“The festival in the elven quarters (or the alienage as they call it) was a far cry from the lavish banquets commonly seen in Silvermoon City. It reminded me more of the sort of celebration one would see Midsummer’s Eve in Northshire.”

* From the Journal of Eratus Riverwood

Something fell onto the floor as I picked up my bag.

I looked down to find two white stones with swirling blue engravings staring at me.

Hearthstones. I didn’t even realize I had been carrying a pair around.

I picked them up and felt something sticking below them. Flipping it over revealed it to be the ripped remnants of a letter. Dirt and grime crusted it, although I could make out a few sentences.

“From: Northern Garrison. Order to recall to camp and not pursue orcs…”

I snorted, shaking my head as I whisked the message teleportation stones into a pouch. They weren’t of much use now with both in the same place, but they might be useful later.

The letter reminded me though just how long it had been since that day. How differently things would have gone if we hadn’t pursued the orcs? I’d probably be back home by now, likely in time for the years’ Midsummer’s Eve festival. I’d be sipping wine by the abbey and catching up with people who I haven’t seen in ages. Katrina as well, and if all went well, I’d have dropped a proposal to her soon after that she’d probably say yes to. A mutually agreeable match as Aunt Tiana always liked her and her family seemed to like me. A new start to a quiet peaceful life in the valley.

All it would have taken is leaving the remaining orcs and the last child to their fate in the ruins.

Alamere’s last words echoed in my head. Warning us to return and not pursue further.

One life saved at the cost of another. Well, not exactly since I was still alive. Even if I may as well be dead to everyone back home. They’d probably arrange for a medal as well, although I wasn’t too sure of that either. The Alliance had gotten quite allergic to martyrs over the years, owing mostly to how losing a trained soldiers for the lives of a couple scant peasants didn’t make much sense when faced with imminent extinction. The Second War after all was not won by sacrificing knights for pawns.

Alamere knew it best. He had a century of experience, and he seemed well-aligned to the conventional wisdom of Alliance High Command. That said, I would have sorely appreciated his advice in my current conundrum.

I looked into the mirror hanging on the wall. Half a day’s growth of facial hair which wasn’t too unseemly. Hair shaped into something… roughly presentable. My outfit looked okay, absent wrinkles even though I wore it the night before.

Not presentable for Midsummer’s Eve at Northshire but probably okay to the festival Shianni invited me to. Even if I wouldn’t be there for much long.

I rehearsed the lines I conjured up from the rampant thoughts that ran through my mind the entire night.

“Hi Shianni, so I think you are a wonderful lady. I know we’ve both helped each other out, but in the course of our interactions I think intentions may have been misinterpreted. I uh… just wanted to say it isn’t you but…”

“I am unable to determine why this deems as much attention as needed.”

I stopped, rolling my eyes at the Lorekeeper’s interruption.

“Look, this is a delicate situation that needs to be handled with care.”

“On that we agree. The mating rituals of flesh-like beings have perplexed me for a millennium and confound me even until now.”

My lips puckered into a line.

“This is not a mating ritual. If anything, it is the opposite.”

“Then I advise this interaction be avoided entirely. Termination of this burgeoning relationship would render future services and assistance to our shared goal unlikely.”

“Lorekeeper, this type of thing isn’t like some sort of market transaction. It’s a bit more personal than that.”

“On the contrary, the trend in all mating rituals I have annotated across a dozen species are that they are a binding relationship between two individuals to gain access to additional goods and services available to each other. Such transactions also serve to enrich the broader community, primarily in the generation of offspring.”

The words, specifically the last part, painted images in my head that I decidedly chased away.

“I suggest two actions. Either pursue a binding relationship or avoid further interaction. The former would provide us with additional services to meet our goal. The latter because it would avoid needless expenditure of effort.”

I sighed.

The Lorekeeper did have a point that she did provide a fair bit of help insofar as navigating the ways of this world and the city. I was also fairly certain that she had gotten fond, maybe too fond of me. She was a good person, which only further convinced me I needed to handle this like a gentleman and not some wastrel.

“I guess you have a point there. However, a binding relationship would be a bit problematic in our situation.”

“It could also be a temporary agreement.”

“That is not something I would further contemplate,” I said, mainly because I considered such behavior unseemly for someone of my stature. “And… besides, if I deal with this right, we’d clear up the issue while continuing to get her help.”

“This seems highly improbable.”

A part of me did agree, but I had to try. Not just because it would be unseemly for a paladin to act in such a manner. She had also offered the invitation, and not showing up just seemed so… cowardly.

