Chapter 16

That’s a depressing thought. Lark, as she took another sip of the Frog Bog, enjoying the taste but grimacing at the images of the tadpoles, forced to be cannibalistic and feed on their siblings. Mind wandering, Lark gazed around the dirty taproom and the same questions popped into her head as they always did in quiet moments. Her mind spun and spiralled as she sipped, head sweeping from side to side like a bloodhound searching for a scent.

Her inner voice rose, commanding attention from I don’t know how to get to the University and even if I do get there, I don’t know that anyone will help me. Who do I even ask? A Principal? Oh, I bet they would call him or her a headmaster because it’s a magical school of witchcraft and wizardry. Lark snickered at her private little joke, a part of her wanted to share her observations with Fallston, but so far everytime she had made a reference to Hogwarts, he had only looked at her with the contempt of someone speaking to a certified imbecile. Do I have to pay money or enrol to get help? All I want is to go home.

“Come.” Commanded Fallston, we have much to accomplish before the sun sets.

“What happens when the sun sets?” Whispered Lark. The hairs on her neck prickled with fear and foreboding.

The Captain looked at her with his usual contemptuous gaze. We go to bed Lark, what else did you think would happen? Monsters out on the streets, ghouls crawling from the gutters? “Of course that happens every once in a while, but mainly the City Watch keeps a tight grip on all things that are bothersome in the night.”

A slow smile spread across Larks features, replacing her worried and furrowed brow with smile lines and eyes that twinkled.

“Would you say that the City Watch keeps a tight grip on all things that go “bump in the night?”

“Bump? No I said bothersome because monsters and the undead do not ‘bump you’ Lark. They eat you. That is bothersome for the Watch, a rouge monster can do a lot of damage in a city in very few minutes. You see…”

“Ugh, lets just go. I’d rather drown in your frog dungeon than listen to another lecture. Also, maybe on this quest or whatever you’d call it, I can find a way home and you can find a sense of humour.”

“Rude.” Huffed the Centaur, “many of my subordinates have told me that I have a keen sense of humour.”

“The key word in that statement, your horsinness, is subordinates. Trust me, no one finds you funny.”

Another snort, Lark laughed and the Captain grumbled as she continued teasing him good naturedly… until the Dwarf came by.

“That’ll be two silver pieces my Loves.”

Fallston reached into the little pouch at his waist and slowly pulled out one silver coin, placing it purposefully on the table between himself and the server while maintaining unbroken eye contact with Lark. A wolffish grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

“Oh, come on. I was just teasing!”

“No coins for you lass?” Off to the kitchen with ya, yer on dish duty and if you try to cheat me, I’ll call the City Watch!”

The plump dwarf put two fingers to her lips and her little blonde beard shook with mirth.

“I guess, you do have a keen sense of humour after all.” Lark huffed, jumping from the stool before the Dwarf could whistle.

Snorting laughter that went on and on before ending in a whiny followed her as she made her way to the back.

“I’ll come get ya in an hour, but first, Merida, another drink for me. And show young Lark to the outhouses while yer at it, she’s got a strong arm and a keen sense of hygiene for all your patrons. Yes Merida, that is exactly what I’m saying. Funny Miss Lark would love to scrub herself the old shit house