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Archives: New Marmo Republic

Chapter 6: The Mercenary’s Inn

    Since arriving in the city, Zira had been cloaked under the protection of invisibility spirits. Roid was the last place a dark elf ever wanted to be found, but it was where the job had taken her. She had been hired along with a young man named Edwin to protect a trader leaving Blade. During the course of the journey, she had become rather close and flirtatious with Edwin, but it was still too soon to say they were a couple. She was testing the waters, and it was better to wait until the job was done to actively pursue a relationship. Edwin wasn’t a mercenary either, in fact, it was his first contract. He was just an adventurer who needed some quick cash.

    Zira didn’t drop her spell until they reached the Mercenaries’ Guild. Here, she was welcome. The Guildmaster knew her, and after doing a few jobs, he came to trust her. Of course, it was probably easier for a busty dark elf woman to gain the trust of men than it was for a male dark elf. After checking in with the guild, Zira and Edwin went to the large inn next door, adequately named The Mercenary’s Inn. It was basically an extension of the guild, and nearly every single patron was a mercenary.

    Zira took a seat at a table near the back wall, trying to be inconspicuous. Even though she was more welcome among mercenaries, it didn’t apply to every merc she met. As usual, she kept a wary eye out for any trouble makers.

    Ever since making it to Roid, Edwin had been in sort of a daze, lost in thought. This had been the first time since he parted ways with Toroth that he had set foot in Roid. After all these years, he was no closer to learning anything about his parents, or their past. Maybe I should go visit the old knight while he is still in Valis and see if I can learn any more about where my mother and father came from to give me a better idea where to go.

    Edwin shook his head after making it to the Mercenary’s Inn, snapping out of his thoughts as Zira had removed her spell. He had truly enjoyed his time with the dark elf, through there were some major differences between the two; like the fact that he was just an adventurer out to see the world and she was a professional mercenary. He had grown quite fond of her, but he knew better than to do anything more then just flirting while on the job. He had to figure out what was to happen next, since there were so many new open doors to him.

    He sat at the same table with Zira, letting his gaze wander about, taking in all the different types of people in the inn—through he could guess by the name that most were mercenaries like Zira. Unlike Zira, Edwin was not thinking about trouble makers. He looked over to Zira. “So, what are you planning to do next?”

    “I don’t want to stay in Roid any longer than necessary to sleep,” Zira replied. “We can look for a job tomorrow, but if there’s nothing that I can take, I think we should head to Shinning Hill.” Zira paused and looked up at Edwin with a faint blush on her dark cheeks. “That is, if you still intend to travel with me,” she added, afraid that she had assumed too much.

    “I can understand. I have no business in Roid at this time,” Edwin smiled, not noticing the blush as he heard her saying that they should look for another job together. “If you are willing to put up with a young foolish adventure who is still learning the tricks of the trade.”

    Zira chuckled. “That’s fine with me,” she replied.

* * *

    Linda walked into the Mercenary’s Inn and looked around the inn as she thought about her family. She looked at one of the people working, then walked over to them. “Excuse me,” she said to him.

    The innkeeper leaned over the counter and looked over the pretty young mage who had just addressed him. Curiously, he raised an eyebrow. “What’d ya need miss?” he asked. Of course, what he wanted to ask was what a girl like her was doing in a place like this, but he decided to hear what she wanted to say first.

    Linda smiled at the man. “Well, I am a little hungry and was just wondering if there was a place to eat around here?” she asked as she looked around the inn again. “Or maybe a some place to sit and rest for awhile,” she said, looking back at the man.

    “Well, this is an inn. We serve food and we have places to sit,” the innkeeper replied, sounding annoyed by stating the obvious.

    The dark elf swept the room with her eyes again. No one seemed to be paying attention to her, thankfully. However, there was a human girl that stood out at the bar. She was pretty, and voluptuous enough to give Zira a run for her money. However, the girl seemed to radiate innocence and wasn’t dressed like a mercenary. She had caught the eye of several men at the tables near the bar as well. This could turn ugly... she thought. “What is she doing here?” Zira murmured to Edwin.

    Linda looked around the inn again. “You’re right, it is an inn,” she said, looking at him once again. “I am sorry, I should have recognized it earlier. Well, I guess that I will go have a seat now,” she said, smiling as walked over to a table that was surrounded by chairs. She sat down and let out a big sigh as she looked around the room. Her eyes stopped as she saw a dark elf and a human. She smiled and waved to them.

    Zira gave a slight nod of acknowledgment to the girl. As a dark elf and one of the only women in the place, she attracted a bit of focus. Of course, she had been watching the the girl—but so had a number of other patrons with less than kind gazes.

* * *

    Entering the inn, Ultarik walked up to the counter and set some money down. He looked the innkeeper square in the eyes. He had been on the road for the past few days, and he looked like he needed a good meal and bath. “I’d like a room for the night, and something strong to drink.”

    “Here’s yer key. Try not to cause any trouble, bad for business,” the innkeeper replied as he set a key on the counter, then went to other customers.

    Taking the key, Ultarik found a seat at a table by Zira and Edwin. One of the girls on duty delivered his drink and he nodded in thanks. He set his axe against the table to his right and simply watched the room, for a second his eyes glanced at Linda and then went back to silently observing.

* * *

    One of the men that had been watching Linda rose from his table with a smirk on his face. He was at least ten years Linda’s elder, but still rather handsome in a rugged way. Tall and lean, he had long brown hair pulled back in a low ponytail. His garb was well-worn leather armor, and he wore a sword on his hip. The mercenary strode over to her table and took the chair beside her. Spinning it around, he sat down in it backwards, leaning his chest against the back of the chair. “What’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a joint like this?” he asked, still smirking. His dark brown eyes scanned over her body, lingering on her chest.

    Linda looked at the man sitting next to her and sighed. As she looked at him, her smile slowly faded away. “You know, when talking to a person, you should look at their face.” As she spoke, her voice was calm and majestic with a warm feeling in it. She moved her hand to his chin, then lifted his head up so that he could look directly at her face. Linda smiled as she moved her hand back to her lap. “ I am here to relax myself and get something to eat,” she said as she yawned a little. “And, I think I might sleep here for the night, well after I pay for it,” she said, looking around the inn. Linda looked back at the man. “So you’re a mercenary, right? If so, how did you become one, how long have you been one, and do you know any mages around here?” she asked as she fixed her hair.

    The mercenary reached out and took one of Linda’s hands as she fixed her hair. “Baby, the life of a merc can be cut short at any time,” he purred. “All I’m lookin’ for is a little bit of love before I head out and put my life on the line again. Who knows? I could die tomorrow. All I’m askin’ is for one more night of pleasure with a pretty girl.”

* * *

    Edwin turned his gaze to the young woman that Zira was talking about and shook his head. Nothing good was going to come of that. “I would say that she has the idea to go out adventuring, or it could be that she came in here by accident and is about to create some trouble.” Tilting his head slightly to look over at the shout, Edwin chuckled silently to himself since he knew not to push his luck too far.

