To Make a Spectacle

The smell had come to her first from the kitchen before settling before her. Vael eyed the plate of beef, baked potato, and two carrots next to a full tankard of mead. The meal portion took up the whole plate, which wasn’t usually what she was given. Unlike her, the person ordering this time was the generous Venessa Rockwell.

“Not every day a noble offers a meal for a Dark Elf,” Vael noted, not hesitant to pick up a knife and fork to dig into the gift.

“It is a fine way to open one’s ear for a proposition.” The noblewoman nodded to the server who poured her a glass of wine from a bottle that had seen a decade.

“Quite the gamble, I’d say.” Vael took a sizable chunk of the steak, quickly savoring the sauce and spices that, for once, enhanced the flavor.

“Great prospects often require risk.” Vanessa took a light sip from her glass, leaving a blue print behind. “I want you to join the Crescent Raiders.”

“Why?” The question came out sharp, food muffling her words.

“I heard of your exploits with the cyclops, and I am very impressed. More than enough to overlook your status and rank.” The noblewoman leaned forward a bit, hands clasped before her, a pose she used at the negotiating table many times before.

“And why would you, a woman of status and wealth, want a Dark Elf in your midst?”

“To be honest, to make a spectacle.”

Vael raised an eyebrow. She found it bold to lay out her honesty so plainly. No matter the risk, she could see the fortunate gain in placing a couple of chips in her favor. If anything, Vael imagined the woman held significant connections that allowed her party to secure commissions that brought gold with their success.

“What makes you think I’d accept?” Vael handed the question out to see how much the Human knew of what she was getting into.

“Because you’re obviously a woman of duty. Exiled, but still protecting the innocent.” Vanessa grinned with appreciation. “Noble, humble even. But that is a mere whisper in comparison to what your past openly tells.” She gestured at the Elf’s markings.

“And what do you know of my past?” Words of suspicion came from Vael’s lips while she took another mouthful, a mix of steak, potato, and carrot.

“Murder.”

The word hung in the air like a poison mist. Vael paused for a moment, taken aback by the weight of her knowledge.

“Layshale told me enough.” Vanessa swirled the purple liquid, contemplating for a beat. “Three dead, one survivor of a great house. Yet you continue; jaded, but acting like a knight errant after losing everything.”

Vael couldn’t argue with the obvious facts. Instead of banditry, as many fell into, she took it upon herself to live a wanderer’s life.

“Adventuring became a way to give that paid for certain necessities, to survive,” Vael revealed this in confidence, hiding nothing from Vanessa that wasn’t already out in the open. “Given my previous profession, I couldn’t do anything else.”

“Even though everyone would see you as nothing less than a criminal?” A look of melancholy crossed her face. “Then why not invest in a more worthy path?”

Vael scoffed, figuring the catch. “As some pitiful underdog for your crew?” She brought her mug up, gulping down the mead once her plate was empty.

“To do more heroics you trained so hard for.” Vanessa downed her glass, setting it down without a sound. “You may not be the Warden of Verdant Wilds, but you have a sword and still possess honor.”

Vael kept her drink turned up, but her eyes never left Vanessa until she emptied it.

“Layshale told me enough, darling.”

“Make sure that’s all she says.”

“All I can see is a woman who’s not letting her marks define her.”

“You sound like Ethan. ‘Without the fancy titles and sparkles’.”

Vanessa tilted her head slightly, recalling the face. “The archer boy?”

A low chuckle escaped her lips as she stared at a portion of the table with no real significance. Vael saw the Human’s face; an image of a young man’s eyes who took notice of a truth she lived, yet personally believed herself to be an afterthought—hearing from Vanessa, who no doubt sought to use her as a business opportunity or for publicity. But with Ethan, something in his eyes reminded her of someone else again. She felt a soft breeze pass across her cheek.

“Will I be able to bring an additional body with me?”

The question perked Vanessa’s brows, a sparkle in her indigo eyes. “You’ll join us?”

“I’ll have conditions.” Vael didn’t look her in the eye, but held up a finger. “I’ll have the opportunity to take jobs on my own under your name.”

“You do seem to be the lone wolf type, not a surprise. But do remember that more important quests will have to take precedence, since you wouldn’t be a freelancer anymore. You’ll be required to aid the others whether you like it or not.”

Vael lifted another finger. “Speaking of which, as a bonus, keep the Elf off my ass.”

“Definitely don’t need infighting or dead bodies. Anything else?”

“I’d like a home for myself as well.”

“Rivera’s Reach is quite the spacious city. I’m sure I can procure a lovely abode for you.”

Vael closed her eyes. To have a new path opened before her, she’d be a fool not to take it. Yet, she’d be wise not to accept everything at face value. Vanessa was a noble, an opportunist, no doubt willing to toss her away at the first sign of trouble. Any backlash from her social circle or from the Guilds, and she’d drop her deal to save face. She had a taste of the nobility, from both Human and Elven, fickle and self-centered in their frivolous dealings.

“Give me some time, Rockwell.” Vael finally spoke. “I still need to consider some things.”

“Take your time, darling. We still have to deal with a one-eyed monstrosity, find the mage who is turning this quaint town into a siege, and collect our coin.” Vanessa stood, brushing off her dress, standing with poise, hands clasped behind her back. “I do hope you’ll aid us.”

Vael took her cloak and draped it over her shoulders and back, her muscular form retreating beneath it. “If to ultimately aid myself, we shall see.” She turned partway to leave before another breeze made her face back to the noblewoman, extending her hand from heart to host, palm up in the Elven gesture of thanks. “I appreciate the meal, Miss Rockwell.”

Vanessa bowed solemnly. She watched the Elven woman step out from the tavern, the evening flames still high. She saw an intimidating woman, a Dark Elf. Something far different from the Elves she’s seen, but she still saw much of the old Warden from before.