“Great, we’ve been posted up along the frontier. How absolutely wonderful. Now we can die while our bollocks freeze off. Oh, sorry sir. I meant we can bravely protect the nation while the barbarians summon forth the darkening frost to gnaw off our bones.”


    - Adriana Hasta, Quaestor Terminus, “Discussion on Administrative Posting”


    <hr><hr>


    “So let me get this straight. You were caught up in a situation. Beat the sorcerers, then turned this elf into your slave?” Captain Linus leaned forward expectantly.


    “That about summarises the situation at hand, yes. Though ‘slave’ is quite vulgar and I prefer referring to her as a servant.” Elaria answered calmly.


    “And your hometown?”


    “I have none, it is wherever my sister Sophie is.” Elaria reiterated for the umpteenth time.


    "Wherever the sister is, she say..." The captain sighed, “And you have no idea what it’s called?”


    “No sir.”


    A sudden slam startled Elaria ever so slightly. The lead trooper from earlier, a Sergeant Bracius, had slammed his fists against the table beside her.


    “That’s bullshit. You’re lying and we all know it. He’s asked you this before and you keep deflecting! Where. Do. You. Liv-”


    “Enough, sergeant.” Captain Linus interrupted, holding up an immaculate gloved hand.


    “But sir!”


    “If she doesn’t want to tell us then she won’t.”


    “Then we should interrogate her!”


    “That’d be pointless sergeant.”


    “Sir! I insist!”


    “Enough. Do you not see she is unafraid? Not in a false bravado kind of way. But…” He leaned back in his chair and studied Elaria up and down with his eyes, sighing almost tiredly before his expression twisted into a scowl.


    “Hmm?” Elaria asked.


    “You’re holding back on us, aren’t you?” The captain grumbled, “See sergeant, there’s one thing you’re missing here. She said she’s a mage, correct?”


    “Err… yes sir.” Bracius replied hesitantly.


    “Yet, neither our augurs nor mages sensed any power from her. However, they still felt… concerned. Which means one of two things. Either she is bluffing but hiding a secret. Or, she is hiding a secret and not bluffing, which means she holds some power even they can’t comprehend. Does that make sense?” He grinned as he asked the question while staring directly at Elaria, “I don’t mind. You can drop the act.”


    “Sir?” The sergeant tried to inquire, only for the captain to hold up his hand.


    “So?” Linus prodded once more.


    Elaria shared a quick glance with Raylani and found no help in her companion''s blank expression. Taking stock of the situation she sighed and nodded.


    “Fair enough. I tire of putting on facades anyway.” Elaria dropped her posture and rested against her chair, no longer tense at having to remain stoic. “How did you guess from just the mages? Are their reactions really so easy to ascertain? Could they not simply be wary because I might be lying or a foe?” She asked, still a little curious.


    “Hmm. How do I put it properly? It’s not really them but I suppose just intuition really. I’ve been around the frontiers longer than any of the younger lads here. I guess it’s like an instinctive knowledge in knowing what’s dangerous and what’s not. Which means you, my strange ‘beast tamer’, are a very dangerous individual.”


    “But still.”


    “Think of it this way. The sergeant acted in accordance with standard procedure and then some. He assessed you as a threat, rightfully questioned you, established whether or not we should be concerned before taking you in. All perfectly reasonable and commendable for two years on the frontier. Well done sergeant.”


    “Thank you sir.” Bracius bowed.


    “Now from my perspective. I’ve been here for a decade and then some and when it comes to suspicious situations and dangers; a girl looking barely in her twenties strolls through Korathi territory and just casually walks up to the city gates sits pretty high on the list.” The captain pointed at her, “Not only that, but as the men tell me, you were arrogant, calm, and collected when confronted. Now you could be a wildling shapechanger sneaking into this hellhole. Except you speak with no discernible accent, no reason to be here, and there are far easier ways to sneak into the empire. Then, there’s the issue of even if you are a spy, how did you capture a devil touched? Why does it obey you? What is the point of a spy having a local monster tagging along? As if that wasn’t enough, the garrison’s mages are wary of you, and how you got here just sounds… quite frankly absurd. A summoning spell gone wrong? Bringing forth not just a demon elf but also a person? The chance of summoning one such humanoid is low. Two? From one singular summoning circle? Low would be an understatement.” He finished.


    Elaria was worried about just how quickly this man had pieced everything together and opted to just nod in confirmation, unwilling to risk confirming or denying anything.


