Anilyia (12 page)

“Just being weird?” Liselle asked.

“That’s what they say. Sometimes they stand
on a stage, moving about in odd ways and call it art. Most humans
call it being weird,” Hulda said with a laugh. “The buildings are
all painted and surrounded by magnificent parks. You’ve seen the
parks and gardens in the Rojuun District near the mountains,” she
said gesturing in the general direction. The companions nodded.
“The ones in Alluu are said to put those to shame. They say it’s
worth seeing at some point in a person’s life.”

“Do you plan on going to visit?” Vevin
asked, entranced by the story.

“Me? No. That’s too much of a journey and I
have an inn to run.” Hilda set her empty mug on the table and
stood, swaying a bit. “I’d better take care of the night’s business
and get some sleep. Rest well and may tomorrow bring you new
fortune.”

They stood with her. “Sleep well, Hulda.
Thank you for the drinks and company,” Tathan said. The innkeeper
turned and walked to the back room, swaying slightly.

They sat back down. “That gave us a few
clues didn’t it?” Liselle asked hopefully.

He nodded. “It did. I don’t want to travel
all the way to Alluu just on one person’s guess though,” Tathan
said thoughtfully. “I’m going to ask around tomorrow to see if I
can find anything else out.”

“I’ll ask around some too,” Sir Danth said.
“I’ve become friendly with a few merchants and might be able to
pick up a little information.”

“Good idea,” Tathan agreed. He turned to
Liselle. “Perhaps you and Vevin could go shopping for some of that
jewelry Hulda was talking about. While you’re there you could ask
questions,” he suggested.

Liselle smiled widely. “Yes! I’d love to
look at jewelry. That’s a wonderful idea, Tathan. I can use a
little bit of the money you gave me to buy something, can’t I?”

“Of course,” he replied. In addition to the
gems the Mother Tree had given them, Jarrrn Garrrn had paid them
well for battling the sstejj and Tathan had made it a point to
split most of it after coming back to Puujan. Some of it he kept
for traveling expenses like room and board, but that still left
plenty. “The money is yours to do with as you please. Try to spend
it wisely and not pay too much for things though,” he cautioned
her.

“I’ll do my best, Cousin.” The look on
Liselle’s face was one of worry. “I’ve never bought anything
before, so I don’t know how much is too much.”

“Vevin, do you know how to shop wisely?”
Tathan asked.

“Oh yes! I haven’t been shopping much, but I
love it and always get good deals,” he said with a toothsome grin.
“People don’t argue when I smile at them.”

“Gee. I wonder why,” Sir Danth said
dryly.

“Then it’s agreed,” Tathan declared, rising
from his stool. “Let’s get some rest and relax tonight.” Vevin and
Liselle followed him up to the rooms while Sir Danth sat in the
common room for the night.

Liselle awoke to see Vevin looking at the
dawn light through the open window, his feet shuffling side to side
in his sunrise dance. She could tell by the curve of his cheek that
he was smiling. He turned to her when she sat up to stretch the
kinks out. The bed was comfortable, but she was sore from so much
travel.

“Hello, darling.” Vevin came to the bed,
sliding behind her to work the knots out of her shoulders.

“Mmm, I’ll give you a year to stop that,”
she said, leaning forward with eyes closed in pleasure.

When Vevin stopped immediately, Liselle came
to the conclusion that a year flew insanely fast these days. Vevin
replied, “I’ll try to massage for a year, but I don’t know if I
have that much stamina, and I might get hungry.”

Liselle giggled. “It’s just an expression,
dearest. I like it when you rub my shoulders and I wish it could
last a year.” She turned back to smile at him, letting him know she
was happy.

“Oh, I see now,” he responded with a nod,
still looking unsure. He began rubbing again. “It looks like it’ll
be hot again today. Hulda had your travel clothes and the robe
washed again for you.”

Fresh morning air drifted inside their cool
room, bringing the sounds of the waking city. Liselle closed her
eyes and inhaled deeply. “Mmm. Oh good. I was wanting to wear the
robe today. My shoulders feel much better. Thank you,” she said
with a smile toward him. He smiled back and grabbed her robe from
the bench where it lay folded.

