Novels2Search
Routes and Immortality
Chapter 5 -Water Drop Drink

Chapter 5 -Water Drop Drink

“Black mailer, illegal items fencer, slave trading… These are some of the many vile things alleged and attributed to that man.” spat Vance as he finished his long rant.

Elva was going through a swirl of thoughts and emotions. She was worried more regarding her chances of being able to acquire the Eflusia leaves at a reasonable price if at all. However, she was also quite surprised to see Vance get increasingly disgusted the more he explained what he knew about Malik. For as long as she could remember Vance was the very paragon of calm and stoic, so to catch a rare glimpse of him being so expressive was amusing despite the circumstances. Something he just said confused her so she decided to bring them up. “Alleged? I’m sorry but can you explain that to me?”

“Officially, he is registered with the guild of commerce as an import merchant.” sighed Vance. “He does appear to have a hand in a number of criminal enterprises. But of course being the slimy snake that he is, been able to keep his involvement and association distant.”

“And you know all of this, how?”

“I had a run in with several of his thugs when I was on a job with a friend of mine. And said friend of mine just so happens to have associates who are familiar with underworld knowledge.”

“This is a story I have to hear, you doing a job that has you clashing with the criminal underworld? How have you not told me this before?”

Vance grunted and took a drink of his ale, his demeanor becoming moody. “It was a rather unpleasant experience to be honest. I can tell more about it another time, it is a rather long story.”

“I look forward to hearing this tale in the future.” She paused for a moment to eat and drink some of her meal before continuing on with the original topic. “So do you think we will have trouble with purchasing the Eflusia leaves from him?”

“From what you told me so far I believe meeting him will be difficult already and knowing his personality he will most certainly exploit the circumstances for his own profit.”

Swearing lightly under her breath, Elva silently resumed their meal with Vance following suit. While thinking about her next course of action she glanced up between bites to see Vance also in quiet contemplation. This sullen mood went on for another minute before she decided to ask a question to break the silence. Just as she was about to speak up a joyful cry came from the direction of the bar counter.

“Elva!”

“Nura! Zaina!” greeted Elva warmly, rising up from her seat and waving a greeting. Her friends from Madam Rosa’s Cabaret were in their dancing outfits, Nura clad in crimson silks and Zaina in deep purple. Dressed as they were, the eyes of the tavern’s other patrons were drawn to them as they walked across the room. Both of them were her closest friends during the time she spent staying with Madam Rosa. They were also the ones who aided her in learning how to properly survive and move about the desert. It started as an attempt to help her regain her memory and while sadly nothing sparked she did learn an important skill set which she would constantly improve on, eventually making her one of the town’s Sandsiders.

As they reached the table she barely began her greetings when she was cut off as Nura lunged forward to affectionately embrace her. Zaina chuckled lightly and gave a small wave before looking at Vance. Seeing him nod and gesture she pulled out a chair and took a seat.

Looking up at Elva while still embracing her Nura excitedly said. “Hello Elva! It has been so long! How are you? What have you been up to?”

“Slow down Nura, take a breath.” chuckled Elva as she firmly yet gently extracted herself from Nura’s embrace and guided her to a seat at the table.

Between the pair she was easily the more energetic one, and quite intimate with people she was familiar with. Zaina was the polar opposite, calm and poised, she projects the image of a cold beauty in contrast to Nura’s fire and energy. Despite the differences however they made for a great pairing, when they were performing at the cabaret and when they ventured out on quests.

“First and foremost, good evening. How have you two been?” Elva began warmly. She could already see Nura ready to burst with her story when Zaina calmly placed her hand on Nura’s shoulder to forestall her.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Zaina replied in her soft and melodious voice. “We are doing fine Elva. We just finished our afternoon sets and they went well. Nothing too exciting since we last met. Which I do not mind but Nura has been quite eager for some stimuli as you can see.”

Elva giggled at the last part and also at Nura’s pouting expression. Even Vance cracked a smile at the sight, which only made Nura puff her cheeks more in annoyance. The moment quickly passed however and she leaned forwards in her seat, her gaze alternating between Elva and Vance as she chirped up. “So I heard from Talis and Jhora that you were with them on their job. And that you have quite a tale to tell!”

