he took her leave of the servant and ascended the stairs to the little village. She found Daneska at the fountain reading a small book bound in violet leather. Dale had not seen it before and wondered where it had come from; certainly their journey so far had not included such luxuries. She peered over the mesmer’s shoulder and saw the crisply printed stanzas of a ballad. Not a magical treatise then.

“Where did you get the book?”

“Oh, I told one of the bodyguards I was bored and he brought out a whole chest of books for me.” Daneska smiled up at her, face radiant in the sun. “Do you like reading?”

“I have my letters…though I’ve actually never read from a book.” Dale squinted at the tiny text. A few letters formed familiar words, but many of the words she had to strain to understand. Daneska closed the book.

“Hey come and look at them…if you want maybe I can read to you…I used to read to my little brothers before they shipped me off.”

The mesmer flitted into their room where an ugly and battered wooden chest now dominated the center of the little chamber. Dale stopped at the doorway, smelling a hint of decay. Her stomach clenched slightly as her friend opened the chest and more of the scent wafted out. In the months following the searing, she and her master had explored the ruined wastes, often coming upon houses that had become tombs as starvation and disease claimed victims. The smell of the chest brought back just such a memory, and the mesmer, having no such recollections continued to chatter happily as she pulled out a couple of slim volumes.

“It smells.” Dale said simply, trying to tell herself that maybe the chest had simply been stored in a damp spot.

“It does smell rather musty.” Daneska flashed one of her grins. “Makes you wonder where it’s been.”

“It does.” Not in a good way Dale thought as she accepted the books from Daneska. “Do you think we can move it to an empty room?”

“It really bothers you, I can see that. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s wrong?”

“It smells of death. Old death.”

Daneska swallowed. “You mean it too…you look so upset. I’ll get one of the men to move it…”

“Did the bodyguard say where he got it?”

“No.” Daneska stepped out into the sunshine and away from the chest where it now seemed to crouch in a shady lair. Dale returned to the fountain and set the books down before following the mesmer to the warriors’ room. The two men were napping after the afternoon’s exertion of sparring for the lord’s entertainment. Arn, ever the heavy sleeper, remained snoring, but Demen was up after only a moment of shaking. He shuffled out to their room and crossed his arms when he looked at the chest.

“Yeah, it does stink.” Demen agreed before finally grabbing a handle and dragging the heavy box out into the courtyard and then into an unused room. Dale saw Renard and Huon come into the yard as the move was completed.

“Any of you seen Tolse?” Renard asked in a sharp voice. Dale shook her head; Tolse was a darkly clad little man who said little or nothing, and seemed eternally occupied with sharpening his little knives or furtively watching Daneska. Dale found him quite creepy.

“No, I’ve been out in the yard all day and have not seen him since this morning.” Daneska replied. “ He had a bag of food with him, so I think he went out exploring. He took his knives and had his leathers on too.”

“Hmm.” Renard looked up at the sky where the sun was beginning its descent to the horizon. “Well hopefully he will show up for dinner.”

“There’s something I saw wandering around in the canyons…my wolf…says it is undead. We should stay together I think.” Dale added. “I would have mentioned it earlier but I got distracted.”

“Your wolf talks?”

“To me he does.”

“How quaint. Well Tolse has been around worse than a zombie, I imagine he’ll be back…I wanted to talk to him.” Renard’s gaze took in Dale and then the wolf at her side. The mesmer whistled at the wolf and Serul yelped, darting into the safety of their room.

“Leave him alone!” Dale cried as she felt a little surge of pain in her skull. Daneska swept past her and slapped Renard across the face.

“How dare you attack her? You utter renegade!”

“I didn’t attack her…the wolf was staring at me and I was bothered by it.”

“Serul would not hurt you…you just did it to be cruel because you could.” Daneska snarled at him. “You also wanted to see if they were bonded at all. You could have asked Dale.”

“Well I know for sure now. Sometimes the stupid ranger has no idea.” Renard sneered. “I wonder why they do such things, it’s a huge vulnerability that people like myself can exploit. Hurts, does it Dale?”

“Get away from me!”

“Yes, I shall, especially as it appears your muscle bound friend is about to hit me.” Renard ducked Demen’s fist before surrounding himself in a shimmering field of magenta. The warrior missed him again by several feet and the mesmer cackled and ran from the courtyard. Dale noticed Huon watching the entire exchange, he looked at the ground as if ashamed.

