Chapter Eleven

 

Entering the Walker’s Respite, Stern was leery of the large group of people. His interactions with groups had always been less than positive. A surge of fear and hatred started, but those emotions quickly ebbed, replaced mostly by curiosity.

 

“So why the dad-joke of a crew name?”

 

Trish turned to the crowd with a laugh, not knowing which person had asked it. “Well, because of the last member of our crew. Stern, can you bring her out?”

 

“She’ll want dinner, anyway,” Stern muttered as he summoned Pawly.

 

Pawly appeared, head bonked his leg, then looked at the crowd. Laughter started up, which had her yowl lightly in anger. Stern smiled, then made her bigger. Their laughter cut off when the now much larger cat chuffed.

 

“Pawly, paw up, please?” Trish requested.

 

Pawly lifted a massive paw, showing off her polydactyl nature to the crowd.

 

“Pawly is a key member of our crew, and the crew name is because of her and her summoner.”

 

All eyes went to Stern. He shifted uneasily, scanning the crowd.

 

“Wait, he named her Pawly?” another anonymous voice called out.

 

Laughter followed the question and Pawly chuffed, then sneezed.

 

There was even more laughing, and Stern relaxed. There was no anger or fear, just amusement and curiosity.

 

“Can I ask you to put her back to a smaller size, please?” Sara Chapple asked Stern from behind the bar.

 

Stern looked at Sara and bowed his head. “Yes, ma’am.” He quickly reverted Pawly back to the size of a large house cat.

 

“Will you tell us about your run?” an elven man asked Trish, motioning to a few empty seats at his table.

 

“Tomorrow?” Trish asked. “We’d like to ungear, bathe, and welcome our new crewmates with a private dinner tonight.”

 

“Of course,” the elf smiled brightly.

 

“Get your stuff,” Trish told the siblings. “Cyra and Stern will be on the top floor so you can find our room.”

 

“We’ll wait there for you,” Stern told Trish. “Come on, Pawly.”

 

Trish gave him a smile before going to the bar. “Sara, we’d like as good a meal as your kitchen can provide. Not only are we welcoming two new members into our crew, we helped bring a soul back today.” Trish placed a glinting coin on the bar. “As such,” she raised her voice and looked over her shoulder to the room, “a drink for everyone. A soul was reborn today! Let all Walkers raise a glass.”

 

Sara blinked. She knew about the tradition, but it was rarely seen in this city. “The payment exceeds—”

 

“Pass the extra— and word— along next door, please,” Trish said, turning back to her. “And the best meal we can have. If you need to send out for a dessert, well, I’m sure it’s covered. Oh, can you clear out a few of the bathing rooms for us? We’ll be right down.”

 

“Yes, of course,” Sara smiled as she collected the money. “Have a good evening, Walker.” Sara motioned to her daughter to go check the baths.

 

“I’m sure I will,” Trish smiled. She waved to the cheering crowd and went up the stairs to drop off her gear.

 

She paused on the second-floor landing as Cammie and Vulk were heading her way with their bags in hand. Gesturing to them, she started ascending again. The siblings fell in step behind her, climbing the stairs. When they reached the open doorway, Trish led the brother and sister inside. Stern and Cyra were standing in the main area, smiling in welcome.

 

“Those two rooms are open,” Stern said, pointing to the unclaimed rooms.

 

Trish unbuckled her helmet and pulled it off, placing it on the coffee table. Her hair was still hidden by the quilted coif she wore, which she was untying. “Cyra is on that side, and Stern’s over there,” she motioned with her head.

 

“You don’t all share the same room?” Cammie asked in surprise.

 

“The beds aren’t big enough,” Cyra said, her face red.

 

Stern glanced at her, then nodded. Cyra obviously didn’t want to mention her problems that she was working past. “The next tier of cities will probably have inn rooms with large enough beds. I’m fairly certain of it,” Stern said.

 

“Haven’t been up there,” Trish said as she pulled the padded coif off, “but we’ll be there in time. Okay, baths, then we’ll be having dinner here. I’ve arranged for a small feast so we can celebrate properly.”

 

“Thank you,” Cammie smiled broadly.

 

“I’ll take that room,” Vulk said, going toward the room on the same side as Stern’s.

 

Cammie frowned at her brother, then shook her head. “Will they have enough baths for us all?”

