Archives: Search for Azala
Chapter 9: Morning in Shuva
Seri and Mirael were early to rise; thanks to the effects of pregnancy on the bladder. At around five AM, Seri decided to stay up, so the two women had gone downstairs to wait for the others. Though Mirael was a human, Seri found great comfort in her company. The woman had good advice as a mother, and her age put Seri more at ease than with the younger members of the group.
Mirael ran her finger around the rim of her wine glass—she only had a small goblet to drink with her breakfast. “I’m concerned about the intentions of that Albedo fellow,” she spoke.
Seri nodded. She was quite aware of his suspicious nature. “I believe we all are,” she said softly. “He bears enough of a resemblance to Azala to be suspicious enough, but then he conveniently has a message to give to Azala?”
“I don’t buy it,” Mirael scoffed. “It’s been twenty-four years since I even saw Azala, but seeing that boy’s face brought back some memories. I don’t see why he would feel the need to conceal his identity, unless he had something to hide. Maybe he means to do harm to Azala, maybe even kill him. Now, I’m personally rather neutral on my former lover, and I’d prefer to sit back and enjoy the pleasant memories and love the daughter he left me with, but it seems not all women were so fond of him. Terasia, Lanir’s mother, was obsessed with him. Air’s mother died in childbirth and it seems many pinned the blame on Azala. Who knows how much others have suffered? Perhaps Albedo’s mother suffered some injustice for bearing a half-elf child that led to him wanting revenge.”
“We do not really know the circumstances,” Seri interjected, wanting to change the direction of the conversation. It still pained her to hear of Azala’s other flings, especially ones that ended poorly. “Perhaps he is honest, and it’s merely coincidence.”
“Feh, hardly. You heard what the priestess said, Cha Za seems to be guiding you toward these children. Meeting a handsome half-elf who looks like Azala, and says he has a message for Azala is too big of a coincidence.”
Seri couldn’t ignore that argument, but her nature was one that was quick to trust. “I will speak to Estas on this matter, and see what he advises,” she replied. It ended the conversation.
Mirael was silent for a moment and finished eating her breakfast. “While they’re out searching, I want to help you find a carriage. It will be much easier on you than riding, and if the baby comes before you can get home, it would be safer.”
Seri couldn’t argue with that logic. “Very well then,” she said.
“You really should start heading home,” Mirael advised, giving Seri a sidelong glance. “There’s no telling when the baby may come at this point. Birthing in the forest would be preferable to the road. Even I had the good sense to settle down when I was pregnant with Y’ezela.”
Seri took a drink of the milk and honey she had ordered to avoid snapping at Mirael. People had been telling her that since she first left the forest, but she never expected to take so long in finding Azala. Maybe they were right...
* * *
Estas woke and found that he had slept longer than usual. Even for an elf, it wasn’t easy to wake in a soft, warm bed as opposed to a tree branch or hard ground. The high elf quietly climbed out of bed to keep from drawing Orion’s attention, and began to dress quickly. Tugging his hat onto his head, Estas stepped out of the room and left Orion to his own devices.
Orion had woken up numerous times throughout the night. Before the sun had risen, he was permanently awake, though he did his best to appear asleep when Estas stirred. As soon as the High Elf was gone, Orion heaved up into a sitting position. His anxiety over last night had dominated his mind since Estas had walked in on their romantic moment. He was still embarrassed unendingly. How could he show his face to Estas? He now looked more like a dirty, lusty human than a wise elf! Surely, Estas found him to be revolting. Orion was fairly sure he would have found himself revolting, had he been in Estas’ position. All Orion wanted was to leap out of the window and run away.
Despite this, he wanted nothing more than to have Kitsa at his side. She was a living, breathing miracle. Her soft lips, beautiful eyes, warming smile... They overtook his senses and replaced all of his emptiness with a sense of purpose. He wasn’t wandering aimlessly; he was traveling with someone he cared for. His excitement soothed all of his anxiety away. Well, it did until he thought about going downstairs and the realization that Kitsa was not the only person he had to be seen by.
Orion’s hands went to his head, fingers partially running through his messy hair. Both sensations were clashing paradigms in his mind. Like worlds colliding, he couldn’t find a balance or a peace for either one in his mind. It was all too big. After hours of dwelling on the subject, he couldn’t bring himself to make a decision on what to do. “I give up,” he whispered to himself as he fell back to the bed, praying to any spirit that would listen for some kind of comfort...
