“As well as beds,” said one knight. “Your current selection is usually booked! A few more beds would serve you well.”
“More rooms would be nice,” said a goblin, “And… ladies to go with?” Someone shoved the goblin off his chair and told him to shut up.
“We’d always welcome more tables,” said a dwarf, “and walls to hang out trophies on!”
There was a collective cheer that filled the room with raised pints and chicken legs. Fraz waved them off, “Okay, okay, okay! I’ll consider it!”
He went back to the bar, serving a few shady bandits. He warned them that stealing in these walls was strictly prohibited. They agreed and ordered their drinks. They were just happy to have arrived. The road here was a dangerous one tonight.
Tess and Ayla took orders and served dinner, drinks and dessert! Mirra danced with the bard as he played on. They seemed to be establishing a small working relationship. The bard was happy to see her, and she was thrilled to dance. Some of the patrons praised her, calling her “magical” and “hypnotic.”
Eventually the workers entered the tavern. Fraz led them to the baths and told them to order whatever they wanted. Once the construction crew piled into the bath space, Fraz gestured to the crates for soap and rags. He pointed to the main tub in the center of the room and revealed a talking tube. “You just talk into that thing,” he said, “And all the ale you want will be sent.”
Roz smiled wide. “I appreciate it, brother! Looks outstanding in here!”
Ayla peeked into the baths, “Coming in!”
She dragged in a barrel and rolled it by the door.
“This is for your clothes. Gabby has washers on standby in the kitchen. Just throw your stuff in here and I’ll take them to her.”
“When did you two come up with that?” asked Fraz.
“A little while ago,” said Ayla with a half-smile. She looked at the crew. “Dirty clothes in here! Clean clothes on those shelves,” she pointed right, “and those shelves only! Okay?”
“Sure thing, lass,” said Roz. “We’ll keep the place spotless, isn’t that right you low-lifes!”
They all bobbed their heads, “Yes, of course. Sure! Indeed! Don’t worry! We won’t mess anything up!”
The night went on and the workers made their orders. Tess and Ayla brought their food and drink. When they walked in, it was better than Tess had imagined. Sure enough, two of the workers were pretending to box each other. They were covered in vibrant pink bubbles. Some had them around their body like shorts, others had pink bubbled mustaches. One worker, who was bald, was looking at his reflection in one of the windows to see what it might be like to wear a pink toupee.
Tess laughed so hard she nearly spilled their ale everywhere, which caused a swarm of naked dwarves and men to leap after her, frantically waving their hands in a panic! Ayla and Tess froze as the crew caught their pints and plates of food. Flushed and giggling, Ayla and Tess spun around hurried out of the baths while the construction crew stood with their orders, covered in pink bubbles.
The greater tavern maintained it’s jubilant atmosphere. There was the occasional argument, but everyone knew the rules, so nothing came of it. More individuals poured in, struggling to find a free table. Even the parlor was packed! Fraz thought that his customers might be right. Maybe they did need an expansion. He decided to talk with Roz about it later.
At one point, the portal flashed ocean blue and the two wizards Ayla had conversed with the night before had entered. One of them was carrying a tied bundle of cloth in both hands. Ayla hurried over to them, greeting them with a huge smile. Fraz caught Tess walking between patrons.
“What’s going on there?”
“Not sure! Looks like they brought her a gift?” Tess looked very serious, “Please don’t ask me to check it out. Wizards are freaky!”
“No, no, no. She looks happy. Let her be. Get back to it.”
Tess smiled and went her way. Fraz watched the wizards hand over the bundle of cloth. Ayla untied it and looked in. She was beaming. Fraz thought it was the prettiest smile. He was glad to see she making friends with Witchwicks familiar faces. She bowed to both of the wizards and gestured to the tables, but they waved politely and returned to the portal. She scampered off towards her room where she locked the bundle of cloth away. When she returned, she immediately returned to her work.
