Chapter 12: Bargains

Once again, Alena woke at night realizing she wasn't going to get much sleep, as she became distinctly aware of drumming outside, mixed in with various joyful shouts and enthusiastic hollering. At least this time she felt properly rested, guessing she'd been down for quite a few hours. After a very satisfying lunch at a busy public canteen run by Endorians, the princess nearly begged her companions to accompany her to the Surene communal tent so she could get some rest. Upon sitting down on one of the large cushions, she'd immediately passed out.

Lightly pushing herself up, the princess ran a hand through her hair, looking about the tent. Neither Cristo nor Brey were there; indeed, the tent itself was quite sparse at the moment. A couple groups of Santeem merchants sat huddled in corners, others apparently trying to sleep through the growing noise coming from outside. If any of them realized their country's Princess was in their presence, they certainly made no showing of it.

"Ah, you're awake," she heard Reginald say from behind her, lightly startling her in the process. He was sitting on a smaller cushion of his own, a thin book open in his hands with a single candle providing him with light.

Alena twisted her back a few times, stretching out a few kinks that had formed. "I am," she replied dozily. "Where's everyone else?"

"Cristo and Willem are attending an evening prayer for Zenithists," Reginald said.

A long pause followed before Alena said, "And Brey?" The scout merely shrugged, his attention on the book he was reading.

Sighing, the princess stood up and went to the tent's entrance to have a look outside. The sky was mostly clear, with stars stretching out as far as she could see. They were more brilliantly luminous than she could remember, giving her wonder if it was something to do with the dry desert climate. It also wasn't quite as cold as the night before, though the fact there were several people milling about with torchlight perhaps radiated some warmth in the bazaar. As for those people, most were heading towards the shores of the lake, where she also heard the source of the drumming.

"What's going on out there?" she asked to no one in particular in the tent.

"That's those Keeleon folk," someone replied, a little contemptuously.

Alena tried to see what was going on, but was too far away and could only make out the dim glow of a bonfire. "Is it some kind of special occasion?"

"Nah, they do that every night. You know what hedonists they are."

"I guess," Alena muttered, though she really didn't. All she'd been told of Keeleon festivities was they could be quite rowdy and uncivilized, though whether that was just Santeem prejudice or her father's controlling hand giving misinformation, she could never tell. Her informant was apparently of the former sort though.

"I wish they'd put a stop to it," he grumbled.

"Ah, it'll never happen," another laughed. "They're the richest bunch here, those merchants. They practically run the place now."

Yet another from a different group began laughing as well. "Wouldn't surprise me if they try to start up their own little city out here in Scàtch."

"Hah, now that would right piss off King Stepan, wouldn't it? He'd never be able to get a single tax out of 'em!" Save two, everyone in the tent laughed.

Alena retreated back inside, joining Reginald. She wasn't particularly eager to sit with him, but even less so with all the strangers here. A heavy silence hung between the two for long moments before the princess simply blurted out, "So?"

The scout glanced at her. "Excuse me?"

"Did you find anything?"

"Oh," he muttered, looking back at his book. "No."

Alena knew he was hiding something, so she pressed. "Nothing at all? I find that hard to believe. You said you had leads, which brought you here. And there's nothing?"

Reginald sighed, putting his book down in his lap. "All right, yes," he flatly said, his eyes slightly rolled to the side. "I did find something. Not what I was hoping for, but something, yes."

"And that is?"

A frustrated grumble came from the scout before he quietly replied, "Princess, I don't think we're going to be able to get what we need."

A shrewd smiled crept onto the princess' lips. "You're lying," she said. After a moment's thought, she added, "I think you know where to find this elixir, and you're just trying to hide this fact from me."

Reginald frowned. "Then if you have everything figured out, why don't you go run off and take care of it again." He grabbed his book, turning away from her.

Alena roughly grabbed his shoulder, spun him back around, and slapped his book from his hands. "Damn it, Reg, I can't do this alone," she irritably said. "I need your help."

The scout's face was stern, but he remained calm. Realizing he wasn't going to be left alone until this issue was addressed, Reginald said, "We have a problem here, Alena, which is you."

The princess started grinding her teeth. "What do you mean by that?" she said, acid in her voice.

"It's too dangerous for you," he evenly continued, unfazed by her glower. "For any of us."

