Archives: Search for Azala
Chapter 7: Dinner at the Sphinx Inn
Mirael brought the party into their dinning room. It was a long, cozy room with a dining table that had more room than they needed. A hearth crackled near the door, placed so it was connected to the fireplace in the common room.
Mirael took a seat at the head of the table, the place she usually sat at. “Everyone, get comfortable. Dinner will be brought in shortly,” the merchant said. “Oh, and I made sure to order meatless meals for our fair friends,” she added with a smile to Seri.
Y’ezela entered the room, seeming rather subdued. She felt rather embarrassed after her over-eager introduction to Albedo, and she was still a little depressed about Lanir. The half-elf bard took a seat on the side of the table, to the right of her mother.
Seri acknowledged Mirael’s consideration with a small smile, then allowed Estas to help her too her seat, taking a spot on the opposite side of Y’ezela, to Mirael’s left. The high elf gave a sigh of relief as she sat again.
“Everyone, please take a seat. I would like to discuss my plans for tomorrow,” Seri announced as the group entered the dining room.
Sairina filed into the room, following gracefully behind Y’ezela. She took a seat beside the half-elf bard, and found herself face to face with Estas again. She avoided his eyes, but felt her stomach fluttering with butterflies. Whether he realized it or not, she was enthralled with him. Despite her exotic beauty, he seemed to hardly realize her existence.
Practicing mercenary manners, or the lack of as he had witnessed in the past, Albedo leaned back and gave a long, open mouthed yawn. He had to let them think that, considering his fighting method wasn’t the typical mercenary style, after all. His seat was midway between Seri, and the furthest away. The woman wasn’t stupid, so sitting at the far end would seem like avoiding her, and sitting to close would seem weird, considering they had just met. His attempt was to basically get lost in the group, so to speak. Hiding in plain sight was the plan, in this case. He kept a careful eye on the others; force of habit, he wanted to know their strengths and weaknesses, after all.
Indeed, Estas took little notice Sairina. She was there, and that was about it. The high elf gave notice simply by nodding in the priestess’ direction. Romance with humans had never dawned on the high elf; his heart belonged to one whom it had, however.
“Well, while we wait, I would like to bring up my plans for tomorrow,” Seri started, drawing the room’s attention to herself. “As most of you know, I want to find Azala’s other children now, since we seemed to have found so many of you at once,” the high elf explained. This time, there was no venom in her voice and she seemed quite at ease. “In every city we stay in, I want to scout news of him, no matter how old, and find these children. Tomorrow morning, I would like to put this plan into action. Everyone will be split in two pairs to scour the city. Albedo, would you be willing to help in this endeavor?”
When he heard his name, Albedo gave a rather lazy look at Seri. She certainly had a grandiose quest in mind. Find a bunch of kids, and do what exactly with them? Not all of them would even know. “I guess. Still, as you know, my employer wishes to remain anonymous... so I can’t tell you who they are, where they live, or whether or not they want to be found,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. “Still, its not going to be easy. Going around and asking someone if they’ve seen a half-elf is like going around asking if their tongue is located in their mouths. Any traits dominant enough to stand out... other than the attractiveness, anyway.”
Lanir sat down as his gaze momentarily went to Ez, it still hurt to find out that she was his sister. He cared for her deeply, and while he was overjoyed he had a sister, two in fact that he knew of. He was certain that his father, had made sure their family was large. The ranger still felt a pang of depression over the realization that he could never love her in a different way. The young man quickly pushed such feelings aside then listened to Seri as she spoke, and at Albedo’s comment. Lanir spoke as well, as he agreed, “He’s right. We know that beauty is an obvious trait, but is there something more you remember Lady Seri? Something that fa...Azala prefers? A type of food, drink or pastime? Uhh....a place perhaps he’s fond of?”
Employer, right, Seri thought when Albedo mentioned his ‘employer’ again. She didn’t really believe his story, he looked too much like Azala. She avoided the subject of his employer completely. “He usually stays at inns all over the city, and as for what he likes, well, we can only assume it is pretty women,” Seri scoffed. “I do not know about his tastes in food or drink, and I do not see how that is important. We will just check the inns for news of him or half-elves, and if you see any half-elves, talk to them.”
“Thats it? Sheesh, you guys need a better information system than that,” Albedo stated in a very dry tone. Giving a slight motion to Estas, he propped his feet on the table and spoke, “To a human, he’s a gorgeous elf. Women would fawn over him, if he wasn’t cold as ice. Barbas, sure he’d probably still get women throwing themselves at him.” Ignoring the look Estas flashed him, he continued. “I suggest greasing a few palms, and letting the information come to us. Might get a couple of wild goose chases, but not nearly as many as hunting down every half elf in the city.”
Albedo seemed to think that finding the half-elves was a clue to finding Azala. Speaking to adult half-elves about their father would lead them nowhere in finding Azala, but she wanted to find the half-elves to see if they would join the hunt. “Seeking out his children in order to find him will lead us nowhere. I want to find the half-elves to help them find him,” she clarified.
“Miss Seri, I don’t think that it’s a good idea to go searching for these children,” Y’ezela spoke up, rather sheepishly. She was shy about bringing up the subject to the high elf, but she felt it had to be said. “Perhaps, they don’t want to be found.” She stared at her plate, not having the courage to meet Seri’s eyes.
“I think it may be a good idea. Cha Za may lead us to another person who does want to seek Azala,” Sairina spoke up after Y’ezela. “I believe that it was Cha Za’s influence that brought all the people who are looking for him together here.”
