The Great Captain Alex Gregory

Talks

At least taverns were the same. I felt at home as soon as Mr. Alex opened the door. Which, considering where exactly I was, was probably not a good thing. Mr. Alex leaned in close, voice low.

"Tell me you aren't wearing iron anymore," He pleaded. I pressed my lips together and cleared my throat. Mr. Alex sighed, but didn't say anything else. Mr. Alex sighed and pointed to a corner of the bar. "Just sit over there and don't talk to anyone." I nodded and made my way to the small booth. When a slim girl sidled up to my table for an order, I almost panicked.

"What'll it be, sweetie?" Her voice was sweet and melodic. I hummed, tapping my finger, trying to bring up something other than my mother's voice saying, 'Don't eat or drink of the Fae's things. You'll never leave.'

"Can I hear your options?" I managed. She smiled a little too sharp and rattled off a lot of regular drinks, a few new ones mixed in here and there. I swallowed hard, tipping my head back and forth before frowning.

"Maybe I'll order when my partner shows up, they'd have a better idea," I offered, slumping to the side. The lady just nodded, something dark in her eye. But she walked off, not looking back. I felt my internal screams lessen, watching as the other waiters circulated the room. I'd bought myself some time, but I couldn't keep giving the same answer. Not for long.

A spot of stillness drew my eye. A male, wearing dark greens and browns, sat against the wall, sipping a drink. From my vantage point, I could see his eyes. They were the only things about him that moved. He caught my eye, casting a smirk. I nodded once. Then immediately cursed myself as he got up and sauntered over, sitting across from me with a smile.

"Didn't think I'd be seeing your kind here. Alfynians don't usually find their way to this hole," He sipped at his drink, eyeing me over the rim of the glass. His voice was a pleasant baritone, probably made all the more melodic for his heritage versus mine.

"Well, when one travels, new places become harder to come by," I shrugged, relying on every single previous dangerous situation to remain calm. I'd never been in this position of danger, but I'd lived through some near impossible situations.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? It's such a privilege, having travelers like that visit us," His smile was slow, lifting only one side of his face. If he wasn't something that wanted to capture, kill, or use me, I would have found him attractive.

"And you? What brings you inside the tavern today?" I asked, seeing his eyes light up.

"I love the spiced ale. Can't seem to shake the cravings," He grinned. I was getting in over my head. Way too deep. "Course, it does mess with the mind when I'm tryin' to do a job, you know how it goes."

"Oh? What kind of job would that be?"

"A little bit of that, little bit of this, you know, odd jobs," He hedged. I propped my chin on my fist, an idea blooming.

"Not the odd jobs my Uncle offers?"

"He had a house needed inspecting. Said he couldn't find a better man for it. Me an' a friend Bob helped 'im out. Course, then Bob had ta take a walk about right after, but the job got done."

I gave him a slow smile. "I must say, I didn't think my Uncle had real estate here. Wonders never cease. But surely that was on the backside of town?"

"Nah, pretty close to here, actually. Took a few days to see my ailing sister in the country, but like I said, the cravings," This was too good. I tapped a finger on the table twice, almost unable to contain my glee when the man tipped his head.

"I had been wondering just how many pies my uncle had fingers in. Traveling gets one wondering, you see. You think you could speculate?" My voice took on a deeper tone, not lowering my volume, but keeping my words from being easily overheard.

"Somma this street, a couple a places nearer the center," The man shrugged. I frowned.

"Really?" I leaned in, confusion radiating off of me. "Are you sure?" Like any male with his honor at stake, he responded beautifully.

He glowered at me. "I know my trade, lass." Tactfully, I leaned back a little.

"But I don't see anyone on the street. Surely Billy would have heard and left some friends?" My tablemate pressed his lips together at that, eyes narrowing just a bit.

"True, this street is untouched, but not for lack of jobs," He defended. Bingo. I spread my hands flat on the table.

"When one travels far and wide, a name begins to spread. This street is devoid of any names," It wasn't quite a question, and I continued at his nod, "Want to make one?" His grin was all needles and glee.