Chapter 10:
Muadhnait/Mai:
As soon as we boarded the boat, Aida was back to her usual thing- going around and talking to everyone. I watched a bit amused as Seena attached herself to my leg to steady herself.
"Seena not used to boats," she said, swaying slightly.
I knelt down and pat her head,
"You know what really helps?'
"What?"
"If you sleep the whole trip," I said confidently, "Because how can you get sick when you're sleeping?"
"Seena try," the kid said, "Seena use you for pillow?"
"Sure," I said with a shrug.
I sat down on the deck and she settled herself on my lap, using my stomach and chest for a pillow. I rubbed her back comfortingly.
"You really do have a way with children, Nameless."
"Just as you have a way with making them cry," I said scornfully.
I was still a bit mad at him for making the kid cry.
"I don't like seeing kids upset, in pain, or in tears," I informed, "So unless you want to get on my bad side, I suggest you don't do what you did before."
Faelern frowned before sighing,
"I apologize, Nameless... I didn't mean to make her cry."
"Good," I said with a nod, "Now, I think Aida might need your help with the journals."
He went over to help her as Zander came over to me.
"So how long have you known?"
"Known what?"
"That she was alive- you arrived with her..."
I noticed that his fists were clenched. Seena squirmed slightly, but otherwise didn't wake up from her sleep. I shh'ed her slightly,
"I didn't know for that long. I found out maybe... two weeks ago. It was by pure chance. She didn't want to come back- thought she was protecting everyone..."
"And you didn't tell me," he roared, "Do you know how long I searched for her? Do you realize just how much it hurt to think she was dead?"
"In you case you didn't realize, I searched for her too," I snapped, "She's my friend, Zander. She may be your love interest or whatever, but she is my friend and I value our friendship- she didn't want me to tell so I didn't."
"I'm your friend too, Mai," Zander said through gritted teeth, "I thought you would have told me..."
He looked like he was ready to hit me from anger. Before he could, Faelern stepped between Zander and I. He narrowed his eyes.
"I think it's best you leave. She has a child with her and even then, you do not hit a woman. Apparently, moon elves are worse than I thought."
The two glared at each other before finally, Zander backed down. I turned to Faelern,
"Thanks, Handsome."
"You are welcome... You shouldn't get a mage, a moon elf one especially, mad like that."
"I didn't do it on purpose."
"Do you ever get someone mad on purpose? All I ask is for you to be more careful..."
If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Faelern was pleading with me in his own way. I nodded and he took a seat beside me. Seena stirred in her sleep and she whimpered as if she was having a nightmare.
"Settle down, wee lass," I muttered.
I wondered what I could do to calm her down. A light bulb went off in my head. I started to sing softly so I didn't disturb the others,
"My Bonnie lies over the ocean. My Bonnie lies over the sea. My Bonnie lies over the ocean. Oh bring back my Bonnie to me..."
Seena started to calm down slightly as Faelern looked over at me curiously. Sinha, the scholar, was still on the boat and watched me curiously well. Aida and Zander sent a few looks, but nothing more.
"Last night as I lay on my pillow. Last night as I lay on my bed. Last night as I lay on my pillow. I dreamed that my Bonnie was dead..."
I hummed slightly before I continued, "Bring back, bring back. Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me. Bring back, bring back. Bring back my Bonnie to me... Oh blow ye the winds o'er the ocean. And blow ye the winds o'er the sea. Oh blow ye the winds o'er the ocean. And bring back my Bonnie to me..."
Seena fully calmed down and went into a peaceful sleep as I smiled. Faelern looked at me,
"You have an interesting singing voice, Nameless... When you are not drunk, that is."
"If I may," Sinha said as he wondered over, "What song was that? Are you a bard?"
"I'm not a bard," I shook my head, "the song is called My Bonnie Lays Over The Ocean, it's an old folk song from my people- usually used as a lullaby for kids. It's a love song, actually. That's why it says to bring back my Bonnie."
"Interesting..."
He looked to Seena,
"I'm a master in rare species, and she's a Lith, but you two seemed attached. Did you come to Taren to adopt a child for you and your Sun elf? He's your boyfriend, I suppose."
From that moment I realized the boat ride to Ildis was going to be a very long awkward one.
When we arrived at Ildis, I was amused at Seena's and Aida's reaction to hear that it wasn't ice, but instead the whole place was made of crystal. Seena started to jump in excitement.
"Lass, you just ate, don't jump around, you'll get sick," I warned.
"Crystal, Crystal," the child chanted.
"Seena," I said firmly.
She stopped jumping and went to grab my hand. I smiled slightly since in a way she reminded me of a little sister. I followed Zander and Aida to the castle with Seena at my side. Faelern followed behind us slightly. As soon as we reached the gates, Zander started to tell something to Aida. No doubt he was trying to tell her about his father. I knew about that since I had been to Ildis before- it was the first place I visited since the library was so helpful learning about the races, the countries, the wars, and everything else I wanted to know about. The gate keeper greeted us.
