A frantic knocking sounded against the ivory door of the tower, a knock which soon turned into a full on hammering and was accompanied by a worried voice. "Aarindarius?! Are you here?! Please, please be here..." A few seconds later, the large door swung inwards and said wizard poked his head out, only to be assaulted by a sobbing elf. He stared down at the head of green hair that was buried into the front of his robes, trying to assess the situation.
"Inkyrius! What in the world has happened that's led you to trying to knock down my door?" He gently pried the baker's arms from around his waist, then put an arm around the sobbing elf and steered them both back into the tower and into a drawing room off the side of the main hall.
"Yes, yes, whatever it is you just cry it out while I get you something to drink." He said, seating the elf down on the sofa and hurrying away.
He returned a few seconds later with a teapot and two large mugs. Sitting down on the sofa beside the other elf, he handed over a mug of strong tea, half of which Inkyrius gulped down in one go. But it had the desired effect because the previously uncontrollably sobs had calmed down to a quiet sniffling, although the elf's hand were still shaking.
"Now, tell me what the problem is."
"There's a dead dragon on my lawn." Inkyrius blurted out.
"What? "Aarindarius blinked in surprise, and then laid a hand gently on the other elf's arm. "Please, calm down and start from the beginning."
Inkyrius nodded and took a few deep breaths before continuing. "It started about an hour or so after the – the children got back from kindergarten. Can you believe they'd made yet another macaroni picture of-? Anyway, we - we'd just had lunch and while I was clearing up they'd gone out to play in the garden. Then suddenly there was a loud crashing noise, and they began s-screaming. So I ran outside and there was a dragon, sitting on the remains of the fence, and it had – had picked them up in its claws and it was hanging them upside-down. Not d-doing anything in particular to them, just sitting there, w-watching them scream and – and s-struggle."
At this point Inkyrius broke down into tears again prompting Aarindarius to put an arm tentatively around the elf's heaving shoulders until he was able to continue.
"It was them the dragon caught sight of me. It dropped my children – and t-they were at least twenty feet up in the air at the time – and it knocked me over and pinned me down as if I were just an insect to it, then it lowered its head towards me and spoke, said "So this is the best its mate can do. Watch carefully, elf, this is the price of taking my family from me." It then picked me up, held me against the tree and used a spell to stick some bits of wood from the fence through my hands and feet, pinning me there. It spent a few minutes spewing acid everywhere and knocking the cottage down. I tried reasoning with it, pleading with it, but - but it ignored me. It w-was turning its attention back on us, when su-suddenly a wizard appeared out of nowhere and began fighting it, then turned into a d-dragon to kill it." Inkyrius started sniffling again.
"Shh." Aarindarius muttered in what he hoped was a comforting way, hugging the elf who was now crying into his shoulder, the half drunk tea forgotten. "It's okay now."
"No it's not!" Inkyrius said, pulling away suddenly and sitting up straight "The wizard who appeared was an elf, d-dressed in black, all glowing eyes and fangs. After defeating the dragon, the elf landed and – and it was Suvie!"
For a moment Aarindarius seemed to consider asking a question, but after refilling the mug from the teapot and pushing it back into the elf's hands, he simply indicated to continue.
"I tried to talk to Vaarsuvius, but was ignored apart for being freed from the tree. Instead Suvie went over to the dead dragon and reanimated it, then cast some spell on it – no idea what, but even I could tell it was powerful. They flew up in the air and talked, and then the dragon's head was destroyed.
"Vaarsuvius flew down and I – it seems so stupid now, but I picked up a stick and waved it around, like I could actually defend us with it. I thought Suvie was possessed or something. But then we argued and - and – and it turned out that my Vaarsuvius h-had made a d-deal with Fiends! We argued a b-bit more, and then Vaarsuvius f-flew off and disappeared. I carried our children down into the village and took them to the healers – they b-both had broken legs from when the dragon dropped them. The healer gave th-them something to put them unconscious while she fixed their legs, s-said it would be a while before they woke up, so when I was sure they were going to be okay I ran over h-here to see you."
Aarindarius remained silent for a moment turning the information over, before asking "Do you know where Vaarsuvius went?"
Inkyrius gave a choked laugh. "Of course not. As usual Suvie didn't think in necessary to tell me. Did mention having to find someone though."
"I could try to contact-"
"N- no! No." The elf sighed. "I... I don't think I have anything to say at the moment."
Aarindarius nodded. "Understandable. You are alright, aren't you? Being attacked by a dragon... isn't something most people are well equipped to deal with."
"I've had my injuries healed. I'm fine."
