Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Viper

As much as had happened in the last couple hours, it was still not so late that everyone was asleep when Darya walked through the gates of the palace walls usually reserved for the Royal Guard with some of her team.

Reynald wished the three of them good night, turning to a more pleasurable night of paperwork and being alone than what Darya assumed was her fate, hearing the sounds of music wafting her way.

The garden courtyard still sounded like there were people milling around, with music playing, the sounds of conversation and laughter wafting towards her as she paused long enough to take in a slow, steadying breath of fresh air, her silent, brooding companions pausing beside her, neither one of them having said anything to her since they left the brothel.

Not that Darya had been wanting to talk much either, as she tried to figure out how she was going to stay afloat with her looming bills from the evening.

There had been more women than she had expected, but the inn she had haphazardly purchased for the occasion was a large one, able to hold them and more. Space wasn't the issue, it was the fact that she was already sinking in debt from the costs of housing, feeding, and protecting that many people.

Darya didn't regret the decision, feeling as if she could somehow make up for everything she had been raised with by giving it all away to help these women and their families. She just wasn't sure how she was going to manage the costs, without putting herself into indentured service to the crown, or selling the Calamity.

"You think there's a back way in?" She said finally, looking down along their path, which would lead them into the courtyard in order to get to the palace and her room.

"There is." Davanos said, though he offered a smirk. "But it's called flying, and if I'm helping anyone out, it's Cansal. So it's not open to you."

She winced, wondering just what part of what she had said or done that night had angered him the most, before she shrugged in defeat. "Right. Night then boys."

She started walking, trying to mask her surprise as they just matched her steps and walked with her.

"Just because we can take it doesn't mean we will." Cansal offered, giving her a charming grin. "Though we are going to stop long enough for a dance."

"Two dances." Davanos corrected him, smirking. "One for each of us."

Cansal nodded sagely at the suggestion. "I think we're decently respectable."

He glanced down at himself as they stepped into more a more lighted area, brushing idly at what appeared to be dirt, or dust, or possibly blood on his armour.

Darya looked down at herself, at her dark leather and metal armour which didn't seem any differently than when she had left that day, smiling slightly as Cansal reached over and buffed a scuff out of Davanos' armour before they continued around the outskirts of the gathering.

She almost got her hopes up that they had been joking, as she was nearly completely around the dance floor when Cansal stopped, holding a hand in the air before her.

"You're serious." She met his gaze, saw the stubborn expression, and sighed, placing her hand in his and letting him lead her out, formally, respectfully, though he held her hand firmly as they turned to start the next dance. "You realise, we look ridiculous, with our armour and weapons, dancing with all these fops."

He laughed, tossing his head back just slightly as they moved easily to the melody of the Clairvalan song. "You don't strike me as caring about other people's opinions of you."

"I was worried for you." She rolled her eyes, though his good humour was infectious, and she found herself smiling just slightly. "You have... prospects to worry about. Your father is probably trying to find you a wife, and this isn't helping."