Chapter 67 At Dinner, now to the present

Golden army chambers soundtrack, The Spear (Elfman woohoo!) Boa's Listen to my heart


Nuada

A dinner date, not to be funded by me as I had become quite poor. Since Laira wanted to treat me, I made sure the food I ordered did not go over the budget. I reasoned that I am the male, so I should pay but she had persuaded me. Reluctantly I agreed.

Mine consisted of blackforest chestnut slice of cake, iced tea and a grilled fish meal. Didn't feel like having beef or chicken. The special dessert was strawberry milk pudding.

"What is the - difficult day like, Laira?" She explained that the hormones 'go out of sync' which causes some girls to feel very angry and depressed. Cramps are rather common too. No wonder my sister would behave so. I couldn't feel the stomach cramps, though the doctors thought it'd be quite normal to as our bond linked. I said sympathetically, "I see. Yes I also feel angry when I'm tired and hurt. Is it very often?"

"Monthly. I won't be that angry unless I'm provoked." Halfling's blue eyes flashed. I received telepathic projections of her hitting some people and revenge. I took her hand which calmed her a bit. Relax, I am not the enemy, I whispered.

Halfling sighed and put the kale, her hated vegetable, on my plate. I smiled.

Oh I can talk about mensus, You're not embarrassed, Nuada? Sorry sorry.

Of course not too loud in public. But like this, I do not mind. Elves can discuss these things openly, it's like having wounds and illness. Normal.

Amused by her culture shock, I beamed more. That was for giving me sudden hugs and sneaking from behind. She will always be my close friend, so why restrict our conversations? This time, I finished the uneaten food feeling hunger pangs. Usual was the other way round. Indeed my elendil was unwell to refuse the gourmet in front of us.

"Then you can be happy as you indulge in a rare treat eh? Haha." She chuckled.

I nodded, starting on the iced tea. Sharon urged Nuala and I to be their guardian. Mainly my responsibility. Her phonecalls would be brief and light, and the letters were blunt and to the point. I thought I would be angry bossed around by a mortal woman. Yet, I saw again how Lenwe of our race had betrayed her trust. Her worries were understandable. If we were separated, I also experienced the helplessness. Luckily Sharon knew nothing of the violence the children had been through. I personally admire females who fight mentally and physically, not the screaming, weeping princess-sort. That was sickening. In a way the infatuations were also like this, one day those youths would stop getting excited when I aged.

Artistic people are fine, if not whining or melodramatic. So we're drawn to the opposites.

Maybe I spoiled my family too much, and had to balance more with discipline. Liz would point out (true) that she thought of me as a Punisher but when people know me well, they don't take me seriously. Laira had rambunctious moods. She gave me heart attacks on an Elm Treebeard giant tree or peeping from secret corners.

I mentioned them. She laughed. "Don't shave off more years ok? I want to do many things."

"Umhm, sure Argetlam. What things? Fight more baddies and enforce rules?"

"Definitely. Feel better? Try the cake. It's a bit different from the usual." I cut some.

Food tasting is fun. We talked about the possibilities of that. I would want to taste cake and frozen desserts more. Gaining weight, not an issue. "Stop it with that long sounding name. Or I won't answer." I made a face.

Through letters, text messages, I gain insight and understanding. Sometimes we have arguments which later become negotiable. I have to admit I learnt about their lifestyle and ways of thinking. These reaffirmed how much trust they have in me. Although there were rocky times, I found pleasure other than in physical training and adrenaline.

Nuala did not have to report to me what she did and where. She was very pleased. She said, "Yes! Abrateir isn't going to control me anymore." How could I control her? When she pointed that out, I had been angry that I didn't talk to her for two days.

At least I was redeemable, right. Not some vengeful dark angel. A hand poked my stomach. "Hey!" I growled.

Good naturedly, my retainer replied, "Highness in such a great mood? You're grinning away."

"Yes." I poked him back and smacked his arm. Hmm, he was also half-elven like my friends. "Why wasn't I told about your heritage, Salem?" He was together with a deerwoman.

