Chapter 2
Isil wasn't very happy to see her elder brother. Actually, 'wasn't very happy' is a gross understatement - and she went ballistic when she heard that Elfazar was to be their escort to - Elbarad didn't as of yet know where. Elbarad didn't even know why they needed an escort - why? Was it to do with that danger that popped up in that morning's conversation? He figured that that was it - something out there is especially dangerous, and for some reason it wanted to hurt Angelus and Magmus.
Elbarad resolved that he was their guardian and that he would go to any lengths to protect them. It was his job, and he swore that he would not fail.
They enjoyed a nice quiet dinner, filled with a perpetual uncomfortable silence. Isil and Elfazar just kept flashing dirty looks across the table while Gaia played peacemaker.
Elbarad finished early and made his way to bed.
As he lay there, he heard the adults tidy up and make preparations for sleep themselves. He felt himself slowly drift into an uneasy slumber.
Half way through the night, he was awoken by sounds outside his window. Two people were talking.
"Well, I don't think so - I'm pretty sure that no-one knows that you guys are here, and if they did, I would have heard. We drow have massive networks, you know, we know things from hours to days before anyone else does - and I have not heard anything about you guys" - it was unmistakably Elfazar, his dry voice unmistakable and clear in the noisy silence of night.
"Good, we don't need any more trouble. Kael showing up two days late didn't help us at all - I was worried that our cover was blown." - The second voice was surprisingly Isil, who, as it seemed, was back on speaking terms with her brother.
"Yes, I heard about that"
"I should have known, so - you've kept the rumours within the city walls?"
"What? That Kael, the northern God of flame visited the very house that two newborns graced the world only a few days ago, during a rain storm, just as you said it would? I don't think that I could have even if I tried. The whole town knows about your certain skill, not a very smart thing to let get out."
"It wasn't my fault that some fool entered the house just as I um. did what I did."
"Yes, well, that didn't help our cause much more then Kael coming two days late did. But anyway, you shouldn't be out here - get some sleep little one."
"Why are you here then?"
"Don't question me - I'm a whole year older then you, which makes me the one who gives me orders"
"Aah yes, I'm sorry for questioning you oh great one" Isil countered with uncharacteristic sarcasm.
Elbarad heard the signs of Isil's departure and settled back into his bed.
"You can come out now Elbarad"
Elbarad sat up with a start and turned to see Elfazar's deep chestnut eyes looking at him through the window. "What?" Elbarad questioned with all the young innocence he could muster.
"I don't have large pointy ears for nothing, you know. It is not nice to listen to conversations. Not that I'm not proud of you, but once you start listening in on my conversations, I have to step in. Forget anything you heard and go back to sleep - that's a good lad"
Elbarad lay back down and fell asleep immediately out of fear.
"Heh, kids these days" said Elfazar, shaking his head.
---
The next morning, Gaia decided to let Elbarad sleep late - something that Elbarad was completely fine with.
By the time he had gotten up completely, everything was packed and ready to go - a wagon awaited them outside, along with five horses.
It turned out that two of them were to pull the wagon, and the other three were for Kael, Magmus and Himself. The problem was that Elbarad had no idea how to ride a horse.
When Kael and Elfazar heard this, they simply blew up in laughter. "But you are an elf!" Kael exclaimed, hardly able to control himself.
Elbarad was blushing furiously, "So? Not all elves know how to ride the moment they were born!"
Elfazar walked up to Elbarad and held his shoulders - "Well then, young elf, if you cannot ride, then I must teach you."
---
The teaching process was brutal, for they had little time - it seemed that Elfazar's plan revolved around the concept of throwing Elbarad into the deep end and hoping that he could swim. Well, if you continued that analogy, Elbarad drowned horribly.
Hours after hours, he was forced to climb back on that horse and urge it forward - and every time he would either fail to get up in the first place or fell off once the horse got moving.
