“Have to admit,” Pavel said, tying the large sack back up. “those girls knew what to get. I’ve never struck out on my own like you’re going to do, but you should be set until you hit the next city. Dried food, mess kit, blankets. Hell, I think they stuffed a tent in here.”

“Wonderful.” Lord Zultan said. “I’ll have to thank them again before I head off.”

Night had fallen, and the crickets had come out in droves by the time Serena and Werond had returned to the caravan; Pavel had barely started a fire to next to the guard wagon when they showed up. Werond had a large burlap sack strapped to her back, ready to burst at the seams, while Serena trailed just slightly behind, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape. The minute they had approached the guard wagon, Serena had launched into a lengthy, but barely comprehensible, description of Daggerford. Her excitement was palpable, and if she was to be believed, the city was the crown jewel of the Swordcoast.

Pavel knew she’d never been in a city as ‘extravagant’ as Daggerford. So, he listened, politely nodded, and breathed a quiet sigh of relief when Werond dragged her away, back towards the city gates.

Evidently, she had something to show Serena.

Pavel watched them all the way until they reentered the city. Partly to ensure that they made it safely, walking in the dark, but also due to Pavel having nothing to do. Most of the caravan had turned in for the night, and he wasn’t on patrol until much later. Thus, he had time to kill. And for a man like Pavel, that wasn’t always the best circumstance to be in.

He supposed it wasn’t all bad. Afterall, Lord Zultan seemed to be a night-owl.

“Think they’ll be back tonight? Or in the morning?” he asked; the Drow perched himself on the edge of the guard wagon, leaning against the wooden archway that supported the canvas covering. The rest of the guards were either on patrol, or in the city, giving Zultan the wagon all to himself.

“Couldn’t tell you.” Pavel replied, hosting the sack up and onto the wagon. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Ah.” Lord Zultan said dejectedly. “I suppose that’s too bad. Can’t wait around.”

“Yup. I wouldn’t.”

“Do you have something to write with then? And something to write on? I’ll leave a note, just in case.”

Pavel nodded, and reached into one of the side pockets on his pants, where he extracted a stick of charcoal and folded parchment. Lord Zultan accepted both with wide eyes.

“Do you just…have those on your person?”

“Yup. Never know when you need to write something down.”

“That’s…” Zultan said slowly. “awfully smart of you.”

“Thanks!” Pavel replied.

Lord Zultan laid the parchment down on the wagon and unfolded it; he held it down with his knee and began to slowly write.

“Haven’t had much practice with this hand. Suppose I don’t have much of a choice now.” He glanced up at Pavel. “I’ll leave before the sun is up tomorrow. Would you give this to Serena for me, after I leave?”

“Sure. Won’t read it either.” Pavel said.

“Well, I would hope not. Only part of it will be in Common.”

Pavel nodded, and leaned against the other side of the wagon’s archway, “Sure, sure. I do have to ask though, were do ya plan on going?”

Without looking up, Lord Zultan said, “Well, always wanted to head to Mirabar. I’ve got family up there and I know they’d take me in. Better family than her. This,” he waved his hand dismissively. “business with her is all for show. I only married her as I knew she frequently made trips to the surface. That, and my family back home pushed me into it. Should have seen that one coming, I suppose.”

Pavel cocked his head. “Arranged marriages common in…wherever you lived?”

“Menzoberranzan. And yes, it’s expected. Quite the custom, too. They pushed for my marriage to someone influential as well, as opposed to who my brother ended up “marrying”. He…didn’t quite live up to expectations, so, being the only other male in the family, they were all dumped onto me. Quite the shit-show if I do say so myself.”

“Your brother must have messed up pretty bad.”

“Ah, what didn’t he do? Defied orders, spit on customs – even more so than we already did – and worst of all, he got a slave pregnant.” Lord Zultan snorted. “Our mother had quite the fit when she found out, it being her favorite slave too.”

“Sounds fucked up to have a favorite slave.”

Lord Zultan looked up and smiled at Pavel. “Yes, well, now you know why we have a terrible reputation up here.” Zultan’s head snapped towards the darkness beyond the light of the fire. “That bird fellow that rides with us, what’s his name?”

“Who, Cruck’aa?”

“Yes, he’s coming over here.”

Pavel stood up straight and looked around in the darkness. “What makes you say that?”

