Archives: Search for Azala
Chapter 6: Arrival in Shuva
After two days on the road, Mirael’s caravan arrived in the city of Shuva. It was dark by time they arrived, so they would be going straight to an inn.
Over the last two days and a night, the new found siblings of Air, Lanir, and Y’ezela had been getting to know each other. Mirael, Seri and Sairina spent a considerable time together, preparing the high elf for the coming birth of her child. Phaeton’s request to learn how to read was being met. Luria, Sairina, and many others in the camp had been helping the warrior out. Kitsa had been trying to get Orion to open up to her a little more, seeming to have made the quiet elf her pet project. Estas and the human mercenaries mostly kept to themselves. Aside for the social aspect, the trip had been uneventful.
Seri had also made the decision that she would begin seeking out Azala’s children across Lodoss. Tonight, she would discuss it with her own mercenaries.
Mirael guided her wagon down the main street of the city and brought the caravan to an inn she’d stayed at many times. The Sphinx Inn was quite large at four stories, and it had a large stable nestled behind it to fit both wagons, and all the horses. It was expensive, but she could afford it, and as a returning customer, she often received discounts for her mercenaries.
The merchant navigated her wagon around the side of the inn, which led into the stableyard. Once the wagon was parked, Mirael climbed down from her wagon and offered to help Seri down from the seat. The high elf awkwardly climbed down, and Mirael began to lead her to the inn.
“Stable your horses, and unharness the wagon teams. Once the horses are taken care of, grab your gear and come inside for dinner. I’ll reserve rooms for everyone,” Mirael announced to her mercenaries, and Seri’s, as she guided the elf with linked arms to the inn’s back entrance.
Y’ezela rode Ilavirin into the stableyard behind her mother’s wagon, then hopped off the mare’s back. The stable boys employed by the inn had little work to do when Mirael left her mercenaries to tend to the horses, but Y’ezela left Seri’s horse in the hands of one of the boys.
“Take care of her, alright?” Y’ezela instructed the boy, who stared awestruck at the beautiful half-elf for a moment.
“Right miss...” he said and she pressed a silver coin in his hand. Turning away, her skirts swirling around her legs, she hurried to catch up with her mother and Seri.
Sairina rode in between the two wagons and looked about the stableyard for who to leave her horse with. The priestess wouldn’t be tending to her own horse if she didn’t have to. Seeing Y’ezela lead her horse to the stable boy, Sairina dismounted and took Aeru to him as well.
The boy had been staring after Y’ezela slack-jawed, and now he had another beautiful woman asking for his attention. Sairina gave him Aeru’s reins and a gold coin. “Please make sure she is well looked after. Cha Za’s blessings upon you, child,” Sairina spoke, then gracefully turned away to follow the merchant, high elf, and bard into the inn.
Orion rode at the front, and, as such, he was the first to dismount. He shifted off carefully, so as not to surprise Kitsa. He still felt uncomfortable with the whole situation with her, but she was the closest thing he had to a friend. I should treat her better, he thought. She is trying to be kind. So, Orion held out his hand to help her out of the saddle. Kindness should be greeted with kindness. It was one of the few things his mother taught him before he lost her.
Kitsa took Orion’s hand and slipped off the saddle. “Thank you,” she said casually with a beaming smile. The quarter-elf gave her red skirts a shake to readjust them, then took her pack from where it had been tied on the saddle. “Are you going to stable Soiff?” she asked. “I will help you, if you like.”
Orion glanced over to the stables, then back at Kitsa. “Assistance is not necessary,” he replied firmly and a bit too harshly. The platinum-haired elf didn’t really know what else to say, so he began to turn away from her to lead Soiff away. He stopped, though, and returned to face her again. “So you may relax from our journey, I meant to say,” he sputtered out awkwardly, attempting a softer tone. This friendly thing was challenging. It wasn’t natural. It was a matter of pleasing Kitsa and to ease tensions, he supposed, but all he knew were his own preferences: silence and keeping busy. It was a kind of adaption that would not come easily.
Kitsa was a little disappointed to hear he didn’t want help, but she was pleased when he tried to say it in a much kinder way. “Alright, I’ll save you a seat inside,” she replied before turning away to go inside.
I suppose that could have been equated to stabbing myself in the foot, Orion thought to himself as he led Soiff into the stables. She will surely be annoyed by me now. Despite my promise, I was still too cruel and stoic. The frustrated elf pulled open the appropriate stall door and carefully undid her various harnesses and riding equipment. Meanwhile, he hummed a gentle tune to her, ensuring her relaxed and willing countenance. When Soiff was situated, Orion hung back in the stables. Why does her frustration concern me so? It should not matter. We are traveling companions. I barely know her. I’m closer to Soiff than to her!
