Chapter Text
The first time they met she was young, and he was already old. Older than her mother, than her father, than the grandfather she had never met. Her main duty that day, as always, was to present herself to the distinguished guests, curtsy until her knees screamed for her to stop, and then fade into the elaborately patterned wallpaper, speaking only if spoken to. That their guests of that day were sent by the king of the nearest group of monsters did not change her duty, although it did pique her interest.
She saw the group for what might have been only a minute, and her curious gaze fell on him last in the moments before they were drawn further into their home to meet in her father’s study. The group of monsters consisted of a violet ghost woman, two heavily armoured individuals that she supposed must have been guards, and two skeletons. The ghost she could see was female and the horned skeleton she knew by reputation as the monster king’s woman warrior. She sneered internally at the idea of women being placed in charge of such important matters as a diplomatic treaty and studiously ignored the spark of jealousy in her breast. A woman’s place was in the home, not out gallivanting with men and bringing shame to her family name.
When the group left hours later, she rose from her embroidery and curtsied as they passed. The horned skeleton looked her over with a strangely blank look while the others barely glanced her way. The second skeleton seemed dead set on not looking at her, gaze focused forward almost as though they did not wish to be there any longer than absolutely necessary.
She did not hear any of their names until dinner that night, when he father informed her that she would be standing for dress fittings the following week.
The second time they met, she was still young, and he was still old, and both felt older for every step she walked down the aisle in time with the organ’s music. Her dress, a stark white to show off her family’s wealth - after all, not many could afford the work that went into production of so pure a color - was fearfully heavy and restrictive. Her first glimpse of her husband had her knees locking as her father doggedly drug her onward. He stood there silently, not even watching as she came down the aisle on her father’s arm. She had known, of course, what breed of hellspawn she was being sold to, but it was still sickening to watch the creature stand there waiting for her arrival. His bones were stark white against a black suit, thin hands hanging limply from his wrists. As she drew close enough, she could see the hollow holes in his face, the small white dots inside trained firmly on a distant wall. This shell of what had once been a man was to be her husband, and had she not shed every tear in her body last night she might have begun crying once more. As it was she stood there feeling sick and afraid as her father left her to join her mother on the pews.
The ceremony lasted both too long and not long enough. She could barely stand the stares on her back, nor the whispers she heard from those behind her. She could not stand looking her groom in the black voids that served as his eyes and so she did not. If she stared at just the right spot on the wall behind him she could imagine that her soon to be husband was human, and so she allowed herself that measure of comfort.
Her own name startled her out of her reverie. “Do you, Mary Lyons, swear to devote yourself, body, soul, and mind to Doctor Wingdings Gaster as his lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” she said, traitorous lips allowing the words that had once meant so much to pass through.
“And do you, Doctor Wingdings Gaster, Royal Scientist to King Magore of the monsters, swear to protect and provide for your wife to the best of your ability?”
“I do,” the man beside her said, and Mary barely registered that those were the first words she had heard from him.
“Does anyone here have a reason why these two cannot be married?” the priest asked the room at large, and Mary felt the last vestiges of her hope fade away to nothing as no one rose to save her. “Hearing and seeing no objections, I declare the two before me married!”
Polite applause greeted the declaration as the priest beamed up at them. “You may now kiss the bride!”
Finally Mary could no longer pretend that she has not been signed over to the Devil’s minion. She turned to face him stiffly as he turned to look at her. His gaze was still distant, uncaring, and as he leaned forward she closed her eyes so that she would not have to see what was about to occur. She braced herself for the cold kiss of a dead corpse and her eyes snapped open when something warm met her lips instead. The man named Gaster was already pulling away, his eyes once again fixed on anything but her.
She forced a smile as she was congratulated by humans and servants of the Devil that she had never met. Some few stuck to the corners stubbornly refusing to congratulate them on their sham of a marriage. She felt their heated glares on her back.
The wedding feast was held in the monster king’s castle, located only a short carriage ride from the church. She wondered if perhaps it was because the monsters could not bear the holy air of the church for long. Mary was barely present, only just able to keep herself beside her new husband. She was surrounded by the horrors that her preachers had warned against. They had said to never look one in the eye lest it tempt you and here she was married to one. She prayed that her Lord not abandon her now in her darkest hour, yet feared she was the one who had been forced to abandon him by desecrating the sacred act of marriage through her union with the Godless one beside her.
