Adrian’s hands rubbed over my burnt skin, and although the touch wasn’t unwelcome, I jolted away from the judgement. “Enemy darn it, boy, what are you doin’?” I immediately snapped, rolling my green sleeves back over my arms.

  Annabelle slowly backed away, and Aywin took her spot around our table. He looked down at my arms first, then to Addy. The elf sighed and gently pulled Adrian’s hand away.

  “Lord Skye, I hardly think it's appropriate to go around questioning free citizens about burn marks on their arms. This would be taboo elsewhere,” his singsong voice began.

  Melissa’s hand rose up to tug at Adrian’s collar, pulling him only slightly down so his head was beside Melissa’s lips. “Hun, what did I tell you about touchin’ others without askin’ first?”

  Adrian tugged away from both of them, a bit more fierce with Aywin than Melissa. He took a breath, and kept his voice calm. “Yes, I get it. I shouldn’t be touching her, but she has burn marks and scraped skin all over her arms!” he pointed out again.

  Jasmine’s spoon dug into the massive pile of ice cream and exotic fruits, taking out a huge chunk and biting. Her eyes spread open and she burst into a smile, before immediately gripping her head. “Oww… ate too fast. But, I mean… at least I get how you’re so bad with people too, Ashy. Amaril, you two, no boundaries. Or filter.”

  Melissa angrily looked at Adrian, before returning her attention to her strawberry parfait and taking a bite. “Imagine livin’ with him, Jazzy. Gotta fight him everyday to stop havin’ him do everythin’ for me!” she complained, before tugging Adrian down again. “Want some, hun?”

  Adrian however pushed away, and his attention was solely on me. “Yes, I get it. Ashley, what happened to your – “

  I grimaced, and watched his eyes. Jasmine said the way to lead a conversation was to have people talk about themselves, and give boundary setting questions. “I am fully capable of speaking the Queen’s Common too, Adrian. Though, why are you speaking so formally and educated?”

  Jasmine quickly glanced at me, a smile growing on her face, but my attention shifted back to Adrian. He scratched his chin. “Aye… I reckon I don’ know. Jus’ seemed serious an’ all Ashy.” He turned to look at Melissa and Jasmine too, a blush forming on his face. “Missy, Jazzy.”

  Aywin chuckled, “Good to know even human societies are commanded by their women. And here I thought that was an elvish thing.” He then turned to Melissa first, and offered his hand. Melissa placed her hand atop of his, and Aywin lifted and kissed the back. “Lady Skye,” he began.

  It’s funny how one title can drop a stone in your stomach, and I immediately glanced down to my own peach parfait. I spun the spoon around for a moment, before realizing Aywin was looking at me.

  “Lady Hart,” he said, offering me his hand too. I looked at it, then looked at Melissa spoonfeeding Adrian her strawberry parfait.

  So I handed Aywin the spoon as well. I wasn’t going to feed him any myself. He was a grown adult. Grown Elf?

  Aywin’s smile didn’t falter, but he did return the spoon back to my cup. “Ah, right. I was… aware of your eccentricities already. Nonetheless, you were the woman I was searching for –”

  “Nah, hol’ up.” Adrian AGAIN butted in. “Ashy. Your skin. Wha’ happened?”

  I stared him down. Acknowledge, and redirect. “Boy, don’ you know it’s rude to be askin’ personal thing’s like tha’? Gosh, did your Ma not teach you any manners? Missy, you swear you goin’ to be marryin’ him?”

  Melissa over dramatically pouted, “I know! It ain’t well what’s going on Lord-Inquisitor’s head. Thinkin’ he has to be in charge of everyone now.” She mock-anguished.

  Adrian tsked, crossing his arms. “‘Ey! I’m well behaved. Just Ashy has literal burnt skin and uh…” he stopped himself from continuing.

  I again looked at Jasmine, but something was forming in my head. “Aye? Well, a certain no good pig tol’ me I was lookin’ OLD and now I had to get my witchmark changed! It’s goin’ away on its own too, YOU PIG, since I made this mixture of Vera and Honey…” I began to chat, but Melissa and Jasmine both gasped in... what I hoped was pretend shock.

  “You made fun of her hair?!” Jasmine said, staring at Adrian, eyebrows furrowed. She wagged her spoon at him, and Melissa, again, tugged his ear.

  “Boy, didn’ I tell you to stop lettin’ the first words outta your mouth be heard? Callin’ the town’s doctor old lookin’ AFTER you plannin’ on askin’ her to set-up a clinic? And callin’ Jazzy a loudmouth to her face? Got no filter at all,” Melissa chided.

  Adrian immediately went on the defensive, and I smiled appreciatively at Melissa. Aywin coughed.

  “Amusing as it is to see you henpeck the Lord-Inquisitor, Lady Hart, this came in the mail for you.”

  “I get mail?” I immediately asked, as Aywin handed me a simple letter in the most incomprehensible handwriting I had ever seen. It was worse than gravespeech. I stared at it, then back at Aywin.

