Page 7 of Dark Elves of Ardani

“Slavery is illegal in Ardani, Zara,” Theron said. “I think you’ll find humanity to be much more… humane than what you’re accustomed to, if you’ve spent your life among the night elves.”

Zara cleared her throat, eager to change the subject. “I did not mean to distract you from your mission. You do not need to make a trip to the village just for me.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Theron said. “To help.”

“Because of your god?”

He brightened. “Yes.”

She knew of the Five that most humans worshiped, but she knew little about them. Slaves were forbidden from worshiping or even talking about deities other than the Goddess, not that Zara had ever had a particular desire to.

“Do you know about Paladius?” Theron asked.

“Not really.”

“He is the god of justice. He protects the weak, shelters the weary, and, occasionally, shows mercy to the wicked.” He pointed to the circle of swords marked on his chest. “This is his symbol.”

Zara nodded politely. “That sounds lovely.”

“It is because of him that we do what we do. He calls upon the strong to defend the weak, and we obey.”

She didn’t like being called weak, but she said nothing. Perhaps he was right, after all. She hadn’t had the courage to leave Kuda Varai until Kashava accompanied her. She hadn’t had the courage to try to escape the masters who had tormented her as a child. She’d always been weaker than someone nearby, and it was hard to imagine that wouldn’t always be the case.

“How does it work?” she asked. “He gives you strength in exchange for your devotion? Has he given you magic?”

A few of the Paladins chuckled.

“It’s more of a… metaphorical strength,” Theron said, amused by her ignorance. “But yes. We gain courage from his presence. His word guides us and gives us fortitude to carry out our good works.”

“Oh.” This god didn’t sound very helpful. The Varai goddess had given the Varai magic. She’d given them an entire homeland. Tangible things.

But there was probably some nuance to it that she didn’t understand. She was beginning to suspect that she understood even less about Ardani than she’d thought she did.

In the afternoon, they crested a hill, and suddenly the village came into view below. It was a line of small, wooden houses scattered through a valley, flanked by a pine forest and rocky foothills. There were people working indoors and out, in animal pens and gardens. Zara could see a young child playing behind one of the houses.

There was absolutely nothing ominous about it, but the sight of the village filled her with apprehension. Theron led them down into the valley, ignorant of her misgivings.

The Paladins spread out to do whatever it was they were going to do in the village. Theron and a few of the others stayed with Zara and brought her to the largest building in the settlement. It was set apart from the rest, at the edge of the valley, and there was a sign in front that simply read,Inn.

When they stepped through the door, she was hit with a wave of warmth and the scents of old wood, smoke, and savory food. Something about it seemed instantly familiar, though she’d never been anywhere like this. It was spacious but cozy, with low ceilings and skins of brown-furred animals decorating the walls. It was comfortably dark, lacking any mage light fixtures. Light came from a few sconces and the fireplace along the opposite wall, and there were no windows, perhaps to keep out the cold.

There were not many people in the room, but those who were had turned around to stare at Zara when she entered, and she felt a flush creeping up her throat.

While she took in the new space, Theron was speaking to a buxom, brown-skinned woman behind a counter across the room. After a while, the woman set down the glasses she’d been cleaning and came striding over.

“Good gods, you poor thing,” the woman said, capturing Zara’s face in soft hands. The woman looked her over carefully, as if checking her for marks. “Is it true, what Theron says? You were being kept by the night elves?”

Zara hesitated, uncomfortable. “Yes,” she said, the word a little mispronounced because her cheeks were being squished.

The woman let go of her to place her hands on her hips, scowling. “Are there no depths those people won’t stoop to?” Not waiting for Zara to answer, she pulled her across the room and put her in a chair beside the fire.

For the next few minutes, there was a lot of fussing over her, which left her unsure of how to react. Someone draped yet another cloak on top of her two other cloaks. The innkeeper, whose name was Basira, shoved a mug of something hot into her hands. With the fire blazing in the hearth beside her, she was already getting much too warm.

The other Paladins and the rest of the people in the inn had moved closer to stare at her. They pestered her with questions until, to Zara’s relief, Basira chased them outside. Only Basira and Theron remained.

“I don’t know that it was a good idea to bring her back here, Paladin,” she said, shaking her head. “Of all the unsafe places… You know the night elves have been attacking the villages north and south of here.” She lowered her voice, covering her mouth as if to shield Zara from her words. “It’s only a matter of time before they come here, too. We all know it.”

“This was the closest settlement. Wouldn’t you rather she be safe inside than camping with us in the woods at night?” Theron crossed his arms and paced, the metal of his armor clinking as he moved. Zara eyed the dirt he was tracking around with his muddy boots. She noticed Basira eyeing it with annoyance, too. “In any case, the night elves have been dealt with.”

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