A Chance

“I do not accept this! Miss Rockwell, this is too rash a decision!”

Layshale shot up from her chair, knocking it over. The clattering of hardwood brought a sudden commotion in the tavern, bringing the morning chatter to a standstill. The table consisting of the Crescent Raiders, Vael, and Ethan was filled with a morning spread of eggs, bread, ham, and freshly squeezed juice.

Gavric, Ragar, Yu Li, Vael, and Vaneesa all sat partaking of the meal. Ethan was not entirely awake, but nursed a cup for himself after his late-night training. This left Layshale the only one standing; her disbelief of the announced arrangement became palpable to everyone.

“Believe me, I have thought this through,” Vanessa stated, taking a scoop of eggs to enjoy. “And confirming the legitimacy of our friend here, I found it best to add a little more experience to this crew of ours.”

“Without consulting me on this?” The less-than-poised Elf pointed to herself without hesitation.

“We are a crew here,” Gavric grumbled in his morning coffee, annoyed by her single-mindedness. “But I do concur. I’ve seen a few Dark Elves on my travels. Can she be trusted?”

“Dark Elf or not, she helped us already.” Yu Li whispered, biting into her eggs, but came off sounding impressed. “Would be foolish not to accept her aid with this particular foe. Especially with that power of hers.”

“Plus, the boy would also be a valuable ally.” Ragar chimed in before tearing into the ham the waitress presented him with. “Vael has given us no ill will. I find her honorable.”

“Well, outside of myself, the vote is tied.” Vanessa sat back in her chair, her back not agreeing with the lack of lumbar support. “For now, I need a report on your tasks.”

“The musclehead and I recovered the gold. Most of it.” Gavric shrugged.

“Aye! The people will have their funds, but what of the beast?” Ragar shifted his gaze to Fu Li.

The Fox woman took a sip of her drink. “Both Layshale and I searched the forest as best as we could.“

“Those woods are thick with a darkness that makes it hard to scout out.” Layshale continued, her gaze partially staring daggers at Vael, who continued to relax in her chair, legs crossed. “Has the area been like that for a long time?” She turned her gaze to Ethan.

The Human chewed his food slowly before swallowing, still waking up. “Um, no. No, it used to be clear until recently.”Ethan’s words came out in a drawl. “Used to be *yawn* clearer and a lot brighter.”

Layshale considered this as further indication that their target was near and using the forest as a hiding ground.

“How big is the forest?” She asked, having been unable to get a clear feel of the wooded area, even when attempting to commune with the sparse fauna.

Ethan didn’t respond, having passed out. Vael finally moved to check on him, giving him a nudge. She even snapped her fingers, but gave him his peace for the moment.

“No more late-night magic training for you.” She sighed, feeling responsible for him being so tired. “Best to keep searching on foot for now. I need to hunt that thing down.”

“Not until I’m done with you, Vaelara.” Layshale stood straight, her ire returning to Vael. “If we are split on whether or not you should be a part of this group, then I suppose a more hands-on approach is necessary to break this contest.”

“Look, Layshale, I’m only doing this for myself and the kid. I work for the money; legally.” Vael clarified in annoyance, standing from her chair to once again confront the issue.

“You should have thought of that before attempting to murder one of our Archdruids!”

The words landed between everyone as if an anchor landed and splintered the very table.

“Attempted?” Lu Yi questioned her thoughts on the Dark Elf.

“Attempted, but managed to cut down fellow Wardens, three of them, with the very blade she vowed to use to defend our home with.” Layshale threw her gaze across the table, eyeing everyone with the truth.

“Layshale, you were told to keep quiet on the matter!” Vanessa raised her voice.

“And yet this must be said!” The Elven woman continued, determined to make things right, even with the visiting patrons lodging at the Inn as well. “Vaelara murdered good men and women, in cold blood, and attempted to slay an Archdruid of the Circle.”

Vael kept her mouth shut, but a scowl etched onto her face. She didn’t defend herself, not this time. Her words were nothing against the spoken verdict of the Circle leaders. The deed was done. Blood forever stained her hands and her name, with her words never in account.

The Raiders continued to discuss this revelation among themselves. The dismissive gestures, the pointing—all recurring since the day of her sentencing and the moment her crimes were parading through the streets before being cast out. Vanessa somehow wanted it to be under wraps for her own reasons, while the others circled with questions and accusatory looks. All the while Ethan stared at her.

