Chapter 15: Talentless - Chapter 15

Rayden was quite pleased when Quill sat next to him, sandwiching him between her and Boh. The redheaded noble was wearing a green chemise that stylishly fell down her legs into a flared skirt. She had accessorized with a set of black boots and a white necklace made of something shiny and probably expensive. He would have called it overdressed for a tavern like this, but—she was stunning.

“Hi Quill, you look great.”

“Evening, Rayden,” she smiled. “You look acceptable.”

Jim sat on the other side of Boh, wearing his trademark hat and a frilly black tunic, then Ivy settled next to Quill, dressed in a loose set of tan leather armor. For once, she wasn’t wearing her gauntlets, a detail that Boh couldn’t help but point out.

“I was beginning to think you were hiding claws under there,” he grunted, already a little bleary-eyed. “Guess you are human after all, just a big ‘ol one.”

Ivy crooked an eyebrow, but let the comment roll off her.

“Is that right, little dwarf?”

“Psh, I’m four feet tall and five inches, Ivy. Tallest dwarf in the entire Boot.”

Rayden noted that the Boot was an isolated peninsula surrounded by the Feral Lands and had an extremely small dwarf population, but chose to keep that to himself.

“You have the presence of a man three times as tall, Boh,” Jim broke in.

“You're damn right, Jim.”

They shared a laugh, then Rayden waited patiently as everyone finished their greetings and ordered food and drink before steering the conversation, “So, have you guys ever heard of anyone being able to appear inside someone else’s Refuge?”

Quill and Boh looked surprised, but Jim and Ivy both failed to hide their recognition.

“Yes, I have,” Ivy admitted, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. “High tiers can do it. Sort of like Siphoning, or Sight Reading, but it's even harder.”

“I see…” Rayden said, letting a moment of silence hang in the air. “Well, that’s what the Mother did, somehow. When you all saw me passed out on the grass after the dungeon, I was talking to her in my Refuge.”

Jim’s bushy eyebrows waggled with interest as he took a swig of ale.

“Rayden…you should understand that when Ivy says ‘high tier’, she means someone significantly more powerful than a Knight, in this case. Whoever this Mother character is, she must be a force to be reckoned with. It’s strange that we’ve never heard of such a woman,” he frowned.

“I was beginning to suspect as much, but I appreciate the context, Jim,” Rayden said, staring into his drink for a moment before cocking his head at the rogue. “But can I ask how the fuck you would know that in detail, my supposed Rim dwelling friend?”

“Yeah, Jim, how the fuck did you know that?” Boh sloppily echoed.

Jim’s serious expression evaporated into a wry grin. It seemed there was nothing the man loved more than attention, even when it was aimed at getting him to spill his secrets. Rayden didn’t want to make him too uncomfortable, but he felt he had earned enough trust to pry a little.

“I tell you what, my beloved brethren. Since we’ve shed blood together, I feel like I can let you in on a little secret, just this once,” he said with a wink. “Believe it or not…”

He paused for effect, ever the showman.

“My name is not Jim!”

Rayden chuckled, then slowly shook his head in disappointment. Quill rolled her eyes. Boh laughed into his drink. Ivy didn’t even blink.

“I'm sorry, Rayden,” the elf said with a dip of his head. “I know my little fib hurt you the most. I hope you’ll still see me as your brother-in-arms.”

“We are brothers now, Jimbo,” Boh said with drunken cheer. “You and me, dwarf and elf, whether your name is Jim or Big-Hat Fancypants.”

Appearing genuinely touched, Jim pulled out his sword and touched the blade to his shoulder as if he were being knighted by his dwarf comrade.

“The next elf that disparages a dwarf will meet my sword,” he said valiantly. “For tonight, Boh, we share our first drink as brothers.”

t

“Haha, now you’re talking!”

Boh and Jim clinked their glasses together, then gulped down a big swill each. Centuries of bitter racism between their people had suddenly been erased by a mutual love of inscrutable whimsy. It was a bond between provocateurs.

“So what is your name, Jim?” Rayden eventually asked, a little exasperated.

The elf gave him side-eye, with one eyebrow raised as if truly confused by the question.

“Hmmm. Good question. I hope to find out someday, truly, but for now, just Jim will suffice.”

“Dwarves and elves are so annoying,” Quill groaned.

