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Aphrodite's Acolyte

Page 7

by J. E. Spatafore


  Abby spoke first as Fidel was taking his seat. “That is a cold woman. She makes Balomes look like a friendly father figure.”

  Fidel took note of Abby's reference to the scar-giving dwarf, retaining a serious look on his face. “Yes, something is definitely odd about her,” he said shaking himself as-if shrugging off an arctic wind. They both shared in a connecting smile when Fineal's herald arrived, requesting their presence. They rose and went into the throne room to meet the King of Puldechra.

  As they walked in, Lord Fineal, an elven man sporting brown hair and green eyes, demanded Abby to stay back from the throne, citing the transaction was to take place between Fidel and himself. Abby complied and took a seat immediately to the left of the doorway. Fidel walked the remaining fifty or so feet to the throne, pulling Lord Ias' scroll from his hip sack.

  The Lord eyed the approaching elf. “State your business, Mr. Austempes.”

  “I come bearing a message from Lord Ias of Harlow's Hovel. I was given specific instruction by Lord Ias to deliver this message directly to you, for your eyes only.”

  Lord Fineal gestured toward the man on his left. “Very well, Mr. Austempes, please give the scroll to my assistant.”

  “Sir, with all due respect, Ias instructed me this was for your hands only. Giving to your assistant would not be your hands. Please permit me to complete my mission successfully.”

  Fineal widened his eyes, and raised one of his eyebrows. His tone turned serious. “You defy my instructions?”

  Fidel responded, “If by defying your instruction means I am to complete my promised mission, then yes I do.”

  The Lord thought about Fidel's persistence. He asked Fidel how he is to know whether the scroll was cursed or had some side effects. Fidel offered to permit any test performed while retaining possession of the scroll in his own hands. Fineal finally conceded the point and permitted Fidel to hand him the scroll. Fineal requested his advisors to take several steps back, granting him the privacy to read the parchment.

  When Lord Fineal finished reading the scroll, he looked up at Fidel. “You can testify that no other hands have touched this scroll since your departure from Harlow's Hovel?”

  Fidel nodded his head. "I do.”

  The Lord continued his questioning. “How long have you been in town?”

  “Just about an hour now, Lord.“

  Fineal nodded his head, giving a slight smirk. “Mr. Austempes, I thank you for your persistence in ensuring I received the message directly from Lord Ias. I do hope your stay in Puldechra is warm and welcoming. The fact that an elf chose the lord of humans over the lord of his own kind intrigues me.” Lord Fineal leaned forward in his large throne, his hair falling forward over his pointed ears. “I would like to hear your story sometime. You may go.”

  Fidel nodded acceptance at Fineal's request and took his leave, gathering Abby on the way out. The pale woman stared hard at the departing elf and his human companion.

  Abby and Fidel headed out of the palace and gathered their horses. They were both hungry so they rode to one of the taverns to grab a bite to eat. Abby asked Fidel if he knew what was in the message and he just shrugged, stating he was not in the least bit curious about the communications between two kingdoms. He elaborated this was just a favor and was most-likely of little importance.

  Abby gave a slight grin. “You were quite bold in there for something of little importance.”

  “Well, Abby, you'll find I'm quite literal with instructions,” he said in a playful tone.

  They arrived at a tavern known as The White Arrow, a tavern located quite far from the main gate but close to the residential districts of the city. They hitched their horses and went inside to dine for the evening.

  When they entered the tavern, the friendly bar keep greeted them. They took their table and checked out the scenery. The tavern was not unlike many taverns. A very long bar carried the length of one wall, then rounded to another. The third wall contained a fireplace and a set of stairs, leading both up and down. The fourth wall, the entrance, had a large window facing the street.

  Behind the bar, close to where the ceiling met the wall, several targets with very small bull's-eyes were on display, with the center of each target containing a hole where an arrow once resided. Each target included a signature, apparently signed by the person who shot the arrow. Up the stairs, they could hear the snaps of bowstrings and arrows whizzing with a final thud into targets.

