Part Thirty-seven
Laurel returned to the inn quite late, alone and carrying a heavy stack of tomes, scrolls and small lacquered boxes. She expected most people to be asleep and the common room to be empty, but though most were asleep, she found the two female Elves from their party seated by the fire doing needlework and speaking softly to several old women. Witches were often awake in the night, but even among her people, the elderly seemed to need less sleep, or be unable to find it when they wanted it, and so she was only surprised by the Elves. Then Laurel remembered that Elves truly were unlike her race and if they had purpose or need could easily go several days without rest.
Laurel was physically exhausted, but too excited to go straight to her bed. She dropped the stack of scholarly goods to a vacant bench, curtseyed once and then asked if the others had seen Fei return.
Lenaduiniel looked up from her work to answer. "None of our party have returned. Where is Tsuki?"
"Gone to join the others?" Galadhiel asked. "I fear they have been drinking all this time."
"Men will do that when they come together, even men of other races," one of the women said. Laurel, as well as the Elves, found it strange to use 'men' as a generic term for males of all races, but Laurel knew people of her race often made the mistake, especially when using the Common Speech.
"He is outdoors," Laurel replied honestly. He was not casting spells in any active fashion, but Laurel did not know if she should explain his meditation in company of these old women.
"He is almost like an Elf sometimes," Lenaduiniel mused, "the way he enjoys the night sky."
Wizards and Witches and various other people were wont to enjoy the moon and stars as much as Elves, but Laurel understood Lenaduiniel meant to compliment Tsuki and did not point out the obvious. "I have news for Fei. I hope he returns son. I think I have found his missing scrolls?"
"Missing scrolls?"
"As many know, a number of captured Eastmen were detained during the war, a number in this very city. When the war was over, they were released, as the people of this country take and treat prisoners in just fashion." Laurel paused to nod to the old women and then continued. "Fei was formerly a prisoner in this very city, and upon his release found there had been some mishap and all his scholarly tools were gone, and instead he found himself with a cook's gear. We saw a vender tonight and he told us that an Easterling soldier wearing the livery of the Shield Arm sold these scrolls shortly after the war."
"The Shield Arm," Lenaduiniel repeated. Laurel was from the west and did not know the relevance, but Lenaduiniel knew much of royal houses, banners and livery and it seemed most strange any Eastman would be in such livery. "That is the livery of those in service to the King's sister."
"Are you saying the King's sister has a cook among her guard?" Galadhiel asked, "Fei does suspect his things were switched for that of the cook? Or was the gear assigned more haphazardly than that?"
"I had not considered it, only that we may have recovered Fei's scrolls." Laurel unrolled one for the others to see. The old women were talking among themselves in their native language, which was not entirely alike to the Common Speech. The scroll showed the writing of Fei's Middle Kingdom in a table with rows of Elven runes that spelled some words in Elven and in the western Common Speech.
"The Lady of the Shield Arm is in the city now."
Lenaduiniel glanced up to the old women who had spoken. "Come with her husband, or alone with her escort to visit her brother?"
"The Lord Royalhill is visiting as well."
"Then we shall certainly be given an audience, with the Queen and the King's sister both present. It would be insulting not to welcome two veterans of the war who returned the King's horses and heirs of the Elf King with them. Ladies understand such etiquette well."
"I would think a King would understand."
Lenaduiniel made a small shrug. "Kings have advisors to remind them of etiquette, in the absence of Ladies in the court."
"We entered the city in the evening. Perhaps we will be called tomorrow."
Lenaduiniel nodded to Laurel, "Perhaps. We have no choice but to wait. It would be insulting to the King to leave before he can summon our company to give thanks. Of course our tasks are of great importance to us, but all must wait on a King in such circumstances as ours. It is only proper."
"Perhaps they wait for the Marshal to return with further news..."
Or, they waited for the Marshal, to avoid the people understanding how small his part in returning the horses had been. The King would want the Marshal present if he granted their company an audience, Lenaduiniel thought.
Laurel began to gather the papers and boxes, thinking to go to her room, but the others in their party returned to the inn then. Lenaduiniel thought Gwindor so much like their father at the moment. She wondered if there was something in the nature of Elven males or in the expectations of Men weighing upon them that caused them to drink mainly in binges. Beryl and Dale did not look much better off. Gwindor and Beryl were older than she, but Dale was really like a child and males of other races, regardless of age, often seemed children to her, seemingly more as she became older.
"Get yourselves to the washroom, or upstairs to bed," Lenaduiniel said softly. "We must all be presentable if the King should summon us, so I will make certain water for washing and drinking is sent to your rooms by mid-morning."
