IV

The Emblazoned Party travelled back into Aevalin proper after rescuing that group of novice adventurers. They were lucky they hadn’t gotten themselves kill. Yoreno had wanted to have stern words with them, but Mai said enough, and their near death experience probably did more to prevent them from trying something so reckless again—more so than his chastisement could have done, so he had said nothing.

They strode into the Roaming Lions.

“There they are,” Kylen said with a smile under his epic mustache. “How did it go?”

“We got them out fine,” Sorika said, then wrinkled her small nose. “That sorry lot of wannabes is limping home, probably as we speak.”

“You’re rather sure of yourself,” Kylen responded. “I’m glad to hear they’re all right, though—the damn fools.”

“We did good,” Dell said. “Actually, it was easy!”

“We should go out and celebrate,” Mai said. “Perhaps to the Suckling Fish. I’ve been craving their sea monster plate lately.”

“Sounds good to me,” Lev said as he stretched his wide shoulders.

Sorika frowned, but said nothing. She didn’t talk much, and she rarely spoke at all around strangers. She probably thought that Mai was rewarding herself, despite their efforts being easy. But it wasn’t about that. It was about celebrating the lives of those adventurers they had saved. It wasn’t the first time they had done that, and Yoreno knew it wouldn’t be the last.

The Suckling Fish did sound like a good idea, Yoreno thought. “I’m hungry,” he said in answer to Mai’s proposition.

It was late day, nearly the end of winter and the pale-orange sunlight of the season was cutting soft lines across the interior of the vestibule. A fushi member walked past, her tails lightly bobbing as she went. “Hey, good work.”

“Thanks,” Yoreno said.

Word of their leaving to rescue those adventurers must have gotten around for some reason. Yoreno still needed to go to the quest giver for the reward. He could do that tomorrow or some other time when he wasn’t too busy. The others trusted him to divide the sum evenly. In fact, they all trusted one another—well, maybe not Lev.

“What are we waiting for?” Dell asked. “Let’s get going. I’m starving and I need something hot to eat.”

“We’ll see you later, Kylen,” Lev said.

“Wait,” Mai interrupted. “Don’t you want to come with us?”

“Thank you for the gesture,” Kylen said, “but don’t you think an old adventurer like me has his own crowd to be around tonight?”

Mai shrugged. “I guess so. You have fun, then.”

Kylen nodded. Over the months, he had warmed a lot, especially toward Yoreno. He still wasn’t sure. It couldn’t be because they were semi-famous now, could it? Dantera was certainly warm toward the Emblazoned Party.

Their slight fame made the Roaming Lions more famous by extension, and the Emblazoned Party wasn’t the only group that had received recognition in recent months. There were many others as well. That was part of adventuring, becoming famous, going to parties, making business acquaintances and making even more money.

“Oh, Yoreno,” Kylen called.

He turned, “Yes?”

“I forgot to tell you, but Mistress Dantera wishes to speak with you.”

“About what?”

“She didn’t say.”

He nodded, then turned to Mai who was waiting up for him. “You go on ahead. I’ll catch up with the rest of you.”

She smiled, nodded and ran to catch up with Dell, Lev and Sorika. Dell was nudging Lev, laughing about something, while Sorika moved away, trying not to get caught in their broad-chested horseplay.

Another guild member went to the bar and asked Kylen a question as Yoreno bypassed the stall and walked through the double doors leading deeper into the manner. His feet were still muddy from previously walking about outside Aevalin’s pristine streets. Some of that mud tracked onto the red and gold runner as he crossed the room and went up the stairs.

For a guild house, the Roaming Lions was bedecked like a castle, with a double stair that joined at the first floor. Yoreno navigated a series of wide, well-lit corridors decorated with paintings of past battles, adventurers on sojourns and suits of armor not worn in hundreds of years.

He came to Dantera’s chambers and knocked on the thick wooden doors. Dantera’s personal servant, Sela opened and gestured for him to enter the sitting area. There was a hearth surrounded by sofas and a scape of windows that overlooked Mount Herrylenia and the majesty of Aevalin castle. From here Yoreno could see the blue pinions flying from atop the many turrets. The windows of Dantera’s chambers travelled across the room and turned, giving the occupants a view of tiled rooftops and the harbor where ships of every size constantly came and went.

“How are you, Yoreno?” Sela asked.

“I’m well,” he said. “Thank you. And you?”

“Oh, I’m quite well, too. I appreciate your asking, my lord.”

“Sela, you know we don’t use those titles here.”

“Begging your pardon, Yoreno. Please sit. I will notify our mistress that you’re here.”

Yoreno nodded.

