Chapter 11

The Other Dinner Guest

The 'apartments' as Lady Rae referred to them, were living quarters located in a long curved hallway of another dome structure that over looked the inner courtyard where the thick garden lay sheltered.

They each had their own room, 'room' signifying a front sitting room a sleeping chamber and a bathing chamber.

The front sitting room was furnished with cool, multi colored, high polished tile, ridiculously large 'sitting pillows' (that was the exact term given to Beldovin when he asked his bath chamber servant) of richly colored satin, low circular tables and mats made of woven reeds.

Adjoined to the sitting room was the sleeping chamber. To all, this was an unusual sleeping arrangement, there was no bed, so to speak, but a large circular inset into the floor. The inset was lined by thickly padded satin, like a cushion but on the inside it became unbearably thicker and fluffier, simply like an enormous pillow made to a bed so that one could be swallowed by a cloud every night.

The beds were filled with beautiful pillows, circular, log like, rectangular, square, triangles, one with tassels, one with beading, ones with beaded tassels, it almost looked like a giant trough of gems turned to pillows. Above the bed was a sort of tent made of the silky, gauze material that reached the highest point of the ceiling and tumbled down to surround the bed.

The bed chambers also contained a beautiful glass desk with delicately carved legs that wrapped around the glass so as to look like the glass was part of the wood, not just placed atop the legs. A walk in wardrobe was in each room as well, with shelves and such. A few sitting pillows and, to their surprise, a fireplace.

It wasn't as grand as the hearths back home, but it was still a fireplace, non the less. It was inset into the floor also, just as the bed, nestled against the wall that shielded against the outside. A semicircle encompassed it so as to make a sort of bench to sit on and enjoy it warmth. The bench too was padded with the same richly colored fabrics.

The fireplace was also decorated, not with handsome mantels like that of home, but surrounded by tiles. These tiles though, were not just pretty colors, but looked to be hand painted, to capture a scene like a painting. One room held that of two splendidly colored peacocks facing each other, another, a merman and mermaid reaching out there arms to each other and, yet another was that of a large ship with white masts sailing to an island, each room was different. Different in colors, different in layout and different if feel; each room had it's own personality.

The bath chamber was something that would rival Paramin's own bathing chambers. The bathing tub was more like a bathing shell. The basin actually started four feet above the tiled floor and swooped down into the grooves of a giant fan shaped sea shell. The tub its self was about eleven feet long, eight foot wide and at it's deepest part Kaydell's head went under.

The lining of this tub was not metal, or wood or stone but a very high polished ceramic, just like that of a real sea shell, even the same colorings.

Each bathing room was lined with vibrant jewel colored bottles that contained bathing oils, soaps, powders and salts, each a different color, smell and texture. After each member of the party successfully tested what was in each of the bottles they concluded that some of these things made the water fizzle, some of them made the water turn different colors (to the horror to Beldovin and Klayn but calmed after they were informed that they would not turn the skin different colors) and some of them simply put a smelly, oily coating on the waters surface. There was also what the bathing chamber servants called scrubbing sponges but they all chose to use a cloth over the sponge. The party was informed that some of these bottles contained healing elements to help heal wounds and clean out cuts, some of them softened roughened skin, some of them penetrated the skin so as to relax the muscles but some of them were there simply for the sake of smelling good and to turn the water multiple colors.

After each had bathed, 'oiled' and newly garbed (and Willow had her hair combed, braided and fixed to the back of her head, as was the fashion here) they each relaxed by themselves for some time. Enjoying the solidness of the tiles beneath their feet, the quietness of the air around them, the sweet fragrances of the oil and the garden below, each of the party seemed to slip into a state of half sleep.

Before long they were each gathered by a servant, as they met in the long, now lit, hallway, they all felt refreshed and relaxed but very hungry.

"Don't we all look refreshed and colorful?" Beldovin admired looking at each of his comrades.

Klayn, no longer wearing his typical black wore a golden tan cotton top with no sleeves that had a deep V neck. His trousers were darker, thicker and courser in material but were strait and loose fitting and only reaching above his ankles. He wore dark brown buckled sandals, probably the first time his feet had ever seen the light in his life. He wore no belt, only because he did not need one. His long black hair was pulled neatly back into a single braid that fell between his shoulders.