“Call it a hunch.” Zultan said.

As Pavel spoke, much to his surprise, Cruck’aa stepped out of the darkness. His sharp eyes were furrowed, and he marched with a purpose.

“Pavel,” he said, unrestrained anger in his voice. “we need to have a talk. About Serena. Where the hell is she?”

“She’s in Daggerford.” Pavel glanced over at Lord Zultan, who had stopped writing and now stared, puzzled at the Aarakocra’s remarks. “Look, can we discuss this –”

“We can discuss it now!” Cruck’aa yelled, feathers ruffled. “I go over there to discuss with her what we need to be doing for our job, and she’s gone! Now you tell me she’s spending a night on the town?!”

“Yes, she went with Werond –” Pavel grimaced as he realized what he’d let slip.

Somehow, Cruck’aa’s feathers became even more ruffled.

“Of course, it’s with that damned teamster! Of course! I warned you Pavel, did I not?! By the time the sun rises, Werond will have Serena wrapped around her finger! We won’t see her again!”

“Cruck’aa, quiet down! People are trying to sleep. And you have no proof –”

“No proof!” Cruck’aa continued to rage. “I’ve seen them myself Pavel! She doesn’t eat with us anymore, never comes to talk; she just sits with that damned teamster all day! Nothing else! She has a job, one that I am forced to do for her now!”

“You sound like my grandmother.”

“Will you take this seriously Pavel! The safety of the coast is at stake!”

“Look, we’ve both been keeping watch, and nothing seems to be –”

“Watches that Serena should’ve been taking, instead of a night on the town with that damned woman!”

“If I may be so bold,” Lord Zultan began; Pavel’s grimace deepened. “I fail to see how Serena’s personal time is of any business of yours.”

Cruck’aa blinked.

He turned his head towards the Drow, affixing him with a stare as though it was Cruck’aa’s first time seeing him.

“I don’t remember asking for your opinion, horse beater.” Cruck’aa snarled.

Pavel stiffened, glancing back at the Drow.

Lord Zultan rolled his eyes.

“Yes, by all means, call me the easy names. And it makes no difference whether you asked me or not, you’re shouting for the entire caravan to hear. At that point, anyone would be welcome to throw in their opinions. Am I wrong Johanna?”

Cruck’aa whirled around as Jo came walking into the torch light, annoyed look on her face.

Pavel blinked. Seemed like Lord Zultan could see in the dark.

“About whom can join in? No.” Jo said, crossing her arms. “About the horse beatings? Probably. Regardless, I don’t know what you’re screaming about Cruck’aa, but you need to quiet down. Woke some of the teamsters up.”

“Like I give a damn if they get woken up!” Cruck’aa had quickly recovered from his shock. “You haven’t a clue how much Serena shirks her duties, and the only one who does know refuses to do anything about it!”

“The hell does Serena need to do? She owns a wagon.”

Cruck’aa opened his beak, then quickly shut it, eyes scrunching up in anger. It took Pavel one glance to realize the hole Cruck’aa had dug himself in.

“Look,” Pavel said, stepping away from the wagon and closer to Cruck’aa and Jo. “we’re not really at liberty to discuss our job, but Cruck’aa has a right to be mad. Just…not so loud about it.”

“Cruck’aa loses his right to be angry when only one of us knows what Serena should be doing. There’s no weight to his argument.” Lord Zultan said. “Right now, you sound like nothing more than a parrot whose cracker was taken away.”

Jo’s laughter echoed through the night. Pavel, forcing himself not to grin, stepped in between Cruck’aa and the wagon, as the Aarakocra began cursing the Drow’s mother.

“Oh, believe you me,” Zultan said with a small grin. “I’ve said much of the same about her. Nothing new there.”

“Okay, okay,” Pavel said, stiff arming Cruck’aa away; Pavel had never seen him as ruffled as he was now. “no more comments. Unneeded.”

“Well I must apologize then. Perhaps that was a bit rude of me.”

“A bit?!” Cruck’aa yelled.

“Hey, hey,” Jo said, shushing him. “stop, you’re waking people up. There’s someone coming over here to tell you off now.”

“Fine!” Cruck’aa whirled around. “I’ll give them a piece of my mind!”

Pavel grinned, then squinted into the darkness, looking for whoever Jo had pointed out. Not for the first time did he curse his lack of dark vision. Perhaps, before the caravan kicked off, he should see if anyone had –

“Fuck.”