As the night neared its end, the beer barrels were drained, and the music died down. The workers left the baths as clean as they were when they entered them and called it an early night. Gabby said her goodbyes from the kitchen door and then vanished through a portal. Fraz walked Tess home. Mirra said she knew the way and would head over soon. She turned to find Ayla hanging out by the enormous fireplace.
Ayla sat back in a large, cushioned chair. She propped her bare feet up on a stool, the fire warming her soles. She puffed loose strands of blonde hair out of her eyes. She squirmed back into the seat, letting the giant cushion hug her. Mirra sat in the other chair, towards the front of her seat and well postured.
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“These must be for giants,” said Mirra.
“I’ve never seen a full giant, though we have some half-giants that frequent our establishment. I think they usually sit here.” Ayla patted the seat cushion. She looked like midget in this chair. Our establishment, she thought. I’ve only been here for a few days, and it already feels like home. She pressed out the wrinkles in her dress and wiggled her warm toes. Her feet were sore from the extra labor in the baths.
“Thanks for all of your hard work today, Mirra.”
“Of course,” Mirra quietly responded.
“That was a cute little puppy,” said Ayla. She rested her hands in her lap. “I’m glad he made it back to his master, whoever they are.”
“Home is where our loved ones are.” Mirra watched the fire snap, crackling as it danced on large logs. “I appreciate you anchoring me, earlier that is. You were brave. I admire your selflessness.”
“That was a test,” said Ayla, pinching the skin on top of her hand. “I’m not that selfless,” she said. She looked up at the fireplace, considering the dragon skulls, the monstrous weapons, the massive fur and leather hides, all striking awe in every observer. “These trophies represent selflessness to me. Imagine what it took to slay a dragon! Imagine what it took to kill whatever it was that had green spotted fur! Imagine not being squished by that spiked club! Whoever they were, I think they were fighting to protect others or themselves. Defending what they loved, fighting to survive to return home. Maybe if you’re Captain Micah, it’s more about the glory, but I’ve heard a few of the tales shared around the tables.
“I heard one last night about a village being stalked by a griffin. It plucked up villagers and took them to its nest to feed. This man, one of the villagers, hunted that griffin and slew it. That’s part of its wing hanging above the bedrooms, and the blood on the feathers belongs to the hunter. He lost an arm in the fight. I heard another one tonight about a basilisk that attacked a party of royals. The two knights that brought it down were here asking Fraz if he’d be willing to nail its head to the wall after it was stuffed! Fraz knows how and why all these beasts were conquered. He wants these trophies to inspire others. I’m not like them, Mirra. I don’t fight. I run.”
“But you didn’t run,” said Mirra. “I saw your eyes when you took my hand. You had to fight it, didn’t you?”
Ayla kept her mouth shut, glaring into the fire. She saw two ghostly hands reach for hers. Mirra took her hands and pulled her out of the giant chair, drawing her in, wrapping her arms around her.
Ayla pushed back. “No!”
Mirra didn’t relent. She tightened her embrace, holding her close, locking Ayla’s arms around her sides. Ayla clenched her jaw, making fists, keeping her emotions and more at bay.
When was the last time someone hugged her?
Ayla was overwhelmed by the sensation; a soft vibration that pulsed from Mirra’s body instantly relaxed her. She wanted to cry in Mirra’s shoulder, but felt her emotions washed over with peace. She felt her body vibrate too. Something deep inside of her quivered in her back, her chest and her gut. Her hands wanted to shake, but Mirra’s power was pushing back, calming her down. Mirra didn’t let her go. Ayla’s fingers extended, her hands relaxing against her dress. Mirra was soft and warm.
“I believe that everything works out as it needs to,” said Mirra. Her words were deliberate.
In that moment, their energies synchronized. Ayla’s tremors and Mirra’s vibrations, matched in rhythm, forced by what felt like a magnetic pull between them. Ayla was driven to hug back. It was as if Mirra’s power was pulling her in. Mirra felt the same, some sort of draw demanded their embrace.
Ayla felt warm, comforting sensation surround her heart, and these words flowing through her mind like a gentle breeze: Heal, she thought. Mirra’s needs help.