* * *
The first rays of light woke Phaeton and he sat up slowly. He wasn’t used to sleeping indoors often, but in this rare instance he wouldn’t complain. The bed had been comfortable and too much sleep was never a good thing. Phaeton dressed, and poured a bit of water from a nearby pitcher into a bowl that their inn’s patron provided them and washed his face. He made his way downstairs after taking a moment to pray to his ancestors and the spirits. It would be a good day.
Lanir had been up for some time, but elected to lay in bed for a short while and think. The half-elf didn’t really need a lot of sleep and it afforded him a chance to think about their next move. He sincerely hoped they had picked up a few good clues to Azala’s whereabouts. With all he had heard, Azala was becoming anything but the image of an elven lord, which his mother had made his father out to be. He still wanted to meet the man who had sired him. And that meant he had to get up and get a move on. Lanir dressed and made his way down eventually as well.
* * *
Estas arrived downstairs to find only Seri and Mirael waiting. “Good morning,” he greeted the women politely, with a small bow of his head to Mirael. Gracefully, the tall high elf folded into the seat beside Seri. “When do you want to send the mercenaries off on their search?” he asked his companion.
“Perhaps in an hour or so, after they have all eaten their morning meals,” Seri replied. “Give them ten minutes, then we should wake them.”
Phaeton made his way downstairs and found Lady Seri, Estas and Mirael waiting. The savage was wide awake and his hair had been brushed back as neatly as possible. He had used the water decanter and bowl to wash up while he was in the room he had been assigned to upstairs. The savage gave each a respectful bow and greeted them in a warm voice. “Good morning to you all. It is my hope that the spirits blessed each of you with good rest.” The young savage gazed at Seri and nodded reverently and said, “As ever I am at your service high one.”
Phaeton found a chair at the table and waited silently.
* * *
Y’ezela woke in her warm, comfortable bed and gave a long stretch. It was always nice to spend the night in a bed as opposed to the cramped wagon or the ground. She would have liked to stay in bed just a little longer, but there was work to be done today. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, Y’ezela sat up and saw Air’s form huddled under her blankets. With a frown, Y’ezela realized her sister was probably hung over.
The bard quietly stood and drew the curtains closed, then sat on Air’s bed. “Air...” she said softly, rocking the half-elf’s shoulder.
The naked half-elf rolled over still completely asleep and drew Y’ezela’s body towards her face, burying her head in her half-sister’s crotch. “No...” she muttered half muffled by the fabric of her sister’s clothes. “Sleepy...”
Y’ezela sighed and patted her sister’s head. “We have things to do today! You slept all through the night like a baby, how much more sleep do you need?”
“Four...five more years should be good...” Air mumbled. “Just however long it takes for me to find the secret stash of dwarven goodies...”
Y’ezela laughed, “I don’t think you’ll find them in the dream world! Now come on, let’s get some breakfast.”
“Ugh,” The petite half-elf grunted in response to her sister. “Fine, I’ll get up, eat lots...” Air withdrew her arms from her sister and made her way to her clothes. She took the time to bind her chest and start dressing like a man.
Y’ezela began to pack her belongings and change from her sleepwear. After getting her skirt and top on, she paused as Air began to bind her chest. Sitting down on her bed, she tipped her head to the side curiously as she watched. “What are you doing?”
“I’m dressing like a man, my dear sister,” Air replied matter-of-factly. The young half-elf straightened her shirt and tucked it into her pants. She pulled her hair back and tied it with her green ribbon. “How do I look?” she asked, after her full ‘transformation’ had taken place.
Y’ezela was even further intrigued. She looked Air over and tried to think of her as a man, and she saw that she looked like passable. “You look...like a very pretty boy,” Y’ezela replied. “Why do you dress like a man?”
Air giggled and tried out her “man voice” which was just her regular voice with a little lower pitch to it. “Due to the fact that I, young Air, believe in the great exchange of banter from bother sides of the sexual median,” She stated with some concerted effort to mask her feminine voice. “Plus, I like wearing men’s clothes and hitting on women. It makes for more fun than dressing as a woman.”
The half-elf bard giggled at her sister, very amused. “Oh, that does sound fun! You deserve a song written about you, and one day, I shall write it, but first, I think I need material,” Y’ezela said with a wink. “Let’s go downstairs now. Seri wants us to scout the city for information and half-elves today.”