F'vell, who seemed to be no stranger to this sort of attire, wore no shirt only a type of deep red ,satin scarf around his neck that reached to his stomach. He wore a long red loin cloth to match the neck adornment, one would think that such a thing would look silly on such a person as the black skinned, black winged F'vell. On the contrary, it made him look distinguished and regal, the others felt almost intimidated by his mere presence. His long silver hair hung loose this night, combed to strait perfection and probably trimmed. F'vell looked spectacular and the high laced black sandals complemented his attire.

Kaydell, who normally would never have chosen to wear this color, now wore a deep golden orange, bordering on brown. The sleeves of the shirt extended to his wrists and just like Klayn's it was V'ed in the front. His trousers were shorter than Klayn, only reaching mid-calf, accented by his brown criss-cross sandals.

Willow, as usual, was stunning. Her garment was long and flowing, just as Lady Rae's had been, but styled differently. The front of her dress was flat, coming up over both shoulders and coming to a low gathered back of the palest pink material. Though only her toes could be seen beneath the hem of her dress, they could see that she wore very delicately beaded sandals, little glass beads of pink, lavender and some light green. Her toes nails were polished to a shine and her skin glowed golden, not to mention she smelled simply sweet. Her long hair was pulled back tightly, tiny braids twisted around a center point at the back of her head and then long loops of her coppery hair cascaded down. Over her left ear was an enormous pinkish flower with only five giant petals that were triangular shaped and peeled away from it dark red inside.

Beldovin himself wore dark purple, not an uncommon color for him, but an uncommon cut. He too wore a V necked cotton shirt that come to his elbows, his trousers were the same length as Klayn's and fashioned of the same rougher material as all of the male trousers were. Beldovin also wore dark leather sandals that buckled.

"Indeed we do," Klayn told him.

"My lords and lady, I am to take you to the gardens for your dinner with the Lady Rae," a short, older man with dark skin and short cropped graying hair, "If you would be so kind as to follow me."

The all fell in behind the little man, looking at the walls of the halls and the staircases, noticing that the walls were smooth, and a tan color, probably a type of clay mixture as the rest of the building. Some of the bigger walls had paintings on them, mostly of foliage and seascapes masterfully done, none quite like the one that was painted on the ceiling of the master hall. Several feet above their heads, mounted to the wall, were copper colored bowls of fire, probably some type of oil mixture that the servants lit at dusk.

The little man servant led them to the outside garden via a long vine covered outside staircase. The garden was simply mammoth, inset paths of fine smooth rocks, paper lanterns stuck into the ground with thin wooden poles glowing hauntingly, tall tree's, exotic flowers, big and tall, thin and delicate and everything vibrantly colored. The garden was many levels, some low into the ground (mostly with ponds and fish) and some of them were raised on a mound with a bench under a tree, or a table and a chair of some sort. Everything was open to the elements but still had a feel of comfort.

The table at which dinner was already laid out was set on a low even patch of grassy ground, surrounded by tall, paper lanterns under a large willow tree. The table was round and low to the ground, more like a large pedestal than anything, covered in a white cloth. The seats were round wooden stools covered in satiny cushions and a low back.

There was a center piece of floating candles in a large clear bowl to add pale luminance to the fading evening light.

As they were approaching the table they could see that from the other end came two other people, one was definitely Lady Rae, but the other one was an unfamiliar face. Lady Rae wore the same violet garment she wore earlier, but the other was a completely different matter.

This other person, was without a doubt a woman, a very full figured, short, curvy woman. She had very black, wavy hair that swept gently back, framing her flawless, pale, oval face. They could see as both parties got closer to the table that she was rather small, maybe just over five foot in height.

As the two parties neared the table, Willow fell back. She eyed the short woman with the black hair. Willow was getting the same feeling about her as she did about Spyder; that she knew this was an important person on this journey. The little woman was well muscled, dauntingly muscled, one might say, she still looked feminine in her light earthy green gown, but Willow had no doubt that this human could win at an arm wrestling contest.

