Written January 27th 11:05 PM

The interviews had been dragging on for a couple hours. They had seen plenty of worthy candidates – for some reason, people were queuing up to work for them on a mountain top in the ass-end of nowhere. But Ailith’s attention was lagging, her leg shaking with the effort of staying in one spot for so long. The guy in front of them – Dalen, maybe? Ailith couldn’t remember his name – had brought buns into the interview, which had already cemented him as the favourite candidate for the Keep’s cook.

“How are you with vegetarian meals?” Ace asked on Ailith’s behalf.

“Oh, well I don’t have a lot of experience with that sort of thing, but I’d be willing to try…” Dalen’s voice faded as Ailith’s mind drifted, thinking of her favourite meals. Fried onions and mushrooms, creamy tomato soup, vegetable stew – all delicious enough to make her stomach growl. Except, it didn’t. Ailith wasn’t hungry at all, even though it had been hours since breakfast. Had she even eaten breakfast this morning?

Ailith looked down at the bun still sitting on the table in front of her. Sure, it looked pretty damn tasty, but she didn’t feel any real urge to eat it. In fact, casting her mind back, she couldn’t remember when she last felt hungry. The night before the battle with Hostrasz she ate her way through three helpings of the heroes feast, but since then… not much of anything. Huh. That’s new.

Dalen was still talking when Ailith brought her attention back to him, going on about who Ailith could only assume was his wife and her paintings. She felt Feyra lean in close to her, her breath tickling the skin below Ailith’s ear.

“Don’t worry, Ailith. I’ll make sure you eat,” Feyra all but purred, quietly enough that only Ailith heard. The quill in Ailith’s hand snapped clean in two – the only indication that Ailith heard Feyra at all. She felt everyone else’s eyes flick to her briefly, but she remained straight faced, feigning interest in Dalen’s answers.

Feyra moved away and Ailith could practically feel the smirk the redhead was trying to hide. A different kind of hunger grew in Ailith’s belly and she bit back a grin. These interviews couldn’t end fast enough.

Written January 22nd 2022 11:44 PM

“Ailith, come here now!”

All the air was suddenly gone from the room. Feyra looked over to where Xiv had yelled from and saw Ailith sprinting towards them, leaving Gregor stunned behind her. She watched as Xiv swung their hand at Ailith, the brunette dissolving into mist and disappearing through a hole in the wall after the vampire they had been fighting, all in a matter of seconds.

Panic.

The edges of her vision went white, and Feyra’s heart seized. She took a final shot at Gregor and then ran as fast as her feet could carry her to where Ailith had just been standing. She was vaguely aware of the rest of her friends taking down their former ally before running from the room, somehow magically tracking Ailith’s movements, but Feyra couldn’t leave. She wanted – no, she needed– to go after Ailith. She needed to make sure Ailith wasn’t about to be ambushed by more vampires.

Looking through the small hole, she could see that Ailith was too far ahead of her, and there was no way she would be able to follow after her, not with the magic and abilities available to her right then. Realizing what she needed to do, Feyra ran from the room, following her friends to where they had stopped in the yard behind the old manor.

“Just 60 feet down from here,” Ace was saying, trying to stay clam. Talus immediately started digging with his favourite pot, determined to get to Ailith. Feyra spotted Xiv standing apart from the other two and ran to them.

“I need to get down there, Xiv. What do you have that can get me there?” Feyra asked, eyes locked on the spot Ace was pointing at. She could feel Xiv studying her for a brief moment before nodding, apparently having pieced together what she was planning. They started pulling random supplies out of their bag and handing them to her. She just hoped the miscellaneous potions would actually help with whatever was waiting for her down there.

“I can cast haste on you, which will help get you there faster,” Xiv explained while digging through their bag. Feyra knew in that moment they were on the same page, and felt so much affection for the strange creature that had slowly become one of her closest friends. She began to ready herself to cast her spell, but the panicked voice of the young cleric interrupted her focus.

“Shouldn’t we just wait, or try to find another door in? Sending another person in could be bad. Or-” Ace didn’t get a chance to voice another option.

“I don’t care! I am not leaving her alone down there. I can’t! I just… I can’t leave her!” Feyra had never yelled like that at anyone, let alone Ace. She could see the hurt in Ace’s eyes, but nothing else mattered in that moment than getting to Ailith.

Feyra had never felt this sort of fear before. Sure, she had known fear – when she realized she had no memories of her childhood, when she found out Gallan had died and she was truly alone in the world. Even when she had to avenge her parents against the Corvus family, but all of that had been a different type of fear. This, right now with Ailith… this was like one of her senses had been taken away from her, and now part of her was unable to function. She had gotten used to Ailith’s presence, always beside her, always a constant, and now she would do anything she could to get it back.

