Children of Rima

Arrow Den 
It was hard to believe a tavern made up an entire block. Wagons and 
people traveled around it. Guests were crossing to get inside while 
others left the lively establishment, sharing heaps of laughter with 
their companions.
Lucan marched in, carrying the same annoyed stance. He paced 
through the room, scanning through the dancing people and servers 
carrying trays of tankards and plates of food.
The aroma of a meal got her stomach growling, and the foaming 
beer drizzling made her lick her lips. In the apothecary’s room of 
herbs and chemicals, it was easy not to think of food, but here, her 
stomach ached at the thought of taking a bite of the pie crumbs off 
a man’s sweaty shirt.
Without telling her his plans, Lucan climbed to the second floor. 
He searched in vain, carrying that mean, awful frown, and went to 
the third floor.
Lucan grumbled and swiftly spun, nearly bumping into her for 
following so close. His chin barely hovered over her nose and nearly 
poked her eye. He walked around her and waved to a server nearby. 
“Is Junen and Rose in for today?” 

---

The server blew the strands of hair from her face, seemingly 
irritated that he asked. “They rarely come around before sundown. 
Is there anything else you need?” 
“No, thanks.” Lucan was biting his lip, watching every person 
passing by with those searching eyes.
“Who’s Junen and Rose?” she asked.
“People of the night,” he answered. “You know, the ones Rüfus 
loves to enjoy. Junen is Zorn’s favorite, and Rose is my….” He held 
his words back. 
“Unless Terra is serious about you, I won’t say a word.” 
However, she might hint at his habits. Terra was easily jealous, and 
she didn’t like competition.
“Listen.” Lucan chuckled as he headed for the stairs. “Before you 
become your sister’s keeper, know that I like Terra, but I have no 
plans for anything serious. You Melodians and your obsession with 
marriage.” 
Elene halted. “Why even bother with her then?” 
“Because Terra is easy to talk to and is less likely to slap my face.”
Elene frowned at his jab. “So, flirting with her is just a game to 
you?” 
“You’re surprised? Come on, you’re her sister, I know what she’s 
doing, and I will not play her little tune or wrestle men to get her.” 
“Then why did you keep her scarf?” 
“This?” he said, glancing at it. “It was a gift.” 
This man was unbelievable. He was the exact kind Mother 
disapproved of. He was wicked, callous, and by his own admission, 
a womanizer.
Lucan picked a table and ordered their meal. Her mouth salivated 
at the thought of food. Even as they sat, he watched the crowd, 
seeing who was coming down the third floor or coming up from the 
first.
Looking at his cheek, there was still a hint of pink from the slap. 
Seeing it, she still hadn’t felt an ounce of guilt. He deserved that one.
The server returned, setting down two bowls of beans over rice. 
The teal-colored plates were appealing, a glossy loaf of bread 
seasoned with fried cheese, and on the side were roasted duck legs. 
Juices from the duck fat slid off the dark caramel-colored skin. The 
last thing on the table was a tankard of foaming beer drizzling down.

---

“Thought we were out of coins?” Elene said, swallowing her 
salivating mouth. 
Lucan was about to break his bread when he looked up. He 
seemed annoyed that she talked. “Haven’t I explained myself 
enough, or do you wish to engage in another argument?” 
Elene crossed her arms and leaned on the chair. Her gaze moved 
to the food, the bubbling beer oozing on the table. Her knee 
bounced, ready to swallow her pride and indulge.
“A favor for a favor,” he said. “Whenever things get rowdy here, 
my friends and I help escort Arrow Den’s unpleasant patrons out, 
criminals, the press who stalk political figureheads or nobles.” Lucan 
was observing the new faces passing by. “We ran several jobs here 
in the past, and as payment, Arlene lets us eat for free.”
That was good enough. Elene grabbed the tankard and started 
drinking it. Gulping the cool refreshing liquid. She exhaled to take a 
deep breath and wiped the foam off her mouth. As soon as she 
grabbed the drum of the roasted duck, juices started to drip. She 
leaned in and tore the meat off the bone. The sweet, tangy sauce 
dripped from her lips as she went for another. Drawing a short 
intake of breath, she gulped the beer and went for another bite. The 
meat was so tender, the flavors and the texture of crispy skin tearing 
and crunching in one bite. 
Elene released a tiny moan, leading Lucan to raise an eyebrow.
She emptied her bowl of rice and beans and finished her tankard 
empty.
Lucan barely touched his food. He was staring at her empty plate 
and back at her. He slid his plate for her to take. She curled her 
fingers to refrain from taking his meal. Instead, she moved his plate 
back.
Without a word, he rested his head on his chin and gently 
stripped a piece of meat, and started to eat. 
By the time the food got cold, there was still plenty of meat on 
the bone as Lucan was more preoccupied with his surroundings. 
Sometimes, he would leave and go to the lower floors and return 
with a disappointed look.
Elene would take her turn and search the first floor. After two 
hours had passed, her butt could not sit on the wooden chair any 
longer. The many faces that came and went started looking the same, 