Laurel felt disappointed, as she saw Fei was also intoxicated and swayed at Dale's hip. He did not seem able to appreciate her find. Fei nearly stumbled as Dale leaned forward and sniffed at Laurel, rather inappropriately. "Willow bark?"
"Lenaduiniel is correct. You should all get yourselves to bed. I cannot help you. I have things to carry." Laurel said sharply, and then turned and carried Fei's scholarly supplies to the stairs.
Galadhiel frowned as she saw the woman go. Ordinarily Laurel would have been the one most likely to be amused by the males, perhaps even to drink and joke alongside them. It was something Galadhiel envied, though she was loth to admit, as an Elf, that she felt envy. Laurel seemed more comfortable around males than Galadhiel, even when she was pretending to be one.
Lenaduiniel took her hand from her work to pat Galadhiel's hand. It was a slight gesture, but the message was understood between them. Laurel was very fond of the scholar and out of sorts to find him drunk when she had something to show him.
Beryl then bowed to the ladies, which made Kato giggle wildly, as he was on Beryl's back, and caused Duma to frown and stumble slightly, as he seemed to be supporting Beryl. "I would get the lads out of your way," Beryl said.
Lenaduiniel looked away from Beryl's face to Duma. He appeared the most sober to her eyes, but she knew not if being part Orc was the cause, or he had simply taken less drink than the others. Perhaps he had eaten. Father always sobered with a feast before him, Lenaduiniel thought, and Duma often expressed hunger. And then, he smiled such that his fangs were bared and Lenaduiniel felt suddenly as if she might be something Duma hungered for. She looked purposefully at Beryl. "Perhaps it is best you do get them all upstairs."
Beryl was distracted, Kato was pulling at his hair, and Lenaduiniel dared look at Duma again. He glared, and though he did not speak, his expression said Leanduiniel was the last female he would ever have wished to spoil, but now he wished to hurt her for removing her trust.
Lenaduiniel turned and looked at the fire. There was no denying what she had felt. For a moment, Duma had looked quite hungry. Still, she believed that they had reached some level of understanding and respect. It seemed mad to her to aid Orcs in learning to fight or kill better than they knew, but she trained Duma in archery daily, and did not question the rightness of it.
"Did you require something?" Galadhiel asked.
Duma made a small sound, like a growl, to clear his throat. "We must find Tsuki, or Dale will not let any of us rest."
"Laurel returned without him. She said only that he was outside."
"Outside!" Dale spun and ran lightly to the front door, shocking the night watchman near the door. Fei stumbled without Dale at his side, but when Galadhiel rose to aide him, he drew himself up, lifted his head and marched slowly to the stairs unaided.
"Now you get to carry me upstairs," Kato said.
"I will drop you, Little One, if you do not stop that." Kato was pulling at Beryl's hair such that his leaf-shaped ears were exposed to the women at the hearth.
Swatting at the Halfling on his back, Beryl then went to the stairs. Duma stood watching the fire, wanting to stay near it, but he saw Gwindor go and sit near the fireplace, beside Galadhiel. Among the company, those two Elves were perhaps those Duma cared for least. Well, apart from Dale, who most often made him feel confused.
"Duma."
He looked toward the Elves.
"I will be no less stern with you at tomorrow's lesson. I will expect you to be ready at the usual time."
"Yes, My Lady." Duma went to the stairs. He liked Lenaduiniel the most, perhaps, as much as he did Beryl and Kato. Perhaps a bit more, though 'like' may not be the best translation of the feeling. He appreciated that they were assertive, strong and difficult to manipulate and at the same time, forces that made him smarter and stronger. Tsuki was too kind, Duma thought.
Tsuki was outside, seated on the ground behind the well, hidden from the inn's main building, but close enough to the stables the inn shared with several other buildings on the street to hear and smell the horses. Even with Tsuki so near the stables, Dale was able to track him by scent. He called out from the shadows of the well housing as he came close.
He glanced up to Dale. He seemed to glow, skin, hair, eyes and every bit of jewelry, but there was no magic in it. The moon was so full that even mortal skin appeared radiant. Dale wanted to kiss him. He had been thinking ever since the tavern that he would do it. It seemed fitting Tsuki was sitting here, near the rear yard of the stable. That single kiss was so much more clear in Dale's mind.
Dale was so weary of feeling regret and disgust over his past. Maybe, he thought, he did not have to be convinced he felt worthy enough to allow such contact. Maybe the kiss could make him feel worthy. Maybe, he would know all the good parts of himself if he could only stop fighting Tsuki on this point. Maybe.
