"Too long, Rudolf," he said as the burly, bewhiskered dwarf waddled over to his table. "Much too long."

"And you are a long way from home my friend!" Rudolf set his pint down on the table and squirmed his way into the seat beside the scholar. His cheeks were already red from drinking and he gave the man beside him a jolly grin. "What brings you to Cromerth? Seems like a different world from your books and scrolls!"

Velim rolled his eyes theatrically, "Does one need an excuse to visit such a resplendent city?" He gestured at the rest of the pub with a slender hand, "Or revel in such august company?"

In the corner next to the bar, a farmhand was noisily puking into a washbucket.

Athalus sipped his ale, grimaced, and then drank more deeply. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and continued. "As it happens, I am just returning from New Morgavia, where I acquired several rare scrolls concerning the history of the Fen Migration. Now I am headed back to my quiet, distant isle where, no doubt, I will think back on my time in fair Cromerth with barely subdued longing."

The serving wench brought his wine and he casually tossed her a coin. "And you, my degenerate old companion in arms? What are you doing here? Defrauding the peasantry, as usual? Tricking the rubes out of their hard earned silver? Or just keeping the brothels in business?"

Rudolf was already lost in the vocabulary of the scholar, but he nodded along as if he understood while taking a few sips of ale. "I was hired by Novan to bring a caravan of supplies over. They're paying pretty handsomely, enough for me to pay for a few helping hands on deck. We've already run into quite a bit of trouble, surprisingly really, you'd think the forests would be quiet this time of year."

He laughed loudly, enough to jiggle his gullet. "Them scrolls must have been pretty rare to get you to come out of that cave of your's."

"Yes, quite rare." said the scholar with an indifferent shrug. He was no longer smirking, and his bright green eyes were now watching the dwarf with interest.

"What, ah, trouble have you run into?" he asked, sipping his wine, "Bandits, you mean?"

The dwarf slapped Velim's back heartily, giving a laugh. "Of course bandits! The fools always find a way to get ya."

He took a long gulp of ale as another memory came to him. "Ah you know, we did have a recent happenin'. A group of orcs, goblins and trolls. Can you imagine? Came at us, mostly for the elves of the groups. The fools couldn't tell an Aavikkanian from a Wood elf. They were all messed up, mumbling about this and that. What was it?"

The dwarf paused, stroking his beard as his drunken mind attempted to recollect the memory. "Ah...somethin about darkness and the heart seeds of elves."

Rudolf looked solemn for a second before grinning again and laughed. "Just a bunch of crazies! But you’re bound to get some attention when you travel with a big old group."

Velim drummed his fingers on the table and took a draw on his pipe.

"Bound to, I suppose." he said, distracted. Velim sucked his teeth and shook his head, "Well, big groups are still safer than going it alone. Novan, you said? I could use a company to take me that far. Taking paying travelers, old friend?"

Rudolf lit up. “But of course! I can’t say no to an old friend!”

He slapped Velim’s back heartily again as he laughed. “Welcome aboard!”

But that was when he heard the clearing of a throat, and turned to see a pink haired girl waiting rather impatiently for his attention.

-------

Setna was the first to look up, and he grinned seeing the red haired warrior in the doorway. "Tirian!" He stood, and motioned to his sister. "She's up! I was just talking to her about your ma..."

He turned quiet realizing the door was open. He shut his mouth and sat down. "I-I mean...uh." He looked around as if anyone could hear them.

--Tirian quickly closed the door behind him as the brash boy be to speak, nearly blurting out the big m-word. Tirian approached the duo with his hands out low to show that the conversation would have to be quite. Bright blue eyes looked over to Serna with a wide smile, she was looking great and wonderfully colorful.

"Low voices, walls are thin. Glad you are wake and looking great."--

Setna closed his lips after he whispered. "Sorry...I didn't think." He ran a hand through his hair a bit sheepishly.

Serna just shook her head but she smiled gently as she looked at Tirian. "Th-Thank you. Lady Aaerynn...gave me some m-medicine for the pain."

