“I wish I’d stopped you from agreeing to that elf woman’s offer,” Jevan grumbled, adjusting his mask.
“Hey, let’s at least hear what the job is first,” Senya said with a lazy smile as she fastened her mask. “Besides, it might be fun.”
They waited patiently in the dim meeting room, seated on the bed together for Alester to bring in the potential new client. Three knocks would signal the arrival, Jevan reminded himself. But as time dragged on, he grew restless.
Maybe I should suggest we take a break?
As much as he enjoyed making good coin, he also valued his free time. Everyone deserved a break. He had planned to spend the day with Senya: training, making love, maybe catching the traveling magician visiting Flooren. But Senya couldn’t help herself when it came to being a Knightmare.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Alester’s masked face appeared. Four hooded visitors quietly entered alongside him, their heads low.
Jevan and Senya stood, allowing the guests to sit in their spots.
“Who are these people?” Jevan asked.
“We mean you no harm,” one of the hooded visitors said, his voice clear and masculine. “I wouldn’t fight the people who risked their lives avenging an elven child.”
He drew back the hood of his dark green cloak, revealing himself as a gaunt Sylvanish elf. His night-black hair cascaded to his shoulders, and striking warpaint adorned his face. One thick black stripe under each eye and another diagonally across his forehead, creating a fierce appearance. The warpaint of a Sylvanish warrior.
“I’m Kai’daan of the Zela’ken,” he introduced himself, gesturing to the others.
They lowered their hoods. A red-haired man. A brown-skinned woman around Senya’s age. And a third figure, broad-shouldered, dark hair clipped short, striking amber eyes. There was something about him. A strange, musky scent, like…
Dog?
“These are Sekari and Derec.” Kai nodded to the first two. “And this is Godrik, firstborn son of House Lupelle.” Kai bowed politely. “Lei’laan told me of how you avenged her child’s death. She led us to you.”
Humans in the Zela’ken? Jevan kept his surprise internal.
Senya returned Kai’s polite bow. “You may call me Blade. This is Shiv.”
“We’re also Zela’ken,” Sekari added, gesturing to herself and Derec.
“Don’t care,” Jevan commented indifferently. “What’s the job? Who’s paying? How much?”
“How friendly,” mumbled Godrik with a hint of sarcasm. “I’m the one paying.”
“House Lupelle?” Senya studied Godrik. “Why do you want our help? Several houses have sworn you allegiance. You’re rich enough to hire an army.”
She made a good point. Nobles wouldn’t request sellswords unless they had something to hide.
Jevan crossed his arms. “Meaning there’s more to this than you’re saying.”
Godrik stepped forward, his demeanor serious. “My little sister has been kidnapped. I need your help.”
Jevan was surprised Senya didn’t accept immediately. This was exactly the kind of contracts she believed Knightmares were meant for. Instead she acted rationally, “Why not hire an army or ask the other houses for assistance?”
I bet wants to use the Knight Sense. Remove her gloves, touch him, and confirm the truth. It takes only seconds.
“Listen.” Godrik’s voice was tight. “If you help us, you’ll be well paid. You needn’t concern yourselves with details. You’ll be rescuing my sister from her captors. Their numbers shouldn’t be too large for people of your talent.”
His evasion made Jevan’s gut twist. Concentrating his senses, he read Godrik’s aura. Fear radiated from him, the kind someone feels when a loved one is in danger.
Real fear. The rich guy wasn’t lying. Jevan’s eyes widened. House Lupelle is wealthy. Shit, this is a perfect coin grab.
“How old is she?” Senya asked.
“Sixteen.”
“Why are Zela’ken helping a human noble?” Alester questioned. “Why not seek aid from your nonhuman comrades?”
“They wouldn’t commit more elves to my plan,” Kai answered honestly. “The rest we’d rather keep to ourselves.”
“We have our reasons,” Sekari added, her voice dismissive. “They’re not your concern.”
“A simple rescue-the-damsel job,” Jevan said, confidence oozing from his voice. “Just rescue the girl and bring her home? Sounds easier than the usual shit.”
Godrik’s voice turned cold. “Yes, and no further questions asked.”
“No questions?” Senya regarded Godrik’s expression. “You’re hiding something.”
“We wish to keep this ordeal silent,” Godrik said firmly. “You’ll be generously compensated for your silence.”
Godrik was emphasizing payment far too much, but at the same time, this could mean enough gold to last far more than one year of provisions. Daily feasts, whole barrels of wine, better equipment. Jevan felt his mouth water with each passing thought.
He silenced his greedy mind. Senya was resisting her heroic instincts, so he had to block his avarice and be cautious.
Jevan cleared his throat. “How much? Highborn lords have an unpleasant tendency to lie as often as they breathe.”
“Derec, the coin,” Godrik commanded with a gesture of his arm.
Derec’s hand swung out, a heavy pouch of jingling coins landing at Jevan’s feet. “An advance payment. You’ll have the rest when we bring my sister home,” Godrik assured them. “It’ll be considerably more than you customarily receive.”
Jevan picked up the pouch, testing the weight. He peeked inside, the gold practically glowing upon meeting his eyes. Had he not been wearing his mask, they’d have seen him making the widest grin of his life.
“Now you’re speaking my language.” The mask tightened on Jevan’s face as his cheeks pressed against the interior. The pouch carried more gold than his past five most recent contracts combined. “I’ll take the job.”
“If he’s in, I’m going too.” Jevan stifled a chuckle, knowing Senya would’ve accepted regardless of payment.
“I’d prefer you bring more of your comrades,” Godrik said. “The six of us may not be enough to handle the numbers holding my sister.”
“You’re coming too?” Jevan raised an eyebrow. Unusual. Most clients, especially nobles, preferred paying others to risk their lives.
“My family matters more than anything to me.” Godrik’s face hardened. “I’m not trusting my little sister to strangers alone. I originally intended to manage this by myself, but my mother and Kai insisted I hire you.”
“There will be eight of us in total,” Senya promised. “I know two others who will come along.”
“That should be enough,” Godrik said. “Are they skilled?”
“You’re speaking to the Knightmares,” Senya said confidently, placing her hands on her hips. “When do we leave? Where are we heading?”
“I’ll explain on the way,” Godrik promised them. “Just meet me at the Broken Brooch brothel at dusk.” With that, they pulled up their hoods and strode out of the room.
Once the three of them removed their masks, Alester spoke up. “Godrik’s aura was sincere, and his story breaks my heart.” He paused. “But something about this feels off.”
“I sensed it too,” Senya agreed. “Anyone else notice he smelled like a dog?”
“It’s a rescue.” Jevan shrugged. “We’ve done jobs like this before. It’ll be fine.”
“I’m proud of you for taking it,” Alester said. “Maybe there’s more of a Knightmare in you than I thought.”
Jevan rolled his eyes as he heard the same nonsense he’d wish would end. Senya is your star pupil. Not me. Unlike the previous emperor, I’m not losing my head trying to be a hero.
He crossed his arms, and Alester’s smile faded. “Don’t mock me. I don’t use my talents for free. Only idiots work without payment. And you’re welcome to join us.”
Alester rubbed his nape nervously. “I’m afraid I’m too old. My healing abilities aren’t as strong anymore. Just be careful,” he advised. “And keep an eye on the noble.”
“Gladly,” Senya said, laughing as Jevan playfully smacked the back of her head.