Air sighed. “Chances are every half-elf we meet is due to our father’s voracious appetite for the fairer sex.” Air put her arm around her bardic sister and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Let’s go.” Air was ready to follow her sister anywhere.
“It sure seems that way!” Y’ezela replied with a giggle and put her arm around Air in return. The two half-elves left their room and headed down to the common room.
* * *
Kitsa awoke after a night of poor sleeping. The excitement and apprehension over Orion drained her, but her mind kept mulling over the potential relationship and how she should take it. Did she love him? She wasn’t quite sure yet, but she seemed to be more than willing to. However, she was still eager as ever to see him this morning. The quarter elf slipped out of bed and began to re-dress in the clothes she had taken off to sleep.
The sounds Kitsa made as she climbed out of bed woke Sairina, but she slept sound enough that it wasn’t too hard for her to wake up. The priestess yawned, holding her hand over her mouth, then rolled out of bed and stretched her arms over her head gracefully. She wore a silk nightgown whereas Kitsa had only stripped down to her undergarments. After acknowledging Kitsa with a smile, Sairina began her regiment for the morning; applying make-up, putting on jewelry, and finally dressing.
Sairina had gotten up, but Luria still slept, so Kitsa went over to the half-elf girl and gave her shoulder a shake. “Luria, wake up! It is morning.”
Luria grumbled something incoherent and then yawned loudly while rubbing her eyes, not bothering to cover her mouth. “Oh wow, sleeping in a real bed like that made me think I was back at home. I thought you were my mom for a second there, Kitsa!”
Luria hopped out of bed in her button-up shirt and some underwear, feeling refreshed, and stretched her arms. All it took for Luria to get ready was to throw the rest of her clothes back on and brush her hair. This last act she did with a surprising amount of grace, it had been practiced for years.
The last thing she did before going to give her equipment a regular morning once-over was stare at the barrette from Phaeton, giving it some thought. How could someone fall in love after just a few days? In all of the epic stories that Luria tried so hard to remember, the lovers hearts are not bound until they’ve ridden through hell together. Wasn’t this sudden love also Kitsa’s problem?
“Myrii!” Luria shouted in frustration. She didn’t know why she chose that god in particular. Maybe she thought he would appreciate a good struggle more than the others. She decided quickly to wear the hairpiece so as no to hurt the guy’s feelings. It wasn’t as if she didn’t like Phaeton, but she wasn’t sure about the whole “love” thing yet.
Kitsa chuckled at Luria’s initial reaction, then started to prepare her belongings for travel. When Luria shouted ‘Myrii!’, Kitsa was a little confused. “What is wrong, Luria?” she asked, then noticed the beaded hairpiece Phaeton gave her. “Oh...It is about Phaeton then...”
Luria nodded. “I feel like I don’t know what’s going on anymore,” she explained. She took a deep breath. “I know what I will do. I’ll just act completely oblivious. I might be slow, but I know that letting all of this drama seep into the party can only be bad news. Let’s focus on our job for now. Hasn’t the boss lady got something for us to do today?”
Kitsa nodded to Luria; the half-elf had a good point. It made Kitsa feel a little guilty for all her flirting with Orion though. She would just have to sort out her problems on her own. “She does? Let us go join her then,” Kitsa spoke.
Sairina listened to the short conversation while applying her make-up. After adding a final touch-up to her lips, she packed all the toiletries and rose from the bureau to join them. “Seri wants us to search the city for other half-elves, as well as any news of Azala,” Sairina informed her two roommates, who weren’t privy to the conversation in the dinning room the night before.
The priestess led the way out of the room, followed by Kitsa. Once Luria was out, she locked the door. Since they would probably be back tonight to sleep here, they left everything in the room.
* * *
Y’ezela and Air came downstairs together with their arms around each other’s shoulders. However, Air was dressed quite differently from the day before and could easily pass for her twin brother, if she had one. Y’ezela split apart from Air to go to her mother’s side and planted a kiss on Mirael’s cheek. “Good morning mother,” she said, then sat down beside Mirael.
Air moved beside Y’ezela and put her hands on her sister’s hips affectionately. “Hello all,” she said brightly, using her more masculine voice to greet all those present at the table.
