Chapter 3: We Meet Again
"What do you bring to a kingdom that hates us?" asked Lira. She and Firre were in Trinity's room gathering things for their stay in Tiras Giliath. Trinity was permitted to bring a few people along so naturally she took here best friends, although Bendarion wanted it to be him.
"How should I know? I only go there for a day at the most. And how weird is it going to be trying to hide who we really are for a whole week?" Trinity answered going through her jewelry box.
"The only thing I can think of is either keep our hoods up or always wear our hair down to hide our ears. What do you think of this dress?" Firre said throwing clothes everywhere.
"Too dressy. Where are we staying anyway?" said Lira.
"The Iron Sword Inn. Maybe that's where the knights stay." Trinity answered absent-mindedly.
Once they were all packed they said their good byes to their families and began their journey out of the forest. After a few hours of the winding path and dense trees, they made it to the city.
"So this is it? Doesn't seem so scary like they would like us to believe." Firre said.
"I know. The truth is I always enjoy coming here." Trinity said.
"We can sight see later. Right now I'm starving so let's just find this inn and eat!" Complained Lira.
Trinity led the way through the town square and down the crowded streets to the Iron Sword Inn. Once they put their things in their room, they went back down to the bar to eat something. When they arrived Trinity was met with the best sight she saw all day. Sitting at a table in the corner was the ranger from her last visit.
"There he is! That's the ranger I was telling you about!" she told the other two.
"He is good looking but who are his friends? That blonde is gorgeous!" Lira said.
"No, the other one with the darker hair is better looking. But now I see why you like coming here Trinity." Added Firre.
At the table in the corner Hunter and his friends were talking about the festival again. For a moment he looked up and saw the three girls near the bar. He looked closely and saw the same pale blue he saw a few days ago.
"Look there she is!" he said.
"Who?" Arlot asked looking around.
"The girl from the town square. Wow, she is as beautiful as I thought."
"And she brought friends, now that's my kind of girl." Menedur said smiling devilishly.
Hunter got up and walked over to the girls. Trinity noticed and it took everything she had not to start smiling idiotically.
"Good afternoon, ladies." He said. "My name is Hunter and my friends and I were wondering if you would like to join us for lunch."
"That would be great." Lira answered. The others just smiled and nodded their heads.
He led them back to the table and they sat down. There was a short moment of silence but then of course, Lira spoke up.
"Hello everyone. I'm Lira and this is Trinity and Firre."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Menedur and this is Arlot."
After the introductions Menedur and Lira struck up an immediate conversations about nothing in particular while the others took their time.
"You were in the town square a few days ago weren't you?" Hunter asked Trinity.
"Yes. I recognized you but I didn't think that you would notice me. I did cover my face after all."
"I just noticed your eyes. I have never seen such a shade of blue." He said as he looked into them. "And why would you cover your face? You're so beautiful."
Trinity blushed a deep red. No one ever told her that, except Bendarion but he was kissing up to her parents when he did. She just smiled and could not find any words to answer Hunter. I cannot believe he just said that. Why should I not get involved with him again? She asked herself.
"So, Firre, how long will you and your friends be staying here?" Arlot asked.
"About a week. We are just passing through." She answered.
"That's interesting. It's a shame that you won't be here for the Festival of Knights. It is always the most exciting day in town. We are competing in them too. Hunter is the archer and Menedur is the master jouster. I just attempt the sword fighting. I might actually place this year."
"You are probably a better swordsman than you think. It is all in your attitude."
"Thanks. If I win I'll have to dedicate my award to you for giving me confidence."
"In that case I might have to come back and see you."
The conversations continued on for a while. Then out of nowhere Menedur asked a questioned that silenced them all.
"So where are you girls from anyway?"
Silence.
"We are from nowhere in particular. We are like wanderers. We like to see the world." Trinity stuttered and stumbled over the words of her story but they seemed to have bought it.
"Nice save." Whispered Firre.
"Thanks." Trinity whispered back.
"Well we should be on our way. I can't believe it's almost sundown." Arlot said.
"Time went pretty fast. I hope this isn't the only time we'll spend together." Firre said.
"We come here everyday. I'm sure we'll see you tomorrow."
"I hope tomorrow comes soon. I can't wait to see you again, you made my day better." Menedur said in a charming sort of tone.
"If I see you again then it might make my entire week better." flirted Lira. Then Menedur kissed her on the cheek and turned to out the door.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Trinity." Hunter said. He took her hand and kissed it.
"Good bye." She breathed. The 'kiss on the hand' thing is so much better when he does it.
The girls sat back down and giggled to themselves. Meanwhile, the guys seemed quite pleased with themselves.
"I like them. Firre is a little shy but she could really open up to me." Arlot said.
"Lira is just gorgeous. Although she talks a lot, maybe tomorrow there should be less talking." Menedur grinned in his sinister way again.
"I like Trinity but something is different about her. A little suspicious too." Hunter said more to himself.
"Stop questioning it. They are only here for a week so just make the most of it like I intend to." Menedur said.
