“They left a couple of hours ago Ms. Jigi.” Ernan said before Apollo stood up quickly.

“Why didn’t they tell me?” Apollo asked before the three of them heard footsteps.

“It’s Adnorin.” Eillana said almost in a panicked tone, “Hide quickly!”

Apollo looked around quickly before he hid under the bed just before the door of Eillana’s bedroom opened. Holding his breath Apollo couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the conversation that was going to happen.

“Eillana, have you seen that cloaked stranger that Fisar and Arcus brought with them?” Adnorin asked coldly.

“No, why?” Eillana lied.

“They weren’t there when those two human loving buffoons left and I suspect that he isn’t of this world.” Adnorin said his icy voice giving Apollo goosebumps, “So if you see them, bring them to me at once. Do you understand me Eillana?”

“Yes brother.” Eillana said quietly before Apollo heard the door close.

After a couple of minutes Ernan reassured him that Adnorin was nowhere withing earshot before he came out.

“We need to get you out of here at once.” Eillana said with a look of determination and anxiety.

“Agreed.” Apollo said, “That guy’s almost as worst as my own mother.”

“Who knows they might be friends or something.” Eillana said before turning to Ernan, “Ready my horse Ernan, I’m taking Apollo back to the Twin Apple Tavern at midnight.”

“Of course, Ms. Jigi.” Ernan said before bowing and leaving the room.

“You don’t have to do that Ms. Jigi.” Apollo said, “I’m sure when Fisar and Arcus notice I’m gone they’ll come back here to find me.”

“Apollo if there’s one thing, I know Adnorin is good at it’s always getting what he wants.” Eillana said, “The last person who he acted that way towards was one of the maids, two days later I found her in the dungeons dead and wounded.” She folded her arms and looked out the window, her face laced with worry, “I don’t want another innocent soul to die by his hands. The hands of that monster.”

Apollo gave Eillana a look of understanding before he put his hand on her shoulder.

“Someone once told me that everyone has a rare spark of light and no matter what happens or what this world throws at us, we must never lose it.” Apollo said smiling with understanding, “Thank you Ms. Jigi.”

Eillana nodded before giving a closed eyed smile, “You can call me Eillana.”

“Looks like you’re starting to warm up to me.” Apollo said biting back a smile before Eillana roughly nudged him in the ribs, “Ow!”

“Don’t you ever call me soft again.” Eillana said folding her arms and closing her eyes.

‘Wow, tsundere much?’ Apollo thought as he kept biting back the smile creeping up his face, “Alrighty then.”

Eillana smirked before Apollo went back to his seat.

“You should get some rest.” Eillana said seeing how tired Apollo was, “If we’re going to be going back to the tavern at midnight then you’ll need your rest.”

After a very memorable argument filled with Apollo and Eillana snapping quietly at each other Eillana got Apollo to sleep in her bed with her as they waited for the time to come.

‘This is the most awkward thing that I have ever done.’ Apollo thought as both he and Eillana laid down in her bed, ‘Not going to lie though, this bed feels so comfy.’

And in a matter of seconds both he and the elven girl fell into a dreamless sleep.

*

“Apollo get up it’s time.” Apollo heard Eillana said as she shook him awake roughly.

“Alright I’m up.” Apollo groaned as he rubbed the remaining sleep off his eyes, “For a girl you really are a bit harsh.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Thanks.” Eillana said folding her arms and rolling her eyes, “Get your lazy butt out of my bed so we can get you back to where your actually safe.”

‘Harsh and bossy.’ Apollo thought as he dragged himself out of the bed, “Let’s hurry to the stables then.”

“How’d you know we have stables?” Eillana asked clearly surprised.

“You mentioned about having a horse earlier and given the fact that you live in a mansion it was sort of obvious.” Apollo explained simply as he shrugged, “You really don’t need to be a genius to figure that out.”

Eillana’s eyes widened clearly impressed before they heard footsteps and a knock on Eillana’s bedroom door.

“Hide!” Eillana whispered as Apollo ducked under her bed again before Eillana answered the door, “Ernan thank the gods it’s just you.”

“Couldn’t you just have told us first before you knocked?” Apollo asked after he crawled out the bed and dusting himself off, “You scared the living daylights out of me.”

