It was closer to three bells than two before the barman walked over to Alnyx. He had been staring into his second mostly empty tankard for the better part of the last one. At some point, the rowdiest of the tables had cleared out and there was some semblance of silence again. He could hardly hear himself think before they left.

  “Absinthe’s coming in now.” the barman said. “I’ll flag them over for you and make introductions.”

  Alnyx knocked back the last slosh of lukewarm ale and nodded a thank you. He didn’t turn to look right away, gathering his will to be cordial before they approached. There was the unmistakable tapping of heeled boots across the wooden floor as the figure came closer.

  “Cinna, my good man.” The voice was warm, an accent he could only place as vaguely western in origin. “Brightmarrow be blessed if you’ve already got my tea ready.”

  “You’re a creature of habit, Absinthe.” the barman chucked, already pouring steaming tea into a delicate bone china cup. A splash of a dark liquor went in with it, the scent of herbs quickly covered by the spirit. “You’ve a caller this afternoon. Alnyx, this is Absinthe.”

  Alnyx finally turned his head, to see only gray-violet flesh. The cut of the cream colored shirt was open practically to the navel. Tall, lean, toned in the slim-muscled way many mages were. Their powers ate away at any extra energy and resource their body could provide, often in the form of extra fat. He could feel the flush hit his cheeks, as if he was seeing something he wasn’t meant to. Veins and scars trailed up the flesh, though it was easy for him to be able to tell the difference between the two: the individual’s veins were an acidic green against the strangely colored skin. Alnyx would bet the coin left in his purse, they would glow when magic was used.

  When he finally looked up to see the face, he felt himself swallow and hoped it hadn’t made a sound. A sharp jaw and a squared chin. The green didn’t end with the veins, as their eyes were also green, corner to corner with no white of pupil. Like two pools of acid, the centers a slightly darker hue so you knew where they were looking. And that was directly at Alnyx. The piercing intensity of it almost made him miss the curved horns that came from their forehead. They bent backward and flared in opposite directions at the tips. The chitin of them was green at the base and faded to midnight black at their tips.

  An elemental? A devil of Sanguine? A voidling? A blending of all three the elf had never seen before?

  And beautiful. His traitorous mind provided. Alnyx shook his head, as if to forcibly be rid of the thought.

  “A gentleman caller while the sun is still out? What sort of person do you take me for, Cinna?” They winked at the elf. “Another of whatever he’s drinking, on my tab would you, Dear?”

  Absinthe took a seat in the stool directly next to Alnyx. They crossed their impossibly long legs, turning so their back leaned against the bar as they settled. The elf watched them sip from the tea cup they had been handed before the new tankard was set down.

  “How can I assist you, Mister Alnyx?” their black claws tapped a little beat against the porcelain.

  “You’re a contractor for the Taskers?” He hadn’t meant for it to sound so….Incredulous. But this person didn’t fit “scholar on loan” in the slightest.

  “Is that what you’re here for?” they sighed, a twinge of disappointment in it. “On occasion, yes. But if it’s help you need, you’ll need to put in a contract directly at the office.” Absinthe cocked their head to the side. “But by the looks of you, you seem….Quite capable of handling problems all on your own.”

  “No.” Alnyx grunted which got a chuckle that he wasn’t prepared for in response. “I already have a contract.” He couldn’t manage more than one full thought at a time it seemed. So, he took a swig of ale before trying again.

  “Marigold sent him over to find you.” Cinna was apparently amused enough to stay close by to listen while cleaning glasses, and beat him to it. “Three bells ago, actually.”

  “Oh!” The verdant eyes widened and they set the tea cup down between themselves and Alnyx on the bar. “You should have sent someone to wake me!” They directed to the barman.

  “You sent the last person who tried to the healers with burns. Not to mention they had to replace the door and door frame to your room.” Cinna shook his head. “You’ll pardon me if I didn’t want a repeat.”

  “He’s exaggerating.” Absinthe turned their attention back to Alnyx. “A contract. And you need a second because the horny bastard in Iris tarnished the guild’s reputation.”

  “Right.” Alnyx bent down to pull the contract from his bag he had taken from his back at some point while waiting. “Royal seal, makes sharing the coin more tolerable.” He offered it up to Absinthe to look at.

  “High paying contract and Marigold trusted you to just walk out without a guarantee I’d come along? Color me impressed, Mister Alnyx.”

  “Just Alnyx.”

