Copyright J.B. Norman
Once again, the Lyte Brigade is waiting at the landward gates of Porthaven to depart on an archaeological expedition with Melisa Grevling from the University of Porthaven.
When Melisa arrives, she’s holding a pink-haired little girl’s hand.
“So,” the Wilderling archaeologist says. “Here we are again. Good to see you again. And, hey, no bandits this time. Should be an easy job for all of us.”
“And the kid?” Matilda asks, pointing to the pink-haired girl.
“She’s with me,” Melisa say.
“I’m Annie,” the girl answers, looking up at the members of the Lyte Brigade before promptly looking everywhere but at their faces.
“So, is, uh, she, um …yours?” Matilda stammers.
Melisa chuckles.
“I think my mentioned Jonas before?” Melisa says. “Friend of mine from the university? He’s Annie’s dad.”
“So…” Nolan ventures. “You’re babysitting her?”
“It’s not that weird,” Pela says. “My Mom’s guildmates used to babysit me all the time. And my Dad’s sous-chefs a few times.”
Melisa chuckles again.
“No. She’ll be coming with us,” Melisa says. “She’ll be a big help. Trust me, she’s the smartest one here.”
“I’d agree,” Amara notes. “I’ve known Miss Antiqua most of her life and she really is quite impressive.”
“Thanks, Amara,” Annie says.
She turns to the others.
“Melisa is my godmother,” she says. “Not my actual mother. If she were, I’d be half-Wilderling. My real Mom is an Elf. You can probably tell that from my ears.”
“Yeah,” Melisa says. “Annie’s a great kid, but I’m not really looking to be a parent quite yet. Having a godkid is plenty right now. But, seriously, if anything happens to her, I will claw your faces off.”
Pela leans in close to Annie.
“If things get dangerous,” she tells the girl, pointing up at the towering Amazon beside her, “just hide behind Falcata. That’s what the rest of us do.”
“Well,” Nolan says, looking down at Annie. “Welcome aboard, Annie.”
“Thanks,” Annie says, glancing up and then anywhere but his face. “You’re Sally’s brother right?”
Nolan nods.
“She says you snore,” Annie notes.
Nolan blushes and awkwardly rubs his nose. Matilda throws back her head and laughs.
“Oh,” Annie says, blinking in surprise. “Should I not have said that? Sorry, I don’t always say the right thing.”
“No,” Matilda says. “That was definitely the right thing.”
“Oh,” Annie says. “You’re welcome?”
“So,” Melisa asks. “Are we ready to get going?”
The six members of the Lyte Brigade all nod and voice their agreement.
Melisa looks to Annie, who gives her a smile and a nod.
“Okay,” Nolan says, tightening the straps of his shield. “Let’s go.”
He turns towards the city gate.
“Lyte Brigade,” he calls, “move out!”
Annie stares thoughtfully up at him.
“Should I not come, too?” she asks.
“Wait. What?” Nolan asks. “Why?”
“Well, you said Lyte Brigade, move out,” Annie notes. “And I’m not part of the Lyte Brigade. But I thought Melisa and I were supposed to be coming with you…”
“Right,” Nolan says, staring down at Annie. “That’s all my fault. Sorry. Lyte Brigade and Melisa and Annie, move out!”
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