Lawless Land - Nowhere Inn - Xander:

  As the group approached the Nowhere Inn, midday drew near, bright sun and mountain winds greeting their arrival.

  The Nowhere Inn was massive—built from brown Hime wood. Windows lined every room. The roof was made out of slate stone. A deck wrapped around the building with gold-painted railings.

  Xander turned in his saddle to look at the group. “Come on, we’re almost at the checkpoint.”

  Thank the gods we’re almost at this stupid place. My ass is killing me from riding this horse. We’ve been riding for two moons with little to no breaks. So close! Carly smiled as they approached the checkpoint.

  “Halt!” one of the mercenaries yelled. He wore gray steel armor with leather underneath, holding a pike as he surveyed the group. “Where y’all coming from?”

  “Dela Mar,” Ambrose said, staring at the mercenary.

  “Ah, I see. Alright, how long y’all staying?”

  “Not sure...” Ambrose looked at the group, then back at the mercenary. “I think a moon or two.”

  “Very well.” The mercenary moved aside and gestured them through.

  Xander nodded as he entered the courtyard. The others followed. The group dismounted as stable masters approached to take their horses.

  “Oh wow.” April’s eyes widened. “I was expecting a broken-down inn, but this is a beautiful town.”

  “It’s beautiful because lords all over the world helped build it,” Ambrose said, riding up next to April.

  The stable looked like it could house noble horses, all gleaming timber and copper roofing. Even the blacksmith shop had artistic metalwork decorating its walls, with polished windows displaying high-end weapons and armor.

  “Oh wow.” April’s eyes widened. “I was expecting a broken-down inn, but this is a beautiful town.”

  “It’s beautiful because lords all over the world helped build it,” Ambrose said, riding up next to April.

  The stable looked like it could house noble horses, all gleaming timber and copper roofing. Even the blacksmith shop had artistic metalwork decorating its walls, with polished windows displaying high-end weapons and armor. Shops, stables, and trader caravans filled the surrounding area.

  “Ambrose, come with me and show me around. Since Xander is being... Xander,” April said.

  “We don’t have time for sightseeing,” Xander said firmly. “We need to get settled. Everyone is tired and hungry.”

  “Fine!” April’s belly growled loudly. She looked at Ambrose. “I guess eating would be great.”

  “Thank the gods we’re here, even if it took two more moons than Ambrose said,” Carly said with a weary tone.

  April giggled at Carly’s complaint.

  “Why are you laughing at me, April?” Carly snapped.

  “You’ve been complaining for the last two moons about the riding—and skinning that wild pig,” April said, still giggling.

  Dez, who had been quietly observing, chimed in. “The pig was good though, Carly. Even if it was wild.”

  Carly shot Dez a look but couldn’t quite hide a small smile. “I suppose it was decent enough.”

  “Hey, Ambrose... I just realized we have to get our stuff from the horses. I think we have to pay the stable master for care,” Xander said, scratching his long blonde hair.

  “Shit... I think you’re right. Hey!” Ambrose called out to the stable master. “I need to pay you!”

  The stable master turned and walked back over to the group. “How long you staying for?”

  “One moon, good sir!” Ambrose replied cheerfully.

  The stable master looked at Ambrose. “That’ll be five silver mets for food, drink, and housing.”

  Ambrose reached for the satchel at his waist, rummaging in it for a moment. “Good sir, how about one gold met?” he offered.

  “That’s too much. I don’t have change for that,” the stable master said, hesitating.

  “No worries, keep the change,” Ambrose said with a smile, patting the stable master on the back. He turned to the group. “Alright, let’s unpack our stuff so the stable master can feed and cool down our horses.”

  As the group unpacked their belongings from their horses, April gazed to the north with a mix of curiosity and concern.

  “Why is the lightning red, and the sky purple and green? Are those clouds? Why does that side of the mountain have snow while the other doesn’t?” April asked.

  The stable master began, “You’re near the Cruel Ruins. During the First Great War, Ash, Kelston and Silas, now known as Cruel Ruins, fought over land of what we call Land of Lawless.”

