Reckless Warrior

“You always have been quite the cynic,” Stella let out a light laugh, rolling her eyes over at her dear friend. “You’re probably right and all, but I don’t know. It might be sort of nice to have someone look at you like that, maybe?” She sighed wistfully, before her gaze fell back to her drink. The list of things Nora and Stella had in common could fill up an entire library easily, but they did differ when it came to love. Stella had always been a bit of an idealist and hopeless romantic to say the least. She saw the world through rose tinted glasses, imagining all of the possibilities and potential it could be. She was just resolved to believe that the only kind of love she would receive would be that of a night and for her that would be enough.

“It’s still one glass too many,” She laughed some more. A bright grin taking overcoming her expression as she told her friend with a playful smile, “I think you mean you’re lucky that I swindle drunk you out of all you’re worth or force you to get a matching set of tattoos.” 

“And make it a double?” Stella called out to the bar keep after Nora. Cupping her hand over her mouth as she tried to hold back her fit of giggles at the sign of the man visibly jump. “Just don’t forget to take me with you if you do,” She grinned. Her shoulder brushing up against Nora’s as she gave the girl a slight nudge. “For all the stuff?” She mumbled with a shrug. “Apparently being a ‘duchess’ requires a lot of outfit changes or some sort.” Her nose scrunching up at the thought of it.

-

“Comes from experience in matters of the heart.” She had only had one truly. All others tended to be things she never let come to fruition. “But what about the fallout? The heart break? Because it’s nice when they look at you like that, but what happens when they stop? Is the look worth the heart ache to follow?” She asked. She wasn’t teasing. She was honestly asking her friend what she thought. It was philosophical in a way, asking if it was better to feel those things than to never have at all. “Have you had someone look at you like that? Or you look at them in that way?” She asked, curiously.

“Nonsense, one glass is simply to wet the pallet for the rest of the night,” she reasoned. “I’m an expert swindler so good luck in attempting to swindle,” she challenged playfully. Nora laughed. “We could get matching tattoos. She lifted her arms with tattoos scattered about both arms and and on different fingers on each hand. “My body is a canvas, free to tell a story of my journey, any time you’d like to add to the story, I’m ready.”    

Nora smiled. “That would be the life. Where would we go on our fantasy traveling endeavor?” It was nice to dream, but she knew that she could bare to leave Red Keep for long and as a Duchess neither could Stella. “I forget that stuff is needed. It reminds me that I went to East Reach, and came back with far too many dresses courtesy of my dear sister. The art of seduction seems to require corsets according to her.”

-

“Aren’t you fortunate that I am so agreeable, you never had to tolerate any form of unpleasantness?” Even in saying it, Ainsley could not pinch back a hearty chuckle. The Amaranthe men were proud and temperamental, to be sure. But the Amaranthe women were not easy feats, either. “It would do you some good. You are almost thirty, after all. Is that not when you find where you belong?” A rather hypocritical assessment by the lady herself. At thirty, she was a shell of a woman, numbly going through life. No longer an Amaranthe, never quite an Ashcraft. But it was her sisterly prerogative; unsolicited and sometimes hypocritical advice. She lightly places her hand on Nora’s shoulder, giving her a light shove. “Oh, do not get used to it. On matters of our family and politics, perhaps. But in everything else? Oh sister, you are wrong.” She crinkles her nose, using her finger to lightly bop her nose. There’s a fondness to Ainsley’s expression, as she reeled. Even with Nora in front of her, she already missed her. It was the benefit to returning to the Red Keep; she could be with her family, again. Yet had Alek not become a family to her, as well?

“Think prudently, Nora. The less arms you twist and glasses you make, the more money there is in the treasury. Think of all the taverns we could purchase, should you simply lay off the ale for a few weeks.” It was a dirty trick, using her sister’s sensibilities as an advisor to dissuade her drinking. But, desperate times called for desperate measures. “Don’t I know it, bellowing clothing is Kata’s gift on those scorching, desert days. But there are plenty of decadent dresses, that allow one’s body to breath freely.” Ainsley determined, her own experience with the attire she spoke of as wholly positive. From behind Nora, she catches sight of her handmaiden (a woman hailing from the Red Keep, of course) gesturing at her return. “Well, it appears I am needed back in the castle. Will you join me? It is rare you are in the East Reach. Let us make the most of it.”

-

“Oh yes, the most agreeable of them all,” she said, sarcasm lacing her tone, chuckling. She knew that being an Amaranthe meant that there were some strong personalities in their family. She wore her own with pride. “Yes, just as I have never a day in my life been unpleasant.” They both knew that that was far from truth. “I don’t believe I’ll ever truly find a place to belong. I’m more of a person wandering the in between.” She knew that even if she did find where she belonged it would be more so a partial fit. That was who she was, that was how her life was, never quite enough. Nora playfully rolled her eyes. “Nope I choose to only hear that I’m right on all things.” She playfully poked out her tongue at Ainsley as if they were children again. It felt right being here, playfully teasing her sister. It was almost like old times, pre-betrothal and marriage to the previous Duke of East Reach. 