Sairina arrived downstairs to see that Seri, Mirael, Phaeton, Air, Y’ezela, and the object of her affection, Estas, were already waiting. The priestess’s stomach did a somersault when she saw the handsome elf, but he didn’t acknowledge her with more than a glance. Maybe she could have what Kitsa found with Orion? Orion was even colder than Estas, but one side of Sairina knew that Estas couldn’t care less about her affection.
With all the grace she could manage, the Cha Za priestess sat down at one of the empty seats next to Phaeton, keeping her distance from Estas this morning. “Good morning Seri,” she greeted the high elf.
Kitsa came down with Sairina, but she was disappointed to see that Orion wasn’t there yet. Usually he was always one of the first to rise. Was he ashamed to show his face after last night? If he was, Kitsa would definitely be upset. “Where is Orion?” she asked.
“I believe he is still in bed,” Estas answered Kitsa, then casually sipped his tea. Undoubtedly, Orion was ashamed of being caught with Kitsa. Estas couldn’t care less about their relationship. While he didn’t approve of human and elven love, Orion wasn’t an elf of his clan and Estas had no place to reprimand him. Aside from that, Kitsa had elven blood as well, which confused Estas’s morals on the subject. If they wanted to be lovers, that was up to them.
“I will fetch him then,” Kitsa said, a frown on her face. She turned around, her red skirts swirling around her ankles, and hurried upstairs again.
* * *
Kitsa knocked on Orion’s door and waited for him to answer. The fact that he hadn’t come downstairs worried her. She was afraid he was ashamed, and that hurt. After all they had talked about the night before in regards to love and relationships, the fact that he was now hiding seemed to prove to her that he was a hypocrite. She wasn’t ashamed, and as far as she could tell, Estas couldn’t care less. Even if he did, it wouldn’t matter to her unless he wanted her and Orion fired—and then it wouldn’t change her mind. If he were offended, he didn’t care enough to mention it or even show a hint of emotion.
Orion lurched upwards, the threadbare sheets exploding around him. The door? It was probably one of the others, trying to discover him. It had to come sooner or later. The elf’s mind fluttered with excuses, something to tell them. Sleep! Estas probably thought he was still sleeping! Orion glanced at the mirror across the room. He didn’t look like he was sleeping at all. That was probably because he didn’t get much. In a vain attempt to make his lie work better, Orion tussled his hair about to make it look as if he had just woken up. “Coming,” he said. Though Orion had worn his pants to bed, he still slung a sheet around him for dignity’s sake. As was usual, Kitsa couldn’t hear the stealthy ranger come to the door. As he opened the door, he had already begun to bring his excuse to bear. “Forgive me, for I must have...” His words trailed away as he found out who was at the door. “Oh... Good morning, Miss Kitsa...” he sputtered, not having expected her at all.
“I believe we have moved beyond formal greetings, Orion,” Kitsa commented, frustration obvious in her voice. He is ashamed, isn’t he? she asked herself. Momentarily, she debated interrogating him, but she decided against it. “Seri is waiting for everyone to gather downstairs for breakfast.”
“I’m sorry, I just...” his voice hung for a moment, debating whether or not he should employ his excuse. Was it right to lie to her? But was the truth any less damaging than the lie? Orion decided on a middle ground. “Oh never mind...” If she didn’t ask, better not mention anything at all. “I suppose I’ll be down in a moment. I must gather my things and... ” Orion glanced back towards the mirror, “attempt to look more presentable.”
Kitsa didn’t respond immediately, instead she looked at Orion with a rather troubled expression. Should I ask or not? she wondered. Making her decision, Kitsa stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. “Are you ashamed?” she asked.
“A...shamed?” Orion sputtered, taken aback by Kitsa’s forwardness. His face turned crimson in fear. How could he answer that?! Say yes and upset her? Say no and lie to her? Of course he was ashamed! He acted like a lust-driven human in a high elf’s room! Not only that, but he caught them in the act! Not to mention the fact that he didn’t have the respect of Estas after the conflict between the newest members of their company. “I...” He mine as well have began romancing Kitsa right in front of him as if he was no one! “I...” Sure, he liked it, loved it even, but what about Estas? “I...” Though he felt like he could sacrifice anything for Kitsa, something like that shouldn’t have happened and it was his fault! “I...” He had to face everyone not as a pure, dedicated body guard, but as a womanizer. And what did he think of Kitsa?
“Not ashamed,” Orion amended finally. “Just... concerned with the consequences.”