“What a scum.” Demen closed the door to the room that held the chest. “He’ll be more trouble the longer we are stuck here. You see how he hangs on the arm of the lord?”

“Yes.”

“He’s always plotting something.” Huon added. “I was wondering if I could sleep in one of the rooms down here. I shared a room with Tolse…and I don’t want to be alone tonight. I thought I heard something moving around.”

“You could sleep on my floor.” Dale said, and then instantly regretted her eagerness; Daneska and Demen stared at her. “I mean the only other room has a stinky chest in it, and Hebek…well she snores and she is a really light sleeper.”

“Or he could sleep with me and Arn…since he is a man.” Demen rumbled. “You are welcome to stay with us.”

“Yes, I can sleep on the ground…I will bring my things down.” The aeromancer winked at Dale as he turned to go up the stairs to where the Twistwood had been staying. Daneska snickered when the mage was well out of earshot.

“Oh you like him and he likes you.”

“Oh quit it.”

“It’s so true though. Its cute…both of you youngsters like that.” Demen added to the merriment with his own guffaw. “However it would not be proper to have him sleeping in a room with two young ladies. That might happen in a camp, but not in a hall.”

Dale knew she was blushing. Daneska took her arm and dragged her back into their room. The mesmer looked completely serious however, even though Dale thought initially that the reason was for gossip about Huon’s arrival.

“Alright, we need to find out what’s happening here. I think we need to get into the old members’ quarters. I was up there earlier today when the bodyguard found me. I convinced him I was just bored and he brought me those books. Now you tell me about the smell and then someone is missing... am a little concerned. And…the lord himself, I cannot read him in any way. It’s like looking into a void. Dale, there’s something very bad here.”

“So how do you propose we get in there? I saw the ironwork gate…its got spikes on it.”

“I was thinking your boyfriend could melt the lock.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Oh, I would say otherwise. You know when we left you…besides me he was really vocal about it. He got in a fight with Renard over it too. He likes you.”

“What is up with Renard, anyhow?"

“He’s scared. If I cannot read the lord, he can’t either.”

They both looked up when dinner was called; Petri was shouting in the courtyard for them to assemble. They filed down the stairs to where a small feast was laid out once again. The lord sat at the head of the table with Renard already installed on his left side. Dale took her place between Hebek and Daneska. She glanced down the table and saw that Tolse was still missing. Huon sat next to Ferar the fire mage and looked truly anxious. The last people to arrive were the two warriors. The lord clapped his hands as they arrived.

“Ah my wonderful warriors, how are you?”

“Good your lordship.” Arn ducked his head respectfully as the pair of them sat. Petri fluttered around the table, filling cups with red wine. There was a lull of silence as they all ate. Renard asked a few questions of the lord and quite suddenly the lord slammed his knife down.

“Master Renard. If it is your desire to be rude, you are succeeding. I am afraid I cannot answer your questions. If you please, I would like to enjoy my meal in silence or at least courteous conversation.”

“Yes my lord.” Renard bowed his head. Dale saw the two body servants behind the lord lean together and whisper. She knew not to stare and carefully regarded her plate, beside her Daneska was also studiously attending to her meal. The guild lord looked up across the table.

“Where is that young man Tolse? Is he too good to attend the one meal a day I desire your company?”

“He went missing my lord.” Renard replied softly. “Not seen him since this morning.”

“Well isn’t that just rotten? Well I am sure we’ll see him back.” The lord speared a piece of meat and chewed on it. “I heard that lovely Miss Dale has been learning to sword fight. I should like to see that.”

“I am sure we could arrange it.” Demen replied. “She needs the practice.”

“Ah excellent. Though she has obviously no breeding she is rather easy on the eyes.”

“Bloody aristocrat.” Daneska breathed into her plate. “Give him breeding up his…”

“Dani…shhhh!” Hebek hissed. “I have a feeling that the more we nod and smile, the better it is for us.”

“He’s a terrible oink.” Daneska whispered. “We are just here to amuse him. If he were in my guild we would have had a word…”

“Its his hall...or his body servants’ hall…I haven’t decided who is in control here, but his lordship appears to be having a lucid moment right now.”

“Ladies, if you have something to say, I would prefer you let us all hear.” The lord broke in. “Why the whispering?”

