The Beggar's Wrath

by J B Drake

  Forcing a smile, she shook her head. “Not today.”

  “Oh, but you will love it!” Thane insisted.

  “Got to get back soon,” Marshalla replied. “Got to help Anise—”

  “I saw Anise earlier,” Thane interjected, his smile widening. “Went to the Pens first before coming here. When I told her what I had planned, she said, and I quote, ‘You get that girl out there and make sure she enjoys herself!’”

  But Marshalla shook her head, for she was not one to be swayed so easily.

  “Too tired, Thane,” she replied. “Been a long day. If Anise not expecting me back, then just going to rest here.”

  “But—”

  “Tomorrow, okay?” she said as she began closing the door. “Tomorrow.”

  “Tip’s coming,” Thane said just as the door was about to shut.

  “What?” Marshalla said as she swung the door open.

  Thane nodded. “He’s already with Eldred.”

  His smile had dimmed greatly, and as Marshalla stared at him, her sense of unease grew.

  “You must come, Marsha,” he said. “You must.”

  Marshalla stared at him in silence for a spell, and as she stared, Drake’s words echoed in her mind.

  “Got to get changed, then,” she said at last.

  Nodding, Thane’s smile grew. “Very well.”

  Smiling herself, Marshalla opened the door and allowed him in.

  “So who was…oh, hello, Thane.”

  Nodding, Thane smiled at Amala as he followed Marshalla into the seating area.

  “Good evening.”

  Amala nodded in response, then turned to Marshalla, a question in her eyes. Marshalla held her friend’s gaze with one of her own, one which carried her answer.

  “Be right back,” she said, and, picking up her bundle, hurried over to her room. As she passed Gray, the panther rose to follow her.

  “No,” she said as she hurried past. “Stay.” Then closed her door just as the young panther lay down, her emerald green eyes boring into Thane.

  Before long, Marshalla returned.

  “All set?” Thane asked as he bounded out of his chair and onto his feet.

  Nodding, Marshalla forced a smile as she headed for the door.

  “Wait,” Amala called out. “Where are you going?”

  “The Lamplight Fayre’s back,” Thane replied as he too headed for the door. “We’re headed over there before the throng arrives.”

  “What of Gray?” Amala demanded, her gaze upon Marshalla.

  Frowning, Marshalla turned to stare at her friend square. “What you mean?”

  “What do you mean, what do I mean? What about her walk? Marsha, you gave me your word you’d take her for her walk today!”

  “Anise said you left early to take Gray on her walk,” Thane replied, his eyes darting from one girl to the other before settling upon Marshalla.

  Amala stared from Thane to Marshalla. “You mean you left work and…gods, Marsha, don’t tell me you got distracted again.”

  Marshalla moved to speak, but Amala waved her words away.

  “At least take her with you,” Amala continued. “Please. Spare me her temper tantrums.”

  “Now, hold a moment,” Thane objected. “There’ll be plenty of people around, she can’t just—”

  Amala shook her head. “So long as nobody tries to hurt Marsha, Gray will behave herself.” Then she turned back to Marshalla. “Well?”

  Marshalla stared in silence at Amala, her gaze hardened and heated, until at last, she sighed.

  “Fine, then,” she growled.

  “Thank you,” Amala sighed.

  “Wait, you can’t—” Thane began, but Marshalla waved his words away.

  “Let’s just go, too tired for this fight.” Without waiting for an answer, Marshalla swung the door open.

  “Come, Gray!” she exclaimed as she stepped aside, opening the door wider as she did so.

  Almost at once, the young panther bounded to her feet and raced out of the open door, her mistress following close behind. In exasperation, Thane watched Marshalla leave, then watched as Amala turned and returned to the seating area, before finally sighing and leaving himself, closing the door behind him.

  With an impatient grimace, Tip hopped where he stood as he watched Eldred remonstrate with the coach driver.

  “If you keep hopping up and down like that, you’ll have no energy left to do anything when we get there.”

  Grinning, Tip stopped.

  “Sorry,” he thought.

  “Oh don’t apologise to me, my darling,” Anieszirel replied. “If anything, I would love for you to tire yourself out. Then I can take control and enjoy myself all day long!”