Pavel glanced behind.

All the color had drained from Lord Zultan’s face, the whites of his eyes showing as he fixed his gaze towards the darkness.

Pavel turned back.

Lady Zultan – still in her single shoulder dress – stood, expressionless, at the edge of the firelight, silver short sword unsheathed.

Pavel’s heart jumped into his throat.

Jo sprang away from her and landed next to Pavel, eyes wide, rapier already out.

Cruck’aa’s eyes flicked from Lady Zultan to Lord Zultan before he too fell in on the other side of Pavel. His feathers remained ruffled.

Lady Zultan remained where she stood. Her eyes flicked to the wagon behind them as Pavel heard Zultan shift away from the edge.

The crickets – deafening before – now fell silent.

Pavel swallowed his own fear down and took a step forward.

“Evening Ma’am,” Pavel said, forcing his voice to remain steady. “bit late to be up. Anything I can help you with?”

At his words, Lady Zultan’s face shifted. She stared at Pavel as though she could kill him with a look alone – something Pavel was sure she could do. The fury that burned in her eyes clashed sharply with the relax stance that she held herself in, negating any read Pavel get could on her.

“Ma’am?” he asked again.

“Yes captain.” She snarled, taking one step closer; Pavel laid a hand on the hilt of his sword. “I’ve come to take back that which is rightfully mine –”

“Fuck.” Lord Zultan said, crawling further into the wagon.

“– and I’d appreciate it if we made the exchange easy. Step aside.”

Fear crawled up Pavel’s back as he forced himself to take another step forward. Jo and Cruck’aa remained by the wagon.

“Ma’am, I can’t do that. I superseded the contract, it’s void. The Lord is under my protection now, and I will use force to protect him, should I need to.”

The Drow stared at Pavel, thin lips curling into a cruel smile.

“Oh captain,” her honied voice grated in Pavel’s ears. “I don’t suppose there’s anything I could do to…change your mind?”

“Fuck.” Lord Zultan said, from the back of the wagon.

“’friad not ma’am.” Pavel said.

“Good.” She spat.

The fire snuffed itself out.

Pavel ripped his blades out, just as Lazy Zultan charged, blade aimed towards his heart.

…

Serena was in a state of awe.

Never had she been in a city as large as Daggerford. Perhaps Mirabar had been the exception, but so rare were the trips outside of her mother’s tavern that she could barely remember her hometown.

Werond had to drag Serena behind her as the sights transfixed her once more. The gate opened directly to the market; a large cobblestone square – almost as large as the field outside – outlined on three sides by numerous buildings, both large and small. The amount of lights alone that adorned the square mesmerized her. Strings of tiny lanterns were laced across the market square, hanging directly above rows upon rows of stalls. Though small, each flame cast a soft light across the square, allowing those below to continue their shopping well into the night.

And shop they did; hundreds of people packed between the tight rows of wooden and cloth market stalls. Those in the crowds yelled over each other as they strove to shove their way through to whatever stall they were after. The din was almost deafening, each person struggling to be heard, and Serena was glad they didn’t have to fight their way through it again. Once was enough for her.

Somewhere, near the back of the market, well away from them, a group of musicians, dressed in formal, dark clothes, serenaded the crowds with long stringed instruments. Or at least, she assumed that was the case, being unable to hear them over the crowds.

But it wasn’t the sights that froze Serena in her place, nor the roar of the crowd. A plethora of smells, all foreign to her nose, wafted through the air, urging her to come investigate. Some came close to imitating the delicious smell of sizzling meat that she had feasted on all too often with Ned. Some drifted closer to the strong scent of ale – of all varieties – reminding her of those busy nights serving the drinks with her mother. And some mixed with the earthy scent of tanned leather, though how she smelled that over everything else, Serena hadn’t a clue.

The sounds, sights, smells, everything coalesced into a storm that threatened to overtake her. Again.

Werond rolled her eyes as Serena halted at the edge of the market.

“Okay,” she said, soft shadows flicking across her face. “this is the third time you’ve stopped tonight. Is it still getting to you?”

“Yes!” Serena exclaimed; regret washed across Werond’s face at the question. “Werond it’s so – all the people and the lights and the goods, it’s so, just,” Serena waved her hands about, eyes brighter than the lanterns. “how are you so calm?!”

