Reunions and Recollections
623 Words
A large wood elf walked up to the table, led by the smaller woman, Eltis.
"Hello Callum" Catherine said
"Good day, Horn-Helm" Sage said
Callum looked at the party, stopping at Avari...
"Kariste??? How are you here?? Did I finally die in my sleep?"
Avari laughed... "Kariste lived eight hundred years ago... My grandsire. I am Avari, the current queen of Rii."
"I apologize, Avari, you look just like her" Callum said.
"We have urgent business Cal" Catherine said pointedly, "We need your memory"
He looked at her, then turned to the bar
"Dragon's milk! mixed with mermaid hair, Satyr blood, and a pinch of cinnamon and honey! And hurry!"
The half-goblins heeded his order and came with a bowl of the drink.
He drank the entire bowl in seconds, then handed the bowl to Eltis
"Bring shetalis, enough for all.. I think I know what they want to see..."
Catherine nodded. " Your wisdom hasn't diminished I see"
"What is shetalis?" Aeliana asked
Sage spoke up..
"It's an old word..."The closest translation in the common tongue is I SEE" Catherine interjected, "It enables the drinker to see into a person's memory, like a play.. like we are there in the memory."
Aeliana and Avari both looked on astonished.
"Your father was one of the watchers?" Aeliana asked, shyly.
"Call me Cal" he said, then leaned toward Sage "She does know she's Valai, right?"
Sage almost giggled "She just found out.. she was raised human, in Veridonia"
Callum nodded "Ah..."
Turning back to Aeliana"Yes, he was Kael, the magnificent. Builder of The Green Keep. Chronicler of the prophecies of the visitor."
He nodded at Catherine, "Daywalker... It's been centuries... You're still as beautiful as ever" Catherine blushed..
Eltis returned with a tray full of glasses.
There was a black, syrupy substance in the four glasses, a fifth had a clear substance in it. Call placed his finger in the clear glass, then removed it. He continued by allowing one drop from his finger to fall in back black glass.
He drank the clear drink, and gestured to the others.
They each took their glass, and drank..
It tasted like something they couldn't quite place.. blackness took over.
They were in a great forest. Six elves sat around a fire.. the six......
A cloaked figure, one by one took the elves aside, and spoke with them.
Kael was the last.
They spoke in hushed tones.. Catherine and Cal walked close. The visitor took off his hood... Catherine was clearly surprised at what she saw there...
A bell rang... A door nearby..
One by one, they entered.
With a jolt, the light returned.
They were back at the table..
"What did you see?" Avari asked Catherine
Catherine was there, but not.
Her and Cal had not returned yet.
"What are they...." Aeliana laughed
"What?" Avari asked
"Old flames" Sage said.
The three laughed, as the two finally returned.
"Well, that was interesting" Catherine exclaimed.
"For some more than others" Avari jested.
They laughed.
Catherine, flustered, blushed, then composed herself
"Callum has agreed to return to Everbright with us. His skill is highly regarded, and he keeps the secret of the entrance.
We now have a guide through the great forest...
But we must stop by the Green Keep in Wood hearth, it is on the way"
Sage nodded at Catherine
"I cannot travel with you, but I shall await you in Everbright. Safe travels, friends." She took Aeliana by the hand, reassuringly, then nodded to the others, and left.
But not by the door....
She stepped into a Shadow in one corner, and disappeared.
"Shadow mages" Gal said, half laughing, "I never know they're here until they want something."
The barkeep went about his business.
- Writer
