4 - Beyond Kastow

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****TW: Violence****

      "I should've let him talk to the blacksmiths," whimpered Dua, her eyes welling with tears. "Maybe that ash-faced scum-fucker would've been gone. Maybe..." She trailed off, burying her face in her hands. Saffrin pulled her into an embrace, gently patting her back. She grasped at his waist, her sobs muffled into his shoulder. His heart sank and a tightness formed in his throat as he thought about their friend.

They sat in their room - a small hostel decorated with goat horn sconces, generic paintings of the sea, and three straw beds; two regular sized and one enormous one. The setting sun was shining through their paneled window, casting long shadows on the floor. In receiving the news that someone had been attacked, Ulana ordered all of the mercenaries to confine themselves to their rooms. She brought Creldeus to her medical chamber next door and had the drow, Rolfe, seized.

     As wetness grew in his own eyes, Saffrin wept quietly. For a while, they sat together in silence, other than Dua's murmurs of grief. Finally, Saf sniffed away his tears and put his hands on Dua's shoulders, holding her at arm's length. She looked miserable.

     "Why are we crying over that overgrown kobold? We know he's gonna pull through."

    Dua chuckled sadly, wiping her eyes and drying her cheeks. "Gods, I hope so. I'm not sure what we'd do if we lost him."

    "You warmed up to him quick," laughed Saffrin. "If I remember right, you told him to fuck off just last night."

    "I know, but..." she sniffled, her voice breaking. "You two have done more for me than anyone in my life. I was in a dark place before signing up for this job, and I know I come off as..."

    "As a total badass, I know," smiled Saf, nudging her in the chest with his fist.

     She laughed weakly. "You showed me there's more than darkness in life, and I can't let our friend get taken by it. We gotta protect each other. All three of us." She sniffled again, wiping her running nose on her sleeve. She put her hands on the back of his head and drew it close, pushing their foreheads together. "You're my brother now, Saf."

    "I know," he comforted, putting his hands behind her bald head as well. "If we can get attacked by our own, we have to be careful out there. No more bullshit. We protect ourselves and each other. No more mistakes."

    Saffrin pulled away gently, wiping his face. He held out his hand to her and she clasped his wrist, gripping firmly.

      "Right." she said, drawing her chest up confidently. "Let's start by wringing that bloody murker's neck." She stood up angrily, starting towards the door but Saf grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"No," he said, "we can't. We have to leave him to the Commission."

"He can't just get away with what he did!"

"He won't!" assured Saf, as Dua pulled on her arm, trying to break his grip. "He's going to get what's coming to him. We just have to wait. Besides, Ulana wants us to stay in the inn."

"Bollocks to that," Dua scoffed, finally freeing her hand. "We at least need to go see Goldy. He'd want us there."

     "I know he would, but..."

"But nothing! I'm going to HQ. Whether you come with me or not is up to you."

     She hastily opened her burlap bag and pulled out the set of dark leather armor she had packed, and began to put it on.

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