The fire was crackling merrily, but while he was seated, he didn’t have a view of the castle. The book shelves reaching up to the high ceiling of thick beams weren’t a bad sight to stare at, he supposed. Yoreno always enjoyed coming to Dantra’s chambers. The expensive luxury of it all, told him he and his father might be the masters of their own guild house one day.

But that would mean Yoreno would have to leave the Roaming Lions. He wasn’t sure he wanted that. He had made so many friends, here. Dantera was here. In the months that she had been instructing him, they had grown close. She was important to Yoreno. He didn’t want to leave everyone he knew for some other guild—one that wouldn’t have the prestige, reputation and certainly not the wealth.

He was being childish, he told himself. Aevalin was a beautiful kingdom, the inner city, protected by the castle, and the fortress walls, weren’t massive. It didn’t cover an area so large that Yoreno couldn’t take a horse or a carriage at any time to visit those who were important to him. The last time he saw Dantera was two days ago, when they had eaten at the Gilded Pegasus, an expensive inn where nobles and high-tier adventurers went. Mostly adventurer’s, since their lot tended to be rowdy, at least as the nobility and aristocracy saw them.

Sela came out of the inner chambers, smiled at Yoreno and left the room to busy herself with some task unbeknownst to himself as Dantera stepped into the room.

She smiled. “Yoreno.”

“Mistress,” he said with a nod as he stood from the sofa.

She came to the sitting area and sat down on the sofa across from him and crossed her legs. She was wearing a loose blouse that flared out at her hips with soft trousers and a sash, her leather of a high-quality variety not bespeaking adventure or walking in places where fine roads did not exist.

“How did it go with that group of adventurers that went into the ratways?”

“They were on the verge of death,” he said, “but we rescued them.”

“Oof!” she noised, waving a chastising hand. “We may be adventurers, but do you always have to be so dire?”

“It’s only the truth.”

“Still, Yoreno,” she said in her Amalfi accent, “it is always good to observe one’s polite behavior.”

“Always teaching me,” he said with a fond smile.

She smirked at him.

“So there is to be a grand ball at the castle. Each guild is to bring their top performers that are to be knighted. King Branlin wished to have a grand adventurer’s banquet and some festivities, you see.”

Yoreno’s heart was beating faster.

“Am I to be knighted?”

She shrugged.

Yoreno narrowed his eyes. “Are you being coy with me, Mistress?”

“Yoreno, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that when we’re alone.”

“At least a dozen more times, Miss—Dantera.”

It wasn’t that calling her by her given name without the “mistress” was a secret—or some kind of scandal. Dantera had told him, in way of explanation that she didn’t want to flaunt their more personal relationship when compared to most of the other guild members.

“It seems so,” she said. “In any event, I am not ready to knight you.”

His spirits fell, but Yoreno tried not to show it on his face. He shrugged. “If not now, perhaps next summer.”

“Perhaps,” she added to his sentiment. “Or…”

“There’s an ‘or’?”

Sela came back with a silver tray containing two small glass goblets of brandy. “Thank you, Sela,” Dantera said, taking one.

Sela offered Yoreno the tray, and he took the other goblet.

“If you undertake a certain task, and complete that task, then I might knight you at the ceremony.”

“When is the ceremony?”

She breathed in deeply. “In a week’s time. You should have enough time, I think.”

“Doesn’t that depend on this task I’m to undertake?”

She nodded, sipped at her brandy and got up off the couch. Yoreno watched her walk to her window-scape of mountains and the sea.

“It will be dangerous,” she added.

He got up off the sofa.

“I’ve achieved success in the face of danger before. Many times.”

She glanced at him, “Oh, I know,” she said and smiled wryly. “They don’t call your group the Emblazoned Party for no reason. But this is different.”

“How?”

She paused, took another sip of her tiny brandy. “It is much more dangerous. I am worried. I want to say to the hells with it”—she flicked her hand as if tossing away some piece of refuse—“and just knight you next year. By then, I’m sure I will have no reason not to.” She turned to him. “Next summer’s not far off, you know?”

“What is the task?”

“Ugh,” she noised. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. You like to be daring, to make further your name.” She turned to him and looked into his eyes. “You aren’t that pampered noble that I met at your father’s banquet five months ago, Yoreno.”

“And you’re not that dismissive mistress trying to find out what to do with her new ‘protégé’ either.”

She laughed.

“It is true, that I have grown to be quite fond of you, Yoreno. And that,” she gestured with her goblet as she pointed a finger, “is why I’m worried about this. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Yoreno chuckled. “Stop holding back and tell me what this quest is, Dantera.”

She twisted her lips and made a noise suggesting doubtfulness, then paused. “Fine,” she said. She went back to the sofa and sat down.

Yoreno followed.

“So there is this… dungeon.”

“Isn’t there always?”

