Nirlid sighed as he answered the door. He had been hoping and praying that the party wouldn’t actually accept his mother’s dinner invitation, but here they were. Every single one of them, coach included, was clustered at the front stoop.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Beardenbeard said. “Thanks for inviting us over to your house. Nothing quite like a home-cooked meal, I always say.”

“My ma cooked it,” Nirlid said and made no move to allow them into the residence.

“Which was real big of her. Here, take this. It’s from all of us.” Beardenbeard led the group, armed with a bottle of wine with a big, obnoxious bow around the neck. The [Healer] did not take the bottle. He only stared at it as though he didn’t understand what it was.

“We do not drink,” Nirlid said and was in the process of closing the door when his mother appeared behind him, smelling strongly of clams and mussels. His mother was an older sea elf woman, her green hair starting to go gray at the temples. But even so, she had a strong, striking form that looked like she could still do anything she needed herself.

“But we accept gifts from dinner guests,” Nerida said, taking the bottle from the dwarf’s hands and gently moving him inside.

“Oh, I know about all that. At his tryout, Nirlid told me his body was a temple and I thought you might feel the same way. That’s why I brought sparkling grape juice!” Beardenbeard said. “All flavor, no alcohol.”

Nerida gasped. “How thoughtful! Please, come inside, all of you!”

The team entered Nirlid’s house and the [Healer] bristled with every step taken. He desperately didn’t want to have them see his house. Didn’t want them to meet his mother. Why were they here? Did they even like sea elf dishes? They were going to say something stupid or mean and hurt his ma’s feelings. And then he’d be stuck in an awkward position. He might just have to quit the Dungeon League after kicking someone in half.

“Your house is beautiful!” Beacon exclaimed, looking around at all the kitschy knick knacks that lined the walls. Figures of big eyed kittens and puppies stared down from the shelves at the party. Doilies sat on every available surface. And finally…

“Oh wow! This is gorgeous!” Beacon peered up at the tragically tattered tapestry that hung in the living room. It displayed delicate blue figures floating in their aquatic home. Some were tending to the kelp gardens, others were powering the mystical crystals that powered the city. Even more were gathered around what seemed to be a center of worship, with a large statue of a heroic sea elf was displayed. Around the border lurked indistinct shapes, like shadowy people who had many-jointed protrusions coming from their heads. They held out their claw-like hands to the blue figures, like they wished them all harm.

The edges of the tapestry were badly frayed and entire holes had been made right in the middle. No, they weren’t holes, Beacon noted. Those were burn marks, like the wall scroll had been smuggled out of a violent disaster.

Nirlid glowered even harder but Nirlid’s mother just gave the ranger [Rogue] a sad smile. “Thank you, young one. And if Nirly hasn’t already said, I am Nerida, his mother.”

“Good to meet you! I’m so glad to have him in our party,” Beardenbeard said. “I’m Goldath Beardenbeard, coach of these rowdy rascals.”

“A pleasure.” The older sea elf turned to her son. “Well, aren’t you going to introduce me to your adventuring party?”

Nirlid sighed and pointed at Berik. “That’s a [Fighter]. His name’s Derek.”

Berik opened his mouth to correct Nirlid but he had already moved on. “That’s Rosemary over there. She’s a [Mage].”

“Oh, how adorable! How old are you?” Nerida cooed.

“Twenty-eight,” Rosemary said. Her cherubic face never changed, but her eyes grew venomous and hateful.

“The big orc guy is Dayaka. He’s our other [Fighter],” Nirlid said.

“You look like you could take on a dragon by yourself! I’m so glad you’re here to keep my son from getting into too much danger,” the sea elf woman said.

Dayaka nodded and said nothing.

“The nervous elf girl is a [Rogue]. Her name’s Key.” Nirlid looked confused. “Is Key your whole name or is it a nickname?”

Key blushed, hating to be the source of attention. “It’s…my full name is Aerlakey Alundril. B…but Key is fine.”

Never picking up on her discomfort, Nirlid moved on. “The other [Rogue] is Beacon. She’s a tracker or something.”

Beacon smirked. “That I am! Thanks for having us over!”

“My! Your hair is so colorful!” Nerida exclaimed. Beacon only chuckled.

“The hairy dwarf is the other [Healer],” Nirlid continued. “He’s called Thurnal.”

The red-bearded dwarf bowed. “Thank ye for invitin us into yer home and feedin us.”

“Oh, my pleasure. I haven’t had a dinner party in so long,” Nerida said.

“And that gangly guy over there is Euclid. He’s the other [Mage],” Nirlid finished.

Whereas Nerida had been overcome with delight at meeting her son’s party members, she froze at the sight of Euclid like a deer catching the scent of a wolf. Weirdly enough, Euclid went stock still as well.

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“Hello,” he finally said.

“Greetings,” Nerida said.

The house filled with tension as the two stared each other down. The aroma of simmering fish stock intensified and suddenly they could all smell the unmistakable scent of bread burning in the oven.

“Oh, my baguettes!” Nerida exclaimed. “Come on, Nirly! Help your mother out.”

“Nah, you got it,” Nirlid said.

“Now, Nirlid,” Nerida commanded in an undeniable voice.

“Yes, Ma.”

The two sea elves hurried to the kitchen. The party could hear an agitated conversation before the door closed completely. Everyone stood awkwardly, wondering what to do or where to go.

“Dude, do you know Nirlid’s mom from anywhere?” Berik asked the [Mage], breaking the silence.

Euclid held out his hands in bewilderment. “No. I have no idea why she responded that way to me.”

