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Archives: A New Balance

Chapter 8: Hilt

    The mercenaries rode into the small city just after sunset. Walking, it usually took about a day and a half, but on horseback it was just a day’s journey. On the ride there, once the air had began to chill, Zira donned her cloak again to hide her race. Once they entered Hilt, the dark elf kept her head down, hiding under her hood.

    As a traveler’s hub, Hilt had plenty of inns, taverns, stables, and shops to choose from. However, they wouldn’t look for one until they met up with Jeren. He had to find a place to land his wyvern. Zira would watch, but looking up would only reveal her.

    Ryna examined the city stoically. Hilt held a lot of bad memories for Ryna, though it was also where she met Leaf, Garrack, and the others that she became so famous with. Five years ago, Randy died here. She brought him to Hilt after dark elves implanted an evil crystal in his chest, but when Grievas tried to heal him, the crystal turned Randy’s body into a hydra that destroyed the fortress. The only way to stop it was for Randy to die. Now, the city didn’t show a sign of the battle that happened that night and here she was, working with a dark elf.

    Edwin gazed around the buildings of Hilt, taking a moment to relax, since it was good to be out of the desert for now. Turning his head, he looked over to Zira, understanding why she was hiding herself through he wished she didn’t have to. Turning his head slightly to gaze around, he spoke, “I wonder where Jeren will meet us?”

    “I think I’ll meet you about here!” Jeren called, jogging towards them. Nightfire was in the hands of a local herder. Jeren had paid the man well simply to let the wyvern hang around and to feed her his oldest or lamest lamb. That was how they traveled for the most part, when Jeren was to go into town. She wouldn’t tolerate being on her own for too long, so he would have to visit her tomorrow, if they intended to stay any longer. She would stay outside the gates of Hilt unless called. She was supposed to stay grounded as well, but he could never guarantee that she would. “Just had to find a suitable location for my love to take a rest and get a suitable meal. Sorry about that...”

    Leaf looked back at Jeren and grinned. “Great!” she exclaimed. “Now, let’s just find an inn. You know, some times they just let us stay on reputation alone,” the half elf told the group. “Hopefully they’ll do the same for you guys, I don’t think you should have to waste your money if you don’t have to,” Leaf added with a wink back to her more obscure companions.

    “Yes, it is a nice benefit of being a hero, but I don’t want to cut in on some poor innkeeper’s profits,” Ryna added. “Even when they do favors, I like to leave them a hearty tip.”

    Leaf looked back over her shoulder again with a smile and thumbed toward Ryna. “And she says she was a thief!”

    “I did what I had to survive,” Ryna replied coolly. “Now I can afford to give back what I took from society, I will.”

    Leaf sighed, since Ryna was right, but Leaf didn’t like to pass up a free meal and bed. “Hey, how about seeing if Ghaw’ll cut us a deal at his inn?”

    “All right,” Ryna said, sounding a little like a reluctant mother.

    Leaf smiled and urged her horse to a slightly faster pace so she could lead the way. It was only a few blocks longer until Leaf stopped them at a well kept sandstone building. A brilliantly painted sign featuring a Phoenix hung over the door, signifying that this was the “Phoenix Inn”. Ghaw, a retired warrior of the Wind Tribe, had fought with Kashue in the last battle against the Flame tribe and witnessed the tribe leader, Naldia, become the Phoenix. The image on the sign was painted from his memory of that sight.

    Leaf hopped out of the saddle and tied her horse to the railing outside. It was a temporary place to leave your horse, but there was a stable in the neighborhood that most inn patrons in the area left their horses at. The half elf nearly skipped inside, eager as always.

    At one of the tables within the inn sat a young man, twenty one years of age, with reddish-brown hair done up in a loose ponytail. As the young man ate, he casually glanced around the inn, stealing a glance at everyone and everything with his piercing blue eyes. The young man was Dorian Ma’zaan, and the last thing that he wanted was trouble. He had recently arrived in Hilt, after a few expeditions in the area. Dorian picked up a few artifacts, which he had planned to give back to the area when he found the proper people to actually return the artifacts to. Until then, they were taking up space in his traveling pack.

    As the door to the inn opened, Dorian glanced over to see a half-elf literally skip in through the door. The young man cracked a smile at her antics, before returning to his meal.

    Jeren walked behind in his strange-looking riding leathers. He had armor underneath and he could take them off, but it took a bit of effort, since they were so well secured. As much as he was a free spirit, riding atop a Wyvern mount was not like riding a horse. The wind, especially higher up, was thin and icy to the skin. If one flew in that all day, there was danger of bad medical conditions. So, normally, he rode with his riding leathers on, which were highly tanned leather that was very smooth to the touch. It shielded his skin from the buffeting wind. Most of his face would be covered, but he took the headpiece off. He didn’t like the headpiece at all, so he only wore it when necessary.

    Jeren had not really connected the names with the stories of heroism when he had originally met them. It didn’t make him feel uncomfortable, but he knew he was playing with people with a bit more experience than he, which was unusual. He was no hero, so it felt strange following them like an estranged puppy.

    “Let me. Trade.” Ashe had caught up to Leaf and motioned to her to let him speak first. He then jerked his thumb at his chest. “Also. Wind tribe.”

    Leaf paused, hands on her hips. “Well...alright, I guess we both can get a word in,” she said.

    As they walked toward the counter, the innkeeper looked up and grinned as he recognized Leaf. “Ah! If it ain’t the most famous half-elf in all o’ Lodoss! Leaf, it’s good te see ye again. Tell me ye brought Garrack and Ryna with ye?”

    “And a few new friends,” Leaf said with a smile as she walked up the to the counter, leaning on it with her elbow. She looked to Ashe, expecting him to introduce himself.

    Zira followed her companions into the inn, but did not remove her hood. None of her skin was visible except her chin and neck, and her rich complexion could be easily mistake for a dark skinned human. As long as they didn’t see her red eyes or ears, there was nothing to be concerned about. How she hated hiding. At least the chill of evening was enough to keep people from thinking to hard on why she wore a cloak.

    “Need. Rooms.” Thus negotiation began. And in a moment rooms were prepared at a very reasonable price for the entire party. “Not. Bad.” He turned his attention Zira. “How early. Do we. Leave. In the. Morning?”

    “I could have got them for free,” Leaf protested, then received a reprimanding glance from Ryna who had been one of the last to enter.

    Zira gave a nod beneath her hood to Ashe. “In the morning,” she said softly. “Someone should take the horses to the local stable,” she added, speaking only loud enough for those nearby to hear.

    “Garrack and I can do it,” Ryna said. “We’ll be right back, just get comfortable,” she said with a smile, then turned to go back outside with Garrack.

    Edwin had been quiet thinking to himself since Jeren joined up with the crew again. Making his way into the inn, one of the last of the party, he took the time to gaze around since Ashe was taking charge of getting rooms, which was fine with him as it gave him more time to think at the moment.

    At the rate and flow of Ashe’s speech, Jeren wondered if he, Ryna, or Leaf should have taken that job. Jeren was tended to be poetic with his choice of words; Ryna obviously knew how to deal with others; Leaf was... Well, Leaf was Leaf. One of them should have done it, but Jeren did not wish to interrupt. It would be an insult to take over a job.

    Instead of helping out, Jeren studied some of the others in the room. He almost did not recognize Zira, since she was so covered up. It made him feel uncomfortable (perhaps as much as she was) that he could not see her face and, more specifically, look into her eyes. Jeren had never met a dark elf before. So far, they didn’t seem too bad. Perhaps Zira could not be considered the textbook dark elf that stories speak of as evil assassins, but he was sure she was deadly. He wasn’t sure quite how, since he wasn’t exactly paying attention to her when those scorpions appeared.

    Then there was Edwin. One of the first to introduce himself after the battle. Now he was quiet and, one might say, even a bit shy. He wondered why Edwin wasn’t interested in a bit of light conversation. Perhaps he simply needed someone to speak with?

    Jeren stood next to Edwin and leaned his head over. “One could go as far as to say we are companions in arms now, good sir, yet I know nothing of you but your name,” He remarked. “Much sits the same with the rest of the group. Perhaps, if you wish, we could find a seat somewhere and have a bit of interesting conversation over a full mug? My treat.”

    Seeing the others start to sit down at a table, Edwin was snapped out of his thoughts by Jeren, nodding his head smiling slightly. “True, I hate to say I don’t know much about the others as well or yourself. Interesting conversation is always good especially if someone else is providing the mug to talk over,” he laughed lightly, nodding his head. “I might not look like it I always enjoy a good conversation I just get lost in thought at times.”

    “Well, let’s find ourselves a table and get some dinner,” Leaf grinned and took the job upon herself. She found a table near a wall, figuring that Zira wouldn’t want to be sitting out in the open. Leaf was start to sympathize with the dark elf, something she never considered she’d ever do. Leaf as well as plopped into a chair and sighed as she leaned against the back of it and draped her limbs over it. “Ahh....back support.”

