Page 63 of Pretense

Rharreth met Farrendel’s gaze with something that was part humor, part a challenge. “At least I taught her to fight. She keeps her feet on the ground like a proper warrior and doesn’t leap about like a grasshopper.”

“Grasshopper.” Farrendel’s voice turned flat.

Essie couldn’t help it. She snorted, then burst into laughter. Everyone turned to look at her, and she waved to Farrendel. “A very deadly grasshopper.”

Farrendel shook his head, but a smile broke across his face. The smile took on a sharper edge as he glanced at Rharreth. “Perhaps you want to test how deadly I am in a practice bout?”

Melantha huffed and met Essie’s gaze with a shrug that said Males, right?

Essie grinned back.

Rharreth’s hard face cracked with a smile of his own as he drew his sword. “It would be a pleasure to have a friendly bout with you while we are here, Laesornysh.”

Farrendel drew his own short swords from where they were sheathed across his back. As Rharreth stepped toward him, Farrendel half-ran up a tree and launched himself into the air.

As the two of them clashed, Essie weaved around the space and settled onto the moss next to Melantha. “I think we might as well get comfortable. They are going to be a while.”

“Yes.” Melantha smiled, settling with her back to the tree next to Essie. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

“He told you.” Essie shook her head. “Why is this the one secret Farrendel has ever failed to keep? And to think I used to believe he never talked.”

“He can talk rather nonstop when he is excited about something, though it has been years since I have seen him that enthusiastic about anything.” Melantha held her gaze. “I am truly happy for you and Farrendel.”

“Linshi.” That meant a lot, coming from Melantha.

“If you need anything, let me know.” Melantha shifted, her gaze lowering. “I know Rheva is taking good care of you, but I wanted to make the offer anyway. I was not a good sister to you when you married Farrendel, and I want you to know that I intend to make a better effort.”

“Thank you.” Essie wasn’t sure what else to say. She was still working to build a relationship with Melantha after the whole betrayal. Things were getting better. After all, she had never chatted with Melantha like this before.

“I wanted to ask you…” Melantha fiddled with the edge of her fur-lined vest, her focus on the practice battle in front of them rather than on Essie. “Is there any way to get another one of those mugs?”

In the trees before them, Farrendel crashed to the forest floor as Rharreth caught him midair. Before Rharreth could take advantage of the moment, Farrendel rolled and hopped to his feet, evading another blow.

Essie glanced between Melantha and the fight. “Those mugs? As in, the elf ear mug Weylind gifted you? You want another one?”

Essie couldn’t imagine it. For some reason, the elves found the white ceramic mugs with elf ears molded onto the sides rather more ugly than quirky. Essie liked them, and Melantha seemed to have taken to it when Weylind had re-gifted one to her. But had she liked it enough to want another one?

“Yes. I keep my candy for my patients in it. Its quirkiness seems to set the children at ease. Though the warriors never say no to an Escarlish peppermint stick when I offer one to them.” Melantha shrugged, turning to more fully face Essie. “Weylind said you would know where to order another one? If possible, I would like to have a gray one with white magic and pointed ears that would look like a troll. Then I could have both elves and trolls represented in my candy holders.”

Using the small things in life for a political statement. Essie fully approved. “Yes, I can ask the artist to make a troll-themed mug. She is backordered now since the mugs have proven to be so popular. But if it gives her a chance to experiment with a new design, I’m sure she can work it into her schedule.”

“Ask her to make a human-themed one too.” Rharreth grunted as he fended off Farrendel’s attack. “That way the entire alliance can be represented.”

Farrendel faltered in his attack, as if Rharreth’s comment had surprised him.

Essie tried to imagine a mug with human ears sticking out of the sides, colored the same pale skin tone that the Escarlish royal family had. “That sounds…kind of awful.”

“Not so quirky when it is your ears getting mocked, is it?” Farrendel glanced toward Essie, a hint of a smirk on his face. He had to quickly turn his attention back to Rharreth in time to block another sword swing.

“Maybe the artist could make the human one with flames or something, since fire is something human magicians can do with their magic.” Essie could picture a white mug, human ears, and orange or red flames licking around it. That sounded far more acceptable.

“Excellent.” Melantha smiled. “Rharreth and I are planning to visit Escarland after we spend some time here. Perhaps I could meet this artist in person?”

Melantha wasn’t the sister-in-law Essie had guessed would ever ask to tour Aldon with her. But now, it sounded like fun.

If the assassin was captured and it was safe for Essie and Farrendel to return to Escarland by then. Hopefully that would happen sooner rather than later.

“I’d love to show you Aldon, if I can.” Essie found herself grinning at her sister-in-law. “Maybe we could look through the different candy options. I’ve been sending things I thought your patients might like, but you and Rharreth might have a better idea of what Kostarians would enjoy.”

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