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Silveros and Olithia, both Silverstar family guards and slaves, ranged to either side of Selene within the forest. They did keep within sight and shout. Elias, the head manager of the house slaves, stayed close behind her keeping guard. They wouldn’t let anything happen to the young elven mistress regardless of her own headstrong nature.
Selene, on the other hand, was feeling equal parts caution, anger, and worry. She still didn’t know if Cire had been taken or left on his own without telling her. It would be out of character for him to have struck out by himself, but he had changed rapidly since she met him and he was more headstrong now than he used to be. Cire was careful and forthright in most of his dealings, let alone when delving into dangerous places, it was highly unlikely that he had left willingly.
Buzzing directly in front of Selene’s face, Honeydrop Cinnamonswirl gestured effusively with her arms to their east. Fairies typically had musical twinkling voices. However, Honeydrop’s was shrill, rapid, and too high pitched without the luxury of being delicate at this moment.
“There was a notable flux in the ambient mana in that direction. I’ll go scout it out!”
Zipping off before Selene could give direction one way or the other, she wondered how Cire managed to work with the fairy. Older fairies were at least somewhat predictable, the only thing she could count on from Honeydrop so far was unexpected and impulsive action. Tracking the bright yellow trail of fairy dust that was quickly dissipating in Honey’s wake, Selene sighed. It would be a miracle if the fairy didn’t lead some terrible monster back to their small group.
Reading Selene’s thoughts on her face, Fizzilius, or Fizz for short, offered a few words of encouragement. “Don’t worry about Honey, she can handle herself. Besides, she’s not nearly as hung over as I am. Cire should be too, so he couldn’t have gotten too far. It’s just like him to wander off by himself.”
The sandy haired, and surprisingly fit, gnome kept up with the elven party easily as they moved through the roots and tangles of the Shadowed Forest. His movement was more run, tumble, and leap than the easy fluid grace of the elves, but it was working for him. In the sole encounter with forest beasts so far, a small hive of dog sized wasps, he had accounted for himself admirably. Daggers flew rapidly and twirled nimbly in his fingers.
Selene snorted sarcastically, she knew that Fizz was trying to lighten the mood. However, this wasn’t like Cire at all, and Fizz knew that as well as she. They had to move quickly, as a bat Cire could cover distance in this forest with ease. It was no telling how far ahead of them he had gotten. At least the swan should be easy to spot in sharp contrast to all of the browns and greens of the forest.
Darting through the branches, the yellow glow of Honeydrop was pouring off of her. This signaled that she had found the wayward sun elf, but they still didn’t know what to expect. It could be an emergency or he could be fine, in which case he wouldn’t be by the time Selene got a hold of him.
“He’s a few trees up, told me he was fine. I said he shouldn’t go anywhere until we get to him.”
“He’s fine? What happened to him? Why did he leave the ‘Tops? What’s he doing out here all alone?” Selene questioned.
Honeydrop look flustered by all of the questions, but then stopped flitting about and buzzed in place a few inches from Selene’s face with her hands on her hips. “I didn’t ask him any of that! Once I made sure there wasn’t any danger I came straight back to get you!”
“You did the right thing. Sorry, I’m frustrated and worried.” Selene hoped the direct and quick apology would mollify the fairy. She waited and indeed the small fairy took off in the direction she had come, but at a pace slow enough to let them follow. Elias scowled behind her, no doubt as a result of the disrespect shown to a member of the noble family of his house. Selene didn’t have time nor care for politics, she pressed on.
Selene, Fizz and Honey all converged on Ciresil at roughly the same time. When they reached the edge of a small break in the trees, a white swan took flight from a low branch and climbed quickly into the sky. So, Elias was right.
Selene hadn’t doubted Elias’ word, but his story had been odd. Seeing the guileless and dopey smile on Cire’s visage blunted much of Selene’s rising fury. It was obvious how genuinely happy he was to see them all.