Feyra felt Xiv casting their spell and felt a rush of adrenaline that she knew came with being hasted. She closed her eyes and completed her own incantation, feeling the strange weightless sensation of being ethereal washing over her. She let herself drop through the ground where Ace had pointed.

“I’m coming Ailith. Wait for me.”

Written January 22nd 2022 8:37 PM

If someone had told Ailith the day before that The First and Last were going to fight an elder red dragon, who had been blessed by the demon lord Grazz’t, and walk away from it unscathed – she would have punched them for lying.

But here they were, defeaters of Hostrasz, plunderers of his hoard, and heroes of Halophell. It didn’t feel real to Ailith as she walked through the army that had amassed to fight with them, soldiers and mages alike. All these people putting their faith in her and her friends, trusting them to lead them to victory – it was all a bit overwhelming.

The emperor was leading them to a makeshift stage in Salmaden’s town square, which had been their base of operations for months now. The townspeople were gathered around the perimeter as well, all craning to get a look at The First and Last.

“Everyone! If I could have your attention for just a moment!” Xernax’s voice cut through the crowd and silence fell swiftly. “Yesterday, we achieved a great victory, and we should all be proud of that.” A small cheer rose from the crowd, people slapping each other on the back in congratulations. “However, it should not come as no surprise that all this would not have been possible without the actions of this group of adventurers standing before you,” Xernax continued, gesturing at The First and Last. The five of them looked at each other, not quite sure where this was going. “It seems only fitting, that we acknowledge here today the heroic deeds of this group, and immortalize them forever. The First and Last – please kneel.”

Ailith’s heart lurched as she took a knee, the rest of her party doing the same next to her. Holy shit. Holy shit, gods above and below. Ailith cut a quick glance to where Feyra kneeled to her right, the redhead staring into the middle distance, face blank. No doubt she was anxious about the crowd watching them. Ailith reached out and squeezed her hand, Feyra’s eyes darting towards her the only sign she noticed at all.

“By the power vested in me by the empire of Exantir, I pronounce you: Ser Talus Skarnsson, of Ozryn.” Ailith turned her head to watch as Xernax summoned one of his daggers, bringing it down on Talus’s shoulders, one after the other. He moved down the line to Ace. “I pronounce you: Ser Aasimar, of Halophell.” The little girl’s smile was incandescent in it’s happiness. “I pronounce you: Ser Feyra Amberwood, of Dragontower.” Feyra only nodded, squeezing the blood out of Ailith’s hand. Ailith looked up as Xernax stepped in front of her, looking down at her with a slight grin on his face. She straightened up, head held high. “I pronounce you: Ser Ailith, of Kaskaden.” The dagger touched her shoulders and Ailith felt twin tears track down her face. Xernax moved on, repeating the process with Xiv. “I pronounce you: Ser Xiv, of Halophell. Rise, The First and Last – knights of Exantir.”

The crowd burst into cheers and applause as they stood, Ailith reaching for Xiv’s hand as well. Tears continued to fall, but Ailith didn’t care. She stood there, with her little family, as the people they had worked so hard to protect cheered them on. And she couldn’t imagine anywhere else she’d like to be in that moment.

Written January 22nd 2022 4:20 PM

Staring out over the water towards Kaskaden, Ailith was suddenly struck by the enormity of what they were about to do. They had all been talking about fighting Hostrasz for months, but it had been abstract, just an idea slowly turning into a plan. But now, they had planned. They had strategized, trained, practiced – and the time was finally upon them.

Behind her, the rest of The First and Last were checking their weapons and spell components while Thatcher and his men ran through their part of the plan one final time. All the moving parts of this plan had to go off without a hitch, otherwise it would all be for nothing, and Ailith couldn’t handle another futile battle.

“Alright, that’s as close as I can get you,” came Jack’s voice across the deck of the ship. “It’s up to you now, chaps. Best of luck.” The captain of the Disaster’s Mistress watched them from his place at the wheel, his voice remarkably calm for the situation they were in. I guess he isn’t the one putting himself in danger. He can afford to be flippant, Ailith thought to herself. She hoped she made it out alive just so she’d have another opportunity to punch Jack in his smug face.

Thatcher walked up to the railing, addressing the group now gathered around Ailith. “Remember, we’ve planned for this. Keep a level head, and we’ll make it out of this alive.” The small crowd grouped at the railing all nodded solemnly, knowing full well there was a high chance not all of them would be walking away from this. Xiv moved through the crowd, passing out their water breathing potions. Taking his own, Thatcher bobbed his head in thanks before shooting it back. The rest of them did the same, grimacing against the slimy texture of the potion.