"Sit," Tsuki said. He pointed to a place on the ground, neither facing or beside him, but near the same shallow pool he gazed into.
Dale stepped up to the puddle and began to lower himself.
"No. There. Just there," Tsuki said, gesturing to the precise location.
Dale sat cross-legged on the ground. "Tsuki."
"Do not speak. It is not yet time."
"Tsuki, please, I just need to tell you..."
"If you must speak, tell me what you see."
"Tsuki. Do not toy with me. I want you so. I have no wish to scry into strange pools."
Tsuki smiled kindly as he poured some clean water from a skin into his silver cup. He then reached into his cloak and retrieved some vials. He saw Dale watch as he sprinkled a mixture of powders into the water. "Drink this."
"It bubbles."
"Do not look at me as if I offer you a foul sorcerer's potion. It may clear your head. You reek of smoke and ale, so I suspect you need it."
Dale took the ceremonial cup and gazed into the bubbling liquid, but did not drink.
"Dale, it is only vapourous substance released within the liquid as the powders react with the water."
The Wizard Speech made Dale's head feel fogged, and so he shrugged once then drank the potion down quickly.
"I am glad you are here, Dale."
Dale wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand and questioned Tsuki in a glance.
"The pool itself is not magic, yet if you look into it, you may see what the future holds in store for you. Look. Tell me what you see." Tsuki watched Dale bow and look at the still puddle of water.
"I see nothing. I can't cast spells or see visions," Dale said irritably.
"Just look and tell me what you see," Tsuki said, remaining calm.
Dale growled and then opened his eyes wide and stared at the water. He did not know what Tsuki expected of him. No visions came. No future. Just the reflection of the sky on the surface of the puddle. It was nothing magical, just...
"The moon. I see the moon."
"Ask me what I see in the pool."
"What do you see?"
"You. I saw your approach and now I see you."
"Did you-?" Dale started. He felt he must be somewhat befuddled with drink. He was not certain whether Tsuki was having fun with him or not.
Tsuki laughed softly. "It does not matter. I never said it was magic. I only said that if you looked you would see what the future holds for you."
"I want to kiss you. Tsuki...I can't promise more than I have, but I know I must try. I..."
"Dale, that you give consent is enough for me." Tsuki extended a hand to touch Dale's face.
Dale could hear many hoof beats approaching as he saw Tsuki draw close. He wanted the kiss still, but even as he wanted it, he feared what the hoof beats at this hour might mean, and grew more anxious as they closed on their location. There were some calls in the language of the Horse Lords and then Tsuki's lips were upon his.
The kiss lasted only a moment, and then Dale turned and rose in series of graceful, if drunken, Elven movements. He stood at the well, making as if drawing water to fill his cup. Tsuki stood, lifting his staff and bundle of purchases from Novern's shop from the ground, just as a number of riders came into the rear stable yard. Not a minute passed before lads had been roused to fetch water from the well to refill the drinking troughs and Men were approaching for drinks of their own.
Dale bowed and spoke a greeting in Elven, then repeating his words in the Common Speech. His hand shook as he held the cup to his lips. He felt neither self-loathing nor redemption, only a cheated longing to continue the kiss. Tsuki stood, hood drawn to hide his hair and eyes, close enough to Dale to suggest they were companions, but not close enough to suggest intimacy.
He watched the puddle he had scried in trampled by boots and tried to appear as if he leaned on his staff for support. It was something Wizards did, to assure their power was underestimated until they had need of showing it fully. He had lived among these Men long enough to learn much of their native language. He knew these riders were with the Marshal and that he had returned with a few prisoners.
These Men, the Horse Lords, they were alike in blood and language to tribes of Men that dwelled in the North, but they had adapted their culture to these lands. Thus they were tall and fair and wore leather boots and pants made for riding beneath their heavier armor, and wore helms decorated with cattle horns and horsetails. Those that came to the well smelled of leather, dust and perspiration, and faintly of campfires.
The Men seemed wary of Tsuki, moving around to the other side of the well, and in a few cases speaking greetings or asking pardons as they brushed past Dale, until one came. His stance and armor identified him as one accustomed to command and he removed his helm decorated with tail of white horsehair. "What will we call you, Wizard?" he asked.
Dale coughed softly, fighting to swallow water. This man seemed to him very like Tsuki, although clearly not of the east. The way his dark hair was pulled back, the pale color of his eyes and even his manner of speech were similar. Dale had thought Tsuki's particular manner of tying his hair eastern, but perhaps he had learned it while living among these Men as a mercenary.
"Friend I think, Reif," Tsuki said as he removed his hood.
