Songbird

Chapter Five - Mercenaries

Even on the road, she still visited his dreams. Just as always, she was waiting for him in that eerie expanse of darkness, legs idly kicking as she floated there.

"You're smiling again," he said.

She nodded, drifting closer to him. "Today was a good day."

A moment's concentration set him in orbit around her, the two of them gently circling each other.

"I'm glad," he said. "What was good about it?"

"A cat came to my window," she said. "Somehow it climbed all the way up and was scratching on the glass. So I let it in and it let me pet it. It was so soft!" Her eyes widened with concern. "My room is so high up, Kal. How will you get to me?"

"Not to worry." He grinned. "Climbing is my specialty—if that cat could do it, so can I."

She giggled when he winked, and his heart soared.

"That's a small thing to make a whole day good," he said. He regretted the words when her face fell.

"I've learned to appreciate small things," she said. Her smile returned. "And larger ones—like good friends."

"I'll be there soon," he said. "I promise."

She nodded. "I believe you. How has your journey been?"

It had already been a few weeks since he had started out, crossing the vast plains that covered that part of the country. The land still bore the scars of the Mage Wars, full of blasted ruins that had once been towns and castles, the surrounding lands craggy with shattered cliffs and rocks strewn amongst the pitted hills.

"I've had no trouble," he said. "Da taught me well, how to set traps to catch food and such."

"I'm glad," she said. "Please be careful."

He nodded. "I will. A pretty girl is waiting for me, after all—I'd hate to keep her waiting overlong."

She lowered her gaze.

"Wren? Did I—?"

"It's nothing." She smiled. "You're very sweet, Kal. I'm sure that girl will be patient."

Kal continued his trek across the countryside, passing through deep forests and river valleys, occasionally stopping in small towns and villages where he paid for a night's stay at the local inn with his services as a dish-washer or busboy.

On one such occasion, he was cleaning tables when a group of people entered the tavern. They were two men, a woman, and a young man of Kal's own age or thereabouts, dressed in rugged clothes that were well-worn with travel. He counted several weapons among them—sabres, knives, and flintlock pistols, even a long rifle slung over the woman's shoulder. They scanned the room with intense eyes, taking in what few customers were there as well as Kal and the staff before approaching the counter.

"Evening." The speaker stood at the head of the group, and seemed to be their leader. "Do you have any bounties?" he asked the bartender.

The bartender shook his head, setting down the glass he had been cleaning. "No bounties. But mayhap I can get you folks a meal? A drink?"

"Ale all around, please."

They sat at the counter, and the bartender beckoned to Kal, who distributed the drinks.

"You're bounty hunters?" he asked.

The leader nodded. "Something like that. We're the Black Hounds, swords for hire. I'm called Corvin. This is Leah, Quin, and Raven."