Orion brushed his hair from his face. As much as he wanted to toss her aside, he could not. Something about the quarter elf haunted his thoughts. He didn’t like it, but there was nothing he could do about it.
* * *
Luria went with Phaeton to stable their horses. “Oi, my rump hurts,” she said, rubbing her butt after getting off of the animal. She patted its nose and handed it over to the stable hands. “I bet he’ll be just as glad as I am to get some fancy treatment after all that!”
After tending to the horse and supplies she looked up at Phaeton. “Hungry? I wonder what they’ve got for dinner!”
Phaeton smiled, then laughed in a beautiful and warm way as he handed the reins of his horse to a stable boy. He stepping over to Luria and spoke, “You are a joy and wonder Luria. Come, let us find good food. I am hungry as well, and though I know little of these civilized ways, I feel hunting for food right now would take longer than our appetites allow.” The dusky-skinned young man gave her his most warm and endearing smile and offered his arm to her, as he’d seen the knights do. “I would walk with you as is fitting for one of such beauty. As for what they have for food? I know not, but we can find out can’t we?” He didn’t mind a bit of flirting. He smiled, ready to eat and rest, enjoying a bit of conversation and playful companionship with Luria. She had been doing well to teach him the mysteries of reading and writing. It was different for him and slow going, but he was doing well.
* * *
Lanir was tired from traveling and wanted nothing more than to rest. The half-elf removed his hood and stretched then glanced around. They’d done a good bit of travel, and he worried for Lady Seri, such travel was never easy on a pregnant woman.
Air slipped down from the wagon bench and yawned modestly, her mouth hidden behind her hand. Arching her back she stretched till she heard a loud pop and proceeded to crack her neck and wrists. Curling her toes in her boots she cracked her feet-bound digits and straightened them. Her mismatched eyes stopped on the slack jawed boy. She gave him a small smile and walked up behind Lanir. She gave the tips of his ears a soft rub, and with a small giggle she said, “Annoying younger sibling attack!” For added ‘annoyance’ she gave the tips a slight pinch.
Lanir never expected it. The half-elf fairly yelped and almost leapt a half-foot straight up when Air touched his ears. Elves had extremely sensitive ears, touches both casual and even erogenous, though he would never consider anything like that with Air. The young girl’s sibling attack worked and the he turned smiling then scooped her up and began to tickle her as he spoke. “Oh now you’re going to get it...haha... Older sibling counter tickle attack!” He grinned and proceeded to tickle, almost without mercy. Lanir laughed as well grateful for her playful antics. He needed a good laugh.
Shaking his head, Estas gave Air a clear eyed, somewhat annoyed look. Air proved wise in some areas, but seemed to excel in keeping things far from serious. “I suggest doing that later, and not in the stables. We do not need such aggravation.” With that, Estas accompanied Mirael and Seri. Things were going a bit too oddly for the high elf’s preference.
Air squirmed out of Lanir’s grasp. Her sides were especially ticklish and she couldn’t help but giggle. She ran forward, not looking where she was going and crashed into the wall. After the sudden meeting of her face to the wall she peeled back, holding her nose. “Owww...” she muttered. “I seem to have a habit of hitting my face of late...”
Lanir chuckled and picked the small girl up into his arms, carrying her as he spoke, “No worries little one. That’s why you have your big brother to pick you up and carry you when you can’t walk yourself. Now come on. let’s get something to eat and then rest shall we?” The half-elf ranger was a bit hungry and smiled, “You know, a good way to avoid walls is to move a tad bit slower, heh...”
“Thank you, dear brother.” Air smiled. “But now is not a time for whacking noses. It’s a time to find a dwarf and drink him under the table, then, when he is finally drunk, I steal his forging techniques and use them for my own purposes.” She laughed despite the pain in her face. “Then with the ancient secrets of dwarven forging under my belt, I can truly become the master smith of Lodoss. That should make our interestingly promiscuous father proud of me.”
Lanir smiled and watched his little sister with curious eyes, he was far more reserved than Air. The young man found himself wondering, was there any woman at all that their father would settle down with? Would he even settle down at all, and just how many children had he fathered over his long life? It seemed Azala was determined to spread his legacy over as much of Lodoss as he could. The half-elven ranger stopped his thoughts and shook his head slightly then said, “I could use that drink, sister. I’m becoming far too broodish...and brooding isn’t something to keep one’s heart light and his senses sharp. Come on, maybe this place has some descent wine eh?”