Tirian approached her as he said, “Good. I'll cut to the chase. Was that the first time?"

Serna's eyes turned wide and she looked down at the blanket that covered her. Her hands nervously pinched and fiddled with it. Her eyes avoided the Durandal man as she closed into herself. She wasn't supposed to talk about that. Women weren't supposed to have magic, they weren't supposed to discuss it, use it, any of it.

Setna watched her with a frown and looked up at Tirian with a serious gaze. "She used it once before. We were around 13, she protected me from a blow during a spar. That's how we found out she had magic, but it wasn't the same amount that she used recently."

--Tirian watched Serna looked down, almost as if she were embarrassed at the question. His head snapped up to Setna who answered for her. Tirian drew in a sharp sigh and kneeled down to Serna.

"This has to come from you. Setna doesn't know what it feels like to have that burning feeling in your veins. No one is here to judge you. Magic is not a burden. Please don't think it is."—

Serna peeked a glance at Tirian but her gaze immediately shifted to Setna, helplessly. Setna stared her down, and it seemed as if the twins were having a mental conversation that included glaring each other down. But suddenly Setna stood up. "I'm going to go down to the kitchen, see what they have for dessert."

Serna paled as she gaped at her brother, but he didn't look at her as he exited the room and closed the door behind him. He didn't leave though, instead his back slid down until he was sitting against the door. She had to find her own voice. He couldn't help her with this. Tirian was right, he didn't know what it was like. He couldn't be her guide. He could only sit out here and press his ear to the door.

Serna stared terrified at the door watching her brother leave her alone. Her scared face glanced at Tirian and she scooted away from him slightly, her eyes returning to her lap. "I'm n-not supposed to..." She lost her voice and her face looked pained. "H-How is it n-not a burden?"

"It's a gift."

Tirian took Serna's right hand into his own. His thoughts drifted at the touch of her soft skin. Memories fought their way to the surface but the warrior quickly ruptured them and focused his attention back to the blue-haired female before him. Tirian let the hand fall and turned his palm to face upwards.

"The idea that this gift is something to be looked down upon is just sickening."

A small ball of flame appeared from nothing and quickly dissipated after a moment or two. Tirian smiled at Serna for the duration of his flame magic.

"Have you ever tried to tame magic? And would you be willing to let me help you?"

Serna jolted slightly as little ball of fire came to life in his palm. Her eyes widened as she looked closer, making sure it was in fact real. But then it dissipated, vanishing into thin air. Then he asked her that question and dread ate at the pit of her stomach. She immediately shook her head, looking away from him. "I-It's a s-s-sin."

She embraced herself as she closed her eyes. "W-Women can't...th-they aren't allowed. It-It's the choice of the gods and I..."

She looked at Tirian, her dark eyes meeting his light blue. And she was vulnerable, her eyes watery. "I can't. I'm not...I'm not good enough. I'm supposed to die."

- "I will let you in on a secret."

Tirian leaned in close and his words came out as a lull whisper. "Gods themselves are magical beings. They passed that magic onto us as a gift. So how is that a sin."-

Serna frowned as she looked down at her lap. "Because w-with power c-comes sacrifice. Magic c-causes misfortune. Th-that's why th-they call for...sacrifice."

The last word was nothing more than a whisper. It sounded stupid coming from her lips. But it was what was beaten into her from the convent. She was meant to die, she had to die in order for the balance to be maintained. That was the point of her existence. To die. "Th-that's why...m-magic also c-causes us pain."

-"Magic causes us pain because we are not immortal beings."

Tirian drew in a sharp sigh, hitting the ground with his rear end and sitting in complete silence. His heart felt the pain as the words continued to replay in his ears. Tirian looked up to Serna once more with pained eyes.

"You've been taught that magic is evil but I think Syndarea is just scared of women with magic. Power has responsibility. Magic is something we have to watch and mold, no differently than a child."

Tirian stood again and gently took Serna's chin in his hand, lifting it to force their eyes to meet.