“Mainly because you seem inexperienced in navigating such affairs.”

“Ha… Ha…” I said, not amused at the Lorekeeper’s jibe. “Well watch me prove you wrong.”

He wasn’t wrong though. I hadn’t much experience in this realm of affairs mostly due to the location of my prior stations. We were kept cooped up in the Cathedral in Stormwind City for training while Alterac City was a complete mess unless you were the sort to indulge in brothels, and most of the locals didn’t really like us the for the first part. The Badlands… well a barren hostile desert didn’t really offer up much in romantic prospects.

That wasn’t to say that there I wasn’t completely indisposed to Shianni either. She was pleasant, both to the eyes and in conversation. Intelligent too, given how she was able to navigate a world that despised her kind. There was the whole elf bit as well, I had to admit, even though they were slightly different from the ones I knew back home. There was hardly a single young man who hadn’t had some fantasy involving that mysterious race. Even General Turalyon wasn’t immune to it with his rather public tryst with Ranger General Alleria Windrunner.

It just wouldn’t work out though, with me being from a different world who just wanted to go back. She probably wouldn’t understand even if I tried to explain it.

All in all, I may not have charisma but I had conviction.

The sun peered through the window, and I could hear business winding up in the streets. It was time to leave soon, I didn’t want to run into too much traffic on my way to the festival.

One quick scan of the room confirmed nothing was left behind. Only the linen blankets and straw mattress when I first arrived.

Heaving my bag-pack over my shoulder, I opened the door and entered the tavern’s common area. Empty chairs and tables stood about. The only other living soul was the owner, who eyed me from behind the bar-table.

“Leaving?” he said, his hands wiping a mug.

“I am.” I tossed over a silver coin that he caught. “Nothing wrong, but can’t afford it now.”

“Hard times?” he said.

I nodded in reply. I could actually afford another month, but with what transpired last night I now had no real income, which meant I had to conserve the coin I had.

“If you need a place to stay you should see to the Chantry,” he said. “Since most of the squatters left the gates, they’ve started to open up their wards. They’d probably take you in, and you seem more like their lot.”

Free? Well, I guess I knew of the cheapest alternative now.

“Thanks,” I said. “But why tell me this? You’ve always seemed to suspect me of something since I arrived…”

“It’s my business to be suspicious of everyone.” He flipped the coin, catching it in his hand. “But you paid on time and never made trouble since arriving. That makes you good enough fellow now.”

“I uh… appreciate it,” I said.

“Careful out at night,” he said. “It seems like you handled yourself fine but something’s been going on. People disappearing. The sort of people who should disappear if you know what I am saying, but you can’t help but be more careful.”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

He pulled the top of his ear on the last sentence. I didn’t really like what he was implying but I didn’t let it show on my face.

“Got it.” I waved to the innkeep. “Have a good day then.”

“You too traveler.” The innkeep nodded as I departed from the tavern.

I left the door and nearly got hit with a cart. I managed to step back as it plowed forward, the man pushing it oblivious to the near-crash. The traffic of people, carts, and animals continued to pass by in front of the street.

I got a whiff of the air, and squirmed.

Just another day in Denerim. I found an opening and joined the traffic, aiming to get to my destination before it got too crowded.

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

I knew enough of the city now to not get lost but the streets were still a confusing mess. Kallian however, told me a good rule of thumb to find the elven quarters, or the alienage as they called it, in any city. Go where the homes and streets looked worse and worse.

I walked along as stone buildings were replaced by clay ones. Trash piles grew and I had to be cautious of my steps lest I marched onto something nasty. The streets grew narrower until I was basically in an alley. On the bright side, all other traffic other than myself ebbed away even as the walls blotted out the sunlight.

The usual bustle of the city turned to a faint echo, but in the distance, I could make out what seemed like laughter and the music of some string and wind instruments.

I could also smell food. Good food too. My stomach grumbled as I realized I forgot to eat breakfast. Not that the slop at the inn would have been filling.

I followed the winding path toward the sound and smells, and turned a corner right into five figures who stood in my path.

Elves, all dressed in attire a bit cleaner than the average city-dweller. One of them dressed in a bluish vest, nudged another and pointed a wooden staff towards me. This one looked like the leader of the group by how the others deferred to him.

I took a few steps forward, and at that the elves did the same in kind, brandishing staves. It was clear they didn’t find me at all welcome.

They fanned out as we drew closer to each other, moving to flanking positions on my left and right. I kept my hands away from my sword but watched for any sudden movements.

“You look to have lost your way,” said the lead elf. “Human.”