“Ha!” Dantera almost spilled what was left of her brandy. “Yes, well, this dungeon is a place most foul. It was used some time ago as a rite of passage.”

“What’s so dangerous about that?”

“Well, it is a high-tier dungeon. The guilds. They… used to send knights there to train and to prove themselves before they could become Sentinels.”

Ah, the Sentinels. That ancient order of knights founded by Arlian Brennovo during the Grand Bastard’s War.

“And you think that I may be killed.” It was not a question.

“I’ve been there,” she said, nodding emphatically. “It is dangerous.”

“And you want me to perform this rite of passage?”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t want me to get hurt.”

She looked at him suspiciously. “Are you treating me like I’m pretending to me your mother?”

“I am an adventurer. Danger is my profession.”

“Yes, well… I would love to knight you at the ceremony, but this may be too soon.”

“Can I take my friends?”

“No,” she said firmly. “This rite of passage is for you.”

“Couldn’t they just come long?”

She shrugged. “As long as they stay out of the way. I would certainly be fine with them accompanying us.”

Us? Did she plan to come as well?

“Then why is it a problem?” Yoreno asked, not understanding. “If it looks like I’m going to fail and get myself killed, you can intervene.”

She made a face.

“They already whisper that you’re my favorite, Yoreno.”

“I am your favorite.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“What?”

“That is very arrogant of you.”

He shrugged. It was true and they both knew it. He wasn’t going to pretend otherwise. “Well, I am your protégé. Is that not a position of preferential treatment?”

“Fine,” she said. “You are right. Perhaps some of the others are simply jealous. You can perform the rite. But we must make haste. I want to set sail tomorrow morning come sunrise.”

“Set sail?”

“Oh yes,” she said, nodding gravely. “The dungeon. It is on an island two days sail from here. Assuming we have good winds. I want to get back with time to spare. It would be most unfortunate if we missed King Branlin’s Age of Readventure celebration.”

“Why hasn’t he decided to hold it exactly at a year after calling for this new age?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps he feels impatient. Although I do agree with you that summer does seem a better season for this festivity, or perhaps middle spring. Now, if you wish for your friends to come, then tell them to prepare, otherwise we will leave them on the morning. I will tell captain Fenryk that we set sail and to prepare necessary provisions.”

Yorenno nodded.

He left the Roaming Lions guild house and went to the Suckling Fish to meet his friends. The night was cold and his breath frosted in the air. But the well-lit, busy inn with its music and crackling hearth was a welcome change of environment.

“There you are!” Dell called with a wave. He was sitting at a table with Mai, Lev and Sorika.

All of them were still wearing their adventurer’s garb and armor. Mai had her staff propped up on the table beside her, while Lev kept his bow slung over his back. Sorika only used knives, so those were well tucked away.

Yoreno sat down. “I’m starving!” he said, taking in all the food on the table as the heat of the inn enveloped him. In front of him was a platter of fish fillet cooked in butter and seasonings and boiled vegetables sautéed sweet oil and garlic, three different kinds of bread loves and huge wooden mugs of ale.

“Eat,” Mai said. “As you can see, we’ve already started.”

“We were talking about the king’s ceremony coming up next week,” Dell said, then quaffed his ale.

“The Age of Readventure,” Yoreno added.

“It’s going to be quite exciting,” Lev said. “I bet there’ll be many beautiful maidens there too.”

“Is that the only reason why you want to go?” Mai asked.

Sorika didn’t comment. She was hunched over the table with a small loaf of bread in her hands, slowly munching. But she listened, her eyes alert.

“And the food,” Lev said.

Mai’s face deadpanned. “Your strong arms can only get you so far.”

Then Dell said, “What did Mistress Dantera want to speak to you about, Yor?”

“Don’t ask him that, Dell,” Mai chastised. “If he wants to tell us about their conversation, he will. Isn’t that right?”

“It was…” he began, but trailed off as he thought about it.

“Nothing too private, right?” Lev said.

Yoreno tore off a piece of his bread and threw it at him. It bounced off his forehead.

“Hey,” he said, shrugging and raising his hands. “I’ll say no more.”

“She wants to knight me at the ceremony.”

“I knew it!” Dell exclaimed. “Gods, I feel jealous.”

Sorika’s eyebrows raised into obscurity behind her perfectly cut honey-colored bangs.

“That’s wonderful!” Mai said. “We need to order something special to celebrate.”

Yoreno raised his hand. “Don’t get too excited yet.”

“Why not?” Lev asked. “Are there conditions? There’s always conditions. Go on—tell us what they are.”

“”If you’d let him speak, Lev,” Dell said.

“I have to complete a rite of passage in a dungeon.”

“Oh good,” Dell said. “I’d love to see some more action.”

