Chapter 41: Little Sheep in the Big City

Rosalyn

Graven Keep loomed in the distance. She felt her heart race as she saw the towering edifice of the central keep and the massive black stone walls surrounding it. Her family had avoided any big cities when travelling to River’s Crest. Too expensive. Too crowded.

She stopped herself from jumping as a large, and by now, familiar hand landed on her shoulder. Ann, her wolfish companion, looked down at her with a hint of concern in her eyes. Rosalyn hadn’t noticed she’d stopped walking, staring at the city before them.

“You all right?” came that rich, smooth voice. It was a pleasant sound, of a lower timbre than most women she knew. A little lower than Princess Katlyn’s voice. It seemed to move through her and out with each sentence.

The woman herself was so very kind. In their time together, she’d been exposed to more than what she’d expected to be her share of excitement. Every time she’d been around anything unusual, such as the woman’s god given lusts, she’d always received comfort and support. When they had thrown themselves into battle, Ann had checked on her afterwards. This wasn’t something special to her. She did this for Kat and Bren as well. Still, there was something exciting about being around her. Something that sent a thrill of fear and intrigue mixed into one down her spine.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Just a bit intimidated I guess? Never been to a city this big. There’s so many people I can see just from here! Even those people over at the gate number more than the entirety of River’s Crest! I… I will not lie. I’m nervous. Never been around all that much commotion. You know, being in that house, out in the woods and all. Ugh, can’t stop my hands from shaking.” Her words came out in a tumble. She hated how she rambled when she was nervous. It was something she’d struggled with all her life, but the tall woman next to her simply smiled.

“I get it. Just stick close to us, I guess. Nothing’s gonna happen,” Ann reassured.

“An’ if it does, feckers’ll learn who they be messin’ wit’,” Kat chuckled lightly.

Katlyn. Another wonder that had dropped into her life. The Alfhindur didn’t match her mate’s height, but still towered over Rosalyn. Smooth, pale skin dotted with freckles and ornately braided brown hair gave her the misleading air of elegance. She’d quickly learned the woman was anything but. She was blunt, honest, and had an instinct for protection that Rosalyn already admired deeply. The warrior also had a body to back it up. Rosalyn caught herself remembering the morning she’d watched the woman dressing. The way her muscles rippled in her back as she lifted her shirt. Errant thoughts that set her heart racing. Along with those qualities, the woman was always ready for a fight.

She’d seen it a couple times now, when Kat and Ann sparred. Both women were cut from the same cloth in that regard. Even as they traded blows that would leave Rosalyn bruised and winded, they grinned madly. It was a fierce dance of predators that both enjoyed to its utmost. These fights always ended with Kat as the victor, but Ann was gaining ground each time they duelled. She also couldn’t ignore the looks they gave each other after each contest. Like they were a moment away from stripping each other’s armour and continuing their bout in a more carnal manner.

Shaking herself as she felt her cheeks begin to burn, she placed a hand on Ann’s side, grounding herself to something to better keep her wits.

“Thank you. Not sure what to expect with everything. We’ll be staying at an inn, right?”

“Yes. We already have two rooms reserved at the local Mercenary Association’s headquarters,” Bren informed her. “Whether you wish to stay with Katlyn and Annita, or have your own room, is up to you.”

He was a kind man. Considerate, but not to the point of being walked over. His dirty blonde hair cut short and brown, intense eyes, coupled with his precise manner of speaking, gave him the air of the scholar he apparently aimed to be. He’d been a comforting presence for Rosalyn during her time with the group. Ann and Kat could get ahead of themselves, driven by the excitement of the moment, and he grounded them. He had also offered her plenty of insight into their dynamic she’d have to learn herself. She appreciated his attentiveness when Ann or Kat began to tease her, not that she really minded, but the thought itself was a comfort.

“My own room, for now,” she decided, her voice coming out far meeker than she’d intended.

“Oi, no pressure or nothin’,” Kat called back as she led the way down the grassy hill to the outer walls. “Ye’ve earned more ‘n enough tae ‘ave yer own space.”

