“There you go,” said the assistant at the tailor shop where Lira had brought Katherine. “That’s several outfits for day-to-day wear in the local style; plus a few extras we modified from our inventory.” The assistant glanced at the invoice. “Will that be all, Miss Wynford?”

  “Yes, that’s everything. Thank you,” Lira replied, handing over payment and taking the bag of clothes.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” Katherine said, trying to hide her discomfort with having someone buy things for her, though she was clearly grateful for the new clothes.

  “Don’t mention it, Katherine,” Lira said, easily reading her hesitation. “I could tell that borrowed outfit was making you miserable, even if it was just temporary.”

  Katherine now wore fitted trousers—still a bit snug around the hips and waist for her liking, but much more comfortable. Her new shirt was sleeveless and open-backed, held together by strips of fabric at the top and bottom. The boots looked like sturdy work boots worn by laborers, but to Katherine’s surprise, they felt soft and light, almost as if she were walking on air.

  “Tavrin is an excellent tailor,” Lira added, hoping to ease Katherine’s lingering discomfort. “Every time I come in here, he’s picked up a new skill or improved his craft somehow. He’s definitely more flamboyant than his assistant, but sometimes that’s what keeps customers coming back.”

  Katherine hesitated for a moment, turning her new boots thoughtfully on the shop’s worn floor. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but… Would you mind if I asked for some advice?” Her voice was quiet, almost uncertain, as if she wasn’t sure how much to reveal.

  Lira looked over, her expression softening. “Of course you can ask,” she replied, though there was a wry edge to her smile. “Just keep in mind, I might not have a simple answer.” She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, posture relaxing as she offered a bit of reassurance.

  Katherine took a deep breath, glancing down at the bag of clothes in her hands. “What do you think I should do? I mean—about everything. Making a living, what to learn… It all feels overwhelming.” For a moment, she wondered if she was asking too much, but the words were already out.

  Lira paused, considering the question. “That’s a big one.” She leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees, her voice gentle yet thoughtful. “Honestly, only you can answer that. No one else can tell you what’s right for you.” She hesitated, then added, “But maybe I can help point you in a direction. The beast master at my father’s estate is looking for an apprentice. If you’re interested, I could introduce you. He’s got a lot of experience—could teach you about bonding with familiars, maybe how to get new ones or strengthen your connection with Shade.” Lira’s tone shifted, growing more formal; her posture straightened, and the casual warmth she’d shown earlier was replaced by a calm authority that made Katherine wonder, not for the first time, just how influential Lira’s family might be.

  Katherine caught the change and couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt. She remembered how easily Lira had paid for her clothes and the way she slipped into that formal manner, and she wondered about the world Lira had come from. “I thought beast taming wasn’t exactly a respected job,” Katherine said, trying to keep her voice neutral but unable to hide her skepticism.

  Lira gave a small, knowing smile. “You’re right, it’s not really valued by most,” she agreed. “But those with money or status—the nobles, the merchants, the innkeepers who can afford it—they usually keep one around if they can. It helps with travel, especially when you need familiars that can be ridden or are useful for protection.” She glanced at Shade, who was quietly sniffing at the edge of the shop, and added with a hint of amusement, “Still, I’d suggest working more on your bond with Shade than chasing after new familiars. He strikes me as the jealous type.”

  ...

  Lira guided Katherine through the bustling city streets, pointing out landmarks as they made their way toward the Adventurer’s Guild. Shade stayed close, his presence unmistakable as the tip of his tail brushed lightly against Katherine’s bare back.

  Noticing Shade’s curiosity, Lira smirked. “He probably picked up on all the smells from the market. I bet if you had the coin, you’d treat both yourself and Shade to a meat skewer,” she remarked, half teasing, half suggesting.

  Suddenly, Lira heard Katherine call out, “No, Shade, you can’t have that!” Katherine dashed ahead toward a food stall, realizing that Shade was already getting into mischief.

  Shade had taken it upon himself to investigate a stall selling spiced meats, his nose twitching as he tried to snatch one of the skewers, apparently hoping no one would notice.

  “Lady, keep control of your pet!” the stall owner shouted, clearly frustrated as Shade attempted to make off with a stick of meat.

  Flushing with embarrassment, Katherine quickly grabbed Shade by the scruff before he could succeed. “I’m so sorry, he’s just a cub, and this is his first time in a city,” she explained, trying to smooth things over with the owner.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  The stall owner scowled, eyeing Shade warily. “He’s not like any cub I’ve seen—he’s too big. What kind of beast gets that size and is still considered a cub?”

  Katherine had wondered the same thing herself not long ago.

  Lira stepped forward to help. “Spectral Dire Panther,” she announced, her tone confident. “Their bond is new, and this is the first time he’s really shown interest in anything.” She offered the owner a few coins. “Three skewers, please, and this should cover any trouble he caused.”

  ...

  Lira and Katherine entered the guild hall about half an hour later. Katherine clutched two of the three meat skewers as she scolded Shade for his earlier behavior at the food stall. Her words sounded stern—especially since Shade, when standing on his hind legs, was nearly as tall as she was—but she simply wanted him to ask before acting out.

  Shade’s ears flattened and his tail drooped, clearly showing submission. Onlookers cast curious glances, but Katherine’s tone was firm yet gentle. She sounded more like a parent correcting a child than someone being harsh, which seemed to reassure those watching.

