Chương 24: Reunion

Sara sat underneath a gazebo one week later, eating a tea cookie, staring out into the flower garden, wondering if Daniel's prophecy was true. (Now, he'll receive a prime post in the army when Roslain gets assassinated.) Sara hated Daniel Winter's guts. If she could, she'd hang him with his own intestines (metaphorically, obviously, but she did think in that manner). Sara had neither the patience nor the temperament to deal with someone like him, and she hated his teleportation skills.

Yet despite her loathing, she knew he was good at what he did, and he had to trust him when it came to time travel. Or, at least prepare for his premonitions to come true. That's why she wrote the king and told him that Nariko would retain his position so long as he was competent. If he was and Roslain successfully married and successfully conceived with Mikha Hikan, there would be no war.

Then, she could leave and go crypt diving, enjoy a brief respite building a new tavern with Kyritus, or just practice her sword swings and train. If Roslain were assassinated, it would be the perfect pretext for her to claim full control of the army without contest. I wonder if she'll really get assassinated, Sara wondered. She looked at the letter she was sent by King Escar three days ago. I have received your prophecy, and have increased Roslain's carriage security.

Aelia will personally escort her to the Hikan capital. No one will get near the carriage. Thank you for the warning. King Trinov Escar Well, my job's done. And now… we wait. She grabbed a cookie from the tray and then tossed it back. Please don't die. I just want to help Kyritus with his new tavern… Sara felt a sharp pang of pain when she thought about Kyritus. She needed him nearby. He needed his memories to return. His magic. His ability to practice his magic. Edico sat at the table across from her.

Despite being her personal guard, he was also her friend. He felt that way, so he had no problem sitting with her when she got lost in her thoughts.

"Roslain's made it three days without so much of a bandit attack," Edico said.

"I thought you'd like an update."

"I do, thank you," Sara said.

"Also…"

"I feel there's a 'But' in there."

"No 'but.' Just more personal. Kyritus and Tiber Senaco are in Miran. They're only twenty minutes away. I thought you'd like to hear that, too." Sara shot up.

"Already?"

"Guess he wanted to surprise you. He's already purchased a working tavern by stormhawk delivery. So, he's moving in."

"Oh. Wait! Why do you know about Kyritus?"

"I remember him. The memory triggered when you were both on that float."

"Oh… Thank {Delina} that the Chosens weren't there."

"Yeah. It would've been a problem. Anyway, scurry off. Just keep a low profile."

"Will do."

"Fucking dress." Sara was trying on dresses for the evening before she gave up, ripping off a cocktail dress that would've made a splash if she didn't find it so compressing. And why wear a dress to begin with? It was a Reaper tavern on the wrong end of town. She was just asking for trouble. Still, her last meeting with Kyritus was hardly romantic. She wanted him to see the best in her, and pray that he wouldn't change his mind. It was all pointless, though. She did her makeup anyway.

There were benefits, she decided, of fusing with her younger memories. The makeup she brought from home was so superior to what nobles had in Veridia that everyone who saw her realized that nobles were missing out on something incredible. Unfortunately for them, you can't recreate something you don't understand yourself, so they'd just have to deal.

Sara then, quite ironically, put on a masquerade mask and made her way to the carriage that would take her to Miran, the Southernlands capital city where Sara's new manor was located. She was wearing her cloak even then, remaining cautious, staring out the window, clutching a small book in her hand. She was going to read it to Tiber that night, and she prayed, wished, and yearned for the little girl to remember her.

The tavern was called Reaper's Road, a good name, Sara decided. She walked in and sure enough, things felt at home. She just walked in soon enough to watch a man get his shit rocked in a wrestling match with a hundred thirty pound woman. Mana reinforcement was allowed. Obviously. Four betters groaned as another two cheered, with two more rolling their eyes, likely her party members, who were slightly offended that anyone was excited she won, let alone was shocked and groaning about it.

The power differential was obvious to those in the know, and a mystery to those destined to lose one bar fight they couldn't get past. Sara sat at a long table between two groups of reapers, figuring if Kyritus was gonna surprise her, she was gonna surprise him. The plastered woman on her left immediately used Sara's shoulder to prevent falling, and the man to her right was a troll of a man who wouldn't stop laughing and slapping the table after everything people said. Sara didn't mind.

She was immersed in the new culture of Kyritus's bar, soaking it all in, wondering what it would be like to work there. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. A grizzled man to her left leaned in.

"You're in the wrong bar, kitty," he warned.

"Lurks are eyin' ya already. Best get out before nightfall." Sara sent a sidelong glance to a table of roughshod men eyeing her up and down.

"You know what I thought I'd never take for granted?" she asked.

"What?" he asked.

"A big hook scar," she said, tracing the line across her mountain lion mask before moving to her mouth.

"Cuts your looks to fractions. Gives you clout. Right now?" She eyed her hands.

"I might as well be a noblewoman." A man from the table must have taken her eye contact for interest because he walked up.

"Not to be presumptuous, but it's not safe here for someone like you."

"Young, pretty?" she asked.

"Humble, aren't you?"

"Not at all. Just reading your mind. It's not safe here: let's go somewhere safer. Maybe a house? Your house? Nah. It'd be a tavern, given the Inn key on your chain. So let's hit a 'safe bar' 'til I was drunk enough to find someone like you palatable. Something like that?" His lips curled downward.

