Page 82 of Badmouths & Bards

“Speaking of which…” Seira planted her hands on her hips. “Are we gonna talk about this messy love affair y’all got yourselves into when you thought I wasn’t looking?”

Shit.

Chapter 37

Taldesa

There was absolutely no reason under any circumstance that things would work out.

Yet somehow, they had, thanks to Princess Osonia of all people. When Seira had mentioned the possibility of all of them being thrown into jail, Tala had been prepared. Imagine her surprise when the king’s advisor arrived with news that they were free to go. When Seira questioned the reasoning behind the decision, the half-orc man shrugged his shoulder.

“Princess Osonia spoke highly of you—especially you,” he said, gesturing toward Tala. “She pleaded with the king to listen to reason, and with the aide of the Valiant Circle representatives—Lady Tel’vera and Justice Balthazar Eaves, especially—acting as mediators for the Pernimas Dynasty, he agreed that it was all a series of unfortunate events.”

“That’s a relief!” Seira sighed.

“Indeed,” the advisor said. “That, and Cashmere Fantasy agreeing to touring the entire continent of Vyrthsalis for half the amount of gold you would normally charge, and you’re free to go!”

Seira signed with a smile.

Privately, she was cursing Ameriden—at least, it was obvious to Tala that she was. Cashmere Fantasy would start their tour of Vyrthsalis in a week, meaning they would be traveling by train all the way to Dreadflats and work their way back to Eshorion just in time for Princess Osonia’s birthday. The agreement also promised that no war would occur between the Pernimas Dynasty and the Vyrthsalis Kingdom over the short-lived battle…with the understanding that Ameriden would be responsible for the actions of his people, and that it would be very, very bad if he jeopardized the tentative trust.

Ameriden only agreed to the terms if he could delay returning to the Pernimas Dynasty—at least until the tour was over. His people reluctantly agreed…and then the night was over.

At least, for Cashmere Fantasy it was.

Kerith was assigned to watch the bards and escort them back to the Golden Manor. Tala, on the other hand, was instructed to head back to the Archive of the Valiant Circle. She had to face the music and she didn’t fight when a pair of monks appeared to escort her back. Before she knew it, Tala was once again in High Conservator Aelidon’s chambers.

At least I don’t have to worry about coming back here any time soon, seeing how she’s going to kick me out—

Tala twisted, snatching a dart several inches from her neck. She caught the second one with her other hand, then managed to duck low enough to kick the third dart back in the direction it came.

“Seriously?!” Tala exclaimed. “You’re going to try and poison me before you kick me out?”

“I have to keep you on your toes somehow,” Aelidon said, appearing behind a curtain. “And it’s important that you stay sharp. Now, tell me about this event at the king’s castle before I kick you out.”

Tala sighed, but followed her mentor to the center table. She waited until the High Conservator poured them tea, then poured her guts out to her. Tala told her everything. Well, everything except the part where she had sex with her charges. Her record was already messy without adding indecent mission violations to it.

“That does sound like something the Valiant Circle would kick you out for,” Aelidon said before sipping her tea.

It wasn’t that Tala wanted to be kicked it out, but she really wasn’t into dragging the whole process out. Lectures were old and Tala was tired. She had some gold in her pocket and her fists were just as good as anybody else’s. One way or another, she would make do.

Besides, there’s nothing she could say to me that I haven’t already thought of myself. Or worse.

“I can turn in my sash tomorrow.” Tala drained her cup of tea. She stood up, stepping back a few paces to properly bow to the High Conservator. “Thank you for teaching me all these years. It’s been…well, an honor.”

Tala straightened, preparing to see herself out when the High Conservator called her name. It would have angered her—Tala hated stretching out long overdue goodbyes. The Moon Maidens had made her departure some big event. Like she was graduating school versus being kicked out of it. But by the time Tala turned to face her former mentor head on, she found the intense rage missing and in its place, a sense of heavy disappointment.

“Taldesa, for someone who did the best they could with a difficult situation, you seem awfully eager to leave us,” Aelidon quipped.

“I…” Tala blinked. “What?”

“It seems I should clarify.” Aelidon placed the tea cup onto the table. “Why do you think I’m going to kick you out of the Valiant Circle?”

“Um, because I fucked up the mission?” Tala scoffed. “I not only put my two charges in jeopardy, but an entire gala full of very important people?”

“But you didn’t do it knowingly,” Aelidon countered. “Not only that, but you did something I would never expect you to do.”

“What’s that?”