    Zira sat down next to Leaf, using the half-elf as a shield from view. She wanted more than anything to just toss off her cloak and get as comfortable as Leaf, but Raiden was really the only place she had a good chance of being comfortable in public. Once the others gathered around her, she would take off her hood and hope the group surrounding her wouldn’t allow much attention to be drawn to her.

    Jeren smiled. His smile was almost like a trademark. To impressionable young women, his handsome face crossed with smooth smile would catch eyes. Jeren took a seat at the table and waved to the barmaid. She hurried over, eying the knight.

    “What can I be gettin for you all?” she asked.

    “Well, my fine lady, I would like a mug of whatever you think is best, and something for my companions here, if they want it...”

    “Of course... What would you all be takin for tonight?”

    “Meat. And wine.” Ashe took his seat after the barmaid came to the table. He settled in a chair on the opposite side of the table as Zira, raising his shoulder slightly making a shield against any eyes.

    “What ever is on the stove for tonight, and red wine,” Zira ordered from beneath her hood. She just had to make the staff a little more comfortable with her presence before taking off the hood. She was so anxious to get it off it was making her ears itch.

    “Same here, just bring me what ever’s cooking,” Leaf said. “Oh, but an ale instead.” The half-elf didn’t seem like an ale drinker, but she was still a mercenary. She didn’t exactly love the taste of it, but she could stand it, and water from an inn wasn’t always reliable.

    “Same for me as well,” Ryna said, nodding her ascent.

    The barmaid winked and walked off to go take care of orders.

    Jeren sighed as he leaned back in his chair. He undid the riding leathers of his upper body, revealing a rather simple set of more relaxed clothes underneath. He stretched out. “So then.,” he started off. No one was starting conversation. He felt like it was his job to break the ice. “Miss Leaf, I would think that an elven mercenary is a rare sight indeed, if it isn’t too ignorant of me to say. How did you end up in such a thankless occupation such as warrior for hire?”

    Edwin ordered a mug of ale as well as a hot meal. He turned to look at Jeren as he asked Leaf about how she ended up as an mercenary. He couldn’t say he was not interested himself, since he had heard tales of Ryna and Leaf as well as the others in their group. It would be interesting to see what brought them along on their paths. “I would like to know as well, I know each person as a story to tell.”

    Leaf’s exuberance seemed to fade away with Jeren’s question. Her reason was a solemn one, and probably hopeless. Thinking about it stirred up sad memories and made it hard to be as chipper as she had been. “Well, I’m a half-elf, not a full blooded elf,” she corrected him first. “It started out as an opportunity to travel and make money so I could try and find my mother, but it’s been six years and I haven’t found a clue.” She’d probably never find her, but that wasn’t why she continued being a mercenary. The half-elf smiled again, a broad grin of pride. “But in the process, I made some good friends and well, saved the world. I really have nothing better to do, so I’m still at it.”

* * *

    Dorian stopped eating for a moment just to listen curiously to the conversation that was going on at one of the tables near his. The young man was astounded that the heroes from five years ago were actually in the same inn as he was! He continued to listen to the group at the table as he continued to eat and drink, doing his best to be inconspicuous.

* * *

    Zira slowly took off her hood as the barmaid left, trying not to make any sudden moves that would attract attention. From behind, one could see her blonde hair and long, dark skinned ears. That could be enough for someone to accuse her of being a dark elf, but she hated hiding and she wasn’t about to spend the whole night under a hood.

    “Why are you looking for your mother? Was your mother an elf?” Zira asked Leaf. Leaf’s explanation didn’t explain much of her history; Zira figured her mother might have abandoned her.

    Leaf bit her lip, fidgeting with her fingernails. It seemed to be hard for her to tell her story. “My father was an elf,” she responded, then paused before continuing her story. “He was killed by dark elves when I was young...my mother went to get revenge. My aunt raised me until I was thirteen, but she died too when the Marmo attacked our village.”

    Edwin nodded his head, listening to Leaf as she added on to her own story. “So you are looking for your mother? I can understand, she is the only tie to your family you have left.” He closed his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. “I lost my parents at an early age. I just wish I knew what happened to them. I guess you can say I am traveling to learn about their fate.”

* * *

    At a table nearby, Dorian continued to listen to Leaf’s story. He noticed the people that she was with, and raised an eyebrow slightly when Zira removed her hood. “A dark elf?” Dorian said quietly to himself. “Only if she tries something...Best not to judge on race alone.”

* * *

    “I suppose the same goes for you, Miss Zira,” Jeren said, turning to the commonly quiet companion. “What brings you into a job like this? Forgive my stereotypical concepts, for you are the first of your race that I have met, but I thought your kind were not as... kind... as you seem to be. How did you end up doing this, if you would allow me to ask...?”

    Zira smiled to herself, she was always more than willing to tell others about herself if it helped them understand that she wasn’t a malicious, back stabbing specter of Marmo. It finally made her feel comfortable with Jeren as well.

    “Well, my family left Marmo when I was sixteen. I’ve spent most of my life in the Raiden area, where I met another woman who was a mercenary, she encouraged me to take up her line of work so I could get out and see Lodoss,” Zira explained. “It’s been hard dealing with the racism, but it’s understandable. Most people have heard of the cruelty dealt by the dark elves who fought with the Marmo army, and some dark elves are just as vicious as the rumors portray them, but there are still many others who are just trying to survive in a harsh land. I hate needing to hide, but I’m also not so fond of getting lynched,” the dark elf finished with a smirk.

    “I detest sounding like the typical male with a heroic disposition, but if anything like that happens with me nearby, you can expect that if you do not end it, I will,” the dragon rider said sternly. He was fascinated by the lives of these people. Moss wasn’t known for its diversity, that was a certainty. Jeren was glad that he was in the company of good spirited and hardy people. He was no hero like they were, but his training had done him some good and, perhaps, they could find a use for flight.

    Zira batted her eyes coyly at Jeren when he offered his protection. Whether she needed it or not, the fact that he respected her was comforting. “Well, I appreciate it,” she replied with a smile.

    The barmaid soon returned carrying a tray with a pitcher of ale, a bottle of wine, and a collection of mugs and goblets for the group. She leaned down beside Jeren and began to set down the cups for everyone’s drinks. “I’ll bring your meals out...” she paused as she set down Zira’s goblet, now realizing that she was serving an infamous dark elf. Zira met her gaze and tried to be as unobtrusive as possible. The barmaid looked away, and the brief moment of tension was broken. “...shortly.”

    The barmaid finished setting out the cups and turned to go back to the kitchen, sparing no more flirtatious glances for Jeren this time.

    Edwin picked his mug and took a sip from it as he watched the barmaid leave in a hurry after serving the drinks. Shaking his head, he did not like the response that she gave Zira, but it couldn’t be helped. Most people were to focused on outside looks. “One day I hope things will change, it is shame to force people like yourself, Zira, to hide.”

    “Well, I think that depends on what the rest of my race decides to do,” Zira replied, taking a sip of her wine. “One individual can’t do much, believe me, I do what I can, but if more dark elves integrate themselves, then it’s a step toward peace.”

* * *

    The barmaid moved away from the dark elf party and moved to the opposite end of the dining area. She hunched over and advertised the presence of a dark elf. Seven large men, several of them overweight but all of them muscled moved through the crowded room towards the offending party, gathering followers on the way. They surrounded them in all direction and the organizer of the small lynching party spoke up.

    “We dun like you kind ‘round here!” He proclaimed while pushing a fat finger at Zira over Ashe’s head.

    “Don’t start that in here!” Ghaw slammed his fists down onto the counter but only gritted his teeth when a sword was pointed in his direction.

    Taking this as an opening Ashe snapped his arm up and grabbed the finger and immediately snapped it upwards. Still holding onto the broken finger he spun out of his chair and grabbed the man by the face and squeezed. “Get. Out.”

    Edwin noticed the group moving closer to the table and sighed as even before they spoke or Ashe reacted; he knew were this was going. Taking a sip from his mug for a moment before nodding his head he spoke softly, “You should listen to my friend here and get out before you make a fool of yourselves.” He doubted the men would be so inclined to do so, seeing as how Ashe held the leader by the face, through he would wait until one of them spoke out first, since it would be nice to have them leave with out anyone else getting hurt. “Hopefully this won’t get any uglier then it already has.”

    “This seems to be in good hands,” Jeren muttered light-heartedly as he leaned back in his chair. He glanced over to Zira to gage her reaction. As much as Ashe was impressive in dealing with the first one, he was not alone. Jeren could see this turning quickly into a bar-room brawl. The Knight of Moss stood up slowly and sighed. He looked to Ashe for a moment, then picked up his mug. “Cheers...” In one swift movement, he chugged all of the ale in it. Gracefully, he put the mug back down.

    The knight glanced back over at Ashe, then the offensive men’s friends, then at Zira. Why did this have to happen today? He had been flying through a desert for the last two days. All he wanted was a good meal and a nice bed. Why was the world convinced that it needed to complicate life? Time to get this taken care of.