“And, if you ever change your mind, that’s easy enough to settle,” Ann teased, the joke obvious in her voice, while also keeping the flirty airs Rosalyn was quickly becoming accustomed to.

“I… I promise I’ll let you know,” Rosalyn stammered back, catching one of her hands as it reached for one of her horns. A nervous habit when she felt embarrassed. Lowering the rebellious limb, she focused on her hand, touching Ann’s side and walking as they approached the gate.

They waited in line, like everyone else. She’d half expected Kat to exercise a bit of her station to skip to the head to get into the city quicker, but that apparently was not how the woman dealt with things. When their turn came, she presented her citizen’s badge. It was the standard wood with the minor enchantment that bound it to her identity.

Rosalyn caught snippets of Kat warning the guard not to cause a fuss, after which the guards processed them quickly. She kept her eyes on the ground as she handed over her badge, and the guard greeted her as “Lady Rosalyn.” She almost laughed at how ridiculous it sounded before she raced to catch up with Ann. The guards probably assumed she was someone important just to be travelling with the third princess. How funny was it that they were all important because they were travelling with Annita?

Annita was another one that defied, or at least ignored, the importance of who she was. At least for now, she simply interacted with everyone as if she was any other person. Not some god-sent warrior tasked with changing the world. Rosalyn was still coming to terms with the task she’d been caught up in. It was a bit too much for her to handle, mentally, so she’d decided to just ignore it and take things day by day. Staying alive, learning about her new friends, maybe getting to know one a bit better than normal? Nope! Getting ahead of herself again. She shook her head, trying to re-order the chaos that was her thoughts.

They’d made their way through the labyrinthine city streets and were standing before one of the largest buildings she’d seen since they crested the hill overlooking the city. She stared up at the black stone and wooden edifice of the place as Ann held the door open for her.

“C’mon. It’s where we’re staying. Welcome to the Merc’s Association.”

Inside was almost more overwhelming. The inside was grand, spacious, and filled with decorations of trophies and awards all over the walls. Rosalyn could guess that each told the tale of some noble hero or great hunt that had taken place in Korvas’ history. Gods, this place had to cost a fortune to stay in. She didn’t have this kind of money. She didn’t have any money. She’d have to take that offer from the girls to bunk with them.

Ann took her hand, the warm strength reassuring as it squeezed gently. “Hey. C’mon and sit here. Bren and Kat are getting the paperwork for our little expedition.”

As she’d said, Kat and Bren were chatting with a handsome receptionist sitting behind a counter off to the side of the tavern. As they spoke, the man pulled a stack of papers, sliding them across the desk to the princess.

Ann led her over to a table in the corner, blessedly away from the crowded rest of the room. There had to be ten or so people there, but it was a larger gathering than she was used to. “Want anything to eat? Drink?” Ann offered as they sat in comfortable wooden chairs.

“Um… ale and food? I’m not sure what there is, and I probably can’t afford it. So bread?” Rosalyn glanced at the other tables, filled with rich food, sheepishly. It looked delicious, but had to cost a fortune.

“Nah, you’re gonna be fine. My treat this time, though,” Ann chuckled with that grin which flashed her sharp teeth. She waved down a waitress who hurried over to them.

“Oh! Welcome back, miss!” the bubbly woman exclaimed. “Hadn’t seen you in a few days and thought you’d moved on.” Rosalyn couldn’t help but notice the woman’s slight blush as she spoke. Not enough to say they were familiar, but that she was clearly interested.

Ann gave the woman another dazzling grin. “Nah, just had to go deal with some stuff. What’s on the menu today? Uh…”

“Rachel,” the woman reminded her cheerfully. “Honestly, I don’t think I ever told you before. Anyway, today’s a mixed bag. We’ve got some steaks, salads. The sandwiches for today are pretty good. The bread from the baker turned out fantastic. Chicken, lettuce and cheese. Nice and balanced.”

Ann paused, considering. “All right, four ales and sandwiches. That should handle it for now. Thanks, Rachel!”

