“There’s more cruelty in this world than that man,” was the only response I could give her.
She pressed her thin lips together but nodded in acceptance. “Please have a seat at one of the tables. Don’t mind the men. Most of them know their manners when it comes to ladies.” She winked. “I’ll bring you some food to break your fast. My husband Irving will be back from the market soon. He’s been eager to meet you.”
“Thank you, Ginnie. I would very much like to meet Irving and thank him as well.”
With that, she left to fetch my morning meal.
I observed the men, who seemed oblivious to my presence, before gathering enough courage to approach a small empty table in the corner next to the unoccupied bar. No one worked behind the bar yet. It was too early for ale.
Ginnie returned with a bowl of hot oats, biscuits and fresh water for me. She set it down without a word and began helping the maids clear empty dishes from the other tables.
Nibbling on my biscuit, I began to relax. No one paid me any attention. Soon, most of the men were finished their meals, and they cleared out of the dining hall, leaving behind a more peaceful atmosphere.
Deep in thought about what I would do if I couldn’t find a carriage to take me to Terra, I didn’t notice my mysterious saviour come up beside me. I jumped a little when he spoke.
“Good day, my lady. I see you’re doing better.” His deep voice had a polite lilt to it.
I twisted in my seat as he pulled up a chair beside me without invitation. It still astonished me to see how he’d transformed from a poor-looking vagrant into a… well, a handsome young man, if I was being honest.
He rubbed the couple days’ worth of stubble on his chin, pondering me.
I folded my hands in my lap and sat back. “Thank you, sir. I actually have a few questions for you, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Ask away. I will do my best to give you the answers you seek.”
I cleared my throat, not sure where to start. “Well—uh—first off, how did you find me there in that dungeon?”
He replied without hesitation, “I use the tunnels to get into the kitchens of rich manors, such as the one you were in, to take food for myself—not a lot, just enough to keep me from starving. I was in the tunnel when I heard your screams, so I went to see what the matter was. That’s when I saw what that monster was doing to you.”
“…I see,” I paused to think, smoothing my skirt. “And why do you need to steal food? I mean, why did you look like a vagrant when you rescued me? I can see now that clearly you are no vagrant.” I eyed his clean black trousers and white tunic.
“That—is a long story. One you’re better off not knowing.”
I narrowed my eyes. Either he was hiding some deep, dark secret, or he didn’t trust me—perhaps both. So be it. “All right then, tell me why you chose to bring me here.”
“I brought you here because you would have died if I left you on your own, and because Ginnie and Irving are my friends. I knew they would take care of you properly.” He continued on before I could ask anything else, “It’s my turn to ask you something.” He leaned toward me and held my eyes with his warm aqua gaze. I felt like I could get lost in that gaze forever. When he spoke next, his voice was so soft, I barely heard the words. “How did the man catch fire?”
My eyes widened at his question. “I don’t know, sir. He must have hit himself on one of the torches.” If he wasn’t going to trust me with his truth, I wouldn’t trust him with mine.
“The lanterns were on the outside of the cell, my lady,” he said pointedly, still holding my gaze.
“Are you accusing me of lying? I don’t know! I was trying to stop him from violating me. Perhaps Celestia did it,” I retorted.
“Ah, our beloved goddess. Apologies. Please don’t be upset. I’m only trying to understand what happened.”
“As am I, sir. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ve had quite enough excitement for today.”
He placed his hand on mine as I moved to leave. My back stiffened. Panic surfaced within me. He quickly removed it. I was sure he meant it as a comforting gesture, but I couldn’t keep the memory of Algor’s fat hands on me away. I scolded myself inwardly for my weakness.
“Yes, of course,” he replied after an awkward silence. “And please, call me Percifal.” He looked up at me with a pained expression.
I didn’t want his pity. All I wanted was to get out of Lottenheim and start my new life. “Good day, sir,” I muttered, ignoring his request. I left without a glance back.
I sat on the edge of my bed and put my head in my hands. The memories that our conversation brought back caused me to shudder. I didn’t know if I would ever overcome my fear and mistrust of men again. Not after what happened in that dungeon.
Slowly, my thoughts circled back to my mysterious rescuer. His eyes held so much concern when he spoke to me. Not at all like Algor’s. But then, why wouldn’t he tell me the truth about himself? I let out a frustrated groan and decided, mayhap, I would never get my answers.
Chapter 19
That evening, Amelia came to inform me dinner was ready to be served. I decided to go back down to the tavern for the meal. She’d offered to bring my dinner to me, but I’d refused. I was tired of being cooped up in the room, and I had enough strength to eat with the rest of the guests.
The tavern felt different at night. Men populated the space as they had in the morning, but with the sun no longer lighting the sky ale flowed in abundance, making the guests louder and more animated. Some of them laughed and goofed around with each other, while others argued over who could drink more ale or who had better fighting skills. Maids came around with trays of meat, sweet potatoes and more ale. Behind the bar, a tall, slim man with a beak-like nose busied himself filling jugs with the frothy drink. He pushed up the spectacles on his long nose as he finished pouring the golden liquid. Noticing me standing there, gaping like a fool, he beckoned me over to the bar.
