Chapter 9:

When the fork leading to Driftwood proper came into view, my gaze landed on the gallows across from it. On the lizard woman that hung by her wrists, the trio of people- one magister and two silent monks- standing around.

I looked anxiously at Ifan, who was beside me.

"I think that's Siva." Lohse spoke up, eyes narrowed. "Pretty sure that's the person Mals told us to look out for."

Which meant we had to help. I let out a breath of relief.

"If we attack them, within view of the magisters standing at the entry to Driftwood..." Sebille trailed off.

"I can try talking to them." I offered.

Doubtful eyes turned to me. Only the Wolf looking interested in what I'd said.

He nodded. "Give it a go."

I smiled brightly at him, before stepping away from the group and approaching the magister.

"Hello." I gave a little wave.

"Back off." She snarled at me.

I frowned. "Why is she here?"

"'Cause the boss don't want her dead just yet." Her eyes looked me up and down. "She's a tough one, Meistr Siva. She's a Seeker, and she's a bloody traitor."

"A Seeker?" I glanced at Siva.

The woman leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Yeah. You heard that they killed our beloved Alexandar? She was part of the Order. Knew Alexandar personally. Alexandar trusted her, at least as far as you can trust a lizard." Indignation filled me, and I struggled to keep it from my face. "To repay that trust, the Meistr gave Alexandar up to his enemies." That wasn't what happened! "She wasn't there when Alexandar fell, but White Magister Reimond uncovered the truth. She's as guilty as any of them, an' I reckon she got off lightly- I'd have had her flayed alive with a salted bull-whip."

I looked at the magister. "She doesn't deserve this, and I'm going to free her."

"You're going to... what now?" She was dumbfounded, taken aback. "She betrayed Alexandar! I'd sooner die than let you free her."

Stepping closer, I didn't stop until I was only a few inches from her. I placed a hand on her chest.

"You know, deep down, that this is wrong. Despite your bravado, you know that this isn't right. If you walk away, you can say it wasn't your fault."

There was hesitation while she had an internal battle with herself. Eventually, she let out a sigh, getting to her feet, making me back up a few steps.

"I'll regret this, I know I will." Shaking her head, she motioned to the silent monks, and I watched as they descended the stairs. "Alright, I'll stand aside."

Without another word- or glance at me- she and her companions left, heading away from town, to my surprise.

Whirling around, I rushed to figure out how I could help her down. The Red Prince already had his sword out when they reached us and effortlessly sliced through the ropes binding her. Between me and Sebille, we caught her, keeping her from collapsing.

Siva rubbed her raw wrists, coughing. "Gods' teeth, it feels good to move again. Now, best scurry off before that magister wanders back. Meet me at my home in Driftwood, and we can see what you're made of."

She all but sprinted after saying her piece, following the path into town.

"So, what did you do to that magister?" Lohse asked, eyeing me with interest. "She didn't seem very keen on listening to you until you touched her."

I held up my hands. "I didn't do anything tricky, I swear. I just appealed to her conscious, that's all. People aren't black and white, for the most part. Bad people can still feel bad about the things they do. Just as good people aren't always saints. I was hoping she felt bad about what Siva was going through, and I was right. I got lucky."

She threw an arm around my shoulders, grinning. "Nah, I think you are the luck! The luckiest luck to ever have lucked!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "What?"

"Come on, I'll buy you a drink when we get into town. I think I see a tavern from here."

Papa Thrash had seen Ifan first, greeting him friendly enough. Then, he'd seen me and grinned wide. He'd talked about how the town had missed me sorely after my disappearance, asking if I was here to stay. I'd told him that it was my intention to return, once things had settled down. He'd liked the sound of that. After getting the password from Ifan, he let us on through.

I'd never been in the undertavern before, so I hadn't known what to expect. It was dim and smelled like enough drudanae to get a village high, but it was also homey and comfortable, at the same time.

I sat at the table I'd picked out, everyone else with Beast while he talked to Lohar. A woman walked up to me, one of the most beautiful people I'd ever seen before.

"Is this seat taken?" She asked quietly.

"Not right now, no." I shook my head.