Ernan chuckled lightly, “My apologies Mr. Zhen but I thought that I’d look suspicious if I announced my presence since Ms. Jigi usually sleeps at early morning.”

“So, you just barge in?” Apollo asked raising his eyebrow.

“Pretty much yeah.” Eillana said shrugging as Ernan looked at them weirdly.

“Did I miss something?” Ernan asked.

The other two looked at each other before laughing a bit with Eillana reassuring Ernan that nothing memorable happened while he was gone.

“Anyway, are Shadowheart, Rainheart ready to leave?” Eillana asked.

“Yes, Ms. Jigi both of them are ready for the journey to the tavern.” Ernan said bowing slightly.

“Good let’s go.” Eillana said as she pulled her hood up before the two followed in suit.

“I think you will be needing these Ms. Jigi.” Ernan said handing Eillana her bow and quiver filled with arrows.

“Thank you Ernan.” Eillana said taking the weapons with a grateful smile.

They slipped out of Eillana’s room in silence only stopping to listen for footsteps. Apollo guessed they were near the stables before they heard footsteps – someone was coming!

“In here!” Eillana whispered as they slipped into a nearby room.

Holding their breaths, the strained their ears in search of the footsteps that seemed to have stopped in front of the door.

‘Please don’t look inside.’ Apollo thought begging as they saw a shadow.

“It’s Adnorin.” Ernan said in a quiet whisper that Apollo almost had difficulty to hear him.

Eillana’s eyes widened in horror before Apollo placed his hand on her shoulder reassuringly and gave her a calming smile as she turned her head to him.

‘It’s going to be alright.’ Apollo mouthed in reassurance.

Eillana smiled gratefully at him before they saw Adnorin’s shadow walk away. They all still held their breaths before they were sure that Adnorin was far away enough.

“Oh, thank God.” Apollo said after they all let out relieve breaths.

“We got to move.” Ernan said opening the door a little to check if the hallways were clear before they continued to sneak to the stables.

Apollo didn’t know if it was the fact that Adnorin nearly caught them or it was because of how quiet the hallways were but he couldn’t help but glance at his surroundings and strain his ears for footsteps all the way to the stables.

“We’re here.” Ernan announced earning a relived sigh from his two companions, “Now we just need to- “

Before he could continue, they once again heard footsteps. Thinking fast Apollo hid himself and the elves in an empty stable before they laid on the ground praying that they wouldn’t get caught.

“A pleasant evening for a ride, isn’t it Rapidlight?” A gentle voice said.

“Eilororis what are you doing here?” Eillana asked standing up from her hiding spot with the other two following though reluctantly.

“I could ask you the same thing Lana.” Eilororis said as she lit a nearby lantern, “Accompanied by two males no less.”

With the help of the lamplight Apollo could clearly see Eilororis’ appearance somewhat clearly. Her long white hair that stopped at her lower waist was tied in a tight braid, her vivid purple eyes that had a spark of adventure in them and she had fair white skin. She wore a dark purple cloak and wore – black again. Black pants, shirt, and boots that had a few silver streaks on them.

“Not to be rude but who are you?” Apollo asked as he dusted off the straw that stuck to his clothes.

Apollo noticed that Eilororis’ eyes glanced at Eillana who seemed to be busy fixing her own clothes before she bowed and said, “My name is Eilororis Arcaniss, Ms. Jigi’s loyal righthand- “

“Woman?” Apollo asked.

“I was going to say maid but that works just as well.” Eilororis said before turning to her higher-up, “Is there anything that I may assist you Lady Eillana?”

“If it’s not much to ask, could you maybe help us get back to The Twin Apple Tavern?” Eillana asked.

“It’s no trouble whatsoever Lady Eillana.” Eilororis reassured before she pulled her Dapple-Grey horse gently out of her stable, “Think you’re up for another midnight ride Rapidlight?”

Rapidlight neighed happily before two other horses came into the lamplight one Buckskin and one Liver Chestnut both wore silver riding equipment.

“We better hurry if you plan on coming back before Adnorin notices that you’re gone Lady Jigi.” Eilororis said as she mounted on her horse.

“There’s no need for that young half-blood.” A cold voice said.