A Father's Last Gift

"You performed quite admirably, Aran. I didn't expect it of you, I'm impressed. As are all of these people, I'm sure. You have a wonderful voice. I'd consider hiring you out for noble parties, but I believe you're far more valuable to me as a bodyguard. Someone has to keep me in check."

Aran would have beamed with pride, but he took a drink from his ale while he sat down instead. "I did my best, Lady Chloe. It would have been shameful to do poorly, and dishonor you." He was her servant, after all. As property, he had been taught that anything he did wrong would be a wrong against a master. That usually resulted in punishment of some sort, none of which he was very found of receiving. "If you wish to hire me out for parties, that is your right, of course. Though if it please you, it would be better to keep me close, as you say. Things would go. . . badly for me, if you were to be harmed while I was away."

He nearly grimaced, thinking about how poorly 'badly' described what would happen to him if she died before him after the bonding. He was fairly certain he hadn't said anything about it yet, and he cursed himself for letting as much slip as he already had. No doubt she would figure out there was more to everything, and go about drilling him with questions like she had upstairs.

Then again, that might have just been small talk, but he doubted it. Servants already weren't supposed to talk to their masters unless necessary, or ordered. Actually talking to them as equals could even be punishable by death in extreme cases, if the master saw fit. Of course, Chloe could just order him to fall on his blade at any point, and he'd have to obey. He could only hope her kindness was not a facade to hide her cruelty.

Absently, as he took another drink of ale, quenching his thirst, he wondered how much Chloe had drank in the hours since he had begun playing. He himself was starting to feel lightheaded, having finished two ales himself during the performance, though it would take much more to actually get him drunk. He held his alcohol well.

There were eyes on him, from all over the inn, and he could feel them boring into him, trying to root out his secrets. It made him uncomfortable, especially with his present company. He'd been taught that anyone that stared at you, wanted something from you, and anyone that stared at your master, meant them harm. It was unlikely that someone in the tavern held Chloe any ill will, but the inkling would remain there in the back of his mind. The servant who dropped his guard would quickly wind up dead, or so he had been told. He wasn't going to risk it in any case.

"The hour grows late, lady Chloe, and I don't think the Innkeeper will require any more performance for our stay. If we wish to reach Mournoth by tomorrow night, it may be best to retire now, and wake early in the morning. Unless there is something else you wish before the night is over?" It was possible she wanted more drink first, or to discuss their travel plans with more depth. It was also possible that she would wish for him to continue performing until she was ready to sleep, or even go exploring the city in the night. There were any number of things she could desire, and he was not allowed to assume that his advice would be followed. Aran knew that he would like sleep himself, knowing that he would wake early as always, to complete chores and practice his sword.

"You're right. Good advice on taking our leave, long few weeks ahead of us and we don't want to go making it longer. We'll need to rise early to visit the leatherworker, too. I have no idea how long the Guard Captain wishes to keep us, either."

"As you say, lady Chloe." Aran nodded, finishing the rest of his ale in one swig. It left a slightly sour aftertaste in his mouth, but it was not too unpleasant. As Chloe stood, he could tell that she was definitely drunk now, and wondered if he would need to heal her of a headache in the morning.

"Would you mind helping me upstairs then?"

"As you wish Lady Chloe." Aran took her arm as she offered it to him, bowing slightly, and helped her to the stairs. There were a few guarded looks from the people in the Inn, who had begun to trickle away themselves once the performance was over, but Aran ignored them easily. Unlocking the door for her, he helped her inside, and nearly lost his footing when she inclined her head to him.

Had he been any more drunk, color would've flushed his cheeks and he would've lost his cool. He bowed deeply to her, hoping he had imagined it and her head inclining to him in respect. He wasn't sure if she was trying to insult him, or simply being kind, but either one would've earned him a lashing from any of the an'Kin. Short of dropping to his knees and flattening himself against the floor, there was no redemption, and he could only fear the worst if he did something like that and Chloe turned out to only be drunk.

"Thank you for the help, Aran. I'll be off to sleep then, it's been a truly eventful day hasn't it? Meeting the person you'll spend the rest of your life with. Almost like marriage, really."

