Chapter 10
Dirk was unsurprised to find Elf covered in ink with ink-splattered papers scattered around her. There was even a streak of ink on the side of her nose. "How's the writing coming?"
Elf grimaced. "It's not. The ink goes all over the place and the letters look like a baby made them."
Dirk examined one of the sheets covered in precariously tilted letters. It was a big improvement over what they had been when Elf first started trying to write with her right hand again. After several months her writing with her left was neat enough but she was determined to starting using her right again. The little movement she had regained was stiff and awkward so her control of the pen left a great deal to be desired. "If I can drag you away from your work for a moment, I have a gift for you."
Elf, as any thirteen year old would, immediately focused her attention on him. "You don't have to get me gifts." She protested.
Dirk pulled a leather wrapped bundle out from under his arm and offered it to her. Elf hesitated before unrolling it and found the assorted tools of a watchmaker.
"What are these for?" Elf looked up confused.
"For making music boxes. It requires precise movements but I figure between your magic and your hands you'll have it mastered in no time." Dirk explained.
"But I don't have the parts to make music boxes, and I certainly have no idea where to start." Elf protested.
"For the first problem we'll have to go into the City to buy some parts, and for the second problem one of the Heralds is willing to teach you the basics and there is a watchmaker willing to teach you some as well." Dirk explained.
"To the City?" Elf repeated eagerly.
"We'll even stop at the Purple Cat." Dirk promised. "It's nearly summer so you don't have to worry about catching a chill this time."
"Can we go now?" Elf asked setting the tools aside and looked down at the ink stained shirt and skirt she wore. "Well, after I change."
"I'll go get someone to help you change." Dirk promised and strode back out the door. Moments later a young Healer trainee that Elf knew well named Hinna came in.
"What would you like to wear?" Hinna asked cheerfully. The girl was about a year older than Elf with a perpetually cheerful personality. Since she worked on this ward most afternoons, she had often helped Elf change. "What about that pretty blue dress?"
Elf nodded as she started to pull off her ink stained shirt.
By the time Dirk knocked on the door again, all ink had been removed and Elf wore a pale blue dress one of the Healers had given to her a few months ago. It had loose sleeves a tight bodice and a long skirt with embroidered flowers and leaves along the scooped neckline. Hinna had also taken the time to pull Elf's chin length hair back in a half ponytail held by a white ribbon.
"Ready?" Dirk asked before scooping up Elf. She still couldn't walk, her legs couldn't even support her. He carried her outside to where Talia and Jemmie, his son, awaited them. Jemmie was mounted on Wind who neighed and tossed her head when she saw Elf. Behind them Dayna was hitched up to a small gig painted a brilliant blue. It obviously only had room for two people, if they were friendly.
"Oh!" Elf exclaimed when she saw the gig. Dayna tossed her head causing the bells on her hackamore to chime. "She's beautiful! Whose gig is it?"
"Yours." Jemmie said proudly. He was a few years' younger than Elf with hair that hovered between red and brown that was as unruly as his father's and eyes the same brilliant blue as Dirk's. "We commandeered it from the palace stables, painted it and now it's yours."
"It truly is yours." Talia assured her. "Jemmie insisted on helping your Dayna learn to pull it in exchange for the use of Wind."
Dirk placed Elf in the seat and handed her the reins. He didn't offer her any advice on driving it, he had no doubt Elf had been driving since she was a toddler. "Did you want to stop at any of the markets?"
"I'd like to stop at the Trader's Guild actually. I'm going to need money if I am going to buy anything." Elf said as she gathered the reins in her good hand. They were pretty much useless, especially since Elf could simply tell Dayna which way to go.
"It was a little banged up before we got it." Jemmie explained as they started out of the courtyard. "And they had stained the wood this horrible green. But some putty and paint and she looks as good as new. We tried to paint Companions on the side but they ended up looking like sheep."
Elf laughed and ran her hand down one side of the gig. "It's beautiful."
:I agree. And very light.: Dayna concurred, glancing back over her shoulder at Elf. :They were going to put bells on it but they ran out of time.:
:I think the bells would be over doing it. These things jerk about like you won't believe.: Elf assured her. "How long have you been working on this?"