He flushed. "I… didn't think it's necessary. Race is less important than honour and valour, Nuada."

Not bad a quip. "I see. When will you propose to her? Wedding bells soon," I teased. He looked very shy and cleared his throat.

"I.. we're not sure if we will be together for the rest of our lifetime. But once we have, I will let you know first. And I want lots and lots of people to come and enjoy feasting!" Salem rubbed his hands gleefully.

**********

Elves yearn for freedom and nature. Still I don't feel restricted by missions because I could go to Bethmoora. If the problems piled up, there was always the little forest outside. If I am stressed, it will be here to listen to my troubles. Untainted and wild…

Ah Sherman had shown it to me yet I had been angry. I was sarcastic, she wanted to show how good humans were.

I had not apologized for that outburst. Strange why it occurred to me now. So I picked up the phone but hung up on three rings. I chose to press in a message: hello rem I was angry abt bad humans n I didn't bel u abt this forest? Sorry I tk it out on u.

She did not mind. The pyromancer's good point is she doesn't bear grudges. Sherman won't recall who hurt her. We were very different indeed. Especially when it came to grudge bearing, for the fae don't forget both kindness and cruelty. I want vengeance on my enemies. The ancient phrase: do not cross us and you will be fine.

Laira wrote to me- Nuada try to let go of past burdens. I love it when you smile, but that pain will return. It makes us, quite sad. I found out that when we smile more we live a better life. Thank you for taking care of me. Had a good dinner right? Haha.

My hands were stained with blood even if so many years had gone by.

Safe for the others to move back temporarily. My phone beeped. Hey love want to eat out? Our treat!

Ok don't mind. thanks. I beamed and pressed send. And she had something urgent to ask was the café I took her to, where more of our kind frequent. Joe greeted me.

"How did you know where to find this café on your own?" I patted his shoulder.

Laira yelped. "Hi we're earlier!" I accepted her hug. She took my hand.

He said, "Improvise… Nuada what is a rune?"

"A rune is a kind of marking. It is natural. Some have old magic. My skin has some." I flipped open the collar. They didn't know I had some there. One where my fringe covered.

Joe imagined I got cut and bled. "No I was born with these. Especially the nobles tend to have, don't know why. What is it?"

Their expressions were concerned and serious. Something was fishy…. "So let's eat first. We're paying ok!" She pressed my hand. "Nowhere to go today?" Code for important things.

"No I am free. I'll have the pasta and the fruit drink." Waiting for food to come, I repeated my concern. Joe took out a piece of paper, strange looking rune. Where had I seen it before?

"It is… a doorway. But I am uncertain of its safety and what it stands for. Where did you find this?" I stroked the circles and triangles. I hoped no one had gone in alone. Not all the fae are honorable and some are bandits. The hideouts should not be opened by ordinary events.

They replied it was fine and tucked in. My suspicions were more aroused. I added, "Could be someone from that realm wants to enter this one? Because it won't emerge without provocation. Have you re-buried the site?" Joe nodded.

Relax.. No one went in. You're not on duty today, princie.

That was a relief. The food was of exquisite standard. It has been a few months since I first came. They improved! I sat back, sated.

Joe beamed. "Ooh want dessert? I think I got space for more." He burped. I covered my mouth. "Nope. Sad, too full."

One of the chefs was an acquaintance. He was part-fae nymph, I had no idea he liked culinary arts. I could see through his weak glamour. Usually most glamour can be detected with a closer look. Before we left, the man leaned over. His name was Rhyssir. He introduced himself again and thanked us for coming. "Like the food?"

The children gave replies. But Rhyssir truly hungered for my words. "Welcome. I think it's improved. The curry chicken is just right, not too spicy," I remarked. Laira had the 'yay handsome guy' oogling. She didn't move though I tapped her shoulder. But she denied that I was replaceable.

The picture of the rune was almost forgotten, until there was a new case. I told Abe, "Hand me that tome, Blue." Flipping through the pages of symbols and witchcraft, I found its explanation. Another fey country called Urushakra, goblins dominated. They were big trouble. In small numbers, they could be persuaded, a large population meant inevitable conflict. I didn't speak that dialect. "Will we need to go there?"