Aran considered falling on his own blade then and there, whether she was drunk or not. This was definitely some kind of test, no doubt orchestrated by Malintus. He had been warned about this kind of thing by other servants, who had said the wrong thing and been lashed for days. "As you say lady Chloe." When she didn't turn to strike him, he held in a sigh of relief, hoping she did not decide to punish him.

"Okay! So, I'll see you in the morning. Feel free to wake me up at whenever you deem suitable, if I'm not already up by then. If I need some assistance in, whatever, I'll bang on the wall. Or knock on your door. Whatever is most convenient at the time." she began to shut the door, and Aran bowed as she added: "Good night, Aran. Mara guide your dreams."

"You as well, my lady."

He leaned against the doorframe, letting his stone face break when the door was closed and she was out of sight. After catching his breath, he went to his own room, rubbing his arms impulsively and fearing for his flesh. She was definitely up to something, and he did not like where it was going. He threw his clothes in a pile, knowing he would wake in time to have them cleaned and dried before they departed. Things had started off well, but they seemed to be taking a turn for the worst. He was going to have to figure out if she had a whip somewhere or not. He only hoped she didn't.

Aran had woken early in the morning, as the sun had just begun to rise in the sky. The morning light had filtered into his room through the blinds, and he had pulled himself from bed, throwing on his proper servant attire. His first order of business was taking his clothes downstairs, and he was pleased to see that he was not the only one awake. Leaving his clothes with one of the maids, he then took the extra meat he carried to be cooked and salted.

With that finished, he went outside and practiced his sword in the rising sun for thirty minutes, while the stableboy that had been absent yesterday watched. Once he had finished, he returned upstairs, washing himself before heading back down stairs. His own clothes were still drying, but the meat had been seared, So he took it back up and packed it away in his saddlebags. With that finished, he fished two sugar cubes and a horses brush out of his pack.

As Chloe exited the building, he was grooming her mare with the brush, having already taken care of Strider. Her horse had been unsteady with him at first, until he gave it the sugar cube. Horsemanship was one of the things he considered himself truly skilled in, and he took pride in keeping his horse cared for. It was important he remember it was Chloe's horse now, though he hoped she never took Strider from him.

He had already ordered them food cooked, expecting to wake her when he finished with her horse, but hearing someone exit the tavern, he saw her over his shoulder, and turned to bow. "Good morning lady Chloe. Did you sleep well? If you have any aches from your drink, I can heal them away, if it please you. Breakfast is being prepared at the moment, if you are hungry my lady."

"Okay. . . Breakfast. I'm fine as well, I didn't drink enough to affect me anymore than a good breakfast can deal with."

Aran nodded, then proceeded brushing her horse. He assumed she was ready to get moving, having spoken of her impatience for adventure, but there were always things to consider. As servants were expected to do everything else, ensuring their masters livelihood wasn't even high on the list. His morning routine was just a normal part of life for him.

He thought back to her - what he saw it as - strange behavior last night, and still hoped she wasn't going to punish him for anything. When she came around the side of the horse and began patting Avril, he almost frowned at her when she seemed to begin trying to make small talk with him again. What on earth was she up to? He continued brushing the horse, wondering if she was trying to justify some sort of revenge for the charm spells yesterday.

"Looks like a good morning today, should be a good day's riding when we set off. Rain later, hopefully not before we reach Mournmoth."

Aran looked at the sky, and found himself puzzeled. Rain? I don't even see clouds. He wondered if Chloe could somehow predict the weather, or knew something he did not. Was it possible the an'Kin had not taught him such a skill? He knew enough what clouds meant a thunderstorm, or snow, and if the weather would bring fog, but he hadn't learned anything about predicting rain before there were any clouds. He hoped it wasn't part of some test.

Regardless of her intentions, he was done combing the horse, and Chloe motioned him to the door. "Breakfast, then? Would you mind getting it, and a drink of milk too, please."

"I live to serve, Chloe." He bowed, then held the backdoor of the Inn open for her before heading into the kitchen and retrieving the food. No sooner had he entered the kitchen and asked for the food then the cook had him scurrying away, saying she wasn't going to let some 'Knight who thinks he knows everything' do his job for her. He grumbled to himself, and went to sit with Chloe, after telling the cook what his lady wanted to drink.