  Another little chuckle, and Absinthe took the paper in one hand and their teacup back up in the other. Just as Marigold had said: some sort of unknown beast was scaring and killing game in the Kingswood belonging to the royals of Pugila a short trip from the Port. Head of the beast or some tangible proof of its demise mandatory for payment, to be brought to the Huntsmaster in the camp at the edge of the wood.

  “And you’re sure Marigold meant for you to look for me?” They wrinkled their nose and handed the paper back. “Not that I don’t trust you. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that monster hunting is not typically the sort of job I take on.”

  “Specifically said you. Probably knows something we don’t.” Alnyx bent and returned the contract to his bag.

  “Ah now that sounds like her.” They took a last sip of their spirit-laced tea and sighed in a way that had Alnyx swallowing again. “All right. You’ve peaked my interest, Just Alnyx. Let me settle up at the desk and gather my things. Be back in a tick.”

  Alnyx didn’t mean to stare when Absinthe walked away, truly. The long black coat, embroidered with flowers and flames with fine, silver, thread simply distracted him when it brushed against him with the way the horned individual flourished as they rose and left. The long drink he took afterwards was simply a coincidence of momentary dry mouth.

  Just coincidence. He repeated in his mind when he heard Cinna laugh behind the bar again. Alnyx remained just long enough to finish his drink before grabbing his bag and going back out to the entrance lobby.

  * * *

  “So sorry about that. Ready to head out?”

  Alnyx had been waiting in the lobby for Absinthe to return once they went up to get their belongings and coin to settle paying for the room. A single bag across their back, well kept and made of nicely conditioned leather. Just a glance at the clothing they wore, it seemed…Too small for their belongings.

  The clothes were noticeably different than what they had been wearing before they went up the stairs. The long coat was gone, and the low cut tunic had been exchanged as well. Clothes more practical for travel, a rough-spun and made to keep warm and dry, and a coat that came only to the backs of their knees instead of their ankles. Though the boots still had more of a heel than Alnyx ever would have considered outside a ball.

  “Here you are my good man.” Absinthe held an envelope out to the human behind the counter Alnyx had been having a glaring contest with while he waited. “The Scholar liaison will be here to collect the rest of my belongings before the dinner bell.”

  That made more sense. The mortal looked over the note inside the envelope and nodded once.

  “Very good, sir.” it didn’t go unnoticed how the man was very deliberate in only touching exactly what was needed after Absinthe handled it.

  Alnyx was certain as soon as they were out the door, he was going to be taking soap and water to everything they touched. He bit his tongue, holding the door open for Absinthe who grinned and whispered a soft “thank you, Dear” before leaving.

  “I have a stop to make before we go. Through the market.” Alnyx said, walking beside Absinthe who arched an eyebrow.

  “You need to stop for supplies? I’m sure between the two of us we can manage the trip.”

  “I have a companion. He is waiting for us outside the gates. I had told them that it wouldn’t take very long…”

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  “Oh.” Absinthe’s blush was not rosy, which made sense. A tinge of green graced the high cheek bones. “Really. Cinna should have sent someone for me. But if you have a companion, why did you need to come and ask me to join you? Not that I’ll argue over good coin.”

  “They are a hound.”

  “A hound. And what, you have them just tethered to a tree outside the walls?” They snorted a laugh. “I don’t think I would have pegged you for the pet type.”

  “I didn’t say he was a pet. They are my Watcher.” Alnyx wasn’t surprised at the blink he got in response from the Mage. “What is it that the mages call them…Familiars. He is like the familiars that the scholars of my Kin carry. I am of the woods and the mountains, not the ivory towers and floating cities. My people do not keep ferrets or mice.”

  “Not from the floating cities. I suppose that explains the fetching tattoos of yours.” Absinthe took their time looking Alnyx up and down, as if they hadn’t considered anything but the elves they were used to. “So what are you called then? I assume Weave-Eyed or ley-blood don’t really apply.”

  “They do not, no. Ancestry is the only thing we share anymore.” Alnyx shook his head. “We are known as Wild Elves or Grove Wardens by those who ask the difference. Rawanali.”

  “A lovely word.” Absinthe couldn’t quite accent it properly, but they made an effort. He had heard far worse. “Go on. Ask. I can tell you want to. Everyone does.”

  As they entered the busy marketplace square, both instinctively had a hand on their coin purses. The scholar had self preservation. Good. Alnyx approached the butcher and handed over coins for a few decent sized bones, and a vertebrae of a beast with a good bit of marrow in it. The grisly treat would get him Fish’s forgiveness. Business taken care of, he took the lead towards the South Gate.

  “You are a voidling. What is it called here…Star-crossed?”

