Chapter 299: Castile versus Konstantin

Castile looked over the young mage on the bed that Eryk had left her to deal with. She was probably attractive under the gag and all the grime. She sighed as she pulled out the short knife hidden on her hip and cut the cordage and leather straps binding her ankles, but left her hands tied. Eryk had gone overboard with securing her, and she didn’t want to waste time unraveling the knots.

She wondered what he meant when he said he was rough with her, but doubted he had abused the woman. It wasn’t in his nature, but then again, she had been wrong about so many men in her lifetime. He also couldn’t escape fast enough from the room after depositing her—so maybe he had some guilt about how he had treated her. It was still unfathomable to her that he could store people in his dimensional space. She guessed she was even now underestimating its size.

Next, she checked the bandage wrapped around the woman’s thigh. It was still wet with blood and hadn’t clotted completely. The mage poison must be new to the Hounds, as she had never heard of it, or perhaps it was a secret that Erk was not supposed to share. Since they frequently hunted rogue mages, it made sense that they would have ways to deal with them. She cleaned the wound and put on a fresh dressing. Eryk had mentioned that healing potions would be less effective until the poison cleared her body, so maybe that could wait until after she awoke and could access her core.

She left the gag on for now and moved to the writing desk with Selene’s pack. She started emptying it and laying out its contents. The woman had certainly taken a small fortune: stacks of gold and silver and two modest piles of jewelry. She searched the jewelry, but didn’t find anything that excited her aetheric probing.

Returning to the bed, she pulled away the gag. Eryk could have used something a little less soiled. It was best that she didn’t wake up with it in her mouth. As she cleaned the woman’s face with water from the pitcher in the room, some familiarity struck her. Maybe she had seen a younger version of Selene during her time as a mage commander. Then again, the First Citizens were all related in one way or another, so she could be confusing her with someone else.

A knock came at the door, and she found Lirkin standing there. On seeing the bound woman, he looked over at the bed questioningly. Castile gave him a look. Now was not the time for questions. Distracted, he asked, “I wanted to see if you wanted something to eat. I will need to go to the market.” Judging by his expression, he clearly wanted to know who the woman was, and his eyes bulged at the fortune on the writing desk when he noticed it.

“Yes. Prepare something for the three of us.” Castile wouldn’t give him details, as she didn’t have them all herself. “How has the hiring been going?”

Lirkin snapped his attention back to Castile. The two servers who had worked at the inn and cleaned the rooms had left when the establishment was sold, so he was interviewing replacements. He was seeking probably four servers or maids and one barkeep. Lirkin planned to do all the cooking himself. Lirkin found his voice. “I interviewed a dozen this morning. I’m glad Mateo and Benito had already left; some were quite comely and they would have scared them off. I talked to the woodcarver for a new sign as well.”

“Oh, have you decided on a name then?” Castile said, still ignoring the identity of the bound woman.

“Yes, Adrian’s Rest,” Lirkin said.

“Fitting,” Castile replied, smiling, her throat getting tight. Castile finally indicated the woman. “She should be up in a few hours. Perhaps while you are out, you can get some simple clothes for our guest. You can use some of her coin.” Castile’s nose twitched. “Draw her a bath when you have time. I need to keep an eye on her.”

Lirkin nodded obediently, took two gold coins from the desk, and left. His mindset was still rooted in not questioning his mage commander. That would change over time if she stayed with him. He was a good man, close to her age, and they might grow closer eventually. She still wanted a family, and maybe when she felt truly safe, she would seek his bed if she didn’t find another.

Selene had light auburn hair and a soft, oval face. Castile checked her eyes to make sure she was not faking being asleep; they were a lovely, soft green. She wished she had been blessed with such looks. She found it disconcerting that both Viridia and Selene were so lovely. Did Eryk have some type of heroic disposition for rescuing beautiful women? She smirked to herself, as he had, in a way, rescued her. By that logic, she would be considered beautiful even though she knew it was far from the truth.

Castile closed her eyes and sent out her all-seeing eye, a habit she had developed in the Legion. She checked her surroundings periodically if she didn’t have legionnaires on guard. The aether burn had not lessened after the lessons from Elaro, but she could see that their effectiveness would come with more practice.

She searched the building and the stables, finding nothing but the old innkeepers packing a wagon in the small courtyard out back. In three more days, they should have all their belongings moved. Castile searched Selene for weapons, but guessed Eryk had already done so. She did find a thin knife strapped to her inner thigh and smirked, imagining how Eryk would have reacted if he had found it. At least it proved he had not abused her in that way. She also discovered another secret pouch containing twenty more small gold coins, which she added to the desk.