“Indeed,” Ivy agreed. “Unserious creatures.”

Determined not to engage with Jim ever again, Rayden took a bite out of his food and sighed. After double-checking that the other patrons weren’t listening in, he decided to reveal the decision he’d made earlier, during his Refuge reflection.

“Like we discussed earlier, my patron said that the changes in mana density are not going to go away,” he said carefully. “I doubt Penrith is going to be the epicenter of what comes next, but it's the only place I know the phenomenon is happening for sure, and I like its people…so I’m going to stay here.”

“Me too,” Boh and Quil said at the same time, before giving each other a perplexed look.

One had declared their intent with a slight slur, while the other sounded more like a ruler proclaiming their noble duty, but both had spoken with determination.

Rayden was genuinely surprised. He felt they were good people at this point, but he didn’t expect them to feel the same sense of personal responsibility.

“That’s fantastic, but may I ask why?”

Boh kicked back another drink, then began to grumble as he wiped flecks of beer off his stringy red beard.

“The kid who lost his lady, the one playing at being a smith. ‘Was going to stay for at least a few months, teach him enough so that he doesn’t embarrass himself.”

“You’re capable of such goodness?” Quill asked, her mouth agape.

She looked like she’d just heard a dog tell its owner that it wanted to start contributing around the house.

“Yup,” Boh sighed. “I left my home to get away from things, but also to do some good, believe it or not. Helping out yesterday, it felt right. I can make weapons, and I’m a decent builder as well. Ivy said the bandits were working for the bastard baron, so I want to get this place on its feet before it's too late.”

Quill rubbed her eyes, then quietly took a bite of her food. It appeared she had much to consider.

“You’re a good man, Boh. I’ll be glad to have you around,” Rayden grinned.

“Aww, shut up.”

“How about you, Quill?” Rayden asked, trying not to laugh as she continued to squint at the suddenly multifaceted dwarf beside him. “No offense, but I figured you’d have somewhere you need to get back to.”

Of course, he was overjoyed that the beautiful woman was going to stay in Penrith, but he worried she was avoiding whatever responsibilities she had back home. He didn’t want their fancy to be a source of stress.

“I will need to send a message back home eventually, but I’m fine for now,” Quill said with a shrug.

She hesitated for a moment, wincing at some intrusive thought, then brushed off whatever she’d recalled with a wave of her hand.

“My mother will be angry, but Dad will handle it. For now, I want to help the town and look into whatever your mysterious benefactor is doing to the area. Who knows, the storm brewing here could be more important than anything going on in court.”

She puffed out her chest a little before continuing.

“And while I’m sure the mayor and chamberlain are doing their best, I have a feeling they could use a capable administrator for the trouble ahead. I’m more than qualified to assist. Plus, we have easy access to some of the least hunted Feral Lands in the kingdom out here,” she grinned. “I plan to take full advantage.”

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“Excellent,” Rayden nodded, trying not to laugh as Boh made a show beside him of mocking her haughty tone.

He found it endearing how Quill just couldn’t help but exude authority at times.

“But, just to be clear, you’re really OK with opposing your fellow nobles?” Rayden double checked, having to be sure.

Quill shrugged, looking completely unbothered.

“Sure, it's just a baron for now.”

Rayden met Boh’s tipsy gaze, the two of them tilting their heads in interest.

“And what are your plans, Rayden, my friend?” Jim asked, interrupted.

He took a quick drink, acknowledging the question with a nod. His reasons were similar to the others: to help the town develop, to protect it, and to take advantage of the Feral Lands surrounding it.

However, there was something bigger, something more personal and symbolic. Penrith was a way for Rayden to avenge his mother’s legacy in Arvus–and start building his own. He didn’t want to share all of that so soon, but his new companions deserved at least an inkling of where his ambitions lay.

“I’m staying because it feels like the right thing to do,” he eventually answered. “Even if it's not my fault, this town is eventually going to be under threat because of the woman whose blessing I took. I want to turn Penrith into a place that can withstand what’s coming, and do it right under the barony’s nose. I’m going to get stronger and richer, then make sure the town does the same.”

He swiveled his head, looking both Boh and Quill in the eyes.

“And I would be very happy to continue working with both of you to make that happen.”

Quill nodded, offering him a resolute smile.

“I'm in. Otherwise, the nobles are going to eat you alive.”