"Welcome to Ildis," she greeted, "Please refrain from damaging public property. The city is protected by private guards which belong to Lord Morthil. Please be advised that Lith aren't allowed to enter the colleges or the libraries."
Now that was new information to me. I knew that Lith were used as slaves, but I wasn't aware just how much they were looked down upon. I frowned slightly,
"That's hardly fair," I commented.
"If you have a problem with the city rules, I suggest you take it up with Lord Morthil."
"Maybe we will," Aida threatened, "What kind of bullshit is that? Liths aren't allowed to enter the libraries!"
"Where is Lord Morthil," I asked, "I do believe we'd like a word with him..."
I had yet to meet Zander's father and Zander was glaring at me. I just smiled kindly though my eyes were darkened slightly since I highly disagreed with his father. Faelern stepped forward,
"He was the general responsible for taking out the traitors who helped out the Lith during the massacres... Nameless, I'd like to meet with him as well."
"Nameless," Zander questioned and I just waved him off.
"Well there you have it," Aida said, "Let's meet up with this Lord..."
"All right, follow me. His castle is around the corner but your Lith must stay outside," the gate keeper warned.
"That is unnecessary," Lord Morthil said as he appeared, "I am Lord Morthil... Ah, Zander..."
I pushed Seena behind me slightly since I was scared that Lord Morthil might say something rude about her. Zander bowed his head slightly in greeting,
"Father."
"I should have known. I find you at every Lith problem this city has."
Lord Morthil turned towards us,
"My son, as a mage, you can see he has a soft heart. A heart that is trouble to both him and those around him."
"Good gods," Aida said, "Zander, your father is you in wrinkles!"
I didn't even try to hide my laughter.
"A human, a dwarf, a Lith, and now... a noble..." Lord Morthil observed, "Don't mistake pity for friendship."
"By the gods, he's even grumpy," I laughed.
It wasn't long before Lord Morthil got tired of us and left briskly. It was then that Tillie showed up.
"Zander, where have you been?"
Then she spotted me,
"Mai? You're back to Ildis! That's great! Did you find those ingredients you were looking for? You still have to let me know what you're trying to do and... AIDA?!"
Tillie tackled Aida in a large hug as I chuckled to myself.
"ICANTBELIEVEITSYOU!"
As soon as she parted, her and Zander got talking before she remembered that she left her beloved Airdan on the streets. He appeared behind her,
"I'm here love," he greeted, "Miss Aida, Miss Mai, good to see you again."
"Airdan," I greeted cheerfully as he gave me a small hug.
Over the time I did spend in Ildis, Airdan became a quick friend to me- a good friend. Though I knew the hug was strictly platonic because he obviously loved Tillie, who returned the love. As we parted, I noticed Faelern glared heavily at Airdan. I wondered why he was glaring. Airdan sent a knowing look towards Faelern and backed away from me slightly, which made Faelern nod. I felt like I was missing out on something.
"We were wondering if you could check out these journals," Aida said, "Think you could decode them?"
Tillie nodded and we headed off to a more secluded area- Airdan's. Faelern glanced at me,
"Nameless, who was that moon elf?"
"Airdan," I asked, "He's a good friend of mine."
"Hmmm."
Faelern was frowning. I chuckled, more out of nerves than anything else. Tillie and Aida discussed the journals and that they would need some books from the library to decipher them. Soon after, Aida left us to get the books- knowing her luck, she'll probably run into the rest of the gang pretty soon. I sat down on the ground where Seena climbed into my lap.
"You sang to Seena," Seena exclaimed, "Seena remembers having nightmare and you sang to make it better!"
"I'm glad it worked," I said with a warm smile.
"Seena thinks you have a nice voice," Seena said innocently.
"Thank you," I bowed my head slightly, "It's a pleasure, Princess Seena."
"Seena's a princess," she asked shocked with wide twinkling eyes.
"Every little girl is a princess," I said with a smile.
"Seena thinks you're a queen," Seena said, "You're... so-so-sophi-"
"-Sophisticated," I offered and she nodded her head like a bobble head.
"Yeah!"
Faelern looked over curiously,
"She is correct, Nameless. You do off the sense of sophistication and power which is odd since you act like neither of those things."
"Gee, thanks, Handsome," I rolled my eyes, "If you must know, I can be sophisticated when I wish to be- I just usually prefer to be childish. The mind of an elder and the heart of a child makes one pretty nimble, don't you think?"
"I... I am not sure how to reply to that, Nameless," Faelern said honestly.
Seena reached up towards him,
"Elf- play with Seena?"
"No."
I glared at Faelern and finally, he gave in,
"Very well."
Seena cheered and dragged Faelern away a bit where she started to play with him- telling him that he was the dragon and she was the princess. Tillie looked over slyly,
"So you like Sun Elves, then?"
"W-what," I blushed.
"I saw the way you looked at him- all lovey-dovey! You like Faelern, don't you?"
"Perhaps," I answered honestly, "I doubt it will work out though. I... I'm not exactly the type of person one wishes to court."
"Oh so you're serious about him then," Tillie asked shocked, "I thought he might have been another fling..."
"Not this time, Tillie... I wish so though, it might make things easier..."