by F. P. Spirit
Andrella’s response was rather soft, her eyes still fixed on her father and the captain. “Thank you, Mother.”
Gryswold turned his attention back toward the companions. “Yes, well…do you think there is any chance those mages survived the cave in?”
All eyes turned to Glo. The elven wizard felt suddenly on the spot. He thought it over briefly before answering. At least one of the mages was a skilled magic user. It really depended on just how proficient he was. “Honestly, it’s hard to say. There is a spell which allows instantaneous travel across short distances. If one of them could cast it, then they might well have escaped the caverns.”
“Along with my knife and a couple of arrows,” Seth said, his dry tone.
Glo let out a short laugh. “That is true. Even if they did escape, they would all still be wounded.”
“Still, there is a chance that they survived,” Gryswold said.
Glo let out a deep sigh. “Yes.”
Gryswold’s expression grew pensive. He sat back and tugged on his beard. “Then we can’t rest easy just yet. If they did escape, we have potentially three evil wizards who may have been funding those bandits. The real question though is why? Why would someone pay orcs to waylay caravans headed to Ravenford?”
The room fell silent. No one seemed to have an answer to the baron’s question. After a few moments, the Lady Gracelynn placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Gryswold, don’t you think that is enough talk for now? These fine young men have just returned from an arduous journey. They probably have a number of things to attend to.”
Gryswold’s expression softened. “You are quite right, my dear.” He turned to the companions. “Once again, thank you for all your efforts. Master Pheldan has been informed of your success against the bandits. He requested that you meet him at his store for your reward. When you are done with your business and rested, please return here. There are one or two things that we might need your help with. Captain Gelpas can fill you in when you are ready.”
“Thank you, your Lordship,” Aksel spoke for them.
They all rose as one. Lloyd and the Lady Andrella exchanged glances as they stood. Lloyd smiled warmly at the young lady. Andrella smiled in turn, then excused herself and rushed out of the room. The Lady Gracelynn leaned over and whispered to Gryswold. Glo’s keen hearing picked up her words.
“I think we may have found a prospect for Andrella.”
Gryswold whispered back, “He comes from a fine and noble Penwick family. He may be a little rough around the edges, but with some polish he would make a fine suitor for Andrella.”
“You were rough around the edges once. It didn’t stop me,” Gracelynn whispered playfully.
Gryswold laughed then leaned in and kissed his wife.
Celebration
“Just what are you three up to?”
The companions headed down to Pheldan’s store. When they arrived they found a celebration waiting for them. The old half-elf had invited most of the town. Tables had been set up in the clearing behind the store. Pheldan supplied food and wine, the brothers from the distillery brought kegs of ale, and the baker brought cakes and pies. There were even some magical decorations that Xelda had made.
Glo introduced Elladan to Pheldan and Xelda. The old half-elf was delighted to meet yet another elf. Glo was sure Xelda would be enamored with the handsome bard, but to his surprise, neither of them was more than friendly with each other. The foursome had a good time conversing in elvish. Elladan seemed quite impressed with their command of the language. When he heard Glo was giving them lessons, the bard gave him a sly wink, but Glo was not entirely sure why.
When Elladan found out there was no entertainment, he promptly took out his lute. The bard played a number of lively tunes and invited folks to dance. The clearing quickly filled with folks spinning and cavorting to the spirited music. Glo himself was not much of a dancer, but Xelda grabbed his hand and dragged him out to dance. Luckily he did not step on her toes—at least not too often.
Brundon and Titan showed up, the latter for once not wearing armor. Instead she was garbed in a plain shirt and pants with a red and silver tabard sporting the same crest as her shield—a rearing lion over two crossed swords. The duo sat with Lloyd, Aksel and Seth, sharing in the free food and ale. A short while later, Kailay appeared. Glo saw the young woman approach their table. Xelda noticed it as well.
“Oh, this I have to hear,” she told Glo. Before he knew it, he was being dragged back toward their table.