---

each bringing sorrow or happiness to the place. If guests didn’t have 
a sex worker at their side, they were coddling the tankard and asking 
for a refill.
When she nodded off, Lucan caught it. She shook her head and 
rubbed her eyes. To keep her eyelids from drawing shut, she thought 
of Wein. That night when he got stabbed, Ivory and Fior’s lead rope 
was loosened. Whoever attacked him and Gourd was trying to take 
the horses. But Wein made complicated knots to slow down any 
would-be thieves.
Elene rubbed her face and secretly freed a yawn. When she 
opened them, a blond-haired man was standing a fair distance 
behind Lucan. His tunic was silver, with elaborate beads on the 
shoulder pads, his pants were black, and his belt was grey with silver 
pins. His narrowing eyes sealed on him.
Next to him was a taller man with broad shoulders. The lower 
half of his hair was trimmed, but the side was styled, braided, and 
twisted to hold gold hair ornaments.
The blond-haired man rolled his sleeves and stomped towards 
them. Two star-like earrings sparkled from his ears. Teeth clenching, 
his hand balled into a fist and crossed Lucan’s face.
He tumbled out of his chair and hit the floor. He grabbed his feet 
and dragged him back, taking his shirt and raising him to his face. 
“Where the hell have you been!” He shook Lucan like how she sifted 
flour. “We’ve been looking for your sorry ass all over the place!” 
“Zorn,” Lucan groaned, cupping his cheek. “I’ve been waiting 
for you right here.”
“Shit!” Zorn dropped Lucan back on the floor and scratched his 
short hair. Then his stare went to her, and his eyes widened. “Well, 
look’ee here… while Oscern and I were out searching for you, you 
spent it whoring around.” 
“For Skiar’s sake, let me explain.” Lucan slowly wobbled back to 
his feet and moved his toppled chair back. “She’s not a working 
woman.” 
“Hornshit,” said Zorn, glancing at Elene and drawing his stare at 
her chest. “I know the type you like.” 
Lucan scowled and squeezed his eyes shut. “No, she’s the sister 
of someone who was recently attacked.” 
“Attacked?” 

---

“The shows over,” the taller man said to the spectators. His voice 
was so deep she felt it nearly tremble the table. “We’re good friends.” 
He sat on the table. Zorn stole a chair from the other table and 
joined them. Lucan rubbed his jaw and sat last.
“Excuse me.” Elene was eager to get off the topic of Lucan’s type 
having any relation with her. Her voice, however, called for a rude 
gaze from the outspoken Zorn. His lashes were curly and thick, his 
eyes a solid blue, wide and seeping into her. If he were to wear a wig, 
he could easily pass for a woman. “Are… you Children of Rima?” 
“And what of it?” Zorn said, raising his hand to a passing server.
“My brother was sent by Preisen’s High Maiden to search for 
you. Your… friend here told us you would be here.” 
“And what exactly do you want with us?” The tall man smiled. 
“Sorry, these dimwits didn’t introduce me. I’m Oscern Grate.” 
“Elene Harrow.” It was easier to smile at someone who didn’t 
speak with vulgar words. 
“Thing is, we don’t know why Preisen wants you two.” Lucan 
massaged the side of his head. “Damn you, Zorn, I think I’m 
bleeding from the ear. You’re going to regret that.” 
“Let’s not change the topic. Care to tell us where in all that is 
good you have been?” said Oscern. “When you didn’t come back 
from the battle, we went searching for your body in Grazen Fields 
and found nothing. We were called back to Vinol and then….” He 
looked at Zorn, whose anger receded. “Believe it or not, we ran into 
some strange things.” 
“Strange? You go first,” Lucan said. “Because I’ve had my share 
of weird things going on.” 
“Well,” said Zorn. “After you disappeared, King Pann assigned 
us to another battle. A recently hired Rima Child joined us.” Zorn 
took the tankard that belonged to Lucan and finished it. “Thing is, 
he was never on our side.” 
“He tried to kill us,” said Oscern. 
“So, we fought, and that confused everyone.” 
“Then they fled.” 
“Am I telling the story, Oscern, or are you?” 
“Sorry.” 
Zorn slammed the tankard on the table. “Anyway. We followed 
him out of the battlefield. You know, with my powers, that was easy. 