She observed those around her for lack of anything else to do, and found herself reluctantly fascinated by the variety of demons in the room. There were several who were human shaped but made entirely of the elements, others who appeared as common animals until they spoke in perfect English, and many more skeletal creatures. She shuddered inwardly and thanked God that she had been paired with one that at least had an entirely humanoid form. Many bore horns, strange spines, tails, skeletal wings, or serrated teeth. A few had even abandoned human skeleton structures entirely, instead settling on dog-like shapes or strange birds.
The edges of the grand hall were stationed with guards, likely there to prevent any harm coming to the room or the monarchs within as well as ensuring that no guests got too rowdy. One in particular was leering at the humans present, hair covering its eyes, sneer derisive. The human guests were avoiding that particular section of the hall, settling for giving the monster - who, for all intents and purposes, looked like a human with four arms instead of two - irritated glares and muttering about its behavior. Mary watched as her husband noticed the monster and his already strict expression became tighter. He set off through the crowd and she struggled to follow behind him.
“Averia,” he called commandingly.
The other skeleton monster that she had seen in her father’s home turned from her conversation to face the two of them, a glass of wine in one wickedly clawed hand. The large horns were no less terrifying up close, the subtly swaying tail and fanged teeth not subtracting from her impression of staring up at one of the chief demons of Hell. From the finer color and gold trim of Averia’s uniform, Mary guessed that she might not be far off.
“Gaster, good to see you. Have you tried the wine?” she asked, gaze not even flickering to Mary.
“No I have not nor do I have any intention of doing so. Who, precisely, thought it would be a good idea to invite Noisy Boy to this event?”
“Nobody said she wasn’t invited. She is my second-in-command you know,” Averia said, shrugging. “Why, has she done something?”
“All things considered, it would be wise to have her leave,” Gaster said pointedly.
“Noise isn’t a moron, she won’t pull anything. Nobody’s gonna be hurt by her glaring at them. Besides, this play is almost over,” she said, jerking her chin towards the raised dais at the furthest end of the room.
The monster’s king stood there, joined by his young son Asgore, her father and mother, the king of her home city of Widriver, the princess Estelle, and several other key diplomats. Silence fell instantly over the crowded room as the king cleared his magically enhanced voice and began to speak.
“Greetings, all. I have been permitted to speak on behalf of the many who made this union possible, some of whom you see gathered here behind me,” he said, pausing to indicate those standing with him. His words were met with a brief applause. “We have gathered here today in celebration, a celebration which I hope will mark the end of an era of fear and discrimination, and the beginning of a new era of hope and understanding. With the marriage of my Royal Scientist Doctor Wingdings Gaster to Mary Lyons we have tied our two species together. The day is not far off, my people and our esteemed guests, when humans and monsters will live together as one, supporting each other as family. I and those who stand with me here today will not cease our struggle until the day that a human and a monster marry is not a cause for speeches by kings but an everyday occurrence. This will not, however, be accomplished by this pairing alone. While this is an immense step forward, we still must -”
Mary couldn’t bring herself to listen to the rest of the speech, instead focusing on breathing properly. She couldn’t seem to get enough air to prevent herself from feeling faint. So focused was she on not falling into a faint there and then that she started when the hall around her erupted into applause and murmurs. Beside her Averia was visibly grinding her teeth while her husband looked on without expression.
“Well, that was a load of shit,” Averia said, drawing a shocked gasp from Mary. Averia gave her a disgruntled look before continuing, “Head to the front, Magore said the carriage is waiting to take you home.”
Mary nodded silently, then began walking towards the open doors. When she realized that her husband had not moved, she looked around to see Averia had her hand clasped on Gaster’s shoulder and was saying something to him. Whatever it was it finally changed his expression to one of resigned determination and he strode forward to look at her directly for the first time since they had left the church.
“Follow me,” was all he said, placing a hand on her shoulder to steer her through the crowd. They were the first words he had spoken to her.
He released her as soon as they had crossed the threshold of the front hall, his long strides taking him to the coach ahead of her. The coachman let her in and they sat in absolute silence until the carriage came to a stop. The monster beside her said nothing as they were informed that her luggage had been moved into the room that they would share, merely nodding to the driver’s well wishes.
She was not sure what to expect when they got inside. Would he want to claim her immediately, or would he wait? Would it be as painful as she had heard, or might they be so incompatible that he would not even bother? Could a being made of the remains of what was once a human even mate with a human woman?
She did not expect him to ignore her completely in favor of sitting at the dining room table and drawing out a large tome full of small, tight script to begin reading. For a few long minutes, she stood there watching him, unsure of herself. Before long Gaster glanced up at her irritably.
