Elwin and Lumie continued to walk through the Ellenian streets, now dyed in warm orange and mottled shadow. They were fast approaching one of three major bridges that led into the inner city, where most of the stores, taverns, and temples were situated around the trunk of the Prime Moontree.

“So… what does love look like?” Lumie asked.

“Sometimes it is as simple and unforgettable as sharing a meal with someone who cannot repay you.”

“And other times?” Lumie asked, as her foot stepped onto the living wood of the bridge. The gurgling rush of the darkened river far below echoed up its stout roots.

“Other times it is one of those things you do not appreciate until it is gone. A million subtle kindnesses.” Elwin said, passing the top of the bridge’s graceful arch.

“With such a wide variety of descriptions, a stranger would not be shamed to think that you were making everything up about this so-called ‘love’ as some kind of strange joke. There must be a better way to describe it.” Lumie complained.

“Hey, I’m trying my best. It’s difficult to describe, even to one who has experienced it.”

“So you say.”

They arrived at the tavern. Rather than a tree shaped into a building like most other Ellenian structures, the tavern was mostly built from twisted and woven roots of an ageless grove of trees that towered a hundred meters into the sky. As a result, it was a place with a much cooler, earthier atmosphere than the typical fare. From the rear side of the structure, a balcony of thick, tough bark extended out over the river that flowed through the town centre. Outdoor incense burners fireproofed with trademark Ellenian enchantments safely kept the mosquitoes and other river insects at bay with the smell of citrus.

Elwin and Lumie snuck in the door. Lumie’s elaborate armour drew a few glances from the few patrons sitting in booths along the right wall. The bar ran along on the left, the barkeeper busy pouring a mug of sapwine for a male elf.

The menu hung above the bar, but Lumie first took a good look at the occupants of the tavern, seemingly on the lookout for something. Or perhaps someone.

“Elwin! It is good to see you again. Who is your companion?” The barmaid asked as she approached. Her name was Haldraise, a beautiful elf several times Elwin’s age, though one would never be able to reach that conclusion on her youthful looks alone. Haldraise guided them to an empty booth near the back of the establishment, where there was a view of the evening river. An elvish woman was leaning against the bannister outside, looking out over the Ellenian River, watching the last dregs of the sunset over the mountains to the west. It was impossible to make much of her appearance beside her brunette hair and pointy ears.

“It is good to see you too, Haldraise. This is Lumie. A knight from Al Dherjza.”

“From Al Dherjza? But you wouldn’t expect a desert-dweller with such fair skin and hair.” Haldraise commented.

“Uhh…” Elwin began uncomfortably.

“She’s right. I was born on the Grand Plateau. In a town called Gilead.” Lumie said, removing her helmet and tossing her hair proudly.

“A traveller from Gilead! How fascinating! And what will you have?” Haldraise asked.

“Could we have some Sleeping Fish to share, please? And two mugs of Archimedian’s Comfort.”

“Actually, I would prefer some Moonfire.”

“Sleeping fish for two, an Archimedian’s Comfort and a Moon Fire. It’ll be right out.” Haldraise said, leaving with a wink.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

The drinks arrived first, served by the bartender himself.

“Elwin.” The bartender said in greeting.

“Irendal,” Elwin replied. That was the extent of their exchange.

The food arrived shortly after, delivered by Haldraise. Two basins in which there was a streamed, filleted trout laying on a giant, spongy white mushroom. A moat of dark, flavourful sauce surrounded the ‘pillow’ that the fish rested upon.

Elwin took a bite. It was delicious, though something seemed slightly off about it. A subtle difference from the dish that Elwin was used to. He couldn’t quite place his finger on it.

“So about ADAM…” Lumie began between mouthfuls of fish and spirit.

“What about them?”

“What is he? You mentioned that he sits in some labyrinth and grants wishes?”

“Yes, but it's not correct to refer to them as ‘he’. ADAM isn’t a person in the same way you or I are. Like how you wouldn’t call an object ‘he’ or ‘she’ without a poetic license.”

“Riiiight… Okay then. But the rest of what I said is still true, right?”