The woman’s professional smile brightened into the realm of being genuine as Ann thanked her. “Oh, yeah. Any time! It’ll be five silver for the lot.”

Ann paid her and watched as the woman left with a bounce in her step.

“How do you do that?”

“Huh?” Ann asked, turning at the quiet question.

“That,” Rosalyn gestured, pointing to the beaming waitress. “You just talked to her, and she’s falling all over you. What’s the deal with that?”

“Uh, not sure really?” the Lupine admitted. “I just kinda talked. Might be this body, might be an Orenous thing? Kinda doubt it’s the second one, though. She’s all about consent and subverting attraction feels like cheating. Guess she made me look good enough that people are just attracted to me by default. Or at least, maybe, if I tick any of their boxes, I really tick those boxes.” Ann shrugged, her gorgeous messy mane of hair bouncing off her shoulders. “I try not to think about it. Starts getting into questions where there isn’t an answer to, and that’s just a pain in the ass.”

“And Kat doesn’t mind? That you seem to attract that much attention?” Rosalyn asked.

“I mean, I don’t think she cares about the attention much. Hells, sometimes she seems to enjoy it. As long as I don’t take off and get with anyone she doesn’t approve of, we’re good.”

“A unique approach to a relationship, for sure,” Rosalyn mumbled.

“Yeah. Normally, I think I’d be happy with just her, but this whole Champion thing, and that skill? Orenous seems to be pushing me to expand my horizons a little. Yay, more things that are weird to think about!” Ann cheered sarcastically, throwing a fist up into the air.

Rosalyn laughed. The sincere confusion and admission of her lack of knowledge only made the larger woman more comforting to be around. The more they spoke, the more the intimidating persona Rosalyn had constructed around the Champion began to fall away. After that first night, gods, that first night, she’d felt incredibly intimidated. Now? Far less so. There was still that pit of nervousness in her stomach whenever those piercing green eyes and sharp teeth were directed her way, but it was getting easier to ignore.

Kat and Bren slumped into their chairs, passing out pieces of parchment. Forms, from the look of them, with fields to be filled out detailing Warped, their numbers, details, and manners of death.

Bren took a distinct form and began to work on it. Leaning over, Rosalyn read that it was a notice of completion for a posted task. He was filling in their names, the details on the Snail creature they’d fought and other bits she wasn’t quite sure of.

Kat slid a sheet her way, along with a quill and ink. “’Ere. Ye’ll be needin’ tae register yerself ‘ere if ya wanna be runnin wit’ us. Pretty simple form. Just need tae fill out yer name, personal info, name o’ yer path and advancement, an’ a general description o’ yer role in a team.”

“Is that it?” Ann asked, leaning close to Rosalyn’s shoulder.

“Didn’t you have to fill one of these out?” the Druid asked.

“Nope. Had to have mine specially filled out by the General. ‘Cause of my Path and all that. We figured keeping it more of a tight kept secret was the best idea.”

“Still do,” Bren said over the shuffling of papers. “Until the Crown is ready to announce your presence more officially, it is best to keep quiet."

“Yeah, yeah,” Ann sighed, grabbing a form of her own to fill the time.

Rachel returned, her bouncing gait limited by the four plates and mugs she carried expertly. They thanked her for the meal and passed the woman her due. Rosalyn caught the quick wink she gave Ann before turning away, and apparently so had Kat, who raised an eyebrow at the Warrior. Ann gave her an innocent shrug that only received further raised eyebrows and an exasperated shake of her head before Kat returned to her work.

“Gotta put a leash on ye,” she heard Kat mumble.

“Aww, gonna get me a collar, too?” Ann teased back, still focused on her writing.

“Keep that mouth runnin’ an’ I might muzzle it too,” the other woman retorted.

The way they slipped from a normal reaction to scandalous flirting amazed Rosalyn. Feeling her body heating up, she decided it was best for her sanity to focus entirely on her registration.

“So, you were talking about taking on a Seed, after this?” Ann asked around a mouthful of sandwich, not looking up from her own form.