Liselle put it on as she stepped out of bed.
After another stretch, they headed downstairs.

The smell of breakfast was divine as usual
and Liselle felt her mouth water. Sir Danth was nowhere to be seen,
but Tathan was at their favorite table, smiling and waving them
over. As they sat, Tathan told them, “Breakfast should be out in a
moment. I told her to bring yours out too, figuring you’d be down
soon.”

Liselle returned the smile. It looked as
though he had taken a bath and his clothes had been cleaned. “You
look refreshed.”

He nodded. “I am. A sound below my window
woke me up early this morning. It was just a couple of drunks
stumbling home after a long night, but I decided to take a bath
instead of going back to sleep.” The waitress who brought their
food smiled at Tathan a bit longer than the others. It looked as
though she had recently taken a bath as well.

They ate mostly in silence, each
contemplating what they were going to do for the day. When done,
Tathan stood up, said his goodbyes and headed out.

Her cousin seemed so sure of himself all the
time. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle or overcome. Liselle
sometimes worried that she would drag the rest of the group down.
Tathan was good at everything and made good decisions. She wondered
if he knew how much Sir Danth and Vevin looked to him for
leadership or how much she admired him for all he had done for
her.

Vevin and Liselle ate a little slower, but
finished before long. “Shall we go, darling?” Liselle asked.

“Oh yes! Let’s.” He stood up, holding his
hand out. She took it with a smile and they walked out the door and
onto the street.

The midsummer day was already warm. The sun
beat down upon the wings of the city, which provided a bit of shade
here and there. Liselle listened to the sounds of people calling
out and moving around the cobblestone streets. It was all so alien
to her.

So far, Liselle had only been out of the inn
a couple of times. The last time they were in Puujan, she was still
recovering and had only come out one day for a short while before
tiring. All the negative effects from her ordeal in the caverns
were now gone and she had a spring in her step.

Vevin smiled happily at her enthusiasm. They
traveled hand in hand to the market plaza, giving each other silly
grins the entire way. Tathan would have been disgusted at the
sight.

Vevin bought her a treat from one of the
vendors on a street leading to the market plaza. It made her
fingers sticky and she licked them off as they passed the stalls.
The air was filled with scents of baked goods intermingled with
incense and perfumes. There were amazing colors from clothes and
tapestries sold by various merchants. People moved back and forth,
many in Rojuun robes that appeared to be a favorite, while others
were in the garb of their native lands. Klizania and Iynath were
the two types of clothing most recognizable to Liselle, although
there were others.

The street vendors were noisy, but not
pushy. People moved from booth to booth, buying items befitting
their needs and desires. It was an adventure for Liselle. She had
spent much of her childhood dreaming about visiting the world’s
cities and here she was in one, surrounded by people.

They came across a couple of jewelry vendors
who didn’t have anything she really liked. The disappointed look on
one vendor’s face made her feel guilty, but Vevin guided her on.
The other vendor was busy with a customer and looked to be making a
sale, so Liselle didn’t feel so bad.

They reached another stall where exquisite
gold and silver jewelry set with various gemstones was laid out on
tables. An armed, private guard was at the corner of the tent
watching everyone who came nearby. He glanced at Vevin, but didn’t
pay much attention. Most people didn’t even notice the dragon.
While he had purple hair, skin and clothes along with liquid silver
eyes and sharp teeth, he also projected a constant aura that caused
people to look past him. Only a few strong-minded people ever
observed his presence and they noticed very little about him.

A dark skinned woman in her early thirties
got up from her workbench and came to the table Liselle was
browsing. She wore sturdy clothes of a smith and her hands were
calloused from years of working with precious metals and gems.
“Good day to you, Milady,” she said in a melodic voice that
betrayed her work-like appearance. “I believe you’ll find my work
exceptional if not quite as exceptional and magical as the ring you
already wear.”

Liselle looked at the ring on her hand.
There was quite likely no ring as magical in the world.
Resurrection magic was so rare that none of her companions could
think of any other item or person that could cast it. She also had
a valuable necklace gained for services in the Rojuun caverns, but
wasn’t wearing it. Tathan had explained that it would make her a
target for thieves. Vevin kept it for her in that magical place
where he kept his other physical possessions.