She sat, leaning forward with a secretive smile. "You caught my eye. You have this... sweet air about you. I'd go so far as to call it pure."

I felt my face heat at her words, unsure how to respond.

"Call me Dorotya." Her expression turned expectant.

"Ah. Right. I'm Eira. It's nice to meet you."

She leaned even closer, her lips grazing my neck. I sat perfectly still, bewildered. What was happening? It felt so different from when Ifan had done it.

"Oh yes. I have something that you want." I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, her words whispered into my ear. "And I believe you are most deserving. I can fulfill your... greatest desire."

"I... I'm not sure what my greatest desire is." I admitted. I'd never given that any thought before.

"Look into my ring, and tell me what you see there." She murmured as she pulled back, holding her hand out for me to take.

I gently took it between mine, staring at the ring on her finger. It was beautiful, for sure, and I felt a pull-

A thousand blue butterflies fluttered around me as I stood in a field of flowers, a few of them alighting on me for brief kisses, before flying off to rejoin the others.

"Yes. I see you clearly now." Her voice pulled me back to myself, and I found myself staring into her eyes. "You desire to save people. As do we all. Fortunately for you, I can give you the breath of life."

My mouth opened in a small o, and I leaned toward her. Her smile widened.

"In return, I ask for one courtesy: a kiss." Hunger sparked in her gaze. "...a kiss."

A part of me screamed that this was too good to be true. A part of me screamed that I was close with Ifan, that I shouldn't do this, when I have him at my side. But the larger part of me wanted what she would give me desperately.

"A... kiss?" I managed to get out.

"For me to help you, our souls must touch. And a kiss brings our souls closer, does it not? It shall fulfill both your desire... and mine."

"Yes. Yes, I'll do it."

She got to her feet, smiling down at me like a satisfied cat. "Most delicious. Meet me around the corner. And come alone. An audience is... not required."

"I'll walk with you now, if that's alright."

The smile turned soft, now, and she held out a hand to help me up. Together, we walked further from the central area, turning down into a little alcove just off the main pathing.

Thoroughly alone, I watched her face me, a bead of blood dripping from her lip- she'd bitten it hard enough pierce the skin. I almost missed the green liquid that oozed out alongside the ruby red.

Eir appeared, glaring at the woman. "Eira, leave. You shouldn't be here. Don't-"

I ignored her- one of the few times in my life I had.

"I admit," The woman sauntered around me in a circle, before stopping in front of me. "I wish we could share more... carnal pleasures. Yet I think a kiss is the height of intimacy. Now, come closer, and receive your soul's desire."

Eir vanished in a huff, leaving us alone once again.

A calm washed over me, and I smiled at her, stepping closer, as she'd asked. Before my eyes, she shifted into a large spider- almost as tall as I am. Yet, I still wasn't afraid. I opened my arms, inviting her to me.

She pounced, knocking me down and biting into my neck. There was no pain, only the sweet feeling of being close to someone you trust filling me.

Her voice wove through my mind. "Take this Phoenix Idol. Keep it on you. Should you or you someone die, the idol will resurrect you. You can cheat death once this way."

She stood, human in form, and helped me to my feet, our fingers interlocked. "We part ways now. I'll... remember this moment."

I squeezed her hands gently. "I am glad to have met you. Even without receiving a reward. If you ever need potions or healing, and we're both in Driftwood, come find me."

Her smile dazzled me. "I will. Thank you."

Pulling away from me, she vanished into thin air. I felt she was truly gone, not just invisible.

I bent and picked up the idol, inspecting it. How pretty.

"There you are." Ifan's voice reached my ears, and I turned to find him standing at the entrance to the alcove. He was frowning.

"Ah. I'm sorry."

"Are you alright?" He asked as he approached, hands going to my shoulders.

I nodded. "I've never been better, actually." Holding up the idol. "I have a story for you."

"And I've got one for you." A shake of his head. "Your goddess started knocking over my cup and plate, when I sat down at the table that you weren't at. I can't prove it was her, but who else would've picked on me, and not the others?"

I giggled at the image that conjured in my head. "Oh, I can imagine her doing that. She wasn't very happy with me. That's probably why she went to you."

