Fireborn

Chapter Six: Broken Tusk

The famous tavern of Highgate, the Broken Tusk Inn, named for the boar head with a snapped tusk mounted on the wall, was warm and lively, unlike the shivering autumn. Night had returned before they had. Agren entered with her mentor, and with Luna and Torrok. Ryore had left to make sure Arid was, for once, doing what he was told. When she saw him ripping up a turkey leg in the back corner, she knew that Ryore was wasting his time.

    Chi'gaul must've seen him as well, because she sighed. "Mothers have mercy." She strode away to speak with a few people Agren didn't recognize.

    "Save some for me, you bastard," Torrok called as he walked over to him.

    Luna approached the counter, and Agren followed behind. Luna looked exhausted, but she still smiled softly.

    "So how did you do it? You just ran off and vanished."

    "Oh, well... I don't really know. I um... I just follow the shadows, I guess. When I got back to Ironwood, I found Raiden. She helped me find my bow, and I told her what happened. She was supposed to come with us, but she was told to remain at Ironwood to fend off the last attackers and help them get back in order. So um... I came with Ryore and Chi'gaul."

    "So what, just by luck you found us?"

    "Actually Ee-ran sniffed out a trail."

    "That bear is more helpful than half the people I've met."

    She giggled. "Yeah, I suppose so. Mimicking owl calls isn't quite the same as riding a bear into battle."

    Naeda came up to the counter, handed out mugs of ale and a large bowl of soup, before turning to them. She was remarkably similar to Niora, being her twin and all. Short, broad, and dark and wrinkly skinned, like leather. Her hair was piled into a bun at the back of her head, but didn't want to stay there. Several rogue strands were poking out.

    "Luna Graydust the Pit Viper. I haven't seen you much since you took up that bow. Finally got some time for me, hmm?" Naeda asked.

    "Well uh... I've certainly been busy."

    Naeda examined the bow slung across Luna's back and quietly gasped. "Now dear, that's Shadowfell, isn't it?"

    "Yeah... The bow used by Ikora Silvershard, the first Huntress, when she lead the defense during the Siege of the East."

The first leaders of Armaad were three close friends. Ikora Silvershard, the first Huntress, Isa Axeblade, the first Stormguard, and Riguul Brightsky, the first of the Thesren Akhiin. Agren had never studied them closely, like some had, but she knew their names and she knew how revered they were. And of course, she knew the names of their weapons.

    "Hundreds of years old, and still looks perfect. That weapon was forged in dragonfire, I'm sure of it. Like the weapons of the dragon warriors. Do you have her quiver as well, or has that one been lost to time?"

    "Unfortunately, it has. I... I have my own quiver..."

    "Yes, unfortunate-- Agren, by the moon, where have you been? You look like hell. Have you been swinging fists at Stormguards again? That Pit will kill you, dear."

    "I would much rather have fought Morriah again. I went to Ironwood and things went wrong. Very wrong. Sometimes I wonder how I get myself into these situations."

    "I hope my sister hasn't given you shit."

    "She hasn't but only because I haven't seen her yet."

    "That's Niora for you. Alright, you both look hungry, and in need of a drink. Shall I bring out your favorites?"

    "That would be much appreciated," said Luna.