“I was invited.” I raised my hands in what I thought to be a universal gesture of good-will. “From Shianni, if you know of her?”

Now I wasn’t sure if the gesture was universal here. They didn’t immediately attack me though which was a good sign, even though their expressions still looked very much hostile.

“Yea, I know her.” The elf yawned and pointed his staff in my direction. “I don’t know you though.”

“She can probably clear it up.” I said. “Look, I just need to speak to her for a moment.”

“I don’t see the need to bother her. How about you just leave.” The elf pointed towards my sword. “We don’t like humans wandering about here, especially ones pompy ones looking like yourself.”

“I mean no trouble,” I said.

“A few steps closer and you will be,” said the lead elf.

The other elves readied their staves as if to pounce. Talk wasn’t going to get anywhere.

Maybe the Lorekeeper was right and I should just leave. It wasn’t worth starting a brawl just to talk to Shianni now. Starting a brawl here would probably be worse actually. Injury on top of insult.

“There you all are,” said a hoarse voice.

I saw another figure step into the alley behind the group. He had grayish hair tied into two spindled dreads hanging beside each cheek, and was dressed in a colorful outfit that seemed to fit an elderly style.

“I was wondering where you all disappeared off too.”

“Hahren.” The lead elf bowed, but kept his quarterstaff trained in my direction. “We’re just keeping intruders away as you instructed us to.”

“And where exactly did I instruct you, Faldel to make threats?” The old man stepped beside the group, lowering one of the quarter-staves levied at me. “Stay your weapons, all of you. Not every human who wanders into our grounds is a troublemaker.”

The group did as commanded and the old man looked at me with a mix of caution and curiosity.

“You there. Do you have business with us?”

“I’ve uh...”

“He says he has business with Shianni,” said Faldel.

I bit my lip, a bit peeved at being interrupted. Faldel paid me no heed.

“Ah, you must be Eratus right?” Warmness reflected in the old elf’s voice. Surprise erupted out of Faldel’s face.

“Yes,” I said.

“She told me about you.” He chuckled. “I know you are good friend to hers which makes you a welcome guest of mine.”

“Hahren.” Faldel pointed a finger at me. “Is it wise to let this shem in? He’s armed.”

“That is fine.” The older elf shooed the finger away. “We’ve had armed humans in our festivities before without issue. We have one present already, what difference does it make another?”

I could read from the displeasure on Faldel’s face that he thought it was anything but fine, but he just bowed his head and stepped aside. The other elves followed the same gesture.

I passed by, the others giving me a wide berth as the old elf led me forward. I could feel Faldel’s eyes bore through my back but paid him no attention. It was clear he didn’t like me but there was no point in antagonizing him.

Instead, I turned my attention toward the older elf who was now leading me into the festival.

“I uh… thank you for that Hahren,” I said.

“Hahren is a title,” he said. “But you may call me Valadrian. Shianni told me you rescued her from a would-be kidnapping a week ago, right? And not once but twice?”

“I just saw something bad happening,” I said, recalling the two incidents. “I’d have done the same for anyone.”

“Then you are a better man than most,” he said. “Few of your kind would be willing to do something for one of ours. You have my gratitude regardless, for saving a treasured member of my family.”

Family? Great, I wondered how much longer his good impression of me would remain afterwards.

We stepped out into the alleyway to a courtyard. Ramshackle homes dotted the edge, but what caught my immediate attention was a loud cheer, erupting from the largest gathering of elves I had seen before. They stood around a raised wooden platform that held several couples dancing around an enormous tree.

In the far side, musicians sat atop another raised platform built of barrels and crates. Their instruments looked vaguely familiar. One appeared to be some form of a lute while others resembled wind-pipes.

They played a song which the couples atop the dancing floor moved in rhythm to. It was catchy, and my left foot started tapping along to the sound. The audience clapped and cheered the dancers on as the music played faster and faster.

One couple slipped, unable to keep pace with the tune and tumbled onto the dance floor. The audience laughed but I sensed no ill-will in their voices. The unlucky couple got up with smiles across their faces and stepped down to join the crowd.

The music kept played faster and more of the couples fell out which made me realize this was a sort of competition. The tune followed at a blistering pace, convincing me these musicians must have practiced often for this or just had a natural talent for it. The music ended right as only one couple remained standing.

“My good fellows our winners!” said an elf pointing to the final pair. They looked happy, tired, and relieved, the last emotion which was mirrored by the musicians who had let go of their instruments to drink from large mugs. The crowd cheered again as the winners departed from the stage.

