“An Emberfae,” I repeated myself.

“Yes,” Nyria answered again, head cocked to the side. She smiled, which pushed the glowing lines around her face.

“Emberfae are a breed of humanoid demons. To the best of my knowledge, none know of or understand their origin.” Ophelia filled me in.

"I'm Varix Vel'Naris. Owner of The Shadow's Respite. It's nice to meet you. I've never met an Emberfae before."

"Most have not. We are a minor race, with low reproduction, and most rarely leave the enclave."

"It must be hard to be away from home."

“It can be," she replied." As I was saying, I have been tracking an artifact, or artifacts.” Nyria lifted her arm and turned it over, pulling back the long black leather sleeve. A bracer with a glowing blue device resembling a flat watch sat there humming away. Intricate runes danced and flickered, and I could make no sense of them.

Zyn hopped off his chair and moved next to Nyria. He leaned over and studied the device.

“I need to warn you. I was injured about a month ago,” I said and touched my forehead. “Nasty head wound. I lost my memory. I know very little about Emberfae or relics. I’m just a humble tavern owner."

“Where were you injured?”

“Well,” I scratched my head. “It was on the edge of the borderlands, at a healer's camp, I know that much. They found me in a pile of dead bodies. I think I was injured in the fighting as the war ended."

“I see. Did you happen to bring anything back here with you? A magical artifact of some kind? I am not interested in procuring it by illicit means. I could perhaps purchase it, depending on what it is."

She looked down at her wrist. The clock-like emblem glowed and flashed out a random pattern. Nyria held it up. Zyn put his finger to his lips and blew. His hand shot out and passed through my shirt. It was all I could do to force myself not to recoil.

A coldness settled around the center of my chest. I did everything possible to still my face and not react to Zyn's ice-cold touch.

Thinking fast, I raised my hand and showed her my formerly cursed ring. "There was this. It had some kind of curse, but a gem specialist in town removed it. Since then, I've been wearing it."

"May I?" She held out her gloved hand.

I shrugged and offered her my hand. Even through the gloves, heat radiated from her like a mini furnace.

"You're warm."

"Quite. What do you know of the Emberfae?"

"Not much," I admitted.

"We are a race born and bred in volcanic areas, and we thrive near sources of heat. Some of us hear the calling of adventure, and of those, many take up the task of relic hunting. It seems to be intrinsic in our nature. To seek out items of power that can bring harm to the world."

She turned my hand left and right as she examined the ring.

"Fascinating."

"Right? I was a big dummy for putting it on in the first place."

Nyria glanced down, shook her head, and did a double take at her wrist device. She turned in a full circle and shook her head again. "When was the item cleansed?"

"Just last night. Maybe you're seeing, I don't know, echoes of its former curse?"

She glanced at the device again. "Odd. The signature has faded. Perhaps you are right, and it was the ring.”

Zyn stood there, eyes clenched shut, hand still on The Heart of Shadows.

“That is an impressive display, Zyn,” Ophelia said quietly and turned to me. "He is masking the amulet. Keep up your story. It seems to be working."

"What do you do with these items when you procure them?"

"We don't keep the devices or objects," Nyria assured me. "Our interest is primarily academic. In fact, I'm writing a book about the tools the Dark Lord Morthisal used to subjugate entire sections of the world.

"Once collected and cataloged, they are taken to vast chambers carved into the rock, where rivers of lava flow freely. It's there that we bring the most dangerous artifacts. It is there that we destroy them."

"What a tremendous service you do for the world."

"Thank you, Varix. Our rituals can reduce even the most potent magical items to ash, their powers dissolved."

I briefly considered handing the staff over to Nyria, but I was concerned about the questions she would ask. I had no logical explanation for why it was in my possession in the first place.

Nyria's gaze momentarily grew distant. "It's a sight to behold, really. The lava bubbles and churns, sometimes changing colors as the magic is released. It's beautiful in its way but can also be terrifying." Her head snapped up. "I apologize. I was lost in memory." She offered a smile.

I nodded, trying to appear interested while keeping my breath steady.

"Thank you for sharing."

"Happy to." She glanced at her device again, her brow furrowing. "It's strange," she muttered, more to herself than to me. "The readings are so inconsistent. I think it needs to be tuned. It happens from time to time. Our tools are fallible."

I fought from blowing out a breath of relief, when the door banged open and in strolled Caden with a large package wrapped in paper under his arm.