  While Katherine handled Shade, Lira headed to the counter, gesturing for Katherine to find a seat at one of the tables.

  “New familiar?” asked the attendant, throwing a side glance at Shade as Katherine finished her scolding.

  “Yes, he was a handful earlier,” Lira admitted. “Their bond is new, and I think he’s testing her. I just hope it doesn’t backfire on either of them.”

  The attendant nodded knowingly, then shifted to a more professional tone. “How can I help you?”

  “Lira Wynford, here to pick up my share of the contract my team completed.”

  “Oh yes,” the attendant said with a bright smile. “Orin mentioned you’d be stopping by. Let me get it for you.”

  "Uh, Miss Wynford?" someone called from behind an unmistakable polite, shy but hesitant youth.

  Lira turned, recognizing Dean, a lower-ranked adventurer. His armor was little more than a simple leather chest piece, barely covering his ribs—just enough to keep his lungs safe. Dirt stained his hands, evidence that he’d either spent the day tending a garden or gathering herbs. Given Dean’s timid nature and youthful face, Lira guessed it was probably gardening.

  "Is that your familiar?" Dean asked, pointing toward where Shade lounged beside Katherine.

  Lira let out a light chuckle, easily seeing how Dean might think that. After all, everyone in the guild knew she was a witch. "No, Dean," she replied, her tone friendly. "If you want to pet Shade, you’ll have to ask her." She nodded toward Katherine. "Her name’s Katherine. I doubt she’ll mind if you’re polite. I think she’s nearly finished scolding him, and it looks like it’s just about feeding time."

  Dean’s face brightened at that, hope flickering in his eyes. Before Lira could say more, he hurried off, his enthusiasm barely contained. She managed to ruffle his mop of sun-bleached hair just before he slipped out of reach, and he quickly paused to smooth it back down as he made his way to Katherine and Shade.

  "He’s a good lad, isn’t he?" another attendant remarked, glancing at Lira as she leaned against the counter to watch Dean and Katherine interact.

  "Yeah, he is," Lira replied, her expression thoughtful. She knew the adventuring life could be harsh, and worried that the lighthearted youth might one day be worn down by it. "Too bad there aren’t more organizations for tamers here—or anywhere else in the province."

  Together, they watched as Dean carefully pulled a bit of meat from the skewer and, after a nervous glance at Katherine for approval, offered it to Shade. Under Katherine’s attentive supervision, Shade leaned forward and accepted the treat with surprising gentleness.

  Lira's moment of softhearted whimsy was shattered when a drunken stranger staggered toward Katherine, too inebriated to notice the tension between her, Dean, and Shade.

  "Ah, damn it," Lira muttered, her chest tightening as she watched events unfold.

  ...

  Lira’s voice was sharper than usual as she cleaned the blood from Katherine’s split lip and gently dabbed around her bruised eye. The aftermath of the scuffle clung to them both—a lingering tension in Lira’s quick movements and Katherine’s quiet winces.

  With Shade tucked away in her shadow—his presence felt, if not seen—Katherine tried to find some humor in the pain. “Honestly, I still think it was worth it,” she muttered, flinching as Lira pressed a damp cloth to a particularly tender spot on her cheek.

  “You can’t just throw punches in the middle of the Adventurer’s Guild,” Lira said, each word clipped with frustration but edged with concern. She inspected the last of the cuts before handing Katherine a small vial. “Drink. And for the record, it’s not like he actually grabbed your ass.”

  Katherine’s jaw tightened. She looked away as she uncorked the potion, her grip unsteady. “He was drunk enough to try when I stood up. I just… made sure it didn’t get that far.” Her voice was low, the words tumbling out before she could second guess them.

  Lira paused, setting the bloodied cloth aside. “Is that why you sent Shade and Dean away?”

  Katherine hesitated, watching the potion swirl in its glass. “Dean doesn’t belong around fights like that. He’s too young—barely more than a kid, and way too polite for a room full of old mercs and drunks. I didn’t want him in the middle of it.” She glanced at the dark patch on the floor where Shade’s shadow lingered. “With Shade… I get the sense that when I’m afraid, he’s afraid. If I lose control, he might too. I figured a broken nose is better than a corpse. So I told him to stay back until it was safe.”

  Lira studied Katherine, really seeing the battered face she’d tried to patch up—the swollen eye, the crooked nose. “You’ve seen your share of fights, haven’t you?” The question was soft—curious, not accusing—but it landed heavily between them. Lira’s gaze flicked toward the scars Katherine usually kept hidden, their edges visible now that her shirt had shifted out of place during the brawl.

  Katherine’s shoulders hunched, and she turned away, tracing a finger along the rim of the potion vial. “I have.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, the words rough as gravel. “That’s probably why Shade and I reacted the way we did in the forest.”

  Lira’s tone gentled even further. “Is that how you got those scars?” She didn’t push, just left the door open, hoping Katherine might let her in—just a little.

  Katherine’s breath caught, the memory flashing across her eyes. She swallowed, shoulders trembling just a bit. “Most of them… yeah.” A shiver ran through her, like she was reliving the pain all over again.

  As the potion’s magic settled in, fading bruises and knitting cuts closed, Lira asked quietly, “Would you ever want to talk about it?”

  Katherine shook her head, unable to meet Lira’s gaze. “Not now,” she said, her voice flat but not unfriendly. “Maybe some other time.”