  “A better first guess than I usually hear!” Absinthe beamed but shook their head. “Usually I get satyr. Or that my mother must have fucked some sort of Hells-Cursed Goat. Though really those two are basically the same thing.”

  Alnyx could not stop the chuckle as they went on. More than he was usually give in response.

  “My mother was a Wylder. If you’re from the woods, I’m sure you’ve met them before. Nomadic human cults. Hers were green mages, worshiping the Divines that gave them their magic, so she’d say.”

  “I have met many Wylders.” Alnyx confirmed. " You said half. Your…Father then.”

  “Mmhm, never met the man. I assume he’s where these came from.” they gestured to their horns. “Otherwise my mother did a flawless job hiding hers.”

  That made some sense. The Wylders he knew were lacking…Charm, and the sensibilities Absinthe seemed to carry. He found it hard to imagine this person with their long coat and tea with their spirits in a caravan.

  “I left as soon as I could find traders that would take me with them. Never much got in to ancestor worship and hoping to be reborn as like…A mountain lion or a tree. No offense meant, but it was never really for me.”

  Alnyx shook his head instead of giving an answer. It wasn’t worth giving an explanation of his clan’s traditions to someone he was not going to see again after this fortnight. He looked over, to see Absinthe’s head tilted to the side, similar to when Fish saw or smelled something interesting.

  “Not a man of many words, are you, Alnyx? I suppose if you usually travel with a hound, it can’t be helped.” They sighed. “Not to worry. I’m often told I can speak enough for three.”

  This sort of teasing normally annoyed Alnyx. He was too quiet. Too stoic. He had heard it all from people he escorted along the trails. But, Absinthe really did just go on like the two of them were having a conversation that went both ways. Strange. But not wholly unpleasant.

  “Right then.” Absinthe stopped mid-story as they got outside the gate, glancing around. “Let’s see this not-a-pet then.”

  Of course, Fish wasn’t just sitting somewhere out in the open. Too often, people got curious and nosy when they were without Alnyx. And too often, it was curiosity that led to stupidity or violence. Alnyx put two fingers into his mouth and let out a shrill whistle in four sharp bursts. After a moment, the bush to the left of them up the path rustled and the blue-eyes beast padded out as if it had been there the whole time.

  “A hound.” Absinthe’s laugh caught Alnyx off guard. “That is no hound. That is an Arctic Lycine. Fully grown and very, very far from home might I add.”

  “Not many know what he is, so hound is easiest.” Alnyx shrugged to hide that he was a little impressed that Absinthe knew at a glance. He offered up the vertebrae to Fish as a silent apology. “It will not be a problem?”

  “A problem…No, no.” the little chuckle again. “What…I mean, does it have a name? Fae beasts are known for stealing them.”

  “Fish.”

  “A…Canine named Fish?” Alnyx gave a single nod in response to the question. “What a strange elf you are, Just Alnyx.”

  Alnyx felt heat creep up his neck an d ears. Especially when Fish, treat in mouth, padded closer to Absinthe to inspect them. A sniff of their hand, he found them acceptable enough it seemed

  “We need to get moving.” Alnyx said before the embarrassment could settle in. “We need to find a suitable camp before it gets too late. Won’t be getting to the Kingswood today.”

  “Of course. Lead the way.”

  * * *

  Alnyx was pleasantly surprised with how easily Absinthe was able to keep up pace with him. When it got warmer midday, they had removed the long coat and folded it into the bag, without pausing to rearrange anything inside it. It didn’t make the bag bulge even a little, and the elf couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow.

  “Bigger than it looks.” Absinthe winked as they pulled the straps back over their shoulders. " Magic has to have some perks after all.”

  Alnyx shook his head a little, but silenced again as they continued along. They didn’t stop until they came across the stream that would eventually cut through the woods they were on their way towards. The lycine snapped a fish up from the water and swallowed it in practically a single bite, looking quite pleased with themselves as they did so.

  “I suppose it wouldn’t be cannibalism if it’s just your name, huh?” Absinthe pondered while the beast shook water from its fur.

  The exhale of air from Alnyx’s nose was as close as he normally allowed himself to a laugh, the mage was learning quickly. Sure, the elf wasn’t exactly a charmer, but he didn’t have to be for the line of business he was in. Perhaps, though, he wasn’t half as dour as the frown lines and silence made it seem.

  They veered up along the stream from the trade road they had been following. Absinthe continued the aimless chatter they had started back in the city. Long periods of silence left them feeling unsettled, they explained. Too many years in temple services or libraries, where it was strictly enforced. If Alnyx was bothered by it, he at least kept it to himself.