When the two parties became one at the table, Willow was positive that the woman had one blue eye and one green without looking into her eyes as of yet. Willow was also positive that in that woman's chambers was a sword as big and as dangerous as she was.

"Good evening children from Paramin," Lady Rae greeted them with a small nod of her head, "I would like to introduce to you Kailivia Ravenwood, she too shall be taking the test with you for the sake of the quest."

"Madam," Beldovin bowed to her.

The others took up his cue by all bowing to her, Willow acknowledged her by smiling warmly at her and nodding.

Kailivia Ravenwood, at closer inspection, was indeed a short human woman, just as she had looked to be even from a distance, with long, beautifully glossy, wavy hair, falling the entire length of her torso. Her face was indeed pale in color, with out a mark upon it and an oval face with pronounced cheekbones, a very triangular nose and shiny pink lips that curled at the ends. Her eyes were large and almond shaped, one was unmistakably green and the other blue, framed with long, thick black eyelashes and roofed with high arched eyebrows that gave her a sense of seriousness. Everyone that soaked her looks in all took note to the fact that she was undoubtedly muscled, someone who you would not want to be on the bad side of. Her dress, Willow noted (only because it struck her as a sensuous looking garment) was A shaped, tight at the top of her dress, clinging to what Willow thought were very full breasts and widening as it came closer to her feet. This garment did not hide her figure but displayed it, her slim waist, her curvy hips and not to mention, displaying her long pale well muscled arms, that displayed a delicately beaded arm band of many hues of green glass beads.

"Please, guests, seat yourselves and we shall soon feast." Lady Rae sat with her back to the tree, to her left was Kailivia, to her right was F'vell. The seating order from there was F'vell, Klayn, Beldovin, Kaydell and then Willow and next to Willow was Kailivia.

When everyone had seated, Lady Rae rang a small silver bell set at her place, an indication for the feast to begin.

Soon, there was a line of servants who brought out fragile looking glass bowls of many vibrant colors that contained fruit for each. Some of these fruits were familiar, such as cherries, apples and berries, but some of them were what the Lady Rae called Grapefruit, Oranges, Pineapples and Banana's. F'vell loved the Bananas, where as Klayn thought they were the most unnatural thing he had ever put into his mouth-and that included some of Sorrows tonics.

Everyone laughed.

After the servants were confident each person was done they brought out the next course of the meal, this was cold pasta with vegetables in it. Tomatoes, peppers, olives (which were also new to the group) and some large leafs of tasting herbs. There was a tangy favor to all of this, sort of like a seasoned oil. This type of pasta was rare in Paramin, every once in a while a merchant ship from the south would dock and the kitchen mistresses would by it, but it was only once a year and used for special occasions such as birthdays or holidays.

After this came the main course of honey roasted peacock encrusted with pecans, it had a lovely light flavor to it. There were also side dishes of a pasty substance that came from a gourd, Kaydell said it reminded him of potatoes and cheese, there was also vegetables with the meal, green beans in a hot sauce, a serving of cauliflower and broccoli.

While everyone ate there was some conversation, a lot of attention was directed to Kailivia, they wanted to know where she was from and what brought her to West Fall.

Kailivia glanced at Lady Rae for what seemed to be approval to tell her story, Lady Rae nodded and Kailivia smiled at this strange group of people.

"I come from the city Manabey, residing with my Aunt at her keep while my parents were away, they too were adventurers and were known to be gone for months at a time. The last time I saw them they left on an adventure in search of 'The Lost Names', they never returned, that was eleven years ago. My Aunt took up an expedition to find them five years ago but she too vanished, just as they had; without a trace. Just like my parents, there were things left behind by each of them, one was my fathers sword and the other a book." Kailivia's deep voice paused here, she looked at each of them, "Both times, this book was returned to me. It is because of this book that my only family is gone and I it's only remaining heir, it is because of this book that I sit with you now. The book that was once my parents, then my Aunts, I now carry. This book bares a most powerful curse, and in a search to find the answers to this curse, the explanation for it and the disappearance of my family, I contacted Lady Rae by ways of some heavy research. It is because of her that I traveled three months by sea to sit amongst you."