Kitsa lowered her eyes to the floor. He was a hypocrite, and it hurt. She wasn’t going to give up on him yet. At this point, she feared words might make or break the short-lived relationship. Kitsa replied, “Last night, you told me that I should not worry about the consequences of loving someone who would live longer or shorter than I, that love was worth the pain. What consequences concern you?”
“The respect of my employers,” Orion said slowly. “Not only did I place Estas in an uncomfortable situation, but my actions reflect back on me. I am not sure how I am to look him in the eye from now on. I don’t regret what I did and I know I shouldn’t, but it was poor form to act in that manner in his room, of which I am the guest.”
Kitsa sighed. At least I know the truth, she thought, but she was still wounded. Estas’s opinion mattered a great deal more to him than it did to her. “It is a shared room. If it belongs to anyone it is Mirael, who paid for our stay,” Kitsa replied, but didn’t offer him a chance to respond. “I will return downstairs and wait with the others,” she added, opening the door behind her.
“I’m coming,” Orion said after a second, brushing his hair back. From behind, he almost looked like a woman when he did. Throwing on his overcoat and gathering his weapons, Orion flew quickly to the door as she was closing it. After his heart skipped a beat, he looked to her. “We can go down together,” he said meaningfully. He hoped she understood what he meant.
Kitsa turned around and smiled brightly at Orion. The way he spoke lifted her heart and gave back her hope. She considered holding his hand, but that was probably a little too far for the moment. She was happy enough to be beside him now.
* * *
“Sheesh, leave one night and the drunken half-elf has a crisis of gender,” Albedo said in a dry tone, coming downstairs. Oddly enough, despite their decision to search a day earlier, he didn’t carry any sort of sword at his hip or on his back; just the daggers he had carried on him before. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter to me what she chooses... well, he chooses, maybe. Either gender will serve its purpose.”
Air’s eyes set on Albedo with a spiteful glare. “What was that you freakish, half-breed, pointy-eared hell spawn?” she growled in her regular voice. “If you have something to say, say it to my face not my back, you piss for blood half-man-spawn.”
Y’ezela put her hands on Air’s shoulder in an attempt to calm her sister. “Air, I’m sure he’s just joking—even if it is in poor humor,” the bard said. “Don’t let him get under your skin, it’s not worth your time.”
Seri’s calm morning was disrupted by the sudden aggression between Air and Albedo. Air’s antics she could tolerate, the fact that the girl had dressed up as a young man didn’t concern her enough to speak of it, but she distrusted Albedo. His story seemed like a lie to her with the way he resembled Azala. Air could be unpredictable, and hopefully Y’ezela’s words were enough to end the potential conflict. If not, then Seri would step in.
Air grit her teeth but calmed down at Y’ezela’s touch. “Fine. I’ll let it go this time,” Air grunted. She shot an icy glare at Albedo and stuck out her tongue. “Prissy pants, nyah!”
“Is that a fact?” Albedo said dismissively. If he was phased by Air’s comment, he didn’t show it. In fact, after she had started on him, he had simply turned to Seri and gave her a questioning look. “So, I’ve been doing some research about any elves in the area. Not a terribly high amount, considering the climate, so the search should be rather quick.”
Giving a light shrug, Albedo looked over at Air. “If you take offense to my tone, I apologize. However, if you choose to attack me, I’m not known for my restraint. But who knows, I like you... You might just end up with a broken bone or two.” He gave a light chuckle, but if he was joking or not was another story. “By the way, I take it the rest of our would be search party is still in the land of dreams?”
Air glowered at Albedo, but painted a sick smirk across her face. “Sure, a broken bone or two. I might get away with that, but it doesn’t mean you won’t be missing a limb or two, maybe even your life.” Air wasn’t combat oriented but she was tough enough to work as a smith, and she’d sure as rain make it her business to break every bone in his hands. “But since you think you’re so much better than us, why don’t you use a map to get the stick out of your ass? You’d be better off to pull your head out while you’re at it.”
“Cease this bickering!” Seri shouted, slamming her palms on the table. Were she not pregnant, she would have stood for greater effect, but standing was hard in her condition. “If you two are going to continue goading each other, you can step outside, but I will not tolerate it at my table! Not another word from either of you!”
