Chapter 10: Not So Bad a Place

Evarion and Iriador wandered back towards the gate they’d entered through. For Ev, as his few close friends were privileged to call him, the crowdedness was becoming annoying. He hated crowds! Thankfully they found some breathing space at the fountain. There he sat down on the fountain’s edge with a huff of pent-up frustration.

“Dregan, why did I ever let you talk me into this?” he grumbled.

“Next time I ask to kill him,” Iriador said wryly, “remember this.“

“I just might.” He looked around, his Sylvani eyes seeing the humans crowding the streets, despite the fact that in Kylado humans were the minority race, thus the least represented amid the populace. “Humph. Humans.” A group of children, Sir’Kai, elf, and human, ran by, the Sir’Kai children calling out as they did so,

“Happy Festival Lord Elf, Lady Elf!” That nearly startled the pair of elves into the water.

“What - what did they call me?” Evarion gasped.

“Lord Elf,” answered a fox Sir’Kai from where he was refilling a plate of cheese samples under a small awning next to the bakery. “And Lady Elf,” he added with a kindly nod to Iriador.

“Why?”

“Well, sir, firstly because you are elves. All Sir’Kai are taught from childhood to show all elves our utmost respect. When our people were young, it was the elves who took us in and sheltered us, helping us to achieve this life we now live. They are out teachers, allies, and guides. And Secondly, your clothes are that of a noble, thus Lord and Lady Elf, rather than Sir and Lady.” He smiled. “Had they permission to use your name, they would have substituted that for Elf, but without permission it wouldn’t be polite.”

“Hmm…” That improved Evarion’s mood greatly. It had been a long time since he’d been shown the proper respect or been called by his rightful title. After a few moments, of thought, he actually smiled at the fox. “Thank you for clarifying that for me. Maybe you could answer another question.”

“Gladly.”

“What’s that?” Evarion pointed to the plate. The fox smiled.

“It’s a delicate type of cheese that the elves created, and that only they can manage to make.”

“It must cost quite a lot.”

“Well, I have an advantage.” He turned to smile fondly at the female elf inside, who smiled back and blew him a kiss. “Would you like some, my lord?”

“Yes, thank you.” The fox carried over the tray, just in time to give a small cluster of children a clear path to the free cookie plate behind him. They darted by, laughing, and even their unknown tagalong was able to snag one or two to munch.

“Giggle giggle giggle! #munch! munch!#”

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Author’s Post note: Just thought I’d leave everyone on a cliffhanger for a bit. What’s the cliffhanger about? Well, the next chapter reveals what Lynea discovered. Until then! Hehe