Neither of them could see the tiny rose threads breaching the tavern floor, attaching to the bottom of Ayla’s dress. The curved dashes of pink around her dress pulsed to life, sending a ripples of energy throughout Mirra’s form.
Suddenly, an image flashed across Mirra’s mind. She saw a green field, lush flowers and wildlife exploring as they pranced over the hill. It was as if she was the wind, flying over flourishing landscapes. She saw an ocean, colored like a rainbow. She splashed down, witnessing giant ancient squids with massive, curious eyes, raising their tentacles towards her, eager to get ahold of her. She blasted out of the ocean towards the crystal sky. There was a purple flash of light, a blazing pillar that crashed into the land, shattering the ground. She turned to someone, a friend maybe? They turned away, hiding their tears.
Mirra pulled back, hands on Ayla’s shoulders. Ayla was holding her, eyes wide with concern.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “Do you need to sit down?”
Mirra took a moment to collect her thoughts. “No, no. I just saw something. Something I thought I had long forgotten. It must have been because we… synced?”
“I felt that too. Like something pulled me to you. Like we became one?”
“Our energies, yeah.” She looked at Ayla. She was relaxed. She was no longer timid. She was no longer defensive. “Your eyes tell me that you aren’t a coward, Ayla. You aren’t selfish. They tell me you are brave, but unsure of yourself.” Mirra released her. “They tell me that you have a secret, and you have something in you. I felt that.”
Ayla nodded, looking away towards the fire. “Maybe.”
Mirra gave her some space. “We connected and you did something to me. For me, I think. I don’t know how or why, but some how…”
“You’re a Guardian of the Wightshade,” said Ayla, “I’m just me.”
Mirra titled her head, forcing a smile, trying to hide her disappointment. Ayla wasn’t sure why, but Ayla felt bad. She didn’t owe Mirra anything, but yet she regretted letting her down.
“I’ll tell you,” said Ayla. “Someday.”
Mirra turned, folding her arms. She looked up at the black chandelier. It swayed side to side, ever-burning brightly. She whispered, “I know.”
Ayla wasn’t sure if she was talking to her or herself. She stepped back, “Okay.” She wondered if she should say anything else. No. This was enough for tonight. “I’d like to go to bed, I think. Good night, Mirra.”
She walked towards the bedroom. Mirra waited in the tavern main, watching her Ayla walk away. She entered her bedroom and quietly closed the door behind her. Mirra heard the lock snap into place. She sat back down in the giant’s chair, losing herself in the spellbinding flames.
That field, she thought. I remember it now, but where did I see it?
Ayla closed the door behind her. She walked around the bed and dressed for the night. She started a new fire in the bedroom fireplace.
Does she know who I am? Does she suspect?
Ayla watched the fire grow. She sat on the floor, crisscrossing her legs. She began massaging her sore feet.
“You have a secret,” Mirra’s words echoed in her mind. Does she know? What about the others? Are they with me? No one knows anything about you, Ayla. No one cares. No one will find you here.
She felt her frustration rise. The last few days have been amazing. This place offered everything she’s ever wanted, and more! She has a bed to call her own, she has work so she can save money, she as new friends! Everything is going so well.
So why do I feel so terrible? She rubbed her ankles and heels. Because you know the truth. You thought you can bury it, but can you really?
She decided to leave it there. She left her familiar spot on the floor and snuggled under the covers of her bed. Tomorrow was a new day. Think about the adventures it may hold, the new faces you might meet. Think about Fraz, Tess, Gabby and Mirra too. What was that earlier? She said our energies synced? Did she unlock…? No. No that’s impossible.
Ayla buried her face in her pillow. “It’s impossible,” she said. She eyed the bundle of cloth on the floor next to her bed. A small smile cracked her lips. The wizards really came through for her She snatched her mother’s poetry book and flipped through the pages.
“Okay,” she said, trying to push her remnant anxieties out of mind, “what should we make?”