    “Listen, boys... The way I see it, you have a few options. The first is to have this person here, who is quite obviously a skilled assassin far beyond anything you could hope to even touch in a fight beat you to a bloody pulp and possibly even kill you. I’ve seen this guy work. He takes pleasure in torturing his victims before he is done with them... So choice number two is horrible. Choice two would be for you to take this money,” he said, pulling out a small sack of coin, “and go buy yourselves a round of whatever. Take your pick while the pickings are still available, my friends,” Jeren let the bag of gold hang from one finger, swinging it from side to side. “I would take the drinks if I were you. I hear this place has a great dark ale.”

    Jeren looked over the men, leaving the offer open. They couldn’t tell, but he was sizing them up. He was choosing which one to take down first, should it be necessary to fight. Despite his relaxed stance, he could make an attack quicker than they could, assuming they were no better than regular hoods. “So, what do you boys say?”

    Zira was in the middle of a sip from her goblet wine when the thugs moved in. She held the cup to her lips for a moment before slowly setting it down while Ashe subdued the first to speak. It was ironic how the situation she had just spoken of was made reality. At this moment, she wanted to appear as passive as possible. She wouldn’t stand or draw her sword unless necessary, doing so would only make the situation worse. The thugs would feel threatened and converge on her. If the situation could be settled peacefully, it was all the better, however, the fact they had the innkeeper at knife point was enough to prove they were not going to back down. Sooner or later, she would have to fight.

    Ryna tensed as their table was surrounded by the exact lynching mob Zira was afraid of. The scantily clad former thief stood slowly with her hand on the hilt of her dagger. She didn’t think that Ashe or Jeren’s warnings would help, the fact that they had the innkeeper held at the blade of knife showed that they were determined to get rid of the dark elf.

    Leaf hopped out of her seat and had a hand on the haft of her spear, though she didn’t have much room to swing it in a more threatening pose without wounding someone. “Leave her alone! She’s not hurting anybody!” the half-elf shouted defensively. She didn’t want to start a fight in Ghaw’s inn, but if it became necessary, she had no choice.

* * *

    “Not good. Not good at all,” Dorian muttered to himself as he took stock of the rising situation within the inn. The adventurer looked around, then over at the group he had been listening in on. Dorian decided that if a fight did break out, and he was forced to draw his sword, that he would help that group out, and defend the dark elf. After all, she had done nothing to deserve the kind of treatment that she was getting from some of the patrons here in the inn.

* * *

    A deep growl escaped Garrack’s throat as the locals approached and threatened them. He wasn’t too interested in diplomacy at the moment and more than willing use intimidation. Garrack then stood up to meet the thugs. He made sure they could see his face, hoping that one might recognize him and know what he was capable of. “Leave now and let that be the worst of your injuries.”

    Despite his protests, Garrack’s opinion of Dark Elves had not changed in the least. But Zira was a member of their group, by taking the job he agreed to fight by her side, and a picky mercenary is often a hungry one.

    That was all Dorian needed. He calmly set his fork down, and grabbed his sword from his traveling pack before setting it on his back. The young man made his way over, and stood beside Garrack. Dorian offered the mercenary a nod, before speaking to the thugs. “She has done nothing wrong. Leave her, and her friends be. If you don’t...” Dorian just ended there, before resting his right hand on the hilt of his sword.

    The thing about mobs. They don’t take kindly to orders. The man standing to the right of the one grappling with Ashe took a wild swipe with his knife. Ashe let go of the man’s finger threw him by the face into his knife wielding buddy. Both of them fell from the momentum. The loud crash signaled for the rest of the mob to pounce.

    Zira was grateful that her companions stood up for her defense, but she was even more surprised when a patron stepped in. The mercenaries had agreed to travel with her, and they would expect her to fight for them. She was certainly not going let them be hurt at her expense, she would have to fight back.

    the brief, tense moment after Ashe attacked the first thug, the common room exploded into action. Four of the men nearest Zira immediately went for the dark elf, as she was the target of their rage. The last thing she wanted to do was give them a reason to hate her, but she had to defend herself. She wouldn’t draw blood or summon spirits unless they threatened her life.

    Gracefully, the dark elf leapt aside of their dive, letting the men crash into a pile on the empty floor while she safely landed on the table nearby. As they realized the elf had evaded them, the men climbed to their feet, ashamed and angry. Zira looked on, not with a smug grin that her elven agility far surpassed theirs, but with a firm look of disappointment.

    Three men moved onto Ashe. The one coming from the right threw a slow punch. Ashe snapped his palm forward and struck his upper arm in mid-swing sending him off balance. The one from the left took an opportunity while Ashe’s back was turned and lunged with a knife. Ashe spun around but was not able to deflect the blow. The knife sunk into his chest under his lungs, cutting between his ribs.

    When you strike at a beast, kill it or risk angering it.

    Ashe clenched the muscles in his chest and twisted his waist to cock his arm back, taking the knife from the attacker’s hand. His fist hit like a hammer, a crack resounding over the sounds of other fights as the drunken man’s jaw shattered.

    With the knife still in his body Ashe growled as he approached the third, who was taking a step back for every one Ashe took forward.

* * *

    Edwin stood up as the fighting with the thugs had started. He nodded to himself, seeing Zira easily dodging the three that had came at her. “Must remember never to get on her bad side,” he laughed to himself lightly as he placed his mug down on the table.

    Ashe was taking on three, through it sounded that he was going a little bit overboard, but that was the least of Edwin’s problems as he noticed one of the thugs slipping off to the side trying to circle around to catch Zira off guard. Moving to the side as well, Edwin shook his head at the thug. “Your actions today are no way to treat a lady, though I guess you are no gentleman.” With his words spoken, Edwin ducked to the side as the man swung wildly at his face. Dodging to the side a few more times, it was Edwin’s turn to make a move. He ducked down to the side and brought his fist up in an upper cut to catch the guy in the stomach causing him to double over. “You really need to respect everyone, sir.”

* * *

    As the brawl broke out, the majority of the fighters seemed focused on either their target, Zira, or the one who struck the first blow, Ashe. Ryna made quick decision to help Ashe, because he was the closest to her, but it may also have been a subconscious decision to avoid the dark elf based on years of prejudice and blame.

    Ryna charged the backs of one of the men approaching Ashe, slamming her shoulder into the man’s back. He was large, not quite as big as Garrack, but she caught him off guard and hit in his center of gravity, which knocked him off his feet.

    The agile woman tumbled over him to land in a crouch a few feet away from where he’d fallen. She had her hand on the hilt of her knife, but she’d only use it if he drew his weapon on her.

    “You should leave while you have the chance!” Ryna warned as the thug climbed to his feet. “My companions and I will show you no mercy if you threaten our lives.”

    However, the thug wasn’t about to listen to reason, he was a part of a mob, and a WOMAN just brought him down. “You stupid little bitch, standing up for dark elf! You think that a little whelp like you can stand up to me?”

    “I take it you don’t know who we are,” Ryna said with a smirk. “You see that man over there?” Ryna said, point to Garrack. “That would be Garrack, the Blue Meteor. Myself, him, and the half-elf Leaf all stood up against Kardis herself. You think you scare me? I’ve seen the face of the Destroyer.”

    That gave the thug a moment of surprise, but he dismissed the idea. What would such renowned heroes of Lodoss be doing here? “Yeah, right,” he sneered. With the protection of his mob, the man she called the “Blue Meteor” didn’t scare him that much. He had no knife that she could see, and instead, he grabbed a nearby chair and swung it at her.

    Ryna flattened against the floor, the chair sweeping where her head had been. As he finished his swing—which had much greater momentum since he didn’t hit her—Ryna struck out her leg and kicked in his knee. There was a crunch of cartilage and tendons tearing, and the thug’s knee gave out under his weight. Disabled, he was no longer a serious threat and would likely drag himself off out of the fight. Ryna darted away, heading for a nearby table where she could get some range with her whip.

* * *

    Instead of jumping into the fight, Leaf turned to her magic to help out. While the mob broke apart to attack it’s two main focuses. Leaf had a moment to chant a spell.

    “Pixies of sleep, lend me your power and fill the eyes of those who mean my friends harm,” Leaf said, holding out her hands in a summoning gesture directed toward the thugs attacking Zira. What seemed like a mild dust devil began to swirl around the four men, draining their strength and making them drowsy.

* * *

    “They never want to do it the easy way do they.” Garrack muttered to himself as a fight broke out in the tavern. You’re the one that wanted action, have at it, he mused to himself. As a thug dove towards Zira, Garrack extended his left arm and hooked a thug’s neck, putting it in a powerful vice grip between his forearm and bicep. The idea was to block the flow of blood to the brain until the person passed out with little more injury than a headache.

    “That’s it, just let it get dark,” he said to the struggling thug, who showed no sign of weakening after several seconds.“Anytime now,” he said impatiently until he gave up and smashed the thugs head into the table. “Never liked that move.”

    Garrack let the thug’s unconscious body drop to the ground as another one took a cheap shot and smashed a chair against the back of his breastplate. More annoyed than hurt the mercenary advanced on his attacker, intent on dealing pain.