    Zira focused on the conversation with the mercenary and mage, her long ears twitching a bit as she tried to find the right position to hear best. Someone at the card game across the room shouted, causing Zira to draw her ears back. She frowned for a moment, but there were no more disturbances, so she kept listening to the mercenary.

    He was definitely laying it on thick, and that line would get him nowhere with any self-respecting young woman. Maybe the mage could handle herself, but Zira was ready to jump up and defend her if needed.

* * *

    Linda sighed a bit and looked back at the man, watching him carefully as he took her hand. “Hmm...” Listening to him, she slowly frowned. “I’m sorry, but you should let go of my hand before your life ends here and now,” she said, rushing the end of her sentence. She stood up as her light blue eyes looked at him. “You should show more respect towards women like me. Maybe one day, when you learn a little more respect, you might get a much more prettier girl to pleasure you,” she said, moving her hand from his. She gathered her stuff and looked at the man again. “Have a good night sir, and may your god be with you through out your life,” she said, turning away from him.

    Linda looked around the inn to see if there was any woman she could sit by, but everywhere she looked, she saw a man. She sighed as her eyes stopped on the dark elf and human again. She walked over to them and bowed. “Good night, may I join you two on this table?” she asked, looking back at the men at the bar. “Please?” she added.

    Before Zira had a chance to reply, the rejected mercenary stormed after Linda and grabbed her by the wrist. His pride was wounded, and he wasn’t about to let a woman get the best of him in front of all his friends. “Don’t walk away from me!” he growled, yanking Linda toward him.

    In a flash of dark elven agility and grace, Zira was out of her seat and had a throwing knife pressed into the offending mercenary’s throat. “Let go of the girl,” Zira hissed. In his shock, the mercenary released Linda’s wrist and raised his hands defensively. He had plenty of courage to throw around a human girl, but like most people, feared what dark elves were capable of.

    “Whoa...just calm down. Look, this has nothing to do with you...I don’t want any trouble,” he tried to bargain with Zira, but she kept pushing him back. He stepped back slowly to avoid her knife. She caught a glance of the innkeeper out of the corner of her eye. He was watching her intently, but he kept wiping down his counter. He didn’t seem to have a problem with Zira defending the girl, but he was wary of the other mercenaries.

    “You don’t want trouble? I find that hard to believe. Just go back to your buddies and we’ll forget this ever happened,” she replied. Just then, the mercenary ran out of room to back up and stumbled into a chair.

    This caught the attention of the man’s companions. The table they were gathered around went silent, and suddenly the men were on their feet with their hands on their weapons. “Hey! what the hell do you think you’re doing?” one of the men shouted at Zira.

    “Get your hands off him, Falaris worshiper!” another warned.

    “All of ye, sit down!” the innkeeper finally spoke up. This was just the thing he was afraid of, though he was quite used to bar fights in an inn frequented by mercenaries. Not like he wanted to deal with them all the time...

    Zira withdrew her knife and took a step back. He seemed to have gotten the point. The mercenary rubbed his throat where the dagger had been pressed into and wiped a little spot of blood off his neck. With a glare to Zira, he retreated back to his table. When he returned, his companions reluctantly sat down.

    Linda was ready to fight when she saw the other men stand up, when they sat back down, she walked over to the dark elf and bowed to her. “I am sorry for getting you into all this trouble,” she said, looking back up at her. Her eyes started to fill with water as she sigh. “I must have bad luck today,” she said then closed her eyes and rubbed her wrist. “Thanks a lot ma’am,” she said, looking around again.

    Linda looked back at the dark elf. “I am sorry. My name is Linda Purel. Once again, thanks for helping me,” she said, putting out her hand so that the dark elf could shake it. “I am really grateful for what you did.”

    Zira shook her head. “I take it you’re not from a big city, are you Linda? It would be in your own best interest if you were more careful about the places you chose to go,” Zira chastised, but she shook Linda’s hand still. “I’m Zira. You’re welcome to sit with my friend and I. He’s Edwin.”

    “No, I’m not from the big city,” Linda said, answering Zira’s question as she shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Zira,” she said. She bowed to Edwin and then looked up at him. “It’s nice to meet you too, Edwin,” she said, taking off her bag then placed it to the side of her chair.

    Linda looked back at the men at the other table and sighed. She sensed that something bad was going to happen. She looked at her staff and felt her knife against her skin. She could feel her mana running through her body. She was ready for almost any attack.

    Zira returned to her seat and sat down, crossing her legs. “Well, you can stay with us for now, but you should find a safer inn if you intend on staying in the city. Let this place be a lesson for you,” the dark elf told Linda, wagging her finger at the girl.

    Linda sat down next to Zira. “Well, I will be leaving the city tomorrow to start my journey,” she said, smiling. “Earlier today, I left my family to begin my adventure,” she said playing with her fingers. “So, are you a mercenary too?” she asked Zira. “The next time I send my family a letter, I will have to include you in it. My sister will be happy to hear that I meet a dark elf,” she said as she thought about her family. “Mom will be happy too, but dad, I don’t think he will be happy about what happened here today.”

    Zira looked at Linda incredulously. “Happy...to meet a dark elf? Well, I haven’t exactly heard that from many Valisians before.”

* * *

    Gaidrich stalked to the Mercenary’s Inn seeking to wash away his disappointment. His latest job, hunting lizardman teeth for gold pieces, had ended poorly. The skinks had gone to ground more so then usual after the war, and two weeks of slogging through the swamps hadn’t turned up so much as a skin molt. “Peace is a lean time for predators,” Eriks liked to say. As ever, the man knew what he was talking about.

    Gaidrich’s foul humor deepened upon entering the inn. Cripes. They let darks in here? A female at that. She might have been attractive, he supposed. He refused to let himself see such things in dark elves. Worst of all, two humans shared her table! A man and a woman, about his own age maybe, sat with the dark, talked with the dark! Musing over the evils of ‘tolerance’, Gaidrich stalked to the bar counter and announced his arrival to the innkeeper by slamming his fist down on the counter. Hard.

    The innkeeper not materializing, Gaidrich turned around, leaned against the bar, and made a survey of the common room. An older merc, sulking in a way unbefitting a man his age, was making his way away from the table with the two humans and the dark. He didn’t just make a pass at one of them, did he? He supposed he could see that for the young lady, who was something to look at, but a dark? His scalp prickled at the thought.

    The innkeeper finally wandered Gaidrich’s way. Nights were always busy at his inn. “Need a room?” he asked the merc.

    Pleased to get off his disturbing train of thought, Gaidrich turned to the innkeeper, favoring the man with a toothy smile. “Yes. Dinner first though. Meat, cheese, bread, the lot. And some good ale to wash it down with, if you don’t mind.”

    The innkeeper nodded to Gaidrich. “It’s five gold a night for mercs, plus food. Ye can pay now, or add it to yer guild tab,” he explained.

