Forty Eight: Half Elf Expectations

I spent a bit more of my midday with Kalor and the council. I learned that they do not have any technical power in Eidelhein, as the city is set up to rule itself through a set of elected representatives in each district, but the elves themselves do advise those officials. It seemed to me that the elves still held quite a bit of sway though, and their political system was simply a complicated way to say that the elves weren't in charge when really they probably were. Still, I liked most of them and they didn't seem ready to abuse their power, with the exception of Halduin and possibly Neuldor.

When the elves were finally done with my company and had decided to settle in to a discussion of the defense of Eidelhein, they let me leave and called in Teyber. I was glad to trade places with the captain. I was getting a headache from all the new information, and I was eager to see Schula and Nassir.

As I entered Kalor's halls, my stomach growled loudly at the lack of midday meal. I popped my head in the common area we had eaten in before in the hopes that I would find not only Schula and Nassir, but also food. The only one there, however, was Nassir.

"Hello, Wren," he greeted me. "How was your meeting with the council?"

"Well," I said. "They have agreed to our presence in Eidelhein. I will need to speak to Kalor later to find out exactly what he told the others to gain us their favor, but at least we can stay here. Unfortunately, they've given you and Schula a stipulation of a guard if you leave Kalor's halls."

"We have been told," Nassir said. "Schula is in her room, putting on her dress from Kalor. I believe she would like to get out of the keep with you."

I smiled and turned to the doorway, looking at Schula's room. "That sounds nice. Nassir, would you like to come with us?"

"No, thank you," Nassir said. "I think I will stay here and contemplate the things we have found in the books."

A little wave of guilt washed over me. I should be studying my lessons or researching the books of past witches too, not going out to explore the city. I opened my mouth to change my mind, when Nassir placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Go," he said. "Schula has her reasons for wanting to see Eidelhein, and since I can't see the same way you two can, I will stay here. But, Wren, I want you to consider something. If you put yourself among these people, your people, you could make your words worth something. Make them take your warnings of DuVarick seriously. Perhaps even convince them to be your allies. Or, if all else fails us in our quest to fix the barriers and return home, perhaps it can simply ensure you have a place to flee to."

"Nassir..."

"Wren! You're back." Schula closed the door to her room and came walking over to us in a soft silver dress that flowed around her without being too tight anywhere. It was lovely on her. "I heard we can finally leave, do you want to go see the town? I have to know who made this dress. It's perfect."

Nassir gave my shoulder one gentle squeeze before letting his hand fall away. "Think about what I said, and go. A couple hours away won't hurt anything."

I nodded and leaned into him with a big hug. "I'll do what I can."

"It is too broken of a bridge to repair what has happened between the courts and the elves," he whispered in my ear. "But you, our little bird, might be able to start the healing process, however slow."

"What are you two going on about?" Schula asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"We are taking bets on how much new clothing you will bring back," Nassir said with a wink.

I laughed and Schula tried to look annoyed, but it only lasted a moment before she began laughing too.

"Okay, fine. I might have set a few things out to try to bargain with. I don't really want to offer them coins from the Wyldes... but I can bring a few of those with me in case they don't care. I also have just a little bit of my jewelry that I was wearing down here. I have a couple scarves I bargained for with the desert tribes too."

I sighed and shook my head with a smile. Schula's biggest weakness was her wardrobe. "Alright, we can go out and look at a couple shops. But I want to be back before dinner tonight, I'm expecting someone."

"Yes! Let me get my things." Schula started making her way to her room when she suddenly turned back around. "Wait, who are you expecting?"

I shrugged. "Someone to teach me more about being an elf, I think. Hopefully they are just here to make sure I know what I need to know, but I'm more suspicious that they will be reporting to Halduin than anything else."

Schula turned back to her room and went inside. "Makes sense. If they give you any trouble, you can just set them on fire."

I snorted. "I'm not setting them on fire."

"I'll freeze them then," Schula said as she came out of her room with a bag, presumably full of her bargaining items. "Well, let's go!"

"Alright. We'll be back later, Nassir."

"Have a good time." He chuckled and waved us off.

