Chapter Text
Edgin had the perfect life. Truly, he did.
He wasn't rich by any means; he didn't have a grand estate, or expensive clothes, he couldn't even afford to hire a house cleaner when he was too unmotivated to
mop his own floors. Sure, it bothered him at times, but he could at least provide for his family.
But Ed had everything he'd ever wanted. He had Zia, his beautiful, passionate, silly, and strong-willed wife. He had Kira, his adorable, sweet, rambunctious, and cunning daughter. He had Holga, who was like the sister he never had but always wanted.
He had Simon, and Doric, whom he considered his closest friends, his family, as well. He'd quit his old job with the Harpers and became a freelance musician - basically, the same exact job, just without the murder, and zero pay - which he enjoyed so much he didn't even consider it a job.
He had a house that belonged to him and Zia, that was full of things they, Kira, and Holga loved. It was small, but it was home. He and his family had good health, good relationships, and a good standing with the people in their town. He even had plenty of time to spend with his family and friends.
Ed was happier than he'd ever been; and he truly desired nothing else.
But… some fun here and there never hurt anyone.
He wouldn't take sole credit for the idea. Zia had spotted certain glances Ed would get in bars the same way he spotted glances Zia would get herself. Men, women, neither, it didn't matter - Ed and Zia were fluent in matters of flirtation, and it was effective in any crowd. Ed was thrilled at the idea that so many recognised how incredible and beautiful Zia was, yet she chose to come home to him. Likewise, Zia was tickled at how many could swoon over Ed when he sang, the same way she always did, but she got to keep him.
So, they started slow. They'd go to taverns or nighttime festivals, they'd make eyes at random strangers, maybe even share some innuendos or dances, and then go home and debate on who had been the most attractive person there. And sometimes even compete to see which of them could get hit on the most (it was almost always Zia, so Ed didn't bother keeping up the score). Then, they'd fall asleep in each other's arms and forget all about their silly fun in the morning.
Then, it grew a little more hands-on. First, a woman at a bar bought Zia a drink, and Zia was starstruck. Apparently, the woman was a famed author of some books Zia favoured. Zia had something of a crush. When she caught Ed's gaze, he waggled his eyebrows at her encouragingly, and she'd let the woman put an arm around her for the evening.
Another time, an older man whispered something seductive in Ed's ear, and even as he held Zia's hand, he suddenly itched for more contact. The man patted Ed's ass as he left, and Zia laughed at her husband's resulting blush.
But it perhaps came to a full capstone when the man hosting one of Ed's gigs asked for a tumble from the both of them, at the same time. A wiser person might call it impulsive, and risky, but Ed and Zia agreed simultaneously, enthusiastically, and the rest was history.
Ed discovered he really liked how red Zia's face would get as she was overwhelmed with pleasure from two people. Zia discovered she really liked watching Ed take someone else, as she was usually the one in charge when it was just the two of them.
A woman at a festival whom they invited to an inn. A merchant who offered a ‘special tour’ of their cart. A woman and her husband who wanted to take turns with Ed and Zia. That one had been particularly exhausting, but fun.
It was all just fun. Ed didn't need it. He knew Zia didn't need it - though he wouldn't mind if she did. Hells, it wasn't even something he'd want, had he not had Zia's shared enthusiasm. He'd never felt so connected to someone before, so sure of their mind as he was of his own, and not once did he ever feel threatened or hurt when Zia got it on with someone else. She was his heart and soul, and he was hers. They talked about boundaries a lot, but it wasn't ever necessary - they trusted each other more than anyone in the world, and they knew neither of their hearts would be lost to the other.
And it was a lot of fun.
It'd been a few months since their last excursion. They just hadn't wanted to find anyone to share a bed with in a while; making love was always better when it was just the two of them, anyways. But tonight, Ed was high on the adrenaline of a well-performed gig at the nearby theatre, and Zia was antsy to get out of the house now that she'd fully recovered from a brief spell of being sick in bed.
They went to a favourite tavern, and the mutual gleam in their eyes spoke of their shared interest in finding a third tonight. Holga was watching Kira for the night anyway; it was a great time to let loose.