"You more purpose than what you think."—

Serna blinked in surprise as she looked up at Tirian. Eventually, much in the same way as her brother, she realized their positioning and turned a bright red. She looked away this time, more bashfully, than shy as she replied. "Th-th-thank y-you."

Tirian smiled warmly to the bright red Serna, his heart warming up with the sight of a happier Syndarean. "Can I teach you?"

Again she looked at him with surprise, but this time she held her head up a bit more. "I...I don't think I'll b-be very g-good....B-But..."

She took a breath. "I...I want t-to try. Y-You and my brother s-seem to think I h-have a b-better purpose s-so....I want to try and live."

Tirian grinned. "Good. We'll start tomorrow!"

The door burst open to reveal Setna his face lit up in excitement. “Yes!”

He returned to his sister’s side, taking her hands in his. “I promise Serie, it’ll be ok! You’re going to do just fine!”

Serna looked up at her brother with a small smile. She didn’t necessarily believe him or Tirian. But if it made her brother happy, and perhaps if it allowed her to help with the journey they were on…then there was no shame in at least trying.

-------

Aaerynn made it to the bar, asserting her place as she called the bartender for a glass of wine. She grimaced slightly at the price, but paid up, taking her glass. She brought it to her nose, sniffing slightly at the aroma and to make sure there was nothing else in it to surprise her. She finally took a dainty sip, aware of the gazes that had centered on her as soon as she made her presence known in the room.

She began to roam, swirling her wine delicately, and taking her time before interacting with anyone. It was a waiting game, of course. Once she got comfortable she began to flirt with nobodies, knowing it would catch the jealous gaze of the alphas in the room. There were a few of them, rich powerful men that hadn’t worked a day in their lives. Aaerynn was picky though, she needed to snare the right one. An older man generally, one reveling in money and paying for the physical prowess of others rather than owning any of their own. The type of man that was desperately clinging onto the last few years of life. The one’s willing to throw money at any rumor or object that promised to return their youth. She had a few vials for them. 

It didn’t take long until a steward approached her. She smiled as he became nervous, his eyes glancing away. 

“If my lady is without company, my lord Brayworth would gladly invite her to his table.”

Aaerynn took a sip of her wine as her eyes shifted behind the steward, to an older man who was staring her down, awaiting her answer. Her focus returned to the steward as she gave him a smile. “But of course, I am honored.”

The steward gave her his arm, leading her over to his lord’s table. They were all drinking and playing cards, but Aaerynn could tell the table was bought out by the lord and his entourage. The older man shuffled his hand as she approached and was lead to his side. 

Now began the routine. It was all the same, pointless conversation where compliments were given on both sides. She would stroke his ego, compliment his power, smile and be witty. Smart enough to make him laugh, subtle enough to make him believe he was still smarter than her. She would entice and strew out a sense of false security and trust, then she would bite.

She stiffened as her hand felt the lord’s neck. Her eyes turned wide, her lips pursed in concern. He looked at her, immediately reflecting the concern in her face. She leaned close to his ear, making sure her lips just barely brushed against it. “My lord, have you seen your physician lately? Have you felt this before?”

The lord’s hand immediately went to the back of his neck, feeling where her hands were just a moment ago. “What is it?”

Really it was just where the bones of his neck protruded from the skin, but he didn’t have to realize that yet. Aaerynn smiled sweetly as she went in for the kill. “I’m afraid it’s extremely foreboding. I have this sense that someone has played negatively against you. You have a build up within your body that needs to be flushed. Especially if…well if you desire to live longer.”

His eyes widened, and internally Aaerynn relished it. He was on her hook now as he looked at her with fear. “What can I do?”

She patted his arm, rubbing gentle circles. She leaned forward, just enough to bring attention to her bust. “My lord, be not afraid. It is of good luck that you have run into me this night. The remedy is very easy to make, and natural. I can sell you the recipe. Here I even have a vial of it with me. It is good to use every day, what do you say?”

