Chapter 29
Evelodie woke up with a start as the first rays of sunlight hit the camp. The morning dew covered everything in sight, the landscape glistening in the early dawn. During the night, she must have moved closer to Gorral, trying to stay warm. She was half-asleep when she turned towards him, scooting even closer, and suddenly, she felt her lips brushing against his.
Her eyes shot open. She froze, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn't meant to be this close to him. Her body tensed, and she contemplated whether she should pull away or stay still, hoping he wouldn't wake up.
Before she could make a decision, a voice broke the silence. "I leave you two for an evening, and I find you wrapped around each other like a pair of demon sprites discovering the same hole to hump," Malakar's voice came out half amused, half annoyed.
Evelodie shuddered at the imagery, her face flushing. It had been a mistake, and she knew it was impossible to hide now. Gorral began to open his eyes, a dreamy smile spreading across his face.
"Good morning," he said, oblivious to the situation, his gaze still half-clouded by sleep.
"Good morning, soldier," Malakar answered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "It appears a bed bug got quite attached to you during the night."
Gorral shot upright, startled, but it only made things worse. As he tried to get up quickly, he got tangled with Evelodie, sending them both tumbling back down. Evelodie landed on top of him, hip to hip, her face even closer to his than before.
She blushed deeply, trying to regain her balance, but for a moment, Gorral held her in place, his hand brushing lightly against her hip. Her heart skipped another beat. If it wasn't for Malakar's presence, Evelodie knew she would have taken this as an invitation to let go of their restraint—to give in to the feelings they both had, even though they were both inexperienced.
Malakar, visibly more irritated now, growled, "Should I leave you two alone? Because it seems I'll need some time to get you both a wedding gift and a onesie for the pup that will eventually come into existence."
That did it. Evelodie and Gorral quickly separated, painfully embarrassed, scrambling to pack up their belongings. Malakar gave them both a look of disbelief, shaking his head.
"Alright, pack up, let's get moving. We've got a lot of ground to cover and not enough daylight. The end of the world won't wait for us to arrive."
They began their journey for the day, the early morning sun shining through the trees as they walked. Malakar led the way, with Evelodie and Gorral following in uncharacteristic silence. Neither of them spoke, both still processing what had happened earlier, aware of their growing feelings for each other. It felt almost inevitable, as if they were meant to be together, but the awkwardness of their emotions made it difficult to bridge the gap.
Malakar, though, enjoyed the silence. It gave him time to think, to strategize. He knew what awaited them was dangerous, and he couldn't help but wonder what fate had in store for Evelodie and Gorral. He might have to make hard decisions along the way—decisions they wouldn't like, perhaps even hate him for. It was a necessary evil. Tragedy loomed on the horizon, and Malakar could see no way to avoid it.
The silence was eventually broken by Evelodie, her voice cutting through the tension. "Can we rest? We've been walking all morning, and we haven't eaten anything yet." She rubbed her stomach, feeling the pangs of hunger.
Malakar turned around, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ah, yes, mortals need sustenance to stay alive. How could I forget?" He sighed, almost playfully smacking his forehead. "Silly me."
Despite his sarcasm, Malakar knew they needed to rest. Starving them wouldn't help; they needed to be ready for anything, and a weakened mage and worgen would be useless. It also gave him the opportunity to find a way to send a message to Crow—he had to warn her of the danger she was in.
He rummaged through his satchel, pulling out a hearthstone, then paused. Crow wouldn't have one, not in her current form. No one even knew about Vyaas inhabiting the girl's body. He thought of Lysander; maybe he could reach out to him. But there was hesitation. Lysander didn't know the truth, didn't know who or what Crow really was. It was a complicated mess.
He could try to communicate through the Void, but that was dangerous. Venturing further into the Void carried immense risks, especially since the Old Gods were stirring. They might sense him. But he had to try—he owed Vyaas, even though her sacrifice was more than he deserved.
Gorral cleared his throat, breaking Malakar out of his thoughts. "Are we going to rest or not?" Gorral asked, his tone more aggressive than usual.
Malakar raised an eyebrow, amused at the annoyance in Gorral's voice. "Are you hungry, mutt?" Malakar sneered. "Perhaps we can find a child for you to snack on. Or maybe a juicy redhead?"
Gorral's face darkened, his eyes narrowing. His anger began to boil, intensified by his worgen blood. Malakar sensed it, a smile spreading across his face. Let's see what this beast can do, he thought.
"How dare you!" Gorral growled, his voice already shifting as his body began to change. "I will rip you apart!"
Gorral charged, his form rapidly shifting to his worgen self, his claws extending. Evelodie screamed, "Gorral! No!" but it was too late. He was consumed by rage.
Malakar's smile widened, his eyes glinting with excitement. He had been itching for a fight. As Gorral lunged, Malakar moved with inhuman speed, unsheathing his sword and parrying Gorral's strike, careful not to wound him but instead using his momentum to send him sprawling forward.