“Okay,” Thatcher called out. ” Let’s get a move on!” Thatcher and his men climbed over the side of the ship, dropping into the water below. Their heads bobbed in the waves as they waited for The First and Last to join them. One by one, Talus, Ace, and Xiv clambered over the railing, dropping into the water and disappearing beneath the surface. As Feyra made to swing her leg over the side, Ailith grabbed her arm.

“What are you doing? We have to go,” Feyra asked, looking at where Ailith’s hand rested on her arm in confusion.

“I know, I just…” Ailith brought her hand up to Feyra’s face, brushing an errant piece of hair behind her ear. This could be it. This could be it and I don’t want you moving on from this plane without knowing my intentions. “We don’t know how this is going to go. I have a question I want to ask you, after this, and I’d really like an answer. So I guess what I’m saying is… Just be careful. Okay?”

Feyra looked up at her, brow furrowed. Ailith didn’t look away, like if she just looked at Feyra hard enough the half-elf would understand. I want forever with you. I want the world to know that I’m yours and you’re mine.

“Okay,” Feyra murmured. “Only if you promise the same.” Ailith smiled then, leaning in to seal the promise with a kiss.

“I promise.”

Written January 20th 2022 12:20 AM

It wasn’t often that Ailith thought she had a good idea, let alone a brilliant one. It had been weeks of trekking through the Under, surviving by the skin of their teeth, before they came to Baliganromus, an real city where they could resupply and rest in an actual building. It was here that Ailith had planned on surprising Feyra with something that maybe, just maybe, would allow them to touch each other without the redhead hissing in pain.

Ailith’s solution was quite simple, really: gloves. She didn’t know if it would work, but it was worth a shot. She’d try anything, at this point. What she hadn’t counted on was Feyra having the exact same idea, and beating her to it.

“How much for the gloves?” Feyra asked, already rummaging through her coin purse.

“Feyra, I can buy the gloves, I was already planning on-” Ailith cut herself off when Feyra’s eyes cut to hers, blazing with something Ailith couldn’t decipher.

“Ailith. Let me buy the gloves. Please.”

Seeing that there was no room for negotiation, Ailith raised her hands in surrender. “Okay, you can buy the gloves,” she conceded, gesturing at the dark elf waiting impatiently for payment.

Feyra merely nodded, handing the elf a couple coins in exchange for the two pairs of spiderhide gloves. “Here,” she said, offering Ailith a pair. Ailith didn’t waste a second putting them on, flexing her hands inside the soft leather. She waited for Feyra to do the same, heartrate accelerating in anticipation.

What if it didn’t work. What if whatever dark magic had cursed Feyra had taken loopholes like this into consideration, and they were doomed to an existence of never touching again? Feyra cleared her throat and Ailith shook away the panic laced thoughts clouding her mind. “If it still hurts, you have to tell me,” Ailith demanded. “Promise me.”

Feyra nodded, reaching out her hands to Ailith. Ailith kept eye contact with the redhead as she slowly took hold of her hands, watching for any sign of pain. She heard Feyra release a slow breath, a look of relief coming over her face. “It doesn’t hurt.” Feyra’s voice was full of wonderment and Ailith’s heart soared. “There’s an ache, but Ailith, it doesn’t hurt. Not like before, I swear!”

Ailith clutched Feyra’s hands tighter, tears pricking her eyes. “Thank the gods!” She exclaimed, a grin splitting her face at the sheer excitement lighting up Feyra’s face. She turned back to where the dark elf still stood, watching the whole exchange with raised brows. “Thank you so much for these, truly,” Ailith said earnestly before pulling Feyra down the street, never letting go once. She didn’t plan on letting go for a long while yet.

“Topsiders,” the elf muttered to themselves, shaking their head at the retreating figures.

Written January 4th 2022

Everyone was gathered around the long wooden table in Feyra’s family dining room. The First and Last were joined by various members of their so-called “war council” discussing the upcoming battle against Hostras. They almost had a plan ironed out, and for once it sounded like a good one.

“We should have those with magic positioned carefully. They’re powerful, but vulnerable,” Ailith explained, gesturing at the map she had quickly sketched out. “As for us: Talus is built like a brick wall, Feyra can stay out of harms way, and Xiv and Ace will have their magic – which will be a lot more useful than anything I can come up with.” Ailith gave a self-deprecating laugh that was abruptly cut off by a loud bang!