He hadn't even reached his chair when the serving maid came out balancing the tray on one hand, and began setting the food out on the table. It was a simple meal, as common for breakfast as any other, cooked bacon with fried bread that had been cooked with some wine. As always, he waited for Chloe to start eating before taking a bite himself.

Aran inclined his head respectfully when Chloe thanked him, and bit into a strip of bacon when she began eating her own food. Aran was quite hungry himself, and washed down some of the bread with the wine the maid had brought him. He ate quickly, ensuring not to forgo his manners while he devoured his food. Having already been up for two hours, he was quite famished. The food did not last long however, and he was soon finished, savoring the last piece of the bacon.

"That was tasty, not quite smoked salmon on egg-bread, but gorgeous all the same."

Aran nodded, adding smoked salmon on egg-bread to the list of food Chloe liked. He didn't expect he would always need to cook for her, but until she hired a proper cook, it would just be up to Aran and whatever inns they stayed at to cook. He finished the rest of his wine, waiting while Chloe sipped on her milk.

"So remind me how we're going about today's agenda?"

"However you desire, Lady Chloe. I would recommend getting your belt first, if it please you, and then visiting the guard on our way out of Wayrest. If it please you, I can go don my armor, and we can go acquire your belt."

With her assent, he bowed politely and headed back upstairs to his room to don his armor. It probably wasn't necessary to walk around the city armed, but the servant who took chances was the servant who's master did not live very long.

---

Aran had barely made it up the steps when five guardsmen entered the Slumbering Dragon, one with a sash around him to indicate rank. The four other guardsmen waited by the door while their sergeant headed into the kitchen. He was back out in a moment with a serving girl, who pointed at Chloe after looking around the inn. The man gave the girl a pat and she scurried off back to the kitchen. The sergeant walked through the tables with a swagger, bowing with a flourish when he reached Chloe's table.

"Good morrow, Lady Labelle. I am Sergeant Bedastyr. My men and I have been sent to escort you and your bodyguard to Speak with Captain Uthore." It was clear by the way he spoke, that by 'escort' he meant 'bring her whether or not she wanted to,' and by 'speak' he meant 'question.' Either way, the four men by the door said he didn't intend to give her much choice in the matter. Even so, Bedastyr made no move to be impolite in the matter.

Aran came down the steps fully clad, his helmet under his left arm and Chloe's old sword belt in his right hand. A quick look around showed she had already went outside. He glanced at the Breton from upstairs yesterday slip out the back to the stables, but Aran brushed it away as nothing. He was bound to see other people he was sharing the inn with, and just because he didn't like the look of someone didn't mean they were up to anything.

He stepped out the front of the Inn, and stopped himself from raising an eyebrow at the people accompanying Chloe. He hadn't expected the guards to return after the innkeepers warning last night. Especially not so early, and especially not when word had no doubt been sent to every gate. Aran and Chloe wouldn't be leaving the walls of Wayrest without the guards knowing, yet here they were. He gave the sergeant a cold stare, and the man simply inclined his head in response. Not easily intimidated then. . .

He handed Chloe her sword and belt, before slipping his helmet over his head and standing at the ready by Chloe's side. Bedastyr smiled at the two, then motioned towards the road with the hand not resting on his arm. "Shall we proceed then?" The Sergeant didn't seem interested in waiting for an answer, and began walking down the road. Aran followed close to Chloe, uncomfortable with the guards flanking them on every side.

The streets were just coming to life at the early hour, with traders opening their stalls, women beating out the rugs, and the smell of freshly cooked meat and bread beginning to permeate the air. People quickly moved out of the way of the guardsmen, wanting nothing to do with whatever trouble they thought the unfortunate souls in the middle had gotten themselves into.

As they continued their walk, Aran watched as the buildings increased in size and complexity, definitely changing from simple peasant residences to those of rich traders and nobles. Over the rooftops, he could see the Wayrest Keep looming in the sky, and he wondered what it must be like to live in those tall towers.

They had been walking for at least fifteen minutes when the sergeant finally tried starting some small talk, though as far as Aran was concerned the man might as well have started the questioning already.