She thought about stripping the mage, as she had pissed her undergarments, but decided to let her wake on her own first. Many hours later, Selene Greco stirred. Castile waited until she opened her eyes groggily and started to panic. “Calm yourself, Selene,” Castile soothed. “You are safe and in the company of friends. I will free your wrists once you are fully awake.”

Selene’s mouth was dry and hoarse as she tried to speak, so Castile gave her water so she could wet her tongue and throat. Her voice was uncertain as she recalled her memories and took in the room. “Where am I?”

“Gramney, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Manch. You are in Adrian’s Rest, an inn in the city,” Castile said levelly, giving her more water.

“How did I get here?” Selene asked as she regained more alertness.

Castile couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “A mutual friend smuggled you out of the Empire. Don’t worry, according to him, they are certain you are dead.” Selene tried to sit up and Castile helped her. Her eyes focused on the wealth on the table. Castile put her at ease, “It is all yours. Lirkin took some coins to get you some fresh clothes and food. But I have not touched a thing. If anything is missing, it is because he gave it to your legionnaires.”

Confusion and realization washed over her face. “Helena and Sylvia live? Are they here as well?” Hope was in her voice.

“I don’t know if they still live. Your abductor left them alive, though,” Castile replied. “I am Mage Castile Duval, ex–mage commander of the Empire.”

Selene’s glassy eyes stayed fixed on Castile, seemingly still fighting the effect of the oblivion pills. “Ex–mage commander?”

Castile didn’t know how to break the news softly, so she just said it. “The Emperor is dead. Rumor is that Duke Octavian is maneuvering for the throne and is close to seizing it.”

“Good! He killed my parents!” Selene said angrily, and the tendons in her neck bulged.

Castile observed her flaring anger for a moment before saying more calmly, “The Emperor was too addled to order the death of your parents. According to the man who rescued you, it was Centurion Sergius of the Western Hounds and Duke Octavian who plotted to gain your family’s mines.”

Castile studied her reaction for a long time as Selene processed the news. Confusion, disbelief, and then anger passed over the woman’s face. “I knew Duke Octavian was involved, but I thought it was only at the direction of the Emperor. The Emperor was furious with my father for rejecting his son’s marriage proposal to me.”

Seeing that Selene had gained an understanding of the situation, Castile cut the bonds on her wrists. Selene rubbed the red marks on her wrists and Castile watched her carefully, ready to act if she tried to form a spell. “What do you plan to do now? You are far from the Empire, and the Empire is being squeezed from all sides.”

Selene was quiet and lost in thought. In a deep, serious voice, Selene responded, “If it wasn’t the Emperor, I will do whatever I can to make Octavian suffer for the murder of my parents.”

“Then we’re of the same mind,” Castile said reassuringly. “It’s best we keep to the shadows for now and wait for word from the Empire. I still have contacts in a few of the cities.” Castile leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “If we act too soon, Octavian will know we’re here. And truthfully, the Empire may tear itself apart without our help.”

She paused before adding, “The Bartiradians may be licking their wounds, but from what little I’ve heard, there’s a goblin army stirring in the south, Caliphate orcs pressing from the west, and the Esenhem elves tightening their grip on land they have occupied.”

Castile didn’t understand why she couldn’t let go. She could live quietly in the Grand Duchy, but she owed too many debts. Most of her soldiers had died needlessly because of the First Citizens’ whims. She needed time to heal, but it felt good to be on the offensive instead of always on the defensive.

Lirkin’s footsteps echoed in the hallway, and he knocked. “A bath is prepared, and food will be ready in an hour. Clean, used clothes are in the bathroom.”

“Thank you,” Castile said in a dismissive tone. Lirkin walked away. She turned to Selene. “Your abductor saved another woman, Viridia Janus, who is of the same mind as us. Now, Selene, it will take time to build some trust between us, but you must not tell anyone how you arrived in Gramney …” Castile hoped the impressionable young mage could be molded into an ally. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

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Castile sat with Viridia Janus in the small apartment behind Adrian’s Rest. This was where Castile now lived, as Lirkin had taken one of the inn’s rooms and seduced his barkeep. She wasn’t a bad woman for him—a widow with two boys who worked at the inn’s stables. She was somewhat jealous of how easily he had fallen into the life of an innkeeper. He was even growing a paunch on his belly. Castile struggled to let go of the Empire.

