Chap 21 The Fey markets with Nuada and Nuala!

*bold- elven/fey

Laira

Excellent idea! I didn't have long to wait. Nuala called me that they would both come with me as guides the day after. She was not as resistant as I thought she would be. I anticipated that she would be reluctant to leave Abe. "Not at all, Brother's happiness is also important. While you promise to be his best friend, I made a vow to spend more time with my twin. Nothing beats bloodties."

"You said it, gal." We laughed together.

Our meeting place would be by the fountain, about 11am. Nuada wanted to see the progress. I guessed he wanted some of the healing water too. He is my best friend. Haha, he admitted his weariness to me when I asked why he didn't carry me! First time.

When I reached there, the twins were already seated, chatting animatedly. Nuala had applied some perfume, little makeup and lipstick. Her dress was of a new elven- design without a sash, an entire one- piece lavender dotted by sparkling stars. Her brother was in a meridian colored shirt shorter in length, with a matching bottom accentuating his fair skin and hair. He looked muscularly lithe. Before I got close enough, the twins turned around smiling.

"Morning! Laira!" she exclaimed softly. She bowed and accepted my hug. Nuada cocked his head and said, "How do I look?" I did an appraisal, running my gaze down his clothes. A new set of clothes, the other day's was a riding jacket kind of length, this was a separate top and bottom. An inner brown tunic as well.

"Wonderful." He smiled and we held hands. "Me?"

Nuada grinned. "Just fine. Always the same active girl." Disappointing answer. "Surely you're not mad so early in the day."

Nuala laughed.

No, I'm not. I'm magnanimous enough not to care- I shot.

He replied- Good! It is a compliment.

BPRD agents everywhere. Feyfolk also- big and small. These fey markets were not the topside ones we passed to come in, but inside Bethmora itself. The vendors' stalls were myriad. Mostly strange food, pottery, handicrafts, bags, shoes etc. Some of them shouted their wares in Gaelic. I watched a man with a goathead playing pipes. He danced merrily on a table makeshift stage. A few people were cheering. Funny!

Nuada tugged my hand gently. "Are you hungry? I've changed money."

"Yea a little." Actually I intended to use my own money, but he had decided already. Anyway it would be troublesome to exchange, for I didn't know the rate here. Never mind.

We stopped at a stall selling food. An entire selection- cherries, grapes and bread, cakes. Nuala explained what was what. Basically I selected everything (excluding the insects dishes-because I like them alive or fossilized, not as food). I got toffee apples, dried grapes with sugar coating, honey flavoured big beans, sweet cakes. Yummy. Most of the food is sweet by the way, hence why elves crave sweet delicacies.

"Enough? Can have more later," the prince asked.

"Yup thanks. Have you both eaten yet?"

"Yes. These are my favorite, Laira." He gestured to toffee apples.

His sister spoke to the merchant. The merchant looked human enough, except for his hands. I almost startled at the four arms waving about. It was only the prince's steadying hand that kept me grounded. She was friendly with him. Nuala did not seem shy though she was delicate.

Nuada

It was a joy that day, showing our homeland like a tourist attraction to my mortal Halfling. I knew she would be hungry, she always is. If the merchant cheated us, I had my sword.

I opened my money pouch. "How much?"

"Ten please."

Reasonable enough. I dropped the pieces into one of his hands. "If you need more, just feel free to tell me." Laira smiled, chewing on the honey beans. A rush of tenderness softened inside. Did I love her? More than a best friend?

"My sister you know him? When?"

"You're forgetful. He always sold us stuff when we were kids."

I smiled.

Sometimes we paused to let the girls observe the acts and plays taking place. I had no interest in them. I preferred to be the one to perform sword dances. Some acrobats breathed fire, juggled and sung.

"Who is that? A siren?" Laira nodded to a beautiful mermaid with wings. The wings seemed to be giant bird feathers, in place of feet, she had a tail but had no problem standing. She began to sing in a hypnotic voice, no words purely music.

"Yes. Do not go too close, she charms you." Males were giving her money. But contrary to popular belief, females also will be charmed. "Even girls willingly become her slaves. Their voices can be tuned."

