Cassidy's Point of View

The Rainy Helm

The rain poured overhead and pattered off the roof as it ran down the window. A cold wind blew that could be felt even through the closed shutters. Winter was coming, sooner rather than later. Through some of the cracks, I could see people moving throughout the streets as their breath could be seen even in the dead of night. Closing my eyes to the people running around in this cold, I tried to rest.

“You doin okay, Cass?” A voice called out from my right.

Shifting my head over from where it was lying face down on the table, I saw Sherry. “Just fine. You?”

She looked around before shrugging. “Not too bad of a night. Floyd’s been a huge help whenever he pops in to work.” The owner quickly sat down across from me with a small frown. “You sure you’re okay? You’ve been in here more often than usual.”

Sitting up, I adjusted myself in the seat. “Been waitin. Hopin ta hear somethin in passin.”

“About General Alwin and Lady Lucia or about Arthur?” Sherry pressed further.

Taking the mug, I swirled the contents inside as I felt a small heat inside my chest from the drink. “Either, really. Arthur mostly.” Nothing too extreme, but just enough to take the edge off. “Among other things.” I told her before I shrugged myself. “Times are changing, Sherry. Ah can’t go down the streets so carefree anymore.”

“Not many can.” She replied before leaning closer. “But Ah will cut you off if I need to. We’re still friends, and I know you got better things to do than sit in my place getting drunk.”

“Ah’m not drunk.”

“Maybe not yet, but you’re on your way.” Sherry shot back. “Look, if you ever want a free meal, bring Austin by, and I’ll cook both of you up something. Just… Don’t come here so often. I’ve seen these kinds of places ruin many a men looking for answers at the bottom of a drink.”

“Ah already have my answers. Ah’m waiting for the results.” I told her, and she seemed a little surprised before she sighed. “Don’t worry, though. Ya got across what ya wanted. Austin means too much ta me ta be here all the time.” Then I gestured to her with the mug. “Plus, it would mean Ah’d have ta see that face of yers more often.”

I took a drink as she rolled her eyes with a small smirk. “Good to see some things haven’t changed.” Reaching across the table this time, she grabbed my free hand with both of hers. “I am here for you and your brother if you need anything, Cass. I hope you know that.”

Giving her hand a squeeze, I put the drink down and smiled. “Ah know. Many others have told me the same throughout the past month or so.” Her hands pulled back with a smile, and I sighed after a moment. “Time flies, doesn’t it?”

Sherry nodded. “It certainly can. It also depends on what you do with that time; that determines how fast or slow it goes.”

“Sherry!” One of the patrons called out, holding up an empty mug.

“One sec!” She shouted back before looking at me once more. “Bring by Austin next time. I miss seeing that kid.”

With a more forced smile, I nodded. “Ah’ll let him know.”

She returned the forced smile and walked off. Being left to my drink, I slouched back and took another sip. It wasn’t long before Sherry’s seat across from me was quickly filled. A cloaked Ayda was shivering from the rain. Magic appeared and removed the water quickly enough before it could dampen the seat or her clothes anymore. I watched as she took a satchel from over her shoulder and set it beside her.

Quirking a brow at her appearance, I called out to her, confused. “Ayda?”

The Elf shivered slightly. “Just a moment.” Raising her hand, she quickly waved down Sherry.

“Well, hello, Ayda. I didn’t know you were coming here to meet Cass.” Sherry said as she approached.

“She was unaware.” Ayda quickly responded dismissively. “I need something to drink. Not too heavy, but enough to warm me up.”

Both Sherry and I were surprised at that. In fact, the owner of The Rainy Helm looked at me, and I shrugged in response, just as lost. Ayda turned and started rummaging through the bag. The Elf seemed oblivious to our stares until she turned to me and saw that Sherry was still there.

Ayda was surprised at this. “Did I order wrong?” She asked but didn’t give a chance for her to reply. “Maybe I should have been more specific?” Turning to me, she quickly asked, “What are you drinking, Cass?”

I held up the mug. “This is just some mead. Sweet and-“

“I will have one of Cass’s mead.”

Sherry nodded and spoke through thin lips as she tried not to sound annoyed. “One mead. Coming up.” Then again, she knew this was how Ayda always was.

“Yer not one ta drink.” I commented.

“I, for one, do not want to be completely sober or in my right mind for this.” The Elf responded.

I quirked a brow at that. “And what is ‘this’ exactly?”