“Now are you going to give me a hug or do I need to get you
drunk first?” Alex asked a huge smile crept across her face. Trent hugged her,
the entire bar came back to exuberant life. Lisa breathed a sigh of relief.
Alex moved them to the nearest empty table and sat down with Lisa and Trent. “So
tell me everything, starting with your lady friend’s name.” Alex glanced at
Lisa.
Lisa held out her hand. “I’m Lisa, I’d love to say I’m his
big sister but something tells me that that particular job was taken long
before I ever met him.” She smiled warmly.
Alex laughed and shook her head. “If he’s anything like he
used to be as a kid he needs all the level headed oversight he can get, I appreciate
you looking after him all these years.” They shook hands warmly. “Do you have anything
to do with his banishment ending?” She asked.
Lisa looked confused and Trent’s head dropped into his
hands. “Banishment?” Lisa said shooting a look at Trent.
Trent glared at Alex. “Yeah I hadn’t actually told her about
that part.” He whispered in Alex’s direction.
Alex looked shocked for about half a second then stood without
a word. Turned and addressed the entire establishment. “We’re closed. All your
tabs are settled. If word of the last five minutes leaves this room I will find
out where that word came from and they will be unwelcome in my house for the
rest of their lives.” The patron’s didn’t need the threat, they were all in
love with the establishment and most has at least a passing interest in Alex,
none had an interest in loosing access to one of Lidarion’s best kept secrets.
When the bar was empty except for the trio Alex moved to the
nearest window and pushed the curtain aside just enough to check the street and
make sure her patrons where shuffling on about their lives. “That won’t buy you
much cover, I can almost guarantee that at the very least one of the king’s
spies noticed that you have returned.” She looked as far down the street as she
could.
Lisa looked at Trent in shock. “Trent I’m sorry. When you
said you couldn’t come here you really meant it, I shouldn’t have pressured
you.”
Trent shook his head. “Lisa I can’t run away from this
forever, and now that most of the cards are on the table I might as well show
you the whole hand, the King’s reaction is the least of my worries.” He said
seriously.
“He’s coming.” Alex said moving away from the window.
Lisa watched as she returned to the table and waved her arms
to usher them behind the bar. “Who’s coming?” Lisa asked.
Trent got down on his knees behind the bar as Alex replied. “One
of the only two people who employ better spies than the king.” She said,
causing Lisa to scurry under the bar herself.
Alex disappeared from view and Lisa could hear her move
around the room cleaning table after table brining the items from each back to
the bar.
Lisa heard the front door open and a higher pitched voice
asked “Where is he Alex?” The voice asked.
She heard Lisa turn to address the new person. “Where’s who?”
She feigned ignorance poorly, even Lisa could hear the insincerity in her
voice.
Lisa looked at Trent who returned her glance with extreme nervousness.
“He’s here Lisa, why is he hiding?” The voice asked. She then
heard lighter heeled footsteps make their way toward the bar. Trent appeared to
be vibrating he was so Nervous. Looked down the opposite end of the bar to see
the wood wall that left no escape for them. Suddenly a gnome poked his head around
the open corner of the bar. “Trent what are you doing hiding under the bar?”
the gnome asked, then glanced at Lisa. “And who is your lady friend?” He asked
with more personal interest and less general curiosity.
Trent stood up and Lisa followed suit. “Squints! Sorry about
that, Alex and I were messing with Lisa.” Alex, Squints, and Trent smiled at
her. “Squint's this is Lisa, and she is very gullible.”
Lisa glared at him. “I hate you. Be honest, is the
banishment story even real?” she asked.
Trent nodded. “Very real. The king and I are not friends.”
Lisa moved back around the bar. “Then why not tell me that
before we left Saintcitia? Why risk what I’m assuming is a severe punishment
for me?” She asked.