"So. . . Lady Labelle, I do hope you can provide some further illumination on this body you found. Your manservant's details were lacking I'm afraid, and we were unable to locate the body."

Aran found that peculiar indeed. Even if someone had come along and taken what was left of the fallen man's equipment, there was no reason for them to take the body as well. It was unlikely that an animal had dragged it off either, but he supposed it was possible. As for his details, he would not have said they were lacking at all, unless the guard was insinuating they had something to do with the man's murder.

The group circled around a fountain, well over halfway to the barracks, with high roofs rising on either side of them once they were past the square. head of them a horse drawn carriage was heading up the cobbled slope to the keep as well, with a number of servants walking up and down the street. Things were busier he, and he found himself looking over all the people coming towards them, and walking away. It was never a poor choice to be careful. His only problem was, Aran didn't think to look up.

His eyes widened in surprise as a wall of fire rose up in front of them, cutting off the entire street ahead of them. For a split moment, everyone seemed to stop and process what happened, and then there were screams. A second wall of fire rose behind them at the entrance to the street, and Aran glance over his shoulder, drawing his blade and pulling his shield from his back. He could not see the mages, but he silently wished he had brought his longbow to bear instead of only his shield.

The guards were drawing their weapons as well, and the sergeant muttered something incomprehensible with a scowl on his face, but the guard to Aran and Chloe's left never got his blade out. Aran turned as the man began gurgling and clutching at his neck, and soon blood was running down the front of the guardsman's armor, an arrow protruding from the space between his helmet and cuirass.

A look up showed four archers atop the roofs, and Aran barely got his shield up in time to block an arrow he thought might have been meant for Chloe. Another of the guardsmen took an arrow through the knee, and a running civilian took one in the side that might have been meant for the sergeant.

The Sergeant raised his own shield over his head, while Aran inched closely to Chloe, to keep both of them protected by his shield.

"AMBUSH!" Bedastyr cried, and from somewhere beyond the walls of flame, a horn could be heard blowing, before it was answered in several other spaces. A fireball shot out of the wall of fire in front, crashing against the ground in front of the Sergeant, while civilians ran and smoke began to fill the streets. Aran could barely believe what was happening, and this was definitely the worst case of 'wrong place; wrong time' he had ever found himself in.

Aran largely felt helpless in the fight without his bow, but he and the two remaining guardsmen huddled around Chloe, shields raised and doing their best to keep her protected while she returned fire on the assailants. Another fireball streaked from the wall of fire, as one of the archers fell to Chloe's spells, exploding against Aran's shield, while another from the opposite direction was deflected by Chloe's shield.

The Sergeant did not seem to be holding up very well, and began shouting over the din at Chloe as she unleashed a fireball at the rooftops. "Are you mad!? You'll burn the whole block down!!!"

Aran shook his head in frustration as another arrow glanced off his shield. The fire from the attack was already spreading, and her own spells weren't going to make things that much worse. Silently, Aran wondered who the Sergeant had offended to gather such an attempt on his life. Surely the rest of them had never angered someone so greatly. He'd make a point of ensuring Lady Chloe tell him of any enemies she might have made after this was over.

He was relieved when the archers retreated from the rooftops, but his relief was short lived. The carriage that had been up the street came barreling down the road, completely ablaze, careening from side to side. It nearly reached them, serving to the left and crashing into a building, sending flaming wood scattering across the shield wall. Aran thought the flaming building might e leaning, and as another fireball exploded against his shield, he recognized just how dangerous their position was.

Smoke was filling the street, and Aran could smell it in the air, feel it permeating his clothes and settling in his lungs. It was making things hard to breathe, and with fire cutting them off from both sides of the street, they didn't have much choice.

"We need to move! Get off the street and out of the fire!"

The guardsmen were well trained, and began moving for the building opposite the one that had begun leaning, and Aran hurried Chloe towards the door as he heard the sound of wood cracking. The building across the street came down in a crash, burying the area they had been in before heading inside. There was no going back now, but the broken timber had crashed into the story above them, and Aran could feel the heat of the flames as the roof began burning.

The Sergeant was waiting by a door at the back of the room, ushering them towards a smoke filled alley way with his shield. " Quickly! This way!"