Chapter Two

The bright light fade with a loud whoosh and Teila and Azure found themselves out of the Sulan Mountains and standing on the streets of Frostleaf. Several people standing nearby gave them angry looks. Teleportation spells had a tendency to displace the area around where the teleportee arrived. Because of this, it appeared that their teleport had knocked at least two people to the muck.

“My apologies,” Azure said sincerely to the angered people. The teleportation crystal crumbled to dust in her hand. “Damn, I was hoping this had a couple more refills in it before this happened.”

Teila looked around the street at the angry people who were now looking scared. She realized she was still holding her sword and the bag with Victor’s head as well as her belt in her hands. She quickly put the sword into its sheath on her back and put her belt and pouches back on as best she could. The bag on the other hand would have to stay out in the open.

“I don’t know if we have the coin for a brand new one of these,” Azure thought aloud. The dust started to fly from her tiny hand. “And it’ll cost more to have it made in my size.”

“We’ll figure it out.” Teila glared at a few of the commoners that were still gawking at her, willing her eyes to glow while she did it. The people all stared bug-eyed, and then ran from the area.

Pathetic little creatures. They are all beneath you.

Azure gave her an admonishing look. “Hey, we’re still dressed for the mountains. Well,” she said looking down at herself, “I am still dressed that way. You’re just still soaking wet.” She shook the last bits of snow from herself as she hovered next to Teila.

“What’s your point?”

“You’re still hanging out there.” Azure pointed at Teila’s chest.

“It’s fine for now. Let someone try to grope me.” Teila smirked.

“You already have a head in your hands, pretty sure that breaks a couple laws…or twelve. There’s no reason to start a fight, or kill someone that tries to feel you up.”

Teila rolled her eyes. “We’re bounty hunters,” she said, walking away, “we get away with more than the common rabble.”

“Well, I don’t feel comfortable strutting around with the damn thing.” Azure followed her friend.

“Don’t worry,” Teila said looking back just as Azure landed on her shoulder, “it won’t be for long. The guild is somewhere this way, I think.” She walked on, bag in hand at her side.

Frostleaf was not a large town; the population was no more than five thousand, yet it had a charm to it. The buildings that made up the blocks on either side of them as they moved along were all of fine quality. Stone bottoms followed by wooden walls and roofs, yet not a one was over three stories tall. Some had open windows, some had actual glass. Teila always thought that if circumstances had been different in her life she would most likely have lived here.

However, all cities and towns had a drawback or two. Frostleaf’s just happened to be its citizens. Most were tolerable, but a good deal yet were insufferable. Teila and Azure both were used to people watching them, or even the occasional one that stares, but it was always as though those that were raised in this town had nothing better to do but stare at them. It was infuriating to no end, which is why Teila enjoyed gleaming her eyes at the commoners. They tended to stop staring gawking well she flashed them. They were gaining the usual amount of looks they got when they passed through town, but Teila in particular was receiving more gazes due to her exposed chest.

To deal with this, Azure was hanging off of her shoulder where she had landed. Teila had done a terribly hasty job in trying to cover herself with the shreds of her armor. Azure hung by her feet, her wings flapping every few seconds to help keep her from falling, and she removed the coat she had put on for their mountain trip. And somehow her hat remained fixed directly to her head.

“I hope you appreciate this,” Azure grumbled. She took her coat and began to fasten it to Teila’s armor using one of the unhooked straps hanging from it. “Hang on, I’ve got to figure out how to secure this strap. I guess it was one of the ones the ax fucked up.”

“Why are you doing that in the first place?” Teila asked, looking down and pursing her lips.

“Well, as much as I do enjoy seeing your naked form, Teil, it’s not polite to walk around a town like this. So, if you are not going to do anything about it, I will.” Azure pulled the strap as tight as she could until it cleared the hole in the armor. “I say again,” she said straining, “you better damn well appreciate this.” Azure’s hand started to glow red hot and she pressed it against the strap as hard as she could.

Teila grasped what her tiny friend was doing and placed her own hand in place to hold the strap. Azure’s second hand also started glowing and she pressed it against the leather. Smoke began to issue from where her hands were and a distinct sizzling sound was noticeable. Teila was aware that they were gaining even more looks from the people of Frostleaf.

After a minute of holding her hands in place, Azure removed them and inspected the melted leather. “There,” she said drained, “that should keep it in place and keep you covered.” Azure’s wings began to slow. “Better catch me.” She fell from Teila’s shoulder directly into her larger friend’s hand.

“Used the last bit of your power, huh?”

Azure moved around in Teila’s hand until she appeared comfortably situated. She took her hat off finally revealing her very short black hair. She put her hand to her head as she shook it back and forth. “Should not have done that.” Her voice coming out slow and pained sounding. “But you mustn’t stroll around the town with your boob out.”

“You and your vanity.”

“You should have some vanity yourself, Teil.”

Teila snorted a laugh. “Thank you, Ash.” She held Azure close to her chest as she walked on. She moved off the street they were on and onto another equally populated looking one. Teila preferred moving around towns at night. The only people she ran into were usually night guardsmen. That, and she did not have to worry about the sun and its annoying brightness. But, at least it was not snowing here.

Frostleaf was the furthest that their teleport would take them from the mountains. If they had the power to do so, Teila would rather have just ported straight to Chaoden instead, but that was over a thousand miles from the Sulan Mountains: Frostleaf only under a hundred. Luckily, it had a guild house in it. That was why Teila had chosen it as their destination. They’d get to the guild that way.

“What time do you think it is?” she asked Azure.

“I don’t know, noon…ish.”

Teila nodded and continued her walking.

“You need a bath,” Azure said wrinkling her nose. The tiny being wore a disgusted face. “You smell like death.”

“I cleaned myself in the stream.”

“Okay, you smell like death and fish.” Azure snickered. “Laying in a river is not the proper way to clean yourself. You’re a lady, and ladies must suitably cleanse themselves. When we get to the guild and are done with Vic’s head we are going to the bathhouse and you are taking a proper fucking bath. And drinks. We’re going to get some drinks, too. And some food.”

“Me…a lady?” Teila let out a short laugh.

Azure glared up at her as her wings twitched.

After a few more blocks of walking and turning, they arrived at the local guild outpost. Chaoden was home to the main guild building, but these outposts were scattered throughout Telanthia. Each town deemed large enough by them had one. Every one of them was the same small wooden building, with no windows and only one door.

Two men stood next to their horses at the hitching post in front of the building. One an elf, the other human. They were talking to each other as the two women approached and turned in their direction as the closed in.