Mai frowned as she chewed on some of the fish. “Will she let us help you?”

“No. I have to undertake this quest alone. But she said you can accompany me if you want.”

“Makes sense,” Sorkia said, leaning in to spike a chunk of fish for her plate.

“She said she would accompany me.”

“Oh!” Lev said, his face suggestive of great interest, and some implied meaning. “Is that right?”

Yoreno knew he shouldn’t have said anything, but they would have found out eventually. It was just as well that he told his friends now in this noisy inn so not too many people heard.

“The dungeon is dangerous,” Yoreno said in explanation.

“They all are,” Sorika said.

“You pick a great time to make comments,” Yoreno said, shaking his head.

“It does make sense,” Mai said. “If it’s really dangerous, she should be there. I mean, she’s your mistress.”

“She’s the whole guild’s mistress,” Lev said.

“No,” Mai said. “She’s Yoreno’s mistress.”

“Oh,” Lev said, nodding. “That’s right.”

“Knock that off,” Yoreno said, “or I’m going to poor my ale down your back.”

Lev sniggered. Yoreno couldn’t do anything but sigh as even Sorika smirked with amusement.

“You children,” Mai said.

“Hey, I didn’t say anything,” Dell shot back. “Why are you grouping me with them?”

“Did what I say apply to you?”

“No.”

“Then it didn’t apply to you.”

“Guilty one speaks,” Lev said.

Mai laughed. “You are a trouble maker, aren’t you, Lev?”

“Yes he is,” Yoreno said, jumping on that. “He’s always enjoyed stirring things up.”

Lev shrugged. “We all have our strengths.”

“Yes,” Mai said. “We do, and your isn’t adventuring—not unless it’s up a girl’s skirt.”

He made a face, probably not liking the first part of that statement. But the second part was completely accurate.

“Serves you right, Lev,” Dell added, then quaffed more ale.

Lev smirked. “I guess I’ll continue adventuring where I’m good at it.”

Mai rolled her eyes.

Yoreno looked at his friends in turn. He really enjoyed being with them, even if they did like to poke fun or “stir things up” on occasion. “Who wants to come? We set sail in the morning.”

“Ugh! I can’t!” Lev said. “Going to some yet undisclosed dungeon with a few other mid-tiers with Chessul tomorrow afternoon. Didn’t I tell you?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Awe,” Mai said. “That’s too bad. The Emblazoned Party needs to stick together. I’ll come, Yoreno.”

“Me too,” Dell said. “Hey, Sorika, are you going to come?”

“Yes,” she said. “I don’t have anything planned.”

“Are you sure?” Yoreno asked, feeling somewhat self-conscious about it all. “Chances are you won’t get to see me do anything. You’re not allowed to participate, so it’s not like you can follow me around.”

“I’m still coming,” Mai said. “I’m an adventurer. I like adventure.”

Dell laughed.

“All right,” Yoreno said, unable to hold back his smile.

“So if you complete this rite, Dantera told you she would knight you at the Readventure festival?”

“Yes.”

“You’re as good as knighted, then,” Dell said. “I wonder if she’ll knight me? You know it’s quite the privilege to know you’re going to be knighted.”

“She never reveals who the names will be until the last few days before the ceremony,” Lev added. “I’m glad I don’t have to worry about it. Knighthood isn’t in my blood. I’m a rough and gruff adventurer through and through.”

“Too bad,” Mai quipped. “Maidens love a good knight.”

“Scoundrels can’t be knights,” Sorika said, smiling.

Lev nodded.

“Just so long as you don’t act the part,” Dell added, or Yoreno and I might have to have words with you.”

Lev laughed. “I’ll try to be on my best behavior around you guys.”

“We’re the Emblazoned Party,” Mai said as she took hold of her staff and regarded its top of gnarled branches that formed a thick knot. “We’ve a reputation to uphold.”

“Yes,” Dell said. “Say, let’s get the wenches to bring us something special for this rite of passage of yours, Yoreno.”

“That’s more like it,” Lev said. “No knighthood for you.”

Sorkia made a face and shoved Dell by the shoulder.

“Like what?” Mai asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe some of that foreign beer? A cake?”

Yoreno shrugged.

“No,” Mai said.

“Why not?” Dell asked.

“Because, we need to take this seriously,” she said. “We can’t show up at the ship tomorrow with hangovers.”

“Hangovers?” Dell said incredulously. “We never get that drunk.”

“Still.”

“Well, do what you want,” Lev said. “I can drink all I want.”

“Dungeon,” Sorika said.

“Oh right, I can’t drink all I want. Now I’m dejected. Why did you ruin it, Sor?”

They group of young adventurers shared a laugh and continued their evening at the Suckling Fish.