Exton

I wake with a start. Where am I?

Memories return unbidden. The thought of Conal drives a spike into my chest, and for several minutes I find it hard to breathe properly.

With the pain comes resolve. Morgan, I will have your life. I take my anger, hold it tight, hone it like a blade - a blade that one day will find its home in Morgan's evil heart.

More memories swim back… last night, Nick and Raina. A wave of heat floats over me, my face flushing as I remember the things we did….

Still… where is my place now? I cannot return to Faerie until I have fulfilled my vow. I have no coin of the realm to stay here, and I'm quite certain neither Raina nor Nick meant for me to take up residence with them.

For that matter, was last night merely a - what is it they call it here? - a one-night stand? Was it merely the novelty of bedding an elf that made them invite me to their bed? Worse, was it pity?

I dress hurriedly. Somehow I have to make my way in the human world until I fulfill my vow. I can't depend upon the kindness of strangers.

What are my skills? I can ride, fence, joust, dance, mar a curious tale in the telling - and apparently my exotic appearance makes me attractive to these humans. Is there a way to turn any of that into a living?

I smile as a thought occurs to me. No, I won't do that. Too much like being Morgans's little lapdog again.

The bartender is one of my kind. Perhaps I can talk to him, get some ideas….


Later….

The marmuur is a fount of information about this town and the people who live here. When he learned I could fence, he asked if I was any good.

I drew myself up. "I am a Knight of the Bright Court."

"Yes, but are you any good?"

That began another discussion that lasted for nearly an hour - with breaks while he tended to customers.

The marmuur - his name is Monty - has a friend who has a friend who knows the President of the SCA here in town. If I make a good impression, he may be able to find me a good position.

"But," he warned me, "You'd better be at the top of your game. Lots of people in Exton are good with a blade. You'll have to be better than good. You'll have to be brilliant."


Later still….

Raina comes in with a jaunty step, whistling and with a twinkle in her eye. She spies me and sits down at the next stool, leaning over to kiss my cheek. "Too bad you're out of bed," she says with a grin. "Nick won't be awake for awhile yet."

I smile. "If I had the coin, I could buy us a bottle and we could go wait for him...."

She laughs and winks at me. "You don't want to tempt me too far, Gareth. I might just take you up on it."

"Besides," she leans close, almost whispering, "last night was HOT. Watching you and Nick excited me more than I would have believed. Are you - uh - " she grins, not quite blushing - "are you as good with your mouth as he is?"

I only smile.

You know," Raina muses. "We could get a bottle of blood and bring it up to him... and be waiting when he wakes up...."