Reilyn’s tunic was roughly folded up and set on one of the tavern tables. He pulled off his undershirt with a grunt and rolled it into a ball, setting it beside his tunic. Linda stepped closer, narrowing her eyes at the stab wound on his chest. It wasn’t particularly deep, but it was jagged. She sighed, “And you told me not to worry.” 

A tired smile spread on Reilyn’s lips, “As you can see, I’m great at making friends.” 

Linda shook her head in response.

She turned and grabbed a bucket of water, dipping a rag in it and wringing it out. She walked back to Reilyn, dabbing the wound with the wet cloth. Pulling the bottle of moonshine from a nearby table she poured some onto the rag and dabbed the wound once more. Reilyn grimaced, biting down on his lower lip, but he stayed still and fairly quiet, letting Linda work. Linda finished cleaning him and dropped the rag back into the bucket. 

“So, you’re searching for Tomos’ daughter?” Linda asked, her voice troubled. Reilyn nodded. 

He grabbed his tunic, wrapping it around himself and tying it loosely at his waist, not bothering to put his undershirt back on. “I’m not sure if they have any leads, but I know the woods around these towns pretty well. Comes with never really staying in one place.” He said. 

Linda took a deep breath. “Be cautious. There could be something bigger behind her disappearance.” 

“Do you know something about it?” Reilyn picked up his bloodied undershirt and held his other hand out for Felix to hop into. The squirrel happily accepted and quickly scuttled up to Reilyn’s shoulder. 

“I’ve been hearing about a few kidnappings lately.” Linda spoke softly. She walked over to one of the tavern windows, gazing outside despondently. “Typically of young girls. There might be a pattern, I don’t know, but-” She made eye contact with Reilyn, pleadingly. “Don’t get into something too deep, please? I don’t want to lose a friend.” She snickered, “Or my best worker.” 

Reilyn chuckled, “I’ll come back alive, that much I promise.” He walked towards the stairs up to the bedchambers. “Thanks, again, Linda’da.” They smiled at each other once more. Reilyn turned away, climbing the steps. His body was grateful for the rest it was about to get.

—

The early morning sun beamed through the windows of Reaper’s Paradise. Reilyn glared at it as he made his way down the stairs and towards the table Linda had set up for the group’s meeting. Linda was in the process of unlocking the door and letting Burgomaster Tomos inside. Reilyn was dressed for business, vambraces and greaves on, talwaar at his side and cloak around his shoulders. 

Linda had set out refreshments. Water, mead, bread, cheese and fruit. The three stood around the table, bathing in the stilted silence. “The rest will be here shortly?” Linda asked, sipping a glass of water. 

Tomos nodded, shakily picking up an apple. He took a small bite and chewed for what must have been minutes. The man must have been having a hard time eating as of late. Reilyn sighed and took a piece of cheese from the spread, tearing it in two. He gave half to Felix, who was hiding under his cloak, on his shoulder as usual. Reilyn quietly occupied himself by nibbling on the half he kept. 

A knock on the door broke the silence. Linda set her water down and let Garrin and his soldiers into her establishment. The six outfitted warriors piled into the room and around the meeting table. Garrin and Linda were on either side of Reilyn, the rest of the group coiled around the other side of the table.

In the light of day Reilyn noticed the smattering of freckles on Garrin’s face, down his neck, and on the backs of his large hands. 

The soldiers were clad in chainmail, leather armour and boots, conical helms, with long tunics and tight trousers. Their weapons firmly at their sides or on their backs. 

Garrin pulled a map from his satchel and laid it on the table, smoothing it out. It was a map of Morgaanis. Specifically, the eastern half, showing Unu territory, with Kybus and Rinuo to the west. Pembroke was in the south of Unu. Not shown on the map, because Humans couldn’t see the magical barrier that surrounded the country, Tey’Omus bordered the south east of Unu. 

“You know me already. I’m Garrin Lu Basset, the man hired to lead you. I have a plan, and a path to get there.” He looked around, his face bore a perturbed frown, “So, introduce yourselves.” He waved his hand towards the group. 

A woman across the table nodded firmly in response. She was just a touch shorter than Linda, standing at five foot seven. Her body was slim but her tone was assertive, “I am Catrin Li Phillips.” Her green eyes stood out against her tan skin and short brown hair. She held her lance firmly at her side, her grip tightening as she spoke. “I would like to get moving as soon as possible. A child’s life is at risk.” 

Tomos’ body began to shake more than it already had been. Garrin flinched and looked off to the side, it was as if Catrin’s statement stung him. 

Beside Catrin, another young woman spoke up. She was a few inches shorter, her hair was long, wavy and black. “I am Nia Li Dwite.” She set her mead down and gripped her bow tightly. Her brown eyes bore furiously into Reilyn, her features twisting on her pale skin as she spoke, “And I still question the Burgomaster’s decision to hire the Elf instead of letting us execute him on the spot.” 

