Chapter 55: In the Syndisian Sword Tavern/Inn

The inside of the Syndisian Sword Tavern/Inn was warm and comfortable, like a home. Dregan took a sear at a table near a bar made of polished wood, settling into the chair with a contented sigh. As he motioned the mages to join him, the others of his family went to apparently customary seat: Kest and the gorgeous Dunedi at the bar on stools, Evarion and the shortest elf - who hadn't embraced Dregan when he'd arrived - on the stairs that led up to a second floor, the human in white and his lady at a nearby table, and the final Dunedi scooted a chair next to Dregan's and held his hand. The children squabbled a bit about who got to sit in Dregan's lap, until Lily said,

"He's our daddy, so there!" And she and her brother climbed into his arms. The other kids contented themselves with pulling over a kid-sized table and chairs to sit near their uncle.

Dregan first introduced the mages to his family: the lovely Quatrill, the fiery-haired Kest, Iriador, who looked up from her seat behind Evarion, Cedras til'Nayles the paladin (and only non-elf there) and his lady wife Aerderwyn til'Nayles, and lastly Layrina Sha'Quelrast, his consort. Then he introduced Vivi, Zentarou, and Orko, and told their tale of capture, escape, and searching for their homes. When he was done, Evarion stood, strode over - and firmly slapped Dregan upside the back of his head.

"That's for scaring all of us half to death - " He whapped him again. " - that's for worrying Quatrill, Layrina, and the kids sick - " One more swat was delivered. " - and that's for being idiotic enough to go out alone, without your dagger or your Selkynil pouch on." Dregan rubbed the back of his head as Evarion retook his seat.

"First, ow, ow, and ow, and secondly, I honestly missed that."

"You really were gone a long time!" Kest laughed. To the other mages, he asked, "Want anything to drink?" Dregan grinned, and pointed at the wine rack behind the bar. He whistled and motioned his finger as if calling a pet, and one of the wine bottles and four glasses floated over, bouncing lightly on the air. The mages laughed at the display. Quatrill teasingly caught the last glass as it passed her, playing a little -tug-of-war with her brother before relinquishing it to him.

"That was some story," commented Cedras in his rich voice. There was definitely something about him that was different, and yet fit so well with the mix-matched group who lived in the tavern. They also noticed a change in Dregan. Here he seemed more relaxed than they'd ever seen him, though Vivi thought personally that having Lily and Savander in his arms was a large part of it.

As if he knew he was being thought of, Savander looked at Vivi and their eyes met. Those eyes! If Vivi's glowing yellow eyes were unique compared to most, Savander's were even more so. The irises had no set color, being rather a fluid blend of soft yellow, purple, red, blue, green, even orange! And they seemed fluid indeed, shifting and swirling at varying speeds depending on his mood - faster if happy apparently - and even brightening, that is to say the colors became clearer and sharper - as well in fluctuation with his feelings. Now, looking at Vivi, they swirled decently swift - perhaps the silent child recognized Vivi as a caster like his father, or understood and was grateful for the aid given to Dregan - and were decently bright, but whenever he looked upon his father, the speed and clarity at least doubled! Again, as if knowing Vivi's thoughts, Savander giggled adorably and snuggled closer to Dregan.

Abruptly all heard a loud, rapid noise. It sounded like a chorus of "Mew mew mew mew mew mew mew mew mew!" over and over. Savander and Lily quickly vacated Dregan's lap as a pack... herd... pride... something of creatures, two large and eight smaller, leapt all over the elf mage, licking at him. He laughed as a mental voice rang out in all's heads:

Don't you ever scare me like that again do you hear me I was scared to death as had no idea where you were of what happened and I lost contact with you - The voice went on and on.

"Remember what you asked about Nimpits?" Dregan asked. "Well, these are Nimpits." As one, the creatures turned to regard the mages. Two green (one the largest), two white (one the second largest and seemingly female), a blue, purple, black, red, yellow, and a Technicolor polka-dot, they appeared to be cat-like with flully tails, large bat-like ears, large intelligent eyes, two slender, backwards curving horns on their heads, and clue little pink noses. They regarded the mages for a bit, before uttering a unified 'Mew' and returning to their affectionizing of Dregan.

"These demons you mentioned," Quatrill spoke up. "They came here as well, a few weeks ago." Vivi gasped, as that was about the time they'd been on Gaia, and Dregan had had that nightmare!

"Vivi?" asked Orko, concerned.

"I - it's nothing. Just the timing, that's all. We were on Gaia then, more or less."

"So they struck at two places at once, or thereabouts," Evarion rumbled deeply. Dregan met Vivi's eyes with his, understanding the other connotation with the timing. Savander just giggled.

"Ack! Get off of me you Nimpits." Dregan said finally, attempting to shove the creatures away from his face with little success. "Elfalon!" The green one just grinned. "You're supposed to be my familiar. That means you listen to me."

Not happening.

"The Render told us about the demons," Zentarou said, continuing with the line of conversation, though he couldn't do it without a rub to his ribs. "It seems we ticked off someone with hellish contacts."

"Trolly-molly, hopefully the person was there this time," Orko commented, "because we have no clue as to who it is."

"There are ways to find out," replied Cedras, "but I would think that is not for today. Our lost brother has returned home safe, bringing new friends with him, and that calls for celebration."

"Ha!" Kest laughed. "Now you're talking, Cedras! Lets party!" The Nimpits mewed and instantly scattered, darting here and there happily. Kest agily leapt into the barstool he had been sitting on, then onto the bar itself. "Summon Shanti, my love, and take out your flute." Then the animate elf snapped his fingers, using magic of his own, and foods of all sorts appeared on every table, and flagons of every kind of drink imaginable materialized besides. "Eat up, drink your fill, and let's have some fun!" Iriador stood up.

"One thing first, please." All looked to her. "There is something I must say first." For some reason, Zentarou, Vivi, and Orko saw the residents of the tavern smile. At Kest's knowing nod, Iriador, quick as a blink, set her bow into position and nocked an arrow, aiming at Dregan. Her next phrase stunned and horrified the three mages.

"Evarion, my love... can I kill the Dunedi?"

Much to their surprise, this was met with laughter. Dregan nimbly stood and moved to put his back to a nearby wall, leaving about a foot between him and the wood, still holding his wine glass full of the rich red liquid.

"Iriador, not only will I hold still - " He carefully balanced the glass on his head. " - I'll sweeten the shot." None could miss the sparkle in her eyes as the swiftly fired. The arrow flew true, so low that the feathers ruffled the mage's dull silver hair, to shatter the glass and embed itself in the wall behind. Wine dripped through Dregan's hair and over his face, but he smiled. "Perfect shot." Iriador was smiling back, but somehow the visitors knew not to mention it.

They celebrated long into the night, dancing to Quatrill's flute playing, sharing stories, playing with the kids, Nimpits, and Shanti - Quatrill's Astral wolf companion summoned from a star pendant upon her neck - and the like until well after midnight, when all four mages, Cedras, Aerderwyn, Layrina, Lily, and Savander went to bed to sleep, and the remaining elves went to reverie.