I slid into a chair beside a couple of other loners eating at the long, polished wooden surface.
“You must be the Lady Phyra. My wife’s spoken pleasantly of you.” Irving’s warm smile crinkled the aging skin around his eyes and mouth.
I gave him a friendly smile in return, “Why yes, and you must be Irving.”
“Ah-ha! Right you are, Lady Phyra. I’m pleased to meet you.” He put out his hand to take mine, and I offered it in return.
Oddly, I didn’t feel any fear toward this man. He hadn’t a threatening bone in his body. “The pleasure is mine. I wanted to thank you for your kindness and hospitality.”
Amelia swept by to set a tray of food down on the bar before me. “Enjoy, milady.”
I bowed my head in reply and turned my attention back to my conversation with Irving.
“Any friend of Percifal’s is a friend of ours,” he said, pouring more ale for another maid to take away.
“Oh, I wouldn’t exactly call us friends. He rescued me, but I barely know the man.” I waved a hand in dismissal.
“No matter. Who are we to turn away a damsel in distress, eh?”
I laughed for the first time since I’d left the palace. My heart warmed. I could see why Percifal would call Ginnie and Irving friends. They were easy to like and had nothing but kindness to offer.
“Some ale to warm your spirit, my lady?” He held a jug to an empty mug.
“Sure, why not?” I shrugged.
He poured me some of the sparkling golden liquid and left me to my meal. I’d never tasted ale before. I always drank wine at the palace when I’d wanted something to ‘warm my spirit.’ Taking a sip, I decided the taste wasn’t a bad one, but I still preferred the smooth, fruity taste of wine over this fizzy drink.
During my meal, I listened to the conversation of the men behind me. One with a gruff voice spoke to one with a higher-pitched, younger-sounding voice.
“Do you think we’ll really make it to Terra with these materials in time to get the extra gold
we were promised for being quicker than the other tradesmen?” the younger one asked.
“Aye, I bet you two gold pieces we will. We just have to travel faster and sleep less than the others,” the gruff one replied.
“All right, two gold pieces if we beat the others.”
“It’s going to be a rough trip. We’ll need to make it there in twenty five sunrises.”
That was all I needed to hear to gather the courage to talk to them—well that, and the ale probably helped too. I got up off my stool, about to march up to their table, when Percifal came out of nowhere and blocked my path.
“I know what you’re trying to do, but don’t. Those men are gamblers and not to be trusted. I’ll take you back to Solis in a few days,” he said, keeping his tone low, his expression serious.
Taken aback by his rude interruption, I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin. “What, were you watching me this whole time? I can take care of myself. And I’m not going back to Solis.”
“Clearly, my lady, you can’t take care of yourself. With your family, is the only place you’ll be safe. I won’t have your death on my conscience,” he stated, ignoring my question.
I scoffed at his words. Perhaps he was right. I had no idea how the world outside of the palace worked, but I couldn’t go back to Solis. Not when Adelaide’s life would be put in danger upon my return. “You don’t understand. I can’t go back. Something horrible will happen if you take me there.”
“What will happen that’s so horrible? Tell me.”
“That is a long story. One you are better off not knowing,” I repeated his own words back to him, trying to step around him.
He moved in my way again, raising his brows. When I just stared at him, he sighed in surrender. “Fine. These men are not your answer, though. Promise me you’ll not speak to them.”
“Fine,” I lied. I’d have said anything to get him to leave me be.
“Good. Now, I promised Ginnie I’d help her clean up the kitchen tonight. I trust you will keep to yourself and enjoy the rest of your night.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m going to finish my ale, and then I shall retire for the night.”
“Good night to you, Lady Phyra,” he bowed his head.
“Good night, Sir Percifal.” I nodded curtly in return, and he left the dining hall.
Good, I thought. Now I could ask about passage to Terra without any interruptions, but when I turned back to the table, the men were gone. With my hopes dashed, I decided I may as well indeed retire for the night. I’d have to try again in the morning. If only that damned Percifal would stay out of my way.
I ventured downstairs to break my fast early the next day, in hopes of spotting those two men again. To my disappointment, they were nowhere in sight. They’d already left for the Kingdom of Earth. I ate in silence, listening for any other conversations about travel. I heard none.
I decided to spend the day with Irving to get my mind off my predicament for a while. Amelia told me he was going to the market to buy fresh vegetables for the night’s meal. I thought it would do me good to get outside anyways.
“Do you go to the market every day, Irving?” I asked him. We walked along the busy cobblestone road lined with tented shops and their goods.
When we came upon some bins holding fresh fruits and vegetables, he stopped to feel and smell some carrots. “Aye, we only prepare the freshest meals for our guests. During the winter, it’s a different case, of course. We stock up before autumn’s end, but in the summer, we take advantage of the market.” He smiled at the short, round man who took his silver piece in exchange for the bag of carrots.
“You treat your guests well, you and Ginnie.”
“That’s how we keep the business afloat.” He winked at me, and we strolled on. “Business wasn’t always so good, you see. Actually, it was Percifal who helped us when we almost went under,” he added with a note of gratitude.