“Well, we just went through all of that,” Werond gestured towards the crowd. “to get all of his stuff. Plus, I’ve been here a couple times before. Place loses its magic after a bit.”

“How?!”

Werond shook her head. “You’re a bit too easily amused, huh?” she asked.

Before Serena could respond, Werond stepped forward, closing the gap between them.

“Now that we’ve finished our…errands, there’s a place I want to show you. Think you’ll like it better than this place.” Werond raised her brows. “Get a bit drunk too…if ya want. Don’t have to though.”

Excitement burned brighter in Serena’s chest as she signed, “Really? Where?! What is it?!”

“It’s a…” Werond grinned – a grin that Serena had seen before. “it’s a tavern. Thought you’d want to check it out. You know, to tell your folks back home.” She turned and a gestured to one of the larger buildings that outlined the edge of the market square. “It’s that big one right there. The Lady Luck. Been there since Daggerford was established.”

“That’s a tavern?!” Serena exclaimed; she hadn’t a clue what the huge building could have been, one of the few that dominated the outside of the market. A tavern had not once crossed her mind.

“Yup. Want to check it out?”

“Can we?!”

“I wouldn’t be asking if we couldn’t.” Werond pointed to Serena’s skirt pocket. “How much do we have left?”

Serena jammed her hand in and felt around. As she did, she stuck up two fingers with her free hand.

Werond clucked her tongue.

“Who knew camping supplies cost so much? Well, not to worry.”

Werond stepped next to her, and looped her arm through Serena’s, suddenly pulling her close. Serena’s shoulder rubbed up just under Werond’s, who grinned, and began walking, forcing Serena to keep pace.

“They have a couple’s discount. Should make our coin go a bit further.” Werond said, in a firm voice.

Despite the cool night air, sweat began to bead on Serena’s back, and she felt her face begin to flush. She pulled her hand out from her pocket and began to sign.

“Oh, um, we don’t – I can just –”

“Shush.” Werond said, with more force in her voice than Serena had heard before. “We need to look the part. Right, darling?”

Serena – heart in throat – dropped her hands, along with her urge to protest.

She didn’t know if Werond was messing with her again. A couple’s discount seemed far-fetched, especially for a tavern. Perhaps it was different in Daggerford though.

What she did know was that the excitement that burned within her suddenly flared at Werond’s touch. Her skin felt hot against Serena’s arm, every shift sending a wave of nervous energy through her.

No longer did Serena care for the tavern, or whatever lay within it. Now, it seemed, the only thing that lay upon her mind was the woman she was locked arms with.

Serena shook her head. No, she was excited to see the tavern. Mom would love to hear about it.

If she could focus on it.

Werond lead her to the building she had pointed out, a massive reddish structure which, despite only having two stories, seemed to dominate the buildings around it. Large paned windows dominated the front of the building, allowing Serena a glimpse at the crowd inside. The front doors, thick and oaken, stood a foot taller than her, and occasionally, an unsteady patron would stumble out, oblivious to the world around them.

Werond suddenly halted, causing Serena to pull against her arm. She released her, then stood in front of Serena.

“Now,” she said, leaning in to smooth out the collar on Serena’s shirt. “this place is somewhat of a nice establishment, just as I assume your mother’s tavern to be. Which means you know how to act, right?”

“Y-yes Werond!” Serena signed; her hands went up until they were under Werond’s hands, her voice coming out as a whisper. “Do you think I’ll mess something up?”

“Oh no, just reminding you.” Werond said. “Also, remember that we’re supposed to be together. For the discount.” She leaned in, too close. “You know how to act like that, right?”

Serena’s heart jumped at the sudden closeness, a wave of dizziness washing over her.

“I…well I haven’t…been with someone before…” Her fingers felt heavy as she stammered, her heart jumping again as Werond’s eyes widened.

“Oh, sorry, didn’t know.” Her smile was warmer than the heat that poured from Serena’s body. “Well, this will be fun then, right?”

Serena stared, heart still hammering.

She could only shrug.

Werond stepped back and giggled, before linking arms with Serena once more. Without a word, she guided her to the front of the tavern.

Serena was glad for the support.

Werond nodded once at the bouncer – up close, more muscle than man – before pushing open the wooden doors and into the tavern.

Serena fought to keep her jaw closed.