“The tune to your fancy?” Valendrian dipped his eye toward my foot, which had been tapping to the song.

“A bit.” I scratched my head, a bit embarrassed. “Reminds me of something I heard back home. We used to celebrate around the same time of year. I take it you’re celebrating something as well?”

“It’s our summer festival. One of the few permitted to us by the king, and one of the few where we are to be undisturbed. Outside of weddings and the like.”

The musicians started playing again, although the tune was a lot calmer. The crowd began to disperse and I could see now that the dance was just one part of the festival. Several sorts of games appeared to be setup along the edges. Children climbed onto the stage to have dances to the laughter of their parents. A few others enjoyed food off of wooden plates, and the smell of spice was intoxicating to my nose. All together though, it reminded me of home.

“Ah!” Valendrian pointed out. “There she is.”

I looked to where he pointed and made out Shianni’s red hair amidst the crowd. She had her back turned to us and was beside a large wooden tub filled with bobbing apples. She was dressed in an emerald grown which shown in the sunlight. Something glinted beside her ears, jewelry perhaps.

As she turned to face us, I noticed a tired look on her eyes. Tiredness which washed away with brightness upon meeting one. The rest of her face beamed like sunlight as she sauntered over to us.

The conviction earlier in the day and the words I rehearsed all seemed to vanish into obscurity as she approached. My emotions roiled into a confusing mess, a feeling I hadn’t experienced since I was just a whelp.

“You made it!” Shianni gave me a tight hug, which I didn’t or I think I forgot to reciprocate. She also smelled nice, nothing overpowering like the perfume from the past evening.

All of which only stirred the turbulence inside me.

“You are carrying more than you usually do.” She peaked around to look at my bag.

“Oh uh… this?” I looked at my bag pack and breaking eye contact. “I’ve just had to move somethings around.”

“Well, I’m really happy that you came. I… I um… I should see the rest of the festival over now.”

“Now Shianni,” said Valendrian before she could leave. “If you invite a guest then you should have the courtesy of showing him through.”

“Oh um…” she looked away and I could see a blush on her cheek, and the sinking feeling stooped even lower. “I guess I should then, right?”

“Don’t be worried about the rest of the festival,” said Valendrian. “You have already done enough, and if anything happens, I can take care of it. You should show your friend around, starting with a place to put his bags down.”

“It really isn’t too big of an issue…” I said, trying to get my thoughts in order.

“Nonsense. How else do you plan on enjoying your time here?” he said. “Now enjoy your stay Eratus, and I hope the two of you have a merry time.”

Valendrian departed, leaving her and I alone in the midst of the crowd.

Neither of us said anything for a while, and neither of us looked at each other. I felt a bit frustrated at myself, and opened my mouth to force the issue at hand. Right as my stomach let out a loud growl.

Whatever words I was going to spout caught in my throat out of embarrassment.

Shianni looked at my waist, looked at my face, and looked away in a fit of giggles. Heat, which had already puckered out my cheeks, washed through the rest of my head.

“I take it you haven’t had anything to eat?” she beamed at me.

“I uh… haven’t.” I looked away, catching sight of an elf gobbling a spoonful of stew. “Though the food does smell quite nice.”

“You should try some then,” she said.

I was warring internally on several fronts. The first part of me reminded me that I needed to clear things up with Shianni, and not let things develop too deeply. Another part argued that I should probably enjoy some food, as it was probably better than the slop served at the inn. A third minority, argued for something that was deeply in conflict with the first part.

I ultimately decided to just take things a bit slower. Maybe I could enjoy the festival, and probably take things slower. I mean I was invited and it couldn’t do any harm to enjoy some food and maybe do things more subtly. That seemed to satisfy every part of me, including the third, which brought a feeling of disconcert.

“Oh!” Shianni looked into the distance. “And right on time too from the looks of it. My cousin is working today and should be bringing out several plates from the kitchen soon.”

“Must be depressing?” I tried to follow her gaze to whoever she was looking at, which just so happened to be the direction of the food. “Having to work while everyone else is enjoying their time.”

“I guess, but it is well-deserved,” she said. “This particular cousin is what you’d call the black sheep of the family.”

“Ah.”

I found who Shianni was looking at, and it wasn’t who so much as several plates of food held aloft by two hands among the crowd. At first, I thought it was a man considering how heavy the plates looked, so I was surprised when the crowd cleared and it turned out to be a woman.

I felt more surprise as we made eye contact. An expression “the cousin” mirrored as she stopped mid-step.

“Kallian!” Shianni waved. “Over here!”