  April put her hand on her chin. “My father told me about the First Great War. He wasn’t born yet, but I never heard of red lightning and purple and green skies.”

  “Victor Sir’goles began the First Great War,” the stable master continued. “He was able to unite all the tribes in Silas and wage war on Kelston and Ash.” Dez’s eyes narrowed slightly at this information.

  “In the end, legend has it that Xander Blight ended the first great war with a peace treaty. The treaty was with Husku, who leads The Grand Order ruling Kelston, and King Bellier of Ash.” At this time, Ambrose shifted uncomfortably, sneaking a quick glance at where Xander had been standing.

  The stable master continued his story. “Victor Sir’goles didn’t like his new country lines. He accepted them and then waged war on Dela Mar. From the texts I read, Dela Mar was able to push them back into Silas and kill Victor Sir’goles, but at a cost. According to the ancient elven text, Xander Blight did a spell called Godfall.”

  Dez’s eyes narrowed further at this information, a flicker of recognition crossing her face.

  “Wait one second,” she said, her voice tinged with confusion. “The First Great War took place around three hundred seventy-five thousand years ago. You said Xander Blight did a spell called Godfall?” April scratched her head. “Xan—”

  April turned, expecting to see Xander’s reaction, but only found empty space where he had been standing. Her eyes widened. “Xander?” she called, scanning the area. “Where did he go?”

  The stable master replied, “The big guy? He walked off to the inn midway through my story. The spell Godfall, from all those years ago, caused the wild weather and seasons over in Silas. It also left a crater the size of the Kingdom of Osiris in Ash.”

  April looked shocked, while Dez’s eyes lit up with interest.

  “Of course, these are just old tales,” Ambrose said nervously. He glanced around, as if worried someone might overhear.

  “Ambrose, these stories are—” April began, but Ambrose quickly cut her off.

  “Come on now, let’s head to the inn,” he said, a hint of urgency in his tone. “We haven’t eaten yet, and I’m starving. We can discuss... Other matters... Later.”

  “But... Ambrose, I feel like you’re hiding something.”

  “April, we can talk about it later. Good, thank you for your story,” Ambrose said to the stable master.

  The stable master nodded and walked back to the horses.

  April, Ambrose, Carly, and Dez entered the inn. Despite the bright midday sun outside, the interior was dim and smoky. The room buzzed with conversations and the clink of tankards.

  April looked around at the heavily armed mercenaries posted everywhere. “There are so many guards here. Who do they work for?”

  “No one in particular,” Ambrose replied. “They’re mercenaries—no allegiance to any country. Now come on, let’s get something to eat before it gets late.” He gently touched Carly’s lower back, smiling at her. She returned a half-smile.

  As they moved further into the inn, April looked around and spotted Xander sitting with a man who had long red hair. “Xander is over there!” she pointed out. The group looked over to where April was pointing.

  “Do you know who that man is, sitting with Xander?” April asked Ambrose as they walked closer.

  “I think—” Ambrose began but stopped short as they approached. The stranger’s face was clenched in fear.

  Xander’s eyes darted to the right as he saw his friends approaching. “I was telling Hawk Blade that his friend’s burnt corpses are west from here, about two moons away,” Xander said, his tone stern.

  Hawk Blade remained silent, his face still frozen in fear.

  “Xander, did you say Hawk Blade? The bandit leader of the Red Anchor?” Ambrose asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  Xander continued to stare at Hawk Blade. “Correct, Ambrose. Hawk Blade was just leaving.”

  Hawk Blade turned his head, but his eyes never left Xander. “Hey, Spaz—it’s time to leave,” he called to one of his men.

  Xander maintained his piercing gaze as Hawk Blade stood, and his men began to gather around. “This isn’t over, Xander!” Hawk Blade grinned as his group surrounded Xander and his companions.

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  April moved closer to Xander. He slowly rose, his fist clutching the table, eyes never leaving Hawk Blade. “I’ll be waiting,” Xander said intensely.