“Did he?” I asked, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.
“Indeed. The inn was in dire need of repairs. The stove that we heat water on was broken, and business was slow when he showed up and asked if we had room for him to stay for a while. He heard about our misfortune, and without us even asking, he fixed the stove and did the repairs and even gave us enough gold pieces to get us back on our feet. Then, out of nowhere, he informed us he needed to leave. We thanked him for everything and told him if he ever needed anything we would be there for him. So when he brought you to us and asked for our help, we were happy to be of service.”
“Huh.” I was lost in wonder when a small boy almost ran right into me. I veered right to avoid crashing into him. “And he never said where he came from or why he needed to leave?”
“No, he really didn’t say much about himself, and we thought it rude to ask. He was the kindest man we’d ever met. That was enough. Poor Ginnie cried with joy when he gave us the gold. We tried to refuse, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
He’d done a nice thing for the old couple, but why was he hiding his past if he was such a good man? Whatever the reason, I wouldn’t burden Irving with my endless questions. “I’m glad your inn was saved. It is a nice place, and you and Ginnie are good people.”
He chuckled humbly but changed the subject as we headed back to the inn, “Any luck on your quest to find passage to Terra?”
“Sadly, no. I think I’ll have to start asking around.”
“Well, I will keep listening for you and let you know should I hear anything. In the meantime, I hope you’re enjoying your stay with us,” he offered, pushing his spectacles up with his wrist. They seemed to always be sliding off his nose.
“Very much so,” I beamed.
As we walked on, he told me stories of how he and Ginnie met, and of how they came to be owners of the Golden Lilly. I listened, feeling lighter than I had since I’d left Solis, the sun kissing my skin.
When we got back to the inn, Irving left me to take the carrots to the kitchen for Ginnie to prepare. I sat in the dining hall, watching two men play a game of dice. They both looked a bit grubby and wore worn clothing. They were obviously travelers.
I lifted my chin, deciding to put a brave face on and ask these men for passage while no one else was around to stop me. What harm could it do?
They were laughing at something one of them had said as I approached their table, keeping my hands folded in front of me to stop them from shaking. Noticing my presence, they both stopped and turned toward me. One had scraggly, long blond hair while the other was almost bald.
“Well, who do we have here?” The one with blond hair said in a strong, deep voice, his eyes still bright from laughing.
“Good day, sirs. I—I’m looking for passage to Terra and wondered if you might be willing to take me there?” I looked the blond one in the eyes, trying to appear confident.
The bald one threw his head back, howling as though I’d made some great jest.
The blond one continued to stare at me before asking, “And what kind of payment might you have for us taking you all that way?”
“I—uh—I have nothing at the moment.” I looked down before quickly adding, “But I know Queen Adelaide personally. I shall write to her. She’ll pay you generously for your kindness to me.”
“Hmm. Is this some kind of jest?” The blond one eyed me, and his friend stopped laughing.
“Oh, come now, Vanard! I know what we can take as payment,” the bald suggested, winking at his companion.
Knowing what he meant, I began to shake my head and stepped back. I wasn’t fast enough before the bald one did the unthinkable. The-slime ball grabbed ahold of my arse and shouted, “Come on, lass! Don’t ye wanna have some fun?”
In my panic, I didn’t even feel the heat rising inside of me before the candle sitting on their table exploded and set the wood ablaze. I froze in silence as both men shouted and poured their ale onto the flames to drown the fiery forks before they got out of control.
Befo
re I had a chance to react, an arm encircled my waist as a familiar voice said, “Sorry lads. This one’s mine. Come, Phyra. Let’s leave these lads be.”
“She owes us each a mug of ale!” the blond one hollered back.
Percifal tossed a gold piece at them, and then he directed me away from the table and up the stairs.
Once we were out of sight, he stopped and turned to face me, putting both of his hands on my shoulders. The feeling within me at his touch… I knew I should pull away, but I felt safe with his strong hands on me after the harassment from the bald traveler. He had, after all, saved me from yet another dangerous situation.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He looked into my eyes, his features stony.
“I can’t stay here forever!” I shook out of his grasp and folded my arms, daring him to argue with me.
“No, you can’t. I’m afraid you’ll burn down poor Ginnie and Irving’s inn if you do.”
My heart stopped. “What do you mean?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“You know what I mean,” he shot back. He lowered his voice to barely above a whisper. “I know for sure now that you lied about how that man caught on fire back in the dungeon… perhaps you don’t even know it yourself yet, but I know, Lady Phyra. I know you hold the power to the element of fire. I’m sure of it after that display with the candle I witnessed.”
I sighed, surrendering. What was the use in trying to deny it anymore? “I don’t know why I have this power. It came to me when I was in that dungeon.” I may have had it since I was a child, but I’d only recently been able to use it. I didn’t feel like explaining all the details of my childhood to him.
“I don’t either, but I do know someone who can help you.”
“And who might that be? Pray tell.”
“My sister.” He turned to leave. What he said next, he said with his back turned, so low I almost didn’t hear him. “Be ready for travel at dawn. We’re going to Aquila.”
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 14