I led them away. Luckily I was not, because I am grounded in my principles. Lustful idiots.

"You'll protect me. I got nothing to worry about," she said.

I touched my sword belt. "Definitely. Do you want to make a dress?"

"Ok! Cool!" Laira thought for a while. "Hmm, I want a design like yours, Nuada. This meridian is beautiful indeed."

My sister feigned sadness. "Isn't mine beautiful?"

I said, "Yes why not choose Nuala's? Mine is a male cutting."

She shook her head. "Your dress is lovely, Nuala. But I prefer your color. I don't have this green yet. But not too long, I want to walk without tripping."

Nuala said all right. The tailor's shop was open. Nobody in yet. Perfect. The tailor came out from the back, greeting us in the common tongue. It is a simple form of gaelic, what we elves use is dialects. Her multiple yellow eyes must look monstrous to my mortal friend. She kept her shock in check. The lady had a birdlike face, her red feathers contrasting oddly with her blue feathered body. Only her bottom was covered. Huge clawed talons for feet.

"I want a dress in meridian, short to my knees…" As she spoke, I translated and my sister added more details- female cutting and adding artistic designing. Laira was thinking we sounded melodious, rather like singing.

"How long will it take?"

The tailor gestured. I said, "About an hour." Nuala went with her and the tailor for measurements to be done. The clothing was not interesting to me, so I went outside to wait. All manner of creatures strolled past, busy with their private affairs. But no one was in a hurry to go anywhere. No sign of fellow elves. Dwarves who usually lived in the mountains trod past brandishing axes. Children tumbled around engaging in rough games.

Then my phone vibrated. Not used to the device, I had to think which button to press. Then I figured it out. "Yes, hello?" I asked.

"My friend! I know of a good healer!"

I replied, "Who are you?" His voice was foreign. Why didn't he identify himself? But he knew my language.

"My lord, it is I, Jarvis your butler. We met previously. I looked after you."

That was little help. I could not remember, maybe he had come with a group of elves when I was ill? "How did you know my number?" It was the next best thing.

Then it dawned on me, a few weeks ago, I did ask my friends if they could look out for a good healer. Either Uriel or Salem could have given him my phone number. "I heard you went out today, so I called your cellphone. Where are you prince Nuada?"

I told him where we were. I would pay any exorbitant price for Laira's hand to recover. Or at least if the pain was alleviated. She had done that for me. "Did you mention that my friend is human?"

I decided not to let others know of the girl's half-elf heritage. It was for her safety. Some of our medicines might not work. Jarvis said he was already nearby and would reach quite soon.

Nuala came out first. She nodded, having heard. "We wait for him?"

"Yes. You have a better memory, this guy was our butler? I don't know."

Nuala touched my hand, concentrating. His face came into focus.

At least this is how he looked then, brother. Now he might be older.

I got impatient. Time was passing and we still didn't see a sign of him. Laira came out shyly. "Do I look pretty?"

I smiled. Her russet hair was in braids, the meridian cloth like mine. Butterflies decorated the top part, and a light colored sash cinched her waist. "Nuada."

"Stunning," I replied. She smiled.

"Hmm I'm ready why are we waiting?"

I took her hand and knelt. "My friend knows of a healer. He can help you reduce the inflammation on your palm."

Laira blinked in surprise. "Will it be expensive?"

I placed conviction in my tone, "Do not worry. We will discuss that, no cost will be a problem."

True I had not brought that much. I stood up. I hate being kept waiting.

Finally Nuala looked westwards. "Ah he is here! Hi Jarvis!"

I smiled, though inside I was boiling. He had taken so much time to get here. Jarvis kissed my hand.

"Dispense with ceremony. Where do we go?" I cut in before he went into a lengthy greeting for me, a whole list of titles. A rather long way. The girls were tired. Stopping at a stable, we got a small carriage to transport us. The healer's house was on top of a cliff. Had not seen it before.