---

But he could up the ground by just whistling. Luckily for me, I was 
too fast for him, but he certainly tried to bury Oscern. Took some 
work, but together we took him.” 
“Here’s the strange thing,” Zorn said. “When he died, his body 
stunk. Nothing like a fresh kill, but like he had been dead for weeks.” 
“Like Sulfur,” said Oscern. 
Lucan went silent that moment, drumming his fingers on his 
tankard. “That man was hired by Major Rudra.” 
“Major Dickhead?” said Zorn. “He tried to kill you, didn’t he?” 
“You opened your mouth and got the bite,” said Oscern. 
“Yes! I got the bite.” Lucan briefly glanced at her. “And I keep 
getting it. Rudra impaled his sword through my chest.” He 
unbuttoned his shirt and showed them the dressing that wrapped his 
upper chest.
“Skiar,” stammered Zorn. “How did you survive that?” 
“Don’t know. We both fell into a sinkhole, and next thing I knew, 
I wound up washing away by the river’s current.” His stare shifted 
to Elene, who immediately looked away.
Oscern made the connection by the look alone. “So, I’m 
assuming Elene here must’ve played some role?” 
“Yeah, I drifted to her Riman village, except instead of giving me 
the help I needed, she tried to send me to Skiar’s embrace. It was 
sheer luck that her sister was there to stop her.” 
“You tried to kill him?” Zorn said with a surprised chirp. “What 
kind of Riman are you?” 
“Just so we’re clear, I’m not a follower of Rima or your Skiar,” 
Elene answered. Zorn released a loud, huh, and Oscern said a short 
prayer. “Look, your battle with Avery was at our doorstep. Lucan 
could have been a killer…no, he is a killer. But he could have been a 
danger to my village, so I made a choice.” 
“Yeesh.” Zorn raised his hand to the nearby server and ordered 
a drink. “Before we continue anymore, any more stories, I’m 
exhausted from the travel. Let me put some food and beer in my 
stomach before we continue, alright?” 
His friends were nothing like the Riman Children from Melodia, 
certainly not like Vance, Caspian, or Otto. Zorn’s demeanor seemed 
to be more like Lucan, irritated and indifferent to other people’s 
feelings. Oscern, to her relief, seemed gentler and more honest.

---

By sunset, Arrow Den was swarmed with more unfamiliar faces 
filling up the tables with their friends or partners. She had sat in the 
chair for hours, and the place felt like a new environment.
Women and men of the night started parading around the tables, 
searching for a client to entertain. While Oscern and Zorn ordered 
their meal, Elene went to get some fresh air. The place felt stuffy, 
and she grew tired of Lucan giving her that annoyed look whenever 
he talked about his wound.
Outside, she started dreading the idea of going back. His friends 
were found, weren’t they? Wein needed her. Then again, Lucan had 
just reunited with them. It was best to give them time.
Now and then, some men invited her to a drink. She ignored 
them, deciding it would be safe if she lingered near Arrow Den and 
stared at the street. This place was a beacon of outlaws by how many 
came to enjoy the night.
The blur of the passing people and wagons slowed down when a 
carriage nearby came into view, capturing not just her attention but 
unbinding the pent-up grief and anger she had recently cultivated. 
Taking a ride was a man with a cigar. What he wore brought her to 
her feet. That green vest with the tree swallows she hand-sewed for 
Wein!
Elene rubbed her eyes and looked again. The color and every 
stitch on that vest—it had to be. 
As soon as she went into the street, a horse pulled back and 
neighed. The driver shouted vulgar words at her, but she ignored 
him and went to catch up with the carriage. She wedged with the 
crowd, bumping into their shoulders as she cut through. But by the 
time she made it, the carriage was gone.
Heart racing with rage, Elene hurried back to Arrow Den. If 
Lucan and his friends were made aware, maybe there was time to 
catch that man! She raised her skirt and paced up the stairs. A man 
whistled when he saw her pantalettes, so she dropped them and 
slowed down instead. She saved herself from a few trips but was 
successful in making it back to the others.
To her surprise, two new people joined Lucan’s table. From the 
look of their revealing and loose garments, they were the nightly 
company. Without minding them, she squeezed back into her seat. 
Immediately, they quieted down and looked at her.

