Tears of Avalon

Chapter 4: Tavern and Tricksters

Ilyia flew through the night, watching as stars appeared and sparkled against the navy-blue sky. It was a lovely evening, but her heart was heavy as she ran away from home. She hoped her mother would forgive her in time, especially for her harsh words. Perhaps she should have apologized in person before leaving, but that would have just caused her resolve to falter. It was better to go now before she changed her mind.

So she pushed aside her guilt and flew through the moonbeam guiding her path. Night flowers started to bloom, their white petals glowing in the evening light. Fireflies twinkled around her and began their mating dance, their glowing bodies buzzing back and forth. Ilyia had stayed up late many a night just to watch their spectacular dance.

For a moment, she wished her mother was there so they could sit on a grassy hill and watch the fireflies together.

She scrubbed a few stubborn tears from her eyes. She was stronger than this. She had a purpose, no matter how hard it was to leave home.

Ilyia reached back into her satchel and pulled out a map. She settled lightly on a moonflower and opened the parchment, inspecting the route. After tracing her fingers along a few dotted lines, she took off again and veered her course more to the east. The first village wasn't far from home, but it was still further than she'd ever traveled before.

The first sign that she was headed in the right direction was a haze of light. She flew higher and looked towards the village, the inhabitants' many windows lit up with magic or tiny flames. Ilyia smiled to herself, despite the nervous butterflies flitting through her stomach. She wasn't used to being around other fairies, especially not alone.

As she neared the front gate, she noticed that the fairies were walking on the ground, their faces exposed, rather than flying with hoods up. The last thing Ilyia wanted to do was stand out. She landed some distance away and pulled her hood back, letting her black hair spill down her back. She tucked her wings beneath her cloak and walked forward, eyes down.

Two larger fairies stood on either side of the gate. While they watched the people passing through, they didn't make to stop anyone. Ilyia gripped the strap of her satchel as she passed between the men. She felt their eyes on her, but neither said a word. Ilyia breathed a sigh of relief once she was on the other side and looked around.

The village certainly wasn't one to call beautiful. Huts, stalls, and a tavern stood around her, though most of the stalls had shut for the evening, their fronts covered with white sheets. Lightning bugs perched on several poles, their bodies lighting the way as Ilyia walked along the dirty street. It was nothing like some of the places she'd read about in her book. A town called Dryad was supposed to have a magnificent tree covered in colorful lights.

This place just felt dirty, where those not wishing to be found might hide.

Ilyia slid her stone dagger into her hand just in case.

She made her way through a line of stalls and towards boisterous laughter and music. Fairies, sprites, and pixies came and went through a tavern labeled Phoenix's Breath. The warmth emanating from the door certainly lived up to its name. Ilyia stepped out of the way of a pair of fairies then slid inside.

Trestle tables lined the floor, leaving only a small patch open for dancers and musicians. Five fairies sat off to the side playing flutes, drums, and other wind instruments that Ilyia didn't recognize. Fairies danced to the music, some on the floor, and some in the air above them. A male spun his female partner, and she flapped into the air before falling into his arms and laughing as he spun her in a circle.

Most of the tables were already filled with patrons feasting on savory-smelling meals and gulping down honey mead. Ilyia felt her stomach rumble at the sight of it, but she pushed her hunger down. She was here for information, not food.