Lanir spoke softly, as he felt for his sister, “Maybe, but if you didn’t know who your father was or your mother, there might be doubts. Some might not want to be found...others might want answers. But the only way we’ll be able to find Azala is using the one resource we have. And right now that’s his children.” In a way, Y’ezela was right and in others, he didn’t quite agree.
“I suppose its a matter of who you ask. Might get some rather angry half-elves.” Albedo yawned. This was probably a was a waste of time, but he supposed any avenue was worth checking out. Besides, it wasn’t like he had to many leads to go on. “You just have to realize that most probably have lives they don’t want to leave behind; even if it is a search for their estranged dear old dad, if they have never known him, he might mean very little to them, no?”
“Then perhaps we should remember to be tactful when pursuing this avenue,” Mirael suggested. “Don’t pester anyone if it’s obvious they aren’t concerned. I will help how I can, but I have to open shop in the market tomorrow. I’ll be sure to speak to my customers.”
Y’ezela silently listened to the conversation. Everyone seemed to have good points. “I would be willing to help the search tomorrow,” she said. So long as they were respectful, things shouldn’t go awry.
Seri listened to all the points, but it seemed that despite some complaints, most people agreed that it was their best option. What Sairina had said about Cha Za’s help had caught Seri’s attention. Was that why they found Y’ezela, Lanir, and Air so suddenly after months of searching? “Very well. Tomorrow, all those willing will search the city for news of Azala and any of his potential children,” Seri announced as a barmaid pushed opening the dining room door to bring in their dinner.
* * *
After the party finished their meal, they began to leave the private dining room. Seri overheard Luria regaling Phaeton with tales of...Purn and Deedlight? The high elf shook her head and smiled to herself. As high elves, she and Estas knew Deedlit and Parn quite well, and Estas knew Deedlit quite personally. He still carried a torch for the famous high elf heroine, and hearing about her adventures with her human lover wouldn’t be easy on poor Estas’s heart.
“That would be Parn and Deedlit,” Seri corrected the half-elf. “We are going to bed now. Tomorrow, I have a mission for the both of you. Luria, you will be sharing a room with Sairina and Kitsa. Phaeton, you may share a room Lanir.” Rooming had been discussed over dinner. Y’ezela wanted to spend some time with her new sister, so the three bed room was available for the remaining women. Seri knew that Estas would prefer the company of another elf who didn’t speak as much, so Orion was a better choice. Seri was of course sharing a room with Mirael, and Albedo was left to his own accommodations.
Y’ezela overhead Luria’s mistelling as well and giggled. As a bard, she was quite familiar with the tales. “I think I may have to tell you both the proper versions later!” the half-elf said to Luria and Phaeton, still giggling. She planted a kiss on her mother’s cheek, then bid everyone good night before heading upstairs to see to Air.
Phaeton smiled at the tale, taking it all in bit by bit as Luria relayed it to him. The savage still had no idea who Purn—or rather Parn and Deedlit—were. It was a story that appealed to him and the blue-eyed young man never took his eyes off her as she spun her tale. When Lady Seri approached them and informed them of sleeping arrangements, Phaeton nodded in an almost bow. “Thank you, High One. Whatever task you wish I shall do, I thank you for your kindness.” He rose, then turned towards Luria and smiled warmly to her. “Thank you for the story and the company. You are the flower that blooms in the sun. I am the richer and blessed for knowing you. But it is now time for sleep.” Phaeton left to find the room he was to share with Lanir.
Estas frowned at the talk of Deedlit and Parn and chose to leave the room. He still adored Deedlit, and despite letting her go, it always hurt his heart to hear about her and her human husband. He hoped that one day, she would be his, but until then, he would just bite his tongue and do his duties. Unfortunately, the priestess seemed infatuated with him. He wanted nothing to do with another woman, and certainly not a human. It would be an annoyance until this journey was done.
Luria waved goodbye to those leaving, particularly Phaeton. “See you tomorrow!” she said. Then she rose from her seat, a bit lazily from the booze. “I don’t see what the big deal is with a little creative license,” she said. Her jealousy of Y’ezela’s skill showed through a bit in the process. “Haha yeah, well... tragedy is good storytelling, too. The fact is, a man’s reputation is only as good as his friends are at telling stories about him.”
Luria walked towards the room’s exit, passing Seri on the way. “Mission tomorrow, got it!” she said. “I will be rested and ready!” Then she bumbled to the room she was to share with Sairina and Kitsa, trying hard not to fall asleep before she found a bed to lay down in.
Looks like everyone is going to bed... the half-elf thought, mocking a yawn. He wasn’t sleepy; Usually this time of night was when he was at his peak, although he forced himself to sleep every now and then to try guise his profession in cases like this. “Goodnight, I’ll meet you here tomorrow.” Giving a passing wave, and apparently not speaking to anyone in particular, he leaned back dangerously further before letting the chair tip back onto its four legs. He’d have to get some shut eye. Things would turn interesting indeed. Traveling with younger siblings was either going to be an amusing diversion, or a major encumbrance... he just hadn’t decided yet.
* * *
It didn’t take long for Phaeton to find the room he’d been given to share with Lanir. He entered, placed his gear near a bunk, and found a place to lay down. The half-elf he shared a room with sat unmoving as he lay on his own bed and Phaeton settled down with a broad smile, thinking of the tale Luria had shared with him as well as the lovely elf maiden herself. She is a delight to me, Ancestors. I know not if you hear my thoughts, but I pray you bring her great blessings and let our friendship grow. Phaeton’s people didn’t pray a most others did, but he did pay homage to his ancestors and the spirits and he hoped his request would be heard by whatever good forces might grant it.