Ed slid into a table towards the back so he could people-watch for a bit. Zia sat next to him, pressed as close to his side as she could get, and busied herself with fiddling with Ed's shirt collar. When the barmaid approached their table to get their orders - light drinks to start - Ed and Zia shared a look, but shook their heads. She was a pretty woman, but too young for them.
Their night went by relatively the same. There were less patrons than on the busiest of days, and most that were there seemed intent on drinking and leaving. The Winter season was approaching, and many people were just eager to get home to their warm hearths and cosy beds. Zia liked the cold, and Ed liked when Zia wore his jackets, so the weather had never deterred their outings.
Just when Ed was about to suggest trying somewhere else, the doors burst open with a gust of crisp, cold wind. A young girl stood in the entrance, panting heavily and covered in blood. Silent tears streamed down her face as she entered the tavern, shivering from the cold. Ed and Zia rose immediately, and made their way to the poor girl to see what was wrong.
Some other patrons stood with the same idea, but settled when Ed and Zia reached the girl. Most people knew and loved Kira, and so trusted Ed and Zia to know how to handle a child.
“Hello,” Zia began, her voice warm as she crouched beside the girl. “Are you hurt?”
The girl shook her head and wiped her face with a trembling hand.
“N-not my… blood,” the girl stammered.
“Really?” Ed's eyes widened as he perched on his ankles next to Zia. “You must be some warrior to cause so much carnage, then.”
Humour wasn't a reliable means of helping kids calm down from traumatic experiences - or, well, Ed's humour wasn't. But this girl, who couldn't have been older than Kira herself, smiled shakily.
“I punched one,” she said excitedly.
A tear fell from her eye, streaking blood down her face, but it seemed to be what remained of her crying rather than a new wave.
“Punched one what?” Zia asked gently.
“A cannoll."
Ed and Zia shared a confused glance. Then, Zia grinned.
“A gnoll?” she corrected.
The girl nodded. Ed bit back a laugh.
“You punched a gnoll?” Ed echoed. “I wouldn't even do that. What if I broke a nail?”
The girl giggled, and shook her head as if to fondly admonish Ed.
“It howled,” the girl said. She had stopped shaking, but Zia offered the poor thing her - or really, Ed's - fur jacket anyway; it was too big for her small frame, but she clutched it gratefully. “Then it snarled at me. It had b-big teeth. I wanted to keep one. But the nice man said I had to run away.” Her eyes widened suddenly. “He cut its head clean off!” she added, way too cheerfully for such a violent sentence.
“Who did?”
“Thenk!”
Zia and Ed shared another confused look. This time, neither of them could piece together what she could be mispronouncing.
“Er, where is your family?” Zia asked, changing gears efficiently.
“Mum wasn't home,” the girl said. Her smile fell. “She works late. She told me to lock up the chickens before sunset, but I forgot.”
“Oh, I forget to do that so often it's a wonder we still have chickens,” Zia sympathised, gesturing between herself and Ed.
It was a lie, of course. They didn't have chickens. But the girl smiled, relieved to know she wasn't the only person in the world making mistakes.
“It's just you and your mother?” Ed asked.
The girl nodded. Her crying had stopped, but she sniffed absentmindedly as her nose ran. Ed sighed softly and handed her the handkerchief Zia had made him, resigning himself to not getting it back. The girl needed it more at the moment. Besides, the smile Zia gave him as a result was more than worth it.
“Let's get you some food and water, hm?” Zia suggested, leading the girl to a table towards the front. “We were just going to get dinner ourselves.”
Ed shook his head fondly, smiling when the girl wasn't looking as he stood. Zia lying to a child so effortlessly was as effective as it was hilarious.
They sat across the table from the girl, and Zia took her hand while Ed flagged down the barmaid. The woman, who'd apparently been waiting by to see what they might do, reached the table immediately.
“Already cookin’,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “You two don't worry ‘bout a thing.”
“That's not necessary-” Ed began.
“No no,” the barmaid interrupted. “My da's weren't nearly as good to me. It's ‘eartwarming to see, is all.”
She left without entertaining any further debate, and Ed and Zia shared a shrug.