Dreaded yes. I sighed. Abe said, "Nuada we have to find the hostage the goblins captured. What's the matter?"

"I don't understand their language, unless someone can translate. Demon do you understand goblin?" I glanced at HB, playing video games. If Krauss was not around, research would be Abraham's duty. Occasionally I assisted. I felt hardworking and annoyed that demon was not helping. He mumbled something incoherent. It'd be a long night. I was tempted to switch off the game. But the last time someone pulled the plug, HB sulked and it was a major problem. He was large enough to deter most enemies, but in a foul mood, demon would deliberately provoke them. Result: more injuries and more effort exerted.

I stood beside the tv, while Abe poked and talked to him. Demon groaned. It was the end of the game. "Never mind, we just plow through them. What's the prob?" He blinked.

"This is just the first time we venture there. As far as possible, less conflict." He was going to click on Restart, so I blocked the tv. Red glared but I didn't move. Abe came between us to elaborate on more details. Good, he gave up and went to the other end of the room.

Next afternoon, I had rest time and I called the kids. Background was not too noisy. Joe answered. I emphasized the danger. "Do not go there, goblins are not trustworthy." Just in case, I made a text message too.

"Why you been there?" he wanted to know.

"Yes, briefly. It was a dank and dark place. Goblins seem small, but they can come in hordes quickly. Known to be bloodthirsty and devious. Has that place been re-buried yet?"

Would they listen to me? "Yep, it's fine. We're at another place now. Thank you for the headsup."

I smiled. "That's not a problem. Sometimes I am longwinded?"

A long, probably astounded pause. "Err, no we don't think that. Very little of the time. It shows we're needed."

Trudi did not ignore me as I hoped and climbed on the table where I was clearing documents. Where were the parents? HB was conveniently absent. Nuala carried her down, but she stood on the chair to watch me. Her small hand on my eartip. Liz's daughter commented, "Fairy people are good. I like them!"

"Not all of us are good." I motioned for her to shift so I could get the sheet. Trudi frowned but still did not leave. The expression, I didn't have to see, meant why. Nuala chided me.

"We shouldn't frighten her. Let her believe that for now."

I glanced at her. My twin combed Trudi's hair distracting her with her necklace. Abraham had given that to her. Trudi said, "Elf good people. What about wings? Why no wings?"

"I mean All of us here are good. Outside they are bad, got it?" I had eye contact with the child. She nodded and sucked her thumb. Nuala drew some pictures to talk about why not all of us had wings. Later, she had made her own sketches and tugged my sleeve to get my attention. "Yes, nice." I had to understand who was bad, especially very early in life. Trudi would feel sad when she saw the truth next time. Finally demon came back to take care of his daughter. Nuala told me- I don't think she's ready yet. Red and Elizabeth want them to grow up in a normal environment.

Disappointed with me? I think the truth cannot be hidden.

No… I know you had a hard life, brother. That was a good way to sum up, all of us are good. She laughed. I shrugged.

Don't know how to tell her in more simple words. How is Uriel?

After this case, I went to his ward. His condition had improved, now he had gained back some weight and walked around. today he was studying, no reading a comic book. Since when did he have comics? Might be a loan.

I knocked. "Hey Nuada! Come in."

Uriel jumped up, holding my arm jovially. I greeted him too. He wondered why I didn't want to sleep yet.

"Made a gift. Good defence." I opened the bag, revealing a shiny ruby and gold crossbow. It was a small pocketsize one. "Well?" He examined the thing and smiled.

"But no dart."

"You could put a pen and fire it. Most can fit in. The darts are being fashioned."

Uriel blinked quickly and swallowed. Softly he thanked me for caring. I chuckled.

"Why don't you say I'm a genius instead? I like making things work."

His voice was soon a drone as I dozed off. My neck hurt and my right arm was cramped when I came to. Patting. I rubbed my eyes. I murmured goodbye and headed back to my room. The window was open, good no need for aircon tonight.

*Jamie oliver's At home series introduces much nice foodie. He makes it so easy.