 

“Stern will be sharing a bath,” Trish smiled, “so it should be fine. Let’s go. The sooner we’re all clean, the sooner we eat.” She gave her lovers a wink as she said the last word, heading for Cyra’s room.

 

“You’re terrible,” Cyra giggled as she went with Trish.

 

Cammie blinked, an amused smile on her lips as she watched the two women. She looked back at Stern, who was watching them walk off. “Does it bother you?”

 

Stern jerked slightly, then looked at Cammie. “No. Why would it?”

 

“Just wasn’t sure if there was any jealousy. If there was, it would make me worry for the crew,” Cammie said.

 

Stern had felt only curiosity from her, so he shrugged. “None for any of us. See you in a bit.”

 

“Yup,” Cammie said as she watched him go.

 

Stern ignored the tendrils of emotion that had crept out around Cammie’s curiosity. Pawly chuffing as she went with him made him smile down at her. “You’ll be staying here when we go bathe, fur-face.”

 

Pawly chuffed again, bumping into his leg as he entered his room.

 

~*~*~

 

The bath was a bit awkward, as Stern, Cyra, and Trish shared the single bath. Cyra had been flushed for the majority of it, and Stern had a light blush for the start of it. Trish conducted them through the entire embarrassing event. Stern felt hope as he washed Cyra’s back and she washed his in return.

 

Since none of them had soaked, they were done faster than if they’d had separate baths. Because of that, the three of them left the bath just as Vulk and Cammie came out of their separate baths.

 

Cammie’s lips twitched as she gave them a nod. Vulk stared at them for a second before shaking his head and starting away. Cammie followed her brother, with the other three trailing them.

 

Stern’s lips pursed as he walked. Vulk had felt mostly indifferent, but maybe a touch jealous, too. Stern couldn’t fault the dwarf— there were three women in the crew, and none of them were eligible for him. Poor bastard... his sister and my two lovers? Then again, his attitude is kind of shit. He’d still probably have trouble finding an interested partner, Stern thought.

 

Trish laughed when she entered the suite. Stern wondered why, but a moment later, he saw Pawly curled up against the bunnicorn helmet on the coffee table. She was looking up at them, obviously just waking up.

 

“Comfortable?” Trish asked.

 

Pawly yawned, showing off her teeth before closing her eyes again.

 

“She’s waiting for food,” Stern said, “but she’s happy.”

 

“Cyra, can you take my clothes?” Trish asked. “I’ll let Sara know we’re ready to eat.”

 

“Of course,” Cyra said, taking the damp clothing. “I’ll get it hung up to dry.”

 

“Be right back,” Trish told the others. “Get comfortable. This is our home for a little bit.”

 

Vulk grunted, heading to his room, and Cammie smiled and went to get her own clothing settled.

 

Stern paused to give Pawly a quick head rub, then went to his room.

 

~*~*~

 

Dinner was a decent impromptu feast. The food was good, but not spectacular, excluding the desserts. The desserts were a collection of small finger foods, a sampling that let everyone find something they enjoyed most.

 

Cyra had a chocolate-covered strawberry. She ate it slowly, watching Stern the entire time. He gave her a smile, knowing she was remembering the first one he’d given her. Vulk favored a small coconut and chocolate cake. Trish had taken the palm-sized mixed berry tart as her own. Stern preferred the caramel and chocolate cookies, which reminded him of home. Cammie liked anything with nuts, loving the thin slice of pecan pie.

 

“Welcome to our crew,” Trish sighed happily when they finished eating.

 

“That was delicious,” Cammie said.

 

“Good,” Vulk said. “How long will we be staying in the city?”

 

“At least through tomorrow,” Trish replied. “Tomorrow will be gear maintenance and getting supplies for the journey to Springwater. It’ll give you a chance to buy whatever you need.”

 

“Cammie,” Stern said. “I’m just asking, so please don’t take this wrong, but is the armor you had all you could afford?”

 

Cammie’s smile slipped for a moment, and Stern felt Vulk get angry. Cammie shot her brother a warning look before she said, “Yes.”

 

“Okay. Tomorrow, will you come with me?” Stern asked.

 

Cammie licked her lips once, then glanced at Trish, who had let out a mild snort. “I need to know more, Stern.”