“Do you require something or do you simply enjoy pointlessly standing around?” he asked sharply.
“No, sir. Is there… something I should be doing?” she asked, unsure of herself.
“I have no need of your assistance. Find something with which to occupy yourself.”
She turned from him uncertainly, eyeing the interior of the house. It was sparse, although what little there was had likely cost a small fortune. The wood of the home was smooth and dark, obviously put together by a master craftsman. Windows paned with glass - obscenely expensive, especially the one full of colored glass - lined much of the room, serving to lighten the interior. The cloth furniture came in many shades of green and gold, rugs shielding the hardwood underneath.
Equally, if not more impressive, was Gaster's expansive collection of books. Several littered the table in the center of the next room, a few carelessly adorning the arm of a nearby couch. Evidently despite the money dedicated to the home itself he had no servants to clean the opulence.
Perhaps, she thought, tidying the house might serve to steady her nerves. With this thought in mind she reached out and grabbed ahold of the nearest book, drawing it towards her.
Not even a second later a white hand darted down and snatched the book from her, and she glanced up to find her husband's face inches from her own, eye sockets narrowed.
“Do not touch my books,” he ordered, tone leaving no room for argument. “Do not touch my papers. Do not touch my research. I foolishly left some of my work here. I can see now that I shall need to remove it before you play with things that you do not understand.”
Mary stood frozen as he barked his commands, only allowing herself a small nod when he glared at her to confirm that she understood his orders.
“Good. Your items have already been placed in the bedroom. Up the stairs, third room on the right. Ensure that nothing is missing,” he ordered.
She practically fled the room, relieved to finally have something to do that took her far away from the empty eye sockets that looked at her with such revulsion.
His instructions lead her to a bedroom that appeared to have never been touched. She supposed that he never said this was his bedroom, nor had he said that they would sleep together, and for that she was grateful. If she must be married to a creature of the Devil at the least she could have the room to herself.
She was prepared for this, beforehand. Her mother had told her of what would happen, how she was to do whatever her husband should ask of her, take whatever he gave her without fighting. Fighting, her mother had said, would make him hit her. Best to lay there and comply with his wishes, imagine she was elsewhere until the pain stopped. He would enjoy himself. She would pray for it to end.
Still she shook with dread, unable to prevent the tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes. This was terrifying - she would hurt, and bleed, and for what? Dedicating the rest of her life to serving a creature who had surely been born of the fires of hell?
Mary listened for the telltale sounds of heavy footsteps walking down the hall and shuddered again. If she could find no solace on the physical plane, she would find it in the spiritual.
She knelt on the plush rug and clasped her hands in prayer. She prayed to her God for his guidance in the darkness, that even though her body might be the possession of this demon her soul might still belong entirely to Him. She prayed that she survive this night, that her husband might take mercy on her, that she not be sacrificed to the Devil. She eventually ran out of things to pray for but stayed on the floor until she could no longer feel her legs under her, then wobbled over to her bed and sat there in horrified suspense.
The sound she was dreading, when it came, was slow and halting. She wondered if perhaps the ceremony had been as exhausting to him as it had been to her. She even allowed herself to hope, momentarily, that he would be so tired as to pass her room by entirely.
She had no such luck. The footsteps paused just outside her door, followed a moment later by the click of the doorknob opening.
Gaster entered the room, shoes clicking on the floor. He looked down at her without a word as she sat on the bed doing her best not to shiver in fear.
“This room will be yours,” he said, the lights in his empty sockets locking with her gaze for a moment before surveying the room.
“Yes, sir,” she said, voice small.
Long moments stretched by as he made no move toward her, the silence a noose slipping tighter with every breath. She watched his form fearfully, watching for his hands to reach for buttons and seal her fate. Instead her husband squared his shoulders after an immeasurably long time and looked to her once more.
“You are likely expecting the consummation of our marriage tonight,” he said matter-of-factly, “But it we are to be honest neither of us wishes to be man and wife. I believe I can put that particular duty aside without complaint on your part.”
“Are you… asking for an annulment of our marriage?” she asked fearfully. Had she already managed to anger this man, despite having spoken no more than a few words to him?
“You appear to have misunderstood me,” he said coldly. “This is not my attempt to cancel our… union.”
“I am afraid,” Oh Lord was she afraid, of this man, of the future, of the monsters who now surround her, “that I do not understand.”
He sighed heavily and eyed her with disappointment. “Human marriages must be consummated to be considered valid, yes?”
She nodded, unable to say anything for fear of hope creeping into her voice.
