Skit's Tale

Okay, well before I start with the adventures we had together, maybe I should tell you about the ones she had before?

But, before that, let me tell you what happened next;

Like I wrote last time, after Kha'juul took over for us, me and Zip were sent with Jakob and Mr. Voluminous. Jakob was a weird dwarf. Mr. Voluminous was a friendly human. He liked to talk, like a lot. But, he was very nice to us. They took us to an Inn Jakob had purchased on their last visit to this village. It wasn't open yet. But, I guess if you own it, it doesn't really matter. They let us use our own room and gave us anything we needed. Like food and stuff. They said we'd just wait there a bit, and Ms. Kha'juul would be back soon with our friend.

Well, 'soon' isn't what I'd call it. We didn't see them again until later the next morning. As the story was explained to me much later;

They got to the square were Rylly was tied up. There was only one guard watching her. Juli introduced herself to Rylly. Saying something like; "Is your name really, Rylly?" Rylly really doesn't like being called Rylly, but she knew right away she came from us. Juli (also doesn't like being called Juli) asked her if she wanted and accepted her help. Well, of course she said yes. Which meant she was under Juli's protection. Which I guess meant she wasn't really an adult.

So, Juli told the guard to let her go! That they couldn't treat a child like this. I bet that guy was pretty scared. Mom can get frighteningly scary. Especially when it's that cold scary.

Didn't help though. He didn't have the key. He couldn't leave, to go ask the person with the key. And, if they didn't have a really good reason to bother them, this late in the day, they probably wouldn't help anyway. That's the guy who had the key. The guard also told her that he understood her anger. He had daughters too. He couldn't let her out by himself. But, he'd take Juli to the magister in the morning. He also gave them as much privacy as he was able.

So, Juli stayed with Aryll all night. Keeping watch over her. Getting her food and drink. Keeping her warm and as comfortable as possible. And, they talked. Aryll confessed exactly what she had done. What she was accused of. And sentenced for. Stealing a small stale loaf of bread. Because she was hungry. Me and Zip were hungry. Because she couldn't find any other way. Because she was poor and alone and probably not a human, the town masters were making an example of her.

Kha'juul said; stealing is a serious crime. But, not as serious as denying food to starving children. Or, assaulting them with the intent to injure. They weren't going to hurt her. She'd make sure of it.

In the morning, they did go to the magistrate. Well, Aryll didn't. But, you figured that out already. Juli told them that they were about to hurt a kid. That they had already mistreated one. That she wouldn't let them do further harm.

Somebody supposedly asked her if she'd take the whipping instead. Well, good thing Elder Mal was with her then, 'cause she was about to start solving problems her usual way... Mal had them summon the injured baker. He offered him a platinum coin, if he'd retract his charges. That's like 1000 times the cost of that crummey bread! The greedy baker quickly accepted. And, they let Aryll go under the protection of Kha'juul.

Mom made a big point of making sure we understood, when she told us this story, that Aryll walked out of that place under her own power. And, she gave Elder Mal all the credit. He wouldn't even let either of them pay him back.

Aryll maintains her own opinion, even now.

When they got back to Jacob's Inn, everyone was very glad. Obviously, me and Zip seeing Aryll safe. Aryll seeing us. Juli reuniting us. And, even Jakob. I think Zip was starting to annoy him. Okay, me too.

Aryll got her very own room. We had already put her stuff in there for her. Juli got her a new dress and grooming supplies. And a ewer of hot water and a basin to wash up in. Oh, and food and drink of course. She was basically told; to rest and relax. Just concentrate on caring for herself.

Kha'juul tried to give her time and space. But, she also wanted to make sure she was comfortable. That she felt okay. That she had everything she needed. And, Juli needed to sleep too. She needed to care for herself. I think even she was surprised how easy she found it to put others' needs before her own. Like, it wasn't a thing she was used to.

Meanwhile, me and Zip were well rested. Well fed. And even cleaned. We had the whole night before. So, even though we knew Aryll and Juli were sleeping. That they needed to rest. Well, the best excuse I can think of; we got bored.

About the eighth or eleventh time we were chasing each other up and down the stairs. Completely ignoring Jakobs words, wishes, and commands, she reappeared.

Now you probably know; dwarves are kinda a stuffy lot. They really are into rules and honor. Personal and clan. Growing up around them, I kinda was known as an unruly troublemaker. Their discipline methods mostly focused on shame and restitution. Not things that meant much to me.

But, Kha'juul had already hit me once. Kinda. I did have a strong impression that her discipline would be much more; hands on. I wasn't wrong.

I sassed something stupid back towards Jakob. Zip laughed. Walking away from the dwarf landlord, we collided with an annoyed Kha'juul. Her angry hiss stopped us dead still even before we turned to her angry toothy grimace. We were in a lot of danger. And, we all knew it.

Before I had the chance to say something stupid, she had her hands on both Zip's and my ear. The amount of pain she could inflict with just two fingers, albeit on a very sensitive spot, was breathtaking. And, eye watering.

In a very low, quiet hiss she commanded just three words; "Go. Play. Outside."

We couldn't get away from her fast enough. We enthusiastically directed ourselves outside as soon as she released her hold.

I didn't know what to think of her yet. But, I was definitely learning; not to cross her.