Kailay was speaking to Lloyd for the first time in days. “…sorry I haven’t been around much lately. I was...ill.”
Xelda whispered to Glo in elvish, “Ill indeed. More like ill from embarrassment.”
Glo stifled a laugh. That was the same thing Delara had said.
Lloyd’s expression was sympathetic. “That’s okay, Kailay. That can happen to anyone. I’m just glad you’re better now.”
A bright smile spread across Kailay’s face. “Lloyd Stealle, you are so understanding.”
“Why don’t you join us?” he said. “You know Delara and Brundon and Aksel and Seth of course. Oh, and here are Xelda and Glo.”
They all exchanged greetings. It turned out that Xelda, Delara and Kailay were all old friends. They all sat together and shared more food and ale. It was a fun time, with some interesting stories about growing up in Ravenford. At one point Xelda pulled Kailay aside. The next thing Glo knew, Xelda had dragged Brundon onto the dance floor. Glo thought it strange, but Delara appeared almost resentful. At the same time, Kailay circled around and sat next to Lloyd. She whispered something to the young man, but Delara seemed too preoccupied to notice. A few moments later, Lloyd rose from his seat and addressed Delara, “Ahem, would you care to dance?”
Delara appeared uncertain at first, but after another glance at Brundon and Xelda, shrugged her shoulders. “Sure. Why not.” She rose and followed Lloyd into the crowd. The two clasped hands and began to dance. Titan seemed rather stiff at first, but Lloyd soon had her moving around. His agility on the battlefield translated nicely to the dance floor.
Glo felt a soft touch on his arm. He turned and saw Kailay sit down next to him. “He’s rather good, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is.”
“I think Brundon noticed as well.”
Glo peered over at Brundon and Xelda. The former’s eyes were riveted on Lloyd and Delara. Glo nudged Kailay. “Just what are you three up to?”
Kailay smiled sweetly back at him. “You’ll see.”
The couples passed each other two times. On the third pass, Xelda executed a smooth change of partners. As she danced away with Lloyd, Brundon and Delara were left arm-in-arm in the middle of the crowd.
Glo nearly burst out laughing. He spun around toward Kailay. The young woman wore a knowing smile.
“So that’s what you were up to.”
Her smile widened. “Guilty as charged.”
Brundon and Delara stood frozen for a few moments. Slowly, the couple began to dance. They soon fell into a rhythm and moved rather well together.
“It’s about time,” Seth commented. “They’ve been dancing around each other ever since we met them.”
Kailay grinned. “Try ever since they met.”
Seth shook his head. “Humans…” he murmured, his tone exasperated.
Kailay grabbed Glo by the arm. “Come on. We’re not quite done yet.”
Glo was mystified by her statement, but nonetheless followed her into the crowd. He danced with her for a few minutes, until they passed close to Lloyd and Xelda. The young woman then executed a partner swap and danced away with Lloyd.
Glo watched them curiously. “I thought she had given up on him.”
“Oh she has,” Xelda corrected him. “The entire town knows he’s smitten with Andrella
, and that she is smitten back.”
Glo raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Is anything private in this town?”
Xelda smiled. “Not really. In a town of two hundred, everyone pretty much knows everyone’s business.”
Glo shook his head in amazement. His gaze suddenly fell on one disagreeable looking fellow off by himself, nursing an ale. Glo pointed him out to Xelda. “What’s his story?”
A thin smirk crossed Xelda’s lips. “Oh, that’s Haltan. He owns the rare items shop.”
“Is he always so happy?”
“I don’t think I’ve seen him smile once since he arrived here.”
“And just how long has that been?”
Xelda mulled it over. “No more than a couple of years now. Why?”
“Oh nothing,” Glo responded. It seemed strange to him that this Haltan was the only merchant who was not happy now that the orcs were gone. Compound that with the fact that he was a relative newcomer in town, and it seemed that much more suspicious.