    “So that leaves me in the interesting predicament of what to do with you.” The captain tapped his desk before looking into Elaria’s eyes. “So I guess it comes down to this, are you planning on causing harm or otherwise to Traxia or its citizens?”


    “No.” Elaria answered honestly.


    “Then let’s cut a deal, you and I. I won’t pry anymore into your past, why you’re here, what you’re looking for or inform the church of your arrival. How they don’t already know about your existence considering you could potentially be a powerful mage, I don’t know and don’t care. In return, you don’t cause any trouble for me or my men, frontier’s tense enough as it is. Beyond that, you leave this town within a week; lest we all get tangled up when the witch hunters inevitably try to hunt you down. How’s that sound?”


    Elaria frowned, surprised by how forthcoming the captain was and just a little bit suspicious. Yet, if he was true to his word, then it meant she would not need to care much about hiding her identity. If he wasn’t, then she would end up in a fight that she was still relatively confident she would win. She didn’t know much about the church or witch hunters but they sounded troublesome and if this deal could keep such elements off her back then it could be worth it.


    As if reading her thoughts through her expressions alone, the captain wordlessly extended his hand outwards. Elaria furrowed her brows and stared intently at it. Considering the current situation, she made up her mind and met his hand with her own, the two establishing a silent accord.


    “Well then.” Captain Linus grinned, “Welcome to Kastiel, the ass end of the empire and our little slice of civilization. Keep out of trouble… citizen, and make sure to keep your… beast on a leash. Now, sergeant.” The captain beckoned as he grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled upon it.


    “Yes sir!”


    “Have one of the scribes write her a merchant’s permit then see to it that they are released from custody.” Linus handed the paper over to the sergeant.


    “Sir yes sir!”


    “Dismissed.” The captain declared.


    At once a collective sense of relief flooded the room and Elaria didn’t even realize that she had held her breath. With Raylani in town, she could feel the captain’s gaze on the back of their heads as they left. True to his word though, the sergeant then led the two of them to an office where a man in a cloth hat and dull grey robes also scribbled onto the paper before stamping something onto a little square card. The card was then handed to her for safe keeping.


    “Consider it your identification and occupation card. Don’t lose it.” Bracius off handedly remarked.


    After a few more moments, the pair were led out of the garrison and the door shut behind them.


    “There’s four taverns scattered close to the central square, towards that way.” The sergeant gestured deeper into the city, “Stay out of trouble.”


    With those parting words, the pair were left alone, a few curious troopers looking over before the sergeant summoned them back to their posts.


    Elaria snuck a glance at Raylani to find the elf simply waiting for instruction. Unsure how to proceed from here, Elaria just shrugged and pointed in the direction of the town square. Getting a small nod from the elf, the two set off on their little expedition and Elaria felt the tiniest of grins sneaking up onto her face. This is proving interesting.


    <hr><hr>


    The two earned more than their fair share of curious gazes as they walked through the streets. Elaria just looked fairly out of place with her demeanor and outfit, whereas Raylani drew suspicion from the way she had her hood clutched carefully over her face. The dreary and drab looking city was surrounded by thick stone walls. Muted brown and plain stone houses lined the roads and only occasionally were the surroundings broken up by a two or three story structure.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Kastiel’s town center was about as dire looking as the wilderness around it. Sad looking timber structures stretched above the other squat houses beyond the center being the only sign of proper civilisation in the city. At least there was a decent amount of people milling about, though Elaria found the attire of the frontier peasants quite disappointing if downright distasteful at their shabby looking outfits. Still, she could appreciate how no one seemed to be willing to accost them, allowing a rather brisk walk to one of the inns.


    The Callous Warden, was like much of the city, rather rustic if unremarkable. Within however, the two found a room bustling with villagers clapping along to some bardic music. The barkeeper looked up with a raised eyebrow and merely gestured to two free seats in a corner. They settled down and only then did Elaria have a terrifying thought. We don’t have money. She tried to communicate this to Raylani through gestures alone but only served to make the elf remove her hood.


    An audible gasp started from the barkeeper, which then alerted the patrons nearby, who then drew in people from further away as their attention all landed on the strange blue elf.


    “That’s…”


    “Look, an elf.”


    “It’s blue!”


    “By the divines.”


    “In the emperor''s name…”


    A few hushed words echoed through the quieting tavern. Even the bard faltered slightly but managed to keep a rhythm together. For the first time today Elaria found Raylani looking towards her for direction, a slight break in the stoic disguise on the elf’s face. With everyone looking over and the bartender now waiting expectantly, she found herself flustered as she searched for a plausible excuse.