“Monster marriages do not take such things into account. Whether we mate or not is of no consequence.”
“But my father-” she cut herself off before she could finish, already cursing her slip.
“Your father’s opinions are also of no consequence. If anyone asks I have taken you as my mate. If you deny this fact, I will prove it true and neither of us shall enjoy that experience. Have I made myself clear?” Gaster said, yanking her chin up to look at him.
“Yes, sir,” she responded, fear clear in her face as she flinched away. He released her, allowing her to pull as far away from him as the bed would allow.
“Good. I am going out. Stay here.”
He departed without another word or even a glance her direction. Once she was sure he was gone, she collapsed onto the bed, clutching at the little silver cross, thanking her God for His mercy.
Gaster found himself struggling not to sprint away from his own home - no, not his home anymore, not with that human there. He wondered how long it would take someone to notice if he began sleeping in the lab. Anything to avoid going back there.
Now that he was finally away from the woman, he almost regretted his actions. Yes, she was not to touch any of his research and he wanted her to know that, but perhaps he should have been more gentle about it. He sighed heavily. She would have to get used to it eventually anyways. A ‘people person’ he was not.
He hurried through the city pointedly ignoring the many celebrations occurring throughout the streets. While most knew that this marriage would not likely be the catalyst for peace that the King had promised, many could not help but hope. Gaster did not share their optimism, although that may have been more due to the fact that his freedom had been sacrificed for the smallest glimmer of a chance at peace.
His swift pace took him to the edge of the city quickly, and he passed by Impact with a small nod. The skeleton monster lifted his heavy horned head from his paws and nodded back with a huff. They exchanged no words but then again neither really knew the other. Impact occasionally accompanied Averia when Noisy Boy would be less than ideal - which was often when peaceful humans were involved - and this was their only point of common interest.
“Hey,” a rough and mercifully familiar voice called as he made his way to the border where the one he was seeking out was most likely to be, and he nearly cried in relief.
“Averia, I have never been more glad to see you my friend,” he said, turning to face her.
“Yeah I’m not surprised, after all that,” Averia said, studying his face. “Christ, Impact wasn’t lying, you look awful.”
“Thank you, I do feel so much better now,” Gaster said, voice heavy with sarcasm.
“Obviously. You’re being sarcastic.”
“Really, I feel terrible. I am not of a mood to be around others just now.”
“As in you want me to go, or as in we need to retreat somewhere?”
“The second option, please,” Gaster said, a tinge of desperation in his face.
“Can do, Dings. Follow me,” Averia said, leading him around the edges of town.
A small fraction of those who had called out to him before raised their voices this time around, and it was not only due to the scarcity of people this far out. A quick look at Captain of the Royal Guard told them to mind their own business, and only those too inebriated to care spoke up. A glance her way told him why.
Averia wore an expression promising violence to anyone who bothered her, and Gaster was grateful. Most humans found skeleton monsters intimidating, both because they resembled regular skeletons and due to the process involved in their creation, but even many monsters would agree that Averia was terrifying. She cut an impressive figure, towering over most, and the large horns, sharp teeth and claws only add to her intimidating aura - at least, until one got to know her. Most would avoid her now based on the irate expression on her face. Gaster knew her well enough that it was the irritable twitching of her tail that worried him. She was in a very foul mood, and he was almost concerned for any bystanders who got in her way.
Before long they cut into the city streets themselves, and soon they were nearing a large house. It was far too large for one person but Averia had taken the former Captain’s home to maintain the tradition anyways - and, Gaster suspected, to be closer to the king in the event of an emergency - when she’d advanced in the ranks and given Gaster her old one. It was a grand home made of white stone with dark wood and gold accents, three stories tall and, as often stated by the owner, ‘creepy as hell in the middle of night’. She unlocked her door and ushered him inside. The instant the door closed behind him she slumped and waved wearily at the table.
“You want something to drink?” she asked, walking through the entrance hall. The two of them strode into the kitchen together, and he sat down heavily.
“Anything but tea,” Gaster replied, equally weary. “I don’t even want to think about tea right now.”
A few moments later a mug of hot cider was placed in front of him, and he murmured his thanks as Averia sat down on the opposite end of the table.
“So, you’re a married man now,” Averia said.
Gaster flinched but nodded anyway. “Yes, I suppose that I am.”
She grit her teeth, claws digging holes into the tabletop. “I couldn’t stop him, gods, Dings, I’m so sorry.”
“It was my choice, in the end,” Gaster pointed out.
