Eternal Entities

Chapter 17

Chapter 17:

Loro handed Valgus, Nağme, and Aavistus each a small bowl of oatmeal. The grains looked somewhat toasted, and a few berries were sprinkled in. "Sorry for the humble meal. You should be eating more to aid in the healing process, but we are strapped for money at the moment," Loro apologized as he served himself the same food.

"Nonsense, this is more than we could ask for at the moment. We are just grateful to be able to sleep under a roof as of now," Valgus smiled at their gracious host.

Aavistus said in between spoonfuls, "Mm! This is far better than the slop on the ship they had us eat." Nağme could only nod her agreement as she basked in the simple breakfast. The three companions and their fae hosts ate in silence for a moment. The simple action did not need chatter, for the hunger they felt overshadowed the need for socialization.

Valgus paused in the middle of bringing another spoonful of oatmeal to his mouth. He lowered his utensil and asked, "Loro? Is Vanajja, the girl last night, still asleep?"

Loro choked on his food slightly before swallowing. "Ye-yes she is. From the condition she in, it uh, appeared she had not slept in days. I would not be surprised is she sleeps until twilight."

"Tch, I had a feeling that mongrel was up to something," Aavistus rolled his eyes in distain.

Valgus raised an eyebrow. In a concerned tone he prodded, "Aavistus, what are you getting at?"

"Unless she can sleep with her eyes open, which I highly doubt, the she-pirate did not retire when I relieved her form keeping a look out. Her gold-colored irises stand out against the darkness."

"But that means," Nağme concluded, "that she has not slept since the day the ship sank."

"Exactly."

Valgus stared at his oatmeal in silence. The silence was interrupted by a loud gasp from the back room. Loro stood up at the clambering that frantically followed. He shrank to a size of a needle surrounded by a warm yellow glow. Loro flew away from the table, leaving them to watch the archway leading to the back operating cots. Inaudible conversation floated to their ears. A loud crash had everyone at the table jump. Valgus and Nağme stood from the table while Aavistus readjusted his glasses.

"I'm sorry Miss, but you are in no condition to move around," Loro's stern voice came through, "so just LAY DOWN!" A cloud of yellow-orange dust shot through the archway. As the sparkling cloud cleared, Loro stepped back out to the main room. All eyes were on him as he ran his fingers through his greasy red locks. He pointed his thumb back into the room and heaved, "Is she always so defiant?"

"So far, yes," Aavistus answered before taking another spoonful of oatmeal.

"Loro, what did you do?" Valgus asked while tapping his fingers to his arm.

"I simply hit her with a large amount of a sleep-inducing pixie dust mixture. I had to secure her to the table for...safety reasons though," Loro grimaced. He stared at Valgus and Nağme's startled eyes. "Rest assured, she will wake up tomorrow morning."

"We do not have time to just spend a day dawdling," Aavistus spat.

"We did get interrupted on our search for information yesterday. While Vanajja is recovering, the three of us can pick up where we left off," Valgus suggested as he sat back down in front of his meal.

"Fabulous idea Valgus. Especially since it means Nağme will not have to perform," Aavistus smirked. Nağme rolled her eyes at her older brother. "Nağme, you are in no condition to do any sort of performing."

Nağme half-heartedly said, "Yes Aavi." She resumed eating.

Aavistus continued, "And not to mention the danger you put yourself in when you try to sneak in other spells."