"Varix, my friend!" Caden called out warmly, a broad smile on his face. However, as his eyes landed on Nyria, he stopped dead in his tracks. His jaw dropped, and his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Are you an Emberfae?" Caden exclaimed, his voice a mix of awe and excitement. His reaction was understandable if Emberfae were as rare a sight in this world as my ghostly companions had let on.

"Caden, this is Nyria," I said, gesturing towards our unusual guest. "She's a relic hunter. Nyria, meet Caden Ashfall, a friend and investor in The Shadow's Respite. We met at the camp I told you about. Right after I lost my memory."

"It's true. For the first few days, he couldn't even remember his name. Then, one day at dinner, he looked up and declared," Caden, holding his hands up like he'd suddenly seen the light, "I am Varix Vel'Naris. And I am here to cook for you!"

I laughed at Caden. He grinned at me, and then his eyes returned to Nyria. "It's an honor to meet you," he said, his voice filled with awe. "I've heard stories about the Emberfae, but I never thought I'd actually meet one. Is it true that you can withstand extreme heat?"

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Nyria smiled patiently, seemingly used to such questions. "Yes, that's correct. Our bodies are naturally resistant to high temperatures." She hesitated, then lifted her hand and removed her glove. Nyria's hand and arm glowed brighter than her face. The heat was intense, and I could feel it from a few feet away. The Emberfae turned part of her glove inside out and showed us a silvery spiderweb pattern lining the inside. "This allows us to interact with humans."

"Amazing," Caden said. "I wish Shell were here to meet you. Will you be in town long?"

"Doubtful."

As Caden continued to pepper Nyria with questions about Emberfae culture and abilities, I noticed Zyn still holding onto the Heart of Shadows. His ghostly form seemed to flicker with effort, but his grip remained firm.

The device on Nyria's wrist began to act strangely, its runes dancing and flickering erratically across its surface. It reminded me of a computer going haywire, though I doubted anyone here would understand that comparison.

Zyn finally stepped away, his spectral form looking somewhat drained. He drifted close to me and whispered, "The amulet's signature is masked for now, but we must be cautious. Its power is great and may not stay hidden for long."

I nodded imperceptibly, but wondered about the staff. What was special about The Heart of Shadows, but not Morthisal's staff?

Nyria, seemingly frustrated with her malfunctioning device, turned to us with an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I must be going," she said, tapping the relic finder. "This needs some attention, and I have other leads to follow. Thank you for your hospitality, Varix, and it was a pleasure to meet you, Caden."

"The pleasure was all mine, Nyria. I hope you can come back to town. I wasn't jesting about this one's cooking. It's the talk of Everspring."

"Is that so?" She studied me again.

"Some seem to enjoy it."

"He's being modest."

"If you say so," I replied to Caden.

Nyria bid us farewell and left the tavern. She kept checking her wrist, shaking it, and tapping a few times, but she was obviously unhappy with whatever it was telling her.

I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when the relic hunter had left the tavern.

Zyn had already left my side and returned to his barstool.

"You're safe for the time being, but the relic hunter will be back. I can assure you of that," Ophelia told me.

I didn't glance her way but blinked twice while Caden focused on the relic hunter's departure.

"So, Caden. Looks like you have a delivery for me.” I nodded at the package under his arm.

Caden slapped the package on the counter and said, “Shell asked me to drop off our order. Chicken breast, right? And I wanted to drop in and see how my investment is progressing. Then I get to see a genuine Emberfae. Amazing."

"And it wouldn't hurt if I had some food cooked up?" I laughed.

I picked up the package of chicken breasts and was impressed by the weight. I’d ordered twenty-five and it felt like at least that many as I went into the kitchen and put the bag in the cooler.

"You got me, Varix. I was hoping you were cracking out some of those onion burgers again," Caden admitted as I returned to the main room. My orange blush was still sitting on the counter, so I slugged the rest back. I needed it after the little improv session with Nyria the relic hunter.

"Sorry to disappoint. But, did you see the wagon out front?"

"That's a fine wagon. Is that for your idea you kept hinting at?"

"That's right, my friend. If you stop by tomorrow around this time, I might have exactly what you're looking for."

"This is great news. You said you're planning to do this every day?"

"Just until I have enough money to finish the tavern renovations. I'm close. It'll also give me some time to test a few recipes. See what people are most excited to buy."

"Wings?" he asked hopefully.

"More like sandwiches and the like. Food that is fast."

Canden grinned. "I'm looking forward to this."

