Chapter Text
Veil strode through Kholinar feeling energized and productive. The plan was progressing well. It was only a matter of time before the Cult of Moments noticed her food-stealing escapades and she was making a difference, bringing food to those who truly deserved and needed it. Sure, it wasn't much in the grand scheme of the city but it was something.
Veil, this isn’t the way back to the tailor’s shop, Radiant noticed.
I know.
Where are we going?
Just finding a bit of harmless fun.
No, we’re betrothed to Adolin, Radiant immediately protested as she picked up on Veil’s intentions.
Relax, he won’t know me and I think we should explore the option. Aren’t you curious?
Shallan was.
Even though Radiant seethed with disapproval, she was outnumbered and Veil was in control. So Veil walked to the edge of the city and casually loitered outside the Wall Guard’s barracks. Perhaps she wouldn’t have the right opportunity to introduce herself to Kaladin tonight, but she could wait until the circumstances were just perfect. Veil blended into the sparse crowd roaming the streets in the late evening. Kaladin should be finishing his shift soon. Veil brainstormed the best way to approach him naturally. Bump into him, strike up a conversation, then ask him to get a drink, perhaps? Kaladin probably would decline. Storming man could be so unapproachable sometimes.
Veil leaned against the nearest wall and brooded over the problem. She needed this to be perfect. She couldn’t afford to slip up and sully the chance to meet Kaladin as herself, as Veil. She also couldn’t allow Shallan to seep in too much and raise suspicion. Kaladin could not know about her other identity. Veil had noticed the way he looked at Shallan. Shallan ignored it because she wanted to focus on Adolin, but Veil had noticed it. Kaladin was no coward so it puzzled Veil why he hadn’t made a move, but then she’d come to the conclusion it was about Adolin. Storming Adolin with his dazzling smile and hound-like loyalty, you couldn’t help but like him. Kaladin might gripe about the highprince, but he respected the man and wouldn’t encroach on Adolin’s relationship. Veil was unattached as far as Kaladin needed to know.
Inside, Shallan squirmed, second-guessing her decision to side with Veil. The idea of deceiving Kaladin like this was disquieting to her.
Relax, Veil soothed again, I won’t take things too far. We’ll have to make a decision, right? We’ve been tiptoeing around it, but we will and if we want to be certain in our choice, we have to explore this. This is the best way to do that and besides, Shallan is the one engaged to Adolin and I’m not Shallan.
Veil perked up as movement from the wall guard’s building caught her attention. She watched from the corner of her eye as Kaladin emerged from the opening door. Tall, brooding, handsome, Veil had to work not to openly stare and drink him in. Expression sharp like the crack of lightning in a storm, he scowled at something one of his companions said. Storms, he wasn’t alone and he wasn’t headed in the direction of the tailor’s shop. Going out for drinks, maybe? Veil began adjusting her plans to the sudden change and realized this might actually be more optimal. Meeting a girl at a bar was much less suspicious than meeting her on the street. Veil started tailing them.
Veil knew how to tail someone inconspicuously, but it was difficult when Kaladin was so distracting. The way he smirked when he undoubtedly made some clever remark that his companions probably didn’t pick up on. The way he held himself, so alert and ready for battle but somehow graceful and languid all at once. He was so immaculate with his broken edges accenting him like a masterwork purposefully smashed for the artistry of it. Shallan had to be peeping in and making Veil’s thoughts more flowery.
It confused Veil how they all could be looking at the same man and not immediately see that he was the better choice, the very best choice in fact. Veil couldn’t imagine someone better. His eyes, a piercing light blue right now, roved the streets checking for danger, and he nearly caught Veil staring but she looked away and casually ducked into an alleyway to catch the breath that she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
‘Ash’s eyes, I need to keep my composure better,’ Veil mumbled to herself, hardly audible. This wasn’t going to work if she got wobbly-legged the second Stormblessed glanced their way. She was Veil. Veil was the best at maintaining composure under pressure like this.
Radiant begged to differ, but Veil ignored her. She peeked out at Kaladin and his fellow Wall Guards as they entered a tavern called Del’s Keyhole. It didn't seem the most reputable place, but neither was it the dregs. It had a pleasant atmosphere, fending off the dour mood of the rest of the city with a warm flickering hearth and rounds of bar songs.
Veil waited a good while before strolling in. Kaladin and his crew needed some time to settle in before she inserted herself into their evening. They were sitting at a table adjacent to the bar. Kaladin was scowling down at his drink like it’d kicked his favorite axehound. Veil strode past them and right up to the bar to order a drink equivalent to violet. As she waited for the bartender to serve her drink, Veil leaned an ear towards their conversation.
“-best stuff in the city, Kal! You have to try their Horneater lager.”