  Chuckling, Tip shook his head.

  “No you never!” he thought.

  “Oh yes I would!”

  “No you never!” he repeated, his grin growing. Just then, Eldred stormed towards Tip, his brow furrowed and his lips pulled to a thin line.

  “The nerve of that buffoon,” he snarled as he shoved his money-purse into his pocket. “Does he think I wouldn’t know the price of a coach fare to here?” Then, noticing the worried frown upon Tip’s lips, he smiled himself.

  “Forgive me, it’s just…it irks me when someone thinks because I’m the son of a noble it’s acceptable to triple their fare and expect me not to notice.”

  “Oh,” was all Tip could manage.

  “But enough about that, shall we?”

  With a wide grin, Tip nodded.

  “Excellent. Come on, then.” Without another word, the Mage Adept turned and began walking, an eager young Tip falling in step beside him. A calm silence fell upon them as they made their way toward the agreed meeting point, Merethia’s South Gate looming in the distance. But it was a silence that was not to last.

  “So what are you going to see first?” Eldred asked.

  Tip frowned as he pondered the question.

  “Don’t know what’s there,” he replied at last. “What you want to see first?”

  “Me?” Eldred asked as he stared at the little boy.

  Tip nodded in response.

  “Well,” Eldred replied, “I did quite enjoy the Story-Maker’s Tent last year. Their illusion mages were truly exceptional. The scenes they conjured were by far and away the best illusions I’ve witnessed outside of the Tower. And the tale itself…” Eldred sighed. “Yes, I’d probably go there first.”

  The sparkle in Tip’s eyes was unmistakable, but it was soon chased away by a frown.

  “Which one Davian likes?” he pondered.

  “Hrm,” Eldred mused. “I supposed that would be the animal pen. He likes to marvel at them. He and his kelpie both.”

  Tip’s frown deepened. “Doesn’t sound very fun.”

  Eldred grinned. “Wait till you see the animals. Last year they had elephants!”

  Confused, Tip stared at Eldred. “What’s an elepunt?”

  “Elephant,” Anieszirel corrected.

  “Elephant, Tip,” Eldred echoed. “It’s a huge beast, grey all over. Looks like a small tent on tree stumps. The one last year had tusks as long as Davian was tall.”

  Tip’s eyes lit up at that.

  “Impressive, no?” Eldred asked.

  Eagerly, Tip nodded.

  Eldred laughed in response

  “Though I do find it hard to believe you’ve never been to the Fayre before,” he said after a brief spell.

  Tip shrugged. “Me and Marsha tried to go last time they came, but peacekeepers said we wasn’t allowed.”

  Eldred frowned. “I thought it was open to all.”

  Again, Tip shrugged. “Peacekeepers said we wasn’t allowed.”

  Then he smiled. It was a most mischievous smile. “Marsha said some rude words to them, though. Made them mad and they chased us away.”

  Stopping, Eldred frowned at the little boy. “Marsha swore at them?”

  Tip nodded.

  “And they chased you away bec
ause of what she said?”

  Again, Tip nodded.

  “Surely you jest.”

  Chuckling, Tip shook his head.

  “Oh, come now, Tip. I doubt your Marsha could’ve said anything to have annoyed people like that to that extent.”

  Tip’s smile grew at Eldred’s words.

  “What did she say, then?” he asked as he resumed his pace.

  Tip shook his head once more. “Not telling!”

  “Oh, come now, Tip,” Eldred chided. “You can’t share a tale like that and not say.”

  Tip’s grin only grew as he shook his head. “Not telling! Too rude!”

  “But you must,” Eldred pleaded. “I’ll buy you any delicacy you want if you do.”

  “Still not telling.”

  “As many as you want, then.”

  Tip pondered Eldred’s word a while before at last nodding. Then, he told Eldred what Marshalla had said. Every word.

  “She said what?” Anieszirel exclaimed as Eldred stared open-mouthed at Tip.

  “Good gods,” he muttered at last. “Where in the world did she learn to talk like that?”

  Tip giggled into his hands, but suddenly stopped, all serious.

  “Don’t tell Marsha, though,” he pleaded. “Promised never to say them to anyone.”