Nora actually pouted when Ainsley said to think about the taverns they could purchase. “Yes taverns we could purchase, but what would I do for fun during the weeks of abstaining?” Which they both knew she wouldn’t abstain from drinking for a few weeks. “I am trusting you with this this theory of breathable dresses. So dress me up I will only complain a small bit.” She winked at Ainsley. She certainly couldn’t make it too easy for her sister. Nora nodded. “Of course I shall. I want to spend every moment with you that I can.” 

“Alright, see.” Oggy shifted his feet off the table and leaned forward. Arms out as he spoke like he’d given it a lot of thought and wasn’t just making things up from the top of his head. “My code would be, the code of not being pompous wankers. You sleep with who you want, gamble how you want, fight who you want and especially fight people who get too big for their britches like pompous assholes and need to be taken down a peg.” He nodded, proud of his code of living whipped up in a drunken haste. “Helpful for a price. Toss in a bit of goodwill then but I can’t be having anything with kindness, fairness maybe’ll get a pass but dunno’ about that either.” He shook his head, stopped to look at Nora.

 “Honestly, you are a kind person. Best kind of kind person too. One with a mean right hook” He joked, but looked at her more seriously. “It’s a sorry fucking world that makes a person like you feel devastate and a right shame I can’t kick the world’s ass for it. Not for lack of trying, mind you.” Oggy’s grin only grew as he stared down the waiter. “Right, you heard the lady we have plans to order one of everything. And I want your two oldest wines, poured together in a glass. Don’t matter if one’s red and other ’s white I want them together. I want a bouquet absolutely riddled with complexity, yeah?” He winked at Annora. “Swindle, you said, what is it my birthday? You’re liable to spoil me you treat me so well.”

-

She leaned forward, both elbows on the table in a way that would have probably sent her mother into a frenzy. She was truly interested in his code. “You know that is an incredible code to have.” Nora found herself smiling at the thought. It was simply. It didn’t ask too much of people. It was honest, and it wasn’t pretentious. “I love it. There’s no pressure, no pretentiousness to accompany it. I like it. If ever I were to have the power to knight you, I would. Then again, my reign would look quite different than what it does to most. There would be no need for ridiculous formalities.I would care not for being called Lady Annora. Or Countess. Or Duchess. I would be but a humble servant of the people, not the other way around. I would make deals that allowed for prosperity for all. The land would be fair and just. No need for pesky marriages, and should I have children out of wedlock, I would ensure that my children never were recognized as bastards but rather equally and legitimately having rightful succession. War would be a last resort, famine would be non existent.” Nora shook her head, “My apologies that ran away from me.” She had often thought about a perfect world, but she knew that nothing would ever be as neat. She didn’t hate the current system, nor did she have the ideals of rebellion, but she did often think that things could be different. Better for the people.

Nora laughed. “I do have a mean right hook. It’s the thing of legends,” she joked, smiling triumphantly. “Has anyone every told you that you’re very sweet when you want to be?” Nora asked him, honestly. Nora was giggling behind her hand as Oggy ordered for them. She nodded along with everything he said, as she saw the look on the face of the person taking their order. “Life’s short, why not live it to the fullest every time we can?” She truly wanted to do just that because she’d seen through her dad and her failing brother that any day could be your last.

“I deserve hundreds, if not thousands by this point,” he teases, at ease in her presence.  The gods graced him with her friendship, while they took every other person in his life away. Not that he remembered much before the Magaesterium, he just knew of Nora, of the streets, and then everything changed again. “I won’t spend this much away again, I’ll try.”  

Cal frowns when she mentions her father, and brother. He had already danced around the idea of seeing if his healing magic would touch him but… Cal knows his limitations. As much as it pains him. He ached that he missed so much of her life, but he had little to share of his own. “I’m sorry to hear of your hardships, but the gods wouldn’t test us with what we couldn’t handle. And your family is perhaps one of the strongest I know and I’m not saying that out of bias,” Even if it was, mostly, out of bias. “What sort of trouble?” he questions, devious smile at his lips, “Anything fun? But, no, travelling is terribly boring. The act of it at least. I have put many miles on these feet of mine but whenever I had the chance and saw a caravan, I took it. Hard to read and write when you have to watch where you are going. “

-

She reached out across the table and gave him a playful shove. “You better not stay away for years again. I don’t want our next meeting to be when we’re old. I want to see this adorable face more.” She pouted but laughed. “Letters are wonderful, but I want to see your expressions when you’re speaking.” It was a rare moment when Nora was simply just happy, pure and undiluted happiness that he was actually in front of her.

Nora gave him a sad smile. “We all have our time. It was my father’s I suppose, or rather, those that attacked Glasswater made certain that it was his time.” She let out a breath, trying to focus more so on the now then the anger she felt at how her father would still be alive had it not been for the attack.  “Thanks, I try to remind myself of that every day. I try to keep telling myself that we’ll get through this.” A wicked smile came to her lips as he asked about the trouble she got into. “A lot of fighting, but also quite a bit of drinking and any antics that come up when I’m out and about.” She chuckled, trying to imagine him writing, reading and walking simultaneously. “But what happens when you reach your destination? Any fun then?”

“I’m sure Cailean can say the same for me.” Nymeria replied, letting her know it was just a part of the territory. “I understand what it’s like to want to bury the feelings. I have tried to do that time and time again… but they always resurface. And if I don’t face them they threaten to follow me whole. Sometimes you must acknowledge them so you can move past them.” She answered before following Nora inside. 