Alena's short breaths returned to normal with that answer, though she was still annoyed by Reginald's misplaced concern. "I think I've proven we can handle ourselves in a fight," she said.

"Not this time," he countered, "especially if you intend to keep trying to lead everyone."

"And why is that?" Alena found herself grinding her teeth again.

Reginald couldn't contain his frustration anymore. "You're too damned reckless, that's why," he snapped. "You'll get all of us killed."

Alena stood up, clenching her fists. "At least I'm not a coward, like someone else."

The scout rubbed his brow, growling. "Alena, let's just drop this."

"Fine," she spat, kicking at one of the cushions as she did so. She then headed outside.

"Where are you going?" Reginald called out.

"Recklessly running off, of course," she angrily shot back before exiting, leaving the scout alone with the uneasy silence of strangers who'd witnessed their argument.

Once out in the night, Alena took in a few steadying breaths, hoping the chill air would cool her temperament off. She did feel a bit better after a minute, but wasn't inclined to return inside, lest she start fighting with Reginald again. Nor did she want to simply stand around waiting for one of her companions to return. Feeling as awake as she currently did, the princess decided to try and find them, or at least Brey since Cristo and Willem would be easy enough to locate.

She first headed back to the canteen they'd earlier eaten at, guessing her old tutor was out for a late meal. She was surprised to find the place closed, as were most of the shops along the main road. When she asked a passerby why, it was due to the Keeleon party by the lake - simply put, that's where nearly everyone was. Alena's curiosity started to grab hold, as she wondered exactly what was happening there anyway. Figuring it wouldn't hurt to take a quick look, she got some directions and headed to the source of the drumming.

Making her way through a series of side paths between merchant stands and wagons, the sound of cheering and rhythmic clapping became more apparent to Alena's ears. Soon, additional instruments - high-pitched woodwinds, lutes, and tambourines - could be made out. It wasn't until the princess was at the outer edge of the large circle that had formed around the bonfire when she finally heard singing from within, enthusiastic chants she could only guess being of Keeleon origin. The crowd itself seemed to be mostly Keeleon as well, though scattered groups of Santeem, Endor, and Bonmalmo folk dotted the gathering.

Pushing through, Alena managed to get a good look at what had everyone's undivided attention near the bonfire: a five-piece band, gathered around a small jade statue of the Goddess, an ancient deity worshiped by traditionalist in southern Keeleon. Considering the amount of music she heard while approaching the bonfire, Alena couldn't believe this band - three drummers, a woman on some kind of flute the princess was unfamiliar with, and another man strumming a lute - was the only source. On the other side of the crowd, however, she noticed a couple more musicians, clearly not a part of the main attraction but joining in with the current song just the same.

As the bonfire suddenly erupted with an extra burst of flame, the crowd cheered. Alena then realized they weren't even paying attention to the musicians, but rather a trio of dancers just out of her sight. She moved along the inner edge to get a better look, and saw two very scantily-clad women writhing about to the rhythm. At times they would gracefully extend their naked legs forward, followed with a downward wave of their body; other times, as the drumming intensified, they'd vigorously shake their hips, a pale silk garment attached to a black pelvic belt doing little to hide the dark skin underneath. One danced with sparkling fans in her hands, the other a flowing red sash. Together, when a break in their intense movements allowed for it, they'd begin singing, a type of chorus accompanying the third of their group, a mid-sized man dressed in traditional south-Keeleon clothing. For the most part, he remained prone, enthusiastically singing words Alena couldn't understand and occasionally shaking a tambourine of his own. Whenever a song would reach a peak, however, he'd suddenly leap in the air, spin around, and throw a small, newly-formed fireball from his hands into the bonfire, much to the delight of the crowd.

After each song finished, everyone cheered, and a great many of the men would holler for the two main dancers. Alena couldn't help but be feel a little embarrassed for the Keeleon women at first, yet they didn't seem to mind the fact their near-nude bodies were drawing so much attention. In fact, the princess was quite surprised to see them actively flirting with some of the more enthusiastic members of the audience, batting brown eyes, flipping long, dark hair, and even teasingly blowing kisses to the overjoyed individuals that received them - perhaps what everyone in Santeem said of Keeleon women was true after all. Still, that did not hold back Alena's admiration for their dancing ability, as they continued to display amazing dexterity and agility, such that the princess wondered if she'd ever be able to move as gracefully (or sexily, she had to admit to herself).