* * *
Mirael led the group of mostly women into the inn. Seri, Y’ezela, Sairina, Estas, Luria, Phaeton, and Kitsa accompanied her while the rest of the group was busy taking care of the horses. Between a beautiful, exotic merchant, a very pregnant elf, a handsome elven man, an exotic half-elf bard, a half-elf ranger, an elegant Cha Za priestess, a leather-clad tribesman, and a exotic woman in red, the entire group was the focus of attention in the common room.
The innkeeper, a stout man of native Flaim descent, was happy to see Mirael, and even happier to see the size of her party, which included a Cha Za priestess. Mirael got a discount, but the amount of business her caravan brought was always a bonus. If the priestess gave him a blessing, he’d profit even more from Cha Za’s good fortune.
“Madam Bedira, a pleasure to see you again!” the innkeeper beamed. “How many are in your party tonight?” He knew the company with her tonight wasn’t her entire party, she would have a number of mercenaries with her at least.
Mirael did a head count of those following her, then added up her mercenaries, her second driver, and those of Seri’s party who hadn’t entered yet. “Hm...Well, we have twenty,” Mirael replied, sounding rather surprised at the number herself.
The innkeeper’s eyes went wide. It was a big inn, but hopefully he had the room. Very few merchants traveled with caravans that large and went to only one inn. “I don’t think I have enough rooms open...” he mused, looking up toward the ceiling as he thought.
“Well, I can send the men to other inns,” Mirael said. “Seri and I will take a double room. Lets see...a triple and a double room for the rest of the ladies. Estas, would you mind sharing a room, or would you want your own room?” The merchant paused and looked back at the high elf man.
Looking about, Estas gave a slight cough before he spoke. “If rooms are an issue, I’ll share,” he said in his usual dry tone, not really letting off a major hint whether he was really bothered by it or not. He was looking around the room instead, eying potential threats.
Mirael nodded to Estas. “Alright, so we have Orion, Lanir, and Phaeton....so two more double rooms,” Mirael finished her request and paid the innkeeper.
Turning back to the group, the merchant smiled. “Well, go find yourselves a table and get some dinner. I’ll go tell my second driver to take the mercenaries to another inn tonight. Divide the rooms amongst yourselves as you need,” Mirael explained. With that said, she returned back out to the stableyard.
* * *
The half-elf assassin had situated himself in the inn for some time now. Albedo was still waiting, and he imagined the Guild was getting impatient with him. It wouldn’t be to long before they sent a messenger to tell him to kill someone, or to return to Kanon. The Guildmaster of Shining Hill’s Shadow Guild wouldn’t be too antsy. Albedo had given one of his allies the antidote, with instructions. He didn’t trust anyone, but he supposed he had some faith in that ally, well, that wasn’t true, he did trust one person, and that person was not in the guild. Joline probably was busy running her estates, Kanon wasn’t totally back into shape yet, after all. The half-elf’s ears twitched lightly as he heard horses being stabled, and he watched the entrance with a sidelong glance. What came through caused a crack in his cool visage. A full-blooded elf entered with two companions, one of which was the striking image of his dear old dad—or so he thought. He hid the look of fury that passed his face, although one hand drifted to a dagger. He was contemplating whether or not to just rush and kill, that was, until he heard the name. ‘Estas’.
He knew his father’s name by heart by now, and Estas was most definitely not it. With a sigh, his hand rested back on his booze. If this was the elf who had perked his information system, it was a mistake, again. With a deep swig, he sighed.
Eying the innkeeper rather warily, Albedo was not in the mood to be kicked out of the room he had already payed for, and the conversation had started to turn that way. Thankfully, it turned away from it, and he was still left with his room. The party was a bit odd, especially considering the the pregnant elf, but he supposed most were probably just mercenaries in the merchant’s service. She must have expected quite a resistance, though.
* * *
As her mother took care of the rooms, Y’ezela looked over the common room. A handsome half-elf caught her eye; he was beautiful enough to make her heart skip a beat. Almost like Lanir. However, she had to be cautious around other half-elves now. There could be a chance that this one could be her brother too.
During their travels, Seri said that she wanted to find other half-elves to see if they were Azala’s children. So, Y’ezela though that she should start with this one. Leaning toward the high elf, Y’ezela whispered in her ear; “There is a half-elf here. Should I got speak to him?”
Seri looked over the common room and saw Albedo. Her eyes narrowed on the half-elf suspiciously. “Yes, go speak to him,” Seri replied.