---

The woman who had been holding Lucan’s arms was probably 
Rose. The other who lovingly held Zorn’s hand must be Junen. Both 
smelled like flowers, that much she was certain because there was no 
fragrance earlier.
“Lu—” Her voice was tossed aside by their laughter. They were 
resuming a conversation they had picked up before she arrived. “I 
think I saw—”
Junen twirled, swaying his robes while Rose clapped.
Swallowing hard, she hankered herself to her seat.
Oscern ordered a beer and surprised her when he handed it to 
her. “To ease your nerves.”
“Thank you.”
“I appreciate you found Lucan,” he said, half smiling. “Even if 
you two met in a polarizing fashion.” 
Lucan must have heard them because he harrumphed.
Elene gave him a darting eye. It was already long ago. He stared 
back, his silver eyes unblinking.
Rose seeing this, moved his chin so Lucan could only look at her. 
Did she really think she would be bothered if she touched that 
Killer? Elene drank her beer, unbreaking eye contact. Lucan must’ve 
noticed because he tried to look back at her, but Rose kept his chin 
from facing hers.
“I’m sorry about your brother,” Oscern mentioning Wein moved 
her attention to him. “While you were away, we agreed to join your 
people to Preisen.” 
“But you just got here,” Junen whined, petting Zorn’s hair back. 
“Hey, I don’t make the decision,” he said. “That’s up to Lucan.” 
“You guys,” Lucan said sternly. 
“I mean, it’s decided.” 
“Well,” Rose said, smacking her lips. “Perhaps we can give that 
farm girl a job in the meantime. I’m sure there are plenty of 
customers who wouldn’t mind something homely.”
Zorn’s eyebrows rose, and Lucan drew his attention to his 
tankard. Elene ignored her bright eyes and cooled the heat with her 
cold drink. She was picking a fight for the wrong reason. 
Rose chuckled, drawing her silk sleeve to her lips. “You poor 
thing. If you like, I can bring something to replace that holed dress 
and little stitching around your corset.” 

---

Whether it was the beer or the fact that she let Gourd’s killer go, 
a wave of heat rushed to Elene’s head.
Junen whistled and pursed his lips. “Stop it Rose. You’re scaring 
her.” 
Elene calmly set her tankard down. “I’m not scared by cheap 
things.” 
“Cheap!” Rose released Lucan, nearly pushing him off his own 
chair. Her stare went from playfulness to the same sneering look 
Maiden Camilla would give her. “I’ll have you know I’m the top-
paying woman of Arrow Den.” 
“And my father’s wool costs more than you could charge a whole 
year.”
Zorn spat his drink and laughed. “Lucan, you’re right! This 
woman spits fire and ice!”
Rose stood from her chair. Her corset pinched in her waist just 
like Mother and Terra’s. Just how could they breathe?
“Lucan,” Oscern said. “Are you going to let them go at it?” 
“What for?” Lucan hadn’t moved a finger since Rose got up, 
arms relaxed on the table. “You know how Rose plays, and Elene 
could have let her be.” 
“Pardon?” That belligerent fool knew how to shake every fiber 
of her body. “Since when did you see me take the high road?” 
Lucan shrugged. “Never, and it’s an embarrassment when you’re 
five years my senior and act like some frivolous little girl.” 
“Skiar.” Zorn chirped, red in the face. “Are you calling her a 
hag?” 
“And who told you my age?” Elene tried to take control of the 
room, her heart thundering in her chest.
“Who do you think? Your younger sister.” 
“I bet she’s more lovely,” Rose commented.
Lucan smirked. “She can walk straight, I’ll tell you that much. 
This one can’t do it without tripping on something or getting 
distracted by any little noise. I bet she can’t cross the street without 
risking getting run over.”
Elene snatched Oscern’s tankard from his hand. It had more 
volume than her own. “Did nobody teach you how to bite your 
tongue?” 

