Part 21 (1/2)

”Because I can use her help. Where would she be?”

”At the barracks, most likely. I don't see how she is going to help you.”

”You don't see a lot, Charming.” I turned to Ashe and Goldie. ”Come on, we have a solid day's trip ahead.”

Then I walked off. Ashe started after me almost immediately, while Goldie smiled and waved to Charming before following along.

”Happily ever after, ladies.”

None of us bothered to say anything back. That Tsar always had to have the last word.

It didn't take long before we were back on the pixie path, even if we would have to make a detour soon. Night had already fallen, which made it perfect for avoiding the majority of faeries that would be concerned with former G.o.dmothers and fugitives.

It took most of the night and into the eve to even get to the barracks. And most of that time was filled with Goldie complaining, the fox being pa.s.sed around, and many amusing tales from Ashe like how many times she's had to shoo away the friendly and annoying dwarves that live near our home.

It was strangely the most enjoyable travel experience I'd ever had. Was this what I had been missing all this time by not having Ashe along with me? I guess I hadn't ever really known companions.h.i.+p.

I was chasing her down the road when the ma.s.sive steel and stone barracks came into sight. Ashe stopped first then I halted right beside her. The building wasn't tall, but the length was unimaginable. It couldn't be easy to find someone in that.

Goldie was wheezing as she dropped her hands onto her knees and leaned over next to us. She spoke between heavy breaths. ”Please say this is it.”

I nodded and tossed a smile to Ashe before we both dashed down the hill to the soldiers out front of the barracks. Goldie was calling after us to wait up.

Normally, I would have been just as tired as her by this point. But it had been years since I could feel the magic coursing through me. Plus all the energy Ashe seemed to just radiate pushed me to keep going.

As we got close enough, the guards turned on us and held weapons out and ready. I let out a breathy laugh. ”Seriously? You really think we would be attacking in a frontal charge with two people and wheezy over there?”

I turned to point at Goldie, but two guards were already around her as she sat on the hill. When I faced forward a spear was pointed almost in to my nose.

Okay, so I could have maybe gone about this more intelligently than just running in.

”Look, we are supposed to be here.” I tried to explain while putting my hands up so the guy with the spear would stop jabbing at me.

”For what purpose?” A guard about Ashe's height asked. I doubted *to visit a military captain' would count as a truly legitimate reason. I needed to think.

Then, out of nowhere, Ashe started talking. ”We are Captain Bonny's consort appointments. She is here by now, right? I heard she doesn't like to be kept waiting.”

Consorts?! How did I ever come to think Ashe was innocent and child-like?

The semi-short guard laughed and he pulled his spear away from us. ”I always knew she was like that. Maybe when she's finished she'll pa.s.s you down to us.”

I wanted to kick that guard in the groin, but that would have blown our new cover. Not to mention hurt me on his armor.

”I'll take them to the captain.” The same guard said before nodding to the soldiers leading Goldie up. He better not had been thinking he'd get something out of us.

I put my hands down as he turned around and called back to us, ”Walk this way.”

One step and I was overcome with nostalgia. I stepped up faster to keep pace with the guard in his full body armor. ”Roberts?”

He put a hand up to his faceplate and shushed me as we stepped inside the barracks. I gave him an annoyed look before stepping back to Ashe and the still wheezing Goldie.

I chose to lean to Ashe and whisper, ”Consorts? Really?”

She giggled softly, ”Kurt allows consorts, wives and husbands to visit with a soldier so long as they are not on a post or duty.”

”Seriously?” I said a little too loudly.

She giggled again and nodded. ”He's actually pretty progressive and understanding for a Tsar. You two are a lot alike. You'd like him if you got to know him.”

”I am not like Charming.” I shook my head in disgust.

She turned her head to me and smiled. ”You both don't do that well with your personal lives, but you're both great leaders and inspirational to others.”

”Yeah, but he tried to kill me.”

Ashe's eyes grew wide and worried, and I realized then that I hadn't told her about that since it was technically a part of the future. She opened her mouth to say something, but Roberts' voice came instead.

”Here we are. Captain Bonny is inside, likely waiting for you. Enjoy ladies.” Roberts nodded and stepped aside. Why was he helping us get in anyway? Did he think I had more information to share on Gabbi's a.s.sault?

Ashe thanked him and glanced back at me worriedly before pus.h.i.+ng on the door and heading inside. Goldie followed suit and then I stepped up. As I pa.s.sed, Roberts grabbed my arm and whispered, ”Was it the wolf that did it?”

I shook my head. ”Someone else with a lot of magic power; a faerie most likely.”

He gulped hard and nodded before letting me go.

So that was what he wanted.

Roberts followed me in and closed the door behind him. He saluted the captain before announcing, ”Ma'am, your consorts are here.”

Bonny, in her purple silk uniform, stood up from her desk and gave Roberts a raised eyebrow. Then her attention fell to me as I slipped in next to Ashe. ”Do you moonlight as a companion for women as well, Gnidori? Or is this a special occasion just for me?”

I shrugged and gave her a look of feigned innocence. ”This is my subtle way of saying I want you, Captain.”

She tried to conceal her amus.e.m.e.nt but it boiled over on to her face. She was enjoying this way too much. Last time I let Ashe pick the cover story.

”Well then, we might as well get started. Roberts you are dismissed.” She nodded to him again and he popped the door open, leaving with a resounding bang behind him.

I shot forward and slammed my hands on Bonny's desk. ”I don't have time to be tactful.”

”When are you ever-” Goldie interrupted, but I lifted my hand and turned it back toward her. Two of my fingers smashed against my thumb and a spark of variant colors erupted, silencing Goldie's voice.

My eyes fell back to Bonny and her brilliant silver eye patch. ”I know you are the Pirate King. And I know you have a s.h.i.+p. I need you to take us to the Sleeping Kingdom. And we need to leave immediately.”

The amus.e.m.e.nt in Bonny's face dropped away and she glared me over with her one visible eye. ”How?”

I sighed, ”You ran off after Hue threw an axe at you. Hue's notorious for rooting out pirates. He hates them enough to openly attack them anywhere, even around me. All it took was some asking of the right people then.”