Aarindarius studied the other elf's face carefully; the baker looked anything but fine. But he didn't press the subject. "Do you and the children need somewhere to stay?"
"I wouldn't want to impose-"
"Nonsense! You know you're always welcome here."
"If you're sure."
Aarindarius leaned over and placed a hand on the other elf's arm."Inkyrius, I'm happy to lend assistance in any way I can."
"And I appreciate it. Thank you." Inkyrius wiped a few tears away with a green sleeve and stood up awkwardly. "I should be getting back to the healers."
Aarindarius stood too, and then led the other elf back onto the hallway, opening the large front door. As Inkyrius started down the steps, Aarindarius said "I was sincere about offering you a place to stay. Not to scare you, but I think it would be also be safer."
Inkyrius looked uneasy. "I suppose so. Again, thank you." the elf said, before hurrying away down the road and disappearing into the trees. Aarindarius watched until the baker was out of sight, then closed the door and leant against it.
A dragon? Vaarsuvius making deals with Fiends? Aarindarius wondered at what on earth could have led to these events, and had half a mind to try contacting his apprentice right then. The purple-haired elf had always been ambitious, but had never seemed to type to treat with dark powers... He shook his head. If this was true, he doubted the younger wizard would care for his meddling. Not that he wouldn't, he thought as he ascended the stairs to his study to prepare a scrying spell.
However, as he entered the room a slight smile was crept across his face –one which he quickly suppressed. But it was enough for him to realise guiltily that, despite the macabre circumstances, he was cheerful. Maybe it was the welcome break in monotony, but more likely, it was the prospect of a certain green haired elf coming to stay.
***
Inkyrius carefully stood up, finally certain the children were soundly trancing. After tucking the covers around them, the elf tiptoed towards the door.
"They're brave." Inkyrius said, backing out into the corridor and pulling the door closed until only a thin slice of the darkened room could be seen. "Braver than me it seems; I don't think I'm going to be able to trance for a while."
Aarindarius gave a sympathetic look, "They're also exhausted. So are you by the looks of it."
The other elf shrugged "Thanks again for letting us stay here."
"It's no problem. Really." The wizard started towards the stairs, motioning for the other elf to follow. "You look like you need a drink. Perhaps something a little stronger than tea this time."
Back in the drawing room, Aarindarius rummaged around in one of the cabinets, pulling out a mostly-full bottle of wine and two glasses. He flopped down onto the sofa next to the baker and poured each of them some wine then took a large sip out of his own glass. Inkyrius gazed down at the red liquid.
"Do you think Vaarsuvius is okay?" The elf asked suddenly, causing Aarindarius to choke on his wine.
"I mean, maybe I over-reacted." Inkyrius said distractedly as the wizard coughed into his robe sleeve. "Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to judge. Maybe Vaarsuvius did do everything out of purely selfless intent." The elf took a nervous gulp of wine.
"Then why leave rather that stay with you?" Aarindarius said wheezily.
"Because I as good as told Suvie to!" the baker exclaimed. "I shouted, wouldn't listen to the other side of the story!"
"You acted as anyone else would have in the same situation."
"Anyone else would have thanked their rescuer, not driven them away. Especially when it cost that person so much."
"What happened today is not your fault."
"No, but it wasn't Vaarsuvius' fault either that a dragon suddenly decided we were easy prey!"
Aarindarius looked uncomfortable. "Inkyrius... don't you find it a bit strange that a dragon not only targeted your family specifically, but that Vaarsuvius found out about it in time to contact and make a deal with someone from the lower planes?"
The elf raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying? That Vaarsuvius had met the dragon before?"
"I'm saying that the dragon probably attacked you as revenge for something Vaarsuvius did."
The baker gave a slight snort of laughter. "Suvie left to learn more about magic, not to slay dragons!"
"Your mate is currently part of an adventuring party. Dragon slaying is certainly part of such a group's agenda."
The baker stared blankly at the wizard, and then slumped back against the cushions, eyes shut. "So Vaarsuvius though to tell you but not me? How long have you known? What else do you know about my mate that I haven't been informed of?"
Aarindarius frowned slightly. "Nothing. At least nothing that has arisen during the last six years, since Vaarsuvius hasn't contacted me either. I used a Scrying spell earlier today after you left."
"And did that let you find out where Suvie is? Did you find out if...?"
"From what I could tell, it was by the sea, possibly an island. From what vegetation there was, I'd guess it's somewhere in this continent, although I might be wrong. You still care, don't you."
"One event is hardly enough to undo many happy years." But the elf looked uncertain. "It's hard to know how to feel."