"Come on now, I thought you were a soldier!" Malakar taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "You fought waves of beasts, and you can't even land a proper blow?"
Malakar was testing Gorral, assessing whether he could hold his own. They were bound to face much greater dangers ahead, and Malakar needed to know if Gorral was truly ready. But Evelodie couldn't let this continue. Desperate to stop the fight, she began to cast a frost nova, her hands glowing with the icy blue light of the spell, hoping to root them both in place, to calm the chaos before anyone got hurt.
"Enough!" Evelodie screamed, her voice trembling with desperation, the frost nova erupting around them. The burst of cold energy rooted Malakar and Gorral in place, ice spreading across the ground as the temperature dropped suddenly. Both men were frozen in their tracks, and the tension in the air hung heavy.
Malakar's face twisted into a scowl as he glared at Gorral, his voice dripping with anger. "Your emotions will get people killed!" he shouted, his words sharp as a blade. "I'm testing your resolve, and you're failing miserably!"
Gorral's eyes were wild, his breathing ragged as he struggled against the frost binding him in place. His worgen form seemed to pulse with rage, his muscles straining against the icy shackles. The words Malakar spoke stung, and Gorral felt the weight of them bearing down on him. He hated that Malakar was right—that his anger had taken control, that he had lost himself to it.
"You think you can lead?" Malakar spat, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "You think you can protect the people you care about, when you can't even keep your emotions in check?"
Gorral growled, his eyes narrowing, but he said nothing. The realization of how reckless he had been, how close he had come to hurting Evelodie and making things worse—it all began to sink in. He fought against the rage, willing it to die down, to let the human part of himself take back control.
Evelodie's eyes were wide, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn't seen Gorral this way before—this side of him that was so wild, so consumed by his anger. It frightened her, but she knew that this wasn't who Gorral truly was. She took a shaky step forward, her voice softer now. "Gorral… it's okay. You're stronger than this. You don't have to prove anything to him."
Slowly, the anger in Gorral's eyes began to fade, the fire behind them dimming as he looked at Evelodie. Her presence, her voice—it brought him back. He took a deep breath, his muscles relaxing as he began to shrink back to his human form, the fur receding, his claws retracting.
Malakar watched, his expression unreadable as Gorral finally regained control, his breath coming out in ragged gasps as he knelt on the cold, frozen ground. Malakar's anger still simmered beneath the surface, but there was something else there too—perhaps a glimmer of respect.
"Good," Malakar said, his tone calmer, though still harsh. "Remember this moment. Your rage makes you weak, Gorral. It makes you a liability. Control it, or it will cost you everything you care about."
Gorral looked up, his eyes meeting Malakar's. He nodded, his voice strained. "I understand."
Malakar turned his gaze to Evelodie, his expression softening, though only slightly. "And you… trying to intervene like that could have gotten you hurt, mage." He shook his head, the irritation still present. "You need to know when to let a fight run its course."
Evelodie swallowed, her hands still trembling from the power of her spell. "I couldn't let you kill each other," she said softly, her eyes meeting Malakar's. "I won't let any of us tear each other apart."
Malakar sighed, shaking his head. "No one was going to die, not today," he said, though there was a hint of something softer in his voice now. He turned away, motioning for them to get moving. "We've wasted enough time. Pack up—we need to move."
Gorral stood, his body aching from the transformation, but he looked over at Evelodie and gave her a small, grateful smile. "Thank you," he whispered.
She smiled back, her eyes filled with warmth. "Anytime," she said, her voice soft.
And as they began to gather their things, the tension in the air slowly began to lift. Gorral knew he had to do better—for himself, for Evelodie, for everyone counting on him. And as they set off once again, he felt a renewed determination—a resolve to control the beast within him, to prove that he could be more than the monster the curse wanted him to be.
Malakar walked ahead of the group, the silence between them now thick with tension after the confrontation. He could sense the weight of the unease—Evelodie's worry, Gorral's shame, and even his own lingering frustration. They were strong, but the emotional strain was taking its toll. Perhaps it was time for a break, a moment for them to gather themselves without the constant threat of danger or their own emotions boiling over.
He sighed, pausing in his step as he looked around, his eyes scanning the horizon. He racked his memory, trying to recall the closest town or village where they could find some food and maybe, for just a short while, relax.
"Perhaps we need a change of pace," Malakar finally said, his voice more even now, lacking the earlier harshness. He turned to Evelodie and Gorral, who both looked up at him curiously, still processing the aftermath of the fight.
"There's a village not too far from here, if I recall correctly," Malakar continued. "We could make our way there and get something to eat. Maybe even rest properly in a bed instead of sleeping on the ground." He looked at Evelodie, who seemed to brighten slightly at the thought. "It's not wise to keep marching without rest. Especially if we're to keep our wits about us."