“Interesting...” Albedo said, cocking his head to the side lightly. In his actual line of work, anger was a great tool. While a lot of foolish warriors thought it gave them strength, recklessness was just fine to make a lot of mistakes and allow a good watcher to take advantage. In both Seri’s and Air’s case, he had just found a trigger. He doubted either one would even be his opponent, but he’d still keep it in mind in the off chance they did. “But that doesn’t answer my question. They still in their rooms, or have they already begun their own searches?”
“Why don’t you use what little brains you have between your crooked ears and think for yourself? Get your own damn information, or go skewer yourself on some goblin’s spear. Either way, get outta my sight before I’m gonna have to get violent you fat hipped, short faced, pug nosed freak!” Air was still fuming and Seri’s little outburst wasn’t going to stop her from getting the last word in this argument. She would tear his ears off and shove them down his throat before she ever admitted defeat before him. “And you.” She shot an icy glare at Seri. “Act your damn age and eat your food. Whether there is an argument or not happening beside you, it’s best you just shut up and eat instead of getting involved. You don’t have to enjoy the food, or the company for that matter, to get nutrients from it,” she growled. Air flipped her hair over her shoulder and left the inn. She’d search for information on her father by herself, and damn anyone else who dared to bother her while she was in her foul mood.
“I think that one needs to be taught a lesson in humility.” Albedo sighed, although didn’t follow after her. He’d been fairly serious when he had said he didn’t really know the meaning of restraint. “Well, I’ll teach that lesson when, and if I feel like it. I’ve known enough loud mouthed brats to not attack when one attempts to offend me. Still, I think you should go with her.” He pointed at Y’ezela. “If she uses that sharp tongue against someone else, they might not be so kind as to ignore it. And a sharp tongue is not nearly a match for a sharp blade.”
“Oh? Isn’t that narrow-minded...” Mirael said. The merchant gently set aside her napkin and pushed her plate back. “What about you? Do you honestly believe your behavior is any better than hers? She may have an outburst, but it was in reaction to your tactless statement. Not even a good morning, and you start to outright insult someone by calling them an ‘it’. You have no right to say you’re going to ‘teach her a lesson’ when you yourself need a lesson in manners.”
The merchant avoided looking at Albedo while she spoke. She stood from her seat, not caring to argue with the half-elf, then headed out after Air. Albedo had nothing more to his credit beyond a pretty face. It was enough that he had lied to them, Mirael was certain of that, and now he proved to have no respect for others, and actually believed he was right in speaking in such a cruel manner!
Y’ezela watched her mother leave and glared at Albedo. He had ruined such a great morning! She was looking forward to seeing Air’s act, and now her sister probably could care less. After a moment’s debate, Y’ezela left the table and followed her mother out.
Seri covered her face with her hand after Air’s attack at her. It was an emotional trigger, and now a knot had formed in her throat. It was a mistake to even consider using his own children, she thought. I should just abandon this foolish mission and return home.
Sairina couldn’t believe the gall of Albedo’s comments toward Air, and she was even more surprised by how venomously Air had responded—and how she attacked Seri for trying to stop the fight! The priestess left her seat and went to Seri’s side. Obviously the high elf was very upset by it all. Sairina put her arms around Seri’s shoulders and rubbed her back, then leaned in to whisper in the high elf’s ear, “I could put a rack curse on him if you want to teach him a lesson.”
Seri shook her head. It was immature to do such a thing. The high elf pulled away from Sairina, then stood awkwardly. “I’m going to my room to debate the future of this journey,” Seri announced. “Estas, stay down here and inform anyone else who comes down of what happened. I will make my decision within the hour.”
The high elf walked to the stairs, but paused beside Albedo. She spoke softly so the others wouldn’t easily hear. “I will not tolerate your presence with me any further. You have lied to us, insulted one of our group, and the merchant spoke correctly. You are in need of your own lessons in humility. Find your father at your own leisure, but you will not be welcome to travel with me.” She had no interest in hearing his response, so she continued on upstairs and back to her room.
Luria appeared hovering just behind Sairina, trying not to be noticed. She felt the tension in the room and knew to keep quiet, though she had a strong urge to ask what was wrong with all of these people. “We know what we are supposed to do, right?” she whispered to Sairina. “I’m eager to get out of here...”