  Eldred smiled. “You have my word.”

  Nodding, Tip smiled once more, but as he looked past Eldred, his smile vanished. Frowning, Eldred stared where the little elf was staring, and as his gaze fell upon the pair waiting for them, he turned back to Tip, his smile returned.

  “You needn’t worry, Tip, they won’t harm you. You have my word.”

  Frowning, Tip stared at Eldred in silence for a spell before at last nodding.

  “Good,” Eldred replied before heading over to Thalas and Neremi, neither of whom had noticed them yet.

  “Early for a change,” Eldred quipped as he reached them. As one, both smiled as they beheld their friend. But their smile soon faded once their eyes fell upon Tip.

  “Oh, you,” Neremi snarled as Thalas sneered.

  “It’s quite alright, Tip,” Anieszirel soothed as Tip slowly slunk behind Eldred. “I’m here. If they try to harm you, I’ll make them regret it.”

  “Now, now,” Eldred chided as he looked from the skulking child to his glowering friends. “You gave me your word. Best behaviour, remember?”

  Sharing a glance, both lovers sighed as they turned and nodded at Eldred.

  “Fine,” Thalas muttered.

  “As you wish,” Neremi mumbled.

  Smiling, Eldred turned to Tip. “See? Nothing to be afraid of.”

  “I’ll give them plenty to be afraid of if they try anything,” Anieszirel muttered, words that elicited a smile from Tip.

  Then, he realised something.

  “Where’s Davian?” he asked, staring at Thalas.

  Thalas frowned. “What’d you mean, where’s Davian?”

  Frowning himself, Tip turned to Eldred. “You said Davian was coming.”

  “Ah, yes well…” Eldred began before turning to Thalas.

  “Davian has evening classes,” Neremi answered. “At least somebody’s taking their Birthing seriously.”

  “Neremi…” Eldred warned.

  “What? Oh, fine!” She turned to Tip, a forced smile upon her lips. “At least your Marshalla’ll be joining us.”

  “She’s lying!”

  It was the surprise in Anieszirel’s words that stopped Tip, freezing the pout upon his lips in place. Straightening, he frowned.

  “You think Marsha’s not coming?” he thought.

  “No, it’s not that,” Anieszirel replied. “I don’t think Davian has evening classes. I don’t even think they intended to invite him.”

  “Why you say that?”

  “Did you see Thalas’s face when she mentioned Davian’s evening classes. Thalas had no idea of it, and he’s Davian’s brother.”

  Icy tendrils began clawing at Tip’s insides as he stared at the three.

  “It may be nothing, my darling,” Anieszirel continued. “There may be a perfectly simple explanation for his surprise. But if you feel the least bit threatened in any way today, grant me control. Do not wait for me to ask, just do it. Alright?”

  “Okay,” Tip thought to his friend. Then, he realised the three were staring at him,

  “Where’s Marsha?” he asked. He knew not why he asked, but he needed their eyes off him.

  Thalas shrugged as he turned to Neremi. “Did Thane say how long he’ll be?”

  Neremi shook her head. “No, he just—”

  “And here I thought we’d be early!”

  As one, all gathered turned to Thane as he neared them, and he was not alone. The sight of Marshalla by his side brought a smile to Tip’s lips, but the sight of the lithe panther ambling leisurely beside Marshalla turned his smile to a toothy grin. His joy, however, wasn’t shared by all.

  “What in the world is that creature doing here?” Neremi demanded.

  “Panther,” Marshalla corrected.

  Glowering, Neremi rounded on Marshalla. “I’m well aware of what she is, thank you—”

  “Then, stop talking like you an idiot,” Marshalla replied coolly.

  “What did you call me?”

  “Ladies, please!” Thane interjected before Marshalla could reply.

  “Oh, I don’t think you’ll be needing me to protect you today,” Anieszirel chuckled, a chuckle that soon spread to Tip.

  It was a chuckle that spread no further however, nor did it last long, for in an instant, all eyes were upon him. With a grin, Tip gave a slow shrug.

  “Why’d you bring the panther?” Thalas asked Thane after a brief silence.