“How is the burn today?” Viridia asked, concerned as she sipped some wine she was evaluating for bulk trade.

“Same. The exercises are working, but it is going to take time. Maybe in a year I will be able to ignore it,” Castile said softly. Viridia offered her a sympathetic look. “Did Selene leave?”

Viridia nodded. “She left this morning to hire more guards for the olive orchards. I have faith that Selene will handle the troublemakers.” Viridia had been doing everything she could to gain control over her husband’s fractured trade empire. The olive orchards were especially important to her, not just for the wealth they would bring but also because they spat in the face of Emperor Octavius, who now controlled the Telhian Empire’s monopoly on olives and olive oil.

In just two more years, her orchards would start bearing fruit. Then, she could begin encroaching on the Empire’s significant profits. Viridia seemed to believe that damaging the Empire’s finances was the best course of action. Selene Greco, the former First Citizen Mage, wanted to confront them directly, but they didn’t have an army.

Castile had seen the Empire’s corruption from the inside, and now she wanted to hasten its collapse—from a safe distance. Her aim was for it to fall under the weight of its own rot, sparing the people as much suffering as possible.

“I wanted to discuss our agents in the Empire,” Castile said, savoring a sip of cold wine. It was crisp, rich, and definitely a product worth pursuing. Viridia rolled her emerald eyes in response. It had taken Castile weeks of persuasion to get her to fund the fledgling spy network. Time was already slipping away. Castile knew they had to move quickly before their connections dried up. There were precious few they could trust with the knowledge that the three women—all presumed dead—were alive and quietly hiding in the Grand Duchy of Manch.

“We can’t trust anyone from Telha,” Viridia groaned again. Castile thought she hated sending so much gold for possibly no gain.

Castile prepared the same argument again. “Viridia, we need agents in Telha. They only need to keep us apprised of what is happening. They don’t need to know who is paying them,” Castile said patiently.

“But why a duchess?” Viridia moaned. She had a hatred of all First Citizens and it had taken her some time to warm to Selene.

Castile calmed. She had grown to like Duchess Veronica in her time in Sobral. The Duchess was a good woman and the only one left alive from Antonia Segreto’s network that she was aware of. “Duchess Veronica has no love for Emperor Octavius. I am surprised she has not been supplanted, but I suspect it is because Sobral Province has nothing of value besides the people,” Castile said patiently.

A little exasperated, Viridia lamented the cost. “Still, two thousand gold?! That is nearly half of our budget.”

Castile explained for the umpteenth time, “She needs the gold to stabilize her lands and resist the pressures of Emperor Octavius.”

Something caught Castile’s eye. The door to the kitchen was pushed open. No one should be in the house. She cursed, the pain of aether burn flaring as her shadow chains extended. If it was just one assassin, she could handle it. Her chains halted the attacker, constricting him. Castile was shocked by the scruffy, gray-bearded face before her. She thought he was dead. Was he here to kill her?

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It had been a tough trek across the Bartiradian Kingdom. Konstantin had abandoned everything that marked him as a legionnaire. He kept his two runic blades hidden, wrapping them and using them as stakes in his oversized pack. The kettle of souls was tucked at the bottom of his pack. He had been posing as Gilda’s brother and Helena and Sylph’s father as the group moved deep into enemy territory, pretending to be refugees. Gilda spoke fluent Bartiradian, and the others were learning rapidly.

Konstantin found the generosity of the Bartiradians off-putting. No one in the Telhian Empire would be so welcoming to strangers. Whenever they told their tale of their farm being swallowed in the war, generous handouts of food and offers of shelter abounded. It didn’t hurt that he appeared to be an old man with two daughters in his care. Sylph’s charming and disarming smile didn’t hurt their cause either.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about Gilda inviting herself along. The shapeshifter had chosen her portly-old-woman appearance. She had introduced herself as Konstantin’s wife on one occasion, and he had to share a room with her that night. He didn’t sleep at all, too on edge in such close proximity to a creature he had been taught to hunt and never trust.

He saw Gilda as a lost puppy looking for a master, and for some unfathomable reason, she had decided Konstantin was it. It still made his skin crawl when he thought about her true nature. He also knew the woman had an odd idea of empathy and morality. It made him hesitant to discard her for fear she would turn on him. Just like Antonia, he had trouble thinking of her as anything other than a tool.

Crossing the border from the Kingdom of Bartiradia to the Grand Duchy of Manch was a lot easier than they had thought it would be. A customs office had recorded their names in the Duchy logbook and made sure they had no merchant goods before an illusionist mage scribed their pictures on parchment for their records. Then they were free to enter.