---

Lucan stared down the tankard but didn’t move. “Do it,” he 
challenged. “Nothing you do surprises me anymore.”
“That’s right, have at it,” Zorn encouraged. “He pisses us off 
too.” 
Throwing the tankard was easy, but it felt like a tug of war. Her 
muscles were willing, but the hurt just wanted her to give up and 
leave. 
“No.” A tight pinch in her throat was growing. “I didn’t come to 
be ridiculed or mistreated.” When her voice broke, Lucan looked at 
her. “But you could have just told her to stop. Or do you have no 
respect for your seniors?”
His lips parted, but nothing came out of him.
Elene returned Oscern his tankard and squeezed out of the table, 
holding onto her tears until she made it down the stairs.

---

hispers and snores from passed-out drunks replaced 
the laughter and banter of the third floor. The mood 
of the place mellowed down, leaving only a mess of 
dishes and spilled beer the servers were given a chance 
to clean up after.
Lucan rubbed his left eye and yawned. He didn’t enjoy drinking 
himself drunk, so as soon as he felt a little woozy, he stopped. 
Zorn was slumped on Junen’s chest, who rather watch him sleep 
than leave his side. Junen had strong feelings for him, but Zorn 
hadn’t been the same since Ace. His heart was beyond anyone’s 
reach.
Oscern had been giving him the stink eye since Elene left. A new 
worker had taken Elene’s chair. She was trying her luck with Oscern, 
who flat out pretended she wasn’t there.
Tired of his narrowing eyes, Lucan opened the discussion. “You 
can always tell me what’s on your mind, O.” 
“Go and apologize, Major Dickhead.”
Lucan leaned back in his chair and yawned. “You’re displeased? 
Since when did my humor bother you?” 
“I never said I liked it. It’s dry like gin and cuts people open.” His 
gold-colored eyes dropped at the woman who listened to him, eyes 
widening that he was finally speaking. “Some women are sensitive to 
their age, you know? And you deliberately took advantage of that.” 
“I did not.” 
“Her being your senior?” Junen tossed his opinion, still combing 
Zorn’s hair back. “She may be gullible, but those were some pretty 
W

---

picked-out words. Especially with Rose being eight years your 
senior.” 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rose said, giving Junen 
the stink eye. 
Lucan circled the mouth of his tankard with his finger, half 
emptied with the remaining lukewarm. “Need I remind you that 
you’re defending the woman who wanted to leave me to drown? If 
she had gotten her way, you would have found my swollen, gooey 
body at the end of the Beaven River.” 
Oscern groaned. “But she lost one of her people and might lose 
her brother because of us. Think about that next time you open your 
mouth.”
Lucan rubbed his face and exhaled. Oscern just knew how to get 
a reaction out of him. “Was already planning to go back anyway, just 
thought she might’ve come back.” 
Rose leaned in, her robe nearly slipping off her shoulders. 
“You’re not leaving anywhere until we make up for the time we lost 
together.”
“Thought I told you I don’t have any money.”
She blinked repeatedly, then squeezed his arm. “Then you can 
pay me next time.”
Lucan slowly got up, half woozy from sitting long and drinking. 
This is why he tried not to go overboard. “Not tonight. Need to 
make sure that Little Heathen made it to camp.” 
Rose released and crossed her arms. “Brute. Next time you show 
your face again, don’t come looking for me.” 
“Sure, you always say that.” Lucan nodded at Oscern. “I’ll see 
you and Zorn first thing in the morning at the gate.” 
Rather than agree, Oscern gave him that look, the ‘you’re better 
than this’ look. Before leaving, Lucan flicked Zorn’s nose.
He grimaced and groaned.
“Don’t hurt my vanilla pudding!” Junen chided.
Just a few blocks from Arrow Den and the lively place grew quiet. 
Guards still patrolled the neighborhood streets. Since this was the 
closest path to the campsites, Elene must’ve taken the same route, 
and since it had been over an hour since she left, she should be asleep 
by now.

---

A family was walking up the steps of their home. By the look 
alone, they seemed well off, and the area had nice townhouses, after 
all.
Guiding the little girl up the steps was her brother. The parents 
had gone inside, but he made sure she went in first. He looked at 
him for a moment and hurried inside, shutting the door.