“Red Death,” the elf said to her with a slight bow. “What brings you to this humble town?” He was wearing a nice pair of dark blue pantaloons and similarly colored vest. Tattoos in elvish covered his arms.

The human was older looking. Dark skin and gray hair pulled back tight with one black streak along the right side. He wore a fine looking set of chainmail armor adorned with intricate patterns. Teila recognized them as a standard pattern in many Sakratan soldier’s armor or even weapons.

“She’s here to collect on a job,” the human answered the elf.

The elf glanced at his human companion, and the back to Teila. “Who’d you get?”

Teila gave him an uninterested glance and moved past them to the door.

“Nice talking to you again,” the elf said sarcastically as she passed.

Teila opened the door and stepped inside. The was a familiar tingling as she passed the threshold and she now stood inside a building much bigger than the tiny almost hut-like exterior. Each small guild building was a front. Those that were members of the guild itself were transported to the main guild building in Chaoden upon stepping through the door. It worked like a teleportation, except no bright light or displacement. If you only opened the door, you would see just an empty room. The same if you attempted to cross the threshold as a nonmember.

The main guild building was massive; the size of a fortress, with an unknown amount of rooms and passages. Members could come there and could not only handle their bounties, but could also find many things that are found around a town, such as shops and rooms. Azure loved it there; she was already beaming with excitement. Teila, however, was apathetic. Even though it was full of people who were also bounty hunters like her, or the servants of the guild, or others associated with it, they were still people. Teila disliked people.

The room they found themselves in was the main entrance. A massive chamber which was lined with door upon door, all leading to different cities and their outposts; Teila and Azure came in on the West side of the structure.

The floors and walls were all made of a dark rough-looking stone. Yet it was smooth to the touch. Chandeliers and sconces lined the walls and ceilings, all lit with bright and eternal flames. Marble columns formed a line all around the room, and eventually became like an oval that encircled the entire entrance. Each column rose up all seven stories of the building. It was still an impressive sight to Teila to see.

“I’m ready to hit the bar,” Azure commented from Teila’s hand. The tiny being had seemed to perk up once they walked through the entrance. “Bath first. No, new outfit first, then bath, then the bar. Or maybe bath first…I don’t know.”

Teila silently walked her through the entrance and past several other trying to get her attention. Her goal was dead center. The hub of everything. A dark elf stood directly in the center of a circular counter that mirrored the columns in shape. The elf had dark ashen skin and white hair. He wore very fine clothing of various shades of grey. His left ear tip had been cut down to look rounded instead of the normal point, a mark of humility among most of his race. No one ever pointed it out to him, however, fear of what the elf would do kept those thinking of doing it quiet. That and respect. And the dark elf had earned every bit of fear and respect he received. He was one of the few in the entire building that Teila actually liked.

He turned towards them as they approached, a slight smile creeping on his face. “Miss Teila, Miss Azure, good to see you two again.”

“Hello, Karn,” Teila greeted him with a smile.

“Hey, Karn,” Azure said with a half-hearted wave.

He gave her a slight nod in return. “So tell me, Miss Teila, what brings you home?” Karn always referred to the guild as home. Rumors circulated around the guild that the reason was because he was born there and never left.

Teila knew that was bullshit. She had personally seen the dark elf in battle. Karn was the one that trained her in the ways of the guild. How to pick and properly hunt a bounty. He had taught her that it was a waste of her time to take any bounties that were capture only. Teila knew he was jealous of her ability, though he’d never said so. After over a hundred years since they had first met, Karn had aged. Not like a human, of course, elves often lived over three hundred years. He had to be nearing two-fifty in age, and was finally starting to look it, but Teila still looked just as she did the day he met her.

Teila raised the sack with Victor’s head and dropped it on the counter. Karn gave her his usual look of annoyance from her usual action when turning a bounty. “Victor Tresk,” she said flatly.

“Ah,” Karn said at length. “Well, I suppose it is time for your pay out.” He moved to the other side of the counter from the two women, and then to them with a large leather bound book in his hands. The book looked old and incredibly worn-out, as though it would fall apart if someone coughed on it at the right moment. “Let’s see,” he said softly as he opened it up. It made a few loud cracking sounds as he moved the cover and the following pages.

Azure moved and leaned over Teila’s hand to watch as he turned page after page. Each page had a name and pay amount on it. Some of the pages had paragraphs of information of them about that particular bounty, some had very little at all. There was a few that even had a precise drawing of the bounty on the page.

“Here we are.” Karn stopped turning the pages and let the book rest on the counter. “Victor Tresk,” he began reading, “wanted for murder and a myriad of other crimes. Bounty set forth four months ago. Death only. Payout of five thousand for the one able to seek and execute. Upon proof, of course.”

He looked up from the page. Teila grabbed the sack with her free hand and untied it. She took hold of the bottom and flipped it over, dumping the head onto the counter top. Karn looked from the head to her, his face even more annoyed.

“There’s my proof.”

Karn sighed and pulled his dagger. He used it to push the head around and roll it over, leaning in closer. He moved back to the book and looked it over again. “Aye, this is Victor Tresk,” he said raising back up, sheathing his dagger, and then removing a quill from his belt. He put the quill against the page and drew a pattern on it in the shape of an ex. The words and numbers on it faded away, leaving the page blank.

He returned the quill to his belt, and said, “You will find your payment in the normal way.”

Teila nodded. “Thank you, Karn.” She gave him a small smile. Azure grinned as big as she could. Teila turned the two of them away from Karn and the counter and headed back in the direction they had original came from, leaving Victor’s head lying where it had landed.

The two women passed under the columns and headed to the stairs near the door they had come in through. The stairs were made of the same white marble as the columns. They were as immaculate as they always were.

As Teila ascended the stairs, Azure chuckled. “I have always been so glad that I have wings when it comes to stairs. They seem so exhausting.”

“I really wouldn’t know,” Teila replied. “I have not felt exhausted in centuries.”

“Must be nice to live forever.”

Teila stopped at the top of the first flight of stairs and looked down at her tiny friend. “It is a curse to never die.”

Is it really? Is it a curse to be a god?

“Well, if having a curse like that will make me live forever, then I’ll gladly take it. I still have a few centuries left on my little lifespan, but the ever looming end day is right there.”

Teila looked away briefly, and thought it over. “I would trade you if I could.”

Azure looked up at Teila. “You’re serious about it not being worth it?”

“If you ever get immortality,” Teila started as she continued to walk up the stairs, “you will find out.”