Y’ezela nodded, then turned with a skip in her step. The half-elf bard approached Albedo’s table gracefully, her hands held behind her back. “Hi there. Do you mind if I talk to you for a moment?” she asked. Her curly black hair and dusky olive skin marked her as the daughter of the merchant, but her green eyes matched Albedo’s.
Albedo’s ears twitched lightly at Y’ezela’s approach, and he eyed her a bit warily. He wasn’t really expecting anyone to walk over, and his senses were a bit unnerved by it. However, she lacked an assassin’s grace, or one that was particularly skillful in combat. When she spoke, he took a small gulp of his ale. “That really depends on the subject matter. But shouldn’t you introduce yourself before you ask to talk to someone?”
“I was getting to that,” Y’ezela replied with a wink. “I’m Y’ezela Bedira. Who might you be?”
“Albedo Oaks,” he said, giving her an odd expression at the wink. Ugh, he really didn’t need this. He was used to getting hit on, but usually a look would drive them away, and Albedo gave that usual, sidelong look to the other half-elf. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Y’ezela slipped into the chair across from Albedo. He didn’t seem very interested in her, from the look he gave, but if he was another of her brothers, that was a good thing. “Well...this is a little awkward to just out and say...” the bard started, looking down at the table nervously as she gathered her words. No doubt he thought she was flirting.
“Well, you see, the high elf with us, the one whose pregnant, she’s looking for the father of her baby. I was traveling with my friend, Lanir, and we met them on the road. It turns out that Seri’s baby has the same father as myself and Lanir. And then we met another half-elf who shares our father,” Y’ezela was rambling, and when she realized that he probably didn’t care to hear her story so far, she blushed and tried to wrap it up quickly. “Well, since we all met each other almost at once, we decided that a lot of other half-elves might be our siblings as well. Do...do your know your father?”
Spit it out, woman! Albedo thought, although his expression didn’t change. It was still the same sidelong glance, and he simply waited for her to finish. Still, he wasn’t liking the description he was getting. All to much like his own dear old dad. When she finished, he smirked lightly. “So thats it?”
Leaning back, he gave a brief, bark of a laugh. Well, considering his motives, he wasn’t about to give the name of the man who sired him. Still, if they were searching for Azala, he could tag along, he had to find a way. That made things complicated, however. “Why yes, I know the name of my father. After all, I attended his funeral some time ago.” He didn’t consider Azala his dad. The man who trained him as an assassin, that was the individual he would have to consider his father. “My father died several years ago of old age.”
“Oh,” Y’ezela replied, embarrassed and crestfallen. She was so certain that he was one of Azala’s children, but it sounded like his father was human. “I’m sorry to interrupt you,” she replied. He obviously wanted nothing more to do with her.
* * *
Air and Lanir entered the inn and Air whistled sharply at the bar. “Bartender! Bring me a round of something strong. I drink to the ambitions of children to surpass their fathers. I drink to Lanir the catcher, Y’ezela the trusting and fair, and the unborn child of Azala!”
Phaeton said nothing and stepped along following his companions, he had little taste for some things civilized men drank. Good clear, clean water was enough for him, now and then he’d partake of the drink men called ale, but only in moderation. While not a son of his tribe any longer, he still carried himself as the son of his father, Akir and would continue to do so until he went to the land of his ancestors.
Lanir sat down near his little sister and was still chuckling slightly, his whole mood was considerably lighter as she’d made him feel so much better than he had.
* * *
As Y’ezela spoke to the new half-elf, Seri felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach. However, she kept her composure and acted uninterested in their conversation. Instead, she busied herself with finding a table near the hearth.
The high elf took a seat at a table next to the fireplace, intentionally putting her back to Y’ezela and Albedo. She gave a heavy sigh, trying to relax and placed her hands on her stomach. The baby was active, though she did her best to ignore its stretches and kicks most of the time. However, it felt like it was doing somersaults today.
Sairina joined Seri at the table, taking a seat beside the high elf. She had taken on the role as the mother-to-be’s caretaker in ways that Estas couldn’t assist with. It was hard not to notice Y’ezela speaking to the half-elf in the inn. Sairina was almost certain that he had to be one of Azala’s children as well. Their luck had proven that thus far, and in terms of beauty, he measured up to his siblings. The Cha Za priestess played nonchalant, like Seri did, but she was waiting with baited breath to hear what Y’ezela had to say.