    “Uhhh… hello.” Elaria spoke.


    “Mmhmm, how can I help?” The bartender nodded, not taking his eyes off the elf.


    “We’re looking for a room for a week. Work too, preferably.”


    “We? The hells you doing with a knife ear like that? A blue devil at that.” The man growled.


    “A… knife ear? You mean, her?”


    “I know what I said.”


    “Err… well… we’re… I was wondering if you would be amenable to have her perform in this tavern in exchange for room and board.”


    “You want to… perform?” The bartender seemed a bit taken aback, still warily glaring at the elf.


    “That’s the idea.”


    “How?”


    “Excuse me?”


    “How will you get her to perform? A blue one like that. You didn’t paint her skin blue just to pull my leg, right?”


    “No sir. And it’s because she’s my servant.” Elaria answered, finding that Raylani seemed to delight in being referred to as a servant. How odd.


    “Servant huh… wait, servant?! That thing’s your servant?!” His eyes almost popped out of his skull with the look her suddenly shot Elaria.


    His voice wasn’t subtle either, and soon, the building was abuzz with activity as the other patrons traded hushed whispers at ‘the strange girl’ and ‘the devil elf’. Elaria shifted uncomfortably at the attention but turned to Raylani, the elf acknowledging her a curt nod of acknowledgement. Fair enough.


    “She is my servant. Yes.”


    “And what do you want to do again?”


    “Perform. In exchange for room and board for a week. Maybe some pay?”


    The bartender clicked his tongue in annoyance but turned to look at the bard. The man in question just shrugged and returned a small nod.


    “Tell her to get up there and entertain us. I’ll let you know how I feel afterwards about that deal.” He gestured towards the bard’s stage.


    Elaria looked at Raylani and found the elf flashing a slight smile. Very well then. “You, go.” Elaria ordered.


    Raylani looked even more pleased than before at being ordered and deliberately leaned close to Elaria as she passed by. “For you, mistress.” She whispered.


    In front of the crowd, Raylani casually stripped herself and left the pile of clothes upon Elaria’s lap, leaving herself in nothing but the bare minimum of cloth to cover herself. For a moment the tavern fell silent, all eyes focused on the elf strutting forward seductively. Even Elaria had to take a deep breath at how Raylani suddenly turned on a switch and became someone completely different. Uncaring of the ogling eyes on her, the elf swayed her hips and ran her hands over her chest, the tavern’s patrons enraptured with her every movement.


    Raylani approached the bard and Elaria’s eyes widened at how the elf brushed her behind against the stunned bard. Elaria could hear the collective breath of the tavern hold itself back at this display, the palpable anticipation at being witness to such an overtly raunchy display.


    When no music was forthcoming, Elaria saw a hint of displeasure flashing over Raylani’s face. This time, a subtle elbow to the rib was more suitable and the bard got the message and hurriedly started strumming his lute. He gestured at someone sitting off to the side to join the stage with a little drum. Almost as soon as the music began playing in earnest, Raylani lifted her arms above her head and began swaying to the rhythm, stepping in a semi circular pattern as she began the strange dance.


    To Elaria’s continued surprise, Raylani’s dancing seemed far more mellow and less vulgar than when she had originally walked to the stage. Accompanied by the folky style of music behind her, the elf danced in a way that Elaria could only describe as ritualistic and borderline courtly. Far more regal than expected.


    <hr><hr>


    Elaria didn’t know how long had passed. Only that nightfall had reached the city not long after and the tavern was now filled to the brim with regulars and those eager to see the ‘dancing blue elf’. Soon enough, the tavern became more like a battleground, with more and more patrons jostling for space as they got closer and closer to the action, Raylani playing up a more sultry demeanour as she enchanted the guests.


    After every piece was finished, there would be a round of applause before people began depositing tips and coins for the performers. It was after the first performance that the bartender had quietly tapped Elaria’s shoulders and spelt out the terms. Free room, baths and board as long as they performed for at least four hours everyday in the evenings. The tips would be their ‘pay’, to be split half and half between the bards and themselves. All in all, it was more than Elaria had expected and she sealed the deal with a firm handshake.


    A few local troopers also managed to sneak into the tavern for a show or two, Elaria even spotting the sergeant at one point. Though he thankfully seemed to pointedly avoid meeting her eyes, giving no sign that she had interacted with the guards before. Which, fair enough. Though I think the locals can probably piece two and two together quick enough.


