that made me wish I was back on that farm with my family. It’s amazing when all of them sit and talk about your adventures before I came, had I not known all of you like I do, I would mark it off to fantasy. But, I’ve seen the scars that linger which can only come from battle or loss. These are times and events that fill a child’s daydreams. How many people can say they’ve spoken with not only the dwarven kings in their own halls but, also elven queens or titans? It’s still hard to imagine for me.”

Adgertesse’ turned and eyed the knight. “When you live it it’s not the same I guess. Impressive as Bhatar and the elves are, I’ve gotten to know them a little and they don’t seem out of reach to me any more. It’s no different than you and I right now. They have dreams, fears and concerns just like we do.”

“Oh, I know,” she nodded. “I didn’t mean to sound like a wide-eyed kid,” she shrugged and smiled. “I haven’t had that luxury yet like you have.”

“I know. But, if things turn out well, you may get to meet them once the war is over.”

“Look forward to it.”