But as the evening came, Elbarad was actually showing signs of improvement - being able to ride the horse for a few blocks and bring it back without fault. However a new problem arose. Falling off being his usual method of dismounting, and due to the fact that he had completed a prefect ride - Elbarad refused to get off until he was sure that he could dismount properly.
And so he sat, on top of the horse - Both Kael and Elfazar watching him expectantly, and yet the young elf's pride did not waver - he sat there adamantly, waiting until he was sure that he could dismount properly.
There came the time when Elfazar and Kael had finally given up and made their way to the pub which was situated across the road.
They entered the pub and went to the bar. The bartender, not expecting customers so early - especially customers so renowned for their drinking habits - was delighted when Kael ordered his usual - "280 gins please"
And Elfazar, his - "Just a goblet of your finest brandy thanks"
They sat there, talking to one another about their past experiences, Kael going through his 280 gins easily, not stopping for a breath of air.
"He off yet?" Kael would ask, Elfazar being the closer one to the window.
"Nope" was Elfazar's usual reply, turning back from the window, and taking another sip of his brandy.
And so they drank together, Elfazar going through around 5 goblets worth of brandy before ordering a barrel of the stuff; "for the road".
"I think we'll have to take steps" Kael concluded, quite certain that Elbarad would never actually be ready to dismount.
Elfazar took a moment to look out the window one last time; "I'll think we'd have to", watching Elbarad look at the ground from his horse, seeing the fear in the young lad's eyes.
And so, Elfazar grabbed his barrel and made for the exit, closely followed by Kael - just before they actually reached the door, the bartender interrupted their grand mission. "Excuse me lads, but you owe me 315 gold"
"Well" Kael said, looking at the bartender, then at Elfazar. "Well, you pay your half and I'll pay mine"
"Your half? I only had 5 goblets of brandy - you're the idiot who gets 280 goblets of gin from every bloody pub you go to'
"I have my reasons - ok, fine, 60/40"
At this prospect, Elfazar thought to himself "Fine, but only because you're a friend"
"Good, you pay your 60 and I'll pay my 40"
"WHA-"
"Excuse me lads, but I believe you still owe me 315 gold"
"FINE" Elfazar exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air.
---
The process of getting Elbarad off the horse was as simple as Kael threatening to burn the horse out from underneath him.
And so they were again ready to leave again, this time, knowing that it would be her last time seeing her sons in maybe a long time, Gaia kissed both so long and bade Isil good luck on their journey before retreating into the house, no doubt fearing bursting into tears.
The great voyage started slowly - they just trotted out of the city at a leisurely rate, as if just going out for an outing - as to not rouse the neighbours.
Finding himself with nothing to do, Elbarad found himself asking many questions in order to keep himself occupied.
"Master Kael, can you tell me about the time you took on 1000 demons in a tavern brawl?"
"Well, I wouldn't ask me if I were you - ask Elfazar here, we can tell you in full"
"Master Elfazar?"
Elfazar took a long glance at Elbarad - "well, if it would shut you up... The story begins and ends with the fact that me and Kael were very drunk. We were travelling home and had stopped off at a tavern somewhere down at Karmock - this was before Kael and Isil got married - we were inside, and it turned out that that tavern was suffering from a little demon infestation - after Kael 'accidentally' called a Demon Lord's daughter a wench and offered a single gold piece for her, the Demon Lord went crazy and set his hordes on us - we didn't actually take on the whole 1000 at once, however we did have our luck with about 500 of them - Kael and his newly found Rune Blade made short work of them, I was busy with some tankards of ale that I had stolen from right under the Demon Lord's backside - literally - and a few wenches. They were fine wenches too" Elfazar added, smiling to himself as he remembered the old times.
"Master Kael, can you tell me who we've been running from?"
"Running from? What gives you that idea? We aren't running from anybody"
"Then what danger is it that we are avoiding by going to your home in Akshar?"
