Chuckling, Madil agrees with her, “I’ve been on the receiving end of their attentions a few times myself. They have their list of priorities, and not a lot you can say or do to alter them. I can see where you’d want to be able to take care of some things yourself, particularly since you’re female. If you’re anything like my sisters, you’re not always comfortable discussing girly matters with a male cleric.”
At Emlyn’s blush, one of the others elbows Madil. “What?” Madil says defensively, “I wouldn’t want to talk about my manly bits with a woman, even if she was a cleric. Unless of course she wanted to put them to their Gods intended use. Then I might be amenable, but short of that. No...” Madil waggles a finger at Emlyn comically, “You know I’m right.”
Giggling, Emlyn concedes, “You most likely are. You sound like one of my brothers.”
The group sits chatting and eating until the staff starts picking up the remaining dishes. “Oh Gods!” Benger exclaims, “We’re going to be late.”
“Where does her tray go back to?” Falnor says.
“The high priest’s chef,” Benger replies.
“I’ll take her back,” Madil offers, “I think I know where her room is.”
“I’m not entirely sure where it is,” Emlyn says. At their combined looks of disbelief, she shrugs, “I think this is only the third or fourth time I’ve been this far away from it. I haven’t learned my way around the temple yet. If you know where to find Davilla or Vanya, they can direct you. Fair warning, though, I’m not walking so much yet. Benger carts me around when I really can’t walk anymore.”
“She’s not much more than a bit of fluff,” Benger shrugs, “I think my travel pack weighs more. I’m pretty sure my little brother weighs more.” Grinning at her, Benger says, “I know that he can walk better.”
Arching a brow at him, Emlyn grins back, “Oh…I see where this is going. I’ll be swaddled up, propped on your hip, and carried around with a binky in my mouth. Is that it?”
“Only if the binky stops your mouthy comments,” he grins, “Otherwise, the binky is optional.”
“I’m out of the swaddling, at least. Off with you,” Emlyn says, “Don’t be late. I don’t want to miss walking tomorrow because you’re in trouble for being late.” Emlyn points to the chair near the door, “Grab that. I will walk as far as I can, but once my knees get wobbly, I don’t have much control.” Madil grabs the chair as Falnor returns from dropping off her tray. Emlyn stands up and wobbles a bit but makes her way carefully to the doorway. The hallway looks to be the correct one, so she starts down it.
It’s more of a waddle than actual walking, but she’s still upright and moving on her own. Two tendays ago, she was delirious with joy at being able to wiggle her fingers. This is infinitely more important to her since it’s the first step in reclaiming her athletic and martial prowess.
Falnor steps toward her, “Let us take you back to your room. This looks difficult.”
“No,” she stops him, “I have to walk. The more I walk, the stronger I get.”
“Why is that so important?” Falnor asks, “It seems like you should wait until they finish healing you. We saw you when the Goddess brought you in. It wasn’t pretty. This time last month, I don’t think you even had toes.”
“That could take months,” Emlyn says flatly, “Months I might not have. You said you saw me when the Goddess brought me here. This is what it did to me when I faced it at my full strength, training every day. If that came here now, I can’t defend myself. “
Frowning, Madil asks her, “Does Ember know about this?”
“Of course,” she nods, “we discussed it at length. It would be a poor repayment for all your kindness if I failed to mention it.”
“So, what did happen to you?” Madil asks.
“The official story,” Emlyn shrugs, “is that I was fighting with some elementals, and they got the best of me.”
Crossing his arms and giving her a hard look, Falnor asks, “What is the unofficial story?”
“I promised Ember,” she shrugs, “that I wouldn’t say. You can ask him, and if he thinks you should know, he’ll share it with you. I’ve probably said too much as it is.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Just answer this,” Falnor says, “How probable is it that this thing will come for you?”
“It’s fairly remote,” Emlyn replies, “but my people have a proverb about having preparations you never need to use rather than needing ones you don’t have.”
“So up you go then,” Falnor says, “Let’s see if you can make it five more steps.” Slowly, they make their way back to Emlyn’s room only to find Vanya waiting with a mid-morning tray and a midafternoon tray.
Benger hurries to Ember to report. Ulwin frowns at him, but sends him in. “How did meeting the others go? Is she going to be able to fit in?’
“I don’t think it will be a problem,” Benger says, “Madil is already taken with her. Falnor likes her, and the others are teasing her, and she’s teasing them back.”
“That’s a relief,” Ember says, “I was worried that she might be too mentally wounded to form new bonds with another group.”
“She gets incredibly sad sometimes,” Benger says, “but she’s not sitting around weeping. She seems very determined about a great many things. Which brings me to the next thing, she’s asked if there is anywhere here that she can swim.”
“Why swimming?” Ember asks.
“She says it lets her work those muscles without so much weight,” Benger says, “Once she said it, it made perfect sense, but I don’t think there is anywhere here that’s safe for her right now. The river runs much too fast, and if she were to end up in a current…”
“What about the old fish hatchery?” Ember says, “See if they don’t have a pond that still holds water that she can swim in. It won’t be large, but it will be fairly deep.”
“Maybe one of the water mages can do something, like heat the water,” Benger says thoughtfully, “I will see what I can come up with.”
“What else is there to report?” Ember asks.
“I’m taking her home with me,” Benger says, “for Midwinter break. My mother always wanted a girl, and Mama is delighted to have one coming for Midwinter that she can fuss over.”
“Don’t you have six brothers?” Ember asks.
