Zelkath sighed as he continued forward on Shadow. Saenaria was riding sidesaddle on a chestnut mare of her own. "So," she said softly, "you're a paladin. Have you taken an Oath yet?"
"The Watchers," Zelkath said with a nod. "I'm relatively new, having been under my Oath's tenets for about a year, but know my way around a fiend."
"You should be aware that the royal family… ah… they're tieflings."
"I don't have a problem with tieflings," Zelkath said with a shrug. "It's not your race that defines you, it's your thoughts, words, and actions. Look at Drizzt Do'Urden. He's a drow, but he's probably the nicest one you'll meet."
"Well… the people of Veldravia agree with you, but… as you can imagine, we haven't very many allies. Our army is small, so we can't send very many men to try and fight this dragon."
"I'm sure you, me, our healer, and our stealthy friend can get rid of him," said Zelkath.
"As am I," Saenaria replied. "But first, we need to meet them. Before that, we need to speak with the king. You saved the life of a member of the Emerald Circle… I don't think he's going to let that go unrewarded."
A few hours later, they reached the gates of Veldravia's capital.
"Crystalgarde is on the other side of the city… we have to go down High Street, that's the main thoroughfare."
"Hungry?"
"Oh, yes! There's a lovely place on High Street, in fact."
"I've got enough gold for us both, I'm sure," Zelkath offered.
"No, that wouldn't be fair. You saved my valuables and my life. Let me feed you."
"If you insist," Zelkath replied with a shrug and a smile.
When they arrived at the place Saenaria mentioned, a stableboy took care of their mounts. The inside of the restaurant was certainly not shabby, but nor was it overly fancy. A clean, polished hardwood floor was complemented by pristine red walls and a low ceiling, from which hung an elaborate chandelier. Selecting a booth, the two took their seats.
"Excuse me," said a somewhat raspy voice next to them. "I was told to meet Saenaria of the Golden Eyes…?"
"That would be the lady," said Zelkath.
"I'm supposed to help with the Zalventhrax situation."
"Oh! Please, do sit with us," offered Saenaria.
"Alright… I was heading to the palace and thought I'd catch a meal. Let me pay my own way. Varexus, by the way. Rex for short. We'll be traveling together, so either will do."
The tiefling in question was a dark red, with polished ebon horns. He wore supple black leather and was armed with twin daggers. A small voice was heard to say, "Come on, that girl looks rich… let's… oof!" Varexus had given the dagger on his right a slap.
"Steve and Gary," he groaned. "Don't mind them. I bought the fools from a trader who didn['t know they could talk. Now, of course, they won't shut up!"
"Come on, Rex," said the dagger on his left. "You love us, and you know it!"
"I can fight with my claws too, Gary…"
"Yeah but you might break a nail. Besides, how are you gonna cut purses without us?"
"Damn it, Steve…"
"So," said Saenaria after the three had ordered their food, "tell me of yourselves, yes?"
"She already knows me… somewhat. You go first, Rex."
"He saved me from a would-be thief," Saenaria explained. "He's a Correlonite Paladin under the Oath of the Watchers."
"Well," said Varexus, "you should know that I only trifle with enemies of Veldravia, and I never harm innocents, at least knowingly. When I'm not skulking around for the crown, I enjoy a good steak. We tieflings don't get out much, I fear."
"Well, considering the royal family of Veldravia are tieflings," said Zelkath, "you'd think you'd at least not be looked at as demons."
"You'd be surprised. Veldravia's ruled by tieflings, but is populated with humans, elves and a few gnomes, mostly. Respect for the royal family is a given; they're the rulers of the nation, tiefling or not, and they do a fine job of it. But people like me, well… they mostly think…"
"They think you're a big bad evil guy?" Zelkath put in.
"Yes, I'm afraid so…"
"You don't seem evil to me, and… no offense, but you're not all that big."
Varexus chuckled. "You two seem alright, at least."
The food soon arrived, and Zelkath smiled. "Let's dig in… I'm starving!"