“It was simply a statement of fact. If that one wants to act like a man, who am I to dispute?” Albedo said in a dry tone. His eyes turned to Seri as she approached him. Well, she had seen through his ruse, but he’d still play it off. After all, they had no definite proof. “Didn’t I tell that one already? My father is quite dead. Human mortality has that effect. But, do as you will.” He waved her off. What would be, would be. After all, he could still use them as he wanted. Even if they didn’t see him, he would be there. After all, if he could glean information, and he would. If they proved to be useless for his own quest, he’d simply leave them be.
“Its been real, I guess.” Albedo yawned, exiting the building. A simple off comment and they became edgy. He’d have to remember that. If they did find his father, odds are they would end up becoming his enemy. His training would allow him to deal with that when, and if it occurred. Still, there was a slight annoyance. With no possibility of kinship, he only had one true friend, and she was quite far away. If he was a shadow, then his only companion should be one.
Phaeton watched the entire scene between Albedo and Air. When Seri finally left the savage knew she was at a crossroads. Had the half-elf who’d upset her been one of his own people, Phaeton would’ve more than likely solved the problem by challenging him to a duel, but this wasn’t the land of his people and he’d learned much during his time in civilization. The ways of his folk were not kindly accepted when it came to settling disputes. Although efficient, many customs were regarded as savage. Having nothing to say, Phaeton decided to sit quietly, though when he saw Luria he did offer the lovely half-elf woman a small smile and nod.
With Albedo, Air, and Seri all gone, the tension seemed to have followed them out. “I don’t know,” Sairina replied to Luria, at quite a loss for what to do herself. Seri said to wait for her to make a decision...did that mean kicking out Air and Albedo, or calling off the search? The priestess sat down again and waited as Seri requested.
Lanir descended the stairs finally to find the others but not Lady Seri. The ranger found a chair and sat down, then turned to Estas and said, questioningly, “Is Lady Seri alright? She’s not here…She’s not sick is she?”
Estas was grateful to see Albedo leave. That boy was more trouble than he was worth, and Air was turning out to be quite a handful as well. The high elf had accompanied Seri only to see her safely through her journey, and what he wanted most was for her to just return home. Maybe she would finally make the right decision.
Lanir arrived downstairs late, having missed the argument. “There was a verbal spat down here between Albedo and Air,” Estas informed the half-elf. “Seri has gone to meditate on how the journey will continue. Have your breakfast, and Seri should return soon with her decision.”
* * *
Mirael gave Y’ezela a small smile to try and comfort her. Her daughter had certainly come to care about her half-sister in the short time they’d known each other. If Air wanted to adopt Mirael as a mother, she would be remiss in her maternal duties to let Air run off to seethe.
“Air!” Mirael called into the street after she left the inn. Y’ezela emerged from the inn behind her, and Mirael glanced back to see an expression of worry and hurt on her daughter’s face.
Mirael began to walk in the direction she saw Air turn in when she left the inn, all the while calling out her name.
Air wandered away from the inn, her eyes blurry from the tears gathering in her eyes. She hadn’t meant to attack Seri as well, but her short fuse found the high elf on the same side as Albedo. She bit her lip hard to keep from bawling out loud in the open street, blood pooling from the wound where she bit. When the weight of her conscience had finally doubled on her, her legs gave out and she fell to her knees bawling like a lost child. In the distance she could hear Mirael call for her, but the young half-elf didn’t want to be found like this. She began to crawl away on all fours away from the sound of her adoptive mother’s voice. In her haste, her head butted into a man’s leg.
“Air? Is that you?” the man asked, his voice vaguely familiar. The half-elf looked up and froze at the sight of the man who she bumped into. “It is you. I recognize those mismatched eyes anywhere.” Air shrank away from the man and tried to back peddle to escape him, but another man’s arms grabbed her thin shoulders. “I’ve been looking all over Lodoss for you,” he said with a soft grin. “What luck, the gods must be smiling on me today!” He knelt beside her and tipped her face towards his and forced a kiss on her bloody lips. To escape his kiss she bit his lip and, like planned, he retracted immediately. “Now, now, my little half-breed Air. Is that any way to treat your fiancé?”
As Mirael and Y’ezela continued down the street, they caught a glimpse of Air’s back a couple blocks away. It was only for a moment, because she soon fell out of view and became lost in the people walking along the street. Mirael picked up her pace to a jog, as did Y’ezela.
“Air!” she shouted again, more anxious than before. They were getting closer to where she had disappeared, and all the two women could see was the back of one man and another facing him.