“We were just concerned over the disappearance of Tolse, your lordship.” Hebek replied.

“Ah, there there, I am certain he will be back. If he did wander out of the grounds though, it is his own fault…it is not safe outside of the gates.” The lord ate another mouthful. “Anyhow let us forget this unpleasantness. I thought maybe since it is a cool evening that I could see Miss Dale and Master Demen fight a little for our entertainment. Are either of you too full?”

“I’m willing…Dale?”

She nodded to the warrior. “Yes, that’s alright.”

“Oh good. I had Petri bring down your sticks. I was so hoping you would agree.”

Demen strode out to the center of the cave as a few lanterns were brought out. Taking her cue from the warrior, she walked out beside him. Demen grinned at her and put an arm over her in a short embrace. They parted and paced apart. Dale bowed courteously in response to Demen raising his weapon. Then they hurtled together. This was different from the training and she quickly understood it to be a dance for show. The warrior backed away and then stepped away from her attacks, all while seeming to be struck. Likewise anytime he hit her it was light and nothing compared to the beating she had received earlier.

“I did not call you down to watch the pair of you play at a stick dance.” The lord thundered. “It is pretty, but neither of you is fighting.”

“She’s just a student my lord, I thought perhaps to show off her speed…her actual fighting is not so good.”

“I am well aware of her speed. I would not tolerate anyone who had no talent.” The lord replied icily. “I want to see how she is progressing.”

“Then perhaps next week? She’ll have improved by then.”

“Fight.” The lord crossed his arms.

Demen sighed and they came together again, this time in earnest. She did her best to stand her ground with everyone assembled and watching. She was still sore from earlier and the warrior seemed quite refreshed after his nap. He mercilessly drubbed her when there was the least drop in her defenses. All the while he snapped instructions and criticism at her. Dale was wearing down and could hear the lord cheering each time she was hit. Demen finally backed away and lowered his weapon. Relieved, she stopped and caught her breath. The lord clapped happily.

“Oh that’s just so amusing! Alright now…continue training her, it should be funny to see if you can do anything with her…she holds her weapon like a meat cleaver.”

Dale limped back to the table and used her napkin to wipe the sweat from her face, sighing when she discovered that her nose had been bloodied somewhere in the fray. Petri brought out cream, cake and berries for dessert. The slight man observed Dale for a moment.

“Keep quiet.” He muttered as he put a bowl in front of her. “Quiet people do best here…”

Daneska watched Petri’s retreating back and then rubbed Dale’s shoulder. “You alright?”

“Hurt all over.” She admitted. “Demen could pull blows, but I think he sees the pain part of training as necessary.”

“Ah…I will see if I can help later.”

“Just bruises.” The three of them rose when the lord dismissed them. Dale left her dessert untouched, feeling slightly nauseated from the exertion. They climbed the stairs and entered their room, lighting the room with an oil lamp. Hebek settled on to the bed next to Dale.

“Daneska, get Dale healed up. We should all keep in top condition. We don’t know what is happening here.” Hebek muttered darkly. “Petri has some sympathy for you Dale…”

“Yeah…what is that about?” Daneska agreed as she sat on the other side of Dale. “He was watching you the whole time like he was hypnotized.”

“’Cause our Dale is so pretty….” Hebek tittered. “I see the way the men moon around her.”

“It wasn’t lust.” Daneska said, rolling her eyes at the necromancer. Dale winced as the mesmer lifted up her tunic and looked at the numerous black bruises. “No…bit more complex than that. Besides…it’s just Huon that does that…the other men might look but it’s not quite so…urgent.”

“That assassin had it bad for you, Dani. Too bad he’s missing.” The necromancer shook her head sadly.

“He was creepy.” Dale and Daneska said in unison. The three of them burst into raucous laughter.

“I swear you two have got to be related somewhere.” Hebek shook her head. “You just know each other too well.”

“Do you like Huon, Daneska?” Dale asked.

“Oh, he’s alright. Kinda dumb.” Daneska shrugged, running her hands over Dale’s abused ribs. Warm energy seeped into her flesh and she felt instant relief throughout her body. “He seems nice enough.”

“He’s dumb?”

“He does everything Renard tells him. I guess I treasure willpower…” The mesmer smirked. “Though the only time he got disobedient was over you, I could like him.”