“Same here, got some experience with the guilds myself,” Boh announced, wobbling his head.

“Excellent,” Rayden grinned. “Let’s turn this town into something to be proud of.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Boh nearly yelled, offering Rayden his glass.

“You’ll drink to anything, you little rascal,” Jim laughed.

When the dwarf winced in response, the black haired man faltered for a moment.

“And I will along with you,” he recovered, patting the dwarf on the back. “No race is free from the prison of alcohol, ho!”

Ignoring the stooges, Rayden gave Quill a look, pleased to have an excuse to keep her close. She smiled back, then continued to look him in the eyes as she downed a half glass of ale, clinked the glass on the table, then flagged down the barkeep for another.

“I think we make a good team, Rayden,” she said after another drink. “I’m glad you’re staying. I’ll even tolerate the dwarf in the meantime.”

“Nobody’s got higher tolerance than Boh,” Boh slurred.

“I’m happy too. I’ve been enjoying your company, Quill,” Rayden replied coyly. “We’ll let the mayor know our plans tomorrow. He was eager to reward us, so hopefully, residency is on the table.”

“It will be,” she said, matter-of-factly.

Rayden couldn’t argue with that, so he turned to Jim and Ivy, assuming from their silence that they wouldn’t be joining up.

“And where are you guys headed?”

“I need to get some things,” Ivy said, not seeming happy about it. “I plan to leave tomorrow. It may take me a few months, but I’ll be back.”

“You’ll be back?”

“Yes,” she replied as if it were obvious. “I told you, these are my people now, and so are all of you.”

He waited for her to expound further, but was left hanging. He peeked at Quill and Boh, who were each doing their own impression of Ivy’s stoic expression. The woman was an enigma, but she had backed him up at every turn so far, so why press the issue? She was strong, her Talent was invaluable, and she wanted to be in Penrith.

“Ok,” he said with a shrug. “We’ll await your return.”

“Yes.”

Rayden turned to Jim, bracing for whatever fanciful bullshit the swordsman had ready.

“I assume you’re off on some noble quest, Jim?”

“Oh, how I wish that were the case,” he said, stars in his eyes. “Regretably, I must return to my family posthaste, though I’d much rather break bread and make merry with you scallywags. Unfortunately, the worst possible thing for all of us would be if I stayed too long and my family came to get me. You’d all die, haha!”

He took a long drink, then politely wiped his mouth before adding, “Hopefully I can return as well.”

“Psh. Leaving just when I was beginning to like you, elf,” Boh grumbled.

“So sorry, my diminutive dipsomaniac,” Jim said with contrition.

“What did you just call me?”

“It means you're very wise,” Quill lied shamelessly. “As in maniacally smart, it’s high praise in elf culture, I’ve heard as much at court.”

“Oh…thank you, Jim.”

“Of course, Boh,” Jim intoned while winking at Quill.

Rayden waited patiently for their banter to come to a close, then leaned forward to get Jim’s attention.

“You really want to come back?”

“I do,” the eccentric man said. “I’ve been having the time of my life with you all. Believe it or not, I don’t normally get out much.”

Rayden almost laughed, but there was a flicker of something serious, maybe even sorrowful, in Jim’s eyes.

“I see. Well, I hope you can make it. I might not fully understand you, Jim, but after yesterday, I’m pleased to call you a friend.”

“Thank you, and likewise,” he replied, tilting the brim of his hat down to diminish what Rayden suspected was a rare, sincere smile.

“I appreciate you, too, Ivy,” Rayden said, turning to the group. “I can’t thank you enough. All of you have helped me change my life, and saved the people of the town I’m going to call home for the next few months. I sincerely hope we can get together as a quintet again, but even if we don't, I’ll never forget these past few days. Cheers.”

He raised his glass with a giddy grin on his face, meaning every grateful word.

“To the five Penrith freaks!” Boh declared.

“To the sage, dipsomaniac dwarf,” Jim cheered.

“To good deeds and new friends,” Quill added.

“To the future of Penrith,” Ivy joined in.

With business settled, they continued bonding for another hour, eating, drinking, laughing, and telling exaggerated stories of their travels. Rayden decided not to bring up their identities or Talents despite his budding curiosity, as he’d have plenty of time to get to know Quill and Boh, and the others didn’t seem ready to reveal themselves yet.