Kael's face suddenly went quite serious, "Boy, I do not want you to mention that while we are on the road, have you got me? I may or may not choose to tell you when we stop for the night, but don't get your hopes up"
Isil wasn't very happy to see her elder brother. Actually, 'wasn't very happy' is a gross understatement - and she went ballistic when she heard that Elfazar was to be their escort to - Elbarad didn't as of yet know where. Elbarad didn't even know why they needed an escort - why? Was it to do with that danger that popped up in that morning's conversation? He figured that that was it - something out there is especially dangerous, and for some reason it wanted to hurt Angelus and Magmus.
Elbarad resolved that he was their guardian and that he would go to any lengths to protect them. It was his job, and he swore that he would not fail.
They enjoyed a nice quiet dinner, filled with a perpetual uncomfortable silence. Isil and Elfazar just kept flashing dirty looks across the table while Gaia played peacemaker.
Elbarad finished early and made his way to bed.
As he lay there, he heard the adults tidy up and make preparations for sleep themselves. He felt himself slowly drift into an uneasy slumber.
Half way through the night, he was awoken by sounds outside his window. Two people were talking.
"Well, I don't think so - I'm pretty sure that no-one knows that you guys are here, and if they did, I would have heard. We drow have massive networks, you know, we know things from hours to days before anyone else does - and I have not heard anything about you guys" - it was unmistakably Elfazar, his dry voice unmistakable and clear in the noisy silence of night.
"Good, we don't need any more trouble. Kael showing up two days late didn't help us at all - I was worried that our cover was blown." - The second voice was surprisingly Isil, who, as it seemed, was back on speaking terms with her brother.
"Yes, I heard about that"
"I should have known, so - you've kept the rumours within the city walls?"
"What? That Kael, the northern God of flame visited the very house that two newborns graced the world only a few days ago, during a rain storm, just as you said it would? I don't think that I could have even if I tried. The whole town knows about your certain skill, not a very smart thing to let get out."
"It wasn't my fault that some fool entered the house just as I um. did what I did."
"Yes, well, that didn't help our cause much more then Kael coming two days late did. But anyway, you shouldn't be out here - get some sleep little one."
"Why are you here then?"
"Don't question me - I'm a whole year older then you, which makes me the one who gives me orders"
"Aah yes, I'm sorry for questioning you oh great one" Isil countered with uncharacteristic sarcasm.
Elbarad heard the signs of Isil's departure and settled back into his bed.
"You can come out now Elbarad"
Elbarad sat up with a start and turned to see Elfazar's deep chestnut eyes looking at him through the window. "What?" Elbarad questioned with all the young innocence he could muster.
"I don't have large pointy ears for nothing, you know. It is not nice to listen to conversations. Not that I'm not proud of you, but once you start listening in on my conversations, I have to step in. Forget anything you heard and go back to sleep - that's a good lad"
Elbarad lay back down and fell asleep immediately out of fear.
"Heh, kids these days" said Elfazar, shaking his head.
---
The next morning, Gaia decided to let Elbarad sleep late - something that Elbarad was completely fine with.
By the time he had gotten up completely, everything was packed and ready to go - a wagon awaited them outside, along with five horses.
It turned out that two of them were to pull the wagon, and the other three were for Kael, Magmus and Himself. The problem was that Elbarad had no idea how to ride a horse.
When Kael and Elfazar heard this, they simply blew up in laughter. "But you are an elf!" Kael exclaimed, hardly able to control himself.
Elbarad was blushing furiously, "So? Not all elves know how to ride the moment they were born!"
Elfazar walked up to Elbarad and held his shoulders - "Well then, young elf, if you cannot ride, then I must teach you."
---
The teaching process was brutal, for they had little time - it seemed that Elfazar's plan revolved around the concept of throwing Elbarad into the deep end and hoping that he could swim. Well, if you continued that analogy, Elbarad drowned horribly.
Hours after hours, he was forced to climb back on that horse and urge it forward - and every time he would either fail to get up in the first place or fell off once the horse got moving.