We walked through the hall, and to the entryway of it. I looked around, wondering how we should ask for Schula's escort, or if I could suffice. Probably not, but it was worth a try.

The entryway to the keep was full of bustling activity. People coming and going, mostly in those green scout cloaks. There were no guards posted at Kalor's hallway, Teyber had made sure of that. But I did know where one set of guards could always be found, and maybe they could help us out.

I approached the front entryway, the giant double doors to the keep. Sticking my head outside, I could tell it had finished raining not long ago. The guards on either side of the door glanced my way. "Excuse me, I hope you've heard of the arrangement for the fae? That they will need an escort to leave?"

The guards today were a very short but ferocious looking partial elf, and a middle aged man with not much point to his ears and a lazy gaze. The man is the one who spoke first.

"Aye, we know about it. What of it?" he asked.

Now Schula joined me at the open doorway. No glamour, no hiding under her cloak, just Schula in all her glory. "Hello there. I would like to go into town. Who can escort us?"

That took the short guard by surprise, and she tensed as she gripped her spear. "We'll call you a guard, don't leave the halls without one."

Schula frowned and pulled her head back inside with a scoff. "How can I not leave the halls without a guard, if I can't find a guard?"

I shrugged and followed her back inside. "Let's just hope they find someone quickly."

We stood around for a short while, talking about Pearl Street and speculating on the markets in Eidelhein. Eventually, a familiar face showed up, and I tensed as Schula laid eyes on her.

"You," Schula hissed.

"Me," Liana replied cooly. She eyed us up and down, her gaze resting on Schula as it narrowed. "I'm here to escort you around the city. And... I want you to know that I took your advice and had a long discussion with my captain."

I raised my eyebrows, surprised that she listened to anything we had to say. "Really?"

Her flat stare slid from Schula to me, still no expression on her face. "I told you, I take my role in the protection of this city seriously. Of course I wanted to check up on the suspicious strangers. Especially the... fae. Considering our history, I'm sure you understand."

Schula snorted. "What does the history have to do with it? The war was before either of us was even born. I don't care that there are a city of elves living peacefully, I care that we're here to help you and you've been nothing but hostile since I've met you."

Liana sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, I'm trying to say that I'm not going to bother you about it anymore, and I'm willing to overlook your... heritage. I'm trying to make amends and take you around the city."

"We're not going to get an apology, are we?" Schula asked.

Liana continued to stare blankly.

"Fine," Schula flung her hands in the air. "Just... let's go. I won't let you ruin my mood when dresses are involved."

Liana nodded. "Wise choice. Call it a truce, or something. So, you want dresses?"

"We would like to know what shop made the outfits we are currently wearing," I said.

Liana looked our dresses up and down, then sneered. "I'm afraid I know exactly who made it, but can I see the inside seam of one of  your bodices?"

"Our... bodices?" I asked.

"There is a shop of some renown in the larger market in the city. They sew a little purple ribbon inside their seams, a marker that it's theirs. Your dresses have the look of their work, but to be sure I'd need to know if there is a ribbon."

Schula's dress had no sleeves, unlike mine. She easily pulled at the opening under one of her arms and looked inside. "There is a ribbon!"

"Of course there is," Liana sighed. "Come on, let's go then."

She didn't really wait for us, she just started walking and we had to follow.

"The life of the party, isn't she?" Schula asked.

I shrugged. She struck me as a very serious person, and I had no doubt she kept Eidelhein as a priority in her life, but it was hard to see who the person under the surface was. I didn't really know anything about her other than her loyalty to the scouts. Maybe there really wasn't anything else, who knows.

Liana walked us out of the keep, through the trees, around some of the large lake, and then we began winding through the streets. Of course, we got stared at. A lot. The gossip was spreading like wildfire, and soon enough there were people watching us from open windows the entire way to the market, like some kind of parade. There was a mix of caution and fear, as well as curiosity mixed in the faces that dotted our path.

"I wish they would stop staring," Schula muttered.

"You could try glamouring," I suggested.

"I'm not glamouring," she said. "I'm so over that. I'm a fae, they can deal with it."