  The barmaid came over to take their orders. “Haven't seen you around these parts. Welcome to The White Arrow. Will you be dining this evening?”

  Fidel introduced Abby and then himself. They asked about the house specialties then ordered a couple of teas and some food. Before long, Abby tapped Fidel on the shoulder, getting his attention. She commented on how a specific male patron was glancing over at them frequently from the bar. Fidel nonchalantly looked over as he sipped his tea. The man's height was halfway between Abby's and Fidel's, around the right size for an elf. His blue eyes locked on Fidel's green orbs and he quickly averted his stare, confirming his interest in the couple.

  Fidel commented about his dress. A black robe similar to the Archmage of Puldechra, with an additional five-pointed star contained in a circle on the sleeve. Abby got up and headed over to the bar, taking a seat right next to the stranger.

  She struck up conversation with the would-be spy as Fidel smiled from afar. The spy stepped back and took a look at Abby. He grabbed his pointed wizard cap and placed it on his head, his long black hair flowing from underneath. He guzzled down his mead and headed out of the pub with an annoyed expression on his face.

  Abby called out to the departing wizard, “Was it something I said?!” She glanced at Fidel with a wide grin on her face.

  She strolled back to their table with a little bounce of victory in her step. Abby explained to Fidel that in all her years of being a rogue, the best ways to remove a spy from an equation was to approach them directly and make them nervous. Fidel dared ask what she said to him. “I offered to take him downstairs for a roll in the hay." She snickered, "Apparently, I wasn't his type!” Fidel laughed so hard he almost spilled his drink.

  The barmaid returned with their food and asked what Abby said to Venin, the Archmage's assistant. Abby informed her and they all got a good laugh out of the situation. The barmaid informed the couple of Venin's role in the city and how his attitude since donning the robe with the pentagram had appeared to change him recently.

  In the meantime, a less obvious observer was watching them from a corner table, one that did not stand out like the wizard in the archers haven of Puldechra. The blond-haired and blue-eyed elf sat in the corner smoking a pipe with his fedora low on his face. He watched in interest, never holding his eyes on the elf-human couple for more than a second. He continued to observe as the duo completed their meal and left the tavern, refusing to follow them at this time.

  Abby and Fidel left the bar and strolled along the streets as the setting sun cast long shadows throughout the city. Fidel looked toward the residential district and asked Abby if she cared to join him in his search for his parents. Abby declined the offer, stating this was his time. He provided her some coin to take up residence in one of the inns. They agreed to meet up at the mid-day sun of the following day. Abby set off on her own, in search of shelter for the evening. Fidel headed in the opposite direction, in search of his parents.

  He rode for a while, looking to the windows of the hundreds of houses lining the district. The rows and rows of houses seemed endless as he trotted up and down the aisles. Finally, a house with a window lined in candles came into view. Nestled between two other houses and in fine shape, candles flickered from the window on the bottom level. Fidel's heart skipped a beat and butterflies filled his stomach as he made his way toward the two-story home. He sat on his horse, outside the house for several minutes before mustering the courage to knock on the door.

  He knocked lightly on the door and nearly forgot to bre
athe as he heard footsteps make their way from within. The door opened slightly, a piece of rope visibly preventing the door from opening fully. The elven woman asked what business he had there. Fidel stared into the green eyes of the black-haired woman, his mind forgetting about the question just asked of him. The woman repeated the question a little more curiously. Fidel could not find the words to speak to this female version of himself. He reached into his pack and pulled out his parent's scroll, offering it to the elven woman.

  She took the scroll and closed the door for a moment. Fidel heard the woman scream. “Grelin! The time has come! Our son has returned!” The door flew open, taking the rope from its resting place, along with a piece of the door jamb with it. Asante, the black-haired woman, tackled Fidel with a tight hug, knocking the wind from his chest and taking him back a few steps.