“Eukey. Are you sure?” Beacon asked.

“I swear I have never met that woman before tonight,” he said.

“To be fair, I can’t blame her. You look creepy as hell. What with your wonky eyes and weird fingers,” Rosemary said.

Euclid shrugged off the scathing insults like they had come from a tactless child. “Yes, that is so. I have faced worse reactions than hers.”

“Wow, Rosie. You’re so tactful,” Key muttered.

“I call it like I see it!” Rosemary shot back.

“Sometimes people are just goofy,” Beardenbeard said. “The sooner you learn that, the better. Let’s just calm down and tuck in for some authentic Dawnport bouillabaisse.”

“Which is what?” Berik asked.

“A really fancy seafood stew,” Beardenbeard replied.

Finally, both Nirlid and Nerida returned from the kitchen. The [Healer] carried a basket that held steaming black loaves while his mother held a giant pot of stew.

“Sorry. The bread is burned. There’s a baker not too far from here if this isn’t good enough for you,” Nirlid said.

“Nirlid! Stop being rude!” Nerida snapped. She placed the pot on the table and smiled. “I’m sorry for both the ruined baguettes and my son’s rudeness.”

“I call it like I see it,” Nirlid pouted and sat at the table.

“Sounds familiar,” Key said.

“Oh, please don’t worry about it,” Rosemary said, ignoring the wood elf. “Trust me, I know any number of things can go wrong with baguettes. As my family always said, cooking is an art, but baking is a science that can sometimes change its rules on you for no good reason at all.”

Nerida chuckled, uncorked the bottle and poured everyone a glass of sparkling grape juice. Soon, everyone sat and spooned a bowlful of the seafood stew. The aroma was heady, both savory and delicate at the same time. The party dug in and soon the sounds of satisfied diners filled the room. Berik made sure to take polite sips of the broth, but he didn’t give himself over to the reckless abandon that he usually did when eating. But Euclid was the biggest surprise of all. He ate like he had never eaten before.

“Good stuff, Eukey?” Beacon said with a grin.

The [Mage] dabbed at his chin with a napkin. “Yes. My compliments to the chef. The clams were prepared expertly.”

Nerida froze, mid-spoonful. “Thank you,” she said after a pause.

Euclid quickly lowered his eyes and said nothing more.

“Glad everyone is enjoying dinner,” Nirlid said. “Looks like you’re about done. We got practice early tomorrow, so better get a move on before you waste too much time.”

“Listen to your mom and stop being rude,” Dayaka said. He spooned himself another bowl and smirked at the uncomfortable sea elf. “There ain’t no way I’m not having another bowl.”

“Yeah, me too!” Key said and helped herself.

“Actually, my son is correct,” Nerida said. “It is time you all make your way home.”

Dayaka put down his spoon. “Doesn’t bother me. You got take-home bowls?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Coach Beardenbeard turned his dazzling smile toward the female sea elf. “I apologize for anything my party did or said to offend you. We’re about as refined as a geyser of oil in the middle of the desert.”

Nerida’s face was emotionless in its stoniness. “You have done nothing wrong. But you are going to have to leave.”

The dwarf nodded. “In that case, I won’t argue. Thank you for the lovely dinner.”

He and the confused team of adventurers rose from the table and were escorted out by Nirlid, who was only happy to see their backsides. “See you tomorrow,” he called after them. Once they were all out, he slammed the door and locked it. He turned to his mother with a smirk.

“I told you they weren’t fit to invite over. I’m glad you finally saw some sense,” he said. But then he saw his mother, bent over the table with her head in her hands. She was trembling. Was she…crying?

He was by her side in an instant. “Ma! What’s wrong? Was it the baguettes? That was probably my fault. I was supposed to be keeping an eye on it. I can go and get you a dozen in the morning! No, two dozen!”

Nerida sniffled. “No. No, it’s not about the baguettes.”

“Then what is it?” he asked.

“I haven’t felt that malicious magic in a long time,” she said.

“What are you talking about?” Nirlid asked.

“Your [Mage]. The one called Euclid. He exuded the same virulent energy as…” She didn’t finish the thought. “But that’s impossible.”

“What’s impossible? Do you need me to kick his ass?” Nirlid cracked his knuckles.

“I told you to stop doing that. You’ll weaken the joints in your hands and give yourself arthritis,” Nerida said.

“Sorry, Ma. But I really will fight him,” Nirlid said.

She shook her head. “You would not survive the attempt.”

His dark eyes widened with shock. “Send me after him and I’ll find out.”

Nerida shook her head. “It is entirely possible that I am wrong. And if I’m wrong, I’m not going to have the blood of an innocent on my hands.”

“Look at him. You really think he’s innocent? Whatever you’re talking about, it’s best to punch first and ask questions later. Right?” Nirlid asked.

His mother ignored him. “You said you had practice tomorrow, correct?”

“Yeah. Bright and early,” Nirlid said.

She nodded. “Then I just need you to keep an eye on him.”

Of course, Ma!” Nirlid rose from her side and began collecting dishes. “But what am I looking out for?”

“Where does he live? What does he do after practice? Who does he speak with?” Nerida said. “Discretion is vital. Don’t let him know you’re watching him.”

“Sneaking and spying is not honorable,” Nirlid said as he carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen.

“This has the potential to go beyond honor. It could become a matter of vengeance,” Nerida said.

Nirlid kept quiet. He had learned to shut up and listen when his mother got like this. She was never wrong.

And he had never let her down. “You can count on me, Ma.”