    Gaidrich fished five gold pieces out of his pouch and handed them to the man. “Thank you. I’ll be at that table in the corner for when it’s ready.” Nodding to the innkeeper, Gaidrich made his way to the aforementioned table, the position of which allowed him to keep a eye on the room. Particularly the dark.

* * *

    The plotting mercenaries had finished discussing their plan and were now ready to set it into action. Two of the largest men left the table and stomped over to Zira, Edwin, and Linda. “I think it’s ’bout time for ye to leave, darkie. We don’t like yer sort,” one of the men spoke with a heavy drawl.

    “It brings up a lot of bad memories from the past twenty years, you know,” the second man spoke more eloquently. “It could be a problem if you chose to stay here.”

    Zira found the delayed reaction to her presence suspicious, but she dealt with this constantly. “I had nothing to do with your war, and I’m you’re guild mate. The innkeeper has no problem with my presence, nor does the guild. One day you might even find yourself counting on me to watch your back.”

    “Feh, I’d never work with a dark elf! As if I could trust you behind me. I know the way you treat people on Marmo, little better than cattle! Rounding up men to feed them to ogres...despicable,” the well-spoken mercenary growled loud enough for most of the common room to hear.

    “I’ll have you know that I left Marmo as a child. Raiden is my home,” Zira replied coolly. Was this really about Linda? It seemed like they wanted to pick a fight, but if she dared to draw her sword in defense, they would be thrown out onto the streets.

    “Like Raiden is much better! City of Anarchy. I bet you still prayed at the temple of Falaris, maybe even made a few sacrifices.”

    “What are you trying to do?” she asked.

    “What do you think? I’m trying to get you to leave so no one gets killed in their sleep in the name of the dark gods. I’m looking out for the safety of this inn. Now, leave quietly and won’t tell the guards that there’s a dark elf in the city,” the mercenary threatened.

    “They won’t throw me out. I’m under the guild’s protection. Believe me, better men have tried,” she taunted back.

    Gaidrich had been examining the woodgrain of his table when raised voices caused him to look up. Two of the skulkers were confronting the dark! Perhaps there was hope for humankind after all. He listened, feeling his blood raise as the men recounted several atrocities perpetrated by the evil elves. memories rose inside him, turning his vision dark red. Lirel.

    With a oath, Gaidrich hauled himself up out of his chair. “Then I suppose it’s lucky there are better men in the house!” he barked towards the exchange.

    Seeing this exchange, Ultarik stood up and walked over to the quarrelers. The animosity these men had towards Zira was uncalled for. As a fellow guild member, he felt he should help her out, after all they both were from Marmo. Before he spoke, he cracked his knuckles and gave a low growl to get their attention, this was pissing him off.

    “You have a problem with her, then you have a problem with me. That’s no way to treat a guild member at all. If you hate dark elves that much, then avoid her and mind your own business. Is that too hard, or do you need to learn the hard way? If you value your health walk away, if not then I warned you...” He gave them the look that earned him his second name of Grimeye; the look of a warrior who would not hesitate in battle. If they would not stop hassling her then he would teach them in the only manner he knew how to.

    Gaidrich nearly choked on his disgust. This ‘human’ was standing up for the dark! The newcomer was huge, bigger then Gaidrich even, but size held no terror for him. Ogres were bigger, and he had five of those to his name. “Oh what have we here? Some sort of pervert darkie lover?” he snarled, coming up behind the man.

    Ultarik looked to Gaidrich with a angry glare; this man had no idea who he had just pissed off. He grinned, looking the smaller man over. As he stared him down, he cursed at him in dark elven, he was not going to take this, {“You ignorant dog, I should rip you limb from limb! Your existence is not even worth acknowledging, leave my sight before I decide to kill you!”}

    Ultarik was not going to back down. Even if he took a lot of flak for these actions, he was not going to do nothing. Hands ready to grab the man, he looked like he was trying to avoid physical violence, that would result in him getting reprimanded by somebody in the guild.

    Zira was surprised to hear a human speaking elven, but it was what he said that made her stand up and placed herself between the two mercenaries. {“Don’t you dare,”} she said to the barbarian. “Let’s not shed blood here,” she added, speaking in the common tongue for the sake of the others who didn’t understand her language.

    Ultarik backed down and instead sneered at the man, this was not going to go any farther. By now he had also made everyone hate him too, which was fine by him since he was never well accepted. {“He’s not even worth the trouble, she would never forgive me if I did,”} he replied in elven, then spoke in common so they knew he was backing down, “We can shed blood on the field of battle, that is the only place worth fighting.” He just wanted a meal and another drink now, perhaps these three might make for some good company.

    Gaidrich matched the big man grin for grin, baring his teeth with a snarl. his next remark was cut off however, by the sudden imposition of the dark between the two of them. “Your ogre friend here just threatened me, didn’t he?” he asked.

    Linda yawned while placing one of her hands her hands over her mouth. “Wow, so many men,” she said softly as she stood and looked at the men that were still in front the table. “Alright men, I think that you’re trying to pick a fight with my elf friend,” she said taking up her staff. “If you hate her so much why don’t you follow the mans advice?” she said, looking at Ultarik, then back at the men. She looked up at them and smile. “You can go back to your table or just leave the inn. I think I like the last one best,” she said, giggling to herself.

    Slowly standing up and shaking his head, Edwin crossed his arms over his chest. “This is not the place for fighting or threats.” He was glad to see the barbarian was apparently on the same side of Zira, even if he could not understand what they where saying. Turning to look over at Gaidrich, Edwin shook his head and studied him for a moment. “I am not sure what your problem is, but you should go cool down before you do something that you will regret.” While he spoke, he really doubted anyone would back down as he keep himself ready for any action toward Zira, Linda, or the barbarian.

    Gaidrich was caught somewhat flatfooted by the reaction. He had expected the common room to stand with him and the other two mercs, but as things stood now he and his new friends were rather lonely. Still, he wasn’t going to back down. Looking Edwin straight in the eye, he motioned at the dark. “You do know what that is, don’t you friend?” He couldn’t back down. His hate wouldn’t let him back down.

    Glaring at Gaidrich, Edwin never broke his gaze as he spoke, “She is not a ‘that’. She is a good friend and someone that I am willing to trust with my life. The problems of the past are just that. We are coming into a new age and we should just look passed what has happen and forge a new future that will not lead to us repeating those mistakes. If you cannot get over your problems, I suggest you go jump into a lake, maybe that will knock some sense into your thick skull.”

    “Get over my...!” Gaidrich took a deep breath. He wouldn’t lose control here. “Oh yes, problems. As if the worse things the darks did was break my front window! You’ve lived a sheltered life, haven’t you friend?”

    Edwin shook his head with a soft chuckle. “If you say losing you family when you are just a child sheltered, then yes I have. I prefer to let those I meet prove themselves by their own actions and not by others’ actions.” Tilting his head slightly, he looked over at Zira. It was true he had more trust and respect for her then he had for many humans he had met. Turning back to Gaidrich, he watched to see what he would do now.