They all looked at her in silence, a shocked silence, they did not expect her story to be so riddled with losses.

"Lady," Beldovin said, "I am truly sorry for the losses of your loved ones and if we are meant to be on this quest together we shall help you discover the whereabouts of your lost family and solve the mystery of your book."

Kailivia looked into his eyes seriously for a moment and then smiled at him, "Very noble, sir, thank you, but I know what fate befell my family. It is a fate that has been haunting and tracking me since the first day I opened the book. I will welcome the company to discover the history of the book, sir."

"It will be my pleasure," he told her seriously.

Lady Rae cleared her throat for attention, "Friends, I shall not reveal all to you now, there lay tasks before you that you must complete before the full story is laid before you. But know this; your future does lay with the path of your book. Make certain, good cleric, that you may indeed be keeping your word to Kailivia and her book."

There was a silence until Kailivia took a drink and smiled at them all.

"Tell me of yourself, my friends, for surely with friends as noble as he, we are meant to share this adventure in knowing each other." She looked them over again, "We are not so unfamiliar as you may think though, for once, as a child with my parents, I made it to your fair city, it was a grand and wondrous place! Let me start with you, winged-elf, I can see in your eyes that you are an honorable and noble man with a history."

"As you wish, lady." He solemnly placed all food and drink aside and began, "My name is F'vell Acharon, only a few months ago I was a mere scholar at the Mage school of Paramin until my mentor and teacher Leena the Silver chose me to be Lady Kailya's chosen from the mages. I came from the northern seas, past the Mountain divide where the city of Phhelim, which meant 'forever strong', once thrived-until a plague took us by surprise, killing us off hundreds at a time. My parents begged me to leave, telling me of the city Paramin, where I would be excepted and treated as an equal, where I would find education, employment and a home, so I fled with my parents blessing and warnings of never to come back unless called upon. I only took what money and small belongings I could fly with. My city and my family have lied dead for sixty three years, I do not know if there were any survivors or even if my parents still live, but I am a survivor from the once great Phhelim." There was a silence, not an awkward silence but a silence that one makes in the memory of a death.

Finally, the group made a connection with his silence of his home land, they all felt a sudden protectiveness come over them for there winged friend F'vell. "I enrolled at the school for Mages in Paramin several years after arriving, taking the test for acceptance and passing. The founder Leena the Silver was very impressed with me and took me in; she has been a very good friend and mentor. Because of her faith in me is why I have taken the sea by boat with my companions here."

Kailivia looked kindly into his eyes, "Someday, I should call you brother, for we are both orphans; the only remnants of a once great love, bearing the heavy grief of loosing the only family we had."

F'vell nodded solemnly to her.

"And you, my dark haired friend, your appearance says that you are human but my senses tell me other wise." Kailivia eyed him carefully.

Klayn laughed, "You are observant, Mistress Kailivia, you are correct however, I am not human. I am a creation to my father and master, the great mage Sorrow. My father was a founder and defender of the city Paramin and one of the original party members, very close to the Lady and Lord Ranesinn, he also sits at the council of the country Paramin. I am life long friends with the twins and the mouthy cleric, all three of which were present at the day of my awakening, they are my first memory and probably my last. The Lady Kailya sent for me via a letter to my father asking his consent to send me on this quest. I wasn't exactly spell bound to the adventure, but I like the idea of keeping these three in check."

"Wonderful!" Kailivia laughed, "I see that you and I have the same sort of humor Sorrow's son! I think we shall have no problems keeping up with each other."

Klayn raised his cup to her and drank.

Kailivia, after taking a long drink from her fruit juice as well, looked at Beldovin, "You, my well spoken and noble sir, must be the mouthy cleric and the life long friend of these friends, you be the next to tell me of yourself."