* * *

    Dorian continued to stand his guard, waiting to draw his sword if needed. The way things were looking, however, there may not have even been the need. The young adventurer chuckled to himself, but kept a steady eye on the thugs who had started the fight. Dorian had already decided that if he had to, he would help the group out, since the dark elf had done nothing wrong.

    Once Leaf had cast her sleep spell on four the men, another had seen it happened and realized that she was using the same magic as dark elves. Well, at least it was the same to him. He didn’t realize that pixies of sleep were far more gentle than dark spirits when it came to incapacitating someone.

    The thug ran at the petite half-elf, but her ears caught his heavy, thundering footsteps as he charged toward her. She launched herself upwards to avoid him, and the thug caught air, landing on his elbows on the table that Leaf was now one. However, she didn’t grab a weapon to defend herself with, and he had a sword, which he now drew. Climbing up on top of the table, he stalked toward Leaf, focused on hurting the half-elf.

    Leaf backed up, she could probably dodge his swings, but she had to wait until he actually swung.

    Dorian snapped his head to the side, noting the thug that was going after Leaf. “Hey! WATCH OUT!!!” Dorian yelled as he raced over. The young adventurer placed himself between the thug and the half-elf, and drew his sword. Instead of getting ready to attack, Dorian held the sword in a horizontal position, resting his left hand on the flat of the blade in a defensive position. “I am not one to fight, but if you so much as try anything against her, I will be forced to defend her.” The young man narrowed his eyes at the thug, showing him that he meant every word that he had said.

    Leaf hid herself behind the young man who’d stepped up to protect her. She had no weapon, but if he kept her attacker distracted, she could cast some spells.

    The thug scowled at Dorian, and replied, “What are you doing standing up for these Marmo scum? They’ve allied themselves with a dark elf! If you’re going to help them, you’re no better!” He raised his sword in a downward slash against Dorian.

    Meanwhile, Leaf was debating on which spell to use. Pixies wouldn’t differentiate between friend and foe, they’d knock out both men, but this conflict had to end fast.

    Just as the sword came down upon Dorian’s, the young adventurer could feel the man’s weight falling on top of him. When he looked over, he realized that Jeren, the suave dragon knight, had found a piece of wood lying around and smashed the poor fellow in the back with it. “Excuse me, friend,” Jeren said as he yanked the man away from Dorian and pushed him into a chair. “Have a seat...”

    Jeren turned around just in time to see a fist flying at him. He moved, but not quick enough. The fist crashed into his shoulder, but that didn’t stop him. He grabbed up his roof wood, with one hand on each end, thrust it forward into the thug’s face. The drunken bar fighter stumbled back into a support beam, groaning. Jeren sighed as he approached the man cradling his nose.

    Give up?“

    The thug replied with a angry left hook, which Jeren caught quickly, his face not even changing. He spun the arm around and bashed it into the pillar behind him.

    Now?”

    The man spit in his face.

    “Manners aren’t your strong suit, are they?” he asked as he let the piece of wood hand. Suddenly, he slammed it into the man’s shin, then the other. The knight looked over the groaning man and jammed it down on top of his foot. The thug roared in pain. “Are we done yet?” The man just groaned on the floor. “Good choice...”

* * *

    The men who had been focused on Zira were now fast asleep in a pile on the floor. All the others were focused on fighting her companions. Now, Zira could easily slip from view. “Spirits of Invisibility, let thy form become mine,” Zira whispered and faded from sight.

    Unseen, the dark elf silent hopped down from the table and stalked toward the remaining thugs. There weren’t many left by now, and some of those remaining were losing their edge after seeing so many fall to this group of mercenaries.

    Before Zira could cast any subdue spells, one of the remaining men shouted. “HEY! The dark elf is gone!”

    The last of the brawlers still standing had ran out of the inn, thinking that the dark elf had left, and the others used it as an excuse to escape from certain defeat. As the last men on their feet ran out, the innkeeper approached the triumphant party.

    “Thanks fer endin’ that without too much blood shed,” Ghaw said. “I sent one o’ me maids to fetch the city guard, they’ll take care o’ these guys,” the innkeeper nudged the man Garrack had knocked out with his foot. Looking up, Ghaw scanned the group for Zira. “Where’s the dark elf?”

    “I’m here,” Zira said, blurring into view as the invisibility spirits released their hold on her. She hoped he wouldn’t throw her out, now that he knew.

    The innkeeper shuddered slightly as Zira became visible, the fact that she could sneak about without being seen was unnerving. “I suppose I can trust ye if yer traveling’ with Garrack an’ Leaf an’ Ryna. Ye didn’ hurt anybody, and ye didn’t start that fight, but I don’t think the guard’ll be too thrilled to meet ye. I’d request that ye stay in yer room.”

    Zira bowed her head and nodded. She’d have to spend the night behind closed doors, away from her companions, while they ate and drank in public. How she hated hiding. “Understood,” Zira replied and gathered her belongings.

    “It’s nothin’ against ye personally, but it’d be bad for business if people knew I was puttin’ up a dark elf. I’ll send dinner up to ye,” Ghaw tried assuring her, and gave her a key as she headed towards the stairs.

    Zira nodded again, without saying a word. It was enough to make her want to just return to the forest and never come out again. The dark elf started up the stairs, sparing a glance to her companions, hoping someone would join her.

* * *

    “That went rather quick,” Dorian said as he glanced over at Jeren. “I thank you.” The young adventurer slid his sword back into its sheath, before turning to the half elf that was hiding behind him. “Are you all right? They didn’t harm you, did they?”

    Leaf nodded to the young man, “Yeah, I’m fine. They could never get their hands on me,” Leaf stuck her chin out, defiantly flaunting her elven speed. “But thanks for standing up for men anyway. I’m Leaf, heroine of Lodoss, you may have heard of me?” Leaf said, batting her eyes and extending her hand to Dorian.

    “Heard of you?!” Dorian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as he shook the half-elf’s hand. “Who hasn’t heard of you? My name is Dorian. Dorian Ma’zaan. I’m... Well... I guess you could call me an adventurer. An explorer of sorts, I suppose,” The young man glanced around, noting that the fighting in the inn had died down. “It seems like things have calmed down for now.”

    Leaf grinned as he recognized her. She always liked to have her ego stroked a little, but there were things that were more important. “Well, it’s nice to meet you Dorian. We’re on a bit of an adventure ourselves. I’d offer you a seat, but...uh...looks like we’ll need to do a little cleaning up.”

* * *

    The fighting was over as Edwin looked around, taking measure of all that had happened and shaking his head. Moving to pick up a few of the knocked over chairs, he noticed the innkeeper talking to Zira and then saw her heading upstairs. He only had to guess that she was asked to keep out of sight. Sighing, Edwin could only wonder how hard that was for her to do. He turned his head to look at the others, “I will heading upstairs as well. It has been a long day, and after the fighting, I am just not as comfortable down here.”

    Turning his head to look at Dorian while he was talking to Leaf, he said, “Thank you for your help. I don’t see many that are willing to stand up for those they don’t even know that often.” Looking over to Ghaw, he bowed his head. “If you could send my dinner up I would be thankful.” With that being said, he made his way to the stairs.

    “Sure thing, son,” Ghaw replied to Edwin as the young man followed Zira upstairs.

* * *

    Zira heard Edwin following her and turned to meet him at the top of the stairs. With a coy smile, she greeted him, “Coming to keep me company?” She couldn’t say she was surprised Edwin was the one coming to join her. They met first after all, and he had never once recoiled from her. Ashe was the only other who wasn’t apprehensive about her, but they hadn’t connected in the same way she and Edwin had.

    A little surprised that Zira had turned to meet him, Edwin smiled, nodding his head. “Well yes, I thought you could use the company after all of that.” It was his nature to want to make sure others were alright, it was a plus that it was Zira he was checking on.

    Zira continued smiling for Edwin. “I could indeed,” she replied. The dark elf turned down the hall to find the room she’d been given the key to, unlocked the door and stepped in. It was a two bed room, which was intended to be shared with one of her companions. She wouldn’t mind if Edwin shared the room with her, but she didn’t know how comfortable he’d be with it, not because she was a dark elf, but because she was a woman.

* * *

    Dorian just glanced around the room, noting just how badly it was damaged. “That is true... Here though...” The young adventurer righted the table closed to them, and pulled a few chairs back up to it. “If you would give me a moment...” Dorian returned to his original table, and was amazed that it was still standing, with all the chairs as well. The adventurer grabbed his traveling pack, and made his way back to where he had left the half-elf.

    Leaf started standing up chairs as well, picking up mugs and pitchers as well. She noticed Zira being asked to go upstairs, and Edwin going with her, but Leaf would have preferred to stay downstairs, especially since Zira at least had company now.

* * *

    The Hilt Guard arrived shortly afterwards, took a statement from Ghaw—he told them that Zira had left during the fight as the thugs assumed—meanwhile, the remaining injured and unconscious thugs were hauled off and tossed in a cart. The jail would be full for the night. The waitress who started it all had slipped off into the kitchen sometime during the fight, and after the guard had left, Ghaw went in after her. Other maids were sent out to clean up, meanwhile some harsh words were exchanged with the offending employee and she was sent out dressed to leave work. Apparently she’d be leaving for good.