    Zira leaned back against the table and rubbed her forehead. While others were eager to leap to her defense, she dealt with this far more often than they ever did. In most cases, defending herself was a lost cause. Nobody liked being referred to as a ‘that’, but unlike most dark elves, she wasn’t ruled by arrogance. The situation wasn’t dire enough for her to leave, and so far the fight had stayed verbal. She had to say something though, or else the mercenary, Edwin, and the barbarian would just continue until the conflict became physical. “I won’t deny that dark elves have caused suffering among humans. My people are arrogant and assured of their own superiority, but not all dark elves fit the stereotype. There’s a forest outside Raiden that will teach you just that. That’s where I come from. I’ve been a member of the guild for over thirty years, and I have never come close to committing any of the crimes those dark elves from Marmo have. They have records of my service that I could show you, if you don’t believe me.”

    The other mercenaries slowly began joining their two friends, who had so far let Gaidrich take the reins of the conflict. Casually, they started to gather around the side of the table Linda was on, looking as if they were just gathering around to see the fight.

    Gaidrich cocked an eyebrow at Edwin. “So the world has been rough with you. Perhaps I spoke in haste on that point. I still think, however, that your choices of acquaintances mark you as dangerously naive.”

    While he spoke, Gaidrich shot a quick look at the dark. This one did seem different somehow. She defended herself, rather then leaving it to the men who seemed willing to fight for her honor. But he remained unconvinced. Not looking at the dark directly, Gaidrich spoke to her, “You’ve been with the guild for thirty years? That’s a long time. For humans. Darks live far longer. Where were you before then? What have you done that won’t appear on guild records?”

    While speaking, Gaidrich watched the other mercs gather at the table. He cut his eyes at them. Typical. They likely had no real interest in this exchange.

    Linda sighed as she watched the men. “You’re not gone yet?” she said. She was starting to feel annoyed by what was happening in the inn. She just rolled her eyes and looked back at the group that was talking about dark elves. She sighed a bit as she watched more men gather around her. “It seems that there are much more men in this inn than I thought,” she said in a low voice as she sighed again. “I can’t have one decent conversation with someone in here.”

    Ultarik let them handle the situation now. He kept his guard up in case there was more to come. Perhaps it was best to stay his hand now, this situation was now a matter of words over action. It was best to let them handle this, he would not fight here.

    “Why do you hate dark elves so much, what happened that is so terrible? I once fought alongside and loved one who has since passed. She taught me about this world outside of my home. She was not evil, she did not fight without honor or pride in what she did as a mercenary. Why do you question this dark elf’s record, when she has done nothing to prove to you she is a threat?” he spoke without any threatening looks, instead he looked questioningly at Gaidrich. He was proud of his past, and also defending a memory that he held close.

    Gaidrich looked over at Ultarik. No longer threatening, the huge man seemed honestly curious. While Gaidrich still felt a sickly jolt at the man’s admittance to loving a dark, the hate had cooled to a low smolder. He felt oddly compelled to explain his ardor to another human. “I am from Kanon. This woman’s kind and their allies took everything away from me. I am... bred, almost, to hate them. It’s all that I know.” Gaidrich closed his mouth with a snap and glanced warily around the table, suddenly leery of the other patron’s reactions.

    “I don’t like to consider those dark elves my kind. I fought against some of them in the last war, and I even fought alongside the Flaim and Kanon Free Army on Marmo,” Zira replied. The mercenary seemed to be less combative and a even a little curious. He was still seething, but perhaps his rage was cooling. “And in the years before I became a mercenary, I can’t say that my life would be all that interesting. I grew up in the Raiden Woods, almost married someone. I never killed anyone, I never worshiped Falaris, or whatever else other dark elves do.”

    While the conversation continued, the mercenaries gathered glanced at each other, looking crestfallen. The conflict wasn’t escalating. If they went for Linda, the whole inn would notice and they wouldn’t even get her to the door.

    “Forget it,” one man muttered, waved dismissively, then wandered back to their table. One by one, the others lost interest and followed the first back. Finally, even the one who initially flirted with her walked away, cursing to himself.

    Ultarik understood a little why Gaidrich would see things as such, though Zira was not like those that had hurt him. “I can see why you have so much hate. On Marmo, if that happened, we would seek revenge and not hate. I come from one of the barbarian tribes of Marmo, and when she was alive we found little solace from those who hated, which is why we were mercenaries. Can you trust her word and show her respect?” Ultarik replied after Zira spoke, looking to Zira as he made his final comment. He hoped this would end now, perhaps he would talk more with Gaidrich as a fellow warrior after.

    Edwin lowered himself back into his seat and chuckled to himself at the comment about being ‘dangerously naïve’, but that was his choice and he would not change it for anything. Turning to look at the large man that had spoke with Zira in a different language, he nodded to what he was saying as well as what Zira had told the other mercenary. Noticing that the crowd around them was finally thinning out, he turned his attention over toward the young lady that had drew the attention on them in the first place. “Once things settle down a bit I am sure you will get all the decent conversations you want.”

    Gaidrich chewed his lip. What the big man and the dark were telling him was completely logical, but how long had it been since logic moved him? His hate swirled inside him sullenly. Part of him wanted to continue this conversation, but his hands still tightened involuntarily whenever he glanced at the dark elf. She had proven herself unlike any other dark elf he’d known, and he still wanted to kill her. Is this really all I am now? he asked himself.

    With great abruptness, Gaidrich inclined his head slightly to all at the table, whirled about, and strode rapidly back to his seat in the window corner. There he sat looking out at the world, in a cloud of ill humor so deep it was almost visible.

    Linda sat back down in her chair after the men walked away. “I guess you’re right,” she said, looking up at Edwin. “I’m feeling a little hungry,” she said, touching her stomach. “Maybe we should get something eat, if you want too.”

    Tilting his head bowing his head toward Ultarik, Edwin smiled slightly before looking back toward Linda and nodding. “After all of that, I think a good meal will be nice.” Edwin had to be thankful that the issues did not break out into a big fight. Not that he was worried about Zira, it was this young woman that could have gotten into real trouble if everything turned out wrong. “So, why are you here really, if you don’t mind telling?”

    “Just to sleep for the night,” Linda said with a smile. “So, are you married to Zira?” she asked as she place her hands on her lap. “Also, what would you like to eat?”

    Zira gave a shrug as the mercenary walked away. He was still sulking and seething, but apparently he had enough of the conflict. Had they confused his morals? Zira would let him be and he could decide whether or not he could trust her. She turned the barbarian who had stood up for her. “Thanks for the help,” she said, then added with a wink, “Though that temper of yours almost got us all in trouble.”

    Ultarik watched Gaidrich walk away. The man obviously was trying to figure things out. Looking to Zira after she spoke, he felt more relieved. This situation had settled without anybody getting killed or hurt. “It was nothing. I often went too far when trying to scare the ignorant away. I am Ultarik Grimeye, it is good to meet you.”