“Thanks Daneska. That is so much better.” Dale said, stretching with relief.

“You can call me Dani like everyone else does, you know…unless you want to call me Miss Daneska like the lord does perhaps…you can be so formal sometimes.” Daneska hugged Dale, giggling. “Such a silly she wolf…so serious. Did anyone ever play with you as a child?”

“Yes.” Dale looked away. “My master’s house was full of people…until the searing.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Daneka’s senses caught Dale’s feelings almost immediately. “I can’t imagine how it must have been.”

“I’m still really young Daneska…but I feel like I’ve come such a long way…and I understand so little. I think my master did not mean this. I think he’d not approve of an aeromancer from a bad guild.”

“You’re an adult…if you like him, talk to him.” Hebek advised. “Don’t see your master here at all. Besides, gods know what some old dog of a ranger got up to when he was young…they are pretty wild.”

“He never laid a hand on any woman I was aware of. He loved the one he lost.”

“Hmm. Tough to follow that. I still recommend trying it, beats celibacy.” The necromancer stalked to the open door and peered out into the deepening evening gloom. “The warriors are still down talking to Petri, and Huon is alone…go talk.”

“Go on.” Daneska said, pushing Dale from the bed.

Dale slipped out into the cool night air and stared at the open door where a lantern lit the silvery figure of the mage. He was bent over a scroll, his index finger tracing a faded line of text. Momentarily she was reminded of Galyew and felt somewhat repulsed. What if he was just like that horrible man? She shivered, frowning when she saw Hebek motioning at her emphatically to get a move on. It was plain embarrassing. She strode into the room, vaguely aware that she was stalking as if she were about to ambush a monster.

The aeromancer nearly leapt off of the stool he was sitting on in surprise at her sudden appearance. He stammered for a moment and then started hiccoughing at the sight of her.

“D-dale!” He bleated, face now draining of color as she stood there, leaning against the door jamb.

“Hello.”

“Hi.” Huon smiled, an almost sickly expression plastered across his face. “So…to what do I owe this…visit?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to go hunting with me tomorrow.” Dale blurted, scrambling to think of something.

“Hunting?” The mage seemed to relax slightly, the invitation apparently bringing him back to reality. He was momentarily at a loss for words. “You know, as much as I would like to…I think Renard would not be happy about that.”

“Renard can leapfrog a devourer.”

“Renard doesn’t like any of you.”

“Don’t care what Renard likes.”

“I see.” Huon anxiously rustled the scroll in his hands. Dale walked forward and took the scroll out of his hands. She set it aside on Demen’s bed. She brushed his hand as she moved and felt him grip her wrist. She spun on him and he squeezed her arm gently. His brilliant eyes met hers and she found herself returning his grip.

“I heard that you defended me…that you did not want to leave me.” Dale said softly. “That means a lot to me.”

“I couldn’t stand to see you alone there….” Huon swung her hand a little bit and Dale could sense his continued nervousness. She wondered if she would be electrocuted again. Feeling suddenly impulsive, she leaned forward and kissed him before he could say another word. He let out a little moan, putting an arm around her waist to pull her close. She nuzzled his neck, breathing in his scent as he held her for a moment.

“Oh Dale.” He sighed. “Its as if….”

“Its as if you were in my room cuddling someone in my protection.” Arn rumbled. “Dale. Out.”

“She started it.” Huon said as Dale sprang out of the room, face blazing with embarrassment.

“Oh I am sure she did.” Arn snorted. “Cannot imagine otherwise…she’s not afraid of much, including boys. She’s also much too young to be alone with you.”

Dale overheard this with annoyance back in her room with Daneska and Hebek, who were muffling their guffaws into blankets and pillows. Dale sighed at their behavior and pushed Hebek off of her cot, still feeling the throb of humiliation in her temples. Of all the people to see her with Huon, it had to be the overly protective warrior. Daneska finally surfaced from the blankets to face her with teary eyes.

“Oh my, I need to help you with opening propositions. Hunting? Dale! Hunting? You asked a mage to go hunting…it’s just so precious!”

“I kissed him.”

“He was probably too startled by the haze of romance to resist.” The necromancer cackled. “He was already thinking of skinning bunny rabbits…and his eyes were misting over with the possibilities.”

“Stew or pie?” The mesmer collapsed into gusts of hilarity with the necromancer.