    Ryna did her part in cleaning up as well, and kept her distance from the guards. She simply didn’t want to answer any questions, but it seemed they weren’t interested in talking to anyone but Ghaw. Ryna wondered if it was a good idea to travel with a dark elf in the first place. Sure, Zira seemed like a decent person, but she complicated things. Ryna hoped they didn’t see more brawls in the future, but that would probably mean that Zira would have to keep hidden. That, apparently, was not something the dark elf particularly liked.

    When their table and chairs were set up again, Ryna returned to her seat beside Garrack, wrapping her arm around his affectionately.

    By the time the fighting stopped, Garrack had found himself with one hand wrapped in blood and the other gripping the collar of a thug who had been knocked out three blows ago. Since dying and coming back the mercenary was more jaded than he used to be, less restrained when it came to a fight. For him that was saying quite a bit. Still, he was no sadist. Garrack took care not to kill anyone, the simple barbarian would have a broken nose to serve as a potent reminder of the day’s lesson, but he would live.

    As the local authority arrived Garrack stayed out of their way and promptly wiped the blood from his hands. Just in case. He then returned to the table to be greeted by Ryna’s affection.

    Dorian did his share of cleaning as well, since he was somewhat involved with that brawl. After helping Leaf and her friends clean the bar, the young adventurer approached their table. “Would you mind if I joined you? Considering what we just went through and all...” Dorian cracked a small smile at the group, before adjusting the traveling pack that he had retrieved from his table.

    “Sure!” Leaf replied to Dorian. “I almost offered after all,” the half-elf giggled, as energetic as ever. The brawl was nothing they couldn’t handle and Ghaw didn’t kick them out. The only downside was that Zira had to stay out of sight. Leaf figured she should probably go upstairs, but not now. It wasn’t like Zira was alone, and they had a new guest with them.

    Ashe sat down after the brawl and drew out the knife still sticking out of his chest. After a quick inspection of the blade he dropped it onto the table. The blade was free of rust and the wound was fairly clean. He lifted his shirt and quickly applied salve from his pack before turning back towards the table.

    “Thank you,” Dorian replied, before cracking a smile and taking a seat with the group. The young adventurer dropped his pack beside him, and glanced at the group. He certainly recognized Leaf, Garrack, and Ryna, but the others, he did not. “I suppose an introduction is in order. My name is Dorian.”

    “Ashe!” Leaf suddenly gasped, seeing the evidence of the wound on his chest. “Are you alright? Do you need to see a priest?” The half-elf had risen from her seat urgently, as if ready to dash off to the nearest shrine and fetch a cleric.

    “It’s fine. Will heal. Soon.” Ashe pushed himself out of his seat with a slight grunt. It ached but did not hurt. He made his way towards the kitchen to get himself more drink and meat.

    “If your friend would have waited, I could have at least offered him some salve and a few bandages,” Dorian said as he leaned over, and rooted through his traveling pack. When the young man came back to eye level with the rest of his companions, he simply showed them a clean roll of bandages and healing salve. “In my travels, I simply learned that it is best to be prepared at all times.”

    Leaf watched Ashe until he disappeared into the kitchen, her big red-brown eyes full of concern. But, he wanted to take care of himself. Leaf sat back down. “Well, maybe you can tell him when he gets back,” she replied to Dorian, though she was almost certain Ashe wouldn’t be interested. After all, she hadn’t seen him tend to the wound.

* * *

    Jeren was very quiet after the brawl. He didn’t say anything to the others. That could have been handled better. Although the guards didn’t think so, Jeren thought that their group did their share of instigating the fight. Of course, no one told it that way. Ashe had been far too threatening. They didn’t even give the barkeep the chance to demand the hooligans out of the place. Such a battle was foolish. It gave him no pleasure to join it. Along with the others, he had helped break parts of the barkeep’s furniture and he had helped to ruin his business for the day.

    Everyone was handling the disrupted organization. Jeren took it upon himself to deal with the beaten men. He gathered them together. One man had a dislocated arm, which Jeren was kind enough to fix for him with a few disconcerting snaps and groans from his patient. When the Hilt Guards arrived, Jeren handed over the men to them without a word.

    The flying knight was quite displeased with today. He found a quiet place at a window and stared out at the passing people at the end of the day. He seemed to be looking far beyond the emptying streets and the closing doors of the evening...

* * *

    The half-elf noticed that the table was one member short, and looked around for Jeren, but he was sitting away from them. Leaf thought that he probably didn’t want to be bothered. She sighed, realizing how the brawl had basically ruined the night for her friends. If she wasn’t busy entertaining Dorian, she probably would have gone to see Jeren.

    “Anyway, on with the introductions?” Leaf said, turning to Dorian. She seemed a bit drained and not as chipper as previously, but she continued on. “Garrack and Ryna,” Leaf pointed them out, “Ashe is the one who went to the kitchen, over there is Jeren, and the dark elf is Zira, and the guy that went upstairs with her is Edwin.”

    “It certainly is a pleasure to meet all of you. Though, I am genuinely curious,” Dorian looked his companions over before replacing the bandages within his pack. “What brings you here to Hilt? Are you just traveling through, or something else entirely?”

    “We’re passing through on a mission,” Leaf replied. “There was this message at the Blade Guild about this wizard who wants the bravest mercenaries to come help him, promises of gold and stuff. We all saw it and decided to join up and travel together to the Mirror Forest area where he lives.”

    Ryna looked over Garrack’s shoulder to see Jeren sitting alone when Leaf mentioned him to Dorian. Ever since he met them, Jeren was amicable and outgoing, but now he had secluded himself.

    Ryna stood and leaned to whisper in Garrack’s ear, “I’m going to try and find out what’s bothering our wyvern rider.”

    Taking her drink, Ryna crossed the common room to take a seat across from Jeren. “Hey there,” she greeted him. The sultry ex-thief set her goblet down, making it obvious she was here for conversation. “So what’s a handsome man like you doing in a lonely corner like this?” she asked with a smirk.

    Jeren continued to stare off into space for a moment longer. He thought he had gotten away from all of the nonsensical sparring and worthless matches when he left. But there it came again, rearing its head into things. He hated those matches.

    “I would not presume to know this for truth, but I believe that not even heroes can feel pleased with themselves after such a fight...” the knight remarked, rubbing his chin. “Such a waste of human strength and ideals... Perhaps that is why I am happy when I am submerged in a sea of air... Why I call that place home...”

    Jeren looked up at the smooth thief. “And what of you, Miss Ryna? You have much experience in heroics and adventures made for bards to sing. Do such things not bother you?”

    “It’s a shame,” Ryna replied. She looked into her goblin and swirled the wine about before taking a sip. “When you save the world, it tends to put things in perspective,” she added, though not in the least sounding arrogant with such a bold statement. “These people wouldn’t be here today if not for what Spark, Neese, myself and our companions did, and yet they start a brawl with us because they don’t like someone’s looks. It’s petty, but I can’t blame them for their fears. I can see both sides of the coin.”

    “Unfortunately, I have no such perspective,” Jeren said quietly. “I still believe such a conflict could have been avoided.”

    The Dragon Knight sighed. “I am not one for leading soldiers. I used to while I remained in the service of Moss. My superiors would complain that I cared too much for the men I led. They complained that I cared too much for my enemy. Perhaps I do care too much. Those hooligans attacked us. I have the ability to leave them broken into pieces. Is mercy such a terrible concept for a warrior to have? This is all too much to ask after such a large mug of ale, I think.”

    Jeren looked up. “I need to clear my mind. Would you care to join me?”

    Ryna raised her eyebrow. “Join you where?” she asked. She didn’t want to go some place private with him, that would just be rude to Garrack in her mind. All she came to do was to check on him.

    Jeren gave Ryna a half-smile, considering how to explain it to her. “Miss Ryna,. Many dream of moving through space and time, across a depthless sea of sparkles and the most beautiful hues and shades of color, yet few ever experience it. I was curious if you perhaps dreamed the same... to fly like a falcon through the midnight sky. To perhaps even meet a star or two. It has been a long time since someone has joined me, and I thought you might be interested. If not, perhaps another of our companions would like to join me, but I thought, since you cared enough to be curious of my condition, you should be the first I asked.”

    The dragon knight hoped she would agree. Ryna was a kind woman. She seemed close to one of her companions, but he was not trying to seduce the woman. Friendship was something Jeren always sought, but never found. After a moment, he spoke up. “I cannot stay cooped up in this inn. Not after the events that came before now. I think it would be... nice to have someone join me.”

    Ryna smiled at the offer, staring into her wine. She just didn’t feel it was right to go off on a flight which many women would probably find romantic, leaving her lover behind. “I’m afraid I’ve got other priorities,” Ryna said, glancing to Garrack. “But, I bet you Leaf would love to go,” she added, her gaze falling on the forlorn looking half-elf.

    “Perhaps some other time, then, Miss Ryna. If she may be interested, then I should extend the same offer to her.” The knight stood up and walked around the table to where Ryna sat. He leaned forward and whispered to her. “Thank you for your kindness.”