"You tryin' to start a fight?"

"No. And that's a good thing, too. Because the fact that you can't tell the difference between the two of us just ensures I could knead your lungs like a slap of sourdough." The grizzled man who gave her the warning activated a divination spell, eyes shimmering before he shivered.

"Hey, look guy," he said nervously, standing up.

"She ain't jokin'. Make a move, I'll kill ya myself. Don't wanna get caught up in whatever she'll do to you." The house suddenly fell still, and Sara realized her anger problem was bearing its teeth and causing trouble from the get-go. Yet she didn't back down. Her pride didn't allow it. Tension increased in the room like a stretched rubber band, and for a moment, everyone expected a firm demonstration of violence. That's when Kyritus burst through the kitchen's door, singing a local's favorite.

"Selda rocks boats in Salimore Harbor," he sang.

"She's rocked every boat and she can't go farther. So she looks, looks around, from each son to father. Then takes back the spoils to Salimore Har…" He paused and looked around.

"What's going on?" His eyes moved from the fuming man before Sara to Sara herself. That's when the trouble began.

"Hey you!" He set the hot pot of stew on the bar, right on the new countertop.

"Get out!" The man turned to Kyritus with sharp eyes.

"Wait. Why?""'Cause I still need to paint this place, and crimson's not the color I'm choosin'!" Sara grinned. Kyritus was always great at finding ruthless things to say to rowdy patrons.

"What?" the lurker asked.

"You want some, too?" Sara could suddenly differentiate the reek of booze on the man's clothing from the bar. She hadn't even looked at him. Now that she had, she could see his bloodshot eyes.

"Sure thing," Kyritus said.

"It's always best to illustrate a new bar with a solid demonstration." The man tried to pull a dagger, but before he could, Kyritus used a basic acceleration spell to close the distance. He grabbed the man's right shoulder, pinning it in place to prevent the dagger drawing, and then punched the man in the stomach with a mana-reinforced fist. The man coughed up phlegm—down for the count. Unfortunately for him, Kyritus wasn't done with him.

Kyritus turned his body underneath the man's shoulder and flipped the man over his back, making the man crash into Sara's table. The impact was devastating. Brown mugs burst into splinters along with bowls. Silverware bent. Patrons jumped back. Sara didn't move. Her aura shield prevented a single drop from touching her cloak or mug. She just took another drink as others stumbled back.

"And here I was worried about you," Sara said lightly. Kyritus rolled his eyes and called out to the patrons.

"Run this guy's pockets and weapons. Tonight, everyone's eatin' on his tab." He pointed to a sign that read:"Fighting is permissible, but the loser pays for the food." Below it: (Clothing and weapons taken if the tab isn't covered by coinage.) A brief silence fell, then the house exploded with laughter and cheers.

"Hey, pretty lady," Kyritus said, motioning for a staffer to ladle out the hearty pot of stew to the patrons.

"What brings you to this… fine establishment?"

"A pretty boy like you," she said dryly.

"Thought someone like you wouldn't show up 'til the grand opening."

"Didn't think someone like you would buy a bar like this." Kyritus grinned.

"Let's drink."

"Let's." Twenty minutes later, Sara was whispering, "Where's Tiber?" and Kyritus was saying, "Asleep," as {Romantasy summarized Requirement.} {Pillow talk}. {Sara dresses.}"Tiber. Does she… remember me?"

"A little. Deja vu, mostly."

"You think that I can read her a children's book and trigger something?"

"It couldn't hurt to try."

"Then let's try." Sara sat beside Tiber's bed a few minutes later.

"How's it goin' little lady?" she asked. Tiber woke up.

"Uh… what?"

"Nothing. Hey. My name's Sara. You might not recognize me, but… I'm with Kyritus. I was hoping I could read you this book." She lifted a leather-bound tome.

"Kyritus reads to me. I don't like it."

"Why?""'Cause I don't understand the words. So many words." She rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"See, she doesn't sound like she's four," Kyritus whispered.

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Hey, can I ask a favor?" Sara asked. Tiber looked at Kyritus, who nodded.

"Sure."

"Let me read this to you. It's a bit young for a big girl like you, but the pictures are wonderful. Can I do that?" Tiber nodded.

"Okay. Let's begin." Sara sat in a chair and began.

"Once upon a time…" As Sara read, Tiber's eyes bubbled up with teary cataracts, tears spilling down her cheeks. Sara choked up, putting the book down when things became unbearable.

"S-Sara…" Tiber said. Sara swallowed down the pit in her throat.

"Tiber." Tiber threw her arms around Sara, and they shared what felt like the longest hug of Sara's life. It was… perfect. Perfect in a way that she didn't think anything would be so perfect. Sara might have been Kyritus' stepsister, but as far as either were concerned, Tiber Senaco was their daughter, and in the rarest form of best-case scenarios—Tiber remembered her. Sara and Tiber shared a sobbing contest. Sara won. Tiber didn't just remember: she did so healthily.

Tiber Senaco was tyrexis-free, destined to learn magic and live a long life. Sara Reece was determined to make that happen—at any cost.