  “Thane doesn’t tell me what to do,” Marshalla replied as she turned to glower at Thalas. “You don’t like Gray being here, then go—”

  “Marsha,” Thane interjected as he placed a pleading hand upon her arm. “Please. You gave me your word.”

  Glowering still, Marshalla took a deep breath before letting it out slowly as she crossed her arms beneath her bosom, her eyes fixed firmly upon Thalas. As if on cue, young Gray sat beside her mistress, the panther’s piercing gaze also upon Thalas.

  “Thank you,” Thane replied before turning to Thalas. “It couldn’t be helped. It was either both came or neither came.”

  “You truly think they’ll allow a panther in?” Neremi asked, frowning.

  As one, both panther and mistress turned their gazes upon her.

  “You heard Thane,” Marshalla replied with a calmness that was at complete odds with the strength of her glare. “Gray and me go with you, or Gray and me go home.”

  “If you wish to leave, Marshalla, we won’t stop you,” Eldred replied, his voice as calm as hers but carrying within it a hint of sadness. “But you’re here because Thane and I wish to change things between us, all of us. We can’t do it by ourselves, and all we ask is that you try and see them in a different light. Just this once.”

  Marshalla stared at Eldred for a spell, but it was clear his words had struck a cord.

  “Well, she started it,” she mumbled at last.

  Eldred nodded. “Indubitably. But if you give her a chance, you will soon see she is every bit as stubborn and pig-headed as you. In fact, I daresay you—”

  “What’d you say?” Marshalla demanded.

  “What did you call me?” Neremi snarled.

  Under their combined glare, Eldred could do nothing save wilt.

  “You clever bastard,” Anieszirel muttered as a heavy silence fell upon all gathered.

  At last, Marshalla shook her head.

  “Men,” she said in exasperation.

  “My thoughts exactly,” Neremi added with a shake of her own head.

  “He always like this?” Marshalla asked, turning to Neremi.

  Neremi nodded. “Sometimes it’s all I can do to stop myself from shoving an ice lance into his heart.”

  Marshalla scoffed.
“More like his throat.”

  Neremi smirked. “That is not a bad idea.”

  “Is your one any better, though?” Marshalla asked, nodding at Thalas.

  As Neremi turned to stare at Thalas, her smirk grew.

  “Oh, he is now. But I did have to work on him quite a bit when we were first together.”

  “Oh?”

  Neremi nodded as she turned back to Marshalla.

  “What was he like then?” Marshalla asked.

  “Neremi…” Thalas warned just as Neremi moved to speak.

  “Oh, shush, you,” she replied with some irritation as she turned to glare at him briefly. “Girl-talk, stay out of it.”

  “So, where was I?” she said, turning back to Marshalla. “Ah, yes!” Neremi’s eyes lit up as, placing a hand upon Marshalla’s arm, began walking towards the South Gate, her voice now in lowered tones. But her words had Marshalla enthralled, and before she knew it, Marshalla had fallen in step beside her. Even Gray, who’d begun ambling on the other side of Marshalla, seemed to be hanging on Neremi’s every word.

  “What have we done?” Thane said as he stared with some worry at the two girls.

  “We?” Thalas replied as he rounded on Thane. “This was your blasted idea!”

  “Come, Tip, let’s catch up with Marsha.”

  Tearing his gaze from Thane and the others, Tip turned to Marshalla and Neremi.

  “We’re missing all the juicy gossip! Hurry!”

  Grinning, the young elf did as he’d been bid, racing over to walk beside Neremi as she regaled Marshalla on the trials she’d faced being the only woman in their circle.

  “He put it where?” Marshalla exclaimed as he reached them.

  “Who put what where?” Tip asked.

  As one, both Neremi and Marshalla stared at Tip before exchanging glances.

  “Sorry, Tip,” Marshalla said at last, shaking her head at him. “Girl-talk.”

  “Hey!”

  “Yes, ever so sorry.” Neremi added.

  “Sorry about what?” Thalas asked as he and the others caught up.

  With a smile, Neremi nudged Marshalla before gesturing at the men about them.

  “I shall tell you the rest later.”

  Grinning, Marshalla nodded. “Fine, okay.”