“It was a gift,” Liselle replied casually.
“I like your work. Did you do all this?” she asked, gesturing
toward the three tables that had items lain out. On the innermost
table were a few platinum pieces with inset emeralds and rubies,
the rarest of gems.

“I did. My father taught me when I was a
child,” she admitted, wiping a bit of sweat off her forehead with
an arm. “Our city was besieged by war and he arranged for my
escape. A long journey later, I ended up here where there’s a large
supply of precious metals and gems for me to select from.”

It was an amazing amount of information to
give out all at once. “Is your father well?” Liselle asked with
concern.

The woman shrugged. “I don’t know. The city
fell shortly after I escaped. My father might’ve died, or they may
have let him live. Jewelsmiths are rare and highly prized
throughout the world. I hope for the best, though I have no way of
knowing.” She smiled. “Thank you for asking.”

“But of course!” Liselle replied. “Thank you
for sharing your story. I’m Liselle.” She held out her hand in
friendship. “Might I know your name?”

The jewelsmith took her hand and shook it
firmly. “I’m Tiala, Milady. Thank you for asking,” she said with a
slight bow. “I have no country mates here in Puujan and few
friends. It’s nice to speak with a person, though I hope it not too
bold of me to approach you, Milady.”

“Bold? Not at all, Tiala,” Liselle replied
with a confused smile. “It’s nice to meet someone friendly. Were
you teleported to Puujan from somewhere?” she asked while going
back to looking at the jewelry on the table.

“No, I traveled the Cavern Road to get
here,” Tiala answered with a shake of her head. “It was fascinating
to see all the different cities, the Rainbow Caverns and . . . all
of it!.” There was awe in her voice and a look of amazement as she
remembered the journey.

“What are the Rainbow Caverns?” Vevin asked.
“I haven’t heard of them.”

“Oh they’re absolutely amazing, Milord.” It
was the first time Tiala had spoken to Vevin, perhaps even the
first time she noticed him. “There are five high waterfalls falling
from the ceiling into pools and a few more coming from the walls as
well. They create a mist illuminated by the glow of plants and
animals. Everywhere a person turns, there are a thousand colorful
rainbows just out of reach.”

“Oh, we must go see them, dearest! It sounds
truly fascinating,” Vevin told Liselle eagerly. He was bouncing up
and down in place. “Everything we’ve heard about the Cavern Road
sounds so interesting. I truly think we should take the
journey.”

“Yes, yes. We’ll make the journey.” Liselle
was also interested in seeing the Rainbow Caverns and got the
distinct impression Vevin’s enthusiasm was sincere. “I’m just
worried about such dark places and whatever scary creatures might
be down there.”

Tiala spoke to her concerns. “They’re not
dark or dangerous, Milady. There are light globes along the entire
length of the road in addition to the plants and animals, which
give off light. The Rojuun have warded the road to prevent any of
the more violent creatures of the caverns from disturbing
travelers.” She straightened a few pieces of jewelry while talking.
It seemed they had to be placed just right, an attention to detail
one would expect in a jeweler.

“That sounds like a lot of work,” Liselle
replied, feigning awe. It reminded her of the wards protecting the
Ancient Road she and Tathan had traveled on through the Willden. “I
must say that I’m truly intrigued by it though. I was told the city
of Alluu was a good place for humans to experience Rojuun artistry
and living.”

“Alluu is extraordinary, but overwhelming at
the same time,” Talia said, gesturing broadly. “There’s just so
much happening there. It can be hard to separate sounds and colors
from each other. It’s definitely worth visiting though, just like
the winged city.” She gestured at the wings protruding from the
buildings surrounding the plaza.

“I was stunned the first time I saw those.
They just seemed so unusual,” Liselle remarked. “Vevin wonders what
it would be like to see the city from the sky,” she said with a
smile and a hand on her lover’s chest.

“Oh yes, I definitely want to see it from
the sky.” Vevin nodded eagerly. “I want to see the Rainbow Caverns
and Alluu as well!” He was hopping from foot to foot and swaying
energetically. It was a restrained version of the excited dance.
Tiala was beginning to look more closely at him as though trying to
see through a shroud.