“Who are you?” the girl asked, staring up at them from her chair.
“Oh!” Zia exclaimed, turning to the girl. “I'm so sorry, how rude of us! I'm Zia, and this is my husband Edgin.”
“Eggin? Th-that's a weird name.”
“Isn't it?” Ed agreed, even though she'd said it wrong. “What about you?”
“I'm M-m-m-,” she paused, forcing herself to swallow. “Milli.”
Ed was half tempted to get her a real drink just to calm her nerves, but knew Zia would smack him upside the head for it.
“It's nice to meet you, Milli,” Zia said. “Is your home far from here?”
Milli shook her head. Before she could explain further, the barmaid returned with three bowls of steaming soup that smelled divine. Ed's mouth watered instantly, and the conversation halted for the sake of digging in. He hadn't realised how hungry he'd gotten just sitting around. He and Zia thanked the barmaid who smiled brightly at them in return, and left.
As they ate in silence, Ed became increasingly worried that there might be gnolls on the way, following Milli's scent. He set his spoon down and observed Milli, mulling over how to ask in a way that wouldn't worry her.
“Milli…” he began. “You said someone called ‘Thank’ saved you?”
Milli shook her head.
“Thenk,” she corrected. “Thenk Yunder.”
“Thenk Yunder.”
“No, Thenk Yunder.”
“That's… what I said.”
Milli frowned at her soup in frustration.
“I don't know how to say it right,” she pouted. “He said it with a sound I don't know.”
“That's okay,” Ed replied, raising his hands placatingly. “I'm sure you're doing great, I've just never heard of… this guy. Did he kill all the gnolls?”
Milli considered for a moment.
“He killed the ones I saw,” she said. “But he told me to run because more were coming. I didn't see any more,” she added, with a disbelieving lilt to her voice.
Ed grinned.
“Well, should this mystery saviour decide to grace this tavern, we'll have to thank him.”
As if summoned by Ed's words, in a beautiful display of cosmic irony, the door to the tavern burst open and a man wearing a suit of armour covered in blood and gnoll fur entered. He was graceful despite his size, and had a slight smile on his face as though he'd just returned from smelling the roses instead of slaying the gnolls. His eyes scanned the tavern, and lit up when he spotted Milli, immediately rushing to her side.
“Are you unharmed?” he asked, crouching to one knee beside Milli's chair.
Milli jumped up and threw her arms around the man's shoulders, unbothered by the blood everywhere. The man tentatively hugged her back, looking awkward but sincere.
“Thank you,” Milli said.
“Of course,” the man said, and wow, his voice was incredible up close. Milli released the man and he leaned back, scanning her face in concern. “It is safe now, I will lead you back to your home and ward it against any further troublemakers.”
The man briefly glanced up at Ed and Zia. He nodded gravely, as though addressing fellow comrades in battle.
“Thank you for looking after Milli,” the man said to them. “I hope no trouble found you here.”
“Oh, none at all,” Zia dismissed, and when Ed glanced at her, she had the strangest smirk on her face. “She joined us for dinner and was delightful company.” Then, Zia leaned across the table and extended her hand. “I'm Zia, by the way. Zia Darvis.”
The man took Zia's hand gently.
“Xenk Yendar,” he replied, “at your service.”
“By how much?” Zia asked.
Ed squinted at her. His wife was flirting now of all times?
Xenk frowned, as though confused by her question.
“By however much you need,” he answered, though it sounded more like a question of his own. “Should it be for a noble cause, I would gladly give my aid.”
Zia only hummed, sitting back in her chair. She kicked Ed's ankle under the table, and he jumped a bit.
“Uh, Ed,” he said, holding out his hand. “Edgin Darvis. Zia's husband.”
Xenk's hand was surprisingly warm, despite the chilly night. And somehow his skin was also soft, if a bit calloused from his sword. Ed found he didn't really want to let go.
“A pleasure,” Xenk replied, shaking his hand firmly.
Was it Ed's imagination or did Xenk hold on a bit too long to be friendly? And did his fingers actually caress Ed's wrist, or was he losing it? Wait, how long had he gone silent. What were they talking about? Ed studied Xenk's features appreciatively. Gods, you're gorgeous, Ed thought.