Gorral looked at him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "A break sounds… good," he admitted, his voice low. The exhaustion from the fight and the emotional turmoil was evident in his posture, his shoulders sagging slightly.
Evelodie smiled softly, her eyes filled with gratitude. "I'd like that. It's been a rough morning," she said, her gaze lingering on Gorral for a moment before she turned back to Malakar.
"Good," Malakar replied, turning to lead the way. "I think it's about a couple of hours' walk from here. We should reach it before midday."
They continued walking, the tension between them easing slightly as they focused on the idea of getting a proper rest. The journey was still long, and they needed each other if they were to succeed. Malakar knew it wasn't just about physical strength—they needed their spirits to be strong as well. A small break in a village could do wonders to restore their morale.
As they walked, Malakar kept his senses sharp, his eyes scanning the surrounding woods and his ears listening for any sign of danger. The confrontation with Gorral had proven that they needed time, not just to recover, but to learn how to work together, to build trust. This wasn't a journey any of them could afford to make alone.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, the warmth beginning to cut through the morning chill. Evelodie and Gorral walked side by side, exchanging quiet glances, both of them feeling the weight of unspoken emotions. Despite the awkwardness, there was something comforting in the fact that they were all still together, still moving forward.
Malakar turned back to look at them, his expression unreadable. "Let's make sure we stick together from here on out," he said. "There's no room for recklessness. Not if we're going to survive what's ahead."
Evelodie nodded, her gaze meeting his. "We'll do better," she said, her voice filled with determination.
Gorral also nodded, his eyes reflecting the same resolve. He knew he had to prove himself—not just to Malakar, but to himself as well. He couldn't afford to let his emotions get the best of him again.
"Good," Malakar said simply, turning back around as they continued their journey towards the village. For now, they would rest, they would gather their strength, and they would prepare for what lay ahead—together.
They finally reached the village—a small but bustling place, with narrow streets and lively townsfolk going about their business. It wasn't large, but it had everything they needed: a moment to rest, a meal to eat, and the chance to catch their breath after the tension of the day.
Malakar led the way to a small inn that looked quaint but welcoming, its sign swinging gently in the breeze. He glanced back at Evelodie and Gorral, nodding toward the entrance. "This will do," he said, pushing open the door and stepping inside.
The inn was modest, filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meat. A few patrons sat at tables, eating and chatting, and the clinking of mugs and quiet conversations filled the air. Evelodie's stomach growled at the sight and smell of food, and she smiled at Gorral, who seemed equally relieved to be there.
They took a seat at a wooden table, and a barmaid approached to take their order. Evelodie ordered a warm meal for herself, and Gorral did the same. Malakar, in his usual detached manner, ordered an ale, not seeming to care much about anything else.
As they waited for their food, Malakar pulled Evelodie's map from his satchel, spreading it across the table with a sigh. His frustration was clear in his expression as his eyes scanned the map, his finger tracing the route they had taken.
"This journey is proving longer than I anticipated," Malakar muttered, his brow furrowed. He glanced up at Evelodie and Gorral, then back at the map. "We're nowhere near Gilneas. If we keep up this pace, it'll take longer than I'm comfortable with."
Evelodie leaned in, her eyes following Malakar's finger on the map. "We can't just keep walking the whole way, can we?" she asked, glancing at Gorral, who nodded in agreement.
"No," Malakar replied, shaking his head. He pointed to a spot on the map, a village near the edge of Redridge Mountains. "We need to head to Lakeshire. From there, we can take a griffon to Menethil Harbor. It'll cut our travel time significantly. Otherwise, we're wasting precious days we can't afford to lose."
Gorral nodded, though the events of the day still seemed to weigh heavily on him. "Then Lakeshire it is," he said. "We can rest here tonight, then head out tomorrow."
Malakar sighed, folding the map and handing it back to Evelodie. "This journey is more work than I anticipated," he said, a hint of irritation in his voice. He hadn't expected to be dealing with so many complications—and Gorral and Evelodie weren't making it easier.
Evelodie took the map back, determination in her eyes. "We'll manage," she said. "We've come this far already."
Malakar looked at her for a moment, then gave a curt nod. He knew she was right, despite all the setbacks. They were still moving forward, even if it was slower than he would have liked.
Their food and ale arrived, and they ate quietly, each of them lost in their thoughts. Gorral would glance at Evelodie now and then, a faint smile crossing his lips as he watched her enjoy her meal. She had a way of making even the heaviest burdens seem a little lighter, and her optimism was contagious.
Malakar took a long drink of his ale, his sharp eyes scanning the inn, watching the other patrons. He knew the dangers that lay ahead and the challenges they'd have to face. But for now, they had a brief moment of peace—a moment to regroup and gather their strength for the journey ahead.
"Eat up," Malakar finally said, his voice breaking the silence. "We leave for Lakeshire at dawn. We can't afford to waste any more time."