“Aye, think there’s one hereabouts that should be perfect fer us,” Kat grumbled, still focused on writing.

Bren, always efficient, had already finished his work and was sipping on his drink. “Hmm, there should be one to the east that should have regenerated by now. A lake God’s Seed. Or Goddess. I will need to do a bit of research before we depart.”

“Why do research when we can just figger it out ourselves?” Kat groused. “’At’s half the fun o’ the adventure.”

“I would rather not be surprised by anything that could get us killed, thank you,” Bren huffed.

“I’m a bit in the middle on this one,” Ann mumbled, before stretching and fully joining the conversation. “Enough to know the idea, but not enough to ruin the fun. Whatcha think, Rosalyn?”

“I… well…” Rosalyn stammered. She’d not expected to be included in the discussion. It made sense. She was part of the team. Why was she surprised now that they were including her? She signed, focusing again. “I would appreciate not dying. Definitely not anytime soon. Too much to see and do, really. I believe I agree with Ann on this matter. We should know enough to be informed, but not enough to take out the fun of the journey.”

Ann nodded, returning her gorgeous green eyes to Bren. “So, how much does get documented on a Seed?”

“Oh, quite a bit,” Bren chuckled. “Expected environs, weather, approximate time of year if it does not follow the natural seasons. The Warped within change frequently, but usually follow a theme. For a lake based Seed, I would imagine more aquatic based creatures.”

“Oooh, interesting!” Rosalyn piped up. This was something she could talk about. “I wonder if it will be restricted to the normal lake population or will it be more generalised? Crustaceans or other creatures could provide similar challenges to what we faced with the snail. Carapaces resistant to striking or cutting damage, hardened limbs. Scales and the like are quite a common possibility, I would imagine. I wonder if they would be adapted into something akin to leather armour. There’s so much that could happen. Not to mention, whatever happens when we reach the Core. I’m so excited!”

Ann laughed. A warm sound that gave Rosalyn confidence in her speech. “Yeah. Gods. I wonder what’s gonna happen with the next one. I’d rather not re-experience the magical shock blast from hell again.”

“Bets are gonna be that ye do,” Kat said with a smirk. “Don’t ye worry. Can reward ye nice an’ proper after, if ye catch me meanin’.”

“Just as long as I can remain out of earshot,” Bren sighed.

“Aye, we’ll make sure yer ears are nice an’ protected. Whoever’s watchin’ over the Seed might give ye the reward themselves instead o’ droppin’ and runnin’ like Estvall did.”

“Well, it would be nice to have company.”

“I’ll be there?” Rosalyn offered, patting his shoulder comfortingly.

Bren muttered something she couldn’t hear, but gave her a thankful smile.

“Anyway, I’m fucking tired,” Ann groaned. “Been walking all day and nothing is slowing down any time soon. You figure out how you want to do rooms, Rosy?”

Rosalyn bristled. That wasn’t something anyone but her parents could call her. Taking a breath, she soothed her temper. “Please, call me by my name. Only my parents get to call me that,” she said firmly. “And yes. I believe I’d like to have my own room. Issue is I don’t have the money for it…”

“Yeah, ye do,” Kat assured her. “This mess,” she gestured at the paperwork, “it’ll net us a pretty penny. More’n enough tae get ye a room fer however long ye need.”

“Oh, wow. Ok. And they’ll just take it out of that?”

“Yup, it’ll just come out of how much they pay all of us. We’ll adjust the split,” Ann said. The woman had withdrawn slightly, Rosalyn noticed. The easy familiarity she had tempered by a caution that wasn’t there before.

“Hey. Ann, it’s fine. You didn’t know. No need to get fussed over an honest mistake,” Rosalyn said, patting the Lupine’s hand comfortingly.

“Yeah. Yeah, sorry, though,” she mumbled.

“Apology accepted. Now, I agree. I’m tired. I want to pass out and move on to tomorrow. How do I get a room? It doesn’t have to be through talking to someone, does it?”

The table laughed, and Bren patted on her back.

“I am afraid it does.”