Jahree waited for his vision to stop swimming, fighting off the wave of nausea. He had experienced transport sickness before, but it didn’t get any easier. Humans weren’t designed to handle the sensation of being suddenly displaced, not with the world still spinning around them. He glanced over at Tellic, his friend faring even worse. Tellic barely managed to stumble outside before doubling over to vomit. Shan followed suit, retching loudly beside him. Both of them were quickly sent off to the healer. “I’ll save you a seat,” Jahree called after Tellic, though he knew his friend wouldn’t hear. Not that it mattered—no one else would sit with them anyway. He followed Captain Trema and the rest of their group towards the barracks to drop off their gear. Jahree couldn’t help but notice how small the place was—there wasn’t even a separate mess hall for the soldiers. This could get interesting, he thought to himself. When they entered the dining area, it was clear which table belonged to the family that lived here. No one had to tell them to avoid it. Jahree found a table in the corner, choosing to sit alone, away from the others. He was tolerated, but barely, and he wasn’t about to push his luck by pretending to belong. Tellic would join him soon enough once he recovered. The squad they were replacing was already there, casually eating. Jahree frowned—who in their right mind would eat before transporting? They must have stronger stomachs than he did. Soon, two servant girls entered with bowls of soup, accompanied by freshly baked bread and butter. It was the typical post-transport meal, simple and comforting. Despite his lingering nausea, the smell made his mouth water. Jahree’s attention shifted to the two servants. The blond one looked young—small enough to be a girl, perhaps—but the dark-haired woman beside her was clearly an adult. As they handed out the meals, he caught sight of Marn pinching the dark-haired servant’s backside when their captain wasn’t looking. Disgust curled in Jahree’s stomach. And they looked down on him. Before Marn could pull away, the blond girl had him pinned to the table, his arm twisted behind his back. “Keep your hands to yourself,” she warned, her voice cold and commanding. Jahree blinked in surprise, suddenly reevaluating her age. Her pale skin and delicate features made her look like a fragile doll, but the strength she displayed was anything but delicate. He silently wondered how old she really was. Both captains jumped to their feet at the commotion. “What’s going on?” Captain Trema demanded, while the other captain, equally pale as the girl, called out, “Lanni, quit roughing up the guard.” “I was just reminding him of his manners,” Lanni replied evenly, not letting Marn go just yet. “Let him go, Lanni,” the pale captain said, his tone almost weary. She obeyed, releasing Marn with a sharp look. “Uncle, it’s for his own good,” Lanni continued, addressing the captain. “If word gets out that he’s harassing the stable master’s wife, he might find his saddle straps a little too worn or his cinch not fastened properly.” With their similar coloring, it wasn’t hard for Jahree to guess that Lanni and the captain were related. Still, their height difference was striking. Lanni barely came up to Captain Trema’s shoulder, making her maybe five marks tall, while her uncle towered over her by at least another mark and a half. “Don’t go threatening the guards,” her uncle sighed. “I don’t want you getting in trouble.” “I’m a grown woman, I can handle myself,” Lanni shot back. Jahree raised an eyebrow. Grown woman? He still had his doubts, but he kept quiet. “I know,” her uncle replied, “but I promised both your dad and mine that I’d look out for you.” “I’m the oldest. I should be looking out for you,” Lanni argued. “Then do it by not making my men look bad, being bested by a tiny little woman,” her uncle teased. Lanni frowned at him, clearly not appreciating the joke, but said nothing more. “Go eat. Captain Trema will handle his men. I need to get my squad to the next post,” her uncle said, dismissing her with a wave. As she turned to leave, he added, “Don’t forget your pie.” “I won’t. Be safe,” she replied, her voice softening slightly. “You too,” her uncle called back. Jahree nearly chuckled at the thought of someone as small as Lanni looking out for her large uncle, but after what she had done to Marn, he wasn’t so sure he’d laugh to her face. He watched as she continued serving the remaining soldiers, moving with an effortless grace. When she came to him, she hesitated as he pushed the pie away. “No, thanks.” “You don’t want pie?” Lanni asked, surprised. “I’d love some, but I can’t eat apples,” Jahree admitted, wincing slightly. “I’m Allergic. But could I trouble you for another bowl of soup? Tell got sick hasn’t come yet.” He wondered what was taking Tellic so long. Lanni’s expression softened. “That’s too bad. “I was wondering why there were only four of you. He has to see the healer before coming. The kids are sick so Loka has her hands full. Excuse me while I get the other lunch.” When Lanni returned with more soup and a slice of cake, she slid the cake towards Jahree. “For me?” he asked, surprised. “You can’t have the pie. You need to have something,” she said with a shrug. “It’s only fair.” He smiled. “Thanks. My name’s Jahree, by the way.” “Lanni,” she introduced herself. “Welcome to Chrevil and the house of Rantar.” “Thanks,” he said, pausing before adding, “You might not want to sit with me. I’m not exactly popular with the others.” Lanni smiled. “I sit where I want, and I make my own friends. A freak like me? I stopped caring what others think a long time ago.” “A freak? You?” Jahree frowned at the idea. “You’re… well, you’re a pretty girl. I don’t see anything freakish about you.” She laughed at