She walked them up the next few staircases. Each floor looked exactly like the last; an almost endless circle of doors and hallways leading to more. And opposite the doors was the railing looking out over the entrance. Various beings walked past them as they walked up the stairs. All tried to talk to Teila and Azure, but before Azure could respond Teila just kept walking.

They made it to the fifth floor and left the stairs. Teila headed straight and past door after door until she stopped in front of the one with her name etched into it. The door, and all others like it on each and every floor, had no handles or any other visible means of opening. Every one of the doors without a handle was a personal room for a hunter. A place for them to relax and stay when going to or getting back from a hunt.

Teila looked at the door. Cocking her head, she said, “I am here because the hunt never ends.” The writing on the door glowed slightly and with a click it opened.

“Finally,” Azure sighed. She stood in Teila’s hand, flapped her wings a few times, and then took off and headed straight to the large bed. “Yes!” She stopped midair a few feet above it and dropped straight down onto the lush-looking covers, her wings wrapping around her shoulders and waist.

Teila walked to the dresser, the door closing behind her as she did. On top of it was a very fine-looking sack. This was her payment for Tresk, already waiting for her. Teila did not know exactly how it was done when they were paid, but it was always in the same place when she came into her room. She took her belt off and dropped it on top of the dresser with a loud thud, and then she took the sword and sheath off her back and gently sat it down. She laid her hands on the dresser and looked into the mirror on the wall above it.

No matter how many years she had looked like she did, Teila would never get used to seeing herself like she did at that moment. The red hair. The blazing red eyes. She often tried to think about how she once looked. It was only ever flashes in her head. Brief glimpses of a past life. Teila had plenty of memories from her life, both before and after, but she could not truly see herself in those memories. A couple centuries had that effect on one’s mind, she supposed.

“So,” Azure said, rolling around in the too big for her bed, “how about we get cleaned up, and then get a drink?”

Teila smiled. “Fine.” She grabbed her sword. “But this is coming with me.”

Her strength was already coming back to her, much faster than Azure had expected. After they left their room she was able to fly herself downstairs to the bathhouse. The best part of being in the guild, to her, was the amenities: the bathhouse, bar, and especially the incredibly large bed she slept in while there. Teila didn’t seem to care about much of those sort of things. She just hunted and collected her gold. Azure of course liked the gold part of being in the guild, and sometimes the hunt was fun for her, too. But nothing beat the luxery she was able to enjoy at the guild.

The bathhouse was located in the basement of the building. Every bit of its structure was the same dark stone, but the stone down there was of a magical quality. The walls glowed with enough light that candles or torches were not necessary. The actual baths were made of the same white marble as the columns, adding to the luminosity of the subterranean area. Azure beamed as she always did when she entered the room. It was only one section of the guild’s basement, roughly half the size of the building’s total length and width. The rest of the basement was reserved for training and arms storage.

Azure fluttered around the basement until she found a pool that was both empty and had no one nearby. She was very particular about being seen cleaning herself, she even had to get used to letting Teila see her in that kind of vulnerable state. Once in her desired area, Azure landed next to the water. Her clothes and armor were still slightly damp from all of the snow that had collected on it. She began to remove her armor and lay it on the stone floor as she did. Teila walked around the pool with her sword gripped by the sheath and looking at the water as she did.

As she took her armor off, a sentry walked past. Azure froze momentarily watching the golem go by without even so much as a glance. The guild used the stone-like golems as their guards and peace keepers. All they ever did was walk around nonstop and almost never interact with anyone, unless they were causing some sort of trouble. This particular one had a very large sword held in front of itself in both hands. Curiously, its featureless skin was also made of the same white marble as the floors and columns.

Satisfied it was no longer a lurking threat, Azure took the rest of her armor off. All she had on after was a tight set of cloth around her breasts and waist. Looking around one last time, she removed both of them and took flight from the floor to the pool. She hovered for a moment just as Teila finished her circle around the pool.

“Are you getting in?” she asked her.

Teila looked at her in her naked form and Azure felt her face flush and she dropped down into the water. She stayed under for a few seconds before reemerging.

“I suppose I should get in, since you said I smell like, what was it? Death and fish?”

Azure nodded and floated herself around in the water. Teila set her sword down beside the water, and then began to undress herself. She simply unstrapped her armor, or tore it away to get it off. Azure figured that was Teila’s way of saying she was going to just get some new armor.

As the pieces came off Teila, Azure found herself staring at every new bit of her friend’s body that was exposed until she too stood nude. Though she never told her it, Azure was very fond of her human friend. Her attraction to Teila was a bit taboo, really. Fairies and any of the larger races did not mix. Though Azure had heard tales of certain fairies that had found a way, she herself was left with just her feelings for her friend and nothing to do with them.

Teila stretched as should stood bare to the world. Azure felt the stirring inside of her while she beheld Teila’s perfect form, so she submerged herself again to try and escape the thoughts in her head. Her wings made swimming easier for her than most. She closed her eyes moved through the water like a winged fish, darting around in different directions.

She was aware of the sound of her friend getting into the water, and when she opened her eyes after one last flap from her wings, she found herself looking right at Teila’s bare stomach. Azure closed her eyes again and tried to suppress her thoughts and longings, and then she floated up and now found herself directly under the human’s breasts. Azure cursed silently to herself at her luck at trying to avoid her desires.

“You can look up at my face, you know, Ash,” Teila said looking down at her with a knowing smile.

“Uh,” Azure stuttered. “Hey, let’s get to making ourselves smell better, eh.”

She used her arms and swam away to the edge of the pool. Each one of the baths was stocked with different items that could be used to help people clean themselves. Azure stopped at the edge and lifted herself out to examine the items left out for them. To her dismay, as always, everything was normal size. She sighed heavily. Being a fairy was not easy.

She heard Teila moving through the water to her. “Is there soap there?” Teila asked her as she came up.

“Yeah, but it’s all in your size.”

Teila eyed her small friend for a moment, and then turned and grabbed some soap. She used her fingernails and dug into the bar, making little strips. She balled the strips up and rolled it all around, then handed it to Azure.

“What’s this?” Azure asked raising out of the water with her wings and taking the coin sized ball of soap.

“So you can clean yourself.” Teila smiled wide, and then turned back to the cleaning items.

Azure smiled and shook her head. Despite Teila’s cold and uncaring demeanor, Azure knew the real her. The version of her that no one ever saw. Teila had the capacity of being incredibly caring, though most of the time she pretended not to ever think that way, especially when the two women were on a hunt. Azure never said anything, to anyone or Teila herself. She just loved the little moments when she was able to see the secret version of her best friend.

