"You!" The innkeeper said, dropping her backpack, cloaked and hooded. "Weary traveler, how have you been?"
She threw her arms around him, trying to hide her tears.
Thin as rail, she held him tight, face with a wide bright smile. She gave Al a hug as well, then teased them for a bit.
"How romantic! Have you all taken the vows before Norvir?"
He rolled his eyes, and Al sighed, smelling herself.
Red as a rose, the innkeeper waved her hands. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was just about to head out for the night, but, I'll get a room ready for the two of you, er, separate rooms? Or…?"
Dany shoved a pouch of gold into the lass' hand. The wee re-haired angel hurried away to ready a master bedroom, fumbling around a pile of sheets.
"Thank you," Al said, a hand on Dany's shoulder. "One night's rest might not be enough."
Dany nodded. "Take your time. I'm on the first floor during the day and patrol the northern side of town at dusk. I drink usually an hour or two before dawn, depending on the night."
The innkeeper led them upstairs, to the third floor, where only three rooms awaited behind double black wood polished doors.
They opened the one farthest from the staircase.
Inside was a massive bed, oak oiled posts on all sides, with silk sheets and bear fur covers. Beside the bed were nightstands with bottles of wine and rum, a fireplace was nearest the window, and another door led to the bathroom. The latter, he and Al peeking inside, had a large marble carved tub, filled with hot water.
"Good night weary travelers," the innkeeper said, bowing. "It's good to have you back."
"Be careful," he said, a light gust rattling windows. "Anything appears from the shadows, ya' let the watch know."
The innkeeper nodded. "Lady Dannielle is a master vampyre slayer! She and her brother in arms are among the best in the kingdom."
"Aye," he said, making his way to the fire with Al. "So they are."
Alone, they passed out before the fire, stripping off their top wear.
She woke him an hour or so after midnight, and helped him to the bathroom. They bathed together, washing off what felt to be ages worth dirt and grime. He was never one to care for being clean, but it was something he could get used to.
Rum was next, and he drank himself to sleep, numb to his shield arm's pain until he rolled atop it.
In the morning his forearm bone was intact.
No pain, throbs, nor aching muscles, and he exchanged a quick grin with Al. They rode one another until noon, Al laughing to cover up her moans. Atop his chest, she circled his hairs with a finger, believing the past three years to be a nightmare.
"Feels like I've just woken up," she whispered, stretching her legs.
"Wish I could say the same," he said, flexing his forearm.
"We'll find Nathan," Al said, sliding up to him, "we'll get Arthur and Dany, and William, then we'll make that bitch wish she'd put us in chains instead"
He kissed her soft lips.
What in either lifetime he did to deserve finding her he'd never know. Based on what little he knew, it very well wasn't anything at all, and he'd just gotten lucky.
In heavy dark robes, wearing clean trousers and shirts provided by the inn, they made their way downstairs.
It was almost empty, a few soldiers enjoying an afternoon ale after patrol.
"Good day weary traveler!" The innkeeper greeted them, bowing behind her desk.
They sat close to the bar, and a half hour later ate like royalty.
Roasted chicken, duck, and ribs doused in garlic. Fresh baked bread lathered in honey and cinnamon, steaming sweet peppers, crispy seasoned bacon, fluffy buttery potatoes, and endless rounds of ale. A chocolate cake was brought out when they were finished, and though he didn't care for sweets, he took a few bites for Al's sake.
It couldn't have been much longer until dusk, as there was a rush of citizens outside, a few bells ringing on the far sides of town.
Dany made her way to the bar, ignoring them until chugging one pint down.
The once little dove, now a greatsword wielding demon slayer, joined them as the sky turned red.
"Drinking before a patrol?" Al asked, concerningly.
He slapped his belly. "Only way to do it!"
While he and Dany shared a small laugh, Al rolled her eyes.
"So," Dany said, holding in a belch, "you two are in love?"
Al grew a slight blush, and he shrugged.
Dany shook her head, waving for another round. "Sorry. Not nearly as good at socializing as staking a Marryvian scout."
"That all that's out here? Scouts?"
She nodded. "After escaping Eldreth, Quarrath sent as many to hunt us down as she could. Many of them were starving, losing a great deal of supply by William's blessings, and we narrowly got back to the mainlands even with help from a couple of adventurers from the Elstone guild."
"Stones?" He wondered. "Micheal and Victoria?"
Dany nodded. "You know them?"
"Aye. We rejoined their slain allies, Peter a wild lad, and Eris, a warrior through and through."
Al asked, "Where is Arthur? Is he with Nathan and William?"
Dany shook her head. "We rotate, every season, between here and Marryvia."
While running a hand along her scabbard, light shined from within it.
"William blessed our weapons, and even a hundred leagues of vampyres stand no chance against one of us. At least the lesser minions."
"Aye," he said, lowering his voice. "What of the First Sword herself?"
After finishing another ale in one go, Dany muttered, "She was weakened last we saw..."
He and Al's eyes lit up.
"…But," Dany went one, "That was years ago. Rumor has it she's stronger than ever, but doesn't want to disturb the other children."
He leaned closer to her. "The children of the gods?"
"Yeah," Dany said, waving for another round. "The war rages on, and it's likely to never stop. Every kingdom's reinforced themselves again and again, and vampyres stalk the fields looking for livestock. Quarrath, is one of five, the demigods in each kingdom. Their laws are not to interfere with feeble mortals, under penalty of divine excommunication."
Al looked at him.
He couldn't hide it, the bumps along his arms. A small grin on his face, the thought of so much more awaiting; five gods, and the champions between them. Given his last memory, he didn't care for finding out much about himself, as he'd lived a mostly dull sad life as was.
There was real glory to be held.
"One thing at a time," Al said, ruffling his arm, a nervous look. "Dany, where did you learn all this?"
Dany shrugged. "William and Larosa did a lot of reading when we arrived at the capital. They were searching for any weaknesses, anything that could be used to fend of Marryvia and their Lady of the First Sword. She was one of nine, the best swordsman among the demigods, and there are only two remaining in the world."
"Where's the other?" He asked.
Dany shook her head. "No one knows. No records, just a list of who they were. I could take you to the Archives of you'd like."
"Don't worry about it," he said quickly, avoiding his illiterate status.
Al gave him a puzzled look, then suggested they get another night's rest.
Dany looked sad, staring into her mug. Al put a hand on her shoulder, promising they'd make for Eldreth within a week's time.
"We need to reforge our weapons," Al explained, holding Dany tight, "and, we need time. I can't…I can't describe it to you all now."
"Neither can I," Dany said, hugging her back. "I'll be waiting."
He looked in her eyes.
Whatever hell she'd been through brought out a Dany he couldn't have imagined years ago. Bells rang, doors slammed shut, and there was a flicker of darkness within the town lights.
"Dany," he said, leaning close to her, "how's Nathan? You've done good enough trying to spare me."
She gave off the same blank stare as the day before. Yet there was a small shiver, and her sword hand was a tight balled fist.
"He's been…consumed by the Burning Lands," she said, clearing her throat. "You might not recognize him…"
He took a long chug of ale. "Very well. We'll see to it he recognizes me, and I'll help him win his wars, before or after we rip open Isaac Pyr."
She rubbed her sword hand, turning away from him.
He embraced her, promising they'd not leave them again.
She nodded, wiping her eyes. After placing a handful of coins on the table she made her way outside, greatsword drawn.
With Al, he watched as the door to the inn shut, wondering what the night's greatest defender had been through…