"Well, the gig has been ready for over a month but we decided to wait until you had a reason to go out to surprise you." Jemmie explained.
Dirk and Talia trailed after them at enough of a distance that they could talk without being overheard.
"She's looking much better." Talia commented.
"She's doing much better." Dirk agreed. "She is already studying second year topics."
"Already?"
"She'll probably have even fifth year topics covered before she can join the rest." Dirk said with both pride and sorrow.
"Why don't you have her join the classes now?" Talia asked curiously.
"She has several intense healing sessions a day. Afterwards she needs to rest for at least a candlemark. She could maybe manage one class. I know the other students wouldn't taunt her but they would still pity her, and that is the last thing she needs."
"Other than you, who has been teaching her?" Talia asked curiously.
"Alberich mostly. She is fluent in Karsite already and not a bit intimidated. She keeps calling him crodro. I have no idea what it means."
"Old man." Talia said with a grin. "She seems to speak Valdemaran fluently as well which is a blessing."
"And Iftellan, Rethwellan, Shin'a'in, Tayledras, trade tongues and other languages I have never even heard of. I think there is more than twelve that she says she can speak fluently and others that she was learning. I am encouraging her to keep learning them."
Dayna turned down a side road without prompting, the Trader's guild was ensconced in a massive old building that was decorated with statues of Guildmasters of long past in arched nooks along the wall. The building was made of a dull grey stone that may have once been polished to a shine but was now pitted by weather.
"Could you help me?" Elf asked Dirk as Dayna stopped.
Dirk swung to the ground and picked Elf out of the carriage. Talia and Jemmie quickly dismounted and followed.
Inside the Trader's Guild it was plush with exotic novelties displayed on highly polished tables. Many men and women, all ornately dressed, loitered in deep discussion that no doubt concerned trade routes and goods. A bespectacled clerk hurried towards them.
"Heralds, how may I help you? Was there an accident?" He asked worriedly.
"Actually, I am here to make a withdrawal." Elf said with a deliberately snooty accent.
"Uh, of course miss. And your name?" The Clerk glanced at the two Heralds uncertainly then back at Elf.
"Elflet Lytharean. Daughter and heir to Jadin and Corili Lytharean."
The clerk nodded and hurried away.
"I hope he doesn't forget us." Elf sighed as she looked around. "They like to do that to 'mere' travelers."
"They won't, not with a Herald escort." Talia assured her as she surveyed the plush appointments. "This place is…"
"Gaudy?" Elf asked. "My father called it a prime example of rich men who are poor in taste. Often within hearing distance of those same rich men."
Dirk chuckled. He was less interested in the sophisticated vases than in finding a place to put Elf. There was not a single chair in the entire room. "They certainly didn't design with an eye to comfort."
A richly dressed man appeared from the same hall the clerk had vanished into, looked at the four intruders, and then quickly retreated.
Almost immediately, he reappeared, this time wearing a thick velvet robe of an almost black purple that Elf recognized. Her father had sold that fabric on their last visit to Haven. Now it was embroidered with gold threads and silk.
"Miss Lytharean." The man said with an almost humble tone. "We were sorry to hear of that dreadful incident."
Elf smiled wanly. "Master Jedik, It has been a long time."
"Come with me, let me show you to a more comfortable room." His beady eyes darted over the two Heralds, obviously not recognizing Talia, and Jemmie. "Have you continued your father's trade?"
"No, injuries and fate have dictated a different path." Elf said as Dirk followed Jedik down the hall to a sitting room. It was done in scarlet, black, and gold in what was supposed to be a southern style. To Elf's knowledgeable eyes, everything was too heavy for the style they had been aiming for.
:Are you seeing this love?: Elf asked Dayna.
She felt a strange sense of sharing that told her Dayna was using her eyes.
:Oh my… What's it supposed to be? A brothel?: Dayna asked lightly.
Elf grinned. Dirk set her on one of the hard chairs and Jedik quickly took a seat at her right.
"My dear girl. How may I help you today?" Jedik asked ingratingly.
"I would like to withdraw some money." Elf explained. "If you could arrange it…"
"At once." Jedik picked up her right hand and patted it reassuring. "May I suggest a seamstress for you? Mistress Coroni is truly the best, only takes customers on recommendations."
