Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #16 July 2015 | Page 32

“Yes, we did. Do you know where the Oak and
Staff is? We were told by Rhyben that we could go
there if we needed a bed and food.”
“Told you that, did he? Well, Rhyben knows
a good many of us... but we all grew up here. Why
would he send strangers to us?” the tall man retorted.
“Maybe because he knows that they can help
us.” Another voice called out I whirled around, which
was probably the wrong thing to do, turning my back
to three possible attackers to face a new one, but I
figured that Dah’nelle would give me some warning if
those boys attacked.
The new voice belonged to another male, this
one just a shade older, with an air of authority that
the others could never possess. His hair hung in his
eyes, and he tossed his head back to shake it away.
He’d been standing on a balcony, within easy distance
to jump down, which he did. The advantage would
have been his had Dah’nelle and I were winning the
fight that never happened. His stride was long and
sure, as if he knew every brick in the street personally. My wariness grew as he came closer; it must have
shown on my face for he gave me a lop-sided grin and
stopped a few feet away. “New to town, aren’t ye?”
“You could say that,” I replied, allowing my
body to relax, but not my hands. A moment or two
passed as we took assessment of one another before I
allowed my fingers to extend. He seemed to come to
a conclusion and relaxed as well, glancing to the boys
behind me and making a small movement with his
head. I turned to face them, but they were gone without a sound or trace. Perplexed, I turned around again,
and he was studying Dah’nelle intently. “You’re an
initiate of FortunaeCosmina?”
“Yes, I am.”

“I think you are right, but first we discuss
the fact that she comes with me.” I said as Dah’nelle
looked at me startled. “You just insulted her, and
you’re gonna make up for it.”
“How did I do that?”
“You dismissed her out of hand. You don’t
know what she’s capable of, and you just pushed her
aside. Well, she’s my friend, and I won’t let you treat
her like that.” Dah’nelle gave a soft gasp as he raised
a brow.
“Well, I do apologize. She is more than welcome to stay at the Oak and Staff, but don’t be fooled,
she will have to work as hard as you if she wants to
stay.”
“I