As I suspected, a veil hid this cliff from outsiders. I felt the air change. The house was actually more of a hut. No one seemed to be in. Jarvis said something in old elven. We waited in what looked like the hall. Nothing to sit on. There was a rug on the floor.

Laira clung to my robe. "It is ok. You won't be alone."

"I'm not scared. Will it hurt? I would rather not if it hurts."

Nuala reassured her. "It won't be much." A creature came out from a chamber at the back of the hut. A hood concealed his face, it wore a deep brown robe similar to what monks wear, of which little wings stuck out from his shoulders.

I began, "Can you heal her hand? Price is not a problem."

He started to unhood himself. I stopped him. "She is a child. Can you do it without uncovering yourself?"

"All right, Nuada Silverlance." It cackled. Although in my years of experience I had come across all likes of freaks, aliens and monsters, I felt the chills. He had Read my mind without permission, not needing to touch our hands. Still if he tried anything suspicious, I would slice off his head. Nuala's restraining hand on my arm.

The other elf had retreated to the other end of the room.

"Show him your hand." I touched the mortal's shoulder.

"What is it? An amulet sigil?"

I explained what took place, almost a year ago. The healer cackled again, both male and female in voice. "Oh then she is your bond-mate. You owe her many lifetimes, elf. I want a thousand gold pieces."

"Can you do it? You haven't even started telling me the procedure!" I snapped, losing all patience.

The child gasped at my anger.

"Only that? I could do a minor surgery. But it will take many weeks and will likely be agonizing."

What?

"No it is too risky. How about healing balms to apply? She is human. We can discuss the price further," my twin interrupted before I could slice him. How dare he! His tone and condescension to our situation, mocking at us.

Nuala negotiated the cost, but he still insisted on thousand gold pieces. We had not brought that much.

Laira shook her head. "Nuada, it's fine. Don't be angry."

"I want to help you," I answered. I can't forgive myself if she suffers this scar any longer. Nuala smiled, gesturing. The freak walked inside. Curtain fell over the hole he just went through.

"What did he say?" Laira wondered. I bade the Halfling to wait outside.

"I have some money. And he says it is fine to do a downpayment first, Brother. No surgery." She said, producing her pouch and looking inside. "How do you think he looks like?"

I answered aloud, "I am glad. That's good." To her- not very nice. Gives me the chills.

"This cream must be applied every two hours. Cooling effect. 800 pieces." The freak showed us a container of putrid smelling stuff. "How much do you have on you?"

"What about the scarring, will it fade?" I struggled to rein in my seething anger. He should make good on his promise.

"No. But the inside flesh will heal, that which causes pain everytime. When she did it, she understood the implications."

My heart sank. Why couldn't he help more? Would surgery do? But a humanblood could not survive our kind of surgery. "What did you mean, I am her bondmate?"

"Only someone who loves you unconditionally will do anything for you Nuada." Then it unhooded itself. I mentally braced myself, but I was still breathless. His face had been scorched off, so one side was a smile, but the other could not. Looked like his body was a rotting clump. Nuala coughed. I felt sickened and stepped back. "Scared of my ugliness? You elves cannot know of external deformities. Such beautiful long- lived beings like you. Cause of envy."

"We are sorry that you are like this," my sister admitted. She still held compassion. I nodded. My heart resumed its normal pace.

We settled the payment. Our downpayment came to 200.

Signing on a paper contract, I promised to return in 2 days with the rest of the money. "She must come. I wish to examine the wound again," it rasped very lightly.

******

"I'm going to be all right. Don't be sad," she said cheerfully while the hooded thing smeared the horrible cream on her scar. His hand was gloved now, or we would see the rotting flesh.

"You need to do that every two hours."

I felt lost in thought as we left. Laira held my hand, singing to herself.

Does it pain you?

Nope actually it's ticklish. You were angry at something else.

I lied, Not at all. It was just his tone of voice. I did not like his arrogance.

He sounded ok to me, friend. "Let's watch some performances, can we?" She smiled.

Nothing left in my pouch. "Fine, the free ones. Are you hungry? No money left."

