Chapter 1

We meet our heroines.

CHAPTER 1

 

“Any of that stew left?” I asked Sweet Pea.

She took a long swig from her bottle and belched loudly before leaning forward to check on the stew.  She drank like she had something to prove.  Fought like it too.  And maybe she did.  Pea had a reputation for being soft.  At least that’s the story I’d heard.  Still, she joined up almost as soon as Ms. White put out the call, after the dwarf massacre back in ’73.  By the time I’d gotten to know her, a few years later, Pea was a tough as nails (and not the kind on your fingers).  I make no apologies for joining late.  The dwarves were none of my kin.  And I’d had my own people to worry about.  Had.

“Yep.  There’s a bit.  Seen better days though.”

“Who among us hasn’t?”  I tossed her my tin plate.  “Let me have it.”

She started to dish it out.  Suddenly she was on her feet both guns out, before the spoon hit the pot.  I was just a blink behind her, whip ready.  I’d heard it too. 

A figure appeared at the edge of the firelight.  “You two are a little jumpy tonight.”

“Shay!  You know better than to sneak up like that.  We could have killed you.”

“You coulda tried.”  She nodded at me. “New hair style Rae?  I liked it better the old way.”

I ran a hand through my cropped hair.  “Yeah, me too.  I’ll go back after.  Don’t worry.” This is a running joke with us.  I cut my hair short as soon as I joined the Company.  We all made sacrifices.  “What are you doing down here with the peons?”

“All right Sweets.  You can put the guns down.  We’re on the same side.  Remember?”

I lowered my whip.  Sweet Pea hesitated for just a moment before putting up her guns.  Always been bad blood between Scheherazade and Sweet Pea.  I don’t know why.  It was before my time.  Rumors have it there was a man involved.  I don’t listen to rumors. Much. 

“Ms. White wants to see you.  She’s got a special project for you two. Night after tomorrow at the Palace.”

“And she sent you to personally issue the invitation?” Asked Pea.

“I was in the neighborhood.  Snow, er, Ms. White asked me to stop in on you.”

No titles in the Company.  Not that discipline is lax.  We call her Ms. White.  You can call her Snow, if you’re suicidal or one damn charming Prince.

  

The dwarves used to call her Snow, of course.  Back when there were dwarves.

“What’s it about?”

“All I can tell you is be at the Palace night after tomorrow.  It’s not an invitation.”

Pea held out her almost empty bottle.  “You… you want a drink?” It cost her something, being nice to Shay. 

Shay shook her head.  “Thanks.  I’ve got to get on my way. Miles to go before I sleep and all that.”  And then she was just gone. 

“How does she do that?” I asked Pea.

She took another pull from her bottle, tossed it, now empty, into the fire and shook her head.  “Dun know.  Magic I guess.” 

“Get some sleep Pea.  Long walk tomorrow.  I’ll take first watch.”

She took off her long coat and spread it on the ground.  I always liked to watch Pea stretch out to sleep on the hard ground.  Reminds me how we can all change.

I put my back against a tree and with my whip coiled in my lap I settled in for the watch.

Author's Note

Just want to hear your opinion.