His thoughts were diverted when the music changed. Elladan suddenly decided to play a slow tune. Glo glanced over at the bard, who returned his stare with a wink. Xelda drew close to Glo and lay her head on his shoulder. Glo felt the warmth of her body press against his. For the first time he noticed the scent of her hair. It smelled like lavender, fresh and sweet. A strange sensation went through the young elf. He felt oddly warm and comfortable.
Glo noted Brundon and Delara leaving the dance floor. Xelda saw it too. She shrugged. “Well, guess you can’t have everything.”
Glo gathered the couple was not quite ready for that level of closeness. He was further surprised to see Lloyd still dancing with Kailay. The pair stood close together, laughing and talking. Lloyd didn’t seem the slightest bit uncomfortable.
He pointed it out to Xelda. “That’s new.”
“Yeah, like I said before, the whole town knows where his heart lies—even Kailay. She can be very nice when she’s not in ‘man-hunter’ mode.”
Glo laughed at her choice of phrase. The young half-elf had a positively delightful wit.
It was late in the day when the party finally wound down. Pheldan made a huge deal of presenting the companions with their reward. Aksel, Glo, Lloyd, Elladan and even Seth made certain to include Brundon and Delara. The two mercenaries were thankful but strangely quiet. The party finally ended and the companions said their goodbyes. Glo promised to meet Xelda the next day for another language lesson. Aksel, Glo, Seth, Lloyd and Elladan then headed back to the Charging Minotaur.
It was late when Aksel asked Lloyd, Glo and Seth to join him in the common room. They sat down in their regular booth next to the hearth. They practically had the place to themselves, most of the town having retired early after a full day of partying.
Aksel glanced around the table. His brow was furrowed as if he had been deep in thought. “I’d like to discuss Elladan. He was quite helpful back in the caves. He was also very skilled at describing all that happened to the baron and baroness. His memory is phenomenal.”
“I like him,” Lloyd agreed.
“He is rather talented,” Glo admitted.
All eyes turned toward Seth. The halfling gazed back at the others, his expression unreadable. After a few moments of silence, he finally spoke, “Well, if you’re thinking of asking him to join us, then be my guest. Just be aware he is not like the rest of you.”
Glo found Seth’s statement rather cryptic. “What do you mean?”
Seth took a deep breath, then sat forward. “Let me put it this way. You are all idealistic. Elladan is a realist.”
Aksel stared intently at Seth. “And just how do you know that?”
“Let’s just say that I know the type.” Seth sat back and folded his arms across his chest.
Lloyd gazed at Aksel and Glo, his expression dumbfounded. He turned to Seth. “And what does that make you?”
“Me?” Seth responded with mock indignation. “Why, I’m neither. The only thing I believe in is myself.”
Glo nearly choked. “Dragon dung! If that was true, you wouldn’t be with us.”
Seth slid out of the booth. “Believe what you want, but if you do induct Elladan into our little group, just be sure to tell him, I’ll be watching him.” The halfling pointed to his eyes with two fingers then pointed those same fingers toward the others. He then spun on his heel and stalked away.
Lloyd glanced at Glo and Aksel, his expression incredulous. “What was that all about?”
Aksel appeared as mystified as they. “I don’t know.”
Glo thought about what Seth had said. In what way was Elladan different from the rest of them? He seemed mortified by what happened to the caravans. He also appeared as intent as they were on protecting folks from the orc bandits. The only thing he could think of was what Elladan said about his motto—trust no one. That was actually a very Seth-like attitude. “You know, the truth is, Elladan is more like Seth than he cares to admit.”
Aksel thought that over. “You might be on to something there. Either way, Seth gave us the go ahead, so I guess I’ll go tell Elladan.”
“I’ll come with you,” Lloyd offered.
