CastLEGO - Chapter 1, part 2
The Bloodstone Inn isn�t very crowded in the afternoons, and today is no exception. Only a handful of people are seated at the tables � and even they aren�t buying much.
The brown-haired lad had been sitting here since noon, deep in thought... he shot an expectant look toward the door, but looked away again when he sees that the girl who just entered is not the one he�s been waiting for.
�Hi... you're Kfir, right?�
The boy looked up and smiled. �Well, that gives you an advantage over me,� he said, �because I don't know your name.� �Aeniea,� was the reply.
He rolled the name on his tongue: �Ee-nee-uh... that's a beautiful name... � He was distracted by the door opening, but quickly looked back at Aeniea. �What does it mean?� �It doesn�t have a meaning,� she said.
Kfir lifted his eyebrows in amazement. �Are you sure?� he inquired, �you must be from pretty far away, then; names almost always have more than one meaning in the Lion Kingdom.�
Aeniea was surprised to hear this: �Really? What does your name mean?�
Kfir opened his mouth to speak, when he noticed someone entering the inn. He looked toward the door anxiously, and he saw the girl he was waiting for. �You know what,� he said absently, �it�s a long story, and I�d love to tell you all about it... but I have to go talk with my, um... with Jewel��
�Sure, go ahead,� she says as Kfir rises.
�Nice meeting you, Aeniea, and I�ll see you around, I hope?�
�Maybe, I suppose so,� she said.
Sitting by herself, Aeniea tried to concentrate, but soon got distracted...
�Wanda! Get me another round,� bellowed the man sitting at the bar, �and while you're at it, get one for that beauty over there,� he gestured toward an attractive woman sitting at the corner.
Aeniea politely pushed away the mug that the innkeeper set in front of her. �Dahlin�,� Wanda lowered her voice, �you'd be better off taking it. This is Brant, the Helfire lieutenant; you don't want to make him mad.�
�No thank you,� Aeniea said slowly and clearly, �I never drink.�
�There's always a first time,� said Brant as he walked unsteadily over to her, �you should try Wanda's ale, it's very sweet... sweets for the sweet, eh?�
He stood in front of her, and she sensed the strong stench of alcohol on his breath. �I said no,� she said defiantly, �don't make me say it again.�
�Saucy, aren't you?� Brant smiled broadly, �you'll regret it soon, I suppose.�
�I'll take that chance,� Aeniea muttered, rising from her chair.
Casting a last, scornful glance at Brant, she left the inn.
Kfir looked at the brown falcon that was perched atop the arch, and listened intently. Jewel waited impatiently, and was extremely curious as she saw Kfir smile, then frown slightly, and smile again. �Well...?� she asked.
�She did it!� Kfir said happily, �her plan worked. I had my doubts about that Mephisto character, but I guess he�s all right.�
Jewel smiled. �Oh, admit it... you�re just jealous, you think he had a thing for Scar,� she teased.
�Give it a rest, Julie,� Kfir said, �you know Carlee and I are just friends.�
�I�m � I�m sorry,� she stammered, �didn�t mean to step on your toes... I was just kidding.�
�Forget it. Go tell Dare, all right?�
Jewel shook her head. �Whatever,� she said. �What�s the matter with him? He never acts like that,� she thought as she rounded the corner. She was so absorbed that she barely noticed where she was going...
...and collided head-on with Aeniea, who wasn�t really paying attention either. �Sorry,� they both said in unison as they rubbed their foreheads. Jewel smiled and walked past her, leaving the other girl to ponder what she had seen and heard.
CastLEGO - Chapter 1, part 2
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