He was content to have a good night together before they parted ways.

By the time midnight approached, most of the other patrons had cleared out of the tavern, but Cass and Darron seemed fine with letting their new heroes continue to get drunk as late as they wanted. They were probably going to make more money off his comrades' tab than they’d earned in a long time.

Jim, Boh, and Quill in particular were approaching stupor levels of intoxication. Well, with Jim, it was hard to tell what was a game and what was real, but he had certainly had more than a few drinks. Ivy was predictably measured in her consumption, while Rayden had stopped after getting tipsy enough to have fun.

He’d always been a lightweight, probably because of his mother’s influence. She’d looked down on men who lost themselves in drink. Rayden was more sympathetic, but he knew the danger of drowning his sorrows.

Grief never died; you either learned to live alongside it or were dragged down with it.

Boh—who was not a lightweight in any sense—had started drinking before any of them, and had never stopped. The tank of a dwarf eventually challenged Quill to a poorly judged chugging contest, which had ended with the two of them giggling and slurring. As far as he knew, they had forgotten to declare a winner.

The mage, in all her drunk beauty, was currently waving at him while exaggeratedly waggling her eyebrows.

“Hey, Quill,” he said through a laugh.

“I think I had a lotttt,” she garbled, pointing at her empty glass.

She proceeded to point at the comatose dwarf beside him, adding, “Stupid dwarf!”

Boh snored loudly, unable to defend himself.

“Did you know that I once spent a night luxuriating in a giant clam?” Jim said to seemingly no one. “It was cozy, if a bit briny. My mother says I’ve been a pearl clutcher ever since.”

“I think it's time to call it a night,” Ivy declared, meeting Rayden’s gaze with a bemused grin. “Unless, you’d like to see them get even more depraved.”

“Tempting, but I’m inclined to agree.”

Having apparently overheard them, Jim stood up, left a tip on the bar, and adroitly walked upstairs as if he were completely sober.

Rayden and Ivy both watched him leave with a mixture of consternation and intrigue.

“He really might be fae,” Rayden laughed. “Abnormal at the very least…”

“Perhaps,’ Ivy shrugged. “I’ll get the wise dipsomaniac dwarf, you get the slurring princess.”

Rayden raised an eyebrow, appreciating the woman’s sense of humor but not yet being accustomed to it. He wondered if the alcohol was making Ivy open up a bit, or if she was just beginning to feel more comfortable around them.

“Sounds like a plan,” he agreed.

He stood up and attempted to help Quill out of her seat as Ivy effortlessly slung a passed-out dwarf over her back and began trotting towards the stairs.

Unfortunately for Rayden, Ivy’s display of strength completely mystified his tipsy ward, causing her to freeze in disbelief.

“Goodness! She just lugged that fat dwarf over her shoulders like a sack of potatoes!”

“She really did,” he agreed with a chuckle. “But we need to get you to bed, Quill, come on.”

It was endearing to see her in such a silly mood, but he was afraid that she was going to hurt herself stumbling around. Carefully, he put his arm around her hip and began to guide her to the stairs. Her body was soft and warm to the touch, but he tried to ignore his uncouth thoughts and focus on the task at hand.

Thankfully, Quill seemed to be on the same page. She giggled, smiled, and made eyes at him as he struggled to shepherd her, but kept her hands to herself. Eventually, after almost knocking him over and laughing hysterically, they made it to her room.

She managed one last act of rebellion, repeatedly pointing at the doorknob with an exaggerated look of befuddlement, as if she had forgotten what a key was. When he shook his head in annoyance, she laughed like it was the greatest bit of vaudeville comedy the world had ever seen, which he had to admit made him laugh in turn.

He finally got her safely in bed, then, just as he was walking out the door, he heard her call out to him.

“Rayden…”

“Yes?”

“Green or red?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Just answer, you Talent possessing dumbo.”

“Uh, red.”

“Duly noted. Goodnight.”

A little perplexed, Rayden made his way back to his room and settled into his bed. Now that he was alone again, errant thoughts and anxieties began to creep back into his head, but he managed to push them away without too much effort. He was…just going to be happy tonight. He had gained a Talent, made powerful friends, and for the first time in a decade, had decided to make a place his home...at least for a little longer than usual.

All that had to be worth one night of easy sleep.