The other thing Alena was surprised by was just how infectious the music was. It was gradual at first, but she eventually found herself tapping her foot and clapping her hands along with the rest of the crowd. During one particular song that built upon a tribal stomp, she even let herself go with more excited body movements, timidly trying to imitate some of the dancers' simpler steps. What little dancing knowledge she did have - mostly of formal, conservative waltzes with noblemen - was completely useless here. Eventually she simply resigned herself to an enthusiastic hop, even joining in a communal chant the dancers urged the crowd to start as the song rose to a vigorous climax.

She also lost track of the time, and even the reason she'd come outside in the first place. So caught up in the moment was she that Alena nearly leaped out into the clearing from shock when Brey suddenly tapped her on her shoulder. "Ah, Brey!" she gasped, clutching at her chest. She also flushed a deep red, embarrassed by her old tutor seeing her dancing as she was. "Where'd you come from?" she asked, nervously looking around as she hoped no one else she knew saw her.

Brey couldn't help but smile. "From the other side, actually," he said, pointing his walking staff in that direction. "I saw you bouncing here, so I decided to join you."

"Er, that's… um," Alena stuttered, flustered by his presence. She wedged her feet into the ground, finding herself frozen for some reason.

The old tutor chuckled. "Don't stop because of me," he said. "You looked like you were having fun for a while there."

The princess sheepishly looked away. "I, um, don't think I'll be able to if you're watching me," she said, scratching the back of her neck.

"Oh, well if it'll make you feel better, I'll keep my attention on those two Keeleon women," Brey cackled.

"Brey!"

"Ouch!" he said, rubbing his shoulder where Alena just punched it. "Why'd you do that? You were watching them too."

"Not like every man here is," she huffed, watching the musicians now. "I'd expect better of you though." Brey let out a small grumble at that, but went unheard over the rest of the crowd.

Another song ended, and the male singer, whose accent was very thick when he switched to the common northern tongue, said they were taking a break, letting the musicians play some calmer, melodic music. With that, the crowd slowly dispersed, with a few hopeful men eagerly trying to get the women dancers' attention before they disappeared into a small, nearby tent. Alena and Brey stood still for a long while, each uncertain whether they should stay or leave.

Eventually, the old tutor asked her, "So why are you out here anyway? I thought you turned in early."

Alena lightly smiled. "Their drumming woke me, actually," she said, pointing the musicians. "I think I slept long enough anyway. I'm not really tired right now."

"And your never-ending curiosity pulled you here, I take it," he chuckled.

Her lips pursed. "Eventually, yes. I initially came out to look for you though." She turned to him and added, "Anyone, actually. I just had to get out. Reginald and I, we had another fight."

"I see," Brey said, his voice turning somber. Alena thought he was about to ask her for details, but he instead remained silent.

Still, she felt the need to talk about it, so she continued. "He's trying to hide something from me, probably where we have to go for this elixir we came here for."

"It's not here, then?" the old tutor asked.

Alena shrugged. "I guess not. Wherever it is, though, he said I'd be a reckless danger if I were to go. Can you believe he had the nerve to say that?"

"He's not used to dealing with you, that's all," Brey absently replied, his attention drawn away for some reason.

"He'd better get used it, then," she said, punching the palm of her hand. "How does he expect us to work together if- ouch!" The princess buckled backwards, the sharp pain in her left calf causing her to lose balance. "Why'd you hit me, old man?"

"To maybe knock a little sense into you, Alena," he gruffly replied as he pulled his walking staff back. "I told you before you shouldn't dismiss his concerns, but if you won't listen to him, then listen to me: he's right."

Alena's eyes widened with shock. "What? How can you side with him? You don't even know what it is we're dealing with."

"I know enough," Brey calmly replied, "that if Reginald, one of our country's best scouts, is worried about taking you somewhere dangerous, then we should heed that warning."

"He's a coward, that's why," Alena shot back, frustrated her old tutor wasn't supporting her. She looked back at the bonfire, crouched to the ground, and grumbled, "We both know he's just trying to protect me because I'm the Princess of Santeem anyway. I don't know what it'll take to convince him I don't need his protection."