“I find such an observation to be subjective,” Xenk said, startling Ed from his thoughts. “But I thank you.”
Ed swallowed.
“Did I say that out loud?” he asked nervously.
“Yes you did,” Zia replied quietly in a sing-song voice.
Xenk stood, idly brushing his hands against his sides. Milli grabbed one of his hands almost immediately, and Xenk smiled down at her.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
Milli nodded enthusiastically. She turned back to Ed and Zia.
“Thanks for supper!”
“Anytime, dear,” Zia said fondly. “Be careful, alright?”
Milli nodded again, far more firmly, and her expression hardened into a look of childish severity. It was very cute. Ed hoped she'd be okay.
Xenk led Milli out of the tavern, and the door shut quietly behind them. Ed relaxed in his seat, exhaling in a rush. Zia seemed similarly slumped, and they stared at each other for a moment.
“... Were you able to see that guy too?”
“Tall, gorgeous, with a voice like warm velvet?” Zia giggled. “Yes, he was very real.”
“Or, we're both crazy. He seemed more like an angel than a human.”
“That would be because he's a paladin. I could tell from his aura.”
“Damn. I can't stand paladins, they're all so stuck up.”
“I bet you'd like him to be stuck up in you.”
“Zia!” Ed hissed, scandalised.
Zia ducked her head into his shoulder and cackled uncontrollably. He couldn't help but join her merriment, shaking his head even as he laughed.
“Too bad he seems busy tonight,” Ed remarked.
“Maybe we'll catch him again another time.” Zia sat up straight, squinting in thought. “What if we put you in a dangerous situation and I run after him?”
“What, so you can get it on with him while I dangle from a roof or lay trapped under a log?”
“No, silly, so he'll follow me back to ‘help’.”
“Smart, but what if he just helps and then leaves?”
“He won't leave. He was definitely making eyes at you.”
They continued to chatter about how they might convince Xenk to bed them, until the hour grew too late and they returned home.
~
Ed really wished their next run-in with Xenk was under pleasurable circumstances. Instead, just a day later, a rogue group of Thayan Red Wizards arrived at their village in the night, setting fire to various homes and slicing at crops and livestock. They attacked without care, and it was pure luck that no one was killed before Xenk arrived, his armour gleaming in the moonlight as he dismounted from a horse with a deep black coat, as if made from shadow.
Ed had burst from their home with his lute and a dagger in hand, scared out of his mind at the sounds of chaos but unwilling to leave Kira and Zia undefended. Zia followed him out despite his request for her to stay inside, and she wielded a large frying pan like it was a sword. Holga stood behind her with her axe drawn, and when Ed glared at her for failing to keep Zia inside, she just shrugged in defeat.
“You try making her stay hidden next time,” Holga remarked, her voice gruff and tone unbothered. “It's like trying to catch a dragonfly.”
Zia grinned smugly. Ed just sighed.
“Alright, but stay behind Holga,” he ordered.
“I can handle myself.”
“Well she's got those iron muscles, and you don't.”
“I'll need someone to watch my back,” Holga interrupted, patting Zia's shoulder. “Think you can do that?”
“You're trying to trick me,” Zia noted, frowning at Holga. “But fine. I'll watch your rear. It's a nice one, anyways.”
“Thanks.”
Ed rolled his eyes, taking point. He wouldn't care if Zia decided to set her sights on Holga, but he would like to not be involved in that whatsoever.
They joined the fray, encouraging those unarmed to get out of the way and antagonising the few Thayans that Xenk had yet to cut down. Now that Ed was actively watching, he was mesmerised by how Xenk moved so gracefully even in battle, ducking out of reach of the Thayans’ weapons with inhuman speed and gutting them with incredible strength, his sword glowing golden.
Just when Edgin thought Xenk would be overpowered after getting his sword stuck in a red wizard, he removed from it a dagger that fit just inside the sword’s blade, and fended off another red wizard before retrieving the rest of his sword. He fought so incredibly, Ed had to actively remind himself to pay attention to his own fighting, not Xenk’s, so Holga wouldn’t be left having to fend for herself and protect him and Zia.