“A fair amount of exaggeration on their part I can assure you, it is honestly more mundane. But I suppose I can indulge you since you are so curious.” chuckled Elva. She began telling the pair of what she has been doing since the last time they met, skipping out on the more mundane and focusing most of her tale on her most recent job. When she got to the part where she battled the giant scorpoid she did her best not to embellish, but her three listeners were still evidently impressed. Nura’s look of admiration made her feel slightly embarrassed so she quickly moved on to the events of the day, recounting the day still made her twitch in annoyance.

As her story concluded Zaina placed a hand upon her chin and looked to be contemplating something. Before Elva could inquire however Nura once again excitedly spoked, focusing on the monster encounter. “So how big was that scorpoid? Was it a record size one? Jhora told me she had never seen one bigger!”

“I’m not sure if it is the biggest ever recorded but I certainly have not seen a bigger one.”

“But how big was it?” Seeing Elva let out a sigh of exasperation, Nura quickly added. “A rough estimate? Please?”

“Not counting the tail, I think it’s about five metres? The guild would probably have an accurate number for record keeping.”

Nura leaned back in her seat with a look of marvel on her face, Vance too mirrored her expression although he had a much more stoic demeanor. Zaina looked like she had something she wanted to say but was once more interrupted from the excited Nura. “Wow! Taking down a giant scorpoid of that size?! A few more and you can skip a few ranks if you decide to join the questing guild!”

“I had help, there was a party of five with me, remember?”

“From the way Talis and Jhora are talking, it seems you were most responsible for the victory!”

Elva could only sigh and gave Nura a wry smile as she continued to beam happily. Seeking to change the topic Elva looked to Zaina and said. “You look like you had something you wanted to say for awhile Zaina, what’s the matter?”

“That Malik person you mentioned earlier, is he a tanned skin pudgy looking fellow? Trimmed beard, short hair and brown eyes?” asked Zaina while gesturing with her hands to give some context to appearance.

Hearing this stunned Elva, and she turned to look at Vance to see him look surprised as well. Meeting her gaze Vance shook his head and said. “I’m not sure, I never actually met the fellow and my friend didn’t supply me a description either.”

Echoing Vance, Elva said. “I didn’t get a description either earlier. How do you know him?”

“Oh, when Nura and I were leaving after our afternoon sets for dinner I spied a rather gaudy looking individual looking for Madam Rose. I also heard Kallis calling for Madam Rose saying that a Mr Saltrus was here to see her. I didn’t think about it too much then but after hearing what you said earlier, is it possible this is the person you are looking for? Saltrus is not exactly a common name after all.”

“Is he still at the cabaret?”

“Maybe? We left … twenty minutes ago I think, so honestly I am unsure. If he is going to watch an act then definitely, otherwise…”

Hearing that Elva got up from her seat and looked towards Vance, asking him. “I’m going to the Espin Rosa. Try my luck so to speak, want to come with?”

Remaining seated, Vance replied after a quick sigh. “As much as I want to go with you, it would probably not be a good idea. Like I told you earlier I am not exactly on good terms with the man, even if I haven’t actually met him he certainly seemed to know about me. So just be careful when dealing with him, remember what I told you about him.”

“I will be careful.” Elva said, exchanging nods with Vance. Regarding her two friends she shot them an apologetic look. “I’m sorry for rushing off you two, but this is rather important.”

“Quite understandable my dear, be safe and may the winds be with you.” said Zaina as Nura pouted quietly in her seat.

Quickly thinking of something to cheer Nura up, Elva giggled and addressed her with a wink. “In the meantime you can ask Vance about his escapades in Ikandros, that has to be quite the tale from what little I heard.”

“Oh… that I will do…” she said with a grin. Meeting Zaina’s gaze with a conspiratorial look they both shifted their seats to move beside Vance and hold on to his arms. This caused him to blush and shoot an annoyed look at Elva who looked innocently back. Fidgeting nervously he nevertheless did not shoo the two at his arms away.

Waving farewell to her friends, Elva moved quickly to leave, tossing a few silver coins to the barkeep on her way out and began a quick pace to her first adopted home of the town.