The fairy flew away from the human and dropped back into the water with her ball of soap. While under the water, she did her best not to look over in Teila’s direction, though her yearnings demanded it. She floated through the pool rubbing the ball on her body, coming up every few seconds for air. Azure began to enjoy her little ball of soap. It wasn’t the exact way she wanted to clean herself, but she was making due.

She submerged herself again and moved toward the bottom of the pool. As she used the ball again, she looked over and saw that Teila was laying on the bottom herself. Azure couldn’t help but watch her friend as she moved her own soap over her body.

Lucky soap, Azure thought to herself. She sighed, letting her breath out underwater. Pushing with her legs, Azure swam to the top and emerged.

She found herself looking directly at a very large orc and a much shorter dwarf watching her. The orc’s body was riddled with ceremonial tattoos, Azure didn’t not understand their language or symbols, but she did find the tattoos intricate, and beautiful in a way. Even his bald head was covered. The orc was grinning and showing that one of his large tusk-like teeth was broken. The dwarf had long red hair pulled and braided behind him, and almost equally long beard. He stood with his arms crossed in front of him. Both of the men were thankfully wearing loin clothes.

“Uh…” Azure stammered. She floated cautiously, not knowing exactly what to do.

The orc got down on one knee and edged himself on the side of the pool; his ugly face only two feet from Azure as she floated. She was sure if he wanted, he could snatch her up and eat her. She shivered at the thought. The orc grinned, showing more broken teeth as well as how black they were in places. He looked at her in the water. Azure felt sick to her stomach knowing the orc was looking at her naked body. Then, he glanced over at the still underwater Teila.

“That is the Red Death, huh?” the orc finally said looking back at Azure. His breath blew out of his huge mouth making her cringe in disgust. “And who are you? Her little fairy friend?”

“Um, Teil,” Azure said nervously.

Both the orc and dwarf bellowed a laugh. “Look, Ivan,” the orc said, “Red Death does have an actual name.”

“Hmm.” The dwarf uncrossed his arms.

“Tell me, fairy.” The orc moved in closer. “Is it possible for your kind to be with an orc?”

Azure felt like vomiting. “Oh, gods,” she said floating away from his disgusting face. As she did, she heard the water near her being broken and felt the small waves as Teila arose from the pool.

Teila’s eyes were still closed as she ran her hands through her hair, letting the water out of it. Both the orc and dwarf’s eyes were glued to her now. Azure felt relief that the hideous orc was no longer ogling her. She swam over to Teila and hid behind her, peering out from behind her thigh.

“Who are you?” Teila asked them, her cold tone returning.

The orc raised up, his chest swelling. “I’m surprised you don’t already know.”

Azure looked up in time to see Teila do her head cock and shrug. The orc’s smile faded slightly. “That makes me sad,” he said. He moved closer to where she was in the pool. “I know all about you, Red Death.”

“Good for you.” Teila look down at Azure. Azure mustered her best smile while hiding behind her human friend. “You interrupted my and my friend’s baths. If you don’t mind…fuck off.”

The orc grunted a laugh. “You’ve got balls.” He looked away from Teila and around the pool until his eyes focused on her sword. He looked back at her, and then Azure and grinned again before making his way over to the weapon.

Azure tapped Teila on the leg to get her attention. “Teil, he’s going for your sword!”

“Let him.”

Azure thought about saying something else, but Teila’s calm and uncaring demeanor at the moment silenced her. Instead, she flew up out of the water and to her clothes. The dwarf was nearby, but he was currently staring at Teila as she continued to bath herself. Azure quickly threw a few pieces of her clothes back on to get herself covered. Even if she was still soaking wet, she did not want the filthy orc and dwarf staring at her like they had been anymore.

The orc reached the sword and squatted down to it. He glanced up at Teila and frowned upon noticing the woman was not trying to stop him. His face then morphed into anger, and he grabbed the sword. He raised himself up to his full height and looked at the sword with confusion now on his face.

“What is this?” he asked no one in particular.

Teila had picked up a jar next to the soap. She scooped out a bit of the gel inside and started rubbing it into her hair, then said, “It’s a sword. Nothing special.”

The orc hefted her blade in his hand, the look of confusion still evident. “It has no weight,” he remarked as he swung it around.

Azure jumped up and fluttered over to Teila who was finishing up with her hair. “Teil,” she whispered, “What is this? What’s going on?”

Teila lowered herself back into the water and washed the gel out of her hair. Azure watched the confused orc as he tried to understand the sword. Eventually, the dwarf Ivan moved over to him, and then he took the sword from his friend. His face contorted into an equal look as the orc’s.

“What the hell, Thok?” he said to the orc.

Thok snarled and took the sword from Ivan. The dwarf protested, but received a swift backhand to his face, knocking him to the floor. The orc marched back around the pool to where Teila was.

Azure watched and kept herself in the air, ready to fly away as fast as possible. She didn’t know exact what the orc was planning, but whatever it was, it was not good. Azure had seen plenty of times through the years what the sword could do, and even if her friend did not seem worried, that did not calm her.

Teila raised back out of the water, running her hands through her hair and rubbing her eyes. Azure flew over next to her face again. “I don’t like this, Teila,” she said.

Teila smiled at Azure, her eyes beginning to glow. “Trust me, Ash, it will be fine. Just stay behind me.”

Azure nodded slowly. She trusted her friend, more than she had ever trusted anyone, but she could not shake the feeling she had. The fairy flew around to behind Teila and followed her as the human moved toward the edge of the pool to where Thok was standing with the sword.

The orc looked down at Teila. “So what is the deal with this blade?” he asked her.

“It’s just a sword,” she answered with a shrug.

“Thok,” Ivan called out from the other side of the pool, “let’s get out of here. If the sentries see you with that they will throw down on you.”

Azure took hold of her friend’s shoulder and peaked over it. Thok suddenly smiled wide and raised the sword up. Teila raised her arms to her side, leaving herself open. Just as the orc started to bring the sword down, Azure ducked behind Teila.

Thok swung the blade down at Teila’s outstretched left arm. The blade struck her arm and bounced off, making a clanging sound. Thok’s eyes widened with more confusion and he swung the sword again, this time at Teila’s neck. The sword again bounced off the woman’s skin, the blade ringing again.

“Enough?” Teila said, putting her arms back down.

Thok dropped the sword and stepped away from the human. “What the fuck are you?” he growled both angrily and with an edge of fear in his voice.