    “I’m Zira,” she replied. “When you’ve dealt with ignorance as long as I have, sometimes it’s just a waste of energy to try and prove them wrong.” Just then, she overheard Linda asking Edwin if they were married. Her ear twitched, and she glanced over her shoulder to see how Edwin responded. Ugh...marriage...no thank you, she thought.

    Chuckling a little in surprise, Edwin did not think they looked that close. While he did enjoy and care for Zira, there was no chance he was going to marry anyone while he was an adventurer. Looking over at Linda with a smile, he shook his head. “No, we are not married. We have grown close to each other while traveling and I enjoy her company, but I am not planning on getting married to anyone any time soon.” Edwin continued onto the subject of dinner, “I guess we can order their special if they have a one. Anything that is not trail rations and I will be happy.” Edwin looked around for a moment before shrugging his shoulders, a little distracted at the thought of marriage and thinking about his parents.

    “I see. Excuse me for being wrong,” Linda said with a little smile. “So, maybe you should look at the menu for something to eat? Or ask one of the people to tell you what they have?” Linda looked around the room for someone who was working.

    “You are right. I will take my leave of your group now, Zira. It was good meeting you and your companions,” Ultarik replied to Zira and the others at her table, he spoke to Zira herself as if she was a warrior of equal stature. “I hope to work with a warrior as capable as you one day. I only hope that he realizes how he’s lived until now. Till then, let all your battles be victorious, be safe.”

    Zira bid farewell to the barbarian, then turned around to deal with Edwin and Linda. They seemed to be at a loss for flagging down a barmaid. The dark elf scanned over the common room and saw one of the maids who could see them. Zira gave a shrill whistle and waved her hand over her head. It got the woman’s attention and the plump barmaid hurried over. “Ken I ’elp ye?” she asked in a heavy rural accent.

    “We need some dinner. Three plates if you will and...” Zira paused and looked back at Edwin and Linda. “What do you want to drink? Ale, wine?” She didn’t ask for requests for food, inns like this generally only served the same meal to everyone—a plate of meat, potatoes, bread, and maybe a vegetable. Asking for something else cost more, granted they even had it on hand.

    Linda thought for a moment. “I guess I will have some wine,” she said. She looked at Edwin and waited for his answer. “So, will you have some wine too?” she asked.

    Edwin was not to picky, and he was not going to spend more money than for the simple meal that the inn had. “I will take some wine as well.” He smiled at both Linda and Zira before leaning back in his chair slightly.

    “Alright, a bottle of red wine then,” Zira told the barmaid. The woman hurried away, and Zira finally sat back down. “Hopefully the rest of the night will be calm,” the dark elf commented. Her eyes traveled back toward Gaidrich’s corner. She couldn’t say if he’d let the conflict die, or dredge it back up. She could only hope that he was too confused or subdued to act out now.

* * *

    Strutting into the inn like a peacock in all his glory, young Alm the grassrunner was happy to leave the bustling streets of Roid to taller people, and take a load off his feet since leaving Raiden to explore Lodoss in all its beauty. His proud strut was quickly changed to a padded-foot stalking once he was sure no one noticed his entrance, small as he was. Stalking around the inn, Alm looked like a grubby lost elven child searching for his kin, even though his own intentions were far from those that he seemingly portrayed.

    Alm avoided the seemingly aware people and sought out the fattest purse on the dumbest looking person. Although one of the most undoubtedly dumbest walls of brick was the barbarian, he was close to a dark elf, and they were not known for having diluted senses, so his eyes surveyed for other easy marks. Before his eyes could search out a victim for petty theft, Alm’s eyes beheld the chest of a young blonde goddess sitting with the dark elf woman and her comrades. His lips formed a lecherous grin from ear to pointy ear as he stalked closer towards his nubile prey. Licking his lips like a cat about ready to lunge upon a mouse, Alm began to take great caution to not be seen.

    Although grassrunners like Alm were not common to Lodoss, there were a few scattered stories of Maar the bard enough to infuriate Alm away from claiming any kinship of being a grassrunner. Just before he made it to the table a bar wench grabbed his shoulder.

    “’Ey, what’s a kid doin’ in ’ere?” Alm rolled his eyes at the sound of her voice. His perfect plan to snuggle up to the busty blonde had come crashing down around his ears and now he’d have to play something up or get thrown out of the bar for not coming in with his parents.

    “I’m not a kid,” he growled defiantly. “I’m a dwarf!” he shouted. Unfortunately for Alm’s hairless face, that farce would be quickly exposed for its fallacy if anyone looked at him at all, let alone sideways and tanked to the gills.

    Taking a deep breath to collect his senses, Gaidrich raised his eyes from his table and glanced toward the dark’s table. To his surprise, she was already looking in his direction. What does she want now? he thought as he glared sullenly at the dark.

    A most un-dwarf-like voice protesting that its owner was, in fact, a dwarf jolted Gaidrich out of his staring match. Turning in his chair, Gaidrich beheld what seemed to be a elf child arguing with a barmaid.

    The mercenary had met Zira’s gaze, and for a moment, she held it, considering if she should actually speak to him again. However, the exchange between the barmaid and another caught her attention. The dark elf turned around to see a small figure being clutched by the shoulder. He was most definitely not a dwarf, and at first, Zira thought he was an elven child, or perhaps a half-elf with his gold eyes. Then, she considered a third option; a grassrunner. Being a Raiden native, she had crossed paths with a few grassrunners that arrived from Alecrast on their rite of passage.

    “Dwarf? Not very likely my little friend,” Zira said with a sly grin to the grassrunner. She slipped out of her seat and knelt down to the grassrunner’s level to get a better look at his face. “If you’re dwarf, then I’m a centaur. You wouldn’t happen to be a grassrunner, now would you?”

    “Wow, a two-legged centaur!” Alm exclaimed with an honest expression painted on his grubby face. “Well I’ll be, you must be a dying breed.”

    “And look at you, a miniature, beardless, skinny dwarf! I certainly don’t see many of your kind,” Zira replied with a chuckle. She was taking it in stride. “Seriously now, you are no more a dwarf than I am a centaur. Are you a grassrunner or child of elven blood?”

    Ultarik watched the new situation with interest. This kid certainly had a vivid imagination. Standing up from his meal, he moved closer, hoping to find out something more about the newcomer. Staying quiet, he watched, not wanting to interrupt their talk.

    “I am a deviant and a sexual predator. I wish to bed all the pretty ladies in the world at least once,” Alm admitted frankly. “In fact, I was just on my way to attempt to get into that young blonde woman’s shirt when this barmaid made a terrible assumption against my age and stature. I am a grassrunner, but of no relation, relevance or even knowledge of ‘Maar’, so don’t you dare compare me to him. Unlike that one, I am a certified giant amongst my many peers, as well as a self-proclaimed genius when it comes to the very workings of the cosmos. Nay, not gods nor goddesses could match intellect and wit with I, Alm, for they would have to scale the highest peaks of the largest breasts to dare compare themselves with nerkersaddersag...” Alm paused. “The...citation of...certification...of...uhh...” He looked up at the barmaid and gave her a puzzled look. “Why are you holding my shoulder? Did I steal your knickers and not know it?”