  Grelin, a brown-eyed and black-haired elven man, darted from the back of the house and stopped at the front door, gleaming down at Fidel from the doorway. Asante's tears flowed freely as she kept her son in her arms for a long moment, Fidel returning the embrace with tears of his own. Grelin watched the scene with the happiest smile on his face, trails of tears flowing from his eyes to his chin.

  Finally, Asante let go of Fidel and invited him in. When Fidel reached the doorway, Grelin reached out to shake Fidel's hand. Fidel grabbed his father's hand and pulled him in for a hug of his own. Grelin and Fidel gave a couple of sobs and then regained their composure.

  The three retreated inside the house to catch up on just over seventy-five years of missing each other. Fidel and his parents spent hours talking about Fidel's life among the humans. Each story reinforced to Grelin and Asante that their decision to send Fidel among the humans was a good choice. The mugs stayed full late into the night. The moon was on the wane when the family finally decided it was time to turn in.

  Asante showed Fidel to his room. The small room was at the front of the house, containing the candles in the window. A bed sat in the corner, the same bed that was there when Fidel departed Puldechra. In fact, the room appeared untouched for the past seventy-five years. Some wooden swords and shields, a training bow, and numerous other toys a seven-year old boy would enjoy remained. A single dresser with a small painting of a green-eyed elven boy stood atop it.

  Grelin shortly joined Asante and Fidel and announced there was only one more item to address. Grelin handed Fidel a lantern, and pointed to the window sill. Fidel took the cue and drew a deep breath. He blew out the candles in the window. They all shared a smile with each other and turned in for the evening.

  Fidel retrieved the small portrait from the dresser and sat on the bed. He stared into his own eyes, walking his fingers along the intricate curves of the child staring back with a smile. He investigated the room more closely, opening drawers to expose a young boy's clothing. The clothes of his youth triggered memories of running up and down the streets of Puldechra, tossing stones and tormenting merchants.

  Memories returned of using a slingshot to break a neighbor's window, then having to apologize for doing so. Memories of never doing these things alone as he was always in the company of a yellow-haired, blue-eyed boy nicknamed “Cap”. He put the portrait of himself back on the dresser and laid back in the bed. He stared at the picture, slightly visible by the moonlight penetrating his window, until sleep found him for the night.

  The morning sun reflected off the top floor windows of the building across the wide street, directly into the eyes of the sleeping elf. The smells of a full breakfast filled the house, tempting the elf's stomach. Fidel rolled out of bed, following the smell of cooked bacon to Grelin and Asante's modest kitchen.

  The table was set for three, orange juice already filled to the brim in each mug. “Good morning!” Asante said with a cheerful voice, placing the skillet back on the wood burning stove and walked over to give him a hug. Fidel smiled and sat down at the table, his stomach growling as his mind filled with thoughts of stuffing it with the salty meat.

  Grelin walked in the room and grabbed Fidel's shoulder, looking down at him with a content and proud look on his face. Fidel couldn't help the smile on his face and welcomed the returning memories of his childhood. Specifically, he remembered this particular chair was much larger. He snickered at the thought of the chair being his original seat at the table.

  The family sat down to eat for the first time in three-quarters of a century. The conversation continuing from the night before, but this time with Fidel being more of the inquisitor. He learned of his parents and their particular skills. Both of them once rangers for the Lord of Puldechra, both of which retired from that post within five years of Fidel's departure. The stories continued until the morning sun started to approach mid-day. Fidel informed his parents he had to go meet a fellow traveler. His parents looked to each other.

  Grelin leaned forward in his seat. “Why not bring your companion here? We have room for one more.”

  Fidel nodded his head in agreement, stating it would save him quite a bit of coin. Fidel then washed up and headed out to the city of his youth, promising he would return before the sun passes the mid-afternoon mark. Asante and Grelin waved to him from the door as he walked away, leaving his horse for them to care for. An intentional gesture to remind them he had every intention of returning.