Listening to the story of the family’s plight, Nymeria found herself having more sympathy than she initially thought she would. This couple was backed into a corner and were doing all they could to keep their family surviving. 

“No, it’s not mad. I want to help them as well. But with stipulations of course. They need to leave this building and come under the care of the Red Keep guard where they can be aided but also watched to make sure they hold up to their word. The children can be supplied a governess to make sure their needs are met and their father offered a job. That’s the only way to make sure they get back on their feet while securing their loyalty.” 

-

Nora smiled when she said that she her dragon could say the same for her. “Knowing I’m not alone means a great deal! Whether it be dragon business or even coming along to confront possible rebel allies.” Words could not express exactly how much she appreciated her friendship with Nymeria. 

When Nymeria spoke aloud the plan that Nora had in her own mind, she gave a little chuckle. It was misplaced in the sadness that they had just learned of, but it was astounding. “Are you certain we can only bond with our dragons, because it seems that you have read my mind exactly. As they were speaking, I was formulating that exact plan. I will speak further with the father in order to know what of his strengths to place him with a job suited to his strengths. A governess for the children is easy. I can even get some of the best healers in Red Keep to help with their illnesses.” Nora would secure their loyalty and glean any information she could on the rebellion from them. She would make certain that this family didn’t feel the need to call upon rebels for help any further. 

Nora went back to the family, explaining to them of what she could do for them. The elation on their faces gave her heart a jolt of joy. Nora always used the position that she had to for the good of Red Keep, but also for the good of the people in Red Keep. She would leave the guard with them until she could get them proper lodgings. She felt much better about the decisions that she had made here today. She felt that the people would have done the same, and they had been as the family had stated that they’d been helped. “We’ll leave the guard here for your safety,” she told the family. “Turning to Nymeria, and I don’t have a single question of our own safety, we’re two warriors in our own right, we can make it back so I can start up the arrangements without worry.” 

-

“You need not go far to find that, I can assure you.” She was a most fascinating sight. All the beauty of noble blood, without the pesky stick up her rear. Nikolai was a man for whom, unique experience was a thrill he often sought. It was rooted in his innate curiosity, and his insatiable greed. “It would be a shame to ruin your frills.” Nikolai chides, slowly approaching the Amaranthe advisor. His hands find themselves against her hips, his pert fingers toying with the tassels and beads. “But I can endeavor to be gentle.” Licking his lips, he removes his hands, stepping backwards to assess her words.

So the rumors were true. The Red Keep’s leadership hung in the balance. It was the folly of nobility; the ever-revolving door of leaders. But Nikolai long determined that earning Nora’s favor was key. Whoever held the mantle, she was steadfast in her place. “Must be the Loqoalan in you. Less of the Elysian prissiness.” Nikolai chides, chuckling at the heavy words laced in her tone. “Down and dirty it is.” He agrees. “To answer your query, raising my price is a necessity. The Red Keep is not the only realm attempting to build or improve their armory.” Of course, his margins were not entirely out of necessity. This was the way of war. “I am an honest man, Nora. When the day comes that my weaponry is no longer necessary, I shall shift my expertise to something more demure. Dress making, perhaps.”

-

“Oh? Is that so?” she asked a smirk on her face when he mentioned the frills. “I have many other dresses, It wouldn’t be remiss to sacrifice the frills of one dress.” Her lip fell captive between her teeth as his hands found their way to her hips. “You could, but endeavoring to be gentle is not a wish of mine. Unless you intend to only start with gentle to save the dress.” Nora winked. By far negotiations with Nik were her favorite. They did get to business, but the excitement of their back and forth was almost like that of watching a tournament to her. 

“Ever so often, the Loqoalan in me shines through.” Nora though proud of her Red Keep and Elysian blood, never faltered in having pride in the Loqoalan side as well. “I’m no stranger to the logistics of results of high demand, but I am aware that when high demand occurs prices being set don’t have to be as high as they are. There is always an undertone of greed. How much can I ask as opposed to how much before the people begin to balk at such a price. And the price then falls just below the that of far too much for the people. It’s a smart business practice, this I know. But tell me,” she said as she moved closer to him, “Is there anything at all I can do to get you to lower your price?” Nora chuckled at his quip about dress making. “I’d certainly call upon you to make all of my dresses,” she joked, knowing that there would not be a day when weapons weren’t needed. 

“Best be careful then.” Henri added jokingly. “Yes, I was here for the same reason. The new duke happens to be a childhood friend of mine. I was here to see how he was doing given the circumstances. I plan to return home soon. My sister is expecting me. I’m certain she expected me some time ago but I’m never one to do what is expected of me.” He nodded. “Present company excluded.” 

“Careful is never in my vocabulary,” she retorted playfully. Nora’s mind never lasted in attempting caution. She was often ever the impulsive one in most cases. Nora smiled when he said he was never one to do what was expected of him. That was probably why for a time she’d fancied him more than she’d imagined she would. “That’s for certain. Most nobles I meet are...stuffy. You on the other hand are not. You’re more approachable without the need to second guess myself. Since your sister is already expecting you, and you’ve already delayed her, can I convince you to delay just a little further to get into some trouble with me?” 