  Hawk Blade’s grin widened. “I’ll take my leave. Spaz, pay the innkeeper. This should cover the cost.” He tossed a bag of mets to one of his men.

  As Hawk Blade turned to leave, his grin turned sadistic.

  “I’m not shocked to see Hawk Blade here,” Dez said coolly.

  “Why?” Carly asked, worry in her voice.

  “Because he’s wanted in all of Dela Mar and Ash,” Ambrose said. “This land is perfect for him to hide out.”

  “Why do you sound concerned, love?” Carly asked.

  Ambrose looked at Carly. “Nothing,” he said quietly, but his eyes said otherwise.

  Xander started to walk towards the innkeeper.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Dez said under her breath.

  “Hello, sir! It will be five silver mets for your room tonight,” the innkeeper said politely.

  “I need four rooms,” Xander replied.

  “Oh, I see. I didn’t realize you were part of that group. Unfortunately, I only have two rooms left.”

  “I’ll take them,” Xander said, patting his waist for a satchel.

  A hand holding a satchel appeared in front of him. Xander looked to his right.

  “Xander, you don’t have money,” Ambrose said, his face blank.

  Xander slowly took the satchel from Ambrose’s hand and tested its weight. “Ambrose, it feels light?”

  “It wouldn’t if you didn’t eat so much. There would be more mets in that bag,” Ambrose said nonchalantly.

  Xander burst out laughing, and Ambrose followed.

  “Excuse me, sir! Do you still want these two rooms? That’s ten silver mets,” the innkeeper interrupted.

  “Yes!” Xander handed the innkeeper one gold mets.

  The innkeeper examined the gold mets. “I-I don’t have change for that,” he stuttered.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Ambrose said confidently with a smile. “Just bring us plenty of food and ale.”

  “Of course!” the innkeeper replied, handing Xander two keys.

  Xander and Ambrose turned around to find Dez, Carly, and April standing shoulder to shoulder, clearly displeased.

  “Hi ladies, what’s wrong?” Ambrose said nervously, scratching the top of his head.

  “We took the last two rooms,” Ambrose said pleadingly.

  “This massive inn has no rooms left?” April’s voice grew louder.

  “That’s correct,” Ambrose confirmed.

  “This is bullshit! How are we deciding who’s in what room?” April yelled.

  “I don’t need sleep,” Dez interjected. “I can roam the area until first light or midmorning.”

  “Well, that’s settled,” Ambrose said nervously. “Carly and I can take a room, and um... You two can share a room.”

  Xander and April looked at each other, a hint of fear in Xander’s face.

  “Let’s go, April. We’re in room fifty three,” Xander said, tossing Ambrose his key.

  “Wait, Xander, let’s talk about this!” April called, walking quickly to catch up to Xander.

  “There’s nothing left to talk about. Come on, we have three flights of stairs to climb,” Xander said hastily.

  “Come on Carly, let’s go to our room,” Ambrose said, glancing at his key. “It looks like we’re next to them at fifty four.”

  As the group climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway, Carly and April’s faces lit up. The hallway was perfectly illuminated by candles placed at each door, casting a warm glow over the ornate surroundings.

  “Here is our room, April.” Xander walked to the door. “Let me check the room first.” His shoulders tensed as he opened it with the key. His eyes scanned the room quickly before stepping inside.

  “Come on, Carly. Our room is right next door,” Ambrose said.

  As Xander and April entered their room, April ran her hand over the door. “Hey Xander, are these doors steel?”

  “No, these are titanium,” Xander replied. “Why do you think the doors are made of such metal?”

  “I don’t know. My guess is that since this place is located in the heart of one of the most violent areas in the world...” Xander trailed off as he wandered around the room.

  “You’re probably right,” April said under her breath as she grabbed the candle from outside of the room. “Here, you’ll need this to light the other candles.” She passed it to Xander.

  Xander began lighting a few of the candles. “This should be good enough for us to see.”