    Jeren strolled casually towards Leaf and Dorian, feeling uncomfortable making such a brash offer in the middle of a conversation. He sat quietly by Leaf, waiting for a break in the conversation, before speaking up. “Excuse me, Leaf? I am terribly sorry for interrupting, but I was going to go out and visit my Love for some night flying and I was curious if you would like to join me...”

    Leaf’s ears perked upwards and her entire mood was lifted after Jeren requested her to fly with him. The half-elf turned in her seat to look up at the dragon rider with an enthusiastic smile, “I’d love to!”

    She glanced over her shoulder at Dorian. “Hey, I’ll talk to you later, alright? If you have any more questions, talk to Ryna or Garrack.” With that, she eagerly hopped out of her seat. “Ready to go right now?”

    “I’ll be sure to do that.” Dorian looked at Leaf as she left the table. “Take care, and be careful, all right?” The young adventurer gave her a wave before looking at the others at the table. He had so much to ask, but he was sure that he would more than likely be answering questions as well.

    “Excellent... Nightfire is but a short walk from here, if memory serves me correctly...” Jeren said as he lead Leaf off.

* * *

    Zira strode into the room, tossing her pack on the floor, then collapsed onto the nearest bed. With a heavy sigh, she pulled her feet up and laid out on the bed. “If only I could be this comfortable and relaxed in public,” she said, sounding as if she was exhausted by keeping up the faŁade.

    Walking into the room with Zira, Edwin looked around, thinking it was pretty comfortable as he set his own pack down next to the wall. Noticing the two beds, he had to wonder to himself who was going to share the room with Zira, since he had a feeling most of the people that they were traveling with would prefer not to. Personally, Edwin did not have a problem sharing a room with her; he respected Zira and would not want to do anything to offend her.

    Heading over to the other bed and sitting down, he smiled, taking the moment to stretch. “You would have less worries. I bet it is draining to keep yourself tensed out there all the time,” Edwin turned his head to look over to Zira.

    Zira rolled onto her side to look at Edwin, propping her chin up on her fist. “Maybe not so much physically, but definitely emotionally,” Zira replied. “Hiding is not something in my nature. If I had a choice, I’d throw away that accursed cloak. The ironic thing is, I’ve met mercenaries before who would like no better than to just be ignored, so they wear these big, swathing cloaks that hide their face and every inch of their body, and underneath, they look like just normal humans. They have no idea how lucky they are to do that as a choice. I don’t want to be ignored, I just want to live and associate with people. All people—humans, dwarves, dark elves, light elves, everyone.”

    The dark elf sighed heavily after her brief rant and collapsed on her pillow, sending her fine golden hair fluttering in the air for a moment. “It’s always good to meet someone like you,” she added.

    Listening to Zira rant, Edwin took it all in. While he had never been in her shoes he could guess if he was it would to much for him to deal with. He smiled, hearing what she said about him, and he was a little amazed seeing how her hair fluttered in the air for a moment. “Hopefully one day you will be able to Zira, through I hate to say, from what I saw tonight I am very doubtful it will be soon, which is a shame. I am glad you find it good, through I guess I am one of a few that are either too foolish to care or are too naive to notice any difference between people.” Laying onto his back, looking up at the ceiling, he continued, “Given a choice I prefer being one of those few, but I know one day my trusting nature might get me into trouble. I will deal with that when it comes to be,” he laughed, looking back over to her.

    “It probably won’t be within your lifetime,” Zira replied softly to his comments about her no longer needing to hide one day. She had most of her life ahead of her. “Maybe if I press on and be a good person, make a positive reputation for myself, I can help bring that a step closer,” she added, but more to convince herself that she couldn’t just turn around and go home to hide in the forest until dark elves were more easily accepted. If she didn’t make an effort, who would? “The cold truth is, trusting some dark elves could leave you with a knife in the back,” she continued. “But, if you didn’t give me the benefit of a doubt, then I might not have someone I can relax around,” she smiled, trying to lighten the mood. It was good to have him here, and she didn’t want to change that. It was time to get off the subject and learn a little more about him. He opened up a bit while Leaf talked about her life, and Zira heard that he lost his parents as well. “So, where are you from? Where were you born and raised?” Zira asked.

    Edwin smiled, listening to Zira, nodding his head slightly with a smile. “Making a positive reputation that is able to get you known, would be able to help,” he paused for a moment. “Also, being someone to look up to wouldn’t hurt. I will try to keep in mind about dark elves; maybe I should stay close to you so that you can tell me about which dark elves I should trust or not.”

    Leaning against the bed a little more, Edwin closed his eyes thinking back. “Me, I was born in the northern region of Valis. I guess I was lucky, my parents had to go visit an old friend and I was born within his home. That was where I was raised for the most part, my parents choose to settle down with their old friend, that was until they had to leave to go protect a village.” Edwin shrugged slightly. “They left me with their friend, who turned into my family after that. He took the time to make sure I was raised up how my parent would have wanted.”

    Edwin was a little vague, but he had mentioned to that he was looking for his parents earlier. “So...you think your parents are alive somewhere?” Zira asked. It was more than likely they were dead if they never came home to their young son. Unless both were dead beats; which reminded Zira of her friend Mia who didn’t have a maternal bone in her body. If that elf ever became pregnant, she’d probably leave the baby on someone’s doorstep and head to the other side of Lodoss for the next thirty years.

    “I guess it sounds like that I am expecting to find them alive but, I have already accepted that they are dead,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “What I want to find is some answers one day on what happened to them.” Laughing slightly Edwin sat up on the bed moving his arms to unhook the straps of his hardened studded leather breastplate. He took it off, sighing softly enjoying the moment to relax with out the armor. “I guess I am dreamer because I hope to find out about my parents while I am working on making a name for myself. Sorry I must be boring you talking about myself.”

    Zira changed position again, laying on her stomach with her chin rested on her arms crossed in front of her. She watched as he took off his armor, perhaps a little too closely for a mere comrade in arms, but she was a young woman—even at nearly a hundred and sixty—and he was an attractive young men who respected her.

    “Hey, I asked you about yourself,” the dark elf replied with a smirk. She decided to get comfortable as well and started by taking off her gloves, and working her boots off with her feet lazily.

    Placing his armor next to the bed Edwin smiled at Zira. “Yeah you did ask, that might have been a mistake, since I am sure I can keep myself talking for a while.”

    There was a knock at the door and Zira glanced to Edwin expectantly for him to see who it was. It was probably a maid with their meals, but she didn’t want to make her presence that obvious, or present herself to some one unexpected.

    Hearing the knock as Zira was taking off her gloves and boots, Edwin stood up to answer it without thinking. “Let me get this it should be our meals.” It was the polite thing to do for a lady, especially one that Edwin couldn’t deny was enchanting. Opening the door to the room and looking out expecting to find the maid with their food as he smiled, “Hello.”

    A maid did greet Edwin at the door, and quickly handed him a tray with two plates of food, a bottle of wine, and two goblets. She was obviously nervous around Zira, and only did her duty as quickly as possible. After passing off the tray to Edwin, the maid gave him a brief curtsy and quickly hurried down the hall to the stairs, not even bothering to ask if they wanted anything else, or even a hello or goodbye.

    Shrugging slightly as he took the tray, Edwin could not blame the poor girl about being like that, but it was not something he liked to see. He used his foot to close the door since his hands were busy trying to balance the tray. “You know balancing a tray like this is harder then it looks,” Edwin laughed. “Anyway dinner is served.”

    Zira giggled as Edwin struggled with balancing the tray and sat up to take it from him at the end of the bed. She set the tray on her bed and sat cross legged in front of it. The dark elf took the wine and popped the cork, then poured it into the two goblets.

    “I hope you didn’t want ale, I don’t think that girl will come back up here,” Zira chuckled as she handed him his goblet.

    Edwin was very thankful for Zira’s help with the tray. He nodded, taking the goblet sitting down on the edge of her bed on the other side of the tray with a soft smile and laugh. “I don’t mind at all, actually I am in the mood for a goblet of wine.”

    “Good thing,” Zira replied and took a sip of wine. The dark elf stood suddenly and set down her goblet on the nightstand. “Excuse me a moment, I need to get a little more comfortable.”

    She turned her back to Edwin and unlaced her over-the-dress corset and pulled it off over her head. The dress underneath was loose fitting at the waist, definitely something a person could lounge in. Zira dropped the corset to the floor with a clank from the knives hidden in the bottom hem, then sat back down on the bed. “Much better,” she said, taking her plate from the tray.

    Laughing softly as he heard the corset hit the floor with a clank, Edwin nodded. “I bet so, from the sounds of it you are well protected under there,” he took his plate and took a bite of the meal, savoring the taste of the cooked meal after the long ride.

    Edwin studied Zira since it was the first time he saw her with out her corset on. She seem to be like a gentle beauty with out it on, but in truth he knew that she could easily take care of herself without those hidden blades. “It is always good to be able to relax when you can, then again I think I relax a little to much at times.”