  Abby was waiting for him at their agreed upon spot, the statue of Aphrodite just outside the palace. She felt out of place sitting atop her mount and quickly hopped down. She inquired why Fidel did not bring his horse. They exchanged a few words and Abby agreed to meet his parents and stay for the evening. Her heart told her this was a good opportunity to witness the love that had been absent in her life for so long. For the first time in over a decade, Abby carried a feeling that had been foreign to her...hope.

  Abby and Fidel spent the day touring Puldechra. They walked the entire length of the city and back over the course of many hours, stopping here and there to check out the many shops that lined the streets. In one store, a store with a sign that looked like a four-leaf clover, Abby paid much attention to some exotic ingredients. She paid close attention to the tooth of a dragon and its accompanying scales, filling Fidel in on the details of the many potions and poisons such rare treasures produce.

  Fidel watched Abby as she combed the store and commented on the several items, showing her immensely deep education in the art of alchemy. Fidel couldn't help but notice the beauty in this human woman, rough around the edges but very much still a woman. He could only smile as she told her stories and let him share in her interests, chiming in with questions and learning what he could about the trade, and of Abigail Lapillus.

  As they headed back to Fidel's parents home, Abby asked him how it felt to reunite with his parents after so long. Fidel stopped for a second, trying to form the words. “Remember when you were growing up and you really wanted a specific toy?” Abby nodded, for who could not remember such a feeling. “Well, it felt just like that. And I got it. Best toy ever!” Abby smiled wide, happy for Fidel and his situation.

  Fidel asked about Abby's parents. She explained that she had not seen her parents in over fifteen years, when they abandoned her at a church devoted to Hermes, the God of Thieves and various other things.

  Fidel placed his hands on her shoulders and stared straight into her eyes with all seriousness on his face. “Would you like to find them?”

  Abby stated flatly with no emotion whatsoever. “No.”

  He nodded his head, accepting her answer. They walked back toward his house, Fidel's arm resting on Abby's shoulder. She rested one of her arms across his back, her other hand leading the unused horse.

  As they reached the doorway of the house, Fidel knocked on the door. Asante came to the door and playfully scolded Fidel for knocking. She reminded him the house was his home now.

  Asante looked at Abby with a surprised look. “You did not say your companion was a female!” She pulled in Abby for an overly friendly hug.

  Fidel's face flushed, understandin
g the conclusion Asante just arrived at. “Oh no, Mother! Abby is a friend I met on the road from Harlow's Hovel."

  Abby, who took the hug in stride and only returned half of the embrace pulled back and looked at Asante. It was Asante's turn to blush. They both shared a light laugh and headed into the house, the smells of a fine dinner in the makings filling their nostrils.

  The night carried on in celebration. The family shared story after story, consuming the good food and drink provided, and enjoying each others lighthearted company. And so it continued with days turning into weeks, the family and Fidel's new friend enjoying the good times.

  One day, Fidel and Abby were walking the city, noticing the townsfolk working hard to set up for a festival of sorts. At home that same night, Grelin informed them it was the annual festival in the honor of Demeter, the Goddess of Agriculture. A few nights later, when the festival was in full swing, Abby and Fidel decided to attend.

  The festival was what one would expect. Rows and rows of fun and entertainment paired with good food. Booths with extravagant items lined the many temporary pathways, peddling goods from all over the continent of Mirater.

  Abby stopped at one of the booths, a necklace with a pendant catching her attention. She commented that the pendant looked much like the design on the wizard's robe from their first day in Puldechra. Fidel stared at the pendant, a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle. But this pendant was different from the design on the wizard's robe. The bottom right body of the star was glowing with a light bluish tint, similar to the color of the sky on a cloudless day. Fidel touched his finger to the star and the tinted mist separated.

  The booth keeper, sitting in the shadows, commented the pendant was an Amulet of the Gods. A fairly common place pendant, but this one had a certain magic about it the merchant could not explain. When asked how the merchant obtained the necklace, he commented he bought it from a gray eyed traveler while in Maritera, a city on the water of the northern coast of Mirater.

 

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