Malakar finished the last drop of his ale, setting the empty mug down on the table. He leaned back, lost in thought. He knew what he had to do—he had to reach out to Vyaas, warn her of the threat from the Twilight Cultists. It was a dangerous task, one that could easily lead to his own demise if he wasn't careful. The Void was a treacherous place, and he knew that going in alone meant risking everything.
He needed an anchor—someone to pull him back if things went wrong. He thought about Evelodie, but it was too risky. She was already touched by the Void, and involving her could make things worse. No, it had to be Gorral.
But Gorral wasn't exactly on friendly terms with him after the incident earlier. His outburst had definitely left a mark, and Malakar knew he had to make amends if he wanted any chance of getting Gorral to help. He sighed, the thought of apologizing and trying to smooth things over leaving a bad taste in his mouth.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath. He looked across the table at Gorral, who was finishing his own drink, and Evelodie, who was laughing and joking with the barmaid as she brought another round to the table. He had no choice—he needed to bury the hatchet, make peace, and maybe, just maybe, get Gorral drunk enough to be open to the idea.
Malakar waved over the barmaid. "Another round," he said, forcing a smile. He needed Gorral to relax, to loosen up. Not enough to be stumbling drunk, but enough to lower his guard.
The barmaid nodded, quickly bringing three mugs of ale to their table. Malakar lifted his mug, forcing a grin as he looked at Gorral and Evelodie. "Let's have another round, shall we?" he said, his voice unusually cheerful.
Gorral raised an eyebrow, giving Malakar a curious look. "Another round?" he asked, clearly surprised. Malakar wasn't exactly known for being sociable, let alone enthusiastic about drinks.
"Yes, why not?" Malakar said, a glint in his eye. "It's been a long journey, and who knows what lies ahead. We could all use a break. Just for tonight, let's forget about everything else and enjoy ourselves."
Gorral hesitated, glancing at Evelodie, who smiled at him, her eyes bright with the idea of some lighthearted fun. "I suppose… one more round wouldn't hurt," Gorral said, though there was a hint of suspicion in his voice.
Malakar grinned, lifting his mug. "That's the spirit!" He clinked his mug against Gorral's and Evelodie's, his mind already working on how to steer the conversation in his favor. They needed to drink, they needed to relax, and when the time was right, Malakar would broach the subject.
Moments later…
Malakar smirked at Evelodie's wide-eyed fascination. "See? Simple enough," he said, leaning back with an amused look on his face. "It's all about the wrist."
Gorral watched, his own eyes narrowing with a mixture of interest and skepticism. "That looks a bit too easy," he commented. He grabbed a copper coin, holding it just like Malakar had shown. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the coin, and it landed on the rim of the glass, then spun off onto the table. Gorral sighed, shaking his head. "I think you've just been practicing this your whole life," he said, half-joking.
Evelodie giggled, still hovering over the table, her focus entirely on the empty glass. "No, no, let me try it!" she said, her face flushed from the previous drinks, excitement in her eyes. She picked up a coin, her fingers fumbling slightly as she held it like Malakar had demonstrated.
"Alright, Eve, go for it," Malakar said, his tone mockingly encouraging, like a coach cheering on a beginner. Gorral chuckled, leaning in to watch her attempt.
Evelodie narrowed her eyes, focusing all her concentration on the coin in her hand. With a dramatic flick of her wrist, she tossed the coin, and it clinked against the edge of the glass before bouncing off, rolling across the table and landing in Gorral's lap. Evelodie burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. "Oops!" she giggled, reaching to grab the coin.
Gorral snickered, shaking his head as he picked up the coin and handed it back to her. "Maybe we'll leave the coin tricks to Malakar," he said.
Malakar gave a smug nod. "It does take a certain finesse," he said, tapping his fingers on the table. He picked up another coin, effortlessly flicking it into the glass once more, the soft clink echoing around the table. "And it looks like that means… we drink," he announced, lifting his mug with a grin.
"And we drink!" Evelodie echoed, raising her mug as well, her face flushed with delight.
Gorral shook his head, smiling as he lifted his mug. "And we drink," he repeated, tilting his mug back.
They all took a deep drink, Evelodie draining nearly half of her mug before setting it back down with a satisfied sigh. "I think…" she began, her voice slow, "I think I'm getting the hang of this."
Malakar laughed, shaking his head. "I think you're getting the hang of something," he replied. He could see how the drink was starting to affect Evelodie—her eyes were a little unfocused, her movements loose, and her giggles coming far more easily. She was enjoying herself, and even Gorral seemed more relaxed now, the tension from earlier easing away.
Evelodie glanced at the table, then back at Gorral, her gaze lingering a little longer than usual. She got up, slightly wobbly on her feet. "Alright, alright," she said, her voice slurred, "I'll go get the next round." She gave Gorral a sly, teasing smile. "And you just… stay there, alright? Watch and learn." She swayed her hips as she walked away, her stride deliberately slowed.