    Zira sat back down and started picking at her dinner, taking sampling bites of everything on her plate. “There’s been a lot of talk about getting relaxed and comfortable since we came up here,” Zira said with a smirk. “How about a different subject. I know a bit about you, you know a bit about me...anything else you want to know?”

    Edwin leaned back, letting a soft chuckle escape his lips as he picked up his glass of wine. “Well, there is so much I want to know, now the question is what can I get away asking?” he took a sip of wine, closing his eyes for a moment to gather his thoughts.

    “Ask what you want,” the dark elf replied. Zira laid back on the bed beside Edwin and finished off the wine in her goblet as he considered a question.

    Placing his free hand into one of his belt pouches, Edwin played with the dice he kept within, humming to himself as he opened his eyes. “So, other then going out as a mercenary, what do you do with your time?”

    “You know, I really don’t have much spare time. When I’m not working, I’m usually traveling to find another job,” Zira replied. She didn’t like sticking around in one place, and sometimes she had a good reason to just get away from wherever her last job left her. Going home wasn’t an option because she wanted to avoid her father. Mercenary work allowed her to travel and escape from all the bridges she’d burned. Though, she did have her own rituals between jobs. “I usually just like a little time to myself after a job. I’ll pass through a forest and get in touch with nature again, but I never stay in one place for long.”

    Sipping the wine from his goblet, letting it drain slowly, Edwin was not really surprised by Zira’s answer. Personally, he did not know the difference between elves and dark elves, but from what was said about elves they did have a special bond with nature. “It is a personal choice not to stay in once place or is it that you don’t really have a choice?”

    “I know for myself it is a personal choice, I just don’t have a reason to stay in one place to long, so I was wondering.” He placed his empty goblet onto the tray as he studied Zira, enjoying seeing this elven beauty laying on the bed.

    “I just have a case of wanderlust I suppose,” Zira replied as she poured herself another glass of wine. “When I’m off in the wilderness, I don’t really need to go anywhere in a hurry, but sometimes I have to get away from common elves or humans.”

    Gazing up at the ceiling nodding his head slightly Edwin smiled. “Wanderlust, yeah that drives a lot of people.” He sat up with a stretch. “Well, I guess heading into the wilderness is one way to escape people.”

    Reaching over to get the bottle of wine to pour himself little more, Edwin studied Zira for a moment. “When you want to be around some people, what kind of people do you like to interact with? What kind of traits do you find attractive in people?”

    Zira could feel the wine beginning to take effect, a warmth coursing through her veins and a haze in her mind that was filtering out inhibitions. “Well, people who are at ease around me is a good thing. Someone confident and gentle, but not clingy. I don’t ask for too much, I suppose. I’m not looking for a husband after all.”

    “Well, I didn’t think of you looking for a husband, it would mean you would be tied down to one place and person.” Enjoying the wine Edwin felt very much at ease. “I doubt you have much trouble finding someone when you want. Beautiful and deadly, who could resist that?”

    “You don’t ask for much in a person, better then some others out there.” Edwin leaned down to take off his boots and placed them next to the other bed with a stretch, trying his best to watch out for the goblets and bottle of wine. “I have no plans to find a wife any time soon. Anyway, not many women out there would be willing to wait or go along with someone out to be a mercenary or out for adventure.”

    “Mercenary work is not for the family man, or woman,” Zira replied, swirling around the last bit of wine her goblet before finishing it off. “I think you know that well enough,” she added, thinking of his parents.

    “Yeah, I know.” Edwin sipped from his goblet as he closed his, eyes letting out a soft sigh. “Not that I am planing to have anything to do with a family any time soon. To much to see and do in life first.”

    Zira grinned, glad that he was so content with being a bachelor. She was starting to feel attracted to him, enough to make a move. Maybe it was just the wine talking, but it seemed like a good idea. Zira scooted a little closer to Edwin and laid her head on his shoulder. She wasn’t drunk enough to do anything outrageous, but a bit of uninhibited, subtle flirting was her style.

    A little surprised to feel Zira’s head against his shoulder, Edwin was not going to complain. It was not every day that he had a lovely dark elf resting her head on his shoulder. Tilting his head to be able to gaze at her, not really wanting to make a sound to ruin the moment. He found himself wishing his flute was not in his back pack, as this was one of the few times he actually wanted to play it. Instead, he let out a soft hum pass his lips with out thinking about it.

    Zira heard him humming and at first thought he was nervous. She sat up enough to check his expression to see that he was actually rather relaxed. She smiled as her eyes met his, then laid back down against him, this time a little closer with her head on his chest. “Nice tune,” she murmured, trying to think of something to say.

    “I just wish I could remember the words to it. Then again, if I did, I would make a fool out of myself trying to sing it,” Edwin laughed softly, feeling her lay her head against his chest. Raising his hand up to gently stroke his fingers against her long blonde hair with a smile, he added, “It is one of a few tunes I know well enough to play.”

    Zira felt his hand gently sliding over her hair and a tingle of anticipation passed up her neck. She moved her hand from where it had been on the mattress and placed it on his thigh. “Don’t worry, I won’t think you’re a fool,” she replied.

* * *

    The former knight led his elven companion from the tavern that caused him so much frustration minutes before. Already, some of the discomforts of the night were alleviated by exiting the place. The sunset was complete and the moon was rising around them, but attention to such things were not paid quite yet. Their eyes were drawn to more familiar things, like the streets and buildings around them.

    In truth, Nightfire was not a close distance from them, but he would change that quickly enough. He was searching for a place they passed on their way to the inn. There was a small green area with plenty of room for what he planned.

    As they approached the small park, he slid one hand gently into his pocket. Moments later, he found himself standing in the center. There was no wyvern to see, yet he continued no farther than that. “Miss Leaf, have you ever flown before?”

    “Well, with Sylph, but never too high,” Leaf replied, eagerly searching the skies for the wyvern. Asking for Sylph to carry one’s self required strong focus, and Leaf could never do it as long as Deedlit. Riding a wyvern had to be completely different, and it could fly higher than Sylph had carried her. “Thanks for asking me, I’ve wanted to try riding a wyvern ever since I saw Queen Shiris on Marmo,” the half-elf said, grinning.

    “It is not a problem. I am glad to have company for once...” Jeren said, looking through his pocket. “The reason I ask is that... Well, I do not know the Elven disposition towards such things. Nightfire and I speed along quite well enough. When I first rode her, it turned my stomach upside down. I know not your fortitude for such things. I have a rather bitter root that is used for first-time riders, which quells such problems with your stomach. If you wish some of it, you are welcome to have a bit.

    “Also, I know not your hearing. Normal humans can’t hear this, but I know not of elves in this regard. If you hear it, it might be a bit painful...” the knight said as his whistle came to his lips. He took in a big breath and blew as hard as he could. His face, so smooth and well-tanned normally, was bright pink from the exertion. His tool of summoning fell from his lips as he gasped for air.

    As the silhouette of a dragon pierced the moon’s glow, Jeren held the root out for her to take, should she choose to take it. It took moments before the trademark roar of the dark-scaled flyer to be heard in warning of her coming. Jeren took a small piece of metal and let the moonlight flicker over it. The shine on the metal was striking. The wyvern called out again before slowing itself over them. The powerful, leathery wings of the creature flapped slowly, letting herself drop to the ground and settle. Wind from her powerful limbs threw fallen leaves about and tossed the two’s hair about this way and that. The snaking head of Nightfire swerved two and fro, glancing around cautiously before letting her lizard eyes hang over her companions and his newly found traveling mate.

    “Come, for a sea of stars awaits us, and I am eager to dive in!” he said, waving the elf to the side of the solid mini-dragon. “If you will allow me to be forward with you,” Jeren said, swiftly tying a strange knot around the elf’s waist. The knight made a point about making sure his hands never touched her body. The rope, she quickly discovered, was attached to his saddle. “We wouldn’t want you to accidentally fall off, now would we?” he said, winking.

    Without a rope of his own, the dragon knight swiftly mounted Nightfire, who breathed deeply, as if to sigh relief that they were together again. Jeren Octavian Aldener let his hand fall to her side. “Are you ready?”

    Leaf refused the medicine, she didn’t feel she’d need it. She had never been sea-sick, and hopefully air-sickness was the same for her.

    With the warning of his whistle, Leaf knew she’d be able to hear it, so she covered her ears. Even with her hands muffling it, she could hear the high pitched whistle. It definitely would have been painful for her if she hadn’t protected her ears.

    The half-elf took note of his care while buckling her in. She knew plenty of men who would take that chance to brush her waist, but never the kind of guys she liked. Once she was settled into the saddle, Leaf nodded, and replied with an enthusiastic “Yeah!”

    “Very well, then, Miss Leaf.” Jeren looked back and smiled before leaning forward in his saddle, placing the side of his face on the neck of Nightfire. Underneath the scale, he could feel her blood racing, preparing for her favorite past-time. “Alright, my love, let us take to the skies,” the dragon knight said quietly to the creature. The snaking head of the wyvern slung up in a definitive roar. Jeren leaned back to Leaf. “Roughly translated, that means ‘Yee hah’,” he explained.

