Commander Braghaman Larethian

Portents and Plans

Erik opened the door to Madame Eva’s inn and stepped inside. The crowd inside was loud and friendly and called out a greeting to the rogue as his eyes adjusted to light inside. Madame Eva appeared from around the stairs and walked over to Erik. She laid a hand on his arm and smiled. Without a word, she turned and nodded to a corner in the back of the common room. Erik followed Eva’s glance and saw a lone person sitting at the far table.

The rogue moved through the crowd and made his way to the back of the room. Sitting at the table in the corner, facing the front door, Braghaman had both his hands around a mug and vague look in his eyes as if he were lost deep in thought. Erik stood quietly next to the table and waited. After a couple more moments, Bragh blinked rapidly and looked around. Finally noticing the young man standing across from him, Bragh nodded and leaned back in his chair.

“Sorry, lost in thought. How long were you standing there?”

“I only just arrived, sir.”

Braghaman raised an eyebrow and stared at Erik for a moment before finally shrugging his shoulders and looking away. The paladin motioned towards a chair across from him with one of his hands and brought the mug to his lips with the other.

“How’s everything going, Erik?”

“Well enough, sir. There are cautious signs of business starting to pick up again.”

“That’s good to hear, Erik. I’m glad you and your family are doing okay with all of this.”

“And what of you, sir?”

“Well, the house is near complete. We should be able to start moving in next week or so.”

“And that’s all?”

“What do you mean?” Bragh asked, raising his eyebrow again.

“Niviene is concerned,” Erik said calmly, quietly so that no one else would hear his comment.

“What’d she say?” Bragh asked, staring at Erik for a moment before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “No, she wouldn’t have said anything. But you can tell,” Braghaman said out loud what Erik had been leaving unsaid. Erik simply shrugged his shoulders slightly, but said nothing else. “Lately, I’ve just had…” the paladin started and then trailed off.

“A bad feeling?” Erik offered.

“Yeah,” Bragh said and then took a sip of his drink. “Its like before, when the Legion attacked.”

“You think the demons are coming back?”

“I don’t know. Don’t think so.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t know. I’m probably just being paranoid. All the things happening lately, moving and such.”

“It certainly is a busy time. Seems to be for everyone.”

“Definitely,” Bragh said with a quick chuckle. “I’ve started talking with the abbey this week.”

“Are you planning to move the training there?” Erik asked, his eyebrow raised slightly.

“No. Its for Banny.”

“You’re letting him start his training?”

“I think its the right time.”

“I’m surprised that you’re not taking care of that personally.”

“Thought about it. And I can still take him out on a short patrol every now and then, I guess.”

“But you want him to get trained by someone else. Someone who won’t be biased.”

“That’s about it,” Bragh responded and leaned back in his seat.

“So will he move there? Stay in the abbey?”

“Not to start. I talked with the trainers there. I’ll take him there during the day, a couple times to start, and see how things go. Then if it looks like it’ll work out, then he can stay there during the week and I’ll bring him home on the weekends.”

“Do you think he’s ready for it?”

“He thinks he is,” Bragh answered with a grin. “Not sure if Niv or I are convinced, but we’ll give it a shot and find out.”

“You know I’ll help however I can,” Erik offered.

“I know,” Bragh answered with a smile. “I appreciate that. But I think we’ll be fine. Besides, you have your own business to take care of.”

“Of course. But all of that takes second place.”

“Thank you, Erik. I appreciate that, too.”