“Magore should never have asked you to do this!” she said mutinously.
“The humans requested that the mate not be a soldier and you know we have precious few of those. Even without training, no skeleton monster would fall to a human they are determined to fight. Magore made the wisest choice, regardless of my personal feelings on the matter,” Gaster said.
“If by regardless you mean completely disregarding your feelings then yeah, it was. You don’t have to defend Magore, Dings. I know why he did it, I’m just frustrated. Don’t really get why you went along with it either,” she said, taking a long drink of whatever was in her cup. Gaster suspected it to be hard liquor considering her state of agitation.
“We must foster better relations between our species or we risk the treaty. If that means that I must be married to the merchant’s daughter then I willingly accept the responsibility.”
“Still,” Averia said, sighing.
Gaster shrugged in response, happy to simply remain silent as long as it meant he did not have to return to the human in his home.
Averia, observant as ever, asked, “So, why were you out there anyways? Looking to drink your sorrows under the table?”
Gaster shrugged uncomfortably, gaze resting on his drink. As both of them knew he rarely if ever drank. It was a question more designed to pry answers from him than a true offer even if Averia’s collection could certainly drown his current emotions.
Averia sighed and nodded in understanding. “You couldn’t do it, could you?”
“....”
“Hey, don’t worry about it, not everybody can be with a human. They’re all squishy and gross, dunno what anyone sees in them.” Despite her words, she looked relieved.
“You… will not tell anyone, will you?”
“Nobody’ll hear it from me.”
“Thank you. It is not that she is especially unattractive, but she is so young! Twenty two yet sheltered enough to seem a mere child. She was afraid of me, as though she thought I would take her by force and then sacrifice her, or something equally ridiculous,” Gaster sighed. “How was I to consummate the marriage when both of us were absolutely terrified?”
“Nah, it’s best that you didn’t. You’re a big softy, you’d never forgive yourself if you’d hurt her.”
He glared at her half-heartedly before sighing again. “I suppose you are right. I am, as you say, soft.”
“Hey, Dings, come on, that wasn’t an insult. So you didn’t want to force some kid to have sex with you, do you really think I’d condemn you for that? I know what it’s like to be in her position - okay, well, sort of.”
“Do you really think she was that terrified of me?” Gaster asked, sickened at the thought. Then he remembered the muttered prayers and the fear in her eyes and shuddered.
“Dings,” Averia said, stretching across her table to grab his hand in hers, “It’s not your fault, alright? The situations really aren’t all that comparable, sorry I brought it up.”
“Aren’t you angry? I have done my king a disservice by not claiming her as per human laws,” Gaster said.
“Magore did you a disservice by asking you to partner with her. Besides, it’s for the best.”
“How so?”
Averia shrugged. “Getting attached to a human is a bad idea. Their lifespans aren’t even a quarter of ours. Hell, you and I are theoretically immortal, and she’s got what, forty, fifty years in her assuming she doesn’t die from some kind of disease? No point in getting close to one if it’s just gonna keel over.”
“I do not believe that it is growing attached to her that will be the problem. I cannot even face her, Averia. My own wife and I cannot bring myself to look her in the eyes.”
Averia stood up and squeezed Gaster’s shoulder as she went to refill her drink. “Look, she’s not really your wife anyways. She’s someone you’ve gotta deal with until eventually she dies and is no longer your problem. After that you’ve done your duty, right?”
“I suppose that you are correct.”
“I know I am. So drink this,” she said, grabbing his mostly full mug and replacing it with her own, “And head off to sleep. You can stay here, I’ve got overnight watch anyways.”
“You mean you assigned yourself overnight watch,” he scoffed, eyeing the drink.
“Yup. Hey, don’t give me that look. Somebody’s gotta do it, might as well be me. Figured I wouldn’t be sleeping much after this afternoon anyways.”
“Please do not remind me of this afternoon,” Gaster said, feeling sick once more.
Averia sighed heavily and then did something she hadn’t in a very long time. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting her chin on the top of his skull. He leaned back into the embrace, closing his eyes.
“It’s gonna be okay,” Averia murmured.
“I know,” he answered quietly. “Thank you, my friend.”
They stayed like that for several long minutes before both pulled away. Averia strode over to the door and swung it open, saying, “I’ve gotta get going. Drink that, alright? It’s just more cider laced with some of those calming herbs and something to help you sleep. I got them all from the herbalist down the way, so no need to worry.”
He waved off her concern and she slipped through the door, locking it behind her. It would be many hours before Gaster would rise from the table and put the fire out.