Air’s fiancé looked up at the two women who were closing in on their location, one of them calling out Air’s name. “Tch,” he spat. “It seems our plans are foiled right now, she has companions. Come now Alerth, we’ll get her later when she’s alone.” The man who had a grip on Air’s shoulders let go and went off with his master down the street in the opposite direction from whence Mirael and Y’ezela came from.
Air sheepishly faced her adoptive mother and half-sister with a tear-strewn face and a bloody lip. Her eyes wouldn’t make eye contact with either of them, however, as she was still embarrassed about her outburst towards Seri.
After seeing the two men leave Air behind from between then, and the half-elf’s bloody lip, Mirael feared that she had been mugged. The merchant dashed over to Air and wrapped her arms around the girl. “Who were those men? Did they steal anything from you?” she asked.
Air looked away ashamed. “No...” she muttered softly. “They didn’t steal anything from me. If anyone is the thief, it would be me.” She sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve. “I’m sorry I was an idiot in the inn,” she stated softly, with a hint of self-loathing in her voice. “I didn’t mean to blow up the way I did...I should have just laughed it off when he was calling me names, then I wouldn’t have run into...him again.”
“There, there,” Mirael soothed and stroked Air’s hair. “You were right on one point at least, he does need to pull his head out of his ass,” she said with a smile, hoping she could make some light of the situation. The merchant pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and gave it to Air so she could wipe her face.
Air sniffled and nodded. “Yeah...” she muttered slowly. She still felt bad and the tears wouldn’t stop flowing. She was shaking still, a little from the crying and a little from the fear of running into her ex-fiancé after she ditched him at the altar. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said such things...” She took the handkerchief and wiped her face.
“Well, we should go back and apologize to Seri,” Mirael advised. However, the question of the strange men still lingered, and the merchant had to ask. “Who were those men? Do you know them?”
Air trembled a little at the thought of the two men that approached her, and Mirael wasn’t going to leave their involvement with her alone until she got a straight answer. “...I left the prettier one at the altar,” she said staring at the ground. “The other one is his servant.” Not wanting to dwell on the subject any longer, Air rushed towards the inn. “I’ll go apologize to Seri myself, sorry and thanks!”
* * *
Air dashed into the inn to make her apologies to Seri, as well as to avoid any unnecessary questions about her past. When she noticed with a quick scan that Seri was no longer in the common room, the petite half-elf stopped short. “Hey, guys, where’s Seri? I need to tell her somethin’.”
Estas coolly turned to regard Air. What does she have to say? Estas wondered. Perhaps an apology? Seri didn’t want to be disturbed, but if Air had an apology, it was something Seri would want to hear. “Seri has gone to her room to meditate,” Estas told Air. “What do you need to tell her?”
Air smiled. “Thanks Estas, ol’ fop.” She ran past him and up to Seri’s room. Since she already had the location she didn’t need Estas asking what her business was with Seri. The young half-elf stopped at the door and knocked loudly. “Oi Missus, yer loudmouth kin is at the door. Can she come in to bug you?”
Seri grimaced as she heard Air calling from the other side of the door. She had locked it so she would be left in peace, assuming that someone would want to comfort her and disrespect the privacy she needed. She already cried, and now she was debating which path to follow. Either she could overlook this incident and move on, or she could abandon the children and let them search for Azala as they wish while she went home.
She didn’t respond to Air immediately, she paused to consider her options. However, what Air had to say could affect her decision. Seri rose from her bed and went to answer the door. After unlocking it, she opened it just enough to block entering. “Yes, Air?” she asked the half-elf calmly.
“Hi!” Air said cheerily. “I was wrong, and I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I’m really sorry for losing my temper with you, and with that asshole Albedo. I don’t expect you to forgive me right away, nor do I expect for you to forgive me at all. Frankly, I was a lot out of line. But regardless of that, my pride refuses me to beg for forgiveness and stuff.” She sighed. “Well, I said what I have to. Oh, and there is a guy who will probably try to kidnap me while I’m alone, but it’s alright if he does, I kinda deserved that. I did sort of ditch him at the altar of marriage.”
Seri paused before responding. This would effect her decision heavily indeed, and now she had something to concern her about Air’s safety. “Thank you,” she said. “I need some time to think still, so please wait downstairs with Estas. I will be down shortly.”
Air nodded but didn’t give a verbal response. She put her back to the opposing wall and slid down till her butt hit the floor. I’ll just wait here.