But as the evening came, Elbarad was actually showing signs of improvement - being able to ride the horse for a few blocks and bring it back without fault. However a new problem arose. Falling off being his usual method of dismounting, and due to the fact that he had completed a prefect ride - Elbarad refused to get off until he was sure that he could dismount properly.
And so he sat, on top of the horse - Both Kael and Elfazar watching him expectantly, and yet the young elf's pride did not waver - he sat there adamantly, waiting until he was sure that he could dismount properly.
There came the time when Elfazar and Kael had finally given up and made their way to the pub which was situated across the road.
They entered the pub and went to the bar. The bartender, not expecting customers so early - especially customers so renowned for their drinking habits - was delighted when Kael ordered his usual - "280 gins please"
And Elfazar, his - "Just a goblet of your finest brandy thanks"
They sat there, talking to one another about their past experiences, Kael going through his 280 gins easily, not stopping for a breath of air.
"He off yet?" Kael would ask, Elfazar being the closer one to the window.
"Nope" was Elfazar's usual reply, turning back from the window, and taking another sip of his brandy.
And so they drank together, Elfazar going through around 5 goblets worth of brandy before ordering a barrel of the stuff; "for the road".
"I think we'll have to take steps" Kael concluded, quite certain that Elbarad would never actually be ready to dismount.
Elfazar took a moment to look out the window one last time; "I'll think we'd have to", watching Elbarad look at the ground from his horse, seeing the fear in the young lad's eyes.
And so, Elfazar grabbed his barrel and made for the exit, closely followed by Kael - just before they actually reached the door, the bartender interrupted their grand mission. "Excuse me lads, but you owe me 315 gold"
"Well" Kael said, looking at the bartender, then at Elfazar. "Well, you pay your half and I'll pay mine"
"Your half? I only had 5 goblets of brandy - you're the idiot who gets 280 goblets of gin from every bloody pub you go to'
"I have my reasons - ok, fine, 60/40"
At this prospect, Elfazar thought to himself "Fine, but only because you're a friend"
"Good, you pay your 60 and I'll pay my 40"
"WHA-"
"Excuse me lads, but I believe you still owe me 315 gold"
"FINE" Elfazar exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air.
---
The process of getting Elbarad off the horse was as simple as Kael threatening to burn the horse out from underneath him.
And so they were again ready to leave again, this time, knowing that it would be her last time seeing her sons in maybe a long time, Gaia kissed both so long and bade Isil good luck on their journey before retreating into the house, no doubt fearing bursting into tears.
The great voyage started slowly - they just trotted out of the city at a leisurely rate, as if just going out for an outing - as to not rouse the neighbours.
Finding himself with nothing to do, Elbarad found himself asking many questions in order to keep himself occupied.
"Master Kael, can you tell me about the time you took on 1000 demons in a tavern brawl?"
"Well, I wouldn't ask me if I were you - ask Elfazar here, we can tell you in full"
"Master Elfazar?"
Elfazar took a long glance at Elbarad - "well, if it would shut you up... The story begins and ends with the fact that me and Kael were very drunk. We were travelling home and had stopped off at a tavern somewhere down at Karmock - this was before Kael and Isil got married - we were inside, and it turned out that that tavern was suffering from a little demon infestation - after Kael 'accidentally' called a Demon Lord's daughter a wench and offered a single gold piece for her, the Demon Lord went crazy and set his hordes on us - we didn't actually take on the whole 1000 at once, however we did have our luck with about 500 of them - Kael and his newly found Rune Blade made short work of them, I was busy with some tankards of ale that I had stolen from right under the Demon Lord's backside - literally - and a few wenches. They were fine wenches too" Elfazar added, smiling to himself as he remembered the old times.
"Master Kael, can you tell me who we've been running from?"
"Running from? What gives you that idea? We aren't running from anybody"
"Then what danger is it that we are avoiding by going to your home in Akshar?"
Kael's face suddenly went quite serious, "Boy, I do not want you to mention that while we are on the road, have you got me? I may or may not choose to tell you when we stop for the night, but don't get your hopes up"