Bright red orbs floated lazily along the wooden walls, casting dancing shadows on the main fixture of the room, a large, golden pillar that jutted from the ground floor, all the way to the ceiling of the second story. As thick as an old oak tree, multiple marks had been scratched all across the golden surface, and as Serena looked on, two halflings flung themselves at the pillar, scrambling up, racing one another as high as they could reach. A small crowd had gathered around the pillar, urging, and cheering the halflings on, until – from exhaustion or fear – they slid back down, both declaring themselves the winner.

Beyond the golden pillar, sunken into the dark wooden floor, pits of cushions dotted the space; large enough for everyone that mattered, patrons, from elves to orcs to dwarfs and a single tiefling, seemed to be having the time of their lives in them. Waitresses in skirts too short walked about the place, avoiding the crowd around the pillar, delivering wines and spirits to various pits, bending suggestively to deliver the patron’s ill drinks. At times, they turned their attention to the tables shoved against the walls to the left of the pillar, delivering what Serena knew to be cheaper spirits. At other times, they leaned against the bar, shoved against the opposite wall, flirting with the regulars who knew them all by name.

It wasn’t the tavern that Mom had – too rowdy for her – but, somehow, it did feel like home.

Or at least, something she was used to.

Serena wrinkled her nose at the mixture of cheap booze and faint sweat, before signing to Werond, “I thought you said this place was classy?”

Werond leaned in. “It is, once you get used to it.” She said, raising her voice over the cacophony of shouting.

“Were we going then?” Serena pointed to the second story balcony, drunk patrons leaning precariously to watch the crowds below. “Up there? Looks crowded down here.”

“Nope.” Werond said, pointing to two empty seats at the farthest end of the bar, shoved almost against a wall brimming with potted plants. “Quick, nab those seats!”

Serena untangled her arm from Werond and took off running, dashing around the now annoyed waitresses and through the crowd around the pillar. Werond followed close behind, almost slipping into an overcrowded pit, much to the annoyance of everyone within it.

They caught themselves against the corner of the bar – breathless and giggling – before plopping down onto the cushioned barstools. The end of the bar was empty compared to the rest of the tavern.

“Fuck,” Werond said, catching her breath, no longer needing to shout above the din. “I am so out of shape from sitting on that damn wagon all day.”

“Just walk around a bit, it helps!”

“Uh huh.” Werond gestured at the bartender at the other side of the bar, a gruff, bald headed dwarf, who barely had his head above the polished wooden countertop. “What’d ya want, ale again?”

“No, something else. Whatever you get, I guess.”

“Oh, I’ve got something for you then.”

The dwarf sauntered over, before standing on a hidden block behind the bar, putting himself at eye level.

“And what can I do for you girls?” he asked, voice like crunching gravel.

“House chardonnay, two please.” Werond said; she poked Serena’s ribs with an elbow.

Serena scooted closer, rubbing her shoulder into Werond’s arm, suddenly getting much warmer. She gave a small smile to the dwarf, hoping her face didn’t turn too red.

The dwarf nodded, turned, and pulled a green-yellow bottle from the middle of the racks to his right, along with two wine glasses. As he poured, he asked, “So, what brings you ladies into town, eh?”

“Caravan travel, trying to get back to Waterdeep, hoping for a big payday.” Werond said. She wrapped an arm around Serena’s waist, pulling her half off the stool, and leaning into her. Serena sucked in a breath, as a nervousness settled in her gut.

“Ah, aren’t we all!” the dwarf laughed. He pushed the two glasses over, half full of a clear, yellow tinged wine. “Now, don’t mean nothing by it ladies, but we only do tabs for regulars here. That’ll be nine coppers each.”

“Sure. Serena?”

Serena frowned, but nodded. She pulled the sack of coins out and drew a single gold piece, handing it over to the dwarf.

“Right, thank you ma’am, let me get your change.” He said, before hopping off the step, and walking to the other side of the bar.

“Werond,” Serena signed. “that seems expensive still. Did we not do it right? The…couple thing?”

“Oh, you did.” Werond said, squeezing Serena against her. “Pretty good job too. If there was actually a couple’s discount, I’m sure we would have gotten it.”

The warmth of the room suddenly became unbearable.

Serena pushed off Werond’s arm and scooted back onto her stool. Werond laughed and accepted the change from the dwarf.