  April’s eyes lit up as she examined the dimly lit room. Ornate tapestries adorned the walls, and a large, inviting bed dominated the space. She dropped her traveling pack on the bed and darted to the bathroom. “WOW! Xander, look at this tub! The tub is made out of silver and the legs are gold. Xander, how do we get warm water in here?”

  Xander shook his head as he began setting up his pelts.

  “Hey, Xander!” April peeked her head out as Xander unpacked his sleeping kit on the floor. “Xander, the bed is big enough for both of us. We both can sleep in it.”

  Xander chuckled as he continued to set up his bed.

  April strode out of the bathroom, her hands on her hips. “Hey, I am talking to you.”

  Xander’s jaw clenched as he arranged his bedding. He didn’t look up. “April, you know why we can’t sleep in the same bed.”

  “No, I don’t,” April snapped.

  Xander’s hands froze on the pelt. He took a quick breath and met her gaze. “We talked about this.”

  “No, you talked about my father’s blessing. Which is bull.” April’s face reddened. “Why can’t you sleep in the bed? The great Xander Blight affa—”

  “You think this is easy?” Xander stood suddenly, his voice loud. “Did you ever think about how I feel?”

  April stepped back. “How would I know? You never say!”

  Xander paused, still kneeling beside his makeshift bed. Then he slowly rose to his full height. He stalked around the bed, his eyes never leaving April before lowering to the edge of it, now at eye level with her.

  “You want to know?” Xander’s voice went quiet. His eyes, usually hard, look troubled. “April, you’re beautiful. Strong. Smart. Kind, with that stern edge.” He paused, swallowed. “But when I look at you... It’s not just your father. It’s who I am. What I’ve done.”

  “Xander, that’s NOT your feelings! That’s you telling me what you think of me!” April’s voice climbed.

  Xander sighed, taking a deep breath. He returned to his pelt, continuing to make his bed.

  “Of course, the great Xander Blight closing off his feelings. Oooh, I am the great Xander Blight, I can’t talk about how I feel about a pretty girl,” April mocked.

  “You want to know how I feel? I want you so badly it hurts, April. But I’m still in love with my wife, even though I’m furious with her.”

  April’s face froze, her lips trembling. “Oh” she said softly before looking to the ground. Tears fell down her fair cheeks.

  “Look, I am sorry… Hey.” He grabbed her chip and lifted it up high, wiping her tears away. “Head up high. You will find someone soon that will take care of you and love you. Trust me?”

  “Okay” April says softly.

  “Can we still sleep in the same bed?” She chuckled.

  Xander looked at April and shook his head. He stood and took a few steps to the window, looking out at the red lightning from the Cruel Ruins.

  “Hey, Xander, why did you walk away when the stable master was talking about the First Great War?”

  “Come here, April,” Xander said softly.

  “Okay, okay, relax.” April approached Xander as he pointed towards the lightning. “Okay, red lightning. Yes, it’s cool. Why are you pointing at this?”

  “I did that, April.”

  “The crater... The red lightning... All of it?”

  “The stable master’s story was mostly correct. I did a spell called Godfall. A thing named Victor Sir’goles, after the treaty and when he declared war. He did something in between all of that.”

  April stepped back. “What happened in between?”

  Xander whirled, enraged. “He fucking killed my wife!” He glanced down, jaw and fists clenched. “He fucking killed her in Rinlith, at my homestead. My father Raylith wouldn’t declare war on Victor Sir’goles.”

  So everything is true then... He really did turn Silas into the Cruel Ruins. Rithlith is now Dela Mar. April walks towards Xander.

  Xander relaxed slightly. “I convinced Rose—didn’t take much. We gathered our platoons and marched into Silas. I was young—took something called the Creator Armor from my father, without his permission. I already had my sword, Edith. We unleashed hell on the country. Millions died in our wake.”

  April froze.

  Xander continued, his voice hollow, “Edith became a spear, gold and white zeal pouring into it from the Creator Armor. Something told me to throw it as high and hard as I could. When Edith hit the sky, everything changed. Red lightning, red snow falling. Victor Sir’goles tried to escape. I chased him through the battlefield.

