Chapter 179: Reunion

I followed Ena down the main street of the market, with Avanna and another guard at my heels. I could tell Avanna wasn’t happy that I was following a random elf – a thief – to Maker-knew-where. I gestured at Avanna and she jogged up beside me; I slowed a little to leave some space between us and Ena.

“I don’t think it is, but it’s always possible this is a trap.” I sighed as Avanna gripped the pommel of her sword. “She knows who I am.”

The guardswoman paled. “Then don’t follow her, my Lady. Let’s just leave!” she hissed.

“Except, I don’t think it’s a trap. I think she knows where Arathea is and she’s just afraid we will hurt her or try to take her by force.”

“Then let me go alone. There’s no reason for you to be there.”

I considered. “Maybe. We will see where she’s planning to take us. If it is some sort of ambush or kidnapping attempt, just ... well, be ready. I’ve got weapons and armour; I’ll be fine.”

She grumbled, but fell back when Ena looked over her shoulder. I picked up my pace and pulled up next to the elf. “Where are you taking us?”

She looked at me, expression inscrutable. “Never fear, your Highness. We will stay outside where everyone can see what’s happening, and we can escape if you make it necessary.”

“I’ve promised not to harm you or Arathea, but I notice you haven’t offered the same assurances to us.”

“I didn’t think you’d need assurances from a mere elf.” I scowled at her, and she flushed slightly. “I promise that I mean you no harm. I just want to ensure our safety, that’s all.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

We passed beyond the clean, open streets of the more prosperous area of the city and into a darker, dirtier, more crowded neighbourhood. It wasn’t a slum, not like the Alienage, but the houses were close together, the alleys full of refuse, and the air smelled of sewage and fish. I kept my face neutral, even as I wanted to wrinkle my nose in disgust. The roads were a bit of a maze, but I did my best to memorize the route we’d taken – just in case.

I knew Avanna didn’t, but for some reason I trusted Ena. The words ‘honest thief’ might have been an oxymoron, but they still seemed to apply. The few times she’d tried to lie – in the market, when denying she’d pickpocketed me – she was terrible at it. I just have to hope I’m not wrong.

We finally came to a clearing between several streets, which originally must have been meant as a token green space in the closely packed urban area. It hadn’t been maintained well, however, so the only green visible was some scraggly grass and the occasional weed. Several streets headed off in every direction, and I had to admit I’d gotten completely lost; I’d have to hope Avanna knew how to get back to our inn. Despite the dismal view, some enterprising soul had set up a stall selling cups of cheap wine, and there were a handful of tables to sit at, all currently empty.

Ena motioned to a table closest to the edge, and I sat down with my two guards at a table directly behind me. They were close enough to help me if something happened, but too far to grab at someone across the table if she ran, something that would hopefully make Ena – and Arathea – less afraid. The set up clearly didn’t improve Avanna’s worry any, and I saw her fingering her scabbard anxiously. I double-checked my two daggers without thinking, and then forced myself to stop and relax.

Ena sat down across from me, and I paid for wine for all of us, and an extra cup which I left sitting beside Ena. We waited silently, and I sipped at the wine, trying not to grimace – I wasn’t a fan of wine in general, and this wine in particular was awful. I wasn’t enough of a connoisseur to know if it had somehow gone off, or if it was just that terrible. I was glad it only cost a few coppers a glass – any more would have been highway robbery.

Ena watched me impassively, ignoring her cup altogether. I wondered what we were waiting for; if it’s going to be an ambush, surely it wouldn’t take this long? Patience wasn’t my strong suit, but it occurred to me that asking questions and demanding they hurry probably wasn’t going to help my case any. I sighed and settled in to wait as long as necessary.

A few people eventually walked up and took tables, sitting down and drinking wine while chatting amongst themselves; they didn’t seem to have a problem with the wine, so I decided I was probably just a wine snob. I took another hesitant sip and watched them idly, noting at least one elf at one of the tables. I was somewhat surprised that the wine seller didn’t so much as blink at Ena or the other elf; I wondered if he just didn’t care who he took coin from, or if the racism wasn’t as bad as I’d assumed.

People-watching distracted me from the wait, and I almost missed the slim, brown-haired elf that wended her way across the street and slipped into a chair beside Ena. She was beautiful, older than I expected – probably older than me by a handful of years – but looked completely terrified. She looked from me to my guards, glancing fearfully at the other patrons before dropping her gaze to the table in front of her, but never made eye contact with anyone. I supposed, disgustedly, that it was a habit from her days as a slave. I felt myself stiffen and had to consciously force myself to relax.

“Hello.” It sounded stupid, but it escaped before I could take it back.

“My Lady,” she replied, bobbing her head nervously like a little bird.

“My name is Sierra, and you are both welcome to use it. Please, help yourself.” I gestured to the cup of wine, and she wrapped one tiny hand around it but didn’t take a sip. I sighed. “What’s your name?”

She glanced at me quickly, startled, and I could see that her eyes were a brilliant blue, a colour I’d never seen on anyone before. I didn’t get much of a chance to look before she turned her gaze quickly to Ena – who nodded reassuringly – and then looked back down at the table.

“Arathea, mis-, er, my Lady.”

