Epilogue

  “Kelpyds, not a good sign,” said Alric. The former members of Team Vaunted were together once again, gathered at a corner table at “The Shop”, a tavern that catered primarily to Masters of crafts. Apprentices were strongly discouraged from visiting the place, aside from collecting Masters who were too deep in their cups to make it home alone.

  “Mother’s Bark, I hate [heal]ing their bites.” Philly shuddered, showing a [Healer]'s disdain for infections and sepsis.

  “If they are acting on behalf of the Austorians…”

  “Of course they are,” Tounsel said, interrupting Tobiaz Wordsworth. “Attacking our patrols along the strait at the same time as the Austorians are making a play, how could they not be?”

  “Most likely, yes,” responded Tobiaz, un-fazed by the [Alchemist] butting in. They were all used to it, a standard Team dynamic. “It still needs to be proven, however.”

  “Bah! We know the truth, and so does the Crown.”

  “It’s starting again, isn’t it?” Harms ran a hand over his face in despair.

  “It seems so,” Alric said, equal concern in his voice.

  “We knew it was inevitable, even…after…” Philly trailed off, not needing to state the obvious to her brethren. The shared history weighed heavily in the room, turning the dimness of the tavern into a darkening gloom.

  Harms picked up his fortified wine, downing the expensive vintage in one gulp like it was a cheap ale. “Now, the next generation will have to pay for our mistakes. This is exactly why Tachelinda shouldn’t become an adventurer!” He said this last with the vehemence of conviction.

  “On the contrary, Tohd,” Alric said. “That’s all the more reason to let her.”

  “How so?”

  “He is right, Tohd,” Tobiaz agreed.

  “How can you say that? And you know I hate it when you call me that.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Tounsel snorted. “It is your name.”

  Philly let out a long suffering sigh, showing her disdain for the long suffering argument. ”Let it go, already. It doesn’t hurt you to call him Harms.”

  “Quite so. Myself, I’ve grown fond of the nickname Alric’s young apprentice calls me; Mr. W., it’s both respectful and familiar. I like it.”

  “He’s mine, Tobiaz. You had your chance.”

  “Enough! This is serious. The rumors, the patrols, the kelpyds; it all adds up to another…”

  “Don’t say it,” interrupted Tounsel, “just, don’t.”

  “Even if it is,” Alric said. “This time, it isn’t on us to stop it.”

  “That’s right!” Tounsel was quick to jump on the wagon. “We did our part, paid the costs.”

  “Some more than others,” Alric muttered. The atmosphere around the table quieted, the occupants refocussing on their drinks for a long moment. It stayed that way until an elderly waiter approached the table.

  “Another round, gents? Lady?”

  “Yes, thanks,” Tobiaz answered for the group. “Four ales and a fortified wine, please.”

  Once the waiter left with the order, the conversation resumed.

  “Do you think the Crown knows?” They knew the answer, but still Philly felt the urge to state it, hoping.

  “Are you kidding? The Crown Sentinels can’t even patrol the city without the aid of adventurers. Despite their ‘vaunted’ reputation.” The retired Team let out a few chuckles at Tounsel’s crack.

  “But seriously, Harms, it wouldn’t hurt for Tak to have some training. In case.”

  “Tobiaz is right,” Alric told the tailor. “It was bad enough last time that the Crown had to resort to conscription, as you well remember.”

  Harms winced, old memories floating to the surface. “Let’s not go there, Alric.”

  “I’m sorry, old friend.”

  “Ancient history.” Harms didn’t add anything about friendship.

  “Anyway, I do actually think that the Crown knows and is preparing.”

  “What makes you say that, Alric?” Philly was curious. She was less civic minded than the others, focused more on her [Heal]ing. It was why she didn’t spend much time with the old men, at least partly.

  “This.” Alric slapped a pamphlet on the table.

  “What’s that?” Harms had become nearsighted over the years, a consequence of focusing mostly on tiny stitches.

  “Guild Team tryouts.”

  There was a long silence.

  “I should have seen that,” Tobiaz berated himself.

  “Mother’s Bark, me too,” exclaimed Tounsel. It was one of those instances where the obvious was ridiculously clear once pointed out; a head slapper.

  “Harms?” Alric asked, waiting for the man to catch up.

  “You are right,” he said, barely above a whisper. He sighed. “I’ll get my old kit out of storage for Tak.”

  “We need to get the kids ready, train them up sooner than later.”

  “That’s right, Tobiaz,” Alric told his oldest friend.

  “Yeah,” Tounsel took a big swig of his wine. “Maldyn and Gaelia, too.”

  “They will need a dedicated [Healer],” Philly told the rest. “I’ll keep my eyes open. If not, it will fall to your niece, Tounsel.”

  He nodded in acknowledgment. “She has a talent with potions. That should help.”

  “But you will still look, right Philly?” An edge of panic had crept over Harms' features.

  “Of course.”

  They were silent again, contemplating, when Alric broke the figurative spell.

  “Has anyone else noticed an awful symmetry?”

  [green] text can be a little jarring, and I have to agree even if I don't want to. I like it, but oh well. Not to mention all the time I took to make it green in the first place, lol. At least I didn't get through it, so another point for procrastination!