Startled, everyone turned to where Feyra was lifting her hand off the table, flexing her fingers. “Ailith, my love, I swear to all the gods that if you say that one more time I will scream.” Feyra’s voice was low and deathly soft as she spoke, her gaze fixated on her now reddened palm. “It makes me so mad how you just refuse to see how incredible you are. You are constantly saying that you are nothing, or you have nothing, and that is just fucking bullshit.

“When we were in that arena, I threw every single bit of ‘special’ I could think of at you, and yet I couldn’t even get a scratch on you. You took me out without even blinking! If you are ‘nothing,’ then what the fuck does that make me? Less than nothing, I guess. So stop. Just stop, because ‘nothing’ and ‘less-than-nothing’ are not going to win in the battles we have coming, and I an already too scared without going into them thinking I am less than nothing. So please, just stop.” There was a beat of shocked silence as Feyra finally looked up, catching Ailith’s slack jawed gaze. Ailith could feel all the eyes in the room turn to her as Feyra got up without another word and swept from the room. Ailith heard someone that sounded suspiciously like Xiv clear their throat and break the awkward quiet as she blinked in confusion.

“If you’ll all excuse me, I should, um…” Ailith didn’t finish her sentence before she followed after Feyra, listening to the other woman’s footsteps as they echoed along the upstairs corridor. Ailith climbed the stairs slowly, giving Feyra time to gather her thoughts. She couldn’t believe Feyra reacted that way, that she thought she was- it was useless to point fingers or lay blame. The only thing to do was talk about it, as much as both Ailith and Feyra might dislike the idea.

Ailith knocked softly on the door to their shared bedroom before entering. Feyra was sat on the bed, elbows on her knees and head bowed. Ailith moved to lean against the far wall to give Feyra any space she might need. She waited for a few seconds to see which of them was going to speak first. When Feyra didn’t move, she decided to put them both out of their misery. “Feyra,” she began softly, “where did that come from back there?”

Feyra finally moved, looking at Ailith from beneath her lashes. “You’re always saying you’re nothing, that you’re useless and I just couldn’t listen to it anymore,” she explained, voice quiet. “I shouldn’t have said anything in front of everyone, but I couldn’t just sit there and let you say such things about yourself, not again.” Feyra’s gaze dropped again, but not before Ailith caught the shimmer of tears in them.

Ailith moved then, kneeling in front of Feyra and taking her hands in her own. “Feyra, no. I wasn’t- I just meant that I would need Xiv or Ace to shield me somehow. I don’t have any armour and I need to fight up close, that’s all I meant, I swear.” Ailith brought Feyra’s hands up to her mouth, kissing the knuckles softly. “Do you believe me?” Feyra only nodded in response, a few tears falling off her lashes. Ailith frowned up at her. “What is it, love?”

“I just-” Feyra pulled her hands out of Ailith’s and flailed them about in an attempt to catch her thoughts. “You are so much. You are capable of so much, and you could do anything you want, be anything you want and you’re stuck- you choose to be with me.” Ailith sat back on her heels as she processed Feyra’s words.

“So, what? You think I’ll get… bored of you?” Ailith’s heart cracked the tiniest bit at Feyra’s small nod, at the fresh tears on her cheeks. “Feyra, no. No, love that’s not- that could never happen. Listen to me,” Ailith hooked a finger under Feyra’s chin, forcing her gaze up to her own, “you are the best, most important thing in my life. How could I ever get bored of you?

“I wasn’t a good person, before you. I never cared about anyone but myself, I only saw people for what they could offer me. You changed that. You care so deeply about us, about Ace, about me. That is not boring.” Ailith felt tears building in her eyes, but she couldn’t drag herself away from Feyra’s green gaze. “I was so lonely, for so long. I never knew pleasure, just pain and hardship. Meeting you – being with you – has shown me that life can be bright, and happy, and good. That there may be pain, but it can coexist with love. That is not boring.

“You do not bore me, Feyra. You are my heart, and I love you. I want to be with you, I choose to be with you because of who you are, not in spite of it. Do you hear me?” Ailith was fully crying now, hands too busy cupping Feyra’s face to wipe the tears away. “Feyra, do you hear me?” The redhead didn’t answer. Instead, she brought her hands up to Ailith’s face and thumbed away the tears that were still falling. Ailith opened her mouth, to say what she didn’t know, but before anything could come out, Feyra was pulling her into a kiss.

Ailith let out a muffled squeal of surprise as Feyra fisted her hand in Ailith’s hair, pulling the brunette up to her level. Ailith lost herself in Feyra’s hands and lips, and found herself again with Feyra’s tongue on her skin and her legs wrapped in hers. They were always better at action than words, anyway.