Dying on her lips, Selene’s chastisements and criticisms turned into an indelicate touch to his forearm as she caught herself short of hugging him in relief. It wouldn’t do for the servants to see her be so casual with Cire. They had done a fair job disguising many things, their formation of a noble house being primary, but Selene’s more uncouth habits picked up in the Valley of Sunset were high up on that list. The less suspicion they could raise with her mother, Daphne Silverstar, the better. Behind her regal manner and bearing lay a calculating and shrewd mind.
“You’re alright? Gotten yourself into some more trouble?”
Keeping him from dwelling on the dower events the last few days, the odd, yet revealing, morning defied simple explanation. Cire looked a bit perplexed and his reply left much to be desired, “Something like that. I’ll fill you in once I have a chance to figure a few things out. Let’s get back to town and get some breakfast, maybe a quick nap, and then get things sorted.”
Landing on Cire’s shoulder, Honeydrop steadied herself by holding onto his ear, becoming a very over-sized earring. Her bright yellow gown, almost the same color as her glow and hair, fluttered from where it was tied down to her legs for ease of flight. She was still dressed for the banquet from the previous evening.
“Oooo! Breakfast! What a spectacular idea. Some sweet cream and berries sounds positively wonderful.”
Fizz chuckled and gave Cire’s shoulder a quick punch, he had scrambled up onto a particularly large root at the elf’s side.
“If you’re acting like nothing happened then we know it was eventful. You bluff about as well as the fae my friend and your teeth are just as pointy as most of ‘em.”
Put at ease by the teasing and steady presence of friends, Cire’s unsettling conversation and trying physical trial receded to the back of his mind. He squinted and raised a single eyebrow Fizz’s way.
“You’re going to get flicked on the nose if you keep that up. I said I would fill you in once I had some time to process everything, and I will. Now, let’s get a move on.”
Watching him closely, Selene clocked the unease and confusion Cire was puzzling through. She had seen the look enough times on his face to know that the man was processing information and working out how it all fit together. It was the same when Maisy had revealed history of the Valley of Sunset, when he had explained some entries in Constantine Dawnslight’s journal, and when her mother had told him about the origin of vampires.
Truth be told, this trait was one of the reasons that Durg and her had selected to give Cire the territorial binding stone instead of one of them keeping it. His outside perspective, compassion, and honesty had all played into their decision of course. However, it was Cire’s measured and considered approach to problem solving that was worlds better than Durg’s impulsivity or her rather rigid nature. That had nudged their final decision more than anything else.
Covering their flanks, the two guards continued to provide scouting as they made their way through the brush back towards the town. Selene used the opportunity to fill Cire in on a couple of key pieces of information. First, she told him about the remnants of the gnoll war band that him, the guard, and other student’s had faced off against in their skirmish a few days ago in the southern reaches of the forest.
The report from the guard captain she had questioned let her know that the gnoll pack had gone into the southern Chimera’s Mane, and was not very well provisioned. The elves had not followed across the boundary of the territory, only lingering in the neutral area between them for a while observing when they could. From the ‘Tops perspective, the threat had been repelled and that was that.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Selene had instructed Elias to bring up the rear and pressed in close to Cire for a private conversation. Resigning herself to trusting Fizz and Honeydrop, at least when Cire was involved, was necessary. Neither of the two were keen to move too far away from the sun elf. She supposed it wasn’t too surprising, the ingenuous man drew certain types to him and these two fit the mold.
The more pressing news, from their prospective as the noble house of a territory, was that Eliana had been dismissed as palaestra from the academy to assuage the Morningdew families anger. She was careful to not mention anything that would lead the others to making assumptions, but her suggestion would still be seen as curious. Knowing that she couldn’t outright say what she was thinking she used her tone to exaggerate certain elements.
“So, given what I overheard, which I will be apologizing to her for, I think that it would be best if I approached Eliana. I know that back home in the valley there are not great accommodations, but she would free to pursue whatever path she desired. I do not think Stout or Maisy would give much care to another permanent resident. What do you think?”