  By the time the sky began to darken and the temperature dropped, they managed to find a suitable site to settle inset camp for the night. Char marks on the ground and flattened earth said they weren’t the first to think as much. They removed their packs to set out bedrolls for the evening, Fish already circling to settle in a spot near where the fire would eventually be.

  “I can get a fire going.” Absinthe offered, removing their boots and stretching their legs out. “Don’t suppose I could talk you in to seeing if there’s anything worth hunting out there? Trail rations are always dreadful.”

  The grunt said it was fine by him. He hadn’t taken off the harness that made up the scabbards where his two short-swords were housed, so he didn’t have to worry about getting it back on.

  “Not on crown lands yet, shouldn’t be a problem. Did you want to get wood first then?”

  “Wood? Oh I don’t need all that.” Absinthe grinned and shook their head. “Just a little bit of space and a pinch of phosphorescence.”

  Alnyx arched an eyebrow as Absinthe dug into the bag at their side, finally withdrawing a maroon colored pouch. They withdrew a palm-sized clear crystal, dusted with a yellow powder that the pouch was likely full of. Absinthe set it on the ground, at the center of the charred earth, rubbing the powder from their fingers into the palm of their left hand.

  Standing up straight again, they held their hand out with the dusty palm towards the ground. Wherever there was usually green on the mage’s body flashed a bright white, and the air around them grew thick and warm for a moment. As both heat and white faded, there was a spark from the crystal like striking flint to tinder. There was no physical flame but the glow from the crystal produced heat and light like one would have. Alnyx wiggled their fingers as a “ta-dah” before wiping their hands on their pants.

  “Little trick I picked up when I was up north a few years ago. Hard to find dry wood there, since it’s mostly ice and stone. I don’t do cold well.”

  “Hmm.” Alnyx bent down, holding his hand over where the light was brightest. It was hot enough, but didn’t burn his skin like flame would have. “You can cook over it?”

  “Takes a little longer. Small price to pay to avoid the smoke though. I take it you don’t travel with magic users normally?”

  “Don’t travel with anyone usually.” The growl from Fish seemed to indicate that the lycine took offense to not being considered a someone. “I’ll see what game there is.”

  “Fantastic. I’ll make sure our bags stay safe. I’m excellent at minding camp.”

  Alnyx shook his head, and Absinthe was certain they saw a smile. The elf disappeared into the shadows at the edge of the campsite quickly, and Fish made absolutely no effort to follow along.

  “Going to keep me company are you?” Absinthe flopped back onto their bed roll, legs stretched out before them and leaning back on their elbows. “Can’t blame you. I’m well exhausted from all this running around. Wasn’t exactly planning on a wilderness hike when I woke up.”

  It was hard to tell if Fish learned the snort from Alnyx, or the other way around. It was absolutely darling all the same. Lycines were fearsome creatures, as far as the bestiaries Absinthe had read were concerned. They were the product of exposure to ley lines and concentrated mana slowly mutating native species. Invasive in some areas, known to hunt livestock and people if there were no other options. But the big yawn and shake of the head warmed Absinthe’s heart. Not quite a tender beast, but Absinthe was not concerned it was going to attack them in their sleep. An anomaly. Not unlike the elf that was his not-master.

  “You two are odd things, aren’t you?” Fish peaked open a blue, glowing eye. “Oh not to worry, I am too. Takes one to know one, doesn’t it?”

  They were certain that the lycine understood. If the texts in the scholar library were correct, they were highly intelligent creatures. Perhaps their physicality and body structure didn’t allow them to speak as two-legged beasts could, but it was widely accepted that they could decipher it. Some of them were known to be able to solve puzzles and mazes of varying difficulties.

  The way Fish turned his head to start chewing on the inside of his leg made Absinthe reconsider.

  The evening passed in quiet company once Alnyx returned. Two decently sized hares, which once properly dressed Absinthe took over cooking. The elf took their time oiling the blades and leathers he wore before using a brush to get tangles and loose hair out of Fish’s fur. Absinthe settled with a text of some kind balanced on their knees, scooting closer to the magicked light to make reading it easier.

  They whispered the words out loud to themselves as they read, audible only as a string of sound from where Alnyx sat on the other side of the glow. The elf could feel the corners of his lips curl into a smile.

  He was not besotted with this odd creature. He was not. Fish snorted, as if he heard Alnyx’s thought.

  “Shut up.” he grumbled at the beast, smacking its haunch with no real force or malice.

  “Pardon?”

  “Not you.” Alnyx winced, knowing he responded far too quickly. “Him. You…You’re fine.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

  Not. Besotted.