    The barmaid shrunk away from Alm a little, even more puzzled by the weird grassrunner. “Well as long as he’s not a child,” she muttered, heading off to do her rounds.

    Alm looked back to the dark elf and shook his head to clear the cobwebs of confusion. “Anyways, you’re an interesting breed of dark elven two-legged centauri. If you have the time, and patience, I’d prefer to dissect your clothes in the privacy of your room and from there, we can make with the breeding of a superior super army of skinny, beardless dwarflet-dark-elven-two-legged-centauri to conquer Alecrast, and if we have time, Lodoss. Although there is really not much to conquer here, I can honestly say. Between big bugs and a bunch of stupid, barrel chested oafish humans, Lodoss isn’t all that interesting.” Alm sighed and set his eyes back on Linda. “Although I’m not really into the human variety of crossbreeding, I’ll make an exception in your case—er, how old are you dear? I don’t want to be tapping the tree before all the leaves have sprouted if you catch my drift...although I’m not really impartial to the underage variety of woman, since I’m already making an exception for the human variety of your pedigree.”

    Linda listen to Zira and Alm’s conversation. Hmm... Alm is his name, and he is a grassrunner. He is smart with a good imagination and he looks like a elven child. Also, he is a sexual predator wishing to bed all the pretty girls. Heh, I’m learning a lot on this day, she thought as she watched Alm. He still thinks that he is a dwarf and Zira is a centaur. Hmm... maybe he is sick, I should check to see if he has a fever, she thought. Linda walked over to Alm, not hearing what he asked her. She was in her own little world and thoughts. All she saw as she walked over to him was a short boy, gold eyes, and his lips moving. She was too curious to pay attention to what he was saying. She just wanted to see if the boy has a fever.

    Linda knelt down by him and placed her hand on his head. “Hmm... you don’t seem to be hot or cold,” she said, taking his arm and feeling it, then touching under his neck. “No, you’re neither cold nor hot,” she said, then started to think, It seems that he might be mentally ill. Poor thing. She shook her head. “I have to think positive,” she said, standing up. “You have a great imagination little one,” she said to him. “What is your name?” she asked in a curious voice.

    Gaidrich watched the young woman administer to the new arrival with an amused expression. Somehow, I don’t think that’s what he was expecting. Gaidrich had heard of grassrunners from Eriks, but he had never seen one until now. Curious, and a little suspicious of the little fellow’s stated motives, Gaidrich turned his chair to watch the conversation.

    As the grassrunner, who introduced himself as Alm, rambled on Zira found herself increasingly amused by everything that poured out of his mouth. Even though he was flirting with her and possibly earnest about the dark elf and grassrunner babymaking, and getting Linda in bed as well, she couldn’t take him seriously. What made Zira finally burst out laughing was when Linda checked him for a fever.

    Seeing how Linda was taking care of him, Alm smiled at her. “I’m Alm. That’s my name,” he said softly. He traced a line following her jaw with his finger and drew his lips closer to hers. “And you, my dear...are mine.” He sealed his statement with a kiss on her lips, his hand moving down and into her shirt as he originally intended.

    Hearing his intent, Ultarik nearly choked on his drink; this guy had to be joking. Not wishing to let his food grow cold, Ultarik returned to his seat. He’d heard about grassrunners in traveling, but he had never seen one until now. Now there was no telling what else may happen tonight. He stifled a laugh at Linda’s actions.

    Noticing Alm’s actions, Ultarik stood back up, moving close enough to Zira for her to hear him, he shook his head. “Here I thought he was joking. He’s acting no better than a common criminal right now.”

    Seeing things take a turn for the worst, Gaidrich slowly rose to his feet. Though ready to remove the grassrunner, he made no moves at first. People as...spacey as this young woman seldom made it far in the world without some hidden talent. The little lech might be in for a unpleasant surprise.

    Alm wasn’t so funny anymore. Zira grabbed the grassrunner by the back of his tattered shirt and pulled him away from Linda. “Hey! That’s taking it a little too far! Girls don’t appreciate being kissed and manhandled by total strangers.”

    Linda stood there for a while as she slowly realized what happened. “Did this short thing just now kiss me?” she asked herself in a low tone. She slowly walked over to her staff and picked it up, then walked back over to Alm then stooped down in front of him. “Look here you little short being,” she said as she raised her staff over his head.

    “Never...touch...me...like...that...nor....kiss...me...again!” As she spoke, she hit her staff on the top of his head, hitting harder with every word. Linda stood up and stepped back from Alm, then sighed.

    Alm looked at Linda with a pleading look as she beat him with her staff. When she finished, Alm shook free of Zira’s grasp and rubbed his aching head. “What in the name of all that’s sacred was that about?” he growled. “I didn’t do anything! You can’t blame someone for what they do in their dreams!” He whimpered and clutched his aching noggin. “Ow ow ow ow... this is exactly why I can’t stand humans! They always act first and never think of the consequences.” He pushed up off the ground and yelled defiantly: “How come I’m the one who always takes the beatings?” His inner voice chuckled at Alm’s question. Simple, Alm. You’re the whipping boy. This partnership is rather lopsided. You take the beatings, and I do the rest. “This is exactly why I shouldn’t let you out! You have no manners and you always make me forget things.” Alm punched himself in the head with all his might knocking himself clean out. Well that was sheer idiocy, Alm, his inner voice cackled.

    When the young woman began hitting the grassrunner over the head with her staff, Gaidrich couldn’t help but burst out laughing. He laughed even harder at the grassrunner’s performance afterward, but quickly sobered when he realized the little fellow had well and truly knocked himself cold. “Doesn’t handle rejection well, does he?” Gaidrich asked half seriously as he squatted down next to the comatose grassrunner.

    Linda watched what had happened. The grassrunner had put on a very weird performance which had made Linda think he was really sick in the head. “He isn’t getting up?” she asked as she watched Alm. She sighed again as she knelt down by him. “Poor thing, I can’t believe that you’re really mentally ill,” she said, picking him up and carrying him over to a chair. She set him in it and sat down next to him. “I forgive to quickly,” she said softly.

    The dark elf hating mercenary had returned to investigate the grassrunner, and Zira acted casually. “He’s insane. Completely,” Zira muttered, shaking her head. She shook her head disapprovingly when Linda picked Alm up and set him in one of their chairs. She didn’t know what she would have done with the grassrunner, but it certainly wasn’t going be nursing him back to health around Linda. But, if the girl wanted to take responsibility for him, that was her choice.

    Gaidrich slowly rose to his feet, seemingly lost in thought. “It must be difficult, to be insane and to be so small,” he said softly. As far as he could remember, Gaidrich had survived his mind’s dark times by being too large to be a easy target. He couldn’t imagine how the grassrunner had so far avoided being killed by someone or something.