"I remember her. She was always one of our best customers. She once made the most exquisite dress for my mother." Elf smiled innocently. She was used to trader's guilds. There was always a power struggle and she had no desire to be dragged into one here by owing Jedik a favor, even for one as seemingly small as the recommendation of a seamstress.
Jedik's face showed no sign of disappointment. "I will go see about your funds personally my dear. I insist, if there is anything else that you come to me."
Elf smiled and watched as he hurried away. "Pompous prig." She grumbled.
Dirk chuckled. "What did you do to deserve that treatment?"
"She's richer than he is." Talia said with a grin. "And he is very well off."
"We bought fabrics that were considered common in one place and sold them where they were rare. Of course we made a lot of money. Value is often in rarity." Elf explained. "You may as well sit down too. This is going to take a little while."
Jemmie took the seat Jedik had vacated. "What were they thinking when they did this?"
"Probably 'it looks like it cost a fortune!'" Elf joked. "How do you like riding Wind?"
"She's incredible." Jemmie said enthusiastically. "She isn't as fast as Ahrodie or Rolan but she is the fastest horse I have ever ridden. I really appreciate you letting me ride her until you can ride again. I groom her every night and give her apples and carrots."
"Sounds like she is being spoiled." Elf joked.
"Of course, she deserves it." Jemmie grinned. "Is it alright if I give her sugar?"
"So long as her teeth don't fall out." Elf assured him.
The door swung open without a perfunctory knock. This time it was a woman, dressed in heavy velvets that were much too warm for the weather in shades of green and blue. Not even Elf could appreciate the clash of colors of her gown and the room.
She barely glanced at Elf, instead she focused instantly on Talia. "Lady Talia, I thought that was you. What brings you here?"
Talia was obviously less than pleased at being recognized. "I am just stopping by, Councillor."
"They came with me." Elf explained. "I was just getting some money from my account here."
The Councillor turned her attention to Elf who met her searching gaze gamely. "You're the girl who nearly blew up the council."
"There was no nearly my lady. I only intended to hurt that one particular councillor." Elf said seriously and immediately wished she had kept her mouth shut.
The Guildmistress actually laughed. "That blowhard deserved it. I assume Jedik has gone off to get whatever you asked for. Leave it to that brownnoser to try to curry the Queen's Own's favor."
No one corrected her misconception.
"Well, Kayvia, I hope you know that not all of us were such blind idiots. I do believe you when you said the leader was a highborn. A trader would know, would they not?" She gave Elf a conspiratorial smile.
"My name is actually Elflet Lytharean." Elf corrected her.
"Jaden Lytharean's daughter? Then you definitely know what you are talking about. I knew your father, placed many orders with him. A good man, he mentioned you the last time I saw him." The Guildmistress smiled a truly genuine smile. "He thought you would go farther than anyone since your grandmother. I assume she was quite the traveler. It seems odd to think of his as dead, I had no idea it was his family. Well, I best be off. Don't let Jedik be too helpful." She warned, made her farewells to the others and left again.
"It seems you have just made a very powerful friend." Dirk observed.
"Guildmistress Lieta dealt with us on both trips through Valdemar, even though I never met her." Elf shrugged.
Jedik finally reappeared with her money, more than she asked for but she had no doubt that it would all be spent eventually. "Here you go my dear girl. Now you remember, if you need anything just ask."
"I'll remember." Elf promised with a hollow smile. :I'll remember never to ask you.: Elf said dryly for Dirk's and Dayna's benefit.
"We best be going." Dirk said firmly and scooped Elf up again. "We don't want to tire her."
Within moments, they were all outside again. Jemmie immediately snickered.
"Can you believe that room?" He asked.
Elf's nose wrinkled and she laughed as well. "Pity money can not buy taste."
Once back in her little gig Elf gathered her reins in one hand. "I assume you have a shop in mind for the pieces I need." She said to Dirk as he swung easily into his saddle.
"Of course." He and Talia took the lead this time leaving the younger pair to hang back a bit and gawk at the bustle of the city.
