Contract with a Star (On Hold, Possibly Forever)

The Roommates and the Star

            The next two months were strange for the Warriors graduating that year. There were even more visitors, and they seemed to be studying the students. Neverix and Everin couldn’t understand why it felt they were being watched constantly, but they figured that old woman had been some sort of noble and they had offended her. They said goodbye to their dreams of becoming Soldiers and one day, maybe even Knights. The only jobs they would get would be to become Police for some boring old town where the worse that ever happened was the local drunk got drunk. By the time graduation came, they were miserable. Even more so when they were not called for duty as a Soldier of the country.

            As Neverix and Everin packed their bags and left school the they had attended for over half their life, they were stopped by a royal official, as the silver crest on his tunic proclaimed.

            “Neverix and Everin of Green River Valley?” The man had the tone of a condescending poor man with a temporary place of power. The two nodded.  “You have the express honor of being chosen to protect Lady Rena for a period of one year. If you can provide for her Ladyship’s safety and happiness, you shall be rewarded by Good King Veret Asnin with the sum of one million Kydels.” The official finished his speech with a flourish, “What is your answer?”

            Neverix and Everin shared a look. One million Kydels was a lot of money, but they didn’t even know Lady Rena. It could be that creepy old woman they had met two months prior. Although, it was one million Kydels for only one year of service. It took Knights four years to get even half of that. It was a Lady though, and they hated the spoiled nobles of their country. But, where else would they go?

            “We’ll do it.” Neverix said. The official nodded and turned to leave. Seeing nothing else to do, the two followed. They were led to a royal carriage, with horses carrying the royal silver crest. The carriage did not take them far; they were still in the royal city of Daiden, named after a great queen. When they stopped, they were in the merchant’s quarters, where all the merchants of the city lived in long, low buildings with their rich wives and spoiled children.

            “Take this road until the very end and then turn left. Lady Rena lives in the tallest building on the street. You’ll know when you see it.” The official waited for them to turn and start walking.

            “Wait, why aren’t you going, too?” Everin wasn’t budging if the guide wasn’t.

            The man sniffed disdainfully at the pair. “Lady Rena refuses the silver of even my crest to come near her. She’s allergic to it. I hope you don’t have any on you, as she will scream until it is properly disposed of.” He smirked at them.

            Neverix unwrapped her staff as she pulled it from her back. Everin took out his daggers and threw all but one into a wall, where they stuck deeply and securely in. He handed the last one to Neverix, who scraped off the silver ‘N’ that was on the end of it. When she handed it back, he threw it to join its siblings. The man that owned the building did not voice a complaint against the terrifying two.

            Ignoring the official and the others on the street, the two walked down the path set for them. They were eager to meet the “Lady.” If she was one of those arrogant nobles that made people’s lives hell, they would leave, no matter how many Kydels they were offered.

            The house was obvious. Surrounded by low, stone buildings covered in gaudy decorations, the three story, plain brick building stood out. Everin took the lead and headed through the door without knocking. He wanted to see the reaction on her face, and make sure she wasn’t that old woman. Something attacked him.