    Ultarik did not think much of Alm after his actions, though he was insane and that gave him less blame. At least he knew to keep a watch on this one, he was dangerous. “He’s even luckier than me to still be alive. I bet by now he’s crossed so many people who he’s managed to outrun or trick. I’d say that makes up for his size and insanity,” he spoke to everybody. Alm was safe for now seeing as he was unconscious, though he would want to be wary.

    Chuckling, Edwin was sure that Zira could take care of herself when this grassrunner, Alm, showed up and started to act in an interesting, yet odd way. Watching the scene play out until Alm was out cold, Edwin finally stood up and walked over to Zira, shaking his head slightly. “Just out of curiosity, are his kind all like that or is this one just a nut?”

    Zira shrugged. “I haven’t met a lot of grassrunners, so I can’t really say,” Zira said. “But I can say that he is the strangest of the few I’ve met. Now what are we going to do with him?”

    Linda watched Alm. “Hmm...what should we really do to him?” she said, thinking.

    “Maybe someone should take him across to the guild to get treated. If he hit himself hard enough to pass out, he could be seriously hurt,” Gaidrich said. He had not forgotten the presence of the dark, but right now the grassrunner’s health was more important. “This guildhall does have a infirmary, doesn’t it?” He had never been here before, and didn’t know his way around just yet.

    “Or we could take him to a temple, maybe they’ll know better how to deal with his...insanity,” Zira suggested.

    “After seeing him, I am not sure if even a temple would be able to deal with this one’s insanity. Through it would be better than just standing around here.” Edwin sighed he looked down on the grassrunner and shook his head. “No matter. What is done is done. Sooner he is treated, the sooner he can be off causing trouble for someone else.”

    Edwin had a point, and no one else had done anything, so Zira stepped up and picked up Alm’s unconscious body from the chair. She held him to her chest like a child with his head resting on her shoulder. “I won’t be welcome in any temples, so I’ll just take him to the infirmary,” Zira said. The door to the guild was just across the common room and the dark elf carried Alm away, hoping he wouldn’t wake any time soon. She didn’t feel like getting a surprise grope or kiss.

    As the dark walked toward the door, Gaidrich took a sudden notion. He was conflicted as to why exactly the thought occurred to him. Did he want a chance to talk to this strange dark, or did he simply wish to get her away from her friends so he could strike at her? Even he wasn’t certain. Either way, Gaidrich acted on his impulse. “I’ll walk with you, dark elf,” he said, standing up.

    Zira paused as the mercenary offered to join her. What were his intentions now? “Alright,” Zira agreed. “My name is Zira, by the way,” she added, hoping he would stop calling her by her race.

    Gaidrich inclined his head slightly to the dark. “Lead on then, if you would,” he said. Dwarves would fly before he called a dark by name.

Zira frowned slightly, he didn’t seem to acknowledge her name, or give his either. She continued on to the guild’s door without saying anything further.

* * *

    Ultarik nodded to Edwin and Linda. Hopefully Alm had learned his lesson with at least Linda. Now the night would probably get quiet again. “Hopefully you guys get some kind of work in the morning. Could one of you please read the jobs available for me? I do not know how to read; my people never used the written language.”

    Edwin bowed his head toward Ultarik and smiled. “Hopefully, we all well get some kind of work. There will be no problem about reading the jobs available for you, any time you would like.” Tilting his head, he smiled at Linda as the barmaid came around with their drinks. “Yeah I guess I should sit down again. After all that has been happening at the moment it might be a waste of time.” Sitting down and looking over toward Ultarik, he said, “Linda over here does not mind. You can come over here and sit with us. I am curious about learning about your people, if you don’t mind sharing.”

    Linda smiled at the tall man. “Yeah, he is right. Please, come sit with us,” she said, looking at the barmaid coming. She looked at the tall man again. “I would like to know more about your people too,” she said, smiling again

    “Thanks, I’ll join ya.” Ultarik came over and sat down after getting his gear and drink. Once he had sat down he laughed a little and wondered where to start with them; either boasting about his tribe’s strength and victories, or something more about the culture as a whole.

    “My people are warriors who do not settle like many others, though our culture and home makes it impossible. Where we live on Marmo is not easy, the tribes fight each other for the honor of the tribe and resources. We do not need books, all of our tales and traditions are passed down through spoken words and actions. A war can start between tribes over even one small insult, though the fools responsible usually lose.” He paused to take a drink. He did not know how much to tell them. They wanted to learn, so he would tell them what they needed to understand it. Of course, some of it he did not know how to explain.

    “I was trained all my life to fight. At thirteen, warriors are sent out to prove themselves in a battle and they must go alone. I was sent to kill a giant snake near the ruins of Beld’s castle—it had been threatening our tribe for some time. I almost died twice, but in the end I was honored as a warrior. If a warrior earns a reputation they are given another name; mine was given to me because of how I slew the man who killed my father. I looked at him like death itself, and cleaved him in two from head to toe, and they called me Grimeye. Among my people, once you are a man you are expected to fight and be strong, those who are weak do not last long. Our women are quite beautiful, though they too are not to be taken lightly. One day I hope to return to my homeland, with many tales for my tribe of this land and all of its wonders. I use these weapons to honor my ancestors; they are my father’s and my uncle’s, both who died a death they found true peace in.” He stopped to let them absorb this, his pride in who he was showing in his words. There was still much more to tell, downing the rest of his ale he flagged down a barmaid for another one. Having spoken of war, now they might want to hear of lighter things than war.

* * *

    Zira pushed open the door between the inn’s common room and the Mercenaries’ Guild lobby. Once the door shut behind Gaidrich, the sounds of the bustling inn behind them were muffled, leaving them in the silent lobby. Zira walked on, carrying the still unconscious grassrunner. She was familiar with the layout of the guild and led the way down a corridor toward the infirmary.

    Gaidrich glanced around the corridor as he and the dark walked. It is a nice guildhall, he thought. His role in his company often kept him away from the guildhalls, and this was his first time in one so large. He hoped he could remember the layout.

    Taking his mind off the building, Gaidrich refocused his attention on the dark. Her uncomplaining acceptance of his accompanying her had sparked suspicion in him. Gaidrich expected her to attempt to spring some unpleasant surprise on him, and he intended to be ready for her.

    Zira stepped into the infirmary, and found a physician working. The middle aged man was grinding herbal remedies with a mortar and pestle, stocking up his supplies, and he looked up to see Zira with Alm and Gaidrich when they entered. “Can I help you?” he asked.

    “This grassrunner...knocked himself out in the inn,” Zira replied, sounded dumbfounded by Alm’s antics.

    “Knocked himself out?” the physician asked, rising from his desk.

    “Punched himself in the head. He seems to be mad,” she explained a little further.

    “Lay him on the bed and I’ll do what I can for him,” the doctor said, shaking his head in confusion. “Is he a guild member?”