"If you want my opinion..." the wizard hazarded "you never seemed that close."
"We certainly disagreed over what was important."
"Married people do argue. It doesn't mean the relationship if a failure." Aarindarius added hurriedly.
"You're switching sides now; you were right the first time. We didn't argue – we hardly talked at all! If I hadn't put my foot down over the issue, Vaarsuvius would have been reading spell books at the dinner table."
"Really? Vaarsuvius always struck me as excessively verbose."
"I don't count having arcane theory babbled at me as us talking. Shame neither of our children took an interest in magic; maybe that would have prompted Suvie to actually take some responsibility in bringing them up."
"Surely you don't mean that."
"You of all people should know how reclusive Vaarsuvius can get. Did... did you see how Vaarsuvius looked? Were there any fangs? Glowing eyes, black robes?"
Aarindarius shook his head. "Apart from being in need of a haircut, I couldn't see any visable indication of fiendish dealings."
"Well, that's progress I suppose." Inkyrius said, draining the glass of wine.
To that, Aarindarius had no reply. Instead he poured each of them some more drink, and they both settled down to a night of contemplative silence.
***
Inkyrius bolted out of a trace as a scream tore through the air, which was followed by loud crying. Another voice joined in as the elf child's sibling also awoke. Inkyrius scrambled up from the sofa, having been resting against Aarindarius' shoulder, barely noting the impromptu sleeping arrangement. The baker ran out the room towards the stairs leading up, leaving Aarindarius to blink sleepily at the numerous empty bottles on the table in front of him. The older elf brushed a tangle of lilac hair out of his face before standing, only to stumble slightly. He caught the table for balance, and then headed unsteadily towards the door.
By the time Aarindarius reached the next floor the crying had quietened down, which he thanked the Elven gods for because his head currently felt like it had been run over by a dragon. Possibly two dragons. He looked around the door and saw Inkyrius perched on the bed, arms around the two children who were both sobbing, muttering comfortingly to them. The lamp on the bedside table was casting a dim yellow light, giving Inkyrius' soft features a golden glow. The wizard felt his mouth go dry.
Seeing him, Inkyrius looked up. "I'll spend the rest of the night in here."
Aarindarius nodded forcing back the lump in his throat and trying to think through the dreamy haze of elvish liquor. "Err... d'you want me to stay?"
"I'll be fine."
Aarindarius nodded mutely, backing out of the room. He went down the stairs again, collected up the empty bottles, and took them into the kitchen, where he ran the tap and splashed cold water onto his face. The cold shock helped clear his mind, but the emotions remained, as heavy as ever.
He turned the tap off and ran an unsteady hand distractedly through his hair. If only it were Inkyrius' hair...
No.
He brought his hand down hurriedly and clenched it, nails biting into his palm. That wasn't helpful and it certainly wasn't appropriate. Whatever happened with Vaarsuvius and Inkyrius' relationship, he shouldn't be one to drive a wedge between them. Resignedly, he headed for his room, intending to get a few hours trancing to help organise his thoughts before he made any decisions he might regret.
All the while a small voice insisted that this that the ideal time to act, that the other elf needed emotional support and now more than ever would accept it. He ignored the voice, pushing it to the back of his mind, but it would not be silenced.
***
A small picture frame was lying face down on the floor amidst the debris, its wooden frame splintered and the stand snapped off. Inkyrius reached down and picked it up, then turned it over.
It was a child's drawing, four figures portrayed in enthusiastic crayon lines, two tall, two small. The elf traced a finger over the red and purple one, careful not to get cut on the broken glass, and then slipped the drawing out of the frame, folded it, and put in a trouser pocket.
Aarindarius chose that moment to appear through the doorway to an adjacent room, a couple of cardboard boxes floating along behind him. Inkyrius placed the empty frame back on the remains of the mantelpiece. The green haired then elf closed the box full of books from the now half empty bookshelf, many of which had charred covers.
"That's everything." Inkyrius said, trying and failing to lift the heavy box.
"Here." Aarindarius said, levitating it along with the others. "You're leaving those?" He indicated the remaining books.
"They're just spell books and such. You can have them if you want."
Aarindarius took one and flicked through it disinterestedly, finding only a few low-level spells and research notes. But he pulled up a new box and started packing them anyway; if they were left here they'd only end up getting soaked when it rained. Kyrie turned away and walked out into the garden.
Aarindarius followed after a minute or two, stepping over a black scaled tail to reach the centre of the lawn where he dropped the boxes in a neat stack. He looked back at the gleaming scales thoughtfully. "Do you know the tanner?"