Y’ezela turned away and went to join Seri and Sairina at the table they had chosen. She plopped into a seat next to Sairina, facing the fire and looking away from Albedo. “He says he knew his father, and he passed away. It sounds like his father was human,” she informed the table.
Getting up, Albedo walked over to the table Y’ezela sat at, and gave her a sidelong glance. They believed Azala wasn’t his dad, if it was the right elf. Still, now he had to get a reason to join up with them. “Well, you certainly move fast when you want to,” he said, chuckling lightly. “This guy. He sounds like someone I was hired to find, still looking for him. I don’t suppose this guy your looking for is a common elf by the name of Azala, would it?”
Hiding the glee in his eyes, Albedo nodded slightly, although he cocked his head lightly to the side at the other half-elf’s reaction. It appeared the pregnant woman was the boss in this scenario. Oh joy, the leader is a woman who will likely go into five mood swings a minute. “My employer? Unfortunately, I can’t give you that information. He was quite adamant about that. I was just suppose to give this ‘Azala’ guy a message from him, my guess is by the way he was talking the message was a good ‘eat demon excrement and die’, but hey, I’ve been wrong before.” Moving back a bit, he made it look like he was in thought. “Still, I’m not having a great deal of luck. And since we’re all after the same goal... Well, I suppose we could all help each other out, if ya catch my drift.”
Y’ezela perked up a little when Albedo returned. “Yes, it is!” she replied quickly.
Seri lifted her hand to motion for Y’ezela to be silent and gave the half-elf a glare. The bard bit her lip and her ears drooped at the rebuke. What did I say wrong? Y’ezela thought.
“Who hired you to find him?” Seri asked Albedo.
Orion found his way into the inn after everyone else had entered. Soiff was more than well-placed and cared for. The quiet, reserved man sat beside Kitsa, as he figured he should, but said nothing.
Kitsa jumped a little when Orion pulled out the chair beside her to sit down. He moved so silently, and she had been distracted by the conversation between their party and the new half-elf. However, she gave Orion a sweet smile, then turned her attention back to the new drama. Was this half-elf one of Azala’s children? He was beautiful enough, judging by the other three siblings. Lanir, Y’ezela, and Air were all exceptionally attractive, surpassing even the high elves and herself.
Brooding does have its value, Orion thought to himself. A part of him wish everyone around him did it more. The childish activities of some of the party would probably begin to grate on his nerves some in time. Part of Orion wished they could just keep going. If only people did not need to sleep.
* * *
Phaeton stepped along with Luria and the savage smiled as he spoke again, “I meant what I said about ....beauty, Luria.” The blue-eyed savage looked at her and smiled with the warmth he always displayed.
Luria turned bright red at Phaeton’s words, and was flustered as she went to join them all at the tables. “Oh you’re too kind!” she giggled nervously. Anxiety wasn’t something Luria ever felt, thus all the thoughtless outbursts, so she had to wonder why this now? “You’re pretty pretty yourself uhh I mean—ACK!” And with that she wiped out clear, flat-faced on the floor, having tripped over someone’s foot (whose, she couldn’t tell you). She looked back up, nose red from where it had impacted against the floor. “Ouuuch...”
Phaeton moved quickly and knelt by Luria’s side, as her fall took him by surprise as well. The young wild man’s old instincts took over and he reached out to help her up gently, saying not a word at first, then guiding her to a seat. The blue-eyed young man reached for a mug of water and found a fairly clean cloth from his pouch. He placed a few herbs on it, then wet the cloth and dabbed the red places where she’d bruised from falling. “I thank you for your compliment. I have...never been called pretty before. I would think you far prettier than I. The herbs are common where I come from, they take the sting of small hurts away slowly when combined with water.” He smiled at her and never noticed how much he was blushing deeply, a slightly red blush that filled his face and spread down to his shoulders, chest, and abs.
* * *
Seri wasn’t certain how honest the half-elf was. He was as beautiful as Azala and she could see some of Azala’s features in his face. Many elves looked similar, but Azala was far more beautiful than the norm. It seemed likely that the boy was lying, but she wouldn’t bring it up just yet.
“I will let you join us,” Seri said, nodding to the half-elf. “But what is your name?”
She heard a thud that caused her ear to twitch and saw that Luria had tripped, but she let Phaeton handle it. Though, there wasn’t much she could help with as pregnant as she was. Seri returned her attention to the new half-elf for his answer.
“Swell, we’re good then. We’re mates for a while, it seems,” Albedo said in a flighty and happy voice. Although, in all honesty, he was a bit happier than usual. After all, he probably just found a highway to dear old dad, and most of the work would be done by his siblings. “My name? Eh, nobody really well known. The name is Albedo, as I said, I’m a mercenary. Anyway, all these folks with you? Seems kinda large for a search party.”