Teila sighed and got out of the pool, Azure still gripping onto her shoulder. Thok stepped further away as she walked past him to her sword. “I’m just a woman with no patience for fucks like you and your little friend. You had your fun, yes? Now I asked you to fuck off earlier.” She picked her sword up. “How’s about you do just that, or I can give you a real reason to be afraid of me.”

Ivan ran to Thok and took hold of his arm. “Come on, man.”

Thok resisted the dwarf for a moment but relented. Both men turned and hastily left the area. “This isn’t over,” Thok said as he ran off.

Azure finally raised up above Teila’s shoulder. “What was that, Teil?”

Teila crouched down at her clothes and armor. “The sword is mine. The blade itself has no effect on me whatsoever, and only I can use it.” She picked up pieces and looked them over. “I suppose I need new armor and clothes,” she said dropping the pieces.

Azure pursed her lips and thought it over. “I could use new clothes myself. Hey,” she said hovering over to Teila, “we could go to the shop here and look for some stuff!”

Grabbing her sword, Teila nodded in agreement. She started to walk away, but the fairy flew in front of her with her arms held out to stop her. “What?” Teila asked.

“Uh, as much as I enjoy seeing your body, I don’t think you should just walk around the guild with your naughty bits showing.” Azure thought for a moment again, rubbing her temple with her finger. “Ah ha!” She looked around the pool. On the wall near the cleaning items left out was several hanging robes with the guilds symbol on the back. “Grab one of those,” she said pointing.

Teila grabbed one of the robes and put it on, tying the sash in the front. She pouted once finished.

“What?” Azure asked.

Teila looked up, still pouting. “I have nowhere to put my sword,” she said as though she could cry at any moment.

The fairy scowled at her for a moment. “You big baby!” she laughed, letting the scowl turn into a laugh.

Teila’s pout turned into a huge grin as well. “Well,” Azure said as she caught her breath, “let’s get upstairs. From what I can tell, you don’t smell like death anymore, so you no longer offend my senses.”

“Yeah, I can’t go around offending the delicate fairy.”

Azure snorted and started flying away. She heard the human’s feet on the marble floor following her. They left their armor pieces where they had put them on the floor, the sentries would take it all back up to their room in time. The bath had not gone as relaxingly as planned, but it had done what it needed to do. Azure hoped the rest of their time at the guild went much better than this had.

The shopping was like torture to her. Teila walked around aimlessly as Azure flew around like a child. All Teila wanted was some basic clothes, the armor could come later, but the fairy felt the need to look at everything, as well as get upset when the items she found were not in a size agreeable with her race. But, as it happened, the tailor told her he could whip up some clothes for her in a couple of days. All she had to do was pick out what she wanted and he would create a fairy sized version for her.

After she had picked out all she wanted, Azure then went to work picking out clothing for Teila. She fluttered about with the tailor picking items, while Teila grew bored and found a place to sit. By the time she was finished, Azure had practically buried the man in clothes. He didn’t seem to mind since he was about to be paid very well.

Teila sat still in the robe with her arm resting on the hilt of her sword as it was pierced into the stone floor.

Material possessions are weakness.

“Yes,” Teila said, “but she likes it.”

She is weak and will only weaken you.

“She is my friend. My only friend.”

I am your friend, dear Teila.

Teila snorted a laugh. “You are nothing more than a voice in my head.”

I am more than that, girl.

“Hmph.” Teila shook her head until she was satisfied the voice was not going to come back. She looked up to find Azure floating a few feet in front of her, a worried look painted on her face.

“What?”

“Who were you talking to, Teil?” Azure asked her.

“You heard that?” A feeling Teila was not familiar with creeped inside of her and she looked away from her tiny friend.

Azure hovered over to Teila’s face. She took hold of either side with her tiny hands, doing as best she could to look into her eyes. “Teila, there’s no need to be embarrassed, okay? I won’t mention it again.” She kissed Teila on the cheek and gave her a smile. “Hey, I finished picking some stuff out for you. Come on, try some of it on!”

“It’s just clothes, Ash.”

“But…it’s more than that,” Azure said putting her hands on her hips as she hovered. “You are a woman, dammit! A beautiful one at that. Show that shit off at least once!”

“What? Here?”

“Why not? There’s a bar here, right? Let’s dress up and have a good time!”

Teila’s shoulders sagged as she thought about the fairy’s proposal. She tried to think about the last time she had had any kind of fun. Anything that did not involve hunting a bounty down and killing it. Azure did it quite often, but she had never even asked her to join, or to wear something other than just armor.

She shook her head trying to remember. Then a flash came to her mind: A beautiful elven girl. Blonde locks and piercing blue eyes that could see into someone’s very soul. Then a flash of the elf’s smile. “Anrie,” she said out loud as a whisper.

“Huh?”

Teila looked up, realizing she had said it out loud and Azure had heard it. “Oh, I just remembered something. Nothing important.”

The fairy looked at her for a moment with head to the side. “Right…well, how about that drink?”

“Uh, yeah,” Teila said putting on her best smile. “Yeah, I’ll have a drink with you.”

“And put a dress on?”

“Yes, I will wear a dress.”

Azure suddenly adopted a skeptical grin, her hands still on her hips. She leaned forward, and said, “And leave the sword in the room?”

“Hey!” Teila reared back as she sat. “You are asking a lot here.”

Azure raised her foot and thrust it down into the air, pantomiming stomping her foot. “Godsdamnit! You are a lady, and you will act as such.”

Teila stood and glared as menacingly as she could at her tiny friend, willing her eyes to burn red! Azure ascended to her height and glared back defiantly. As much as she tried to hide behind the attitude she showed the world, Teila knew Azure saw right through it. The tiny fairy was her best and only friend. She knew more about her than anyone else, and it was still not much.

She couldn’t take it anymore, and Teila’s façade cracked. “Okay,” she said laughing, “you win. I’ll leave the sword behind and wear a dress.”

“Yay!” Azure flew up and did a few backwards rolls in the air before coming back and again kissing Teila, this time on the lip. Teila reared back and looked quizzically at her fairy friend. “Uh, yeah,” Azure said softly, “let’s pretend that didn’t happen.”

Teila chuckled and patted her on the head. “Come on, let’s go and get me all womaned up.”

The guild’s bar, or lounge, was really quite a sight to behold. Azure came here often when the two of them traveled through, but this was the first time Teila had ever seen it. Over a hundred years had passed since she had joined the guild and not once had she ever thought to come in there.

The lounge was the entirety of the northern section of the building. After you left the entrance and walked through the door it was all you saw. Instead of the white marble and rough looking stone like most of the rest of the building, this massive hall had smooth black walls and a red carpet on the entire floor. Booths lined the walls all around and tables filled the rest of the floor except on the very far side where the bar and kitchen was.