"Oh I still have some of the apples. And a bun too." Jarvis signaled he had given her food. Good. Nuala spoke to him, in front of us. He shrugged. An old fogey elf- why didn't he tell me its nature? Then we could prepare ourselves.

"Nuada, who is that kind uncle? I used English but he didn't understand me."

"My butler, he took care of us in the palace. I don't remember him well, so didn't introduce him."

"I see." Laira was engrossed watching some performances. When there were makeshift seats, we took them. Strange creatures with multiple eyes and mouths, juggling with fire brands, balls, or singing offtune fascinated her. I ruminated again. The freak, whether fey or some pagan deity, radiated the truth. There is no question of our status, being a prince I can have anyone I want as my soulmate. Elves mix around freely but only take one true lover in their long lifetime. Usually we seek mates among our own clans, because mortals are inconstant lovers. The lifespan difference will cause rifts and heartbreak as well.

I never liked the elven women my father wanted me to speak to.

However, this mortal is my best friend. I don't believe she is inconstant. The other problem was the child had once asked me, when I stayed in their house during my injury. I adamantly stated only an elf or fey would be my equivalent. How wrong I am now! I glanced at Nuala. Needed to hear her opinion first. So this meant our clan, since we are the last ones, will have no more pure elves, only mixed? It is not what I wish.

"Nuala, is that meant to be funny?" she asked my sister. A man stuck out several heads and juggled with all his mouths. I smirked. When she took my hand, I hurriedly projected happy thoughts. She was too distracted to notice.

********

"Brother what did he say to you exactly? It was in gaelic but something not translated to me," Nuala enquired. My little friend was on the cellphone.

Jarvis interrupted, "Oh he is in love."

"Kindly shut up." I growled.

Nuala frowned. I took her hand to make the picture clearer.

"How come you can read my mind but yours is blocked?" I added sulkily.

"I practiced. Nuada you're still seething over my soon-to-be marriage to Abraham?"

"Not really. What should I do? Or tell her. She is my best friend. I feel bad about lying. But I am not ready yet!" I pressed my nose bridge.

Not to mention how Joe would react. I imagined telling him- I will be your sister's protector and husband. On a good angle, he just might see it as positive since I am royalty. However what their father did-- would naturally make him opposed to this news. During our conversations, I understood his protectiveness, as strongly as I felt of Nuala…. Our age-gap too was vast! Damn the freak! I would prefer not knowing.

Brother, it is all right. Calm yourself. Do it slowly, in your own time. I think Laira will be very happy. My sister said mentally. I have faith in you both. In fact, she wishes it, has been all this while, but you avoid romance vehemently.

Ha she told you that. Yea, it doesn't suit me. I wryly replied, smiling.

Never too late to try, she said in English. Laira kept her phone.

Two hours by her watch. "Come let me smear it for you." I opened the container, balking at the smell.

"Yuck indeed. And so much of it too. Nuada, will we have to return again? His touch gave me the chills."

"Yes I will come. The rest of the payment has to be made." I blocked the horrible disfigured face.

She startled me with her insight. "He feels like a ghost. Don't hit him."

Neither fey nor resembling any deity or creature- what is he?

I turned to Jarvis. "What is his origin?" I also said in Elven to get through. He smiled, twitching his pointed ears.

"Half-faery."

One of Ariadne's tests? She might have sent him here to check on me. Or a prank of the other goddesses. Our goddesses toy with us, which makes them so unpredictable. They never gave straight answers. I did not need a bond-mate. I have survived over 300 years, several hundred lifetimes, without a girlfriend. In exile, Wink, the occasional animal passing by, were my friends. Why couldn't it be another elf? It would be less complicated.

"Hey! Earth to Noowa!" Laira called, waving in front of my eyes. "Why are you distracted?"

The carriage rocked. "That is not my name." Our journey by horse was almost ended. I expected it to take much longer…

Nuala laughed. "Don't make fun of him, look at his sulk."

I laughed weakly. "Not sulking."

"So are you okay?" My sister touched my shoulder. Laira had shifted to the window seat to look outside.