  Once Edith hit the ground, it leveled everything within fifty clicks. A giant gold-yellow explosion, then a shockwave affecting eighty percent of Silas. No survivors besides me in the fifty clicks. Victor Sir’goles, his men, and my...” Xander clutched his fist and jaw again. “My men were gone too.”

  April wiped at the tears trickling down her cheeks. “Xander, I am-”

  “No,” Xander interrupted, tears in his eyes. “You don’t get to feel sad or sorry for me. You wanted me to talk about my feelings. Now you can live in it with me.”

  He continued, his voice raw, “Rose found me in the crater the next afternoon. After making sure Victor Sir’goles was dead, we rode back to Rinlith. Our father told us to leave, go help in Boony Kingdom in Ash since we wanted to play in wars so much. After we left, The Grand Order—or an assassin—killed our father. Dela Mar went to war with The Grand Order. Rinlith was changed to Dela Mar, and the Blight family lost their crown.”

  April’s tears continued. “Why did you tell me all of this?” she said softly, stuttering.

  “Because you’re mortal. I’ll live longer than you, and you could get killed like her,” Xander said, pain in his voice.

  April paused. “What was her name?”

  Xander stared out of the window. “Sarah Delion.”

  Silence swept the air. Moments passed.

  “Xander, I’m sorry. I’ll stop pressuring you.” April stood, walking to Xander. She reached for his chin, gently directing his gaze down so they were looking into each other’s eyes. “I will never stop loving you. Even after I’m married to a wonderful man, I promise you that you and I will remain good friends and I will behave as such.” April hugged Xander. He paused before returning the embrace.

  A knocking on the door resonated through the room.

  “Unpropitious timing,” Xander whispered into April’s ear before releasing her. He opened the door. “Oh, it’s room service with our food.”

  “Hey, you think that will be enough?” April asked.

  Xander chuckled. “Yeah, it will be fine.”

  He pulled the cart into the room from the attendant. “Thank you, ma’am. Have a good night.” Xander closed the door.

  He wheeled the cart of food over to the table made of granite and wood. The table already contained silver plates, forks, and knives.

  “No way, look at the bottom! They gave us two bottles of ale. Man, these vegetables look good,” April said with excitement.

  “April, there are ribs, bread, chicken breast, and whatever that is. You only want the vegetables?” Xander took a morsel of everything. “I’ll take a whole bottle of ale for myself.”

  April looked stricken, as if she had been insulted. “No, I just noticed the vegetables first. I’ll take some ribs and bread.” April began loading her plate up with food.

  As the two ate in silence, they gazed at one another, processing what had been exchanged between them.

  “Hey, Xander, I’m good. You want the rest of this ale?”

  “No, I’m good.” Xander drained the last of his ale from the wooden cup.

  April approached the bed with a slight chuckle and a smile. “Xander, do you want to sleep in the bed with me?”

  Xander grinned before returning to the pelts on the floor. As he knelt to finish preparing the bedding, he asked, “Do you need the candles on so the boogeyman doesn’t get you?”

  “Oh, you’re so dead!” April crawled to the side and jumped on Xander as they began to laugh, roughhousing with one another.

  “Okay, okay, you win,” April said, breathless from laughing. Xander released her before he began to put out the candles.

  “I don’t think any boogeyman is going to mess with me while I have the great Xander Blight in the same room,” April said in a mocking, playful tone.

  “What are you, five years old?”

  “Oh, Great Xander Blight, I am thirty three years old. Please help me, the boogeyman is going to get me!”

  Xander shook his head.

  “What, Xander? You’re not always so serious, are you?” April’s face became stern.

  “I don’t know what that is, April,” Xander said.

  “Oh,” April whispered softly as she tugged the covers over her shoulder and laid on her right side. “You know, Xander, I don’t show this side of me very often. People are quick to judge.”

  Xander scoffed. “Fuck them. You’re fine the way you are, April.” Xander slipped into his pelts before crossing his arms behind his head and staring at the ceiling.