Serev's Story

Chapter 9

The first night in the citadel had been quite the experience. Serev had slept in a gigantic bed with Flewin, and then Carys was sandwiched between them. None of them really knew what was happening in their life, so it felt more comfortable to be together and it lent an air of safety. Tad slept nearby on a divan, to give them a bit of privacy yet that way nobody was alone. The arrangement seemed to have worked for the first night, though they were still getting settled in, so Serev was sure they would find a pattern that worked.

Carys had taken full advantage of the pull rope to summon the pages, to the point that they were having to apologize several times when she just wanted to say hi. Of course, she also had managed to get them some breakfast, for which they had all been eternally grateful. It was still hard to get used to the food, she hadn't eaten this well ever, even before she had set out on campaigns, and she doubted Flewin had either. Perhaps Tad did with his wealthier father, or Carys since she lived here, but they certainly were eating with enough gusto that she had her doubts.

"Do you think we'll really be able to pull off this trading house?" Tad asked her. He was fidgeting enough that she could see was terribly nervous. The idea had been suggested to them by Prince Jondure the previous evening, after they had enjoyed a dinner that left them all full to bursting. At the time, the idea seemed almost too good to be true, but now the light of day had them thinking about it a little less surely.

"Tad, you learned a lot from your father, and Prince Jondure seems like a savvy operator. Between the two of you, this will work. Flewin worked long enough in the tavern that she'll be able to run it, and I'll be on the ship making sure things are safe. Yes, this will work." Serev assured him.

"Where will I be?" asked Carys.

"You'll be with all of us, we're a big family together." Flewin said as she hugged Carys from behind and tickled her, causing her to break into gales of laughter.

The laughter was interrupted by a rushing of wind and the sound of wings as a massive griffin landed on their balcony. "Alia!" Carys yelled, rushing to the balcony doors, but being good about not going any further.

A pair of riders dismounted from behind Alia, before the pink eyed sorceress slid down herself. Carys had grown attached to her on the flight back to the city, since she had stayed close to her two patients, with Maltia sleeping on the foredeck of the ship. The two additional passengers turned out to be those same ladies that she had cared for, the pair of Bishops that has been injured. The shorter of the two had close cropped brown hair and striking purple eyes and was most likely a sorceress, while the other was taller and more muscular, with dark cinnamon skin and ebony hair. The pair of swords over her back didn't take away from her infection grin though.

"So, this is where we're vising today, eh?" the swordswoman said with a low laugh, "Alia has mentioned all of you several times, though I'm sorry we missed meeting you on the ship."

Serev instantly felt that this woman was a kindred spirit, she had always admired other women drawn to arms such as herself.

"I am Serev," she replied with a smile, "And these are my friends Flewin and Tad. Carys is the one who evidently wants to try flying on Maltia."

"Not today little one!" Alia said scooping up Carys, "I was just dropping these ladies off at the palace, and thought I'd come say hi at the same time. I hope you don't mind?"

How could Serev mind? When they were aboard the ship, they had all huddled near Alia while she tended these two ladies, and Carys had become entranced. Alia had made a little pink cat out of flames, and it ran up and down her arms, making Carys giggle with delight. When Alia had her it in her pal, Carys reached out and took it, making it turn orange, just like her own eyes and causing it to scamper over her own arms. Alia had been shocked at the display since someone Carys' age most likely wouldn't have been trained in magic yet. But she had taken an instant liking to her, and had stopped by their rooms several time since, usually with treats or presents for Carys.