When only one Thayan remained, Xenk whistled sharply and his horse began running in circles around the scene of battle. Xenk drove his sword through the final Thayan's chest, his lips moving soundlessly, and gold light glowed from his sword and his eyes. As his horse ran, dust kicked up around them until the entire area was contained in a translucent dome.
Ed glanced at Holga and Zia, a bit concerned to be trapped inside with all the Thayan corpses. But then the dome dissipated, and Ed had to shield his gaze as bright, warm light erupted from Xenk. When the light faded, Ed blinked his eyes open to find every Thayan corpse had been charred to a crisp from radiant flame. Xenk's horse stood proudly behind him, and Xenk sheathed his sword with finality.
“Are you alright?” Xenk asked, approaching the three of them.
“We're fine,” Holga said. “That was a damn good show.”
Xenk frowned, tilting his head.
“I assure you, that was very real,” he replied severely.
Holga squinted in confusion. Ed shrugged; he would've thought a paladin would be desperate for an ego boost, not prone to misinterpret one.
“She just meant you fought impressively,” Zia piped up, leaning out from behind Holga's broad form. “You saved us all.”
“I only corrected a prior failure,” Xenk said, apparently determined to not take a single compliment. “This particular group escaped my grasp before, and I was only lucky to find them here in time to save lives, but not in time to spare some homes.”
He cast a forlorn glance at the houses that had been set ablaze. It took Ed this long to realise they were no longer burning. And it was raining. And he was soaked. Well, he couldn't be blamed for being distracted by a literal knight in shining armour.
“It's not your fault,” Zia said. She stepped forward from between Ed and Holga. “You shouldn't blame yourself for the crimes of those monsters.”
Xenk gave her a very intense look that Ed didn't comment on, only because of how much respect he saw in Xenk's eyes. Damn right, Ed thought smugly to himself. Not out loud, this time.
“Your words are wise, my lady,” Xenk said, bowing his head a bit. “I only regret that I had not succeeded in smiting them before. But, that has been amended. I shall stay in the meantime to help rebuild.”
“Rebuild some singed rooftops?” Ed laughed. “Buddy, you've done enough.”
Zia scowled at him over her shoulder, and mouthed “buddy?”. Ed shrugged. He wasn't as good at direct flirting as she was. His thing was charm and subterfuge, not bold confrontation.
“There is always more work to be done,” Xenk announced, raising his head in that annoyingly righteous way that all paladins did. “So long as I live, I am sworn to serve the people.”
Ed's breath caught a bit, he could admit. Every paladin he'd ever met before had been insufferably religious and pretentious. Xenk was… Well. Ed would suffer him, is all he'd say.
“Hey, where are you from?” Ed asked.
Xenk's noble expression faltered slightly.
“Was it not obvious?” Xenk pushed his locs out of his face, revealing a mark of Szass Tam. “I am from Thay.”
Ed's stomach dropped.
“What the hell?” Ed spat. “What are you playing at?”
“I assure you,” Xenk began, raising his hands slowly, “I mean you no harm. Not all those who hail from Thay are thirsty for the blood of innocents.”
“All Thayans with those marks sure do,” Ed insisted warily.
“Ed,” Holga hissed. “It's not what you think.”
Xenk kept his hands up, as if to soothe, but his eyes were downcast with a level of heartache and despair that startled Ed. He seemed… resigned to Ed's judgement, but no less despondent for it. Still, he remained silent as Ed glanced at Holga with an almost crazed confusion.
“What's not what I think?”
“This is Xenk,” she replied, as if they were old friends. “The legendary Paladin? He fought with my cousin in the Anauroch. He says he’s a good man. I trust him.”
Ed's shoulders slumped in defeat. He glanced between Holga and Zia, who was watching him with a curious but open expression. He turned back to Xenk, pointing with his lute.
“So, why the mark?”
“The whole of it is a long story, for another time,” Xenk replied. “But the mark is a result of my escape from Szass Tam's ritual of undeath. I made it out alive, but not unscathed. The same could not be said of my family.”
Ed winced. Now he felt like an asshole.