Leo inhaled a sharp breath. His head swarming with half-formed thoughts and whispers of regret. He didn’t believe in love. He never had. It was fantasy. A concocted story one would whisper to children to lure them to bed and nothing more. Love was only as meaningful as people fooled themselves into thinking it is and, yet, standing there in front of her once more inexplicable felt like an insatiable fire had burnt all of the oxygen out of his body, leaving him feeling listless… empty. A gentle reminder of the pain that came before a warning not to tempt his own fate.

“Oh yeah. A whole six feet. I was actually pocket sized before,” He quipped. Keeping up his cheeky disposition despite his heart feeling as if his blood had turned to tar, struggling to keep a steady beat.

 “Are you-” Leo narrowed his eyes over at the girl whom was once his as she shifted from the chair to the table. The corner of his lips tilting up ever so slightly in amusement. “The chair didn’t do it for you, huh?” He started to tease. But, his grin faded as quickly as it appeared at the sound of her next words. “Why wouldn’t I meet you the eyes?” He asked with a raised brow as if it was the simplest question in the world. “You have beautiful eyes. Always have. What happened between us doesn’t change that. And… yes? I am alive? Why shouldn’t I be? Wait- you were the one who was avoiding me. Shouldn’t you already know that?” His brows scrunched up in confusion.

“Oh great. Two more members to my fan club, I assume,” He mumbled under his breath, shoving his fists into his pockets as he did. Leo knew fairly well that he rubbed people the wrong way. He was thief, a criminal, and a liar among other things. It would be surprising if he hadn’t ended up on anyone’s shit lists at this point. Especially seeing how much of an instigator he often would be. But, to hear it coming from Nora couldn’t help, but rub him the wrong way. He had cared for girl, more than he’d ever care to admit. Love was a fable nobility encourage to help sell this notion that you will only be complete after you settle down and get married. And yet, the past month he had spent with her back when they were still together, he had caught himself slowly buying into the idea. He didn’t know why he was behaving out of character at first. He tried to ignore it, but as more time past, the less seemed to be able to avoid it. He was even debating about telling her that day. The day he came back from his trip to Glasswater to find the woman he had called his own to have vanished like a ghost.

“I disappeared? Wait- whoa, whoa, whoa,” He looked taken a back. His head tilting slightly to the side as he cupped her face in his hands. His gaze darting back and forth as he scanned her eyes. “What are you talking about?” Leo asked her, honestly confused. “I didn’t disappear. That was- that was you. Wasn’t it? I mean for god sakes, Nora. I went to Glasswater for a week with Theo and by the time I came back, you were gone. I fucking looked everywhere, trying to hunt you down. I was even gonna tell you that I-” Leo cut himself off before he could mutter the three words he’d never let himself believe in again. “But, after a month of searching, I mean… it’s pretty clear when a girl doesn’t want to be found, so… if we’re gonna do this, can you please explain how I’m the bad guy exactly?”

-

His retort cause Nora to smile and she hated herself for it. She simply detested the way her heart beat’s normal steady strum seemed to pick up from the moment she’d laid eyes on him. She’d opened her mouth to retort, but stopped herself quickly.

“Not quite, not all of us are mountains. Some of us seemed to have been missed when the gods were determining height,” she joked. It was oddly easy to fall into a back and forth rapport with him. She hadn’t forgotten their interactions, but she had thought that it’d be more difficult. With her heart’s ache and the sad way that she felt as though any moment the sight of him could bring her to unwanted tears, it surprised her at how easily she could joke with him. She also felt herself want to practically melt at his words about her eyes. Nora let out a shaky breath, trying to remind herself that even though part of her wanted to jump into his arms  and let him go that that was over. The swooning over the handsome thief was out of the question. “Avoiding you? I thought that you were done with me?”

The dragon rider shook her head feeling just as confused as he sounded at the moment. She hadn’t been avoiding him, but rather avoiding all the places that held memories of the two of them. After his distance and seemingly pulling away, the last thing she wanted to do was dwell on past memories and what could have been between them.

When he cupped her face in her hands, she closed her eyes against the feel of his skin against hers. A stray tear betrayed her, falling down her cheek at his touch. The absence of such an act, sending her heart into a persistent ache. “W-what?” She asked, her mind feeling foggy with confusion. Her hand moved atop his holding it against her cheek, not wanting to relinquish his touch just yet. “You…came back?” She asked, surprise in her tone. Her tear-filled gaze unwaveringly on his now. “To do what? Break up with me? To tell me I’m not enough?” She supplied. “I only left because you started to disappear on me. You were distant, like you were pushing me away and then you left. I couldn’t bare it, the man that I -“ she shook her head, not wanting to say the word now. “That I cared about, pushing me away. I thought you weren’t coming back.”

…

“Everyone except you, hm,”  Avi tongued the inside of his cheek, as he tried to understand why.  “Maybe Augustus didn’t know either?  Maybe Ains wanted to keep it secret from her sibling lot, because she knew if she said anything, you’d lay siege on East Reach and only be satisfied once you got Ashcraft’s head on a pike.  Which…”  Avi shrugged, viciously making light of the man’s recent death.  