“But of course! Come, let’s go somewhere more private. I bet I know who has attempted to sully my body.” The man stood, taking her arm and leading her upstairs, his trusted entourage following close behind.

At first she was nervous, scared slightly to see what was upstairs. But she was surprised to see that it was a lot like the downstairs. There was a smaller bar, and a few private tables with chairs. Her eyes however, glanced down a hallway of closed doors. It was easy to know what went on within them.

The lord sat her down and he quickly sat down beside her. “What is this remedy you speak of? May I have it?”

He was nervous, she could tell, and she smiled again. He had fallen for it like a fish to a worm on a hook. She retrieved the vial, handing it to him. “Drink this and I promise you’ll notice its effects almost immediately. You can trust me. Elvish medicine is far superior than your physician could ever give you.”

The so called remedy was really a mix of natural ingredients. It was her greatest seller because it immediately cleared up noses and throats, allowing them to breathe better. It had some pepper to clear the sinuses, lemon to break up mucus, and honey with a dash of mint to cool and soothe irritation. The lord took the whole vial’s contents within a single swig.

Aaerynn watched as he began to rub his now running nose, and sniffed. But after a while he looked at her in surprise. “I can breathe much better now! You’ve cleared my system! I feel the toxins leave my body, it’s true! What else do you have, my dear?”

Bingo.

Gaining the lord’s trust and admiration, allowed for the rest of the entourage to ask for miraculous cures and medicines. Lotions to clear up skin. Salves to smooth over scars. Vials of concoctions promising to do this or that. The party grew, as word reached downstairs, and others came up to ask for this or that. Most were losers of the cards that wished to return home with some type of consolation prize.

After some hours her satchel was losing its cargo of medicine and refilling with coins. 

She still had a hefty group of people waiting for her attention but she was quickly running out of products. It felt great. The rush of lying and getting away with it was allowing her to forget entirely about the rot going on within her own body. She was a different person, filled with excitement and fake concern, but her happiness was real. She escaped a moment to the small bar, not trusting anyone enough to get her a drink. She smiled brightly at the bartender. “You’re finest merlot, if you please!”

Aaerynn was treating herself a bit, reveling in the money she was making with these fools. 

But that was perhaps where she slipped up.

They made their move, boxing her in. A man closed in on her left and another on her right, closing her in, while the third man strayed close enough to the other two. The smile faded from her face. 

She had seen them slink in, only a few moments after she had sat down with Lord Brayworth. They had taken a table in the corner, and they hadn’t interacted at all with the rest of the party, or with her. They merely sat and drank. But she had felt their eyes on her the entire night. 

“Let us pay for the lady’s wine!” The man to her left called out, and Aaerynn took in his appearance. His hair was long and dark, pulled back into a pony tail at the nape of his neck. He looked at her and smiled, his eyes a cold gray. He rubbed the stubble on his chin and that’s when she noticed the ring on his middle finger. A design was carved into it, and she swore she had seen that design before but her memory was failing her. Their clothes were different as well, shades of dark blue and black. It was obvious that they were travelers.

A glass of wine was set in front of her and the man beside her gave her a teasing smile. She returned it, the façade still up. “I thank you.” She said coyly, her smile warm as she lifted the glass. “But I’m afraid I must return to my party, please feel welcome to join.”

But that’s when she noticed that the rest of her party had already filtered back downstairs. The man beside her clucked his tongue. “Come now, what is the price to pay to have some alone time with a beautiful creature such as yourself?”

Aaerynn’s eyes returned to the long haired man, who had to be the leader of the little group, since he was obviously the voice. Whoever they were, they had made an impact in their time here. Even the bartender turned his back on her. It had to be money. In places such as these it was worth more than honor, bonds and family put together. Buy this place out and receive the best whores of the group, the best ales, and the bar’s best protection. 

The female wood elf set her wine glass back onto the counter as she turned to the man beside her. The smile remained on her lips, but her eyes had grown cold and calculating. 

Either way, whoever these men were, she was obviously in deep shit.