[Ridge]
Lightning strikes in the distance. We both jump.
"Oh, shit." Kadeeth hurriedly helps us move indoors, where everyone else is still partying. He closes the door behind us right as the rainfall starts. The sounds of thunder and lightning are drowned out by the celebration.
"TO THE ALLIANCE!" Sileena's smooth voice yells out. She's standing on top of a barrel, toasting to the crowd of Mercenaries, most of whom are trying to coerce their leader to stand on level ground.
"TO THE BEST THIEF IN THE EMPIRE!" A very drunk GW continues the toast from his seat on a hammock. I'm surprised he's not falling off of that thing.
I look around, taking in the chaos that has befallen our sleeping quarters. Maybe it's because I just read Lady Glissa's letter, but I'm realizing that there aren't actually many women in the Grey Wanderers.
Obviously there's Sileena, and Tristan, although she's not really a Mercenary. Other than that, I can count about five from where I'm standing. That's interesting for a group who apparently supports so many movements for women.
"This place is a mess. It's not even safe for you to be in here right now. Let's go back ou-" Kadeeth tries to turn us around, so I elbow him in the side.
"You wanna go back out there? Be my guest, but don't fool yourself thinking I'm staying out in that downpour." I argue stubbornly.
"Ridge you can't be in here though! Everyone's drunk off their asses, accidents are bound to happen, and one more injury will probably put you out of commission for good." He motions to a group of Mercenaries playing darts in the corner, and then his hand sweeps in the direction of another group having some kind of dance battle as Tellur plays the guitar and everyone else claps along.
I roll my eyes, "So what if it's a mess? Like outside isn't? It's just as dangerous for me to get sick as it is to have a dart stuck in my face right now." He makes a frustrated sound, looking around to see if there are any corners not occupied by the festivities.
Even Raforn is having fun. Well, he seems to be, whenever Tristan isn't so clearly teasing him. Did he take me seriously when I told him to entertain her? I just wanted him to go inside so I could read the letter. He's definitely gonna blame whatever torturous conversations Tristan is subjecting him to on me later.
"You'll just have to be my Knight this time." I snap Kadeeth out of his own worried thoughts. For once, they're written plainly across his face.
"Such a smooth talker." Kadeeth smirks, obviously giving in. There aren't any other options anyway. I'll definitely get sick if we go back out into the storm. There's really no other choice but to join the party.
Most of the activities that people have found seem physical, but a few people have dragged in crates from the deck and set up card games and whatnot. The cabin's not actually very big, so the body heat from everyone confined to such a small space is building up and warming the room.
It's definitely a stark contrast to how icy the few raindrops I felt outside were. Everyone's bags and cots have been piled up in the corner out of the way. Not super appreciated, but I understand.
I have Kadeeth take me over to a "table" that just ended the last round of their game. We sit down and they deal us in without any questions.
I know I could use some quiet and maybe even some rest, although it's not that late yet, but this is nice too. The crazy puts my mind at ease.
It's warm.