“Well, we didn’t intend to start out so large, but then the children started appearing. I wonder how many more I’ll find before we find Azala,” Seri said, looking increasingly forlorn as she spoke of Azala’s children.
“Albedo...albeed you all...” Air yelled. “All people with pointy ears are freaks!” she slammed down her eighth flagon of ale and grinned broadly. “I see no reason why sex is so secretive. Men are dicks and women are...something. No...that’s not it.” She giggled loudly, her voice still very loud. “I think men are from sea water and women are from pond scum...under the naked moon they all look the same...if yer colorblind and taste like barley,” she hummed loudly and waited for her refill. “How come horses don’t get drunk when you feed them mead? Is it some sorta secret in how they were forged?” Her face hit the table with a sickening thud. Air was out cold.
Suddenly, Air made a commotion, causing Seri’s ears to perk up and the elf to start a little. {“By the name of Falis, how did she get so drunk so fast?”} Seri groaned in elven.
Albedo gave a light wince at the freak remark. It still bothered him. Granted, that remark had accompanied getting the crap beaten out of him in his younger years. Ah, youth. How he did not miss it. “Well, that one was most definitely drunk. Probably not a good habit to get on the road.”
Nodding lightly at the party size, Albedo wasn’t all that surprised by that. He had come across several half-brothers and sisters in his search; most of whom had only heard of Azala by a loose tongue of their mother at one time or another. “You have any idea what your going to say when you get to him?”
Orion leaned over to Kitsa. “Perhaps I am lacking in the freebird sentiments, but I fear it may become time to care for our impaired companion soon,” he whispered to her, keeping a watchful eye on Air. “I was never fond of the effects of such practices...”
Kitsa heard Air’s incoherent shouting and saw the half-elf pass out. “Oh my...” the quarter-elf murmured. “I think we should take her upstairs to sleep it off. She certainly got drunk fast...”
Kitsa slid her chair back and looked at their employers. “Excuse us, but Orion and I will take care of Air.”
Seri nodded to her before returning her attention to Albedo.
Kitsa turned away and headed over to the bar. “I think it is time to put her to bed to sleep it off,” she told Lanir.
Lanir’s eyes were wide as saucers as he watched Air’s quick reaction to alcohol. The half-elf ranger nearly jumped when Kitsa spoke to him. The young ranger turned towards his companion and nodded as he rose, stepping over to Air. “I agree. It’s time for a certain little sister of mine to go to bed, we can’t have her acting like this. It’s not proper behavior. Not to mention as her brother, I suppose I’m now responsible for teaching her proper etiquette and manners.” The ranger put a gentle hand on her shoulder and spoke gently, “Sister. I think you’ve had enough. It’s time for you to rest a bit, you’ve had enough of that beverage I think. Come on now.”
Orion was all business, as usual. While Kitsa made her excuses to everyone, he went to work. By the time Kitsa moved to explain her plans, Orion had sailed to the side of the unconscious Air. In one swift, graceful movement, he whisked her slim form into his arms. Orion felt strange sweeping her up from her own brother, but Kitsa had informed everyone that they would be doing the assisting and Lanir had made no move to get her out of the room. The fair-faced elf looked over his new charge as a nanny might a child: analytic concern. “Do we have a room set up?” Orion asked Kitsa as he adjusted Air in his arms to hold her head up better.
“Umm, yes,” Kitsa replied, then darted back to the table. Sairina provided her a key to the room Air would share with Y’ezela. The quarter-elf returned to Orion and quickly turned up the stairs, kicking up her flamboyant skirt as she went.
“This way!” she called the pale elf and led the way upstairs.
* * *
Phaeton was still dabbing Luria’s with the solution he’d made and noticed the young half-elf girl’s inebriation as well. For the most part, the savage said nothing then spoke softly, “Such a reaction is not good for one unused to strong drink. It is good that she has her brother and others like us with her.” He caught Luria’s expression then smiled and spoke again. “Do you wish to know a secret fair one? I was very frightened of civilization when I first saw it. And then in the inn where we all met, was still unsure as to why I ever entered that city in the first place. But you have been so kind to me... I am not unsure nor afraid with you it is...difficult for a warrior to admit such. But I admit it to you Luria.” He finished attending to the bruise or two then pulled up a seat to sit beside her as he put the cloth away.
