"We'll need horses for our journey."
Lurya's voice was heard through the wind.
The rain was letting up, but the wind was still cutting like a razor.
My head ached in sync with the emotional hangover of the last few hours.
Better to buy cigarettes before we continue our journey.
Or maybe it's better to go without, so I can strangle them when mine run out.
Gineviv's scent still lingered on my clothes.
Damn...
I turned to Lurya, who was walking slightly behind me, maintaining her usual impeccable posture. Her mongrel, like a good watchdog, walked ahead, scanning the road with attentive eyes.
"You know, a little bit of wind magic would solve that." I cracked my neck. "Two elves and a human on the road draw a lot of attention."
Lurya didn't slow her pace.
"Lut'hner isn't proficient in that element. Besides, we can go through the manuscripts on the way, now that we have the sword and someone so knowledgeable."
I let out a low laugh.
"How incredible. A fairy who doesn't know how to use magic."
From the tone of her voice, I could tell that Lut'hner didn't like the teasing.
"I know how to use magic. I'm just not proficient with some elements."
"I see, I see... does it have something to do with your mongrel side?"
This time, I could feel his hostility like lightning.
But before he could react, it was Lurya who responded, her voice sounding harsh and impatient.
"Mr. Duncan, I ask that you show a little more respect to my bodyguard—"
Then I summoned my dagger and in a matter of seconds, drew Lut'hner's sword. My dagger grazed Lurya's neck, while the sword hovered inches from Lut'hner's head.
Her golden eyes widened, and for a moment, Lurya's unshakeable calm wavered.
The mongrel froze with a trembling hand on the hilt of the sword that was no longer there.
Silence hung heavy between us, only the rain audible.
My voice came out low, slow, cold.
"Let's make things very clear here."
I felt Lurya's rapid pulse beneath the blade, a small trickle of blood running down her neck. Lut'hner wasn't even breathing.
"I don't follow your orders." Raindrops splattered my forehead, running down my face. "I don't need you, you need me."
I moved closer to her face, my warm cigarette breath against her skin, my eyes glowing crimson.
"We're not friends. Not even colleagues."
My dagger pressed a little harder.
"You came to me. You need my help with something about your mother... your grandmother, or whatever the hell it is. So do what I'm telling you and DON'T FUCKING PISS ME OFF."
I lowered the blade slowly, but not before glancing at Lut'hner.
"Or I'll kill your mongrel and shove his guts down your throat."
Her expression, previously just surprised, now held something between irritation and a fear she was trying to hide.
Lurya opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated, then closed it.
She took a deep breath and stared back at me.
"Okay, understood. Can you let me go now?"
So I absorbed the dagger and threw the sword to Lut'hner, who caught it but did not sheathe it.
The headache intensified, throbbing behind my eyes.
I took some gold coins from inside my cloak and tossed them to Lut'hner.
"Go to Don's stable, get three standardbreds, and tell him Duncan asked for the camping kit and a map."
He took the coins as if they were dead rats and narrowed his eyes.
"Where are you going?"
I lit a cigarette, drawing on the smoke to relieve my headache a little.
"To buy cigarettes. Trust me, you don't want me to run out."
And I left, leaving the two elves standing in the rain.
The rain had slowed even more, turning into a light drizzle, but it was still cold.
Not matter to me, though, as my body didn't react to temperature changes.
My boots squelched in the puddles along the way, and each step echoed through the deserted streets.
At this hour, the commercial area of the city was asleep, except for a few lit windows. And one of them was the Emporium Munchadise.
You could find anything in this place, if you had enough money to buy it.
It was an extremely eccentric store, with a huge sign outside. Two lamps on either side and double doors.
I opened the door, and the bell above jingled.
The pungent scent of tar hit me like a punch in the stomach.
How delightful.