The Bizarre Adventures of a Half-Elf

7. Forming a Party

**Warning: Minor combat in the second half of this chapter. 

Charlotte took Elric's advice, and got herself a room at the Charming Dragon Inn. The owner was a pleasant Human by the name of James, and once he heard of the Magistrate's order of giving them free residence, he happily complied. "Anything for local heroes," he had said, filing her name in the ledger and handing her a room key.

She had been given room number four, and, after jogging up a small flight of creaky, wooden steps, found herself in cozy accommodations. The room came with a full-sized bed, a writing desk with a chair, a trunk for her belongings, and a window with a view of the town square and the distant ocean. It was a nice change from the mountains that Charlotte had once called home, and, admittedly, it was a view she could get used to.

After a good night's rest, the Half-Elf awoke and got ready for the day. Elric had approached her later that first evening before retiring, informing her that Lola had been able to be healed, and that she and Asmoth had rented a room at the Golden Trident Inn. The group from the day before was to meet there to speak, seeing as they had made a good team.

Charlotte hadn't asked about Timoré, but the Nephilim made a comment that he was unsure of whether or not the mage would return. "I saw him headed towards the docks, but he merely waved over his shoulder when I told him the plan." 

However, as she approached the tavern on the first floor of the Golden Trident, Charlotte saw that everyone from the day before had shown up. "Good morning," Elric greeted her with a polite nod and smile.

"Mornin'," she returned the gesture, and also nodded at Türin, who waved back from where he was crafting arrows. "How is Lola?" she asked Asmoth.

"She is resting, but alive. And I did not have a chance to properly thank you for taking a part in her rescue." The Kuesik stood up from his seat and formally bowed to her, the crystal in his forehead reflecting the sunlight back at her.

But the Half-Elf waved it off, shrugging uncomfortably at the gesture. "Think nothing of it. I got free rent out of it, anyway," she gave a smirk. "And... What is wrong with those two?" She asked, just now noticing the state of the Humans.

Red seemed incapacitated as he leaned heavily on the table, and chuckled to himself about something she couldn't hear. However, judging by the number of empty mugs in front of him, she could guess his reason. But Timoré just had his head face-down on the table, not really moving or reacting to anything.

"Ah, my brother seems to have taken too much of a liking to the Markotian spirits," Elric responded, "And... I am unsure of the mage. He showed up, put his head down, and has been like this ever since."

"I see..." Charlotte eyed the two uneasily.

"So, should we go look around to see if anyone needs help?" Asmoth interjected. "We gathered so that we could work together on quests, and, seeing as we don't have a Quest Board, we're probably going to have to search for them ourselves."

Charlotte shrugged and nodded. "Money is money to me."

Elric merely cast her a look, and answered, "My purpose as an acolyte to Solis is to help people in any way that I can."

"You three go ahead. I will remain here to keep an eye on the Humans, and in case Lola wakes up," Türin offered.

The Kuesik, Nephilim, and Half-Elf all nodded, and then left the tavern to venture out onto the street.

"So, Solis. Who or what is that?" Charlotte asked Elric as they walked.

"Solis is a minor god who represents sunlight and goodness. He is my patron who I follow to keep my celestial bloodline pure."

"Right. Celestial bloodline. I figured you were Nephilim because of the eyes and the forehead. So one of your parents is an actual Archon?"