Luria grinned broadly and tried not to giggle nervously in her embarrassment as Phaeton cared for her small scratches. She rubbed the tip of her nose with her finger, it felt better now. “It’s alright to be afraid,” she replied sympathetically to him. “When I first came to civilization I was really starstruck and did a bunch of stupid things. I thought that surely nothing would hurt me and got taken for a loop. Lost my money, not that I had a lot anyway, and had to sleep on the ground, that’s why I have been doing mercenary’s work instead of traveling about as I please.” She forgot exactly where this train of thought was going and looked up at the ceiling as if it would be written there. “Oh yeah, what I mean is there’s plenty of good reasons to be afraid but if we always were then we would have never met each other, or any of these great people.” She then stopped and looked around the busy tables. “...Or their many, many, estranged relatives...”
Phaeton listened and nodded in agreement, then the young savage turned towards Luria and spoke, “Family is important. I am...estranged from my loved ones. But I think of them everyday, and the memory of good times past keeps my heart light. But the good company of yourself and others here keeps me equally as pleased.” He smiled, then looked at the half elf called Lanir. “I think he is adjusting still to the knowledge he has a sister. Orion’s good sound thinking has saved him from an embarrassing situation.”
Luria wondered. Lanir seemed like a nice guy, as most of these people did. “I know I’d be pretty upset if somebody I was close to like that turned out to be my sibling, I’m sure he’ll get by it though. I hope so. All these people are nice, I’d hate to see anything bad happen to them because of this turn of events. Even Orion is just looking out for us, even though he’s about as friendly as a porcupine.”
Phaeton thought a moment then spoke, “Orion is a quiet man, his spirit I think is strong like stone, yet he has great heart. He speaks not unless there is something worth saying and when he does I have noticed it is with great wisdom. Among my people he would be considered a Wise Man.” The young savage looked at Luria and smiled as his blue eyes searched her face. “It is not as easy for some to speak with lightness of heart as it is others. Life sometimes makes one hard and soft at the same time. But I think... I think a man cannot live in peace if he knows not how to laugh or even to cry.” It was one of the most introspective things he’d said in awhile and the young savage smiled, then laughed and winked at the young woman. “I speak far too much. One might think me a Seer...Pwah... I know little of things. I cannot foresee the future.. But I know the heart.”
The savage looked in Seri’s direction and spoke, “I know she struggles with the knowledge that one she loved in body and perhaps heart has surprised her. Now the time of her child’s birth will come, and it is not ...” He struggled for the words then continued. “It is not ...correct that she should endure such pain alone, but we all must endure at some point. I am not spirit touched like you or she, but I will do what I can to help. When her child’s time comes I will offer my skills that I know to help in the coming of the child. I am not worthy to do such.... But it is something that feels right in my heart to do. To help her in such a way...” Phaeton’s words trailed off and he smiled then looked back towards Luria, “And why might you ask? Because I merely wish to help...nothing more and I...what is the word? I care.”
* * *
Seri looked away from the half-elf and shook her head. “I left the Forest of No Return, hoping to bring home a husband and a father for my child, but now I’ve found so many of his other children that my plans have changed. For now, I want to seek out as many of his children that I can before I meet him again to show him the consequences of his self-centered lifestyle,” the high elf spoke, growing increasingly more upset. However, she got her emotions back under control and looked up at Albedo again. “Have you any information on where he may be?”
“Well, I suppose a wastrel is just a wastrel,” Albedo shrugged. A husband? Well, at least she wasn’t so green now. Maybe high elves would do better to learn the way of the world sometimes. Granted, Azala gave a great many women a crash course in life lessons, which usually became rather permanent. “Leads? Well, I had one about here. I came here when I heard a blonde elf was heading this way. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of your party. Finding a blonde haired, green eyed elf is like trying to find a needle in a haystack... and thats if you ask the people who can tell the difference between a full and a half-elf.”
Mirael returned to the Sphinx in after setting her men up with accommodation’s at another inn. The merchant strode up to the table where her traveling companions and convoluted new family was, but she didn’t see Air—or two of Seri’s mercenaries. Seeing that Seri was speaking to a new half-elf, Mirael chose not to interfere and leaned in behind Lanir to speak to him. “Hello Lanir. Where is Air and who is the new half-elf?” she asked in a whisper.
Lanir turned towards Mirael and spoke, “I’m...not sure. Whoever he is they, seem to be in quite a conversation. But look at him, could he be one of .... No, he can’t be. I mean he certainly has the looks but no...that just couldn’t be.” The half-elf turned towards her, then spoke with a grin, “You know when they’ve finished chatting I could find out.” The young ranger thought a bit of ale after the half-elf finished speaking with Seri might give him an opportunity to find out who the fellow was. Or at least strike up a conversation.