“Yes.”

“So, what kind of wishes can he grant?” Lumie asked.

Elwin tried to recall his conversations with Blue on the road.

“Anything.” He said.

“Really? Anything? Why would ADAM do that?”

“It is his duty as Apolaphia’s guardian.”

“His duty is to grant wishes? What if someone wishes to end the world?”

“If they truly wanted to, they could. At least that’s what Blue told me.”

“Blue?”

“A High Priestess of ADAM. She was wise beyond her considerable years.”

“Priestess of ADAM? I’ve never heard of a religious sect that worships this so-called ADAM.”

“Well, it is an ancient order. Not very popular these-” Elwin began to explain, but he stopped; for the woman who had been watching the sunset on the balcony outside had walked into the tavern now that night had fallen.

Elwin’s mouth hung agape.

“What is it?” Lumie asked, turning to look at the stranger. Nothing seemed particularly strange. Just another elf. Keen eyes, pointy ears, ageless skin.

Elwin was still shocked, staring shamelessly at the elven woman, so much so that her gaze flicked towards the younger elf with annoyance. When her eyes met him, Elwin could not stop himself.

“Blue!” he shouted, standing up. Everyone in the dimly-lit tavern turned to look at the sudden commotion. The elven woman’s brow furrowed furiously at the inconvenience.

“You must be mistaken. I do not know who Blue is. My name is Gweddihew.” The elf said. She was the spitting image of Blue, had her body been made from silver metal and not flesh.

And with that, Gweddihew walked out of the establishment.

Elwin sat down, embarrassed.

“What was that?” Lumie asked, finishing the last of her Sleeping Fish. She bore a slightly disgusted expression on her face for just an instant, but it was an instant long enough to be etched into Elwin’s memory, compounding the shame weighing on him.

“That was Blue, but, she didn’t recognise me,” Elwin said, cowed into his seat.

“Riiight. Listen, you were sounding a bit far-fetched before, and while I appreciate the meal, the concern you’ve shown and the assistance you’ve given me, I think I’ve heard enough.” Lumie said. She finished the rest of her Moon Fire and made to leave.

“Wait! Are you sure? At least let me pay for your meal.”

Lumie paused. Seeing the elf’s face, she seemed to change her mind.

“Alright then, hurry up.” The Al Dherjzan knight beckoned.

Elwin hurried to the bar, coins in hand, and paid for their meals.

Lumie headed out the door, and Elwin followed, leaving his unfinished meal and drink on the table.

On the streets outside, Lumie did not slow down, walking rather quickly away from Elwin.

Elwin desperately followed after her, chasing her recklessly into an alley.

“Wait!” he called out.

He was met with a flash of white steel. Reflexively, Elwin drew part of the wall to him with his Gift, but it failed to catch Lumie’s blade, which found itself tickling a pulsing vein in Elwin’s neck.

“Hold up! Wait just a moment! I surrender!”

Lumie paused. Her sword arm was utterly unwavering. “Give me your coin purse.” She said.

“You’re… robbing me?” Elwin asked in bewilderment. But despite his confusion, he handed the small rope-tied bag he used for his wallet.

Lumie took the elf’s money without another word but didn’t withdraw her weapon from his neck. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“I suppose it is,” Elwin admitted. The elf seemed rather sincere to Lumie… and less emotional than she expected, given her sudden betrayal. She felt rather frustrated by his persistence… and also confused.

Lumie met Elwin’s terrified gaze.

“Elwin, do you love me?” the human asked.

Elwin flinched.

“Yes.” The fool answered.

“Ha! And you knew that this might happen, didn’t you?” Lumie asked, holding up Elwin’s coin purse.

“Yes.” He said.

“And you still love me?”

“Always.”

“Even though I’m a murderer? Even though I’m mugging you in an alley?”

“Yes. I’ve seen you. I know you. You’re better than this.”

Lumie sighed in exasperation, but a defeated smile soon crept over her face. “I think I’ve figured out what love is,” Lumie said, still holding her sword to Elwin’s throat.

“What is it?” Elwin asked.

“Blind faith. Idiocy.”