Gorral's eyes followed her, his face flushed as he tried to hide a grin. He nearly slipped off his seat as she reached the bar, and Malakar couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head.
"Careful there, hunter," Malakar said, giving him a sidelong look. "The night's still young. You'll need all your wits about you."
Gorral cleared his throat, adjusting himself in his seat. "Yeah, yeah," he said, his voice a bit embarrassed. "Just… enjoying the night."
Malakar nodded, watching Gorral with a knowing smirk. He knew this was just the beginning—an opportunity to let their guard down, to trust each other just a little bit more. And, if things went as planned, a chance to get Gorral on board with what he needed to do.
Evelodie returned from the bar, her cheeks flushed, a broad smile on her lips. She was balancing three mugs of ale in her hands, wobbling slightly as she approached the table. As she set them down, one of the mugs nearly toppled, the amber liquid sloshing dangerously close to the edge, but she managed to steady it just in time.
"There we go!" she announced triumphantly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "More drinks for my favorite adventurers!"
Gorral laughed, shaking his head at her enthusiasm. "Careful, Eve. Don't spill them all before we even get a chance to drink," he teased, reaching for one of the mugs.
Evelodie made a mock-pout face. "Oh please, you know I've got this," she said, taking her own mug, lifting it up with a wobbly flourish. "To… um…" she paused, seeming to lose her train of thought for a moment.
"To the journey ahead," Malakar said, stepping in smoothly, lifting his own mug, though there was a touch of sarcasm in his tone. He eyed the two of them, his gaze moving between them as if assessing how much the ale had affected them.
"To the journey ahead!" Evelodie echoed, her smile widening as she clinked her mug against Malakar's and then against Gorral's. She took a big drink, the ale dripping slightly from the edge of her mug as she tilted her head back.
Gorral smiled as he watched her, his own mug raised, taking a drink, though his eyes never left Evelodie. She set her mug down, wiping a stray drip from her chin, looking pleased with herself.
Malakar took a long drink from his mug, savoring the strong, bitter flavor. He set it down and leaned back, looking at his two companions. Evelodie was grinning at Gorral, clearly enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, and even Gorral seemed to be loosening up, a soft smile on his face as he looked at Evelodie.
"Alright," Malakar said, a hint of mischief in his voice. "How about we make things a little more… interesting?" He reached into his satchel, pulling out another coin and holding it up between his fingers. "Let's see if you two have learned anything yet."
Gorral chuckled, nodding at Evelodie. "Go on, Eve. You got this," he encouraged, a grin on his lips.
Evelodie took a deep breath, focusing on the coin in Malakar's hand as if it were a grand magical challenge. "Alright, watch this!" she said, taking the coin from him. She tried to mimic his earlier demonstration, holding it flat between her fingers. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it toward the empty glass, only for it to bounce off the rim and roll across the table once again.
Gorral burst into laughter, and Evelodie joined in, unable to keep a straight face. "Oh no!" she exclaimed dramatically, her eyes wide. "I think the coin hates me!"
Malakar shook his head, a small smirk on his lips. "You're getting there," he said, though his tone was still dripping with sarcasm. He leaned back, taking another sip of his ale. This lighthearted game was exactly what they needed to break the tension.
For a moment, they were just three companions sharing a drink, laughing at each other's antics. It was a break from the heavy responsibility of their mission, a chance to forget the darkness they were facing, if only for a little while.
Gorral lifted his mug, meeting Evelodie's eyes, his gaze soft. "Alright, Eve. One more try," he said, sliding another coin toward her.
She took it, a look of determination on her face as she gave it one more go, her laughter bubbling as the coin once again bounced off the edge of the glass. They all laughed, their voices mingling with the noise of the tavern, their camaraderie growing stronger with every shared moment.
In the back of his mind, Malakar knew the weight of what was to come. He had a decision to make tonight, a journey to take into the Void to reach Vyaas. But for now, he let the laughter wash over him, enjoying this brief reprieve—a moment of warmth in an otherwise dark and uncertain path.
The tavern door slammed open with a bang, drawing the attention of everyone inside. A large, burly man stumbled through the entrance, his face flushed from drink, a crooked grin plastered on his face. He swaggered in, his voice booming above the chatter of the room.
"Aye! How about a drink for your fearless leader!" he bellowed, his eyes scanning the room with a self-satisfied smirk. The sergeant of the town's guard—loud, arrogant, and evidently well into his cups already—staggered toward the bar, his heavy boots echoing with each step.
The other patrons gave him a wide berth, some rolling their eyes, others shifting uncomfortably. The barkeep sighed, glancing toward the sergeant with a weary expression, clearly not thrilled at his presence.
Malakar's gaze narrowed as he watched the man approach the bar, his demeanor growing tense. He muttered something under his breath, taking a long drink from his ale to mask his annoyance. He wasn't in the mood for distractions, and a loud drunk was the last thing they needed tonight.
