Unto the Shadow (Completed)

(Ch.26) Town and Secrets

The quaintness of the neighboring village was almost ridiculous. All the building facades matched; built from the same cream-colored stone as Athos' perimeter wall. Each light post that lined the city streets had baskets of flowers hanging from them, and every basket was overflowing with vibrant purple flowers.

Even the picturesqueness of the storybook they were walking through was not enough to distract Ryder from the electricity that shot up her arm as Tairin gingerly took her hand. It was the first time they had held hands in such a public place, and her adrenaline answered in kind. She did, however, feel eyes boring into the back of her head, she didn't have to look to know it was Graynin watching her.

Their group's procession was noticed. Many people stopped what they were doing to watch them go by, and those that were walking made sure they gave the group a wide berth, while whispering to each other. Ryder had never felt so on display before. Their status was recognized, there was respect in the way they were treated, but she could tell it was mostly fear that fueled the onlookers.

Eva lead them to a quaint pub on a corner. The bustling room went still as they filed in. Eva, not losing stride, spoke to the large bald man behind the bar. "Are you still serving lunch?" She asked in her bubbly voice.

The man nodded vigorously, "Yes we are mistress." He gestured to the corner where a large table had been wedged. "Please take a seat, my daughter will be out to tell you our specials."

Ryder couldn't believe how a man who was possibly three times Eva's weight and nearly twice her size, seemed to be stricken with fear when addressed by the elf-like girl.

Eva nodded her approval and lead their party towards the large wooden table. Ryder moved next to Eva and took a seat beside her, with Tairin in the seat to her right. Graynin chose the seat across from Eva, it was the one most hidden in the corner and had the best view of the door. Pierce sat next to Graynin and Jade gracefully took the seat to Pierce's left. Ryder couldn't help but notice Jade warmly smile at Tairin as she sat down across from him, and with a flicker, check to see if Ryder was watching.

Ryder gummed at the idea of calling Jade out, when a wisp of a girl in a cotton blue dress appeared, smiling forcefully at the group. Despite her hands being clasped together there was still a noticeable quiver. Her silent presence drew the attention of everyone, Eva and Pierce even stopped their animated conversation, and looked to the girl.

"I'm Joselyn, and I'll be serving you today. Our specials are broccoli and cheddar soup, sweet potato pie, and rack of lamb with a cranberry glaze." The girl managed to get it all out in a relatively steady voice.

Everyone took turns giving their order. Ryder was surprised by how gentle everyone was towards Joselyn, even Graynin managed a soft smile and his grey blue eyes were less piercing. By the time Joselyn had served all their drinks she was laughing with them and couldn't help but blush at Pierce's flirty jokes.

It was the best time Ryder had had in longer than she dare admit. They all laughed at one another's stories. Even Tairin joined in, his hazel eyes watering at a particularly racy story Pierce told about an awkward fling he had with a high ranking Mid woman, and how her brother attempted to run him off while wielding a candle stick, that Pierce had essential turned to floppy rubber.

Graynin and Pierce reminisced about the time they had spent fighting in the Crusades during the 1100s in the Shadow Realm.

"Why the hell were you there?" Tairin asked. Clearly not believing them.

Graynin shrugged, "I was pretty young and all I wanted to do was fight, and the Shadow Realm had a good amount of that going on at that time."