Mirael eyed Albedo suspiciously. “He does look like Azala a bit, despite his dark hair,” Mirael murmured to Lanir. “Well, we will find out in due time.”
“Azala may be common in his coloration, but few elves can match him in beauty,” Seri replied, though her voice was icy. The high elf stared forward, not wanting Albedo to see the emotion in her eyes. She was still suspicious about Albedo, but she wouldn’t ask him out right if he was lying—yet, at least, but she would allude to it. “In fact, I daresay you are one of those few,” Seri added, turning to look at Albedo again. Her eyebrow was raised, showing him that she still wasn’t entirely convinced he wasn’t Azala’s son.
The merchant stood straight and cleared her throat to catch the attention of the party gathered around the table. “Sorry to interrupt, but we don’t have to eat in the common room. I have a private dinning room reserved, if you all would be more comfortable dining in there.”
Albedo kept his complexion calm and cool. He killed people for a living, his poker face wasn’t about to drop. A good bluff, after all, was only good if the face didn’t betray it. “Well, as I said before. My dad died. Human mortality does that. He was a looker in his youth, although unfortunately he lost it with years. Mercenary work isn’t kind to the complexion, after all.” He smirked. Well, his mentor and teacher was a ‘pretty boy’ in his youth. Effeminate, really. Still, the man’s method of murder didn’t revolve around strength. Poisons and needles were quite effective, if used correctly. “So, are you saying I’m attractive? And one of the top few, as well. Perhaps traveling with you will stroke my ego quite heavily.” Playing dumb was a better idea than pulling a hotheaded mistake. Saying ‘Are you calling me a liar!?’ was a dumb idea, reserved for fools and morons, after all.
Looking at Mirael, Albedo gave a shrug. “Well, if your offering, and the food is good, I’d be glad to go. Although, hopefully nobody else here will get quite as drunk as the one before.”
“It was merely an observation,” Seri replied distantly to Albedo. She nodded to Mirael. “Yes, that would be preferable,” she replied. The pregnant high elf awkwardly stood, then placed a hand on her belly. She placed her other hand on Estas’s shoulder, letting him know that she would need his support.
Mirael stepped away from Lanir after Seri accepted her offer. “Follow me then,” she said, waving for the party to follow her. Sairina and Y’ezela stood as well and followed the merchant as she cut a trail through the common room.
The high elf gave a brief nod, and held Seri firmly to give her his support. Estas didn’t trust the size of the party, and this new one didn’t seem trustworthy at all. Either he was rather dumb, or he was hiding something. In either case, he might cause problems later. Following close behind, with Seri in tow, he gave brief glances back to see who was following.
Getting up, Albedo watched as the two high elves started to follow the merchant. It was rare to see one, so it was a bit amusing to see two, especially in the state one of them was in. Following behind, he wondered just how the whole thing would end.
* * *
Phaeton chose to remain outside as he had not heard Seri mention his name. “Would you join me in a small chat, and drink, Luria? It appears that Lady Seri has things to discuss with the others. Besides, we can keep an eye out here just in case there is a need for action.” He smiled warmly and sat back, then surprisingly shyly the young man spoke, “You have traveled much and seen the paths of Lodoss? I was wondering when this is over... Would you mind a companion to travel the road with?”
“Alright,” Luria answered, “That sounds like a good idea.” She reclined in her chair with a markable lack of grace and chugged some of her drink as he continued on. “I haven’t really seen that much of Lodoss, but I want to!” she said excitedly. “Oh, it would be great if you would go with me! An archer like me isn’t really good for much alone. You can be the fighter, and I’ll be like the support elf girl... Oh! Aha ha! We can be like Purn and Deedlight in that song, you know?” Of course, she had the names wrong, and Phaeton probably hadn’t heard it anyway.
Phaeton smiled and spoke, “I know not the tale, or this Purn. But I would be happy and very honored to travel the road with you.” He caught Luria’s eyes for a moment and the savage blushed slightly then spoke curious. “Tell me then? Who is‚ Dee..deedi..Deedlight? And Purn? Are they great legends?” Now he was curious as well as excited, he liked the idea of traveling and seeing more of Lodoss and the fact that Luria was a beautiful woman hadn’t escaped his notice either.
Luria continued to relate the tale in the form of something that resembled a poem, improvising in places where she forgot the lines until the story failed to resemble the actual events at all.