  “Well, most [Hero]-types do, and since I’m running the [Adventurer’s Guild], I had been registering them. I had taken Lord Skye with me to meet the few others, like his knights formally, and Lady McReer. It is a shame to see such a talented [Cryotheurge] not joining our roster.”

  Jasmine looked at Aywin, and then straight into his eyes. “Hey! What gives! You greet Ashley and Missy, but you don’t greet me?”

  Aywin smiled sweetly, and turned to look at Jasmine. “I apologize, Ms… I imagine it’s Carnwich? Ashley talks about you all the time! It truly is a pleasure to meet you.” He offered Jasmine his hand, and she giddily took it.

  I just tilted my head. I had exactly… one conversation with Aywin so far, and I don’t recall ever mentioning Jasmine to him. But didn’t she meet him with Ophelia a few days ago?

  Weird. This was an error in his memory I’d have to correct later.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re incredibly handsome,” Jasmine giggled, as Aywin’s lips parted from the back of her hand.

  Aywin chuckled again, before waving her off. “Sorry, I am accounted for already.”

  That broke Melissa and Adrian out of their arguing/reverie. Adrian immediately shot up. “You are? You gonna introduce us someday? Melly and I would love to meet another married couple.”

  That sinking feeling returned, but I forced myself to ignore it. Though, I was more surprised that Adrian didn’t already know Noel? This wasn’t my conversation, and the spotlight was off me and my burned skin, so I let it go.

  Aywin continued to smile, but his eyebrows sank apologetically. “My partner is not present at the moment, but when they do arrive and the community is open, I would love to introduce you formally, Lord and Lady Skye.”

  Melissa pouted, and Adrian again turned his attention to me. “Well, seein’ as I can’ ask abou’ your arms, uh…”

  “Boy, just spit it out,” I growled.

  “May I try fixin’ it Ashy?”

  I looked up, off my parfait to his face. “You gonna be fixin’ a witchmark, boy?”

  He bit his lip, and let his arms fall. “Ashy, it ain’t no witchmark.” His voice shifted, and his posture changed. “You have chemical burns that come from a highly corrosive substance, and it looks like it’s from something that’s basic. The discolorations are not a pattern as typical of witchmarks, but someone washing their skin.”

  I crossed my arms. “And? A basic substance is generally used to kill off rot and grime, Inquisitor. Perhaps I don’t want to talk about it since I burned my skin while experimenting on a new batch of medicinal goods for The Cockatrice and I don’t want people to know?”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “Possibly, Ashley, but if that were the case you’d be wearing actual bandages and keeping your arms clear off. It looks like it happened a while ago and it’s slowly healing. Likewise, the trauma seems to be extending up your arms, and I imagine if I –”

  “Adrian, if the next things you say are ‘look at my chest’, I will freeze you in place and let Melissa drag your frozen corpse home.”

  “Nah, I’d let the prissy-academy boy be a cute little ice sculpture,“ Melissa said, and only then did I realize that the three of them were staring at us. “Amaril, you two are Nobles now. Makin’ a country girl feel outta place in her own home.”

  Jasmine nodded. “Yeah… I like your accents and hometalk, not whatever that was, Ashy, Addy. Knock it off, we’re just here for ice cream. Don’t you have some… I dunno, Agent Marigold to bother? She called me an [NPC], Addy! An [NPC]!”

  Adrian glanced at Jasmine, and I could tell he was processing it. But he wanted a response from me.

  “Yes, I have burn marks on my chest too. I am not going to show you them. I tried making a better soap, Adrian.”

  “Aye? That’s good then, Ashy. Somethin’ I can heal, if you’ll let me. Since, yeah, you admitted it ain’t no witch mark but some weird chemical thing. I get it, I get it – I do push too har–”

  “Next time, Adrian, if I am trying to drop a subject, I would appreciate it if you would back off. I am not that girl who cried about a wolf when we were six. I know you can heal, and so can Noel. If I wanted it done, I’d have asked. It’s nothing about being able to be fixed, but I did it to myself, so…” I raised my arms dramatically, and rolled my sleeves back.

  That came out of nowhere. Adrian regarded me for a moment, and raised his arms placatively. “Aight, aight! Sorry Ashy. I know, jus’, I made a promise to your ma and I wouldn’ be a good brother if I didn’t look after ya.”

  I took another breath, and then looked at Melissa. I didn’t want to say it, but I had to. “I… that time’s in the past, Addy. We missed our chance, and your marryin’ one of my two best friends. I have Jazzy and Noel and Melly too. I even own the Hart Farm properly! I… don’ need lookin’ after, boy.” I took a breath. “But, I did go breakin’ my hand and burnt my body. If ya would, Lord-Inquisitor, I would be most grateful for the healin’”

  Jasmine leaned in to hug me, and I slowly pushed her off. Adrian pursed his lips, but nodded. “Fair, fair. We both ain’ kids anymore.” He extended his hand to me.

  I placed mine atop.

  The glowing warmth of sunlight filled my body, removing the winter chill and the sensation of death. My skin burned for a moment, before the burnt flesh was replaced by healthy, new skin. The scratches of scraping faded into nothingness, and the constant tingling of my silk clothes rubbing against my chaffed skin became nothing.

