Part 1
“You’re coming with us?” Rebecca asked Hamlin.
“There’s no denying fate, Miss Montague.” Hamlin replied. “You heard what Eigengrau said to us last week. We’re going to travel together for many years.”
“Still, I expected us to cross paths again later.”
“Consider this a blessing, Rebecca. Let me ask you something, how much ground does your party cover each day?” Hamlin asked, crossing his arms.
“It’s... not much. We can only travel when it’s cloudy or raining, otherwise we only travel from sundown until they’re too tired to keep going. We move again before sunrise, then stop at dawn for me to sleep the rest of the day.” Rebecca admitted, shaking her head.
“They can’t carry your coffin?” Hamlin inquired.
“It’s solid oak, Hamlin!” Rebecca exclaimed. “It weighs more than Jack! I’m the only one who can even lift it.”
“A test then, if you will. Please get inside your coffin.” Hamlin said, gesturing at the plain oak coffin laying on the floor of the inn room. “You have my word I won’t harm you.”
Rebecca narrowed her eyes but opened the coffin and climbed in, closing the lid after she was comfortable. “So now what?” her muffled voice called out from the closed coffin. Hamlin knelt down and easily picked the coffin up with a single hand. “Whoa! Easy what’s happening?” Rebecca shouted from inside, pushing the lid open.
“I told you it would be a blessing. Your coffin is the very essence of order, so I can easily manipulate it.” Hamlin said with a broad smile, holding the coffin from beneath with both his hands while Rebecca just gaped her mouth at him. “Close your mouth Rebecca.”
“You absolute bear of a man you’re hired!” Jack shouted, slapping Hamlin’s back. “Boss, this guy is great can we keep him?”
Hamlin gently placed the coffin back on the floor while Rebecca just sat upright in it holding her head in her hands. She couldn’t believe that he picked up a massive coffin like it was a toy, and didn’t even seem winded. She finally looked over at Jack and nodded.
“Yeah, he’s coming with us. Go on, introduce yourselves.” Rebecca said after a few moments silence. “I’m going hunting.” Rebecca got up, opened the window of the room, and jumped out into the night.
“It appears there is only 3 of you. Where’s Jessie?” Hamlin asked, motioning at the remaining people in the room.
“Downstairs scamming drunks. Give them a peak, spike their drink, rob them blind. She makes it look like an art.” Marv replied with a grin.
“Are you really sure you want to travel with us? We... we’re not good people.” Heather said quietly, almost a whisper. “Not even me.”
“Don’t worry dear, I’m not a very good Priest. I’m the first and last High Priest of Order. Order is not justice. Order is not good, or evil. My orders from Lord Agbus are to learn everything.” Hamlin replied.
“Well said, big guy.” Marv answered. “My name’s Marv. Master thief, but the Boss makes me look like a rank amateur in comparison.”
“I’m Jacob O’Malley, but you can just call me Jack. I’m a water mage, and I blend into a crowd. Not much more to say.” Jack said, introducing himself.
“I’m Heather... just Heather.” Heather practically whispered, looking away.
“Hmmm. Do your compatriots know?” Hamlin asked, crossing his arms.
“Know what?” she squeaked in reply.
“Your full name.” Hamlin responded, uncrossing his arms.
“No!” Heather said in a louder voice, which caused Jack to raise his eyebrows and Marv to look up. “T-that is, I’ve never told them, b-but it’s not a secret, what I mean is-” Heather stammered.
“Would you like for me to tell them?” Hamlin asked gently. Heather nodded eagerly, holding her hands together.
“Wait, what’s this big secret about big guy?” Marv asked before Hamlin could continue speaking. “And how in the blazes do you know it?”
"Heather is a mirror image of one of their ancestors, Marv. They lived over a thousand years ago, but I have an exceptionally good memory. Now then, Heather, or shall I say, Prince Moonfall, is more powerful than they let on.”
Marv dropped his knife. Jack stopped carving in the table. Even the party downstairs seemed to pause for a moment.
“Big guy, did you just say, Prince?” Marv asked after a few moments to gather his thoughts.
"Indeed I did. Heather Dorchaidhe, the Moonfall Prince. The heir of Spioraid."
"Hold on, don't you mean Princess?" Jack asked. "Heather ain't no Prince."
"Ah, that's what it's about." Hamlin responded, smiling. "No, Heather is male."
"Do you think the boss knows?" Marv said, glancing at Jack. "She's gotta know."
"She doesn't." Heather whispered. "That's why I never brought it up."
"Ah man, we can't tell her. She'd kill all of us." Marv sighed, picking up his knife.