CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN #3
Deckard gave him a polite bow, tucked the orders into his coat, and turned away.
Evylin smiled at Druan and tossed General Rand a mocking salute.
After taking his and Evylin’s saddlebags from Thom, Deckard led his troop to the main gate, leaving the general and his lackeys behind.
He once belonged to this barracks. It had been his duty to serve men like General Rand unquestioningly.
Last time, he’d allowed that duty to bully him into blindly accepting a reassignment to Ostwatch just before the king saved him from that fate.
Now, he walked from the courtyard into Loclight proper, knowing that he was no longer a true soldier of the Ephrian Army.
Though he remained undecided about his place among the Alliance, he refused to serve men like Rand anymore.
Nor would he support men like King Ephren as his monarch.
He was tired of watching the world fall into the hands of corrupt and ignoble men.
They were the sort that knights like Sergus fought to unseat a millennium ago.
Perhaps Deckard could never be Sergus, but he’d be damned if he didn’t do what he could to uphold the principles he knew to be right.
“Is the general always so pleasant?” Ilain asked suddenly. “Or are you just special?”
Exchanging a look with Thom while they made their way down the street, Deckard fought down a scoff. “General Rand doesn’t like most people,” he explained. “I don’t think I’m a special case.”
“He was always pleasant to me,” Thom said. He nudged Evylin’s side. “I like to think I impressed him.”
“Or he saw himself in you,” Ethenn remarked dryly.
The unexpected snark drew laughter out of them all. Even Thom grinned despite himself.
“Particularly cutting remark, kid,” Rafferty said, patting him on the back. “I feel like a proud father.”
Ethenn eyed him dubiously. “I’d be profoundly embarrassed to be your son.”
“Oh-ho!” he sniggered. “I think your time with the Lady Flame has been a bad influence.”
Thom tossed a smirk over his shoulder. “Ilain does have a way of corrupting people,” he sniped.
Ilain’s gaze flickered dangerously. “You had your shot at my corruption,” she said. “It isn’t my fault you weren’t magical enough to tempt me.”
“Magic had nothing to do with it,” Auden said lightly. “I seem to remember some clandestine comment of yours about the impeccable shape of Corporal Loxley’s—”
“If you utter one more syllable,” Ilain interjected, “I will burn every inch of your body and make you heal the scars yourself.”
Auden frowned playfully. “It’s my birthday tomorrow,” he lamented. “I get a free pass just this once.”
As laughter filled the air again and the Day Mage received warm wishes, Deckard couldn’t help but smile.
He’d come to cherish the camaraderie among their group.
Their prolonged stay in Wauld had been filled with grief, hurt, and anger, making these fleeting moments of joy and togetherness feel hard-won.
But they’d become a family in their time traveling with the Calders.
It was strange and unexpected. From the moment he’d met the Mages, Deckard had been wary of them.
And yet, now he thought he understood why Evylin and Thom were so trusting of them.
The Calders were more than their traveling companions.
They’d become friends and mentors. In Ethenn’s case, one became a lover.
They belonged now as surely as any of the Ephrians.
Nearing their home, Deckard felt a buzz of happiness coming from Evylin.
Her hand slipped into the crook of his elbow.
She drifted closer, eyes on the buildings around them.
Just over two months ago, they’d walked this very path.
So much had changed. So much remained the same.
And while Deckard wished they hadn’t had to undergo all the trials they faced, he wouldn’t exchange their lives for any other.
Three-story, stone-faced townhomes lined the streets as they made their way to number thirty-two. Though the interior would be austere and dusty, Deckard’s heart filled with anticipation. His muscles eased, and his heart warmed. He was home with his wife and his brother at his side.
It could only be better if Hewitt were with them, hale and whole.
As they strode to the door, their trio of Alliance comrades hurried over from the tavern across the street. In the heart of the city where the majority of the officers lived, there were abundant taverns to frequent, kick back, and forget the rigors of army life.
“This is your house?” Brea asked Thom, a hint of wonder in her tone as she surveyed the facade.
“It’s Jonn and Evie’s,” Thom said. “But I do live with them. At least, for now.”
Vayden pursed his lips. “It’s nice,” he said, then looked at Deckard. “I didn’t realize you were so well off.”
Unlocking the door, Deckard chuckled. “I’m not. Though officers are given reasonable compensation and a housing stipend, I wouldn’t be considered wealthy.” Deckard stepped back, leaving the door open for their guests.
“In Wauld,” Vayden said, following his wife into the house, “this would cost at least three years of the average living wage.”
“Another reason to thank Allore we don’t live in Wauld,” Thom commented. He slapped Deckard’s shoulder. “Though I don’t think they’ll be so impressed with what we’ve got inside.”
While Thom hurried in to give their guests a rough tour of the downstairs, explaining that they’d lived in the house as two bachelors traveling too often to furnish the place appropriately, Deckard turned to Evylin.
He held out his hand. “Welcome home, my love.”
He could feel Evylin’s smile thrumming through the air around them as her fingers slipped between his. “I’m so happy to be home,” she replied, voice a gentle rasp.
Two months of dust and cobwebs greeted them in the sparse townhome.
A sofa and a wingback chair with a tea table were all that awaited them in the parlor.
The hearth was cold, with only a smattering of coals in it.
Though the house boasted four rooms, only two of them were outfitted for residents, while a third held a meager bed.
Most of their troop would have to sleep on their bedrolls on the floor.
“Where should we put our things?” Vayden asked, glancing toward the staircase.
While Deckard scanned the group, Thom didn’t hesitate. “You and Isla can have my room,” he said. “It’s at the top of the stairs, the door on the left. I should probably clean up, though. Can’t promise it’s in any state for company.”
“We won’t put you out like that,” Isla said.
“Nonsense,” Thom said with a wave of his hand. “There’s another room across the hall with a bed, but it’s only big enough for one.”
“We’ll take that,” Ilain said with a grin. “We’ve made a single-person bed work just fine before.”
Rafferty immediately began to chortle while Ethenn’s neck turned pink.
Thom smirked. “Right,” he said, then moved on. “Well, then there’s just one more room on the top floor, but it’s completely empty. Brea, you can have it. Us three,” he motioned to Rafferty, Auden, and himself, “can share the living room.”
“I’ll take the sofa,” Rafferty volunteered magnanimously.
“You’re a saint,” Evylin noted. Then she tugged on Deckard’s arm. “Well, I hope you all settle in nicely. In the meantime, I’m going to take a nap.”
“And what’s the colonel gonna do?” Rafferty asked wryly as they reached the base of the stairs.
“Jonn,” Evylin said teasingly, “will unpack.”