"Perhaps nothing," Brey said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "However, I think you should consider the possibility your desire to prove yourself to him is clouding your judgment, and that you might be acting more rashly than normal as a result. Let's be honest, Alena: it wouldn't be the first time you've done so."

The princess deeply sighed, patting Brey's hand. She hated it when her old tutor was right about her, but at least she felt more confident about herself afterwards and perhaps a little less reckless as well. "Maybe one of these days, I'll grow out of it," she absently said to herself.

They listened to the music for a bit, a mournful folk melody calming many people in the dispersing crowd. A few minutes passed, and then Alena stood up. "I guess we should head back," she said. "Sort everything out for tomorrow morning."

"You can go on ahead," Brey said, smiling as he gave her a light pat on the back. "I'm going back to the hookah tent for a while before turning in."

"The what?"

"Oh, it's a sort of pipe shared in a group," he said, approximating its height with his arms. Upon seeing Alena's confused face, he added with a sparkle in his eye, "Just another lovely item some Keeleon merchants brought here." The old tutor then took off into the night, but not before Alena could hear him whimsically wonder if he was born in the wrong country.

"I'm sorry."

It hadn't been as difficult as she thought it would be. Alena supposed it was like any other skill, in that the more you did it, the easier it became. Strange that such a saying would also include swallowing one's pride and apologizing for their stubbornness. At least Reginald accepted it with good grace.

"I was out of line," she continued with a half-smile. "I've been out of line a bunch of times, really. You have to understand, Reg, that Brey and Cristo let me guide our group most of the way, so I've gotten used to that. Still, they've also pointed out when I've been, well, 'reckless', and firmly pointed the error of my ways when it does happen." Alena let out a light-hearted chuckle, adding, "And it has happened more times than I'd like to admit."

She paused, wondering if the scout was going to respond at all. He seemed to be quietly taking it all in, his face stoic. The princess glanced at Willem and Cristo, whom had already returned from the Zenithian service when she got back. They too were quietly taking in her words, though Willem appeared to be a little more surprised by them than the others. Of course, her bodyguard was already used to this side of her, the scouts probably not.

Shrugging, she finally added, "I realize this is your mission, and that I forced myself into it. So, I'm sorry for assuming I could also take over it too."

Reginald stood up from his cushion, taking another glimpse around the communal tent to make sure no one was trying to eavesdrop - most of the Santeem merchants appeared to be asleep, the vibrant drumming from the Keeleon bonfire outside having finally died down. Satisfied, he said to the princess, "Nothing's gone accordingly with this mission, but I think we can succeed, so long as we do things my way."

"I understand," Alena said with a nod.

The scout gave her a small frown. "Then you'll understand if I say Brey can't come with us" - Alena fought hard not to retort that statement, even chewing her tongue to do so - "because he may not be up for this task, even with the small amount of magic he knows."

"I… understand," Alena repeated, her eyes low.

Reginald sighed, glancing away and crossing his arms as he did so. "And I understand you care about him, only the Master knows why," he said after a moment. Looking back at the princess, he added, "I'll also admit that, perhaps, most of the rumors about him back home aren't true."

Again, Alena fought hard not to respond, knowing full well she had to learn how to let others have their say before she gave her opinions on matters.

"As a favor for you, Alena," the scout continued, "I'll agree to let him come along, but only if he wants to." Upon seeing the princess' eyes light up, he added, "I wouldn't be too hopeful though. I doubt he figured we'd be going any further than Scàtch."

"He'll come," Alena said, her face filled with determination. "I know he will."

Reginald couldn't help but lightly smile at her enthusiasm. "Very well," he said, scratching his jaw. "Here's where we need to go…"

"…a temple of some kind, deep in Kordra Forest," Alena finished. "Some merchants here managed to steal this elfin elixir from there once."

Brey looked into his white beard, lightly stroking it as he did so. "Huh, crafty, those merchants," he muttered to himself. Looking up to Alena he said with a smile, "Makes you wonder how many rare items here are stolen, eh?"

Slightly annoyed by his continuing dodging of the topic, the princess leaned forward on the table. "So, will you come?"

The old tutor poked about the remains of his breakfast, a half-eaten egg with a Keeleon spice and left-over bread crumbs. "Haven't you eaten anything?" he asked. "You really should. The food here is marvelous!"