Practically able to see the gears turning in Cire’s mind, Selene made a mental note. He really couldn’t hide his thoughts, let alone emotions, unless he tried, and he wasn’t. That would be something they needed to work on, otherwise he would get taken in by every siren’s song as enemies and friends alike read him like posted scroll.
Cire nodded and looked distracted, still obviously coming to terms with whatever odd circumstance had occurred this morning.
“Sure, that sounds like a good plan. I am sure that you know what to say to convince her it’s a good idea.
Not sure Cire had even picked up on the subtext of their conversation, Selene resisted the urge to snap at him or slap him. It wouldn’t do for any of the house slaves to see her behave that way. Upon nearing the hedge wall of the Tempest Treetops, Silveros, Olithia, and Elias all came in from their sentry positions around the group.
Unraveling and twisting, the thorned branches of the hedge wall created barely enough of an opening for their party to enter. Each nodded thanks to the guard on the other side once they had reached the safety of the settlement. The guard members simply returned to their stations when they saw the livery the slaves were dressed in and made note of Selene herself.
Making their way towards the center of town in the direction of the pillars and the Undergrowth, Selene was pondering on how to shake their escort when Cire made the need mute.
“Let’s go to the Adventurer’s Guild straight away, I’d prefer not to put it off. There is a tavern in the Undergrowth near the administrative pillar right? Do you they serve food?”
Fizz was the one of them who had spent the most time in the warren of shops, temples, and taverns built among the roots of the skyscraper like towers crafted from living trees that gave the Tempest Treetops their name. Casually he was working a bundle of pipeweed into his long stemmed instrument. Honeydrop buzzed from Cire’s shoulder down to Fizz and a small ball of fire lit his pipe for him and he pulled in a long draw. Three smoke rings followed his administrations before a nod and response.
“Indeed they do, it would be the most convenient, but hardly our best option given we have to walk halfway across town to get to the tower.”
Selene wrinkled her nose at the pungent smell from Fizz’s pipe, it made her stomach gurgle uncomfortably. Not many in her house smoked, she was about to ask him to put it out when she stopped herself. She was slipping back into the privileged manner of behavior akin to her siblings and that was unacceptable.
“So, you intend to sign us up to be adventurers after all? It wasn’t all fairy dust?”
Cire’s face screwed up, it was clear he was unfamiliar with the expression, but that once he worked it out he wasn’t pleased.
“Of course, when have I said I wanted to do something and then didn’t carry through with it?”
Holding up both hands, Selene warded off the offense. It was understandable he was touchy and she still didn’t know what he had been through. She would let him off the hook for being snippy though.
“Whoa there, calm down. I know we already talked about everything, but it is a big commitment and we already have a lot on our plate. Besides, there is no safeguard for adventurers out on quests like the guard patrols have. I want you to be sure.”
Selene had a hunch about what was driving Cire so strongly to the Adventurer’s Guild besides the most recent forms of impetus. The whole time she had known him he was never the real aggressor in fights. He only attacked when threatened or forced.
Now he’s been through what sounded like a morally ambiguous situation, at least for his considering countenance. The gnoll war party that invaded the Shadowed Forest came with families, children, and the elves had struck first. Cire wants to find a path without guilt or shame when having to take life. Selene knew that didn’t exist, but he had to learn it for himself.
After a pensive pause, Cire nodded and his boyish smile easily slipped back onto his lips underneath his miss-matched blue and purple eyes. Tension seemed to ease from his shoulders as he took her questions as warnings instead of admonitions.
“I’m sure. It’s important for more than the obvious reasons. I’m not simply being reactive either. Now, everyone know what they’re going to order?”
The group managed to get some of the first fried fritters and meat skewers available that morning. Cire was even able to procure some scrambled eggs, which the group found to be an interesting addition to the first meal of the day. He did such a good job of assimilating to this world that Selene often forgot he was from another realm. Little things like his culinary peculiarities didn’t really even stick out.