"Sky-wanderer!" Reif exclaimed, naming Tsuki in his language. He embraced him then, fiercely and yet as a brother. He took a step back and studied Tsuki, with his hands clasped to Tsuki's shoulders. "I did not expect to find you walking our lands tonight."
Dale was laughing. "You collect names like a real Wizard, Wanderer," he said in Elven.
Reif called to some of his Men. "Look, it is Tsuki," he said pronouncing the name slowly, "It seems our easterling has wandered back to us." Some of the other Men called greetings and seemed to forget their suspicions, or disbelieve that Tsuki knew any Wizardry. "Not looking for work, I expect, though I wager I will find you behind the return of the stolen horses. Is that right? Trying to show me up now you seem to fancy yourself a Wizard?"
"Only an apprentice, but how is it you are Marshal? I have not been gone so long I forgot how to recognize the insignia of my adopted people."
"I am the King's cousin on his father's side," Reif said. "Wasn't much of a relation at all to the last King, may his spirit rest in peace, but when we lost both the Prince, rest his spirit, and our King, it fell to his Sister's bloodline to rule. It is not law, but the King often appoints the Lord of the East Country his Marshal, and since our Marshal became King…"
"The new King's cousin became Lord and Marshal in the East Country. There is no question you have the necessary battle experience."
"True, Friend. I had good strategy in place to recapture those horses, rode hard across country to cut them off, but I hear you came upon them while riding east and saved my riders the trouble. All we found were a few stragglers who begged us to spare them from Elven swords."
Tsuki laughed. "There are a few Elves in our party."
Reif smiled. He did not remember Tsuki as one to laugh often, unless coldly, but it was a welcome sound.
"Beryl is with us."
"Beryl? You mean that old swindler is not yet dead?" Reif asked, though his tone spoke of affection for the so-called swindler.
"Too lucky to die."
"Sometimes I think that bad luck, but the Riders tell me I am becoming queer and Elven and keep me from it!" Reif laughed. "Are you staying at the inn? We must talk. Are you tired? Messengers have already gone to report my return to the King, though I am certain news of a few prisoners can wait, as he knows the horses are safe. Not good to disturb a young king after he has retired, I say. Give them every chance to produce a heir!"
"A Wise course of action," Tsuki agreed as Reif was leading him toward the inn, with an arm around his shoulders.
"The Elf looks murderous," Reif whispered.
"Forgive me for not introducing my companion. He is Dale Maple of the Vale Elves."
"Hair dye?"
"Pardon."
"Does the Elf color his hair?"
"No. He is naturally of autumnal coloring," Tsuki answered slowly.
They entered the common room through a rear entrance and came into the are with tables for dining, then crossed the large room to the hearth where the Elves and old women still sat. The night watchman at the counter near the door started and bowed to Reif.
The other Riders had gone to their homes or barracks, and so the others only failed in recognizing Reif, though Lenaduiniel recognized the design of his armor and its heraldic symbols. Lenaduiniel rose and made a curtsey as he approached. "My Lord Marshal," she said as nearby the old women whispered guilt-ladden excuses for not rising to great a noble.
Reif grinned at the women and then took up Lenaduiniel's hand and kissed it as he bowed to her. "My Lady."
"The Lady Lenaduiniel of the Wood Elves," Tsuki explained, dusting his cloak now Reif had released him. "This is her brother Gwindor, and Galadhiel of the Grey Elves."
"Friends," Reif said to them.
"This is Marshal Reif Curt, Lord of the East Country," Tsuki said in introduction. "These three are also traveling with me."
"A most interesting company you keep," Reif said, grinning now as Lenaduiniel turned to retrieve her fallen embroidery hoop. "How many in your party? Less than a dozen?"
"Your Men reported our number as ten if they can count," Gwindor said. He did not like the way this Man leered at females.
"Some of them," Reif laughed. "We have no standing army but we know the best riders from the competitions throughout the year and they come to serve when they are called out. I did not know Elves allowed their women to join hunts or battles."
"How better to keep our champions' banners mended and up to date with devices of their most recent titles and victories but to travel with them?" Lenaduiniel replied.
Dale laughed. "Forgive me Lord, but you seem misinformed in the ways of Elves. The Lady's arrows fly faster and more accurately than her needles, and you can see her needlework is quite skillful."
"Perhaps I have not heard all the lore there is to hear. I have heard that Elves of the Wood are highly skilled archers. Also, I have been told, that in Elder Days there were great armies of Elven spear warriors. I should have liked to see that. I wonder how they compared to our mounted spearmen."
"We are not old enough to tell you firsthand, if that is what you wish to know," Lenaduiniel offered.
"You look familiar. Have we perhaps met?" Reif asked Gwindor.
