Chapter 2: On the Sly
It's early in the morning, just about seven o'clock and Nythenia is ready for work. She's sitting at the table, drinking her cup of Dalaran tea. After taking her last sip she quietly took her bag and swung it over her shoulder, opened the door as quiet as she could, so she wouldn't wake up Delandr. She had a bad feeling burning in her stomach about yesterday, the elf that was standing at the door, she had no idea what he was talking about.. 'Did Delandr do something bad? What did he do to make someone so angry? I wonder.. I must know…' Nythenia thought to herself, digging for answers, as she made her way to open the pub.
The sun started to shine through the windows, the glasses on the tables started to reflect the light, it made everything bright and shiny. Nythenia loves the sun in the morning, it looks so warm and welcoming. Also, not to forget, there are barely any customers early in the morning. Nythenia filled a bucket of water, starting to clean the counter and the shelves. She forgot all about the elf as she was cleaning, and singing a song to herself. As she was cleaning the kitchen, in the back of the pub, she heard the bell of the door ringing, someone stepped inside. She put her head around the corner of the kitchen to see who came in. It was a human and an elf, she didn't see any faces as they were looking towards the door. "Just a minute, please!" Nythenia shouted from the kitchen. She finished what she was doing quickly and made her way behind the counter, smiled and said: "Well, how can I help you?" The elf turned around, looking at her. Nythenia recognised the face of the elf, her smile started to fade away. As Nythenia waited for an answer, the elf came closer to the counter, and started leaning on it, with his face closer to hers. Nythenia stepped back a bit and tried to put up a smile. "Is your boss around?" The elf asked. Nythenia didn't reply right away, but she took some time to think, "N-No, He's not in right now. Maybe you should come back later and ask again?" The elf lifted himself up from leaning on the bar, "Right." He said as he turned around to leave, along with the human. "Wait a minute!" Nythenia hastily yelled before he had left. The elf stopped, turned his head, looking back over his shoulder, as the human already had left, he was waiting for what Nythenia wanted to say. "Who are you? I saw you yesterday.. Did my fiancé do something? I'm very worried and I-" "It's none of your business, elf." The elf said as he focused on the door, the bell rang as he opened it. 'At least tell me your name…." It was quiet for five seconds after Nythenia asked him. "Valith." He said and stepped out and shut the door. The sound of the bell echoed through the bar and it was complete silence.
As time went by, it was already midday and the bar was less empty. Nythenia took the orders of customers and took the notes to the kitchen, where Fip, the cook of the pub was cooking food. Nythenia walked into the kitchen with another three notes full of orders, she layed then on the table and leaned against it, looking at Fip and smiled. "Everything okay, Nythenia?" he asked. "Yes, well, at least, kind of.." Nythenia replied. "Looks like something is on your mind. You can tell me, y'know that." Nythenia nodded with a smile and pat him on the shoulder as she went back to the front, as Fip took a look at the notes. "Nythenia wait, really, you need to talk to someone, you look very worried.. Just talk to someone, okay?" Nythenia smiled and walked out. As Nythenia was standing behind the counter, she saw more people coming in. She sighed as she made her way to the new customers who found a place to sit. "Welcome, what would you like to order?" "Aye, I'd like a' nice mug o' ail. C'n ye do tha' fer me, dear?" The dwarf said. Nythenia nodded her head, as she was writing down the order and made her way to the kitchen. "Hey, Nyth! How are you? I saw this hot elf walking over the street, ahh man.. That was a good piece of meat!" Nythenia looked up and saw Reiylah, her best friend. "Oh, hey Reiylah" "What's wrong? Having fights with Delandr again?" "No, I don't think so.." "Well that answer doesn't really sound trusting!" Nythenia went to the kitchen to return more notes. "Some strange elf knocked on my door last night, just when Delandr and I were… Well.. The elf was angry at Delandr. But I can't think of anything it could possibly be.." "Well, maybe he just pranked him, you know how he is." "Hm.. Maybe.. But the elf came to the pub this morning and asked me for my boss, apparently he's called Valith.." "Valith? I haven't heard of that name before.." Reiylah said, doubtfully. "Well, I hope to see him later on, I want to know what's going on…" Nythenia said, as Reiylah patted her shoulder. "Well, I'll let you do your work, I got to do some other stuff." "Right, well, see you around, I guess."
It was late in the evening and there were only a few customers. Some of them were just drunk. Nythenia was leaning on the counter, looking at the crowd. She felt that she was thirsty and opened the cupboard where all the glasses are stored. All the glasses were used before, she sighed as she went upstairs to grab a new glass. There was a cupboard with spare glasses if those in the pub were dirty or used. There were also some rooms where people could remain for the night. One of them was being used, she heard. Weird noises came from the door. She just ignored it and went back downstairs. As she stood behind the counter to pour in some water, she heard the door open with a slam. It was Valith, looking furious, taking big steps towards the counter. "Is something wrong? Are you look-" "Yes, I am. Please tell me where he is." "Uhm, you go up the stairs and then the first room at your right." She replied. Valith nodded and made his way up the stairs. Nythenia was surprised and wondered why he was so livid.
As Valith was at the top of the stairs, he went to check out the room Nythenia told him. There was no one to be found and he took the keys from the desk, it must be the keys to the bedroom doors. He went to look for an occupied room. He walked slowly and quietly, as he heard sounds like someone was moaning. As he stood in front of the door he carefully tried to find the fitting key. As he found it he opened the door, seeing a human female in the bed, with Delandr. As Delandr saw Valith at the opening he knew he was screwed. He stood up right away, covering his groin with both hands. "For Elune's sake." Valith said, with a very unpleasant voice. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I swear!" Delandr said. Valith looked at the human, and beckoned her to come over. She did as he wanted and put her clothes back on. "Please don't tell Nythenia!" Delandr begged him. Valith was quiet, looking at Delandr. "Fine, just this time. This better be the last." Delandr walked to his clothes, and started to put them on.
As Valith walked back downstairs, into the pub, Delandr had already left through the other exit, at the back. Nythenia had a few notes as she walked to the kitchen and saw Valith in the corner of her eye. She looked at him and smiled. "Did you find him?" Nythenia asked him. Valith nodded, with a serious face. He walked to the counter and took a seat. As Nythenia came back from the kitchen, Valith gestured her to come over. She slowly made her way to the counter, leaned on it and looked at Valith. "Anything I can get you?" she smiled. "A strong beverage, please." Valith replied. He looked at her smile and somehow felt guilty because he knows about Delandr. In the meantime, Nythenia put a mug of dwarvish ale in front of him and smiled. "This goes on the house." She winked. Valith grabbed the mug and held it before his mouth, before he took a sip. A customer waved at Nythenia to come over. Nythenia made her way to the human. She likes that there are many races who visit the pub. It's not as boring as only humans or elves. "What shall it be?" Nythenia said as she grabbed her note block. As Nythenia wrote down the order, Valith made his way to the exit and had left by the time Nythenia was done taking the order. She walked hastily to the kitchen to deliver the orders to Fip. As she stepped back out of the kitchen, Valith was nowhere to be found.