“Honestly wouldn’t have been the worst outcome.  But who knows what goes on in your sister’s head, Nora.  Especially after Ainsley were handed off to that man for all these fucking years. You and me, we’re cut from the same length of rope.  I thought she was too but…I don’t believe that’s true any longer.”

Avi looked at Nora curiously. “You don’t find so?  That she’s changed?”

Drunk and loud, Avi crowed, gleeful at the prospect of Nora’s plan to trounce poor Alek.  Whether it actually happened or not was irrelevant; Avi was just happy to share in the fantasy of violence with Nora, for what it was worth.  

“Please stop!” he laughed, waving and teasing as Nora batted her eyes.  “You look as if you’ve got some sort of eye affliction.  Innocent coyness does not suit you, luv.  Leave that to the girls the bards sing about - all that golden hair and big blue eyes.  You’re my little wicked djinni girl, innit? Wild and unpredictable, just the way I like ‘em.”

Back out into the streets now, but with a purpose.  Avi’s stare was hard and sharp and he was sure Nora’s was the same.  People stepped out of their way, which pleased him.  Avi couldn’t help thinking about Cat’s life here, the children on the streets.  The brothels, with the sullen-eyed prostitutes in the doorways.  Avi knew this district well enough, but imagining Cat roaming here ten years after him was…difficult.

“Your dragon’s safe, I hope,”  Avi murmured.  “You should introduce me one day, I’d love to meet them.  Come to Rajayer, fly with the other dragons across the sea…”  His invitation stopped short of a warning, after a mysterious storm attacked a dragon with lightning.

“Find your trusted mages, if you know any from your Magaesterium…”  Avi recalled Josefin’s affliction. “Do you remember Riza, Ainsley’s tutor?  What do you know of her?  She didn’t teach you as well, did she?”

Avi stared at Nora, entranced by her words.  Once she got going, it was hard to stopper her - not that Avi wanted to.  He’d never seen the romantic side of Annora Amaranthe, and it was absolutely glorious to behold.  

“Blimey, you’re a poet too??  That was…whew.”  Avi fanned himself, grinning as he did.  But he reached out to hold Nora, before she got miffed.  “No - I’m not making fun of you, I promise! I only wish I had the skill to speak so sweetly about someone.  I’m stealing some of that, darling.”

He shook his head though.  “And then he disappears on you?  You, of all people?  Ivar’s fishdick - gamblers are the worst people to fall for, luv.  I wish I knew what he looked like so I could hold him down for you as well.” 

Avi put his arm around Nora’s slim shoulders, and added drolly,  “To punch, of course, not to kiss.  Not unless I get some of that action too, with the way you described him. Kata, take my breath away.”

-

Nora bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t want to feel left out, or like a young child that couldn’t handle the truth. She attempted to fight the urge to pout. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one who didn’t know. Maybe their brother didn’t know either. “That’s actually what would happen. His head on a pike for all to see.” She’d never placed anyone’s head on a pike but one could dream.

“I think something like that changes you. It has to. When I saw her last, she seemed like the same woman I’ve known, but perhaps there are some things about her I don’t really know at all. Or perhaps we’re being unrealistic in thinking that the years do not change a person.” Though for Nora, thinking that maybe just maybe the years have changed her sister. It may have changed them all. “She simply seemed like my sister doting on her younger sibling. How do you find her?” She wondered.

Her laughter rang loud when he described her attempt at innocent and doe eyed. “I have to mark coy off my list of tactics.” She feigned disappointment before smiling. “Always. I couldn’t attempt to feign innocence even the tiniest bit if I tried. Wild and unpredictable is all I know.” It was true. She often didn’t find anything exciting in life if she couldn’t be wild and unpredictable. “Though that’s much to the dismay of my bonded. She likes when I’m not living life on the wildest side.”

As they walked, she smiled at those she passed, nodding in acknowledgment of those she encountered. She often saw the familiar faces in her nights out. She didn’t know them by name, but she did recognize the faces of those she often encountered nightly. Though Nora often traveled, nowhere in her own biased mind was quite like that of Red Keep.

She nodded when he mentioned her dragon’s safety. “She is. I would be even more distraught should something happen to her. I would love for her to meet you. She’s quite secretive though. It would take time for me to convince her that you mean her no harm.” Nora knew Cressida would much rather have been her human best friend to most rather than her bonded.

“Riza? I’ve met only in a few instances. She’s quite the mage from what I hear. Though I wonder if the stories from those that have been taught by her are glowing because she’s just great at what she does, or if they simply enjoy how she looks doing what she does. She seemed to truly care for Ainsley. No, no she didn’t teach me. But I’m fairly certain anyone you ask has not a single bad word to say about her. Do you know her as well?” Nora asked, not sure why he asked about the mage.

The rare sensation of heat creeping into her cheeks causing them to momentarily hold a rosy tint occurred when he called her a poet. The one thing she never spoke about was romantic love. She never even mentioned it to the man to which her heart had belonged once. “Steal away, loving words such as those would be better suited to someone that can still use them.” Nora had the out look of one and done. She’d tried love and she’d never try it again.

“Even if you held him down, I don’t think I could ever hurt him. The heart is stubborn and at times unyielding in its love no matter how much that same love can hurt.” She chuckled. “Now I would be less upset seeing that kiss.” Nora fanned herself. “My imagination is running wild and it’s all your fault,” she joked.