"I think I would remember. Perhaps you met my brother. He is somewhat well known in these parts, so I have been told."
"Yes, yes, I have been trying to think…it is that Elf that rides with the Dwarf. You remind me of him. I do not know him personally, but I have seen him. He was here recently I think, to see the King's sister and the Lord Royalhill. He is not so close with our King, I think. Is it true many Elves have the ears of our Ally-King? I hear it is so?"
"The one they call High King was raised in the house of an Elf-Lord, I know on good authority," Dale said, "and his Queen is that Elf-Lord's daughter. I believe that is so."
"Yes," Lenaduiniel agreed, "wise Men often make themselves the friends of Elves, there is nothing suspect in it. Many of our people wish only to leave for the west and no longer plot any schemes that involve kingdoms of Men. Your race may likely be the inheritors of all these lands, My Lord."
"It is the will of the gods to call the First Race home and to give the Second Race dominion over these lands and the creatures that dwell here. I pray they take the responsibility seriously," Gwindor said.
"Some of us may stay to insure they do," Dale said, "Not that I have anything against Men. I like Men rather well."
"This discussion has taken a strange turn," Reif said, "Where is Beryl. He appreciates such things."
"Asleep most likely," Dale said.
"We can wake the rogue for this reunion, what do you say, Tsuki?"
"I imagine he drank quite a bit before retiring."
"Serves him right then. I will find his room!"
Gwindor feared this strangely-mannered nobleman would wake all the inn, so he told Reif the room Beryl would be found in, and trusted the older Elf could handle this Man.
Kato woke to the banging at the door. He thought perhaps Gwindor or Fei had decided to come to their bed, but he could not clearly remember if the door was locked. He fell softly from the big person bed and fumbled through his sleep and drunk in the moonlight to find his matchbox.
The knocks came again. If there was danger, one of their friends would call out, or whistle. Perhaps their friends had been captured. Kato wondered if perhaps he should be sneaking out the window, but it was a long way down for one of his statute, much as he hated to admit that his size had its detriments. Beryl was impressive, but also quite drunk and Kato truthfully did not know the precise effects that liquor had on Elves.
His recourse would have to be negotiation. "Give me just a moment," Kato called, "I am sure it would be polite to answer, but would it not also be polite to announce yourself when you knock on a fellows door in the middle of the night?"
"Beryl, you old confidence man, stop throwing your voice and open your door!"
Beryl sat suddenly and called out, "Caerig!" He felt sick, from his sudden movement and clutched his stomach, but nothing came up except a foul belch that made Kato laugh. "No. Not him. We must…go out the window," Beryl said, speaking in the language of Kato's people, the knowledge of which he had revealed only to Kato thus far. Using it to be secret was a large risk here, as it happened that the language of the Horse Lords was as close to it as one dialect of Elven to another and Reif might overhear and understand about half of what they said.
"An enemy?" Kato asked.
Beryl's body did not feel like climbing out the window, so he lowered himself slowly to the bed. "When I said I as particular and likely to love for a lifetime and that my many past loves were due to my advanced age, I neglected to mention that in one recent case I thought I had found one to love for a lifetime and then thought better of myself and left."
"Does that mean you do want to see him or do not?"
"Come now, you rogue, you know you do not really want me to leave!" Reif called.
"I do, and that is the crux of it. Perhaps I cannot expect one so young to understand, but he was so youthful, handsome, so dashing and charming, and quite a good match physically if…"
"I know what you mean."
"But despite being some manner of local noble, he is entirely a scoundrel and I found myself feeling very foolish. You see? He is not a very good match intellectually. That should be rather important to an Elf. A bad influence. I did not have the most concrete morals before and…I act like some Elf who has only two centuries behind them when I see him! It is simply awful!"
The door opened and Kato beheld the Man whom had been banging upon their door. He supposed he was handsome among his race, but what struck Kato was the passing resemblance to Tsuki. He seemed a large, western, mischievous version of Tsuki, and Kato did suppose Tsuki was to be considered quite handsome among Men, although many in the west seemed not to comment on it. Then, sometimes they all started to look the same to Kato, with their broad frames, strangely rounded ears, rather flat faces and oddly placed hair. When you got them out of their boots, few had hair upon their feet, though they did on their legs. This often caused Halflings to wonder if Men shaved their feet as they often did their faces.
Kato wondered if this man had hair on his feet, and as he wondered he noticed the armor. Beryl had not mentioned that his former lover was the Marshal, but perhaps the title was new to him.
"Oh, hullo there, Little Master. For a moment there I thought this
scoundrel had resorted to boys," Reif said with a grin.