“Sorry, sorry.” Werond said, handing the money to Serena. “Didn’t think it’d actually work.”

Serena shook her head and shoved the change into her pocket. She should have expected something like that. A couple’s discount sounded too strange to be true, and thinking on it, how would it even be policed? Anyone – like what they tried to do – could walk in and claim it.

Serena silently snorted and tipped her glass back; the wine felt dry on her tongue, and as she swallowed, she swore that a taste of apples tickled the roof of her mouth.

She coughed silently and hit her chest with a fist. Werond grinned.

“Never had that stuff before, huh?” she asked, taking a sip.

“No, but it’s good!” Serena said, grimacing slightly. “I like it!”

“You know, you don’t have to say that if you don’t actually like it, right?”

“I like it, I’m just…not a huge drinker.”

“Fair. Well,” Werond raised her glass towards Serena. “I suppose we should toast to solving our little problem, huh?”

Serena nodded, and clinked her glass against Werond’s, before tipping it back. She drank half, before setting it down on the bar.

“So, did we come here just to celebrate? I feel like we didn’t actually do much to help him.” Serena signed.

“We did though, we bought his gear. No one else was going to. And I thought it’s be nice to get away from the caravan life. Be on our own for a bit. Besides,” Werond said, sipping from her glass. “I would love to hear more about you. I feel like I don’t know much. Aside from the old stuff you told me.”

Serena felt the tips of her ears begin to warm. “Um, sure! What did you want to know?”

“Hmm. Well, if you don’t mind, what was it like, living with Ned and Bron? Being adopted, I mean.” Werond asked. “I don’t mean to come off rude, but I was just curious. You don’t need to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, it’s fine.” Serena pushed her glass away, to make room. “Well, it was okay. I still missed Mom’s place…still do honestly. But Ned made sure I had everything I needed. I wasn’t his first ‘adopt’… his words. I was the fourth. Suddenly having two brothers and a sister kind of distracted me from being sad, I suppose.”

“Didn’t know you had siblings.”

“Yeah…I don’t talk about them much because they’re rare over in that part of the world.” Serena sipped from her glass, oblivious to the confused look Werond gave her. “They helped me a lot. Bron did too. He was the one that helped coax out all the magic in me.”

“Did he?” Werond asked; she turned in her chair to face Serena, leaning her head against her hand.

“Yup! He learned how to use magic, but I had a knack for it. Inside of me, I guess. He was kind of a grouch sometimes, but he really helped me figure out how to draw out that magic. Because it’s different for him, he learned how to cast it through studying. I just need to focus, real hard, and I can…do things. Like this!” Serena flicked her fingers, causing a dull blue orb to materialize and hover at eye level. “I just think about what I want to do, focus a little bit, and my body just…makes it, I guess.” She snuffed the ball out. “Pretty cool, huh?”

“As someone who can’t use magic? Yes, extremely.” Werond said. “How did the affinity for fire start then? Is that naturally how your magic comes out?”

Serena shifted uneasily on the barstool.

“No, that’s…” she felt the tips of her ears grow hot again. “When I was learning, I was…sixteen. And didn’t always think straight. Bron pushed ice stuff on me, because that’s what he knew, but I decided I didn’t want to do that. He got mad and let me go ahead and now…” Serena forced a grin. “I have no idea how to use anything but fire.”

“Okay,” Werond said. “but what about when you healed Mr. Lord today?”

“Oh, that. Honestly, I don’t know. I can just do stuff like that. Bron never could figure that one out either. Called it religious magic, for some reason. I didn’t pay too much attention to that part.”

“Lovely.”

“Right?”

Werond tipped the rest of her glass down and wiped her mouth. She pushed the glass away, before sliding her stool closer to Serena’s.

“So,” she said, lips curling into a smile. “was magic all you learned about yourself?”

“What’d you mean?”

“What do I mean?” Werond inched forward, lightly touching Serena’s leg with her knee. “You said you figured out a lot of things about yourself, aside from magic. What else did you figure out?”

Serena’s chest grew warm, those familiar fingers of heat beginning to spread through her body. A nervousness flooded in soon after, and Serena scooted back in her seat, until Werond’s knee no longer was pressed into her.

She drained the rest of her glass, pushed it away, and began signing before Werond could speak. “H-hey, you’re asking about me, but I’ve already told you a lot! I still don’t know anything about you…like where you live and stuff.”