'Yes. A bit tired. And I need to do things." Annoyance returned. I hated waiting for transports. We should have walked. Nuala told her we would alight at the exit on the other side of Bethmora.

I instructed, "You need to go home. The cream still needs applying."

Not a surprise she moaned. "Aw already? I want to see more sights. Please! Isn't it supposed to be a wholeday tour? It's only 4!"

I nodded. "True but it's different now." In other aspects, our simple friendship had changed. I felt even more obliged now. My duty encompassed protection and care. Our elven code of honor. It'll be tough caring for one so impatient and younger than I am. Travelling time will take till 5. And when I have time, we will come again.- I assured.

Laira withdrew into silence. That did not bode well. I didn't mind silence but not from the child. Jarvis, of whom I didn't even have an inkling of taking care of me, laughed. Idiot!

"What?"

"Your face, prince! My god, the cutest expression!" he slapped his knee. Laira smiled then felt infected too at his helpless mirth. Mine was definitely a picture of dismay.

"Jarvis why are you laughing? Nuala do you know?"

My sister shrugged, raised brows and her orange eyes glittering. "No of course not. It's a private thing. He is handsome like this right?"

My face felt hot. Luckily, we do not blush, our blood doesn't rush to the face.

****

"I will come by your home. It is nearer to the exit in," I said, rolling open the map. I had marked the healer's hovel with a cross. To my companions' curious glances, I explained further, "I always bring a map. Just now, I took note of the place. Laira, we will go there day after tomorrow. Will that be fine?"

She said, "Hmm, it's fine. How will you get money?"

"I have it. Not an issue." I escorted her out of the city safely. The human traders' centre where I had trailed a goblin in. Laira blew me a kiss. I watched until she disappeared from sight.

Good thing I don't go shopping.

Two days later, I wore a glamour to look like a businessman with a briefcase. I carried a pack with supplies, strapped two swords to my back, plus other weapons. I glanced at a new watch. About 10.30 am. My body clock did not feel so accurate in the city, the noise and atmosphere upset my senses. Disgusting human odors and perfumes abounded.

Finally I arrived at their apartment. It had been so long since I come, was it correct? I checked the address again.

The security guard allowed me to pass without much problem. Joe greeted me once I slipped off the glamour. We shook hands. "Hang on. She's dressing. Man the cream stinks."

"I know. But the doctor said it is more effective." Hang on, to what? I wondered. These human expressions are tiring on the brain. Joe bade me to sit down.

Familiar house. Her jigsaw puzzle of Titania and Oberon on the wall of her bedroom could be seen. She liked our legends. But we don't have those people.

"What's that? Is it heavy?" he asked, opening a can. He gestured for me to take the mineral water.

"My weapons and supplies. Not at all."

He looked surprised, the sapphires going light. "Every bit the warrior again! Take it easy."

I asked him what he meant by that. "Relax, don't be tense. We're friends right? Who is this doctor?"

White lie would suffice. Fey are not supposed to lie, but in this case…

I chuckled. "An acquaintance. He specializes in wounds of the paranormal. Just as precautions. Even as a BPRD agent, I constantly bring arms."

"You can use a gun, Nuada?"

I nodded. "Very shocking. I fired once and almost flew back from the impact." I showed him the humble size with my fingers. "I try not to, unless necessary."

"But it is safer than melee. Direct hit might injure you again." I touched his arm. Now he sounded more 'tense'. His thoughts were buzzing with a trust that I would care for his sister. Thank goodness he did not sense foreboding.

Laira came out wearing a blue blouse and dark pants. "Hi! Nuada, you look smart. See, last of the cream. I'm going to puke."

"Same. Ready to leave?"

Joe rose with us. "Nuada, can she stay there with you? I won't be in."

I will take care of her, my friend. "Ok. See you tomorrow." was more informal.

"Bye!" another word they shortened. He nagged her not to make me angry and ruffled her hair.

I wanted so much to tell her the truth. Ah, what's wrong with me? This task placed more urgency. Settle this first, I could take my time. Laira surely won't reject me, she's too considerate for that.