    “I’m not sure,” Zira said with a shrug as she walked over to one of the beds. The dark elf laid Alm down and backed away. Thankfully he hadn’t woken, but she hoped he hadn’t damaged himself too severely. If he had, the physician would probably take him to a temple.

    “Very well,” the doctor dismissed Zira and Gaidrich and bent over Alm to check his head.

    Zira turned away and stepped back out into the hall. She was relieved to finally have to grassrunner taken care of, and now that she was alone with the mercenary, she was curious as to why he wanted to come with her. Was it out of some sort of truce or were his intentions darker?

    Gaidrich was going through a slight reassessment. The dark had handled the grassrunner carefully, almost gently, which ran counter to everything he knew of dark elves. Could this one truly be different, or was this all a act? Gaidrich decided to take a small leap. “In the inn, you said you were raised in Raiden, correct?” he asked abruptly.

    Zira glanced over her shoulder at Gaidrich. She was surprised to hear the question. Had he asked to come just to get to know her? “Yes, though I was born on Marmo. My family relocated to Raiden when I was young,” she replied. Wanting to see where this went, she decided not to ask his intentions.

    Gaidrich nodded slowly. “You do seem different from other dark elves I’ve met. Tolerant, almost. The fact that you’re talking to me after our confrontation at the inn proves that, I suppose.”

    Gaidrich bowed his head and took a deep breath. “I never wondered about where dark elves came from when I met them. I just assumed they were born and raised on Marmo, alongside all the other monsters, and treated them accordingly.”

    Gaidrich suddenly raised his head and looked the dark straight in the eye. “Are your kind monsters?” he asked abruptly.

    Zira averted her eyes sorrowfully after his question. “I will not deny the truth, many dark elves could be considered monsters,” she replied. The dark elf raised her eyes to meet his again. “They are capable of great cruelty, and their arrogance is unmatched amongst the other races of Lodoss. There are others like me, most of whom have left Marmo, but from what I remember of my early years there, there are far more who fit the image you have of them. I don’t blame you for your anger, it’s not at all misplaced. In fact, I would say that it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to dark elves.”

    Privately, Gaidrich was impressed by the dark’s candor. Had she attempted to paint her people as merely misunderstood or to make excuses for herself, he could have smirked and snarled and said ‘Typical dark elf!’ As it was, he felt he owed her something.

    Gaidrich inclined his head slightly to the dark. “Thank you for your honest and straightforward answer, Zira.” He twitched slightly at her name, but it didn’t feel as wrong acknowledging her by name as he had feared. “I think I may owe you a apology for earlier.”

    Zira smiled softly when he finally said her name. “There’s no need to apologize, though I’m glad you’ve given me a chance,” she replied. “By the way, I don’t believe I heard your name.”

    “I haven’t introduced myself, have I? Rude of me, that.” Cupping his right fist in his left hand, Gaidrich held them before his body, a salute from some distant land that Eriks had taught him. “I am Gaidrich Kaitar, of the Band of Iron. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.” Gaidrich smirked to himself at that statement. Never had he thought he’d be saying that to a dark elf!

    The dark elf raised her brow and smiled in surprise at Gaidrich’s formal greeting. “Thank you,” she replied. She wasn’t sure exactly what he meant by the ‘band of iron’, and she inquired further, “What’s the Band of Iron?”

    Hopefully this would be the start of a fruitful friendship, and perhaps Gaidrich would share some jobs with her. Maybe he’d stop seeing her as a dark elf and just see her as another mercenary. Gaidrich smiled, pleased at the chance to talk about his family. “We are mercenaries, joined together in common cause. We work together, protect each other, and pursue jobs that would be beyond us if we were on our own. We take our name....” Gaidrich stopped suddenly, the import of the question coming to him belatedly. “You’ve never heard of us?” he asked, somewhat crestfallen.

    “Oh, a company,” Zira realized. “I’m not familiar with many of them, aside from the Raiden Rangers. After all, companies tend to take jobs together and I’m solo.” The dark elf shrugged.

    Gaidrich nodded. “By rights I shouldn’t be out here on my own. My own fault though.” He looked Zira up and down, suddenly curious. “You’re a loner then? I thought those two humans at your table were your partners.”

    “Well, Edwin and I were hired together for a job in Blade, and we just finished here. We’re planning on staying together for awhile,” Zira explained. “The girl though, I only just met her tonight. She just wandered into the wrong place.” The dark elf glanced toward the lobby—they had paused in the corridor while they talked. “My supper is waiting, so I had better get to it before it goes cold. You could join us at our table, if you like.”

    “Ahh, my apologies. I would like to join your table, if your companions have no objections.” Gaidrich turned down the hall and began to lead the way back to common room when he stopped. In spite of all the ground this conversation had covered, and Gaidrich did feel better then he had in months, he couldn’t trust to turn his back on Zira. His hate and his fear still ran too strong. After a short pause, Gaidrich spun back around to face Zira. “Please, lead on,” he tried to say brightly, though he ground his teeth at his own cowardice.

    “I don’t think they will,” Zira replied with a smile. It was rather odd behavior for Gaidrich to just turn around and ask her to lead, but it seemed he didn’t trust Zira entirely yet. “Very well,” she replied. A little disappointed, Zira stepped out ahead of him and led the way back out to the inn’s common room.

    Zira and Gaidrich returned out to the common room to find that Ultarik had joined Edwin and Linda. The barbarian was speaking to them and seemed to be doing so with a good bit of pride and nostalgia. The meals Zira ordered had arrived, and she joined the table just as Ultarik finished speaking. “I hope I didn’t miss anything,” she said with a smile as she took her place at the table. “Though we’re already quite familiar with him, this is Gaidrich,” she introduced the mercenary, hoping he’d still sit down and join them.

    Gaidrich stood somewhat awkwardly next to the table, unsure as to how to present himself after the drama of before. After a moment, he decided to be straightforward. “Zira has been kind enough to invite me to share your table. I hope to know you all better before tomorrow.” Giving the table a salute, Gaidrich pulled up a untended chair from a nearby table and sat next to Ultarik. He was curious about the big man, a human from Marmo, and hoped to learn about him.

    Ultarik looked to Gaidrich as he sat down, seeing that all the tension had eased between him and Zira. He greeted the mercenary, “Great to have your company. Looks like tonight turned out better than it seemed at first after all.”

    Gaidrich smiled and nodded, pleased that Ultarik didn’t seem to be holding a grudge. “Yes, I explained my earlier behavior to Zira. She was very understanding.” Gaidrich glanced around, looking for a server. Though he had already ordered his meal, that had been at a different table. He hoped his change of placement wouldn’t confuse things.

    Linda looked at the food coming. “Wow, I am so hungry! I am glad that the food is finally here,” she said, looking over at Gaidrich and smiling.

    Nodding his head, Edwin was taking in all about Ultarik’s culture that he did not really notice Zira and Gaidrich walk up to the table until Zira spoke. “Things worked out it seems,” he said, sipping his wine slowly. There had been a lot that had happened and the night was still early. In some ways, he was more than happy to get to get to know these new people.

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