“This is Zaxos,’ said Cloud, motioning to the man across the table from Inamorata. He was tall, stronger than the wizards she’s known before. There was something mischievous about the way he looked around. So careless, Inamorata thought, like he’s searching for trouble. “He knows the post-evac city better than anyone, and knows he shouldn't go back alone, despite his natural talents,” smiled Cloud. Then Cloud indicated the warlord. “Zaxos, this is Inamorata The War-”
Zaxos interrupted, “Yeah, I think I’ve heard of her. I’m not sure why we need her help,” he directed his comments only at Cloud. “Didn’t she lose the fight against the sorcerer who gave her that scar?” Zaxos grabbed up a couple of grapes from the bowl on the table and popped them into his mouth. As he chewed, and with a slight sneer, he began again, “But then, if I could do this on my own I wouldn't be here, so I suppose we could carry her through the...”
Before Zaxos finish his last sentence, in one elegant swoop, Inamorata stood, unsheathed her sword, and slammed it into the table edge with great splintering crack. A silence overtook the saloon, the damaged table became the center of attention. At the bar, Daneille rolled her eyes, and went into the kitchen.
Inamorata leaned toward Zaxos, a small ornate dagger now in her left hand. She pushed the dagger under the strong jawline of which Zaxos seemed so proud. She stared squarely into his face, her eyes afire. “The only thing being carried will be your rotten soul back to the depths where it belongs. Insult me a fourth time and I will end you here, in front of all these lovely people, before you have time to charge any of that lightning,” Zaxos looked surprised. He swallowed, opened his mouth as if to speak, but she put more pressure on the dagger. Instead, he gave the Warlord a careful nod. She stood and gave him a strong nod back, then re-sheathed the dagger someplace in her boot. Zaxos and Cloud sat silently as Inamorata freed her sword from the table, sheathed it, and shouldered her pack. She shot one more look of fury at Zaxos, and walked out of the saloon.
“Well,” said Cloud. “That went better than expected. She might even like you.” The room again filled with chatter and the sounds of clinking glass.
“Right,” laughed Zaxos, rubbing a drop of blood from his bruised jaw.
“It’ll be fine. But next time? Don’t mention the scar.”
Zaxos, crunched another grape, and thought to himself No one tells me what to do.
***
“Sorry about the table,” said Inamorata, dropping another piece of gold into the palm of Danielle the barkeep. They stood just outside the backdoor of the saloon.
“It’s only the 3rd one in the month you've been home. Perhaps it’s time for us to invest in one of those new fangled metal ones.” Danielle started to laugh, leaning her back against the building. She pocketed the gold piece and studied the tired face of her friend.
“I do need this job,” Inamorata frowned, looking up at the brothel windows. “That half-elf has something I want." She paused. "I just hate working with scavenger scum.”
“You never know, he might be something more. The war was hard on us all,” winked Danielle.
Inamorata looked at Danielle, confused.
“Ah,” said Danielle as she headed back into the kitchen, “every so often I know a tidbit more than you, eh? This is a good night after all…”
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