that. “See? You don’t even realize it. Calling me a girl instead of a woman. I look like a dwarf with my size and don’t mention my pale skin.” “Don’t most assume you’re part dwarf? You don’t look all dwarf. I was thinking it, but then I saw your uncle,” Jahree admitted. Lanni nodded. “Uncle Ter’s my dad’s half-brother. They each got their heights from their moms, I guess.” “Well, whoever you are, you should be careful,” Jahree warned. “You’ve already made one enemy today, and Marn won’t let it go, no matter what the captains say.” “I’ve dealt with worse,” she said lightly, but there was steel in her voice. “I’ll be fine. used to work as muscle at an inn.” “Just be careful,” Jahree warned. “I will. I should get going. It was nice meeting you.” “You too,” He called as she left. He watched her go. He hadn’t lied. She was pretty and her figure… A hit to the back of his head interrupted his thoughts. Tellic finally appeared, looking pale but steady. He sat down next to Jahree, shaking his head. “Isn’t she a bit young for you?” he asked, noticing the cake Jahree had been given. Jahree rolled his eyes. “She’s an adult. Just… small.” “Sure, she is,” Tellic muttered, smirking as he began eating. Jahree passed him the extra slice of pie. “You’ve heard that claim before,” Tellic reminded him, his voice low, but steady, eyes narrowing as he glanced over his plate. Jahree didn’t respond right away. He absently pushed his spoon through the residual soup in his bowl, collecting his thoughts before speaking. “She didn’t say it to me. She said it to her uncle.” He paused and met Tellic’s gaze. “He’s the captain that’s leaving. She’s older than he is. He didn’t challenge it,” Jahree explained, his tone hinting at bewilderment. Tellic leaned back in his chair, eyeing Jahree with mild concern. “You be careful,” he warned, picking up his fork and cutting into the slice of pie that Lanni had left behind. He took a bite, letting the sweetness distract him momentarily. “I will,” Jahree muttered, watching Tellic eat. His mind was elsewhere though. He glanced around the mess hall, noticing how the room had emptied out since they’d first arrived. “Where were you?” he asked, shifting his attention back to his friend. “Their healer wanted to check us,” Tellic replied between bites. “But then she got called to deal with some sick kids. Couldn’t keep up with us.” Jahree frowned. “What do they have that she can’t heal?” There was a hint of suspicion in his voice now, as though he were starting to doubt the healer’s competence. “Treba,” Tellic answered simply, his fork pausing mid-air. Jahree’s expression darkened. Treba, something no healer could cure. He’d had it once before, years ago. The memory alone was enough to make his stomach churn. It was a vicious sickness, the kind that left you bedridden for days, sometimes weeks. Fortunately, he wouldn’t get it again—not even the variations. He glanced away, feeling a pang of sympathy for the children. “Poor kids,” he murmured. “That’s rough.” Tellic nodded, continuing. “So yeah, we had to wait. Then she started complaining about the transport charms. She said they need to be redone properly. She told us that she was Ertonian and to talk to our captain when it was time for us to leave, she would send us so we don’t get sick.” Jahree raised an eyebrow, piecing together the healer’s words. “I guess that explains why the last squad didn’t seem worried when they ate with us. They wouldn’t have gotten sick.” Tellic leaned back, shaking his head. “Still, I can’t imagine not throwing up after using one of those charms.” Jahree chuckled softly. “Ertonians are immortals, right?” Tellic asked, his curiosity piqued as he pushed his now empty bowl aside. He had grown up in Lerjao, where education wasn’t a priority. The trolls had moved away from their violent past but hadn’t embraced learning. Jahree had taught Tellic to read when they first became friends. Most of what Tellic knew beyond that came from the books he borrowed. “Yeah, they’re immortals,” Jahree confirmed with a nod. Tellic smirked. “Thought so. Who else could handle transporting six people without trouble?” “Maybe a dragon,” Jahree said with a half-shrug. Tellic pressed on, his voice more casual now. “So, did you meet Lady Barta and Lord Rantar?” Jahree shook his head. “Haven’t even seen them yet.” Tellic’s expression soured slightly. “Lady Barta was furious about a troll being here. She had a fit when she saw I was with the children. Lord Rantar smoothed things over by promising I’d be put on night patrol—outside, of course.” Jahree grimaced. “We knew that was coming. I’ll be downstairs, away from the kids. Marn’s got the upper floors, away from the servants.” Tellic sighed, his broad shoulders slumping just a bit. “I know. But I’m tired of being outside all night. Every night. And now that it’s winter... it’s not exactly pleasant out there.” Jahree glanced at his friend, feeling a flicker of guilt. “You’re a yearling. You don’t have to reenlist when your term is up, you know.” Tellic’s eyes flicked over to him, and for a brief moment, there was something unspoken in his gaze—something serious. “You don’t have that option,” Tellic replied, his voice soft but firm. “Someone’s gotta watch your back.” Jahree’s frown deepened. He hadn’t realized Tellic might be planning to stay on just for him. The thought weighed heavy in his chest. But Tellic brushed the moment aside, standing up as though nothing had been said. “You done? We should get some rest before we need to be on duty tonight.” Jahree nodded, pushing back his chair. As they made their way from the house to the barracks, the chill of the coming winter crept through the air, and for a moment, he wondered how long Tellic’s loyalty would keep him out in the cold. #fantasy, #magic, #dragons, #hiddenlands