Gorral and Evelodie exchanged glances, Gorral's brow furrowing slightly. "Who's that?" Gorral asked, leaning toward Malakar.
Malakar set his mug down, his eyes still on the sergeant. "The local guard, apparently. And an obnoxious one at that," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Evelodie turned to look, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the sergeant's appearance. "He looks like trouble," she muttered, her voice low.
The sergeant, oblivious to the wary looks from around the room, banged his fist on the bar, demanding a drink. "Come on then, another ale for your loyal protector!" he roared, his laughter echoing through the room.
The barmaid hurried to bring him his drink, clearly wanting to avoid any conflict. She set the mug down in front of him, offering a nervous smile. The sergeant grabbed it, raising it high in a toast to himself before taking a long drink, spilling some of it down his front.
"Fearless leader," Malakar repeated under his breath, his tone thick with sarcasm. He glanced at Gorral, an eyebrow raised. "Seems like this one might be a problem."
Gorral nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the sergeant. The man had already made himself the center of attention, his loud voice drowning out any other conversations in the tavern. Gorral could see some of the other patrons growing visibly uncomfortable, their gazes darting toward the sergeant and then away, as if hoping not to draw his attention.
Evelodie frowned, her eyes flicking between Malakar and Gorral. "Maybe we should just finish our drinks and go," she suggested, her voice soft. "No need to get involved."
Malakar sighed, his expression darkening. "If he keeps to himself, fine. But if he starts causing trouble..." He let the words hang in the air, the implication clear.
The sergeant, now thoroughly enjoying his drink, suddenly caught sight of their table. He stumbled forward, his eyes locking on Evelodie, his grin widening. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he said, his voice dripping with mock charm. "A couple of pretty faces, and…" He glanced at Malakar, his grin faltering slightly before he snorted. "And whatever you are."
Malakar clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Gorral tensed, his hands tightening around his mug. Evelodie shifted uncomfortably, her eyes flicking between her companions and the sergeant.
The sergeant swaggered closer, leaning over their table, his breath reeking of ale. "How about a toast, eh? To me! The fearless protector of this fine town!" He raised his mug, his grin widening.
Malakar didn't move, his gaze locked on the sergeant, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "How about you leave us alone and go back to your barstool?" Malakar said, his voice cold.
The sergeant's grin faded, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at Malakar. "What was that?" he growled, his tone losing its forced charm.
Malakar met his gaze evenly, his expression unflinching. "You heard me."
Gorral set his mug down, leaning forward slightly, readying himself in case things escalated. Evelodie reached out, placing a hand on Gorral's arm, trying to calm him.
The sergeant stared at Malakar for a long moment, his eyes flicking between Malakar, Gorral, and Evelodie. He seemed to consider his options before letting out a loud, dismissive laugh. "Hah! Not worth my time," he said, turning away with a wave of his hand. "Enjoy your drinks, little group. You lot look like you need them."
He stumbled back toward the bar, loudly calling for another drink, his laughter echoing through the room. Malakar's eyes followed him, his jaw still clenched.
Evelodie let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Let's just finish up and get out of here," she said softly.
Malakar nodded, his gaze still on the sergeant. "Agreed. The sooner we're out of here, the better," he muttered, lifting his mug again.
Evelodie turned to Gorral and Malakar, her eyes still slightly glazed from the drinks. "I'll go settle the tab before we head out," she said, her voice a little slurred but full of determination.
Gorral nodded, giving her a supportive smile. "Alright, Eve. Be careful though, you're still a bit wobbly."
Malakar raised an eyebrow, watching as Evelodie swayed slightly on her feet. "Try not to get into any trouble, mage," he added, his tone half-teasing, half-serious.
Evelodie gave them a dismissive wave. "Please, I've got this," she said, turning toward the bar. Her steps were unsteady, but she was determined to take care of it herself.
She made her way to the bar, moving around tables and patrons, her focus on getting to the barkeep. However, as she approached, she stumbled, her foot catching on the edge of a chair. She fell forward, landing against someone—a large, burly man who was standing at the bar.
The man turned, and a sly grin spread across his face as he looked down at Evelodie. It was the sergeant of the guard—loud, arrogant, and thoroughly drunk. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he said, his voice dripping with mock charm. "If you wanted my company, sweetheart, all you had to do was ask." He reached down, his hand grabbing her rear.
Gorral and Malakar, still at their table, saw the entire interaction. Gorral's face darkened instantly, and he pushed back his chair, about to get up. Malakar was already halfway out of his seat, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
But before they could reach her, Evelodie reacted. Her street instincts took over, and she twisted her body, her face hardening as she looked up at the sergeant. "Get your hands off me, pig," she spat.