    With that, the leathery wings of the small dragon stretched out to their full mast, spreading first flat across, then raising as high as they would go. Nightfire shifted her feet a bit, then pushed up into the air with her legs and flapped her wings furiously downward, pushing them several feet into the air. Just as it seemed like they would hit the ground, Nightfire gave a second, powerful swing of her wings. Soon, she had worked them above the trees and most buildings with this. The lift was less than comforting. Once most buildings were below them, they began to move forward. With every lurch forward from then on, the ride became smoother and smoother. With every passing movement, they were accelerating.

    As soon as they left the city limits, the ride became smooth and, while they were still climbing, it felt so much different. Nightfire didn’t have to flap her wings constantly. They glided on breezes, caressing the night air. The darkness of the clear evening surrounded them. Wind threw their hair behind them, keeping their eyes clear enough to see everything perfectly.

    Up and up they went. A field of sparkles lay just out of reach for the dragon knight and his elven companion. The moon, just a crescent then, seemed to be like a lighthouse, welcoming them into a harbor of a different sort. The world below whipped by. What once seemed like a gigantic, endless terrain, now seemed small, as if they were looking at a map.

    Their speed was faster than any horse could run, though it felt slow when looking down to watch their progress. Nightfire was relatively silent. She seemed intent on her flight, not caring so much for triumphant roars. Jeren was much the same way. His face, tense and brooding before in the tavern, was now relaxed and genuinely happy.

    Perhaps even more striking about this new world was the silence that lived there. No birds made calls. No noise from streets. Just the movement of the air. It was serene, like the painting of a master artisan. It would speak no words to you, since no words could truly describe it.

    As Nightfire took off, Leaf threw her arms around Jeren’s waist, feeling that her seatbelt wasn’t enough to keep her secure. She held on as they climbed into the sky, feeling the pit of her stomach flutter upwards with the lift.

    Once the wyvern leveled and began to soar, Leaf let go of Jeren hesitantly and sat up in the saddle. The wind screamed across her long ears, the only sign of their speed at such a high altitude. Leaf reached for her head kerchief and unrolled it so it would cover her ears, which helped a bit. Breathing in the thin air required a bit of effort.

    She was curious as to just how high they were and braved a glance over Nightfire’s side while clinging tightly to the saddle. She gave a little squeak of shock when she saw how far away the ground was. Lights from Hilt were pin pricks below them, and the people and creatures on the dunes were ants.

    “I never get bored of the scenery!” Jeren called back as Nightfire banked suddenly to the right, sweeping them down and back up again. The creature let out a mighty roar, moving her head two and fro slightly. “Looks like someone is getting bored. Hold on tight!”

    With that, Jeren tugged on the lines, signaling to his mount that it was time for the true fun to begin. A few strong flaps lifted them even higher before she began to drop. Very slowly, they began to curve upwards. And they didn’t stop. “Clench your feet to the saddle!” Jeren called. The wind began to whip past them at different angles as Leaf’s world turned, quite literally, upside down. The wyvern had her back arched, as they found themselves upside down. The turn continued, the creature finishing a perfect, graceful circle in the air. She settled back into soaring.

    Jeren smiled brightly against the dark night sky. Once again, the ride became calm. He leaned back to extend that smile to her. He turned back to the endless expanse before him. First his right, then his left, fell away from the lines that commanded his wyvern. He let them hang free, as if he too was flying on his own. His eyes closed, reveling in the feeling of the wind against his skin. Nightfire took control on her own, dipping and soaring at will. Soon, the city was almost out of sight. Jeren sighed, realizing that this had to end soon. He had to leave the world he wished he could live in.

    “Better turn back towards home!” he called, grabbing the lines and giving them gentle tugs. One large wing, rose above the other as they turned back towards civilization.

    Jeren was certain that this was what it was like for fish in the sea. Moving freely in any direction, without any care. Beautiful tinted worlds with so much to see. And endless expanse with no beginning and no end. No cities, wars, good or evil... Just freedom.

    At first, Leaf was frightened as Nightfire dove and swooped through the sky, but it didn’t take the half-elf long to start enjoying the flight. Even if she fell, she could always call on Sylph to catch her, but her belt seemed secure enough. Soon, she was giggling at the sensations Nightfire’s dips and dives caused in her stomach.

    She was actually a little disappointed when Jeren decided it was time to go back down. Maybe they could go on other flights together.

    The brisk, night air left the two all too soon as Nightfire steadied them over the small park where they took off a half an hour ago. With a surprisingly graceful touch-down, the obsidian-colored dragonite folded her wings. Her neck snaked around to look towards her most recent companions. If a dragon could smile, the expression she gave would have had to of been one.

    “It seems that we are not the only ones aware of our most recent adventure, Miss Leaf,” Jeren said as he hopped of his “love”’s back. Four armed guards were running their way, surprised that a small dragon had landed inside their town. With halberds at the ready, they stopped, looking upon a creature that had seen her fair share of battles before. Very calmly, the dragon knight held out his hand to Leaf, giving her a bit of help concerning the dismount before approaching the disturbed gendarmes.

    “Hold good sirs! My name is Sir Aldener, Knight of the Dragon Scale! We are allies!”

    The guards looked at each other. “What kinda title is that?”

    “I don’t suppose you have heard of the Dragon Riders of Moss? I am of their order.”

    “Prove it!”

    “Prove it? Hmm... Normally, I thought taming a dragon was good enough. Guess not... Well, I do have this here... uhh...” he began, rummaging through his pockets,“medallion... somewhere. Ah! Here it is. Catch!” he said, tossing a rather large medal with a pattern of scales and claws on it. On the other side, it had honors bestowed and the king it originated from. The guards looked it over. They really didn’t know what to do about that, but they tossed it back.

    “Well... Uhh... I guess its alright then. What’s ya business here? We got no notice of your coming...”

    “Just passing through, good sirs. That’s all.” Jeren smiled an award-winning grin.

    “Oh... Well, uhh... You can’t leave... that... there. It’ll scare the townsfolk and all. Tis not a place for... dragon creatures.”

    “That’s fine. She will be back in the air in a jiffy. Just give me a moment...” Jeren strolled back to Leaf and Nightfire. “Well, looks like its time to head in. Apparently, the King designated this area a no-landing zone. I didn’t know they had those around here. Ha... Well, better clear away from my sweet, or else you’ll get a wallop from her wing, Miss Leaf.”

    With that, they strolled away casually to the side of a tree. Jeren popped the whistle back between his lips and gave three strong blows. Immediately, Nightfire gave a roar and a mighty blast of wind from her wings, pushing her body from the ground and back into the air. After hovering for a moment, she took off low from the park and back into the night. Her body seemed to blend in perfectly with the pitch sky.

    “Shall we return to your companions, Miss Leaf?”

    Leaf watched Nightfire fly away until she faded into the sky, even to Leaf’s sharp vision. She returned her gaze to Jeren and grinned, “Yeah,” she replied, and wrapped her arm around his. “Thanks for letting me ride with you,” she added, before she let lose a large yawn of exhaustion.

    “The pleasure was all mine, Miss,” Jeren said, flashing his trademark smile that could do nothing but warm a heart. “It is rare that I have company on my flights and, very often, I long to share my treasure with someone.”

    Idly, the two chattered as the left the part, waving a final good-bye to the sea of stars that swallowed them and the craft that took them there...

* * *

    Before Edwin had a chance to reply to Zira, the door swung open and Leaf walked in. The half-elf had a smile on her lips, which suddenly fell when she saw Zira and Edwin curled up together.

    “Oh my! I’m sorry!” Leaf said, blushing. “I’m supposed to be sharing this room with Zira.”

    Zira reluctantly pulled back from Edwin. Leaf had ruined the moment, but they had already connected enough to pick up later. “Well, I suppose it’s time for bed,” the dark elf said as she sat up, propping herself up on her hands. She looked at Edwin and smiled coyly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

    Feeling her touch, Edwin couldn’t help but have a large smile cross his face. Nodding his head slightly about to say something when out of the blue the door open revealing a blushing Leaf. He was slightly disappointed, but he was sure he would get more chances to enjoy Zira’s company later. Edwin moved to stand up with a wink at Zira. “I’ll see you tomorrow as well.”

    Grabbing his stuff and then heading out of the room to find his own, he nodded to Leaf with a laugh, “Next time I think we need to make a list of who is sharing what room with who.”

    “I guess so,” Leaf replied. She shut the door behind Edwin, then looked at Zira with a grin. “I see you guys are getting friendly,” she said. “How long have you known each other? I saw you come into the guild together.”

    “Oh, we only met this morning,” Zira replied. She didn’t want to discuss much. Leaf was a nice girl, but she had ruined the moment. Zira pulled back the blankets and slipped under them. “Goodnight Leaf,” Zira said and settled into bed.

    Since she didn’t get much of an answer, Leaf felt rather ashamed at barging in Zira, but she could apologize in the morning. It was clear Zira didn’t want to talk more. Leaf prepared for bed, blew out the candles, and slipped into bed to reflect on her wyvern ride.

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