"Enarius? Yeah, why?"
"Any idea if he uses dragon hide?"
"I see where you're going with this." Inkyrius said. "Probably, I'll check next time I go that way. I've see weirder stuff in his shop window."
"Oh? Like what?" the wizard asked.
"Troll hide. Beholder skin."
"...yes, that's pretty weird." Aarindarius admitted, then teleported both them and the boxes back to the tower.
***
Later that day, having decided that his research was finished for the evening, Aarindarius ventured downstairs in search of something else to do. A rattling sound coming from the kitchen attracted his attention, and he headed towards it to investigate. Upon reaching the door he saw one of the children perched on a stool and wearing an apron that came down to its feet, happily rolling out what appeared to be cookie dough.
The little elf saw him and looked up, grinning. "Hullo Aary-dary!"
"What are you doing?" he said, eyeing the flour that dusted the elf's orange hair and the surrounding floor.
"Making biscuits!"
"Oh? And where's your parent?" He asked.
"My sibling ran off and parent went to get him." The elf said happily, absentmindedly poking the biscuit dough with the rolling pin. As if on cue, Inkyrius appeared at the doorway carrying the other child, who was similarly grubby and wearing an identical apron.
"Oh, hello."
"I see baking is a family business." Aarindarius commented.
"It's not just baking they like. They absolutely relish anything that gives them maximum potential to make a mess with the minimum effort." The elf said wearily, but with a smile. Aarindarius realized it was the first time he'd seen Inkyrius smile since arriving. "Sorry about the state of the kitchen."
"Don't worry about it, I'll clear up." Aarindarius offered as Inkyrius put the tray of misshapen biscuits in the oven then began untying the children's aprons.
"You would? I don't want to be a bother."
"It's no problem, nothing a bit of magic can't fix."
"Thanks. I need to get these two cleaned up and off to bed." The elf said, picking each of them up in one arm and carrying them out past the wizard. The red-headed child twisted around and waved. Aarindarius waved bemusedly back, then started tidying up.
It was several Prestidigitations later - and a bit manual scrubbing for the larger bits of dough - that Aarindarius deemed the kitchen back to its usual state. The tray of biscuits was cooling on the bench, only slightly overdone. He took one and went to find Inkyrius to see if he could lend a hand with anything else.
Upon reaching the spare bedroom, he found the elf children already tucked in to bed and presumably trancing. What he didn't find was Inkyrius, and he stood there for a moment wondering where the baker could have gone. He continued down the corridor, and then paused again outside the study. A quiet sobbing sound was coming from behind the closed door, and he pushed it open to see the desk lamp lit. Inkyrius however, was curled up against the wall, clutching something, and tears were rolling down the baker's face.
Aarindarius crossed the room silently to sit down on the floor next to the other elf. From here he could see that what the elf was holding was a slightly crumpled piece of paper, but whatever was on it was hidden from view. Noticing the wizard, Inkyrius re-folded the paper and placed it on the carpet, before wiping the tears away vigorously. "I'm so silly, crying like this.
"You're not. Not silly." Aarindarius said quietly.
"I don't know how to feel anymore. I look back and I wonder if things were ever really okay, or if it just took me too long to realise I wasn't happy."
"You don't have to make any decisions, not right away. Give it some time." He said, putting an arm around Inkyrius, who leant onto his shoulder.
"Thank you for being here for me."
Aarindarius hesitated, and then slowly, uncertainly, he lowered his head and kissed Inkyrius.
Inkyrius' eyes widened, and the wizard realised he'd made a mistake.
There was confusion in those green eyes, confusion and fear, and the baker quickly pulled away from the embrace. "Please, don't." Inkyrius whispered.
Aarindarius stayed where he was, frozen with indecision as Inkyrius scrambled up and ran out of the room, tears reappearing. He didn't follow. He wanted to help, but he didn't want to risk scaring the elf further. Stupid. Stupid! He berated himself, grabbing a handful of his hair and tugging until it hurt. It didn't help.
The piece of paper was lying on the floor a few feet away, and he reached over for it. He unfolded it. The cheerful colours glaring out of the dim light seemed to mock him.
He rose to his feet and walked over to the desk, laying the drawing down carefully and smoothing out the creases. He was about to turn the lamp off, when something in the waste paper bin caught his eye, and he fished it out. It was a legal form, half filled in then abandoned. He returned in to the bin with a sigh. Stupid. Inkyrius had enough to deal with at the moment, without adding his clumsy advances to the list.
He turned off the light and walked out of the room.
