Stable Introductions

Written by KingMe

Sev pockets the hearthstone while looking to the Tauren and tosses her head in the direction of the elves, nodding that they should follow them. Sweeping her arm out in front of her, Sev tosses a wink to him and says, "Big boys first."
With a roll of the eye and a snort of air, that had she been asked to describe Sev would swear was a chuckle, the Tauren lumbers down the walkway after the other half of their party.
In an about-face, he trails after the others, and Sev silently falls into step—just behind his elbow—and holds her eyes forward, seeking neither introduction nor distraction of conversation.
This is too much space for the bull, who gruffly says, “I am the Seasoned Mignon Ragepelt Skychaser. Who are you?” Not so much unwelcoming in tone, more out of practice.
As they pull up even with Kinzin and the other elf, Sev responds, “Hello, Mignon, Kinzin, my name is Sevienne, but what’s the point of formality when we’re about to get cozy on ship—call me Sev. Or Mistress, whatever makes you comfortable.”
A pinkening of cheeks greets her in response and she continues, “And what’s your name, little one?” The troubled elf snaps from his trance with a screech and a death stare thrown at Sev.
Sev returns his glare with a smirk, but before he can act on any of the thoughts that race through his mind, Kinzin places an arm back around his shoulders and addresses Sev saying, “Raven. His name is Raven.”
And with that, they arrive at the stables, to a scene of utter chaos. The previously stoic steward of the manor—who demanded all their mounts be left in his control—now stamps his foot and shouts at the camel sitting like a dog on its hind legs and absolutely loses all sense of composure as a glob of camel cud splats directly between his eyes.
From behind them comes a soft chuckle that ends with a cough when the group turns to find a troll. Roughly dressed and visibly scarred from what Sev assumes are the rewards of young defiance, the troll clears his throat and addresses the priestess, “Mistress.”
This brings an approving smile to her lips as she addresses the group, “It would appear the fearless steward of this manor has graciously readied our beasties. Shall we off?” Sev dips her head in invitation to the others to walk before her. As they each move to greet their trusty companions, Sev turns back to the stable hand.
“Tell me, how long have you served the Bloodcraft Manor?” She lifts her arm in offer of the traditional greeting of her people. Recognizing the gesture, the younger troll relaxes some of his tension at the almost forgotten familiarity of his people.
“Half my life—if you can call this existence by such a name.” Where most would look away, this young man looks directly into Sev’s eyes.
“Here, away from the forest of your people, owned by an old hag, no. But perhaps your future has something else in mind.” Sev doesn’t blink as she speaks, and at his look of interest at her words, she continues, “I have a favor I’d like to ask of you. I don’t take the debt of favors lightly, so know that if you help me, I will return the kindness.”
His eyes deepen in color at the possibilities of her offer and he nods his head as he says, “Ask.”
Pleased once more by his eagerness—it’s too bad she can’t take him with her for the journey—Sev asks, “First, may I know your name?” He halts for a second, as if confused by the question, before finally responding, “I believe my mother called me Strong Oak, but here I’m called Muck.” For the first time, he looks away.
Sev raises his chin to look at her and speaks softly, “Strong Oak is your name, and no one can strip that from you, no matter what name they call you. Now, for that favor: do you know the fastest way to the harbor? One that the madam of the manor and her spying eyes might not know of?”
Strong Oak nods, “There is a way, through the woods, if you have ink and paper, I can draw it for you.” Sev pulls both from her satchel and watches as her newfound ally roughly sketches a path through a forest. Folding the pen inside the paper, he closes her fingers around it and insists, “You must leave quickly. Once the sun sets, there will be many things in the woods that will find interest in your presence.”
Nodding, Sev raises his palm to her lips and kisses his scars. “Thank you. You will see me again. After all, I can’t allow you to be in debt to me. Till then, Strong Oak of the mighty Amani.”