The capital of the Duchy, Gramney, was only fifty miles from the border. He was betting that Castile had told Eryk to go there before they separated and that Eryk had passed the message to the ex-legionnaire, Helena. He hoped to find whatever was left of the company in the city—if any of them were still alive.

Knights of the Grand Duchy patrolled the streets of the relatively clean capital. The buildings were not as grand as those in the Empire, but the people seemed to be happy as they went about their days.

“Where do we go from here?” Sylph asked with a bright smile, now that they had reached their destination. She unshouldered her pack to roll her shoulders. The shield she had taken from Centurion Sergius was hidden inside.

Konstantin considered the city. “We can walk the trade district and get a room there before exploring the city on our own.” Konstantin was eager to get comfortable with the foreign city before trouble inevitably found them.

“I will stay with Sylph,” Helena countered. The two women took comfort in each other nightly, and it was hard to separate them.

“I will stay with Konstantin,” Gilda added, making him wince internally, but he gave a curt nod of acceptance.

The group ate first, sampling some of the Duchy’s cuisine. It was heavy on spices, garlic in particular. It was not to Konstantin’s taste, but he figured he would have to get used to it if he was going to settle here. He was already considering what kind of work he could do. He was leaning toward becoming a teacher again. He had enough gold to start a free school for the poor children.

They meandered through the bustling streets of the city for half a day, completely captivated by the vibrant tapestry of cultures intermingling. It was nothing like the Telhian capital, where foreigners walked with guarded steps. The skyline was dotted with a blend of ancient architecture and modern buildings near the mighty Halton River, which stretched two hundred miles to the ocean.

Konstantin recalled teaching histories of when the city thrived right along the riverbanks, but relentless flash floods over the centuries had forced it to retreat to higher ground. Now, a myriad of port towns flourished along the river’s banks, feeding the city with constant commerce. This city served as a crucial hub of inland trade for the neutral duchy, where merchants from far-off lands gathered, their voices blending into a multicultural symphony.

Konstantin saw a number of people in the current Telhian popular fashion. Each time he hoped he would recognize someone as they turned, but disappointment followed every time. Gramney was a massive, sprawling city climbing up a slope, and he shouldn’t have been surprised when he had no luck locating anyone from the company.

“I’m bored,” Gilda pouted theatrically. He had almost completely forgotten about the shape changer following him.

“Go explore on your own then,” Konstantin said dismissively. The old woman frowned, but unfortunately, she did not leave his side.

Something caught his eye a few minutes later, and it took him a while to figure out what it was. A large, red, new sign for an inn proudly displayed its name, Adrian’s Rest. Adrian was an uncommon name outside of Telha, and the red on the sign almost matched the color of Legion armor. “I need a drink,” Konstantin said, not waiting to see if Gilda would follow him inside.

The common room was active, with locals eating an early dinner and young women bouncing between tables to serve and clear dishes under the watchful eye of a matronly barkeep. He found a corner table in the shadows and sat. Gilda sat across from him. Soon, they both had large plates of food and cold ales in front of them.

The fare featured traditional Telhian stew, thankfully not over-spiced, but under-salted—just like Lirkin used to make. As if the very thought had summoned him, he stepped out of the kitchens to talk with the middle-aged barkeep. Konstantin settled into the shadows and watched Lirkin, who was already developing some pudge on his belly, talk to the woman, kiss her on the forehead, and then retreat back into the kitchen.

Eryk had told the truth, and at least someone had done it. He ignored his food as he looked around the room and waited. Soon, his food got cold, so Gilda took it away without asking. The shape changer could eat twice as much as a man. Konstantin was shocked as Castile entered the room wearing a dull-blue dress next to a beautiful woman in an exquisite green dress. The other woman’s eyes were an emerald green that darkened quickly in the low light of the room.

Castile overlooked Konstantin, but Gilda sensed his tension and turned to look. “Looks like your mage commander lives,” she said, amused.

Castile ordered something from one of the young women and exited out the back toward the stables. “Stay here,” Konstantin said, standing to follow.

He walked out the front and around the alley to the stables instead of going through the kitchens. Out back, there was the usual inn stables and what seemed to be a small two-story house. A stable boy came out, and Konstantin went to enter the stables, waving off the stable boy to say he didn’t need help. Seven horses were inside. He moved out the back and through the tack room to go around behind the residence.