With a swift movement, she brought her knee up, slamming it into the sergeant's gut. He let out a pained wheeze, doubling over. Before he could react, Evelodie raised her hand, arcane energy crackling around her fingers. The glow lit up her face, her eyes blazing with fury.
The sergeant's eyes widened in shock, and he stumbled back, his drunken confidence replaced with fear. "W-what are you—?"
"Do you want to find out?" Evelodie hissed, her voice calm but laced with danger. The arcane energy crackled louder, her power pulsing as she stepped toward him.
The entire tavern had gone quiet, everyone's eyes on Evelodie and the sergeant. Gorral and Malakar stopped where they were, watching with a mixture of pride and amusement.
The sergeant, now completely sober and realizing he was outmatched, raised his hands in surrender, his face pale. "A-alright, alright! I'm sorry!" he stammered, backing away from her.
Evelodie gave him a long, cold stare before she lowered her hand, the arcane energy dissipating. She turned her back on him without another word, walking to the bar. She leaned in, speaking to the barkeep in a calm, collected tone as she settled their tab.
Malakar shook his head, a small smirk on his lips. "She doesn't need our help," he commented, folding his arms.
Gorral, his face still tense, relaxed a little, a smile spreading across his lips. "No, she doesn't," he said, his voice filled with admiration.
Evelodie returned to the table a few moments later, her eyes still glinting with annoyance, though her steps seemed steadier now. "Alright, tab's settled. Let's get out of here before I change my mind and blast that idiot through the wall," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration.
Gorral placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his eyes warm. "You handled that well, Eve," he said, his voice gentle. "Let's get going."
Malakar nodded toward the door, his expression one of amusement. "Yes, before our mage decides to turn this entire place to ash," he added, his tone teasing.
Evelodie gave him a side-eye, though a smile tugged at her lips. Together, they made their way out of the tavern, leaving behind the stunned patrons and the thoroughly humiliated sergeant, who was still trying to catch his breath, his face red with embarrassment.
As they stepped out into the night, Gorral glanced at Evelodie, his smile softening. "That guy definitely learned his lesson tonight," he said.
Evelodie smirked, her eyes meeting his. "He picked the wrong girl," she said simply, her voice confident. And with that, they moved on, the night sky stretching above them as they continued on their journey, the weight of what lay ahead still lingering in the distance.
As they made their way out of the tavern and into the cool night air, Evelodie stretched her arms above her head and let out a yawn. "I think I'm ready to call it a night," she said, her tone a mix of exhaustion and playfulness. She glanced at Gorral, giving him a sly wink. "I'll head up to the room and get ready. Don't take too long, alright?"
Gorral blinked, slightly flustered, a smile tugging at his lips. "Uh, sure, Eve. I'll be right behind you," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. He watched her walk toward the inn, her form disappearing into the entrance.
As Gorral turned to follow her, Malakar put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Hold on, mutt," Malakar said, his tone low, his face serious. He gestured for Gorral to follow him a few steps away from the inn, ensuring they had some privacy.
Gorral frowned, his eyes narrowing. "What is it, Malakar? If this is about earlier—"
"It's not," Malakar interrupted, his voice uncharacteristically even. He looked Gorral in the eyes, the flickering torchlight casting deep shadows across his face. "Look, I need your help with something," he said, his tone shifting, becoming almost hesitant. "It's not easy for me to admit this, but... I can't do it alone."
Gorral's brow furrowed in confusion. "You? Need help?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and suspicion.
Malakar sighed, nodding. "Yes. There's something I need to do, and it's... risky. I need to contact someone—someone who's trapped in the Void. It's going to take everything I have to reach her, and even more to come back. That's where you come in."
Gorral's confusion only deepened, his eyes narrowing as he tried to understand what Malakar was asking of him. "The Void? You're talking about dark magic. Why would you even think of going there? And what do you need me for?"
Malakar looked away, his jaw clenched. "I know what it sounds like. But this is important. Vyaas—the one I need to contact—she's important to me. And she's in danger. If I don't do this, I may never get another chance to save her." He paused, then looked back at Gorral, his eyes intense. "The Void can pull you in, twist your thoughts, make you lose yourself. I need an anchor—something to hold onto, to pull me back if things go wrong. You... you have a strength that can help me."
Gorral stared at him, the weight of Malakar's words sinking in. For a moment, he didn't say anything, his eyes searching Malakar's face. Finally, he let out a sigh, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "And why should I help you, Malakar? After everything you've done, why should I trust you?"
Malakar's expression softened, a hint of something almost vulnerable crossing his face. "Because I'm not asking you to trust me," he said quietly. "I'm asking you to help me do the right thing. Not for me, but for her. I know I've made mistakes, but this... this is something I need to do. And I can't do it without you."
Gorral looked down, his brow furrowed in thought. He could hear the sincerity in Malakar's voice, see the desperation in his eyes. After a long moment, he let out another sigh, meeting Malakar's gaze. "Alright. I don't like it, but I'll help you. But if this goes south, don't expect me to save your sorry hide more than once," he said, his voice gruff.