"I don't know if that's how we're going to keep the peace between us and the council," I mused. "But feel free to not glamour. I have your back, always."

We continued down another street or two before the path began top open up wide. Suddenly, we were in a large square lined with benches, trees, and shops of every kind. Colorful windows filled with goods, people shopping, and hand painted signs advertising wares. It was like stepping into a version of Thananthol, without all the Autumn court colors everywhere.

"Yes," Schula breathed, her eyes wide and her grin spreading. "Civilization at last!"

Liana, who was still in front of us and clearly listening in, turned her head sharply. "And how was the keep not civilization?"

"It didn't have shopping," Schula said, and began walking in the direction of the nearest colorful shop window.

Liana rolled her eyes. "The shop you're looking for is this way."

That got her attention, and we made our way through the crowd to a small, unassuming shop with a bright brass door. Liana didn't hesitate to push the door open, causing a small bell to ring from above.

We followed behind her, stepping into a world of flowing fabrics. I could see what she meant by our dresses being in the style of this shop, I could see the repeated choice in colors and details right away. Schula was absorbed in a stand displaying a scandalous white dress right away. I blushed, imagining what it would look like on her. Covering little, and matching her skin already. It would be hard to picture where the dress began and her skin ended. Just her taste in eveningwear.

"Oh, Schula," I sighed. "You're going to try that on, aren't you?"

"You better believe it. Hello! Shopkeep? I desperately need to see this piece!" Schula called around the shop filled with fabric but otherwise no person in sight.

That is, until a shuffling of linens near a desk in the corner began to move. "Coming! I'll be right there."

Out of the fabrics popped a lean partial elf. His light brown hair was tied back in a thin braid and his uneven brown and gray eyes reminded me of someone...

"Sister! What brings you here?" The shopkeep, who was looking at Liana as though she had grown another head, rushed to us with a grin.

"Liam..." Liana said flatly. "This is the fae I'm sure you've heard gossip over, and this is Lady Wren. Kalor's daughter."

Liam turned to us with a lot more warmth in his face than Liana ever had. "Welcome to my shop! It's an honor to have a half elf in one of my dresses. I suppose I owe Marcus money now, I definitely lost the bet over what Kalor needed these dresses for."

My mouth parted and my eyes widened at his bold admittance, and Schula burst into laughter.

"Oh, I like this one," she said, wiping her eyes. "Liam, I would like to try on this gown, but first I need to ask you about bartering."

"Bartering?" He asked, coming over with a businesslike expression. "That would depend, my garments do not come cheap."

"Nor should they," Schula said. "Not when they are this exquisite."

"You tease," Liam grinned devilishly. "Flattery will get you everywhere. Come over to my desk and we can see about your offer."

"Gladly." Schula smiled and followed him over.

That left me with Liana.

"So," I broke our silence. "Liam is your..."

"Brother, yes obviously," she answered.

"Right, and so you recognized his work right away." She didn't say anything. Right then, silence it was.

Liana and I stood in the store while Schula tried on the dress. Her expression fell when she saw it was for a much more elven figure than hers, and it wouldn't come down over her chest. But Liam worked out a deal with her, that if she could get some of our gold melted down into discrete bars, he would make her the most sinful white gown she had ever seen.

I was happy to watch her be happy. It had been a while since she had gotten to do something she wanted to do. When we finally left the shop, she was giddy as she described to me the sketches Liam showed her. Liana, on the other hand, remained her usual stoic self as she walked us back to the keep.

She took us through the doors, and dropped us off at Kalor's halls. "Here you are, back at your quarters."

She turned to leave and over her shoulder she glanced back at us. "If you need to go out again... send word for me. But don't make it a frequent habit, I have things to do."

And, she left.

"I don't understand her at all," Schula grumbled.

"I think she's trying to make amends," I suggested.

Schula huffed. "Well she's going about it poorly."

I shrugged. "Come on, I'm sure you want to describe the dresses to Nassir."

"Oh!" Schula clapped her hands together. "I do! Let's go."

And Schula practically pulled me into the common room, already describing one of the sketches again.