~ * ~
It was after dark when the four finally made it to the Purple Cat and it was already filled to capacity. A bard, dressed in scarlets, sat next to the fireplace singing a comic song. The farthest table was filled with people clad in white and green, most chatting amiably. Between the long tables, fresh faced serving girls wearing purple and black dresses served drinks and food with obvious good humor. A small table in the corner seated five children that seemed to be working on their studies. Next to the door, a massive man who probably borrowed his muscles from an ox with a patch over one eye glared at everyone. Elf had no doubt he could quell a fight with a single glare, or a blow in need be. A tall, thin woman with greying blonde hair smiled at their entrance and hurried over. She was clad in purple and black and her hair was confined in a simple knot.
"Geeva, I hope you have room for us." Talia greeted her with a smile.
"Of course Heralds." Geeva smiled. "There is actually a room available if you wish it or there is room at the end of the Herald's table."
"The Herald's table will be wonderful." Dirk assured her and carried Elf to the bare spot on the bench.
"What would you like?" A cheerful serving girl asked as soon as they were seated. "We have meat pies, beef, ham, chicken, stews, and venison. I recommend the rabbit stew tonight. Miss Ana helped make it and it is truly divine."
They all quickly agreed to the rabbit stew and some of the famous cider.
"Satisfied with your shopping?" Talia asked as they waited for their food.
"Very." Elf said firmly. They had even made a quick trip through a produce market so she had bought some special fruits for her friends at the Healers. They even had the plans and a box of parts for Elf to make her first musical box. The old watchmaker had made all the parts before as a training kit for his son, who showed no interest in the family trade. He had promised to have two more ready in a month or so. Elf had also purchased over a dozen books, more than half in languages other than Valdemaran.
A few times during the day, she had seen something she just knew Calum would love or that her mother would laugh at but other than a wistful ache she actually felted comforted by the memories that were replacing the horrific, nightmare that had been their last moments.
One of the Healers at the table waved at her when she noticed Elf's presence but Elf noted the concern in her eyes.
Elf returned the wave with a smile and studied the people around her. Jemmie asked his parents a question about their activities for the upcoming summer break leaving her to her thoughts for the first time since Dirk had shown up that morning.
It was strange how her life was different. She could not say they were bad changes, at least not all. Other than her injuries and her family, the changes were mostly good. She tried to remember the image of her family that she had seen while she was with Raiken but it slipped away again.
:Something wrong?: Dirk asked, disturbing her thoughts.
Elf started slightly. :No. Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking that other than my injuries the changes are good.:
Dirk smiled fondly. :I am glad to hear it.:
:Do you believe in an afterlife?: Elf asked suddenly.
:Yes. Why? Do you doubt there being an afterlife?:
Elf shook her head. She hadn't told Dirk about seeing her family. After she told Alberich all those months ago, she hadn't spoken about it to anyone but she had thought of that moment regularly. :No. I know the Havens are real.: She felt Dirk study her worriedly. :Thank you for everything. And I don't mean the tools and the gig. I mean everything.: Elf said sincerely.
:You aren't considering anything foolish are you?: Dirk asked suspiciously.
Elf laughed drawing the eyes of everyone at the table. "No. I am not going to do anything foolish. I am just saying thank you."
Dirk flushed and cleared his throat.
"Should I ask?" Talia glanced between them.
Elf shook her head. At that moment their food arrived, both of the younger people dug into the repast with a single-minded purpose, leaving the conversation to the adults.
~ * ~
"I watched her today." Talia said as she and Dirk settled into bed for the night.
"And?"
"Occasionally she would feel grief but almost immediately she felt peace. I think your concerns about her pining away for her family are groundless." Talia said candidly. "However, I think she is very worried about doing anything to displease you. By the time we got back I know she was sore from being jostled about but she never once complained."
"She's a little fighter." Dirk said with pride.
"Rolan feels the same way about Dayna. You're like a pair of proud, anxious papas." Talia said lightly. "Have you considered inviting her to visit your family with us this summer?"
"I would, but she is still having regular Healing sessions she can't miss. Besides, I think Alberich has plans to keep her occupied. Probably involving disobeying the Healers."
"At least she will have her new cart to get around." Talia tried to stifle a yawn. "Of course Rolan is worried about what that pair will find to occupy themselves."
"Dayna wouldn't let Elf do anything remotely risky." Dirk said confidently.
"Odd, it's Rolan's hope that Elf will keep Dayna from doing something foolish."