Aleigha walked with Niki, Jada, and Orik to the tavern. They wanted to spend a night having a little fun. They all needed to relax after everything that had happened. Aleigha and Niki had their infant sons in carriers. They didn't trust anyone to watch them, so they decided to bring them to the tavern with them. There were plenty of quiet booths.

The Ramesian tavern wasn't like a bar. It was more like a pizza parlor. Ever since they ordered pizza, it became a regular order for everyone who went to the tavern to socialize. The smell of steaming hot pizza sparked interest in anyone who happened to enter the tavern, making them want to try it for themselves.

All three girls wore their special boots, bladed staffs tucked in each one. Orik kept a couple of blasters, one concealed, hidden from view, and another out on his belt. All of them had a cloaking shield hidden on their clothing. Even the two infants had one in case they needed to be hidden. None of them trusted anyone else after all that had happened to them.

As Orik opened the tavern door for them to enter, a movement behind them caught their attention. When they looked toward it, they saw Mikiel, the temporary prison guard, walking toward the tavern. He was walking slowly, taking his time. He appeared oblivious to being watched by Orik and the girls.

After entering the tavern, Orik led them to a corner booth in the back. Aleigha and Niki put the infants tucked in the corner, with them sitting protectively on either side of the side-by-side infants.

Jada sat next to Niki while Orik was beside his mate.

The server walked up to the table slowly. Pausing for only a second before continuing toward the table. She almost looked afraid.

Aleigha and Niki looked at each other, confused at the server's reaction. Looking at Orik and Jada, they noticed it too.

Orik looked up at the server when she finally arrived and ordered for the group. "Jug of strong beverage and a large veggie pizza," he told the stiff-looking server.

The server quickly turned away and rushed off to get their order.

"Weird," Niki whispered. "That server looked almost afraid to approach the table."

Orik discreetly nodded. "I agree. Something feels different. Wrong," he whispered.

Just as the server brought their order, the tavern door slid open, and Mikiel entered. He spotted them right away, giving a short bow of acknowledgment before sitting at the bar and ordering his own drink.

They watched Mikiel covertly, drinking their beer and eating their veggie pizza. After drinking his strong beverage, Mikiel ordered his own pizza and walked to a booth nearby, and sat down.

When the server arrived, they noted that Mikiel had a pitcher brought and a couple of glasses.

"He must be meeting someone," Jada whispered, not wanting to be heard by those outside their booth.

No sooner did the words leave her lips when the door of the tavern slid open, and Guard Commander Drevick walked in. He stopped briefly to scan the small establishment. His eyes stopped on Aleigha; he headed over to their table. They all stiffened, one hand moving to rest on their weapon as they waited for the guard commander to reach them. He may have walked Aleigha home and let her keep the cloaking device, but that didn't mean they trusted him.

"Good evening, Aleigha," he told her kindly after reaching the table. Looking at Niki. "Good evening."

Aleigha's eyes glanced behind him at Mikiel, suspicious of the two being in the tavern at the same time. "We come here a lot. I've never seen you or him," she said, pointing her chin toward Mikiel. "Are you following me?"

Without an offer, Drevick sat down next to Aleigha. "Yes," he whispered. "We believe you are not safe. You and your sister and your friend Jada. When I walked you to your sisters, I noticed many looking at you with hatred and hostility. I informed Council Leader Vorik. He wished me to keep an eye on the three of you and if anyone looked like they wanted to act on their hostility. You were cleared of all the charges against you. They should not feel this way."

"And him?" Aleigha asked, still suspicious, pointing her chin to Mikiel.

"He is here for the food and strong beverage. He was moved to a dwelling near here. Much farther than the tavern near his prior residence," he explained. "I believe his normal duty is the east gate. He was sent to me to replace a guard that had prior medical training and was needed in the clinic. I believe they sent my guard to Mikiel's post. He works as a medic at the east gate, waiting for the order to assist those outside in the camp."

"Your speaking of Medic Dran. I didn't know he was a guard," Jada told Guard Commander Drevick. She sounded curious. It suddenly felt like a normal conversation. Then tension between them all started to dissipate.

"With the illness, he was needed to help out," Drevick responded to Jada, smiling. His eyes kept moving to Aleigha, who was eyeing him suspiciously.

"Why was Mikiel moved?" Aleigha shot out at the guard commander. She still felt suspicious of him.

The guard commander was unphased. "You would have to ask Council Leader Vorik. Working in the cells, his new dwelling is much closer. I would think it was because his assignment is long-term."

Aleigha didn't let it rest. "Are you meeting him here?"

"Yes, but I saw you here, so I thought I would speak to you first." Drevick stood up, then leaned down toward them to whisper. "Trust no one. I know that Mikiel is not a threat. If you have a problem, go to him. He is in Keirn's old residence. I noticed many acting out of character. Be safe. If you need assistance, come to me or Mikiel. Don't hesitate to use the device you showed me earlier. It could save your life."

Guard Commander Drevick stood up and went to Mikiel's table, not saying anything more.

Aleigha, Niki, and Jada watched him go. "Is it just me, or does he seem overprotective of you," Jada asked Aleigha. "Like he's your mate or something."

"It's just an order from Vorik. It's not a mate bond, or we would feel it by now," Aleigha responded. "Besides, I had a mate once. He cheated on me and then tried to have me killed. I don't want another one."

"That particular one being overprotective is not a bad thing. He is one with a lot of power. I think his protectiveness is a good thing. I think you can trust him based on what I've seen so far," Orik stated. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it," he added, watching the guard command pour himself some beer.

Aleigha nodded and looked over at his table. He and Mikiel were sharing a jug of strong beverage and eating a pizza. From the outside, it looked like a couple of friends having a night out. Nothing special. Aleigha didn't trust that what she was seeing was true. The two didn't act like they were friends. It didn't add up that they were at the tavern together. Everything felt suspicious.

Aleigha looked at Niki, Orik, and then Jada. "Mikiel was new to the job. He had only been there for a few days. Why would they come to the tavern for a meal together?" she whispered.

"I don't know," Orik said quietly. "You're right. Something isn't right about them being here together."

Aleigha, Niki, Jada, and Orik finished their jug of strong beverage and veggie pizza. Orik got up for them all to leave. He held his hand up to help Jada. She quickly took it and slid out of the booth. Niki and Aleigha got up after, taking their sons with them, and followed them out of the tavern. As soon as they made it outside, Guard Commander Drevick rushed up behind them.

"If you have any problems, contact Mikiel or me. Don't hesitate to use your device," he told Aleigha. "Something doesn't feel right, so you need to be careful."

Aleigha halted in her tracks and turned to look at the guard commander. "Are you going to tell me what doesn't feel right?" she asked. Not wanting to say that he and Mikiel having a meal together didn't feel right either.

"I can't explain it. Just be careful," he told her. Aleigha noted that he was nearly pleading.

Guard Commander Drevick quickly disappeared back into the tavern, saying nothing more. Aleigha, Niki, Jada, and Orik headed back to their own homes with the two infants. Aleigha chose to stay at her own home rather than her sister's. She kept her bladed staff and a couple of cloaking shields nearby in case she needed them for her and her son Finn.

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