Meanwhile, work was far from over for the Captain of the Guard. Tonight would be an important one, even if the majority of the monsters would never know it if they did their job properly.
Averia walked briskly away from her home, wiping all thoughts of her friend and his predicament from her mind, focusing in on the upcoming night. She tapped into the preset magic and shivered slightly as it verified that she was allowed to access it before connecting her to the network.
“Noisy Boy, you there?”
“Yes Cap, I’m hanging out on the side of the castle as we speak,” her second in command said. “Nothin’ much going on here.”
“Good. Impact, everyone in place?”
“Yes Captain. Double guard around the castle and outer borders. The ones you requested have just arrived at Doctor Gaster’s home. I will join the four of them when you arrive here.”
“Good.” Averia arrived at her destination at the wall surrounding the city and gave Impact, seated on his haunches with his tail wrapped neatly around his bone paws, a short nod. “I don’t think I need to remind anyone why tonight is so crucial, with both kings present and our Royal Scientist and his wife in danger. We have confirmation of only one of our potential threats planning to move out tonight. Make sure they see you and we might avoid an actual fight. If they get past us at the wall the communications spell shuts down - that happens, you obey whichever one of you is the most senior member until and unless you find myself, Noise, or Impact. Stick with your assigned target. If they die you’d better be right next to them. Everyone clear on orders?”
A chorus of acknowledgements came through the communication spell and Averia gave out a few final reminders before telling the spell to stop broadcasting her words.
She turned to Impact. “I hope everyone’s ready to spend all night staring at a hell of a lot of nothing. A few of the army members might not be ready to go from idling to a responding attack, so be sure to remind the Guard to keep an eye on them.”
“We all know to look out for those under us. Do not worry Captain, we won’t let anything get past us. If the humans try anything tonight we will be ready.”
“Good. Keep me updated, alright?”
“You know I will. If I may, you’re rather agitated.”
“Trust me, I know,” Averia sighed. “There’s a lot to keep track of here. Humans in the city make me worried.”
“And no one expects anything less… But you may want to appear more put together than you are currently if you do not wish to startle civilians.”
“Won’t be around many civilians tonight, but thanks for the reminder. Can’t let them know we’re worried or we’ll have a full scale panic on our hands. I get it. Why do you think I stuck myself out here?”
“To catch any threats before they have the chance to harm our citizens?”
“That too. Better we get them out here than in there.”
“I never said it was a bad idea.” The two of them heard a loud crack and snapped their heads around to face it. The magic they’d summoned faded as the first of many fireworks rose into the sky. Impact did not look away as he said, “You’re worried for the Royal Scientist.”
“I’m worried about my brother.”
“They are one and the same.”
“I know.” Averia shook her head to clear it. “He’ll be fine. The woman just has to live in his house, nobody’s expecting them to be happy about this. Dings’ll be alright.”
Impact shook his head and stood to leave. “You would do well to actually believe that. Your brother is hardier than you give him credit for… Have you considered speaking with Mary?”
“About what? How fucking awful that marriage is?”
“You are fortunate I do not gossip with the others.”
“Right.” She sounded skeptical. Impact pretended not to notice.
“Speak with Mary. She’s alone, afraid, and married to a man she cannot imagine living a peaceful life with, much less loving. If nothing else she will appreciate the kindness.”
“Maybe. Let’s see if we survive tonight first. Now get going, we’ve got a long night ahead of us.”
“Of course, Captain.”
Impact walked away in that strange gait of his that managed to look stately while also eating away at the distance between him and his destination. Averia gave a few more orders over the Guard’s communication spell before climbing the stairs to the guard tower she would be watching for most of the night. With the entire Guard and the city’s army out that night she could afford to staff the towers full time and have travelling guards. The positions would switch over the course of the night to ensure no one fell asleep on the job. In other words, the perfect defence.
Averia settled in against the guard tower wall, staring out at the night sky. Gaster was safely hidden away in her home, guarded by the centuries old spells woven around the place and Noise’s sensitive hearing. Her second-in-command was the only one who knew where her brother would be tonight. The drunks they had passed on the way would barely remember their own names by now, and she’d ensured that they’d avoided the sober citizens.
It was perhaps true that she should have been more concerned for Mary’s safety, but if she were to be honest she thought of the woman as a burden on Gaster’s shoulders that he was ill suited to carry. She could sympathize with her but if it were a choice between her life and Gaster’s well being there would be no hesitation on her part. It might not hurt to at least talk to the girl though.