Page 14 of Badmouths & Bards

“They’re not a school in the traditional sense, you ass! They’re holy warriors!” Seira explained. “They worship the Dauntless Verity—you know, the massive white dragon you saw about halfway here?”

There had been a temple in the opposite direction that held a similar statue to that of the Sun Bringer. Casimine didn’t know much about dragon gods, but he had appreciated the color scheme the temple had displayed. White flags embroidered with some kind of iridescent filigree.

“The Dauntless Verity is the goddess of justice, harmony, and fairness,” Seira went on.

“Wait,” Casimine frowned. “That sounds familiar… isn’t she worshiped by political figures?”

Seira nodded.

“So not a history teacher but a lawyer?” Ameriden whistled. “You really think we’re gonna get in trouble with the local law?”

The woman let out a frustrated noise, nearly dropping her head onto the table.

“They’re not lawyers! I told you, they’re holy warriors. They spend all their free time learning how to fight and how to negotiate between two parties! They’re known for being fair, putting their personal vendetta’s aside, and doing what’s right!” Seira exclaimed, face nearly turning red. “Besides, most of them are monks or scholars. Which means the last thing they’re gonna be interested in is a couple of horny bards.”

Ameriden purpled slightly. “I’m not—”

“You are,” Seira and Casimine said at the same time.

“Hey, don’t turn on me here,” Ameriden whined as he snatched Casimine’s hand. “Seira’s the enemy.”

“I’m not the enemy—”

“Okay, okay, enough,” Casimine chuckled. “Seira, thank you for going through the trouble of arranging a personal bodyguard. I’m sure Amer and I will adjust. And you, Amer, she’s only trying to help keep us safe. When has Seira led us astray before?”

“Thank you,” Seira said.

Ameriden sighed, “Fine.”

He patted the taller man’s hand with a soft smile.

“So, when is this person supposed to be here?” Casimine asked.

“Soon, hopefully. The time difference might have made things a little—”

A knock at the front door drew all their attention.

“—or that could be them right now!” Seira bolted from her seat, heading for the door. “You boys be on your best behavior and if they turn out to be a fan, you lock yourself in the bedroom, you hear me?”

Somehow Casimine doubted a locked door would prevent a group of fans from reaching them, but he nodded along with Ameriden anyway. Seira paused at the front door, shaking her arms and bouncing in place. Their manager wasn’t the type to be nervous, so Casimine could only assume she was mentally preparing to tackle the stranger if they turned out to be overly excited.

“Woo!” Ameriden quietly cheered. “Stretch it out.”

“When we get properly settled, you and I are going for a run to the gates of the castle,” she swore.

Ugh, so much exercise.

It was one of the things about being a bard that Casimine would have been fine with leaving behind. He could do it, but he found all the work to be unfulfilling. Having Ameriden be “the body” had saved Casimine from killing himself just to please a large chunk of their audience.

“Who is it?” Seira asked before leaning her ear toward the door.

“Hello, I’m a representative of the Valiant Circle here to see Seira—”

“Perfect!” the woman exclaimed, jerking the door open.

Standing in the doorway—or rather almost out of it entirely—was a very tall drakonis man with brilliant white scales. He was clothed in simple sandals, baggy white pants, and an open vest that showed off more of his impressive physique.

“My name is Cercel, may I come in?”