Watching the meal with a critical eye, Selene was largely her quiet taciturn self when around newcomers. Even if Fizz and Honey were Cire’s budding acquaintances, their relation to her was still undefined. Besides, she could feel Elias’ observant eyes roaming and his ears perking to each curious part of the conversation.
Honey, like most fairies, held nothing back and constantly changed conversation topics from one thing to another. Fizz was equal parts wry, sarcastic, and supportive. Selene couldn’t be sure, but she suspected that Fizz had been ensnared by Cire’s innocent charm and high Charisma, as well as, Honey. In both cases it was odd to see fae affected so.
Cire always gave off the impression of a fuzzy adorable kitten at worst and too attractive gallant elven warrior at best. It was one of the reasons she was always so frustrated by him, and she knew how high his Charisma stat was. Others had to have it worse off than her.
It felt like being party members with him through their Adventurer skill muted the effect his charms had on her mind. It wasn’t exactly magical enchantment, but it wasn’t too far off either. It was fascinating to behold. Selene realized she had tuned out of the conversation and started actively listening again.
“… not fair. I sang about it with the frolic and the chorus said I couldn’t join you.” Honeydrop said with disappointment evident in her voice. She was holding a single grape and eating it one cute bite at a time in between her complaints.
Skewering a sausage, Fizz waggled the delectable morsel at her position in the middle of the table. “Well, you know as well as we all do that you graduating from the academy has actual ramifications. In my case it’s not nearly as relevant as the skills and experience I have gathered. Let alone the connections to various families I’ve made. That appears to be the case for Cire as well. Besides, I’m the only on that took him up on the offer, other than the lady here of course.”
Selene gave the gnome a slight nod of assent, not overly committing, “Which means we have a long-range fighter, myself. A dagger user, so mid-range, with Fizz. And finally a melee fighter in Cire. I can pin down multiple enemies if we really need me to, but we don’t have anyone who excels in engaging with multiple opponents.”
Chiming in like he had been waiting for someone to change the conversation in this direction, Cire had obviously been giving this more thought than she had accounted for.
“We need someone like Lander or Philip, preferably Philip. Pure defense. Willing to draw in the enemies while we engage around them. For our group we probably want someone in medium armor instead of heavy armor, so we can travel faster and move quiet if we need to.
“It’s a real shame you can’t join us Honey. We need someone who has supportive magic or skills, and you can do a little bit of everything.” He smiled at her to show he really was sorry and then took a quick drink of cider. “Most importantly, we need a healer. Herbs and potions are great in battle, if you have the time and can get to them, but a healer provides the sort of security that can’t be replaced. Besides, you can stay out on quests longer if you’re able to heal yourself up. Guzzling potions eats into profits.”
Selene gave a sidelong look around the table and noticed that Fizz had the only appropriately matching skepticism displayed. Sure, it would be great to try and find each of those types of needs to make a well rounded group like he described. However, she had been to the Tempest Treetop’s Adventurer’s Guild hall and seen the types of people waiting to group with others. There were normally pretty obvious reasons they hadn’t found parties yet.
“Don’t forget to account for Durg, he typically fills the heavy armor wearing front liner position. If we get along with someone it would be nice to be able to stick with them long term.”
Cire nodded, there was a spark of something in his eyes, she wasn’t sure what it was. Selene had seen it before, she had a feeling he was about to do something unexpected. Rising with everyone else, she sighed in her mind, at least sometimes his odd way of approaching things sometimes led to fantastic results. Even if she’d been in more life risking scenarios in the last few months than her entire life previous, she couldn’t argue with their current position. Still, she knew he was pushing through everything that had happened recently.
“Let’s go upstairs and get registered, maybe meet a couple of new folks, and sign up for some starter quests. I mean, how hard can it be?”
Tempting fate wasn’t Cire’s intention, but with words like that how could he expect things to go unnoticed? After all, the gods have a habit of listening in on mortals they have interest in.