Enaeya

15 - Unanswered Questions

The soft morning light filtered through the lace curtains of the inn, casting a gentle glow across the rustic dining room. The air was thick with the fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread and spiced tea, complemented by the chirping of songbirds outside. Misha sat across from me, his brow furrowed in a mix of exhaustion and curiosity, particularly evident as he stirred a bowl of porridge.

"Damian," he sighed, "why in the name of all the spirits must we get up this early?" He poked at his food listlessly, as if hoping it would magically transform into something more satisfying than the bland mush staring back at him.

I leaned back in my chair, flashing him a mischievous smile. "Ah, Misha, as they say, the early worm gets the bird!" I chuckled, completely satisfied with my jest.

Misha's eyes narrowed, and he gave an exaggerated roll of his."That's not how it goes, you idiot! It's the other way around." He took a sip of his tea, and I could almost see the gears turning in his mind, attempting to unravel the absurdity of our morning routine.

"No, I'm serious!" I protested, leaning forward conspiratorially. "I'm not talking about those regular worms! I'm referring to the Skolex - you know, that gigantic worm that Eunora has illustrated in her book about magical creatures!"

The look on Misha's face was priceless. He paused mid-sip and lowered his mug, blinking in astonishment. "You actually read that book? And Master's book, no less?" His voice carried a tone of disbelief that made me chuckle even more.

"Of course, what did you think I was doing? Staring dreamily out the window the whole time?" My fingers danced over the wooden table as I spoke, relishing in his astonishment.

Misha leaned in, his voice lowered as though he were about to unearth a great secret. "But how did you even convince her to let you read any of her books? You know how protective she is of her collection."

I shrugged, cocking my head to the side. Innocently, I replied, "I needed permission?"

Misha's face fell into his hands with a dramatic facepalm, muffled laughter escaping from behind the barrier of his palms. "Damian! You need to be careful. Master might just combust if she finds out you've been rummaging through her precious texts without permission!"

I blinked sweetly at him, my grin widening. "Don't worry. I'll keep it a secret. Besides, secrets are what makes life interesting, right?"

Misha shook his head, a mix of exasperation and amusement flaring in his eyes. "You're unbelievable. What will I do with you?"

"Perhaps allow me to read some more about gigantic worms? I find them quite fascinating." I leaned back, crossing my arms, already envisioning the potential hilarity of discovering more absurdities in Eunora's world.

Once we finished our meager breakfast, we left the confines of the inn, stepping out into the vibrant elven city of Liriendel, resplendent with spring's blossoming beauty. The cobblestone streets glimmered with the freshness of dew, the air buzzing with the excitement of the start of a new day. Elven children darted past us, giggling and playing as the sun rose higher in the sky.

"Misha," I said, glancing at him. "Are you worried that Eunora might find out?"

"What do you think?" Misha's voice was tight, almost as if he was trying to rein in the chaotic energy of the day. "What if she turns you into a frog or something worse?"

I snorted at the image. "A frog? She wouldn't waste a spell on me! She'd chase me out of here with that fiery temper of hers!" I paused, then added, "But I'd admit, being a frog could have its perks. Tadpoles have no past."

At this, Misha's shoulders shook with silent laughter, breaking the tension. "You have the most peculiar way of seeing things, you know that?"

"Good, because I plan to keep it that way," I responded, reveling in the bright sun that welcomed the new day, igniting the vibrant flowers that bloomed along the streets. "Now let's go find that sorceress." I suggested as I began to walk through the streets.