With a little push and pull of his spell form, he was inside the back of the residence. He was glad he still had his Hound boots. They were worn, but holding together after crossing Bartiradia. He paused, listening to the muffled conversation of the two women in the next room. The melodic voice of the younger woman and Castile’s somewhat harsher but wiser voice seeped through the door.

“We can’t trust anyone from Telha,” the younger woman stated with irritation.

“Viridia, we need agents in Telha. They only need to keep us apprised of what is happening,” Castile said patiently.

“But why a duchess?” the woman named Viridia said angrily.

“Duchess Veronica has no love for Emperor Octavius. I am surprised she has not been supplanted, but I suspect it is because Sobral Province has nothing of value besides the people,” Castile said patiently.

“Still, two thousand gold? That is nearly half of our budget,” the beautiful woman replied. It was clear to Konstantin that the two were plotting something in the Empire. On their way here, he had heard that Octavius had seized control of the throne, changing his name from Octavian to Octavius. The foolish citizens thought it meant there might be a chance for peace, now that the Emperor was dead. But all First Citizens lusted for power, none more so than Octavius.

“She needs the gold to stabilize her lands and resist the pressures of the new Emperor,” Castile replied. Konstantin thought he had waited long enough. These two women were clearly up to some foolish things, and it was best to talk sense into them before they brought attention to themselves. Castile was free and didn’t need to do anything so foolish.

He opened the door swiftly, and Castile’s eyes snapped to him. Immediately, her shadow chains formed around her, and she lashed out to wrap him. He hesitated to speak because of the rage on her face. He had assumed she would be happy to see him. His chest constricted as he was immobilized.

Konstantin rasped out from under the constriction, “I am not here to kill you.” The shadows slowly fell away, and he realized her face had not been a mask of rage but pain. “Burnt?” He said the one simple word when he could breathe.

Castile nodded, but still looked at him with suspicion. “I didn’t recognize you for a moment. How did you find us? Did Zyna tell you where we were going?”

“Zyna is dead,” Konstantin said flatly. He had liked the old fire mage.

“I know. I was there when the Emperor killed her, but she told Ignis to come here. I assumed she might have mentioned it to you as well,” Castile said, her voice heavy. Konstantin winced as he rubbed his sore chest, shifting his position to sit down. This allowed him to take in the striking green-eyed beauty who was seated next to Castile.

Her gaze was focused on him with the same intensity he directed toward her, and he couldn’t help but notice the way her emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity. For the first time, he felt acutely self-conscious about his disheveled appearance, the weariness of his travels evident in his unkempt hair, beard, and foul commoner’s clothes.

“No, I found a pair of legionnaires who knew Eryk, and he hinted that they should come here. It was a bitch getting through Bartiradia, but we arrived this morning,” Konstantin said casually.

The green-eyed woman smiled brightly, and her excitement stirred something in the old man. “Sylvia and Helena? Are they here in the city? Selene will be excited to see them.”

“Yes.” He nodded. “They are searching the city now for signs of other legionnaires. Did you say Selene? Selene Greco?” He had heard the two talk about the First Citizen Mage with fondness on their journey here. “Eryk didn’t kill her?” he said, confused.

“Kill her?” Castile laughed, finally relaxing. “He brought her here and dumped her in my lap!”

Konstantin couldn’t process what she had said. “What? When? Eryk is dead.”

Castile stopped laughing. “Dead? You should know better by now. He arrived in Gramney before us! Took an Adventurers Guild ship to Esenhem and portaled from the elven lands here.”

The shock of the news stunned Konstantin. He was only able to whisper one word. “Alive.” A tear started to form, and he quickly rubbed it away to hide the weakness.

Konstantin gathered himself, not wanting to show weakness in front of Castile or the woman. “Where is the boy then?”

“I will go and tell Selene her legionnaires have come for her. Maybe they can join the mercenaries we’re hiring for the olive orchards. I think it will be fun to see their shock when they see Selene alive,” said the woman. She winked at Konstantin, and it sent tickles of electricity through him. “I hope it is as entertaining as seeing this man’s reaction to hearing about Eryk.”

He needed to get a hold of himself and not lust after a woman he had just met. The sensual woman rose. “We can talk tomorrow after I bring my children to the academy for classes.” Konstantin admired her backside as she left.

Of course she was married with children, he scolded himself. He watched her leave, her hips intentionally swaying slightly as she walked. Castile wore a small smirk after the door closed. “Be careful around her. She wears a few artifacts to influence men to her will.”