The closer Cressida drew to Loqoala, it seemed, that the bout of nerves she felt within her grew. She’d noticed the thrum of that particular emotion since she and Nora began their journey home. Oddly enough, it was easier to ignore while in her true form. Albeit however distracting. But once Cressida shifted again, back into her disguise, the task was more difficult. Curious dark eyes glanced Nora’s way as the pair steered towards the familiar direction of her mother’s home. She knew that Nora felt them, the quiet questions that went unsaid between them as they continued down the path. The sounds of life stirring about them. Still, Cressida would allow her human this moment. Despite masquerading as one, the dragonkin did not always understand every emotion they felt. Humans were interesting beings, she mused.

The question Nora asked through their bond made Cressida pause. With a dark brow quirking in Nora’s direction and the hint of a soft smile, Cressida simply took her hand. “Why are we nervous?” She asked back through the bond. “Tara’s… well, Tara.” Cressida explained needlessly. “She’s kind and we’re safe with her. We’ve nothing to fear.” She gave Nora’s hand a light supportive squeeze. “So why are we afraid?” At Nora’s internal musing and desire to be spared her mother’s protective ire, Cressida giggled aloud. The sound short and sharp against the actual silence between them. “You could stand another reminder to be less reckless. Maybe it’ll work.” Still, she gave a wordless nod of consent. While she adored Tara, Cressida’s loyalty remained with her human first. It was something that Cressida knew Tara understood and accepted.

When the front door opened and Nora’s family spilled out, Cressida took a step back. A warm feeling flowing through her and a smile gracing her lips, she watched them interact. At the invitation, Cressida felt her cheeks grow hot. Another thing she learned about Tara was that she was not one to be declined. Wisely, Cressida complied and entered the group hug. Her cheeks upturned and still feeling hot, Cressida answered Tara. “I am, yes, thank you. And you? The bakery?” She nodded at Tara’s final question. “I would love some-” Cressida’s reply went unfinished as her attention shifted onto the Nora’s hand returning to hers. Then Athena’s question caused her to laugh. With her free hand, Cressida reached down to touch the little girl’s arm - still wrapped around Nora. “We did! But she’s off with a few friends.” Cressida feigned a pout. “She misses you and will take you flying before we leave. If your mother permits.”

-

Cressida’s question gave Nora pause. She thought about the why for a moment. “Because she’s the only parent that I have now. I’m plagued with irrational what ifs. What if she doesn’t care for me anymore, what if Athena doesn’t love me. Sometimes I fear with our distance, we’re strangers until we meet again.” Nora knew that it was irrational, but she was nervous now as if something had changed other than the death of her father’s death. She loved her mother but she also felt this missing piece. This piece was her father’s love and she was nervous that her mother’s love would be void from her too. The young dragon rider glared. “Is recklessness not a part of my charm? It won’t work. Not even my dad could stop me and he was an Earl.”  Nora often found so much comfort in not having to speak her fears out loud but rather being able to communicate them to Cressida. It definitely brought Nora from closed off in a sense to at least being able to share her thoughts, fears and worries with one person. 

Tara smiled warmly at the other three, Cressida especially as she spoke. “We’re doing great. Bakery is doing well as well. People always have to eat. Even if it wasn’t doing well, this one,” she gestured to Nora, “wouldn’t rest until I had enough to provide for my family.”

 Nora nodded, “That is what family does as if you haven’t already done everything possible for me. You sent me to live with my father and my life is forever changed.” She was grateful for being able to live life with her father and her other half siblings. She did though know that she would have enjoyed just as much, living with her mother and growing up here. “Though had you allowed me to stay here, I’m certain that I would have been able to be a part of Avi’s crew, sailing the seas living free and happily.” 

Tara’s brow rose as she looked at Nora and then to Cressida. “You live free and happily now, and from your silence I could only assume that you were dealing with your father’s death in ways that I don’t approve of,” she broached the topic. “Your letters stated that you were well, and you spoke of work, never of how you truly were. One’s mind could only roam to worst ways of dealing with grief. 

Nora bit the inside of her cheek at the thought of how exactly she had been handling things, thinking to Cressida “She’s going to ask you if i’ve been doing less than safe things to cope. You don’t have to lie, but please...spare her all the details.” But what Nora said out loud to her mother, with a slight smile was, “I’ve been buried in duties that help Augustus, he’s not well...my work is what takes my mind from those grief-riddled  thought and a visit to a tavern or two.” She figured she’d throw in some truth. 

Tara’s eyes shifted over Nora as if she were trying to find any signs that told her otherwise, but Nora was smart enough to either not get punched in the face, or wait until bruises healed before she visited her mother. “Uh huh...Cressida has she been staying out of trouble as she would wish me to believe?” she asked the more responsible of the two. 

When talk of the dragon had occurred, Nora chuckled. She wished her sister was an animal magi like herself so that she too could know what it was like to be a dragon rider. Athena looked at her mother with pleading eyes. “She says the dragon misses me! Please! Can I? I miss her too.” Tara smiled warmly, nodding. “Of course, but you listen to your sister do as she says so you’ll be safe.” 