I winced at the half-voiced honorific; I’d never be anyone’s mistress. “I just want to make sure that you’re the right person I’m looking for. If you are, I have some questions, and then I can help you, if you wish. I won’t hurt you, okay? No matter what.”

She nodded almost miserably.

“Can you tell me where you’re from and how you got to Wycome?”

She gulped. “I lived in Minrathous with my master and his family. His son and I fell in love. He would not have been permitted to have a relationship with me, so we left in the middle of the night, took a carriage down the Imperial Highway until we reached the river, and then a riverboat to Ansburg. The captain of the boat, he, he ... he took all of Larus’ coin with threats of alerting the Circle, and then abandoned us on the docks. We were trying to come to Wycome, but we had to walk, and then I lost him in that horrible town and he was captured by templars, and—”

She was nearly hyperventilating as she told the story, and looked about to pass out. I shared an alarmed look with Ena, who put a hand on her shoulder, and I reached out to touch her hand, but the reconsidered and just held my hands out. “Okay, okay. Steady, take a deep breath.” I probably sounded condescending as hell, but fortunately the elf listened and seemed to calm a little. “So ... Larus. Can you tell me about him?”

It was the right question to ask; she smiled almost dreamily, and the tension bled out of her as she answered. “He’s wonderful,” she sighed. “We met when he healed my arm after I was cut by a broken dish I’d dropped.” She looked at me, making eye contact for almost the first time. “Imagine, an altus making the time to heal me, even after I dumped his dinner all over the floor.” What on earth is an altus? Her tone was adorably breathy, the way Hollywood actors sounded in over-the-top romance movies. I wonder if I sound like that when I talk about Alistair? She continued prattling on about the healer, emphasizing his kindness and sweetness, traits I hadn’t particularly seen for myself – but then again, he wasn’t in love with me, I supposed.

In any event it was quite clear that she was more than smitten with the man, and really did want to find him. She told me she’d followed him to Wycome after Aedan had orchestrated the fire and freed the mage, but then lost track of him – presumably when Aedan dragged him onto the boat. She’d been hiding out in the Alienage ever since, looking for him. The Hahren had allowed her to stay there for free briefly, but she had started to worry about how she would support herself if she didn’t find Larus soon. Not that it sounds like he’s got any more coin than she does anymore.

Satisfied with her answers, I wanted to ask about a few last things.

“Arathea, you said you left with him willingly. What sort of duties did you have before you escaped?”

“I was a kitchen and household slave, my Lady. Helping the cook, washing floors, that sort of thing.”

“I see. And ... look, this is awkward to ask, but ... were you ... did your masters...”

“I was not a body slave, mistress, if that’s what you were asking. I was purchased as a child by Larus’ father and was only trained for cleaning and kitchen duties. Body slaves require rigourous training and they are chosen only from the most beautiful of slaves.”

More beautiful than her? I doubted it. I breathed a sigh of relief. “So, you were never pressured for sex?” She was so matter-of-fact about it that it seemed strangely ... normal to talk about it. I’m pretty sure I’m still blushing though.

She flushed too, though it looked like anger. “Not by my master. Some of the guards, though...” She trailed off, looking slightly ill. “I was lucky. The others looked out for me, and then Larus freed me before anything could happen. I’d never ... before Larus.”

I took a deep breath, feeling like I was being disgustingly nosy – and hating that she didn’t even think to refuse to answer my questions – but needing to know for my own peace of mind. “May I ask when you and Larus ... first... ?”

Her dreamy smile returned. “At an inn a few days after we left Minrathous.” I thought it was probably a good sign that he’d waited, not had sex with her as a slave. She continued, “It was very romantic. He brought me flowers and supper, paid for us both to bathe ... he was so gentle with me, teaching me to please him.” She blinked at me as my jaw clenched. “Not like that! We pleased each other. He was wonderful.”

I relaxed slightly and nodded. “Arathea ... have you given any thought to what would happen if you decided you didn’t want to be with him anymore? Or if he didn’t want to be with you?”

She looked at me anxiously. “Do you think he wouldn’t want me anymore?” She glanced down at herself, wearing threadbare, stained clothes, and I saw tears pool in her eyes. “I know I don’t deserve—”

“No, no. Nothing like that. Your clothes don’t matter, not to me and I’m sure not to him. You’re lovely. I’m just thinking about the future. If you wanted to leave him, what would happen?”

She frowned. “I wouldn’t...” She stopped when I opened my mouth to interrupt, and seemed to think about it. “You are asking if he would let me go if I wanted it.”

I nodded, relieved she understood.

“He would never hurt me. If I told him no, he would let me go. I’m sure of it.” She certainly sounded convinced. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“My Lady ... you are asking all these questions, but I’m not sure I really understand why.” Suddenly her expression looked guarded. “You said you can help me?” She looked over at Ena as though for reassurance.

“Oh!” I slapped myself on the forehead. “I’m sorry, Arathea. Yes. I should have explained.” I considered where to start. “The short answer is that I know where Larus is, and I can get him to come back here. I just wanted to make sure that you were the right person – and that you really wanted him to find you. I admit I was ... worried ... that you had been taken against your will.”