Werond cocked her head, smile still on her lips. “I don’t think I’m very interesting, but that’s fair. What would you like to know?” She waved a hand. “I live in Waterdeep but –.”

“Waterdeep!” Serena signed; the warm nervousness had begun to cool, and she was happy to find a topic that would prevent its return. She wasn’t ready for it. “Tell me about it, please? What’s it like over there? Is it like here?”

Her teamster let out a pfft. “I knew that was coming. Well, it’s kind of like here. But it’s bigger, I’ll tell you that. Way bigger. Daggerford’s barely got a couple of districts if you could call them that. Waterdeep is broken up into a bunch of different wards. Sea Ward, Castle Ward, Trades Wards, you get the idea. I live in the Castle Ward, which is probably bigger than Daggerford alone. And let me tell you, each Ward feels like its own little city.”

Serena scooted closer, nervousness suddenly forgotten. “How?”

“Well, each place has its own feel. Waterdeep as a whole” Werond stretched her arms out wide. “has its own culture that every everyone knows. But each ward,” she brough her hands close, making a box with her fingers. “has its own unique feel. Each place is different.” Werond put her hands down, one dangerously close to Serena’s hand. “You live in them for a year and they change you. A Castle Ward denizen doesn’t get along with a Dock Wardian, but the Docks and the South get along just fine. Does that make sense?”

“That makes sense! So, are you what all the Castle Ward people are like?”

“Oh no! Much of the Castle Ward is too stuffy for my tastes. Although, their tastes did rub off on me a little bit. Made me figure things out about myself, just like you when you lived with Ned and Bron.”

“Did you figure out how to fling fire too?”

Werond laughed. “Oh, if only. No, I figured out what I wanted to do with myself. What I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I got lucky falling into my job, and I…couldn’t be happier.” Her voice faltered for a moment, before resuming its normal cadence. “It affords me the ability to travel, take risks I wouldn’t normally have taken…” Werond leaned her head back, enough to gaze at Serena under heavy lidded eyes. “meet people I would’ve never met.”

Serena blinked.

Werond lowered her head and grinned wolfishly.

The warmth, that heated anticipation, flooded into Serena’s chest.

She raised her hand to sign; Werond laid her hand on top of Serena’s, sending a sudden jolt through her arm.

“Do you know what else I learned, from living in Waterdeep?” Werond’s voice was low, quiet, demanding Serena’s attention.

She slid her hand out from under Werond’s, and clumsily signed, “I – ah, no?”

Werond stuck her foot out, caught it on the bars under Serena’s stool, and pulled it close; Serena’s knees impacted against the middle of the cushion, Werond’s legs spread apart to accommodate.

“A lot of things seem better than what you have.” Werond said, scooting towards Serena; she could smell the apple on her breath, and the slight sweat on her skin. “Living in a city like Waterdeep, you get to try all sorts of things. Exotic foods, local wines, certain people.” She cocked her head. “You start to get the feeling that, perhaps…the grass is greener on the other side. Right?”

Serena slowly nodded. Her heart slammed in her chest, like a songbird so desperate to flee from its cage.

“And I think,” Werond’s voice dropped into that familiar, husky tone. “that you feel the same, hmm?”

“I –”

For some reason, Serena’s fingers refused work, stumbling over signs, spitting out gibberish in Werond’s head.

The flame from before – from that night, so long ago – ignited within her, a burning desire, rising to the surface after being snuffed out for so long.

Gods, it hurt.

“Are you nervous, darling?” A shiver shot up Serena’s back, beads of sweat beginning to form. “What’s to be nervous about? It’s – just – me.”

Each word – breathier than the last – sent more shivers through Serena.

Each breath felt more labored than the last, as though something were constricting her.

Werond leaned in closer – too close – and laid two fingers – delicately – on Serena’s heart.

It jumped to meet them.

The jolt from before tore through her – body almost curling around Werond’s touch.

“Gods, you are nervous.” Werond said; she dropped her fingers, only to wrap her hands around Serena’s waist.

Serena sucked in a shuddering breath.

Gods, she burned.

She wanted to give herself to Werond, surrender – but how?

Gods, how?

She didn’t want to do – say – move the wrong way.

Werond stroked her thumbs up – down around her sides.