  I opened my eyes to inspect my body and it was good as new. Divine healing was far more efficient than my way of doing it.

  “And that’s why I want both of you in the Guild,” Aywin interrupted. “We need some actual [Hero]-types to train the [Adventurer]-class. Mary Marlowe and Mark Farrow had requested some supp– ”

  “They did what?” Melissa and Adrian both said together, and Adrian’s hand remained atop of mine. I didn’t pull away either. Instead, I idly inspected his fingers. Of course his ring was more impressive than Jasmine’s was. Silver with a sparkling Morganite, and I could see the same on Melissa’s hand.

  Wait, was I the only one in this table not in a relationship? Well, I guess I had Ophelia? Nah, I was lucky to have her.

  I released my hold on his hand to pretend I was following along with the conversation, but I really wasn’t. I could handle Jasmine, Melissa, Adrian, or Aywin alone or with one other person, but the entire table was a bit much. I liked them individually, but…

  …my hand went down to the envelope. I peeled the tab open.

  The writing was in Gravespeech.

  A black key fell out too, which I immediately grabbed and looked at. That caused Adrian and Jasmine to look at me too.

  “I guess I’m going to Flowers-By-The-River soon,” I idly exclaimed, looking at the paper again, before folding it away. Adrian, wisely, didn’t ask what it was about.

  I turned to Aywin. “I apologize, I am far too busy to help with the Adventurer’s Guild right now, but, I will be opening up my clinic soon. If any of them are seeking training or tutelage on medicine, that is something I am equipped to aid with, and am looking for apprentices, I guess. Will you be coming for the opening day of The Cockatrice.”

  “Hol’ on. Agent Marigold called Jasmine an [NPC], and you’re opening anything called The Cockatrice. Are you both tryin’ to get the Inquisition called here?”

  I glanced up at him. “What’s wrong with cock-it-thrice?” I stared into his eyes.

  “Ashley, please don’t tell me you named it The Cockatrice because of a tavern’s joke.”

  “Nah, I just found a picture of it while talking to my mentor. It seemed to represent healing,” I continued to talk. Nothing I said was a lie just yet, it just wasn’t fully true.

  “...That is true. It is a symbol of the medical community. Though, not one used often because of the Phoenix Edi– okay, whatever. Did Agent Marigold actually call you an [NPC]? If so, I will talk to her.”

  “She did, aye,” Jasmine said.

  Aywin looked at Jasmine, then Adrian. “I.. still do not know what an [NPC] is, or at least as you humans use it. I understand it comes from the Gods, the terminology, but… we just refer to them as [Commoners].”

  “Non-Priority Citizen, or, more accurately, No-Progression Commoner,” Adrian bluntly stated. “[NPC] is, yes, just a [Commoner] class-track, but it’s also what…”

  “Everyone in the world is, more or less,” I finished for him. “Until you become somebody. A [Hero] can buy property, didn’t you hear?”

  “Both of ya, knock it off with the capital talk. And don’ be depressin’ us lowly ‘commoners’ further, Lord Skye, Lady Hart.” Melissa interjected.

  “Sorry, Melly,” I said, and Adrian leaned down to kiss her forehead.

  Aywin’s smile faltered. “Cruel. Even a commoner has a role to play in our kingdoms. But,”

  “...There’s about 10 times more humans than elves, Lord Aywin.” Adrian corrected. “Of course your commoners tend to become experts and well trained, but for humans? Most don’t accompl–”

  Melissa hit Adrian in the side, causing him to stop talking. Jasmine nodded too, and looked at Aywin. “Not for lack of tryin’ mind ya. But… I don’ wanna risk my life to kill some goblins, loot a lair, or anythin’. I’m… happy being safe in Oakheart, you know?”

  “I understand. I apologize for the question. Lady Hart, I would be honoured to be there for opening day at The Cockatrice.”

  I smiled at the two, then looked at my letter. “Jazzy, would you care to help me pack. I’m leaving in three days.”

  I dropped a few gold coins on the table. “We’ll open the Cockatrice tomorrow, you’ll get Annabelle to help you with it. And if anyone calls you an [NPC] again, sis, I will freeze them to death, and I am sure Adrian will use his big, capital words.”

  Adrian groaned, but Melissa and Jasmine giggled. Aywin stood up as I did, which caused Adrian to stand up too. I looked at Jasmine who bowed at Aywin, and I did too. He offered me his hand, and I took it.

  He raised it, and gave the back a kiss.

  That… led to a thought.

  I turned to Adrian as well, waiting expectantly. Melissa slapped him in the back of the head, and he jolted. He offered me his hand.

  I placed mine atop his, and for the quickest of moments, our fingers locked. I watched him raise my hand to his lips, and give them a soft kiss.

  Different than Ophelia’s, but that lack of grace he still had was the same one I remembered from childhood. Lucky Melissa, I guess.

  I nodded at Jasmine, as we both headed to the farm.

  Also, I will state early on I am thinking of taking the week off next week to celebrate christmas with my family.