“I swear to you,” Xenk continued, “I am devoted solely to the service of the needy and the protection of the innocent. I have never, and will never, ally myself with Szass Tam and his followers.”
Zia raised a brow at Ed. He shrugged defensively, but sighed in defeat.
“Alright.” Ed met Xenk's - gorgeous, soulful, dreamy - eyes. “Sorry. Just had to make sure.”
“I understand,” Xenk replied easily.
“I should’ve known better, with all the-” Ed gestured to all of Xenk, “holy-paladin shit.” Xenk simply stared at him, so he cleared his throat. “You’re cool. We’re all good.”
Zia smiled at Ed approvingly, and even after over a decade of being married, Ed still melted under her gaze.
“I thank you,” Xenk replied, bowing his head slightly. “I had no wish to flee this place so soon. Is there an inn nearby I might inhabit for the night?”
Holga opened her mouth to helpfully give directions to the very nearby tavern inn that would happily house the paladin - likely for free, as he had saved their roof from the fires - but Zia interrupted her.
“You can stay with us!” she announced confidently.
Xenk, and Holga, stared at her in surprise. Ed couldn’t say he’d expected it, but he certainly didn’t mind, especially after he’d just insulted the guy with his assumptions. Holga frowned at Zia, as if to say really? Zia just shrugged.
“There's no room,” Holga, who was currently occupying their only guest room, said gruffly.
“He can have our room,” Zia offered, “the couches are plenty for us.”
“Please, that isn't necessary,” Xenk said, raising a noble hand. “I'll do just fine at any inn.”
“Oh, we insist,” Ed replied. “It's the least we could do for your help.”
Xenk hesitated, seemingly caught between the kindness of denying to steal their bed and the rudeness of denying their offer.
“I do not help for reward,” Xenk said finally.
“What if we just like having you around?” Zia rebutted.
Xenk's eyebrows furrowed, and his mouth did a funny twitch. It was like he'd never heard such an idea before.
“Come on,” Ed continued, “just for tonight. We'll even give you a tour of the town in the morning, introduce you to some people.” He extended his hand. “Deal?”
Xenk stared at Ed's hand as though he was offering excessive gold rather than a simple handshake. When Xenk's hand enveloped Ed's own, his smooth skin was just as warm as the night before. Ed felt himself quiver a bit.
“Deal,” Xenk accepted, offering an adorable little grin.
They shook hands for an awkwardly long time, saved only by Zia clearing her throat. They parted, and Ed and Holga led the way back to the house. Zia kept Xenk company with idle conversation as they trailed behind, and Ed bit back a smirk.
Holga side-eyed him, and scoffed.
“You two are unbelievable,” she whispered. “Offering him your place to stay just so you can fuck him?”
“Holga,” Ed hissed, hoping Xenk couldn't hear them from so far behind, “don't be crass. We're not gonna violate any rules of hospitality. Just… trying to make a friend.”
“Right.”
“Does it bother you?”
“What, that my best friend scored gold in the wife department and still gets to sleep with beautiful strangers? Nah, doesn't bother me.”
“Well, you deserve better than Marlamin anyway.”
Holga laughed at that.
They reached the house and got Xenk settled in. He chose to keep his armour in the room with him rather than set it out by the door, and Ed could understand. But Xenk also wanted to leave the bedroom door open, which Ed found a little odd.
“In case of danger, I'd like to have less in my way,” Xenk explained.
Ed got a bit dizzy at the idea of Xenk breaking down a door, but acquiesced.
He and Zia settled comfortably on the couch together, Zia cradled on top of Ed with her head pressed to his chest. Ed kissed her hair, breathing in her scent. Zia slipped a hand under his shirt and rested it over his stomach.
“What d'you think?” Ed whispered, as his eyelids began to droop. “We got a chance?”
Zia hummed in thought.
“I don't think we can let this one get away,” she decided.
Ed was surprised to find how easily he agreed. Something about Xenk felt a bit more… tangible, than the untouchable hero he appeared to be. Or maybe that was wishful thinking from the both of them.
Still, as Ed fell into a deep sleep, comforted by Zia's warmth and slow breathing, he thought of soft hands, and a deep, smooth voice.