 

Trish’s reaction made Stern think about how what he’d said might have been taken. “Oh... sorry. I want to get you better armor. You shouldn’t be in the front of things, but ambushes will happen, and helping you stay alive is important.”

 

Vulk’s anger vanished, replaced by shock.

 

“This is part of the crew helping its members?” Cammie asked, her curiosity high.

 

“It is to me,” Stern said. “We also need to get you something better than just your dagger. Again, not that you should need it, but if you do, it’s better to have it on hand... unless you want to just use my crowbar?”

 

Trish snorted again. “Stern, should you just be offering your tool out like that?”

 

Cammie laughed, watching Stern’s cheeks heat. Cyra giggled nervously as she watched the dwarf with uncertain eyes.

 

“Sorry for her,” Stern said. “Trish’s mind only seems to know the midden.”

 

Vulk stood up abruptly. “I’m going down to drink.”

 

Cammie started to object, but shook her head and let her brother go. When the door shut firmly behind him, she sighed. “Sorry.”

 

“He’s afraid you’ll leave him,” Stern said suddenly, figuring out the tangled mess of Vulk’s emotions.

 

Cammie jerked. She stared at Stern before looking toward the closed door again. “That… is possible.”

 

“I’m sorry,” Trish said. “I didn’t know my joke would cause him that much distress.”

 

“He’s... uh... a little jealous, too,” Stern said.

 

“Because he has no one?” Cyra asked.

 

“The crew is his sister, myself, and you two,” Stern said. “I’m sure there was hope that he’d find someone with whatever crew they joined.”

 

“Oh...” Cammie said. “Yeah, we’ve talked about that. That he, I, or both of us might find someone special in a crew.”

 

“And it worried him and you,” Stern said.

 

Cammie tensed up before relaxing. “That’s unnerving... it’s almost like you read my mind.”

 

“Just your emotions,” Stern sighed. “And I’m sorry. Not my choice.”

 

“You’ve said. I can’t even imagine. I’ll get used to it, I’m sure. As for my brother, he’ll calm down when I don’t jump into bed with you all. Not that I would,” she added quickly, giving Stern a look.

 

“I don’t think the three of us are looking to expand, so it’s fine,” Stern chuckled. “Nothing wrong with small flashes of emotion. I can ignore them most of the time. Your brother felt a spike of lust when he saw them fresh out of the bath, but it was gone quickly. I can’t blame him, either. Cyra and Trish are beautiful.”

 

“You’re handsome, too,” Cyra said.

 

Stern shrugged. “I’m still trying to accept that. Anyway, besides the armor tomorrow, I think we should do something as a crew.”

 

“What?” Trish asked.

 

“Sparring,” Stern said. “Hand to hand, maybe training weapons. Cyra?”

 

Cyra thought about it, imagining Vulk rushing her, and she nodded slowly. “If it’s all of us, it should be fine.”

 

A pang of sorrow came from Cammie again, but it was quickly quashed. “Haven’t done that since the academy. Might be good to see what we can all do. I’ve only seen you two use the crossbows.”

 

“That sets tomorrow, then,” Trish said. “Breakfast at sunrise, then shopping and sparring.”

 

“I’m going to check on my brother,” Cammie said, then gave Trish a smirk. “Which also helps if people have other plans.”

 

Trish laughed, putting her hands on Stern and Cyra. “Oh, we have plans, but we’ll try not to make things too awkward for either of you.”

 

Cyra flushed red and Stern just sighed.

 

“Have fun,” Cammie laughed before leaving them alone in the room.

 

“Now,” Trish said softly, “I’m going to enjoy both of you. While I’m with Stern, Cyra is going to lend a hand or kiss here or there. When it’s me and Cyra, Stern, I need you to focus on me, but if Cyra reaches for you, let her do as she wishes. Okay?”

 

Both of them were red and exchanged glances. Stern felt the love, hope, and lust radiating off Cyra, with a faint undercurrent of fear. He swallowed hard and agreed. Cyra, seeing his nervous and hopeful expression, felt her fear vanish and agreed softly.

 

“Good. I want to start with Cyra. Sorry, Stern, but I’ll make it up to you,” Trish grinned as she stood up.

 

“We both will,” Cyra whispered as she held out her hand to him. “Come with us?”

 

“Oh, he will,” Trish laughed.