Glo watched the two walk away. Seth had called them idealists. He supposed they were. Still, he couldn’t imagine being any other way. His father had tried to change him, but instead ended up driving him away. Amrod had been a pessimist, though, his complete opposite. If both Seth and Elladan were realists, Glo could deal with that. With that last thought, he got up and headed to his room.
Elladan was surprised when Aksel and Lloyd showed up at his door. When they invited him to join their little group, he was speechless—for a few seconds anyway. He bowed deeply. “It would be an honor.”
Elladan liked these folks. First of all, they had probably saved his life. Second, they were very capable, as proven by their exploits beneath the Vogels. Third, they already had a reputation. Eventually, someone would need to chronicle their adventures. That was something he always wanted to do.
A thin smile crossed Aksel’s lips. “Excellent. We all have business around town tomorrow, but we will meet first thing in the morning for breakfast.”
“Sounds good.” Elladan escorted his guests to the door.
Aksel stopped in the doorway and turned to shake his hand. “We will see you later then.”
Lloyd extended his hand and smiled broadly. “Welcome to the group!”
Elladan extended his own hand in return. Too late, he remembered the first time he had shaken hands with the warrior. Elladan smiled through it, not wanting to offend him. When Lloyd released him from his vice-like grip, Elladan’s hand was throbbing.
“Thanks.” He managed a half smile.
Elladan watched the duo disappear down the stairs. As he closed the door, he was still smiling. That was an unexpected development. He had been planning to head to Lukescros for the annual fair, but that wasn’t for another month anyway. Lukescros could wait. He had just joined a group of bonafide adventurers. That meant travel, battles, rescues, and rewards. It was a life most bards only dreamed of, and it had just fallen in his lap. With that last thought, the bard sat down and resumed practicing his lute.
Early the next morning, Elladan met the others in the common room. They were seated in a booth along the wall next to the hearth. Flames danced above the stacked logs, radiating warmth around the tavern. The room itself was fairly empty. From Elladan’s understanding, the town was comprised mostly of fisherman and farmers. Those folks were either already out on the bay or tending their fields at this hour.
The barmaid, Kailay, served them breakfast. Elladan had met her at the party last night. She was a lovely young woman, with a sweet smile that lit up her heart-shaped face. Kailay seemed to know Aksel, Glo, Lloyd and Seth quite well. She was talking about the party yesterday. “I al
most died when Xelda swapped places with Delara. Did you see the look on Brundon’s face?”
Seth let out a short laugh. “Yeah. He turned as white as Aksel’s robes, or Elladan’s outfit.”
Elladan had seen the whole thing. They had gone to great lengths to bring Brundon and Delara together. “So let me get this straight. These two have liked each other for a year or so, but neither one is willing to admit it?”
Kailay turned to face him. As their eyes met, her cheeks reddened slightly. She seemed somewhat distracted as she answered him, “Um…yeah…that pretty much…sums it up.”
Elladan gave her a half smile. “Wow. And I thought elves were slow at courting.”
Glo looked at Kailay and Lloyd. “Well I think you two can pat yourself on the back. At the very least, you got them to dance together.”
Kailay ripped her eyes away from Elladan. “Oh…thank you, good sir.” She flashed him a smile and executed a perfect curtsey. “Well I best be off to the kitchen. Let me know if you need anything else.” She cast Elladan a quick glance then hurried off across the room.
The conversation turned toward things to do next. A few items required repairs, supplies needed to be replaced, and the question remained of what to do with that hammer. Furthermore, each of them had studies, or training, to continue.
Glo mentioned he had some new spells to learn. “I stopped off to see Maltar after the party yesterday. He said that after all we went through, I should be ready for them.”
“Now that’s helpful,” Aksel noted said in between mouthfuls.
“He also seemed very interested in our latest adventure, especially when I mentioned those black mages. He agreed that they were most likely behind the caravan attacks but had no idea who they were or what they might want.”
Seth’s lips spread into a thin smirk. “And that wasn’t helpful.”
Elladan was puzzled. “So who exactly is this Maltar?”
