We were worried about Allen.

We had petitioned the high priest to let him go, multiple times, to no avail.

He kept telling us he couldn’t, that Allen had offended the goddess and that he was hiding some dark secret.

Unbelievable! I was angry, disappointed and confused.

I gripped the hem of my dress tightly, I couldn't calm myself.

“What do you think he did to offend the goddess? Not even three steps into the temple…” Grastel asked while stretching himself on the bed.

“I have no idea. Besides… dark secret?” Namrick shook his head, disbelieving.

“And they kept asking us strange questions,” I said, reminiscing the awkward interrogation.

Was Allen involved in a dark god cult? How long had he been planning to come here?

“They won’t even let us see him.” I sighed, looking outside the window.

Grastel crossed his arms behind his head. “So… what do we do? We can’t wait here forever.”

I felt depressed.

“I… don’t know,” I said.

I don’t know what to do, maybe I could ask my father to arrange negotiations. But elves aren’t at all impressed by the human nobility.

“We could wait a few more days… if they give us no clear answer to Allen’s release we will report to the Guild and see what can be done.” Namrick suggested.

“But… it would feel like we’re leaving him behind. Betraying him.” I said, slumping my shoulders.

It’s not easy to find good adventurer friends.

Despite the appearances, Allen is quite dependable. He never tricked us or gave reason to doubt his motives.

We met many adventurers. Most of them were only interested in money, then there were cowards and swindlers. Our friend was not one of them.

I sighed.

“I know how you feel,” Said Grastel, sitting on top of the bed. “But there’s little we can do without breaking the laws.” He shook his head.

We remained silent for some time.

Namrick stood up and sighed. “Shall we go out and catch some fresh air?”

We agreed.

----------------------------------------

While we were walking across the elven city we saw a guard watching a chained dwarf who was whining and complaining about something.

I saw his face for a moment. It looked vaguely familiar.

“Look at that dwarf… doesn’t he look familiar to you?” I asked Grastel, pointing in the distance.

“Hmm…” Grastel squinted and said. “Maybe? Dwarves look all the same, long bears and ill temper.” He shrugged.

“Let’s go closer,” Namrick said, walking ahead.

We approached to see what was going on.

The dwarf was collecting a bucket of water and scampering around, followed by the guard, to water trees and plants.

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“Blasted elven cities, why are there so many plants? Dwarven cities are much better. Rocks, gravel, and dirt. No blasted plant to water. Our plants take care of themselves.” The dwarf muttered grumpily.

“Ahem…” I announced my presence so the guard wouldn’t jump in surprise.

Both the elf guard and dwarf looked at us. The guard appraised us with suspicion.

The dwarf burst out laughing.

“Gahahah! Aren’t you Allen’s friend?! Remember me? Yusdrolir! We had lots of fun during the goblin attack.”

I opened my eyes wide. It was the drunken dwarf!

“Yes, I remember you!” I said smiling.

“Did you see Allen?” Namrick asked with eagerness.

“Of course!” Said the dwarf. “He was shortly held in my same cel- GAH!” The elf prodded the dwarf with the butt of his spear and shouted something.

“Gah! Sure! You blasted tree hugger, I’ll water your damn plants!” He said and went back to work, giving us a ‘sorry’ glance.

The guard came closer to us.

“What… want?” He inquired.

“Can we talk to the dwarf? We know him…” Grastel asked him.

“No… understand.” The elven guard said with difficulty.

I had learned a few elven words, maybe I could convey something. “Can… talk? Please.” I was not sure I said it right. I should have studied more…

The guard made a tired expression but nodded. He made us sign to follow but to keep a distance. We did so.

“So, how did you end up here. Chained. Watering plants?” Namrick asked the dwarf.

Yusdrolir grimaced. “Ah? I… uh, property damage? A priest told me… if I water all the plants in the city for a week, I can go free.” He patted at the wooden bucket.

Grastel crossed his arms and asked. “Hmmm, what about Allen?”

“Yes, what about Allen?!” I joined in.

“Well…” He watered a tree and the nearby shrubs, then looked at us. “He was with me until yesterday… but then the fancy priest guy came and took it to the temple. I haven’t seen him since. Ah, did you know he insulted the Goddess?! Hilarious!” He grinned.

Hilarious? That made no sense at all!

“How?” I began, unable to hide the bewilderment from my face. “How did he even insult her, we had just set foot in the temple!”

The dwarf broke in a laugh. “Gahahah! He only told me that her name reminded him of something indecent.” He leaned forward. “And at that moment the Goddess was listening! Ahahahhahah!”

The guard gave him a whack.

“Ow! Blasted… hrmph.” Yusdrolir grumbled under his mouth.

Allen… he actually insulted the Goddess AnAlher!

I curled down, hiding my face.

“Allen…” Namrick whispered shaking his head slowly.

Grastel rolled his eyes. “Well… we found one of the reasons he’s under arrest, at least…” He looked at us shrugging his shoulders.

“Why, what other reasons are there?” Asked the dwarf, furrowing his brows before heading back to the water source to refill the bucket.

While walking we told him of the high priest strange questions.

“Huh? I know nothing about that.” He looked at us, perplexed.

Yusdrolir stopped.

“Ah, guys. Can you do me a favor?” He asked with pleading eyes.

“What kind of favor?” I asked tilting my head a little.

“Booze! Bring me some booze! It’s killing me! Please?!” He said with desperation in his voice and an anguished face.

I pursed my lips.

The guard prodded him forward.

“Please! I need it! Please?” He looked back, imploring us with a face full of despair.

“Ehmm… actually I think you should do without,” I said, collecting nods of approval from Namrick and Grastel.

I just remembered. This dwarf had some serious alcohol issues. Isn’t that why his team always leave him behind? Or why he didn’t properly warn us he had smelled goblins nearby.

No alcohol for you, mister dwarf.

“How… how can you be so cru- GAH!” The guard gave him another whack to get him moving.

We remained behind, waving goodbye to Yusdrolir.

I sighed.

“Hehe. It’s funny though. Looks like Allen has a knack to get the attention of powerful people.” Grastel looked at me with a grin.

“A mixed blessing.” Namrick pointed out, nodding to himself.

“Truly.” Grastel agreed.

I didn’t know what to say.

Next time I’ll remember to keep Allen away from consecrated grounds. Just in case.

“But aren’t you curious… what did Allen think to offend the Goddess?” Grastel wondered with a wry smile.

“Shut up.” I slapped his arm. It was probably better not to know.

A cold breeze brushed the autumn leaves down the trees. I shivered.

Namrick touched my shoulder gently, I looked at him. “Don’t worry, we’ll convince the high priest. Let’s petition him again.” He said, giving me an encouraging smile.

“Yes…” I replied weakly.

We came here to help, we risked our lives and this is how we were rewarded. They didn’t mistreat the three of us. But Allen was one of us.

Allen would never leave us behind…

In the distance, we could still faintly hear the complaints of a displeased dwarf.