Nora grinned, “I’m fairly certain that before she even mounts the dragon she’ll be giving her the biggest of hugs. Akin to the embrace that I’ve been in since we arrived.” Tara gestured for them to follow her to their small kitchen.  Nora’s trek proved difficult as Athena clung to her. “I’m going to need a visit to a tavern after this...i’ll need some strong ale to leave this little one. I’ve been away too long,” She thought knowing Cressida could her. The wave of sadness that overcame her as they made their way into the kitchen. She would have loved to take her back to Red Keep with her, but Nora could barely look after herself right now. She couldn’t manage looking after Athena as well. 

-

The visits to the Red Keep acted as a source of great amusement. One of the few lands that traded in enchanted items, Nikolai would spend days perusing the latest devices. Afterwards, he would call upon the reigning Amaranthe. His trade with the long-standing house spanned centuries, with his most recent contact in the form of Aloysius’ bastard. A pretty and energetic young woman, whom Nikolai often enjoyed dealing with. There was little purpose to power, without exercising it. And nothing provided the once-impoverished elf a bigger thrill, than toying with nobility.

He steps into the study, licking his lips at the sight of her dress. A far cry from her persona, which only prompts a flattered chuckle. “You did not have to gussy up for me.” Nikolai chides, hands behind his back as he inspected his surroundings. Her accusatory words simply roll off his back, as he looked upon the tapestries of the desert god. “Aloysius was a lion of a man. My condolences.” Nikolai utters smoothly, ignoring her shrewd words. “I take it your brother is not fairing any better. Maybe that’s for the best,” with an insensitive chuckle, he adds; “I can have you all to myself.”

-

When he brought attention to the dress she was wearing, Nora smirked. Challenge alight in her eyes, a quip rested on her tongue ready for the moment. “For you?” She asked, her eyes rolling at the thought. “You think very highly of yourself, no? Perhaps I have plans after this little visit, that involve me, this dress, and unwavering eyes on me and hopes that hands will want to rip away at all that binds me in this dress.”  Was she lying, partially.  She did hope for that ending, but she didn’t have a set plan after their meeting.

Nora nodded as he mentioned her father. “Yes, he was. He was something. Thank you.” She had to agree there her dad was something else. Though to be fair the more she found out about him the more ferocity he seemed to have in the decisions he made for his family and for Red Keep. “Augustus is healing and recuperating ” she said simply, not wanting to spread the rumor that her brother was worse for wear. Nora had to chuckle at his words. “Or perhaps it was me that want wanted you all to myself.” Her eyes roamed over him purposely and unabashedly for a moment. “My brother and father were great but I like to get down and dirty with negotiations.”

“That, coupled with a healthy dose of nepotism.” Zaynder answered teasingly. “Oh is that all?” He let out a laugh. “I assure you, there are far more effective ways of achieving that goal than trashing my place of business. Maybe just give that a thought or two.” 

“You couldn’t just let me have that one?” she asked, jokingly. She knew he was just teasing. “Oh really? So you mean to say I’ve been doing all this fighting just a few brief moments in your arms when I could have simply achieved it in much easier ways. I’m not saying that I will permanently stop trashing your place of business, because...I don’t believe that I can go without some brawls and where would your nightly excitement be without my chaos?” Nora liked to think her brand of chaos was a part of her charm. She’d always reason, she’d be kicked out of the tavern indefinitely if her chaotic charm wasn’t welcome. “But that being said, I would really like to kick that gentleman’s ass...though those effective ways to get to that end result are much more appealing.” Maybe her sister had been correct. Maybe dresses and seduction was more effective than fighting.

“Feel free to call me whatever your heart desires.” Henri chuckled, noticing the blush reach her cheeks as his eyes looked up to meet her face. “What brings you to East Reach, Annora?” He asked, assuming it was for similar reasons as himself. “I hope the region has treated you well.” 

“Call you whatever my heart desires, then I would simply fill all the spaces that titles belong with compliments attached to your name. Dashingly handsome Henri, charmingly breathtaking Henri,” she joked. “That gives me more free rein than I would know what to do with. The combinations are endless.” When he asked what brought her to East Reach, she smiled for a moment. “A visit to my sister. She has experienced so much death in the span of a short time. Our father, her husband,” not that Nora thought Ainsley would be so broken up about the latter. “What about yourself, I assumed with everything going on, you would be back in the North by now. Don’t tell me you’re growing fonder of the warmer climates,” she joked, but she could guess that he was pay his respects just as she was. “The region always treats me well, that might have something to do with the new Duke being afraid of me. I quite like it that way. I instill fear in many men. Present company excluded, I hope.” 

…

“Hah!” Oggy threw his head back, enjoying Nora’s banter. “Yeah you’d pay. I’d charge you a premium per hour. I’m a rare commodity.” His scarred smile turned lopsided.

“Ugh!” Oggy pulled a face, looking all the world like he tasted something terrible. “Almost had me signing up for making my own code, sure tempting that is. But lost me at goodwill and kindness. Slumberin’ gods what even is goodwill supposed to be anyway? Wishing good on every Will? I’ve met some real shit Wills, absolute assholes. Didn’t deserve a damn good thing to happen to them.” He laughed as hard as Nora was at her own sentence. He might be more drunk then he first assumed, all the better to truly enjoy the new tavern they’d visit.