“I’m not drinking Horneater white.”
“It’s what we came for! At least give it a sip.”
“And burn through my stomach lining? No thank you.”
Veil’s drink tapped down in front of her and she took an eager gulp, enjoying the burning sensation through her gut. She should’ve ordered Horneater. Veil turned towards Kaladin’s table and leaned an elbow against the bar. She watched him openly now as he reluctantly took a sip of his drink. He coughed and made a face.
“How you enjoy this stuff, Noro, I can’t fathom,” he choked out.
His friends guffawed and one of them slapped him on the back. Kaladin noticed Veil looking at them and frowned. Veil raised an eyebrow and sipped her drink, nonchalantly. Kaladin’s eyes narrowed, but his attention was diverted from her as the Wall Guards tried coaxing him into another swallow. Veil finished her drink and considered the bantering group of guardsmen before sidling over to them.
“If your friend doesn't want to drink it, you shouldn’t push him. But it’s a shame to see good Horneater go to waste.” Veil reached past Kaladin to pick up the drink, “You done with this?” She tipped it towards him, offering a last chance to drink the stuff.
“Yes, but-”
Before he could finish his protest, Veil threw back the drink and took a hefty gulp. She smacked her lips in satisfaction as it burned down her throat and hummed her opinion, “Best stuff in the city? Really? This stuff isn’t even genuine Horneater, too sweet.” She placed the drink down in front of the man Kaladin had called Noro. He’d been the most insistent about its superiority.
One of the men at the table laughed, “Didn’t I tell you lot, not real horneater white! I ever tell you about the time I apprenticed under a master Horneater brewer. I know how they make the stuff. They had a very special, secret ingredient I’ve sworn not to tell. But I could make an exception if ya convince me.” Most of the men seemed to be ignoring him.
“Oh, give it a rest, Beard,” Noro grumbled as he sipped his ‘Horneater lager.’ He eyed Veil as she pulled up a chair. She extended a hand.
“Name’s Veil.”
Noro didn't take the proffered hand, “You need something from us, Veil?”
She shrugged and retracted her hand, “Can’t a girl just want to buy hard-working guardsmen a drink for their efforts?”
“Begging your pardon, but most people in this city don’t look kindly on our uniforms. We’re fed and they ain’t. I don’t blame them for thinking it’s not fair.”
“You Wall Guard do important work,” Veil leaned in a bit and lowered her voice, “I’ve seen what’s out there. Much as folks might resent you, we need men like you protecting us. They won’t admit it, but many of them see that.”
Noro and the other men seemed buoyed by her words. “Now, let me buy you men a drink,” she waved down a server and ordered drinks for each man, getting Kaladin something non-alcoholic. The table of guardsmen seemed to accept her following the free drinks. One of them had pulled out a deck of cards and dealt her into a game. She learned each of the men’s names. Kaladin had introduced himself as simply Kal. Veil made a mental note not to slip up and address him as Kaladin.
Veil beat Alaward and Vaceslv at cards. She listened to Beard’s wild tales. She bantered with Ved’s sarcasm. She teased Noro about his taste in liquor. But Kaladin didn't engage. He watched her with apprehension and refused her efforts to bring him into the conversation. Veil got more frustrated by his stoicism as the night progressed. She was losing her chance.
But then, the men were calling it a night and standing from the table. Veil followed them out, casually asking if they frequented this particular tavern. The men were eager to confirm they’d be here again. They split ways outside the door. Veil was delighted when Kaladin lingered to speak with her apart from the rest of the guardsmen.
“What do you really want?” He asked accusingly.
“I told you that already. I just wanted to show the Wall Guard some appreciation.”
Kaladin scoffed, “Is that why you followed us in?”
“Followed you?”
“I saw you sculking outside the bar before we went in. You followed us in. You targeted us for some reason.”
“So what if I did? What does it matter if I noticed you lot outside the bar or in? The result is the same. Drinks for the underappreciated Wall Guard. That’s it.”
“No, I know you want something from me.”
“From you?”
“Yes, you were watching me the whole night.”
“My my, you do think highly of yourself. Think I’m obsessed with you or something?”
“Am I wrong?”
Veil hesitated. “I may have been watching you in particular,” she admitted cautiously.
“Why?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out. When do you get off watch tomorrow? I know a place.”
“Wha-”
“Come on, Kal. Has a girl never asked you out before?”
“I don’t-”
“Do I scare you? Really? A big, intimidating man like you? You think I’m up to something, right? Well, the best way to make sure I don't cause trouble is to keep an eye on me.”
Kaladin considered her for a moment then gave the slightest nod. “I have late morning watch tomorrow. I’ll be off at noon.”
“Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Veil winked at him as she sauntered away, “See ya tomorrow, guardsman.”