"Brey! Stop doing that, will you?"

"Doing what?"

Alena's brow furrowed. "Avoiding… everything, damn it! You didn't come back last night, you dodge Reg every chance you get, and now you're practically ignoring me." She slammed her fist into the table, rattling Brey's plate and drawing the stares of others. "Why won't you tell me what's wrong?"

Sighing, Brey pushed his fork to the far side of his plate. He was hoping the princess wouldn't make a scene at the bazaar's canteen this morning, but knew what he was about to tell her undoubtedly would make things worse. So, he motioned for her to follow outside, which she did.

Once away from potentially nosey ears, Brey simply said, "I'm not going, Alena."

The princess, at first taken aback by his words, asked, "And I assume you have a good reason?"

Brey was surprised by the calm, though firm, tone of her voice. "I told you before," he flatly replied, "I can't go back."

She then realized he was talking about returning to Santeem Castle.

"Helping your father won't exonerate my crimes, and even if it did, I'd be subjecting myself to much of what Reginald and Willem have already done to me on this trip."

Alena kept a firm gaze on her old tutor. "They've come around," she evenly said. "Slowly, I'll grant, but they have become more accepting of you."

Brey still couldn't help but be surprised by how calm she was being. "Maybe they have," he said, "but not everyone will. It's why I put up with it, Alena, to show you what I'll be facing should I return. Do you really want to see that on a daily basis?"

"Of course not," she frowned.

The old tutor nodded. "Then you understand why I can't go back, for any reason." Heavily sighing, he looked away, adding, "And you also have to stop trying to figure out some way of bringing me back. You've been using it as an excuse to avoid going home."

Alena blinked. "Is… that what you think?"

Again, the old tutor nodded. "The moment you saw your opportunity to turn around, you took it," he said, looking back at her. Brey was once again surprised to see her smirk.

Glancing down while rubbing the back of her head, Alena said, "Perhaps you're right. I can't deny it out of hand." Her face turned impassive upon returning Brey's gaze. "Still, at least my intentions aren't entirely self-serving this time. And if I'm willing to admit this, Brey, then you have to admit something to me."

"Eh?" He wasn't used to her voice sounding so assured.

"You're running away again."

He felt a twitch on his mouth. "What?"

A knowing smile formed on Alena's lips. "Yes, Brey, you're running. Don't think I haven't noticed it. You always seem to be running from something."

This time it was Brey's brow that furrowed. "Preposterous!" he grunted, though was surprised by how little sincerity there was in his voice.

Alena decided to push further. "In fact, it just might be what you're best at doing, avoiding difficult situations, of your fears. By the Master, you even casually talk of dying, as though it's your ultimate escape route!"

The old tutor pointed the knob of his walking staff at her. "No, I won't be baited into this," he said, his tone unusually threatening.

"Am I striking a sensitive nerve with you, old man," she said, feeling quite confident at the moment. "Funny how you approved of such a tactic on me once before."

"Hhmph," he grumbled, looking away with a deep, personal pain in his eyes. "I thought we agreed that it wasn't a good idea when I did do that."

Alena moved back into his line of sight, her face sympathetic. "No, it wasn't," she said, "but it did wake me up to some harsh truths about myself." She lightly cupped the left side of his face in her hand. "As I hope I am doing with you now."

Brey frowned, knowing full well she was correct. Much of his life had seen him fleeing from his fears, and though his determination to avoid them often carried him to greener pastures, he wasn't sure he would continue to be so lucky. He also knew, however, that he was tired of always running, that once he'd like to be able to stare one of his demons down and conquer it. At his old age, he figured he'd never have such a chance, but perhaps there was some hope for him.

Though he was almost certain of the consequences, Alena seemed determined to offer him an opportunity to overcome one that haunted him for years, the greatest sin he felt he ever committed. That was, should they survive their trip into Kordra Forest.

The old tutor patted Alena's shoulder. "Who'd have ever thought you'd be able to teach me something, hm?" he quietly said with a small smile.

The princess gave a playful shrug. "I think we've taught each other a few things over the years, for better or worse."

Brey motioned for them to reenter the main road of the bazaar. "Come," he said. "Let's go find that temple."