Teila did have to admit, it was impressive. She followed Azure who was zipping along a few feet in front of her. The fairy was continually changing her flight altitude as she led the way. Surprisingly, a lot of the tables were already taken by other members of the guild, and each and every one of them stared at Teila as she passed them.

It was the fact that she was actually in a dress that was causing it. Teila had a reputation within the guild, and this was completely changing it. She wore a long gown as red as her hair and eyes. Azure said it was a necessity to match the gown with her most noticeable features. Teila remembered being told something similar when she was a child, a long time ago. Along with the fiery red dress, Azure had insisted upon making Teila’s hair presentable as well. It was brushed out and hanging straight down behind and over her shoulders. In the front, Azure had taken the time to make sure a bit hung down just in front of Teila’s left eye. The time it had taken to do all of it had made Teila almost give up on the entire idea. But seeing the joy the fairy had on her face kept her from doing so.

In contrast to Teila’s red form, Azure was in her usual color of black. The fairy’s solid black dress was incredibly form fitting, as usual for her. She even made sure that her breasts were as ample looking as they had ever looked. That perplexed Teila. Why did Azure insist on showing her body this way, but in the bathhouse she was shy and tried to hide herself? It was all the same to Teila. But, she knew she was vastly different than the fairy in thinking, and she’d probably never understand what went on in Azure’s mind.

How lovely you are, dear Teila.

Teila ignored the voice as she continued to follow the fairy. Soon, they reached the back of the room, near the bar itself, and Azure went straight to the booth closest to its right. She plopped herself down on one side of the very ornate wooden table in the booth. Teila slid in the seat across from her.

“I feel odd,” Teila remarked looking at the table and surrounding area. She ran her hands down the gown, feeling the smooth silk and how it complimented her body. She also started looking around for her sword, forgetting she had left it in the room.

“You are doing great and looking amazing, Teil.” Azure stretched her legs out in front of her on the table and her arms above head, then she crossed her legs and placed her hands on her hips. “How about we get those drinks and food?”

“I don’t even know what to drink, Ash.”

“I can help with that.” Azure smirked.

A sentry approached the table. Teila tensed up thinking it was one of the typical guards that roamed the guild, but this one had a female form to it and no weapons. “Oh, yes!” Azure beamed when she saw it. “Hello, we’d like some drinks. The best ale and mead for her and a cup of the smoothest and freshest cream for me. A cup my size, if you please.”

The sentry’s face remained unmoving as it walked away from the table. Teila scanned the lounge again. “It’s really great, isn’t it?” Azure asked her after a moment.

Oh, the pleasures of life.

“It’s amazing in here.”

But pleasure is useless to you.

“You’re going to have fun!” Azure grinned wide at Teila.

Teila nodded, but she was not convinced. This whole thing was an experiment for her, more than her coming to be with Azure or trying to have fun. Teila did not know what drinking was going to do to her if anything. She had clear memories from long ago of doing similar things. Her mind began to drift to those memories and the one she had shared them with.

Still clinging to your past, I see.

Anrie was fully present in Teila’s mind’s eye. Beautiful Anrie.

Anrie is weakness to you.

Teila grimaced.

Anrie is dead.

She shook her head frantically, the thoughts she was just having fading away.

Azure’s smile faded as well. “You okay, Teil?”

“I’m fine.” Teila forced a smile.

The fun the two of them were trying to have seemed to have been drained away suddenly. The air around them full of a tension neither of them created, but both were fully aware of. They were both quiet, looking about the vast room until the sentry returned with a tray and drinks.

Azure thankfully took her cream and Teila awkwardly took the two drinks brought for her. The cream had been brought in a shot glass. Azure could hold it just fine, but it was difficult for her to properly drink, but drink she did. Teila watched the fairy with her arms wrapped around the glass. It was an amusing sight to see and helped her to relax slightly.

“You going to drink?” The little fairy asked her.

Teila stared at the two drinks in front of her. She couldn’t honestly remember what ale or mead even tasted like, or anything else for that matter. She pursed her lips, trying to figure out which was which between the two. She grabbed the one on the left and looked at it closer, and then smelled at it, but she didn’t recognize what she sensed.

As though she sensed the confusion in her friend, Azure commented, “The one you have in your hand is the mead.” The fairy took a sip of her cream and wiped her mouth. “Give it a sip and you’ll taste its sweetness.”

Teila scowled for a moment and did as Azure suggested. She took a drink of the liquid in the cup. She tasted nothing, like all she was doing was drinking an even more tasteless version of water. Nevertheless, she smiled at the fairy who grinned wide in return.

Do you taste the emptiness of life?

“So, what is this supposed to do?” Teila asked Azure while looking her drinks over again.

Azure drank from her large cup, and then wiped her face. “Well, ideally it will get you drunk.”

“And what’s that?”

“Come on, Teil!” Azure slapped her knee. “You can’t be that inhuman that you don’t know what that is!”

Teila cocked her head and thought it over. “I…remember. I think.”

“Look,” Azure wrapped her arms around her drink, “just drink it. It’ll make you feel good, and perhaps make you smile a little more.”

Teila snorted and started to drink the mead down. When it was finished, she grabbed the ale and did the same thing as fast as possible. Azure ordered her two more soon after and Teila quickly downed them as well.

Azure sipped at her cream as she watched. Teila wiped her mouth after the forth drink. “So, when is this going to make me feel good?”

The fairy rolled her eyes. “Just drink and not worry about the when or how many shit.”

The two ladies sat in the lounge and drank for a while. Teila lost count after the eighth round for her. Azure only had one more shot glass of cream, and she barely touched it. The little one was already drunk by the time it arrived.

It wasn’t long after that that Teila decided it was past time for the two of them to retire for the night; Azure seemed to be having difficulty sitting up straight. Teila reached over the table and gently scooped the fairy up in her hands. The little one fell back and curled up into a ball in Teila’s palms.

Dodging the sentry as it came back to the table with some more drinks for them, Teila started to walk through the lounge. Once again she received looks and curious stares as she went past other patrons. Some gave her mocking smiles. Teila was starting to regret the dressing up for Azure.

But you did it for love.

“I don’t love her,” Teila said out loud as she walked.

Of course you do.

“Love is weakness,” she whispered. “But she is my friend.”

“It’s okay if you don’t love me,” Azure said, looking up at Teila. “I love you, though.”

Teila smiled warmly. “I know. Rest little one.”