Nodding, Benger agrees, “My mother kept trying for a girl and got stuck with a house full of smelly, boisterous boys.”
“She’ll need clothes for the trip,” Ember says, “I think we can see our way to advancing her pay a bit to cover it.”
Snorting Benger shrugs, “You could advance her a year’s pay, and I’m still not sure that’s going to cover everything she needs. She’ll need everything from small clothes to shoes. The healers have been dressing her in cast-offs from the lost bin for most things, but she’s only got one complete outfit. I think that Davilla bought that for her out of her own money. She’ll need travel gear, and I was hoping to borrow a horse for her.”
“Isn’t it already cold, up your way?” Ember asks, “She’ll need cold weather gear too, won’t she?” Benger nods. Palming his face, Ember adds, “And a dress for the Midwinter Ball.” Grinning ruefully at Benger, Ember sighs, “It’s been a while since my daughters were married off. I had forgotten how expensive my daughters were. All the little things that women seem to need always add up to far more than I ever realized.”
Giving Emlyn a gimlet gaze, Vanya gestures at the trays, “You’re slacking. Get over here and eat.”
Falnor places the chair, “We’ll leave you in Vanya’s capable hands.” The two paladins beat a hasty retreat from the annoyed healer.
“Let’s hear it,” Vanya says, “Where have you been all morning?”
“Benger took me to the dining hall,” Emlyn beams, “to meet some of the other paladins that I’ll be serving with.” Emlyn recounts her walk to the dining hall and her lunch meeting, mentioning that she’s told them her name is Nia.
“Why would you lie about your name?” Vanya asks her, “Surely that’s not a good way to start with your new comrades.”
“Ember said I should keep my presence here,” Emlyn points out, “a secret. It’s hardly a secret if I give everyone my real name. I had to pick something, so I picked the name of one of my friends. I don’t think she’ll mind.”
“Why wouldn’t your friend mind you using her name?” Vanya asks before she realizes what the answer is.
“She’s long past caring about such things,” Emlyn says darkly. “She was one of the earliest casualties of the war. I helped raise her funeral monument myself.”
To lighten the mood, Vanya changes the subject. “If you’re going to be getting out and about, you’re going to need some clothes. Now that you’re walking, some shoes too. The Midwinter Ball is coming, and you’ll need a dress for that.”
“Benger has asked if I want to travel to his home for Midwinter break. He thought it might be a good idea for me to see some of the country, but he didn’t mention a ball.”
“Just before Midwinter break, the high priest has a huge party,” Vanya says, beginning to babble, “and absolutely everyone is expected to attend. That'll include you, so we’ll need to order your dress. This year’s theme is Winter in the Forest. Since you seem to be so fond of Benger, I’ll see if he can come with us. You’ll need some clothes for visiting his house, and someone will have to carry everything. I’ll arrange for a carriage. And I can get some of those dressmaker’s crystals, so you can decide what shops you want to go to. They have them for things besides just the formal gowns, you know.”
Chuckling a bit at Vanya’s enthusiasm, Emlyn stops her. “Vanya, I no longer have a House to pay for anything I might want. I don’t have any money of my own. I can’t pay for any of it. I don’t have a single copper. The only things I have of value are my blades, and I can’t bear to part with either of them. I don’t think I’ll be going to this party. I should probably tell Benger I won’t be able to go with him either. I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Where will you go then?” Vanya asks, “The temple closes. I don’t know if you can stay here.”
Emlyn frowns, “I suppose I should speak to Gethin or Ember to see what to do. I don’t have anywhere to go.”
Frowning, Vanya says, “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. I’ll talk to Ember and Gethin. I’m certain that the Temple can provide. The Goddess instructed us to see to whatever you might need. I think she would agree that clothing would qualify. Despite how well it might show off your tattoo, we can’t have you running around naked. You can’t function without proper clothing.”
“If that’s the case,” Emlyn says, “then I think I know what I would like for a dress for the ball. We’ll need to find someone skilled enough to make it, but not so sought-after that they charge too much for it. Any of those places with the fancy crystals will likely be far outside what I’m able to spend.”
- Emlyn and Benger talk frankly about loss, gods, and what remains.
- Introductions roll in for Robis, Falnor, and Madil—each with their own fighting style, personality, and vibes.
- Emlyn’s analytical instincts go into overdrive: she sizes each man up like she’s selecting chess pieces before a war.
- The lads ask her directly about vows, healing, and her determination.
- Madil provides comedic relief with “manly bits” commentary that nearly sends half the table into the ether.
- Emlyn giggles—giggles!—which is basically a miracle after everything she’s endured.
- The cohort embraces her with warmth, curiosity, and shared banter.
- The staff begins cleaning up, and the lads all panic about being late like schoolboys who forgot their homework.
- Madil volunteers to escort her back, and Emlyn admits—honestly and adorably—that she has no idea where her room is.
- Everyone accepts this with the perfect blend of shock and concern.
Coins:
Previous total: 311 coppers
Add +8 coppers for new character introductions, humor, and group bonding.
New Total: 319 coppers
Random Object:
A tiny stitched glyph like the one on Robis’s tabard—Snips claims it improves “analytical combat thinking.”
Snips the Crab:
Today Snips arrives wearing:
- A teeny Storm Crow tabard
- A miniature bowl of fruit (mostly orange wedges)
- A wooden practice sword half his size, which he drags proudly
He clicks approvingly at the new lads—especially Urlin, whose chaotic energy he respects deeply.
the Discord via this invite link. If it doesn't work, DM me for a new one.