"I know you're an investor, but I'll have to charge you, at least occasionally."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. You need to start turning a profit so that Doan, Mira, Ragna, and I can start making money on our investment."

"How's Shellen?"

Caden's face lit up with a warm grin. "She's great. Busy today. And I'm happy. I thought about Shell a lot on campaign." He rubbed the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. "I should probably get going. I promised to help her out at the shop today."

"Of course," I nodded, walking him to the door. "Don't keep the lady waiting. And hey, thanks for stopping by. It's always good to see you. Next time, I'll have a few new drinks for you to sample, but make sure you come by later in the day. They're going to be strong."

"In that case, I'll bring Mira and Doan."

"That would be great. See you later, my friend."

As Caden disappeared out the door, I waited a moment to ensure he was out of earshot. Once alone, I double-checked the door, locked it, and returned to the tavern's interior.

"Thank you," I said softly. "All of you. I don't know what I would have done without your help."

Ophelia smiled self-satisfiedly. "You're welcome, Varix. I hope you remember this the next time you consider shutting us out."

"I will. Sorry about that."

"A man has a need for privacy. I can respect that," Garin rumbled.

"As you say. Now. Zyn's trick won't last long. You have bought yourself a few days. Maybe longer."

Zyn looked somewhat drained. "That was a close call," he muttered. "Masking the amulet's power was not easy. She is right."

"How the hell did you do it?"

"He's a Duretian. Even in death, they are powerful, I suppose," Ophelia said with a hint of respect in her voice.

I nodded. "I can't thank you enough, Zyn."

The former assassin nodded but said nothing more.

"How am I going to throw her off the trail?" I wondered out loud. "For that matter, why did the amulet draw her here, but not the staff? That cursed thing is upstairs."

"The amulet is a true relic of a long-gone age. Its origin was a mystery even to Morthisal. The staff was a device constructed by the dark lord to focus his powers of necromancy. It was forged from countless bones of the dead."

Ew!

"Is that why I can feel its power when I handle the staff?" I touched the amulet under my shirt. "I feel nothing with this."

Lady Ophelia shrugged. "The amulet's powers are in the stone. The staff's powers were in Morthisal. You know there is someone who may be able to help. Don't make me say her name."

I shook my head, because I knew exactly what she would say.

Lady Ophelia was right about asking for help. Seraphina might have an answer.

What choice did I have? That relic hunter would probably be back.

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

I spent the next few hours prepping meal ideas for the food wagon, trying to keep my mind off the troubling development with the relic hunter. I chatted with the ghosts, at least Garin and Ophelia. Zyn was quieter than usual, which wasn't saying a lot.

I unwrapped the chicken, put a dozen of the breasts aside, wrapped the rest and placed them right next to a fresh block of ice so they would freeze.

As I was chopping vegetables, the trap door creaked open, and the door swung over and smacked into the floor. Churl emerged, yawning and stretching her arms.

"Oi, what was all that commotion about earlier, boss?" she asked.

"Good morning." I glanced out the small kitchen window. "Or should I say good afternoon?"

Lady Churl yawned again.

"The commotion was a visitor. An Emberfae relic hunter named Nyria. She was looking for this," I showed Lady Churl the Heart of Shadows.

Churl's eyes widened. "Did she suspect anythin'?"

I shook my head. "Not exactly. Zyn managed to mask its power, but it's only a matter of time before she returns."

Churl tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I could take care of this problem for ya, boss." She drew her finger across her throat.

I held up my hands and shook my head. "No, no, Lady Churl. That won't be necessary. We'll find another way to deal with this."

Churl shrugged. "Suit yourself, boss. Just offerin' me services."

Eager to change the subject, I gestured to the ingredients on the counter. "Why don't you help me plan the food wagon's first meal? I want to start it up tomorrow."

Churl grinned, rubbing her hands together. "Now you're speakin' my language, boss. Let's see what we've got 'ere."

As we sat down together, discussing menu options that would be easy to prep, my mind drifted to Seraphina. I knew I needed to tell her who I was, but the thought filled me with fear. How would she react? Would she understand, or would she see me as a monster? I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand, but worry lingered in the back of my mind.

I put up my knife and headed toward the door.

“Lady Churl. Can you continue chopping the veggies I left out? I made examples. Just follow them.”

“Sure, boss. Where ya goin’?”

“I need to hit the market and pick up some supplies for tomorrow. I’ll be back in about an hour.”

“Sure, boss.” She waved as I departed the tavern.