They exited the lounge, and as they did, Teila saw Thok and Ivan waiting by Karn’s counter. They perked up and walked toward her. The orc looked her up and down and laughed.

“Well, look at this,” he said, “the Red Death all dressed up. And she has her little friend with her.”

Teila continued walking without even so much as a glance in his direction. Thok reached out and took hold of her shoulder. “Where you going, pretty,” he snickered.

Teila stopped and looked back at his hand on her shoulder. “Please, I’m just trying to get back to my room. So if you don’t mind, let go of me. I have asked nicely.”

Thok roared a laughed and Ivan joined in. “She said please,” Thok mocked. He finished laughing and came around to be in front of her. The orc looked down at the fairy curled up in her hands. “And she brought her doll.”

Teila sighed heavily looking down at Azure as well, and then she turned her gaze to the orc in front of her. The urge to drop her small friend and tear Thok apart was growing strong in her, but she could not let Azure be harmed in any way. Instead she squared her shoulders and assumed a defensive posture. She brought the fairy close to her chest and covered her up with her hands to protect her.

Thok’s grin and laugh turned into surprise at Teila’s defensive stance. A low growl began to come from his throat. “You don’t have that sword of yours,” he snarled pulling a dagger from his belt. “Think this will bounce off of you too?”

She prepared herself just as Thok lunged forward with the dagger and plunged it into her stomach, just below where she held Azure. The orc adapted another smile, obviously satisfied the blade met its mark in her.

“I knew it!” he said as he twisted the blade inside her. “That sword of yours is some kind of fucking magical blade. It can’t hurt you, but this sure as hell can.”

“Can it?” Teila asked calmly looking down at the dagger he was holding in her stomach, and then she looked back at him.

The orc looked confused for a moment and twisted the blade some more. Blood began to spill from the hole he was creating in her stomach. Then he wrenched it sideways and sliced it through her dress and midsection. Teila still looked calmly at him.

“Are you finished yet,” she asked, growing more and more impatient. She was aware that she had begun to shake. Partly from the anger she was suppressing, partly from the pain burning in her stomach.

Take the dagger and use it.

Thok pulled the blade out, blood dripping from it as he did. He stared at the blood on it in disbelief. Ivan began to pull on his arm. The orc looked up at Teila, his eyes wide.

“Have you learned what you wanted?” she asked him. At this point, the pain was already subsiding, but still ever present. Her eyes began to burn as she glared at him, and the orc started backing away.

“What the fuck are you?” Thok dropped his dagger.

“Let’s get outta here!” Ivan let go of Thok’s arm. “Her eyes are smoking!”

That made Teila cocked her head. Her eyes were smoking? As far as she remembered, that had never happened. Of course she knew that they glowed if she was angry or simply willed it, but this was a first, and it had to explain why she was feeling them burning.

The dwarf turned and ran away. Thok remained planted for a moment before turning and following his friend. The two ran through the main entrance until they were out of sight. Teila let her shoulders sag as soon as they were gone. The pain was fully gone and the wound in her stomach was all but healed. The dress was ruined, Teila was sure if Azure was coherent she’d be upset.

Teila walked away from the scene just as a sentry came walking up. It stopped and looked from the bloody blade, to the blood on the floor, to Teila herself, but it did nothing and let her go. She walked through the grand entrance and up the stairs.

A sound came from her chest, and she realized that she still held Azure close. She loosened her hold and relaxed, letting her hands go back down to where they had been. Azure turned over onto her back and looked up at her.

“What are you, Teil?” she asked Teila.

Tell her the truth. Tell her that you are a god.

“I don’t know what I am,” Teila answered, ignoring the voice.

“I know what you are,” Azure said smiling.

“What’s that, Ash?”

“You’re my friend.” The fairy turned back over and curled back up in Teila’s hands.

A different feeling started to well up inside Teila, blocking all of the others she had been feeling from the altercation with the orc.

Love.

“So what if it is?” Teila whispered.

She made it to their room and spoke the phrase to open the door. She moved straight to the bed and softly laid Azure down in the middle of it. Her tiny friend rolled over, her wings wrapping around her as she did. Teila went to the dresser and took an extra sheet out, and then put part of it over her friend as she lay sleeping.

Teila walked over to the mirror and looked at herself in the dress, she did not take the time to do so before they had went to the lounge. She was sure she had looked as good as Azure had said earlier, but now there was a huge gash in the gown and blood all over it. Teila sighed and took it off, tossing it on the chair nearby. She used the water left out in the room and cleaned all of the blood off of herself, and then took out another cover and wrapped herself in it.

Teila quietly moved to the bed and carefully got into it. She inched her way over and laid directly next to Azure. She patted her tiny friend on the head and closed her eyes, knowing she could not sleep, but wanting to relax some more and be next to her friend.

The light and polite sounding knock at the room door instantly made Teila raise out of the bed and onto her feet. Sheading the sheet she had wrapped herself in she headed straight to her sword, which still lay where she had left it against the side of the dresser. No one had ever knocked on her door in the guild, not in all the decades she had been a member. She picked the sword up and held it tucked behind her arm. Teila walked towards the door slowly and defensively. Readying herself, she took hold of the handle and quickly opened it.

Karn stood on the other side with hands clasped behind his back. It was late and he still appeared as put together as he always did, but he wore only a simple tunic and pants. Teila knew the dark elf did not sleep. Elves in general did not sleep, but simply rested however they could. Some would sit for hours, some would just lay down, while others would walk around all night. Though Teila had seen an elf or two actually sleep, it was not very common at all. Karn was a wonderer at times of rest. Occasionally he would practice sword or other fighting forms all night. Teila used to join him when they were traveling companions in his resting methods and had learned so much from him. Whether about fighting styles or just philosophy in general, it just varied on the elf’s mood.

The elf looked her in the eyes with his normal neutral face. Teila stood with her sword ready to attack and with no clothes at all on her. Karn did not look down or at her body one time in the first brief but awkward seconds they stood silent. Not that it really mattered, Karn had seen every bit of Teila’s body on more than one occasion in their past.

“Good morning, Miss Teila, I apologize for interrupting your rest,” he said, bowing slightly.

Teila continued looking him over for a few more tense moments. She looked right and left, and then finally relaxed when she saw no one else was around. “Good morning, Karn. Why are you knocking on my door at this hour? Azure is asleep.”

Karn brought his right arm forward and held his hand out to her “Would you mind joining me for my nightly walk?”

Teila reeled back slightly. “Like old times?”

He smiled. “Like old times.”