He nodded, and bowed deeper before drawing himself up suddenly. Turning on a heel, as if she’d given him grave and important orders. The elf stalked forward, snapping every step to the ground before finding the sturdiest table he could and staking their claim. Staking it by pulling out a chair and comfortably lounging in it so his feet propped up on the very sturdy table. “Nora, you ought to know by now not to treat me so kindly.” Oggy waggled his eyebrows. “Give me an inch and I’ll take a full dragon mile. I’ll be ordering one of everything before the night is through.”

-

“That you are. A rare but welcome commodity,” she agreed a grin on her place. Nora’s laughter rang out at his words. “Enlighten me, what would have been your codes if you could make up your own?” She was curious, feeling as though this would definitely be interesting to hear. Sometimes, Nora was entirely fascinated by the way Oggy’s mind worked. He was truly an incredible person to know in her opinion. She felt lower than low, stricken with grief and spending time with him simply made her forget altogether that she was sad. “I’ve met some real shit...everyone. Wills as well, except in this sense you would simply be friendly, kind, helpful even.” 

Nora flagged someone to take their order, shaking her head at Oggy. “It’s because you take a dragon mile that I will always treat you kindly. You spending time with me tonight actually took me from devastated to having the most incredible time. And if you order one of everything before the night comes to an end, it would be a perfect way to stick it to them. It would also be great to swindle some of these people out of their coins tonight,” she smiled wickedly. 

-

“Still, must be a pain. Aug is not exactly pleasant when his ego was wounded.” It was the fatal flaw of their Earl. Augustus held his image, and the Amaranthe image, above all else. This blow to his ego would undoubtedly spur him. But Nora was always skilled at handling the tempestuous Amaranthe men. She shakes her head. For all of Nora’s confidence and wisdom, she quickly dwindled back when it came to her place in the Amaranthe family. “Are you kidding me? Everyone says it. My mother, Augustus, and all our other brothers and sisters. Best you start believing it. Family is the one thing we can count on.” Without her husband, Ainsley knew her reunion with the Amaranthe ranks was eminent. Despite its drawbacks, the closeness to her family and her home provided comfort.

She averts her eyes, allowing Nora her privacy. Her crestfallen expression was not one she would want attention drawn to. Previous experience said as much. Instead, she adjusts the shawl against her shoulders, promptly meeting her sister’s eyes. Apologetically, she shakes her head. “No, of course. I’m sorry I said anything,” she relents. “But we shall keep trying, yes?” The notion of losing their brother was too difficult to bear. The Amaranthe’s just lost their patriarch, they could not lose its heir as well. “At minimum, we can ensure he’s in as little pain as possible.” Even with her words, Nora was relentless to disprove her words. It stood to reason, given Nora’s independent nature. But Ainsley was raised in the ranks of noble women, for whom child bearing was the be all, end all. Instead, she emits a low chuckle in response. “We need not debate it. It’s not as if my fortunes on the matter will change. So, in that sense, you are right. I can provide value in other, better ways.”

“What did they do? Look at you the wrong way? Accidentally cut the queue for a pitcher of ale?” Ainsley taunts, knowing fully well of her sister’s antics. She was never one for petty grievances. But the Amaranthe fire was within her. Cackling, Ainsley swats Nora’s finger from the air. “Mock all you want, but there is a direct correlation between seduction and apparel. How do you think I managed ten for then at the masquerade ball all those years ago?” Back when her formidable and lustful nature made a splash in their circles. “Your definition of large and pouffy is an underskirt and wiring. But I promise to keep it to clothes of the Red Keep. Silks and linens. Draped, not wired.”

-

“Oh, he is definitely full of unpleasantness, but when you love someone, you endure their unpleasant sides. And I understand and can interpret his annoyances. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t handle the temperaments of proud Amaranthe men.” Nora smiled at Ainsley’s words. “I may start to believe it at some stage in my life, perhaps this might be the stage that I learn. I’ve always been under the assumption that our father was the tie that bound us, but we won’t fall apart or become unbound without our father. Family is the only thing I can count on, save a few friends.” Nora truly loved her family, and she found that she was quite close to her siblings all in different ways. Sure at times they may not see eye to eye, but she adored them each in kind and wouldn’t trade one if she could. 

Nora nodded. “We will keep trying,” she told her, guaranteeing that the she won’t give up on their brother. Nora was practical and she truly did understand the gravity of his situation, but she didn’t want to relent. To give up hope or attempt to start planning for the worse. Sure there were tentative plans, there always were, but that didn’t mean that right now she had to think of them. She was still reeling and barely dealing with her father’s death. “Making him comfortable and in as little pain as possible has been a priority.” Nora gave her sister a squeeze. “So all I heard there is that I’m right,” she said, lightening the mood and conversation with a slight chuckle. “I’m generally always right.” 

“Well...yes, that’s exactly what they’ve done. Look at me wrong. Perhaps even say the wrong thing.” Nora pouted, knowing that her sister was correct. There was a correlation. “Fine, dress me as you wish. If it works, I will make certain to dedicate my night of passion to the corset,” she winked. Nora erupted in laughter at Ainsley’s assessment of her thoughts on large dresses. “That’s exactly what it is. I live in a hot climate, why on earth would I want all of those extras? If it weren’t frowned upon, I would simply wear scraps of clothing to cover only the necessary parts.”