"My lady," Beldovin, clearing his throat importantly (at which point Klayn, Willow and Kaydell rolled their eyes), "Beldovin Romais Brockwick, oldist son of Kaymen Errapel Brockwick and Evadne Matrika Brockwick and only brother to Moselle Pearline Brockwick, am a loyal servant of my Lord Paladine, healing those who need mending, destroying those who should appose him and giving the light and knowledge of his greatness threw my passing. I too, like those I now call my family, come from the holy city and country Paramin, with her sapphire shores that cradle us and bring us life to her walls that should shelter and protect us from the unpleasant. My father is the Founder, General, Head Priest of Perth and core to the Bronze Dragon Order and it's inhabitants. My mother is a Water Druidess who's lines descend ten generations back, she is the Goddesses Tear Catcher. My father like Klayn's, is also one of the founders of Paramin and fought gallantly along side the Lady Kailya and sits at her table of councilmen. I have been a member of the Ranesinn family just as all of the founders and their offspring are, I call their founders my mothers and fathers and their children my brothers and sisters. The Lady Kailya chose me for this quest just as she chose her own children, we have grown together, played together, learned together and we shall fight together."

Beldovin's voice had grown louder throughout his telling, and at his final word, Kailivia applauded him.

"Well, said Beldovin Brockwick, well said!! she laughed gaily. It had been a long time since she had laughed like this and it felt good to her. It had also been a long time since someone spilled a story out for her like that.

"Thank you my Lady," Bendovin bowed from across the table to her.

"And finally, the last two, whom I have managed to asses must be the children of the Lady Kailya. And shall I say there have been no others who could call themselves brother and sister as surely as you two are."

The twins smiled, knowing that she was right in her observation, "Well, there's really not much to tell." Kaydell said, "We are the second born to our parents, Willow is a War Priestess to the god Perth and I am knowledgeable in the ways of the forest and of plants, not too bad with the sword either. We have known Beldovin as long as we could recall ourselvess," Kaydell started.

Willow picked up, "We were at the awakening of Klayn, just as he says, and has been our good friend since that day. Our mother surprised us all by announcing that she had selected us for this quest on the day or our annual Harvest Festival Ball." Then she added, "Seems sort of feeble after everyone else's tale, but we really aren't all that special."

Kailivia smiled at Willow and Kaydell, "You may not think you are not so important, but a person is often judged by the company they keep and you two keep true, honest and noble company, something that makes that individual a very important person indeed."

"We know," Willow said, looking at each of her friends faces, "they are our family, just as you are about to become."

Kailivia placed her hand on Willows, "And what a pleasure it will be to have such a wonderful family."

Soon, desert was served, a wonderful hot pastry with hot creamy insides and powdery sugar sprinkled on the outside. No sooner was desert served that it was gone. They all lingered sipping on the exotic fruit juice, speaking of the three month trip here, of what they saw, what they did to pass the time, of the city Paramin.

Kailivia told them that she had only been in West Fall for a week, her ship finding good wind and no storms to slow them down. She too was staying in the same hall that the others were staying in, but she had been in the Temple's library at the time the others were there.

The sun had disappeared, leaving the Temple garden glowing in a pale foggy luminance of the paper lanterns. The distant shore could be heard, the waves coming in and breaking against the shore and docks.

"My friends, the night draws late, the test of Blandine shall be taken by you all tomorrow at high noon. I welcome you to stay here and get to know each other but I must retire, my days start early. Good night my warriors."

They all bowed to her from the table, bidding her a fair evening. She departed silently threw the garden, disappearing into one of the open doorways.

The now party of six sat around the round table, talking and starting to get a feel for the new person.

For Kailivia, this was exciting and relieving to her at the same time. She felt comfortable around her new friends, as strange and exotic as they each were.

She liked the way Beldovin makes things seem very dramatic, how F'vell was very strait and blunt, the way Klayn put everything into a straight-forward sort of manner and the twins casual feelings of the entire situation.

Kailivia could also tell that this group has spent a lot of time together already, she was watching how each of them would play off of the others actions and comments.

Willow seemed to be unnerved by the fact that she was the only female in the group, Kailivia was relived to see that she was not the only woman on the quest now.

After several hours the party began to stretch and yawn, signifying the end of the night.

"My Lady, please take my arm and I shall walk you to your room," Beldovin extended his arm for Kailivia.

"Certainly," she took his arm and the others followed their lead, because none of them, except Kailivia, knew the way back to their rooms.