Teila nodded her affirmation. “One second,” she said as she stepped away from the door. She went to the clothes Azure had forced her to purchase and grabbed the first thing she saw. Another elegant gown but an extremely dark black. She quickly slipped it over her head, adjusted it, and then went back to the door still barefooted but dressed. She set the sword down against the wall just right of the doorway.

“Beautiful as ever,” Karn commented as she stepped through the doorway and shut the door.

Teila smiled sheepishly and looked away. Azure would never let it go if she had seen the look on her face. Luckily the fairy was passed out. Teila composed herself once again.

“How are you, Teila?” Karn asked as he began to walk along the corridor of doors.

Teila lift her dress and moved quickly to catch up, and then dropped it once she was beside the elf. “I am how I always am, Karn.”

The dark elf nodded his understanding. “Teila, I am going to apologize again, this time for the events in the bathhouse, and then what happened in the entrance.”

“It was not a problem.”

Karn looked over at her with a knowing smile. “Believe me, I know that there is not a soul in this guild that is a problem for you. However, Thok and Ivan broke the guild rules and attacked a fellow member on guild grounds. Not once, but twice.”

You should have slaughtered them.

“The only thing I was worried about was if my companion was hurt.” The two walked side by side and turned left as the corridor they were on did. “I would have broken the rules as well if they had hurt her.”

“I understand,” Karn said. “You do not need to fear for your friend any longer as the orc and dwarf have both been banished from the guild.”

“Is that so?”

Death is what they deserve.

“That is the usual punishment for breaking the rules.”

“They deserve more,” Teila said coldly.

Karn nodded but said nothing in return. They continued down the corridor until it turned again. “Teila, it behooves me to tell you that those two are not the reason I knocked on your door at this hour.”

The elf wants a favor from you.

“Then what did bring you to my door?”

Karn stopped walking and turned to her. He backed up and leaned back against the railing looking out over the entrance and crossed his arms in front of him. Teila cocked her head at the dark elf’s odd action. Karn looked down at the floor and sighed heavily. “I came to your door because I have a job that I believe only you can handle.”

Teila sighed as well and backed up until she hit the wall. She pressed herself against it and looked around the corridor. “Is it a bounty?” she asked looking back at the elf.

Karn shook his head.

“I don’t have any interest in anything else, Karn.”

“I know, but I do not have anyone else that I could ask to do this, not that I would anyway.”

Teila ran her hands down her gown. “Just tell me what you want, then.”

“A job of sorts came to us only an hour ago.” Karn was looking back behind him down into the entrance and where he normal stood behind the counter. “Have you heard of the Rieegar’s?”

Teila nodded. “The heads of the mages guild.”

“Correct. Tress and Allie Rieegar. Tress is the actually head of the guild, the main mage of Telanthia you could say. Allie, on the other hand, she is the historian of the guild. Both are very powerful mages, though, and both are much respected, and if they ask for a favor, you do it.”

“If they are so powerful, why would they ever need anyone’s help?”

Karn craned his neck, popping it. “That is a very good question, but yet they came to us for help with a very sensitive issue.”

Teila crossed her arms over her chest and waited.

“The Rieegar’s have a son. Carlyle Rieegar.”

“Good for them?”

“Teila.” Karn’s usual calm and composed demeanor slipped away and he looked every bit of his age. Even for an elf he appeared old and wary. “For once, just listen and not be cold and uncaring.”

Teila huffed loudly and looked at the floor. “Fine. What kind of sensitive issue do they have? I’m assuming it’s something with their son? If they want him dead, I can do it.”

“Well, you would be the one I’d come to if they did want him dead,” Karn chuckled slightly, “but they do not want him dead. That is why they came to us and why I came to you.”

“Is this a protection job?” Teila asked suspiciously.

“Yes, Teila.”

Teila pushed herself from the wall and let her arms fall to her sides and sagged her shoulders. “Karn, I don’t do protection.”

“You are the only one that can do this.”

“Tell me why I should?”

Karn stepped away from the railing and in front of Teila. “Carlyle is nothing like his parents. Not exactly like them, I should say. He’s twenty-seven and has not seen or talked to them in over ten years.”

Teila shrugged.

“Carlyle left the guild to have a life. I don’t think I need to tell you that the life of a mage is not exactly the most exciting.”

“Please just get to the point, Karn.”

Karn snorted. “Alright. Carlyle enjoys life a little too much. He’s a drinker, whoremonger and most importantly a gambler. And it’s that gambling that has landed him in trouble with some very bad people. The types you normally dispose of.”

Teila nodded her understanding of the situation he was painting. “I get what they want. They haven’t seen their precious baby boy in a long time, he pisses the wrong people off, and they hear about it and want him home. That sound about right?”

“Yes and no. They don’t want him back, something about him being a disgrace to their name, but that doesn’t mean they want him dead. What they want is for him to be brought here and kept safe until the situation can be handled.”

“But they are mages, they can do it themselves.”

“As I said: they are much respected mages. They cannot be seen soiling their image with their disgraced son. And their love for him seems to only go as far as them not wanting him dead.”

Teila shook her head and began to walk around the dark elf. Karn did not turn as she did. She looked him up and down.

You still have feelings for the elf.

“Feelings are weakness,” she muttered. If Karn heard her he did not say so. The elf had heard and seen enough of Teila to know she seemed to talk to herself, but he never once said anything to her about it.

“You know my abilities make me excellent at this job, being a bounty hunter. That’s why I choose only the worst of the worst; the death only contracts. But, that is why you have come to me now, yes? They must be truly desperate for you to come to me with this.”

“It is what it is,” Karn remarked.

Teila stopped walking once she made it front of the elf again. “What is the pay for this?”

“Upon completion and him being safely brought to us, twenty thousand.”

“That’s a lot of gold for a child they do not care about.”

Karn smiled. “That gold comes from me. They did not offer any for his safety.”

“Loving parents.”

“Twenty thousand gold, plus an extra percentage for your next few contracts.”

“How much of a percentage?”

“Say…fifteen percent of the bounty added to them.”

Teila looked Karn up and down again. Sudden desires she had worked hard at burying coming to the surface. “Make it twenty-five thousand and I’ll do it.”

“Done,” Karn said. “Is there anything else?”

Teila laid her hand on his arm and ran it up to his shoulder. She bit her lip and looked him in the eyes.

Weakness, child.

“Fucking is not weakness,” Teila purred. She took Karn’s hand and started to lead him away.

Karn did not fight as she led him directly to his room. He spoke the word and the door opened. As soon as it did, Teila grabbed him and pushed him inside, following and shutting the door behind her.