She didn’t know when he stirred up again, but the young Human looked at her with what looked like shame. Her heart somehow felt even more weighted. Vael had given him hope, and he gave his trust, and now it meant nothing. It was as if she plunged the knife into his chest, leading Ethan to disown her as his master.

She could hear the words even now. “I can’t believe you’d do such a thing.” Ethan’s voice echoed with contempt and skepticism. “You have no honor. You’re a failure just like my father.”

Eyes staring at the floor, Vael wondered if others like her tried and failed to turn themselves around. Their crimes forever a bloody mark on them, unable to live or gain redemption. The best she could do was pass Sivi on to someone better, her final good deed before she retreated into the Northern Wilds again.

“Is that it?” Ethan’s voice came clear and steady.

He addressed this to Layshale would halted her accusations.

“She killed people, but why is she here continuing to save people?” She started, the sleep in his voice gone as he stood. “People are dead because of her?” He demanded to know.

“That’s right,” Layshale confirmed. “The guards found her over their bodies. Her blade within the body of the Archdruid, her fiancé.”

“But she’s here, continuing her duty. Why?” Ethan asked this question, staring at the Elf across the table, continuing before she could speak. “My father was once a respected man, perhaps. Until his crimes came to light and he betrayed his friends. Not once did he change. You could say he accepted that truth when he never came back.”

The air became heavy and stale from such words being spread amongst everyone in confidence. Vael watched as Ethan turned to her. She wondered who the woman he saw before him was, how he perceived her soul if his eyes possibly permitted such talents. Taking a back step, Vael grew unsure, awaiting his judgment.

“Master Vael came to our town with death on her hands and saved lives.” Ethan’s voice held an admiration Vael couldn’t fathom. “She took what she was offered and defended this border town. After some convincing, she started to train me because I wasn’t good enough with a bow. No one gave her a chance to defend herself—or even now, to see her worth. But despite it all, she gave me a chance instead. She gave me her Fae.”

Extended his hand in that moment, Ethan concentrating on his palm. His focus staggered, but gave rise to a gale of wind. The energy swirled a few inches from his palm before he attempted to contain it between both hands to form a sphere. The magic held for a few seconds before dissipating in a loss of focus.

Layshale’s eyes caught the familiar purity of druidic magic before her. No arcane stone was on his person, but she sensed the sudden presence of a Fae other than her own. Her mouth remained partially opened, failing to speak.

“I’m, well, not good at it, but it’s a start.” Ethan chuckled at his fumbling attempt before standing closer to Vael, placing a hand on her shoulder to solidify his conviction. “I’m staying by her side. She’s my master, and she believes in me when others didn’t. And unlike some, Master Vael isn’t bad.” He paused for a moment. “Or, she’s trying to atone for it. I’m not going to hold it against her.”

Vael said nothing, but the fear she held within slowly faded into a mote of warm relief. Ethan’s recognition of her, without knowing all that had occurred, gave her hope in her actions; that someone saw her. This young, vexing Human, whom she saw as a problem, became something she did not want to let go of.

Placing a hand on his head, Vael ruffles his bedhead with surprising appreciation—a smile across her face for a second, before she turned to Layshale. The blonde Elf, still stunned by the magic displayed before her.

“I’m going to finish this job.” Vael held her hand on Ethan’s head, certain and firm. “Civi accept the boy—Ethan—, and I’m going to train him. Yet, I’m reminded that I can only trust so many.”

Vael eyed Layshale with pity in the possible path they could have shared. She turned to put her attention on Vanessa.

“I did consider your offer.” She hoped her tone was somewhat sincere. “But there’s little place for people like me.” Vael was sure to bow to the woman, offering some manner of respect. “Thank you for the opportunity.”

Vanessa sighed, a slight shake of her head. She said nothing to change the Dark Elf’s mind, given what all had already been said. Standing to response as she knew how, Vanessa Rockwell stood on her feet, offering her hand from her heart. Vael nodded and made her way out of the Inn with Ethan following behind. She watched as the Dark Elf and Human held themselves with a dangerous confidence.

The table remained silent, as did the Inn itself. Everyone took in the spectacle, the words, the dare to continue forward with the world against them. Layshale kept silent as Vanessa approached from around the table.

“We have our gold, but it would be a shame to lose a valuable commodity in this place. I rather prefer their pillows, since I am bereft of a valuable ally. I rather not be down a Elf. No matter how pretentious.” The noblewoman’s statement came subtly to Layshale, along with a more spiteful threat before her luxurious visage.