    The night came to a soft close just after dinner, though Elaria had waited out of courtesy until Raylani had finished before eating her meal. She had no need for such sustenance, though she did quite enjoy the taste. The elf however, brought her own set of troubles to the table. It felt like only a moment after she had settled down to also eat that people turned all their attention onto Elaria. A small crowd of people had gathered around her, trying their best to butter her up before asking how much it would take for her to allow them to spend a night with the elf.


    Elaria was initially intrigued by the monetary sums on display, quickly garnering the simple knowledge of a hundred copper makes a silver, a hundred of those makes a gold. Sums ranged from the comically low to the astronomically high for a simple night of service, but she quickly felt a sense of revulsion overtake as she remembered that thought Raylani was her ‘servant’. She had also been the one to insist on the elf’s freedom and simply auctioning her as an exotic creature to be bedded just felt wrong. Elaria then tried rejecting every offer gently, most understanding that the elf was private property. However, a few more belligerent ones grumbled or groaned about how obstinacy at accepting their deals.


    The single most vexing thing however, was that Raylani had simply chosen to not get dressed. Meaning that not only were people consistently approaching to try their chances at wooing her, but that it meant every time Elaria went to take a bite, the top of her eye would always catch a handful of elven bosom. What was worse was that every time she gave into curiosity and looked, even if it was for a sneaky little peak, the elf would always shoot her a knowing look with the hint of a smirk. It proved just frustrating enough that although she could feel Raylani’s playfulness shine through, Elaria was already busy scheming on how best to prank the elf.


    Fending off those interested in bedding the elf and restraining herself from responding to Raylani’s taunts had exhausted her more than expected. Thus, by the time the day ended and the two finished a soothing if quiet bath, Elaria had simply dropped onto her bed like a log, her body a little more sore than expected from doing nothing. Her eyes fluttered between the waking world and darkness a few times, but as they slowly drew to a close, she could hear a small breathy whisper come from next to her.


    “Mistress.”


    Elaria turned and jumped out of her skin, the dark elf’s head poking up just above the side of the bed. She bolted straight up and could feel her heart racing with panic until she saw the rest of the elf crouched onto the floor beside the bed.


    “You…” Elaria snarled.


    Raylani struggled to hold back her amusement and instead just lowered her head so Elaria could only see her hair. “May I ask a question?”


    Elaria had to pinch the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath before recollecting herself. “I can’t stop you.” Elaria grumbled.


    “Mistress… why didn’t you agree to their offers? If it is an order then there wouldn’t be a problem.”


    “Their offers from earlier? You mean those who would trade money for time with you?”


    Raylani nodded.


    “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You’re not my servant, slave, or whatever. You’re free.” Elaria growled.


    “And I choose to serve you mistress through my freedom.”


    Elaria grunted and rolled her eyes, hoping that the elf would get the hint only for Raylani to stand up and bow, arms crossed over her chest. Elaria reasoned it was likely some form of respect and turned back around, a little freaked out by how the dark elf’s red eyes were staring back at her. Elaria detected a strange honesty spilling forth from the elf and just sighed, sitting back up and extending one hand.


    Raylani seemed almost perplexed by this display until Elaria wiggled her hand in annoyance.


    “Mistress?”


    Wordlessly, Elaria just wiggled the hand once more, waiting expectantly for a response. As if more worried about annoying her mistress than anything else, Raylani tentatively reached forward. Without giving her a chance to withdraw, Elaria firmly gripped onto her hand and shook it as she did with the captain earlier.


    “Since it looks like I’m not getting rid of you. I propose something that might be to the benefit to the both of us. A partnership.” Elaria shot her a small smile.


    “A partnership?”


    “Indeed. A partnership.” Elaria affirmed.


    “Strange… how very strange.” Raylani murmured.


    “Strange but fruitful hopefully. To be honest, I’m not the best at this myself. My goal is after all, just to find my sister.”


    “Hmm…” Raylani seemed to frown before offering Elaria a small smile, “Very well then, mistress. If you permit, then I shall join you in this endeavour.”


    Satisfied, Elaria gently pulled away and nodded, returning the smile. “Well then, to start with, we’ll need a map, some idea of where we are, and figure out how to get to an ‘academy’ or another from here. Beyond that though, thank you as well.”


    “Mistress?”


    “For playing along today.”


    “I am honored by your praise. I do only what is required of me.”


    “Pfft. Sure, sure. Let’s get some rest for now. Anything else we can do or discuss tomorrow, alright? Sleep well.”


    “Heh, thank you mistress. Sleep well.”