Reilyn rolled his eyes at her.

“Enough.” Garrin interjected, “This is about rescuing a kid. I don’t care about your personal beliefs.” The giant man grumbled and grabbed his own tankard of mead, throwing it back and gulping it down. 

“Sir, it’s not even sext yet.” Linda stated bluntly. 

“Terce or sext, I need a drink.” Garrin scowled and pointed at the next soldier, “Go on, you.” 

Next was a short man, only about four inches taller than Reilyn. “M-my name is Daffyd Lu Rowlands,” the man stuttered. He had a head of fluffy blond hair atop pale skin, frantic grey eyes and a chubby belly. “And I-I’m also uncomfortable working with this Elf. How can we trust someone who uses black magic?” He slammed his fist on the table, sending a piece of fruit flying.

Reilyn cackled in response. 

“Enough!” Tomos shouted. His hands shook violently. “My daughter could be dead!” 

Garrin nodded in agreement, “Save your personal disputes until after we save the girl.” He set down his empty tankard, he left not even a drop of mead. “Keep going,” he motioned to the next soldier. 

“The name’s Emyr Lu Parry!” Another giant man exclaimed, he was still a solid few inches shorter than Garrin, however. His speech came out slightly jumbled as he was still chewing on a sizable bite from an apple. His hair was slicked back and dark blond. His brown eyes shone with excitement against his lightly tanned skin. “I say we get this show on the road, beat up those baddies, y’know?” 

Garrin grinned, “I like this one.” 

Emyr laughed heartily at hearing the praise. 

The final soldier cleared his throat, “My name is Jac Lu Owen.” He had light brown hair, braided and tied back into a bun, decorated by beads bearing Morgaan symbols, a few braids hung loose around his dark skin and deep green eyes. He was about three inches taller than Daffyd. “And I question my mates’ need to pick fights while we have a more serious mission at hand.” He wore his halberd on his back, and daintily picked up a piece of fruit as he spoke. All except Nia and Daffyd nodded in agreement. 

“An excellent thing to question.” Garrin eyed the soldiers sternly, giving Nia and Daffyd especially harsh looks. 

Reilyn ran his fingers through his hair and sighed, “My name is Reilyn Lu Telnur. And as much as you don’t want me here, I am. A kid’s life is on the line, and that’s more important than any reason you lot have to hate me.” He glared up at the group. Garrin glanced down at the Eyll, lost for a reply. Everyone else remained quiet. 

The silence hung in the tavern for a few minutes before Garrin slapped a large hand onto the table, using his other to point towards the map. “There’s a few surrounding towns to Pembroke,” he dragged his finger across Abergave, Carmer, Fordwest, Caernar and Narber. “All of these places,” he rested his pointer against one town, “Except for one. Narber. Have reported missing children. I suspect this is more than just a single kidnapping.” Garrin traced his finger along the road from Narber back to Pembroke. “This is where we’ll be travelling, keeping a low profile. We’ll travel through the forest just off the road, since our quarry is likely doing the same. We’ll keep a tight formation and constant watch. Narber is either their base, or they’re going there to find more victims.” 

The group stared at the map, taking in Garrin’s plan and analysis. Reilyn furrowed his brow. A group effort to kidnap multiple children. He suspected they were getting themselves into something even deeper than they knew. He caught a concerned glance from Linda, they locked eyes for a moment. 

Garrin reached for more mead, but Linda pulled it away before he could grab the tankard. He pouted and took a glass of water instead. 

“That sounds like a good plan. I knew I could count on you, Garrin.” Tomos nodded in approval. He scanned the room again, taking note of everyone in the rescue party, “Are you ready to head out?” 

With a final gulp, Garrin set the empty water glass down. He carefully took the map and rolled it back up, placing it into his satchel. “Now’s as good a time as any.” 

He turned and stepped towards the door, untying his shimmering gauntlets from his belt and putting them on. As the large man adjusted the armour, moving his fingers around, Reilyn admired the engravings and bronze details decorating the worn and battered, yet polished iron. 

The five soldiers followed suit, placing any food and drink down and tailing after their leader. 

Reilyn sighed, giving Felix a pet or two. He looked over at Linda again, a despondent frown on his lips. 

“Take care of yourself.” She said to him, smiling softly. She patted him on the shoulder, he smiled back. 

“I promise, Linda’da.” 

The Eyll followed the group outside.

A small flock of townsfolk gathered to see the warriors off and wish them well. A few even handed provisions to Garrin and his soldiers. Reilyn pulled his hood over his face, trying to keep hidden. 

One young boy waddled up to him, “Good luck mister!” A wide grin sat on the child’s face. Reilyn was about to speak but the mother bolted towards her son, pulling him away. 

“Stay away from him!” She chided the boy. 

Reilyn bit down on his lip and walked away, out of Pembroke. Making a point to keep his distance from the Humans he was travelling with. 

He was doing this for the girl. Not these people.