Malakar gave a small nod, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "Fair enough," he said. He glanced toward the inn, his expression shifting back to his usual guarded demeanor. "Now, go on. Your mage is waiting for you."
Gorral stood outside the door to their room, taking a deep breath. He was nervous, his mind racing as he reached for the handle. He half-expected Evelodie to have placed a pillow between them, making it clear they were sharing the space but keeping things proper. He slowly turned the knob and stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light.
The room was small, with a single bed pushed against the wall. Evelodie was already in bed, lying face down under the blanket. Her steady breathing indicated she was asleep. Gorral let out a quiet sigh of relief, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"A blanket hog," he muttered to himself, amused by how much of the blanket she had managed to wrap around herself. He took off his boots and moved closer, preparing himself to lie down and just get some rest after a long day. He carefully pulled back the edge of the blanket to find a spot for himself.
But as he lifted the blanket, his eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. Evelodie was lying there, completely naked beneath the covers. He froze, his heart pounding in his chest, his eyes instinctively darting away in shock. He hadn't expected this. Not at all.
Gorral swallowed hard, trying to control the rush of emotions—surprise, confusion, and something deeper, something primal that he fought to suppress. He glanced back at Evelodie—her body relaxed in sleep, her face peaceful. She looked vulnerable, and he felt an intense wave of protectiveness wash over him.
He carefully lowered the blanket, covering her back up, his movements gentle so as not to wake her. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He hadn't meant to intrude on her privacy. He didn't want to take advantage of the situation, especially with everything they had been through together.
Gorral took a step back, deciding to sit in the small armchair by the window instead. He pulled a spare blanket over himself, leaning back as he tried to calm his racing thoughts. He gazed out of the window into the night, the cool air drifting in. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds of Evelodie's soft breathing, allowing it to calm him.
"Just get some sleep, Gorral," he muttered to himself. "You've got a long journey ahead." He settled in, his body slowly relaxing, though his mind was still filled with the image of Evelodie, the warmth of her presence in the small room. Eventually, he drifted off, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to him.
Evelodie stirred awake, her eyes blinking open as she noticed Gorral sitting in the armchair by the window. She smiled sleepily, her voice slightly slurred from the lingering effects of the alcohol. "Gorral, what are you doing over there?" she asked, her words slow. "Come to bed, it's more comfortable here."
Gorral hesitated, his heart skipping a beat. "Eve, you're... not exactly dressed," he said, his voice strained, trying to be respectful.
Evelodie giggled softly, her cheeks flushed. "I know," she said, her tone carefree. "But I'm too drunk to care right now. Just... come lie down, please?"
Gorral sighed, his resolve wavering. He could see the genuine invitation in her eyes, her vulnerability mixed with warmth. After a moment, he nodded, slowly standing up from the chair. He walked over to the bed, carefully slipping under the blanket beside her, making sure to keep a respectful distance.
Evelodie smiled, her eyes already beginning to drift shut again. "Thank you, Gorral," she whispered, her voice fading as she slipped back into sleep.
Gorral lay there, his body tense but his heart softening. He looked at her peaceful face, feeling the weight of the moment, and slowly let himself relax. "Goodnight, Eve," he whispered, closing his eyes, allowing himself to finally rest.
Evelodie stirred; it was now or never. She turned to face him, her heart pounding, and before she could overthink it, she leaned in and kissed him. The contact was soft, hesitant at first, her lips brushing against his.
Gorral's eyes flew open in surprise, and for a moment, he froze. But then he felt the warmth of her lips, the sincerity behind the kiss, and his initial shock melted away. He closed his eyes, responding to her kiss, his hand instinctively reaching up to cup her face. The kiss deepened, their emotions and the tension of the past few days all culminating in that one intimate moment.
When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, their faces inches apart. Evelodie looked into Gorral's eyes, her gaze filled with vulnerability and something more. "I... I'm glad you're here, Gorral," she whispered.
Gorral smiled, his heart pounding. "Me too, Eve," he replied, his voice soft. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, and they lay there together, the world outside forgotten.
Evelodie stirred again, her heart pounding with desire. She looked into Gorral's eyes, and without a word, they gave in to their emotions, their desires taking over. Their kisses grew more urgent, their bodies pressing closer together. The tension that had built up between them finally found release as they gave themselves to each other, the warmth of their embrace filling the small room.
For a while, the world outside ceased to exist, and all that mattered was the two of them, the connection they shared, and the comfort they found in one another's arms. When they finally lay still, their breathing heavy, Evelodie rested her head on Gorral's chest, a content smile on her lips.
"I'm really glad you're here," she whispered again, her voice barely audible.
Gorral held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair. "I'll always be here, Eve," he replied, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.
They drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's embrace, their hearts finally at ease.