"And why wasn't your goddess happy with you?"

"I met a spider." His brows pulled down. "A woman who shapeshifted into a spider. She gave me this." I held up the idol for him to look at. "In exchange for what she called a kiss. But really, she bit me."

Eyes widening, his grasp tightened. "What?"

"It's okay. I'm okay." I rushed to reassure him. "No harm done, and I got this! She said it would revive someone. It's a one-time use, though. But it's better than nothing, right?"

He let me go, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You went with a stranger, because she offered you the impossible to believe promise that you'd be able to bring back the dead? Eira."

It was starting to sink in how silly that sounded.

"I... Yeah." I mumbled, my gaze falling to the ground. "Yeah. I did. I'm sorry."

A hand grasped my chin, tipping my head up so I was looking at him. "I'm glad you're alright."

I managed a weak smile.

"Come on. Let's eat."

He left me at the table, with the others, and went to get a fresh plate and drink for both of us. I'd asked if I could help, but he'd insisted I just sit and let him do it. I wasn't sure how he'd manage two cups and two plates, but he made it back just fine.

Lohse's nose wrinkled. "What're you drinking water for? We're in a tavern."

I shrugged. "I've never had alcohol before. I always just drink water."

Several pairs of eyes went to me, even from neighboring tables.

"You're kidding. Please tell me you're just pulling my leg, chief."

"I'm not." It was always amusing to watch people's reactions to me never having had a drink.

"What'll it take for you to have one with us?" She asked, leaning across the table, eyes narrowed. Focused.

I chuckled. "It's not that I'm against it, I've just never had the want to, that's all."

"That doesn't answer the question." She practically snapped.

I blinked, taken aback by that response.

"Sorry, sorry." Holding up her hands, she made an apologetic gesture.

"I mean... I suppose I can have a drink."

"Ah, don't feel pressured, lass." Beast waved it away.

"I'll admit, I've been curious about what it tastes like..." It wasn't a lie- I'd always wondered. Just had never made the effort to actually try.

A hand rested on my thigh, and I glanced at Ifan. His eyes were tight, and I gave him a soft smile.

"It's a night of firsts."

He slid his cup in front of me with his other hand, and I lifted it to my lips, making a face at the horrible taste of the beer.

"That's downright dreadful!" I gasped. "How can you all drink this?"

"It gets better, the more you drink." She wagged her eyebrows at me.

Taking a fortifying breath, I forced myself to take a few more gulps.

Several things occurred to me at once the moment I woke up. The sunlight streaming in through the slatted windows was too bright. The noises from downstairs were too loud. My head hurt- was killing me, actually. My mouth was dry. My stomach was unsettled.

I buried my face into my pillow, groaning quietly.

A hand settled on the back of my head, fingers playing with my hair, and I became distinctly aware that my "pillow" was rising and falling steadily. Slowly, I lifted my head, my eyes meeting his. The stare didn't last long, because of how bright it was in the room- I laid my head back down on his chest and closed my eyes.

"Do I want to know why we're in the same bed?" I muttered.

"Every time one of us left you in your room, you came back to mine." He sounded thoroughly amused by this fact. "You refused to stay put. So, Beast went to yours. And you stayed here."

"Huh." Was all I managed.

Time stretched on seemingly endlessly while we laid in silence.

"I... Did I embarrass myself in any other ways?" I didn't want to ask, but I had to know.

I could hear the grin in his voice. "That depends on what you find embarrassing."

"Please don't make me speak any more than necessary." I groaned.

"Here. Open your eyes."

I did so, finding a cup full of water. I took it, greedily drinking until the last drop. I needed more. Spotting a pitcher on the bedside table, I sat up and leaned over to it, picking it up and pouring into the cup.

I drank until the whole thing was empty, before I finally felt half-way human again. My head was still pounding. Could I cure hangovers? Should I?

"How are you feeling?"

"Like death." I sighed.

He pulled me back to him, and I rested my head on his chest again, feeling myself relax. Letting the healing magic flow through me, my pounding headache receding shortly after.

Another sigh left me as I smiled a little. "All better."

His hold tightened, keeping me in place, and I didn't fight it. I wanted to stay with him like this forever.