Konstantin shook his head and hissed under his breath, “Knew it had to be something like that.”

“It only magnifies their underlying desire. It does not create it,” she said, breaking into a full smile. “That is Viridia Janus. Eryk rescued her and her children from Centurion Sergius’s blade. But Sergius killed her husband, Merchant Milo Janus, not long after when he sought revenge.” A thread of hope rose in Konstantin, but he quickly pushed it down. A beauty like that would not be interested in a grizzled veteran like him.

“I killed that spawn of Cerberus,” Konstantin spat.

“Actually, I was the one who killed him,” said a voice from the kitchen. Castile jumped, and Konstantin forced himself to remain calm.

“Gilda, you didn’t leave our packs unattended, did you?” Konstantin motioned calmly to the now–young woman shapeshifter. “This is Gilda, Antonia Segreto’s poisoner.”

Castile looked over the young woman in baggy clothes and then back at Konstantin. She was trying to puzzle something out, but gave up. The pain in her body was finally ebbing away with the use of aether. Gilda sat in the chair that Viridia had vacated. “I dropped them behind the bar and asked the keeper to watch them while I pissed,” she answered plainly.

Konstantin relaxed a bit. His swords were safe. “Sergius is dead, and I took the kettle of souls from the palace. Octavius will not be able to clear the Ruins of Caelora and claim the Shimmering Labyrinth.”

Castile’s eyes widened, and she smiled happily. “There are other ways, but your news does brighten my day. Eryk also alerted the Adventurers Guild to the discovery of the Shimmering Labyrinth. I am sure the bureaucracy and the Empire’s accord with the Guild will kill any exploration for many months.”

Konstantin exhaled slowly, examining the small sitting room. “Where is Eryk? And who else made it?”

Castile’s happiness faded instantly. “Linus is working for Duchess Veronica. He was injured before the final battle where the Emperor fell. Firth as well, and we just received word that he and Wylie joined the Hounds.”

Konstantin’s eyes widened in shock. “Firth sided with Emperor Octavius?” The young Wylie followed that man’s every word, so he could see him following Firth. But he had thought better of Firth.

“They are being trained to hunt deserters, from what our agents are telling us,” Castile said morosely. Castile shrugged and studied Konstantin as she said her next words. “Blaze, Benito, and Mateo went with Eryk and Maveith to rescue Maveith’s sister in the Caliphate.”

“They did what? That …” Castile held up her hand to calm Konstantin down.

“They entered the Caliphate as adventurers. If they are careful, they should have a good chance of succeeding,” Castile said reassuringly.

Konstantin wasn’t buying it. He stood and paced. “Careful!? Eryk?!” he growled as he paced, lost in thought. Why did everything have to be so complicated? How did they even learn Maveith’s sister was in the Caliphate? “How long ago?” he finally asked tensely.

“Two weeks and a day,” Castile said, watching him. She already knew what he was going to do. All men were the same, thinking they knew better than everyone else.

“Damnable Adventurers Guild. It is a good cover for moving in orc lands. Maybe they would let an old man like me join,” Konstantin said, talking more to himself than Castile.

“There should be a portal to the capital of Esenhem in two days. Eryk and the others utilized it to save time,” Castile offered helpfully.

“Two days,” Konstantin growled, thinking.

Gilda sat straighter, her face blank. “Are we going to join the Adventurers Guild?” Konstantin’s head snapped to the shifter. Just what would he have to do to get rid of the creature?

“You can do what you want, Gilda. But it might not be safe for you in the Guild,” he warned her. Unfortunately, she didn’t look deterred.

“Let’s eat and discuss it over dinner. I am sure Lirkin wants to see you.” Castile gave him a devilish smile. “Maybe I can convince Viridia to join us.”

Two days later, Konstantin extracted himself from Viridia’s bed to dress and get to the teleport. Castile had pushed the two together, and Konstantin didn’t resist too strongly, either. Viridia was an unattainable Venus, and she probably didn’t want to get attached, but they had both needed the physical stress relief of last night—and the night before. He thought he had satisfied her needs well enough. He managed to leave without waking her.

If he was lucky, maybe Gilda would have slept in. When he arrived at the portal, Gilda was already there, still holding her young woman’s appearance. A bronze adventurer’s medallion hung around her neck. He grunted a greeting and they moved to the courtyard. As they walked, she sniffed him repeatedly, but her face remained blank, and she didn’t talk.

Two hours later, a golden-haired elf teleported them to Artiria, the capital city of Esenhem.

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