Serena’s mind emptied of all thoughts – focusing only on her hands, warm against her body.

And her eyes.

“I hope this isn’t too much.” Werond whispered. “I can stop –”

“No!” Serena blurted with a single hand. Werond bit her lip, as she felt her blush deepen.

She reached up, backs of her fingers cool against Serena’s face, causing the dizziness to flare.

“Oh, that made you red.”

“S-sorry, I,” Serena barely signed, staring into the depths Werond’s eyes. “I don’t k-know what to do. Don’t w-want to do something bad.”

“Darling,” Werond said, sweat breath tickling her face. “just close your eyes. I’ll do all the work.”

Her amber eyes fluttered as Serena, without knowing why, obeyed.

Her lips felt warm, pleasant, like the firepit on a cold night. Shivers of pleasure rippled through Serena, her heart ready to burst, body pouring off heat. She could taste the wine, sweet, along with Werond’s feverish desire. She squeezed her hips, pulling Serena in just a bit, enough to send waves of dizzying excitement through her.

She didn’t know what to do, what to move, what to do, so she did nothing, hopping it would be enough.

Like the sun setting on the last day of summer, Werond pulled away. Serena instinctively followed, only for Werond to place a hand against her chest.

“Breathe, darling.” She said.

Serena let go of a breath she never knew she was holding.

“Much greener, right?” Werond asked, face flushed.

“Ah,” Serena signed, suddenly aware of the heat in her own face; the tips of her ears felt as though someone had lit them with a torch. “I – y-yeah.”

Werond shook her head.

“You’re terrible at that, by the way.” She said with a crooked smile.

“W-well, you’ll just have to teach me then!” Serena blurted out.

Werond blinked, the nodded.

“Suppose I’ll have to, yeah. Among other –”

As she spoke, a bell suddenly tolled throughout the tavern, originating from above their heads, causing both Serena and Werond to jump.

The uproar in the tavern died almost immediately, patrons and staff alike glancing around, eyes wide.

“The hell was that?” Werond asked, irritation creeping into her voice.

“I – it sounded like a bell?” Serena signed, fingers still clumsy, but nervousness suddenly forgotten.

“Ah shit.” the dwarf barkeep said from across the bar. “Been awhile since we heard that. Alright!” he suddenly shouted. “y’all heard that before, don’t panic! Stay inside ‘till the safe bell rings!”

A sign of relief swept through the inn. Patrons began to resume drinking, the conversion this time just a bit quieter.

“Hey!” Werond hailed to the dwarf, untangling herself from Serena; a chill crept up her as she did. “What was that noise?”

“Just the guard’s bell!” the dwarf responded, ambling back over to the pair. “When something happens outside, the guards ring a big ole bell up in one of the towers. It’s enchanted so to ring in a bunch of important buildings, like this one. They’ve got a couple of other bells to ring too, like if they need backup, they ring it again, if it’s all clear, a different bell –”

“What?” Werond asked. “Did something happen outside? Why would the city guard be activating?”

The dwarf shrugged. “Got me. But if the bell is ringing, must be big. Maybe something to do with your caravan?”

“The caravan?” Why would something with…” Werond’s eyes went wide, and she turned towards Serena. “Boss, I’m sure it’s nothing but…you don’t think Lady Zultan did something? She looked pissed today.”

Icy talons of dread gripped Serena. She hadn’t thought about Lady Zultan at all.

“I…I don’t know, do you think she’d do something?”

“No, she’d be outnumbered. Pavel and everyone else would take her down. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’d do something like that.” Werond said, grimacing.

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“I’m…I don’t know.”

“Fuck,” Serena hopped off her barstool and shoved it in. “they wouldn’t ring the bell for nothing, and if it is something big, they’ll need me.”

“Right!” Werond hopped off and waved at the barkeep. “Doesn’t hurt to check.”

Fear gnawed at Serena as they made their way towards the door. She was sure that it meant nothing, that they would walk outside, and Jo would laugh at them for being so concerned. Lord Zultan would do the same, Cruck’aa would give them a hard time, and they’d be on their way.

Serena pushed open the wooden door, the chill of night settling onto her shoulders.

As she did, a second bell, same as the first, tolled through the night.

Before she could think, Serena pushed off the doorframe and broke into a sprint towards the gates. Werond yelled behind her, before dashing to keep up.