Page 88 of Tusks & Saddles
“I—” he lowered his head, staring down at his lap. “Of course—I didn’t mean to assume—”
“You weren’t—”
“—you’re an incredibly independent—”
“—I do enjoy my—”
“—and me? I’m just a cleric who failed to save the High Cleric—”
“—you didn’t fail—”
“—why would you ever want to marry me?”
Thatignited frustration in Beatrix. Her glare was heavy as she quickly snatched the symbol of the All Seer into her fist and dragged Welborn’s face toward hers.
“Welborn Larokson, cleric of the All Seer, do you really think you aren’t good enough to marry me?” Beatrix demanded.
She could admit his idea was a lot better than hers. Long term profession or no, Beatrix wasn’t certain she could devote herself to a deity the way Welborn and the other denizens of Ordiadid. They existed, and knowing was enough to sate her own curiosity. Tying herself to Welborn, on the other hand…
“I—” he gulped. “I hadn’t really thought about it…well, no, that’s a lie. I have thought about it. About my parents—my father is a widow…twice. He didn’t have long with Boone’s mother or mine. Ten years. Barely any time at all and time feels so…precious when I think about it that way. But I know my parents were happy, even in a modest cabin in the woods. I don’t want to assume but—”
“Welborn, ask me or I will.”
He cleared his throat, reaching a hand up to wrap around the one holding the stone at his neck. Welborn stared into her eyes, pupils large, and face open despite the nerves at the corner of his mouth. A slight strained muscle that he did his best to conceal.
“Miss Eaves—”
“Lady Tel’vera,” Beatrix corrected.
She could tell him her full title later, but alas the noble traditions were still rooted deep in Beatrix’s mind. Unorthodox proposal or not, some things were hard to shake.
“Lady Tel’vera,” Welborn licked his lips. “Will you marry me?”
The question was irrational, that much Beatrix knew for certain. The woman she was over a week ago would have politely but firmly shut him down. But Beatrix wasn’t that woman anymore. She wasn’t entirely sure what kind of woman she was now. The bounty hunters would still come, the same as any wild beast in the Searing Wastelands, but with Welborn at her side? Beatrix felt like she could take on the gods with him.
“Oh, sweet boy,” Beatrix sighed. “I will.”
They shared a smile, before Welborn closed the distance between them with such enthusiasm that Beatrix nearly lost her breath. She was so invested in celebrating, that she failed to notice the shadow that loomed over them until it was too late.
“Congratulations!”
Breaking apart, the newly engaged couple looked up in surprise. Welborn’s horse, Sandy, stood beside them and on her back was a sunburned, grayish goblin man in torn vestments of the All Seer. Strapped to the back of Sandy’s saddle was a tall, humanoid shaped body made of metal that appeared to be missing a head.
“Sandy!” Welborn crowed. “High Cleric Gnaul Swoth! You survived!”
“Barely,” the High Cleric chuckled. “I got stranded up on the water tower after I came to the wastelands to investigate the tremors happening near the town. That’s when I ran into ourfriendsback there. Have to say, if it wasn’t for the guidance of the All Seers visions, and a whole lot of luck, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
“How did you get off of the water tower?” Beatrix asked as she took Welborn’s hand to stand.
“Oh, it was the funniest thing. I had a dream that there was a metal man stuck at the top of the water tower. Low and behold, when I woke up the next morning, he was up there. Well, his head was. But that’s a story for another time! Congratulations on your engagement! I don’t suppose you’ll be having the wedding at the temple? We have a bit of work left to do, y’know?”
“Oh, I know,” Welborn said, before sharing a look with Beatrix. “But I think it’ll be worth it.”
Beatrix smiled, leaning in to plant a kiss on Welborn’s cheek, “Where ever we have it, I’m sure we’ll be in good company.”
The End
Dedicated to Lizzie Strong, who gave me the kick I needed to finally pursue my other great love, fantasy. From one Game Master to another, there's nothing better than being allowed to create without restraint. Thank you for indulging my hyperfixation on lore, world-building, and general weirdness. I hope we continue building the world of Ordia together. P.S. You could have named your story "300 mean beef supremes," and it wouldn't have bothered me.
