Nerwen the Green and the Search for the Entwives #wattys2019

Chapter LXI: A Solid Lead

Chapter XLI: A Solid Lead

A few days later, Zagal came personally to The Amethyst Vessel to inform Nerwen and Aryon that the Wise Valin had come back to Fortvalley.

"I thought I'd seek audience with him directly in your name," she told them, "explaining him exactly who you are and what you did for Lukris: as I told you, he doesn't like strangers, but I don't think he won't be difficult... also because I told him flat out that otherwise I won't deliver him the load of pipe-weed he ordered me," she concluded with a slightly mean grin.

The previous afternoon, Lukris had come out of bed for the first time after the bad tumble, and had moved some steps under Nerwen's watchful gaze: since the Istar healed her dislocated knee, Zagal thought she hung the Moon and, if someone would dare to say something against her or to behave in a less than respectful way, she was ready to tear him or her to pieces; verbally, if not physically.

Nerwen couldn't help and chuckle in turn: she was very glad she had been able to win so completely Zagal's trust and even her friendship. The Dwarves could seem gross in the eyes of the other races, but as much as they could be hardcore enemies, they also could be formidable friends. Even Aryon was beginning to change his mind, about them. Or, at least, about some of them: he still loathed Dhruzin the innkeeper very much, and so did Nerwen.

Therefore, the following day, the prince and the Istar went to Valin. The old Dwarf's house was located near the halls used for the royal palace; a surprisingly small abode, considering his office as Court Wise and First Counsellor of the king, it was overfilled with furniture and ornaments, with many carpets and thick curtains that made it almost oppressive. Sharp perfumes of spices and incenses saturated the air, making it heavy; Nerwen, who loved open spaces, felt rather uncomfortable, and Aryon, who was an Elf of woods and plains, felt equally uneasy.

A servant introduced them into the Wise's office, a room which walls were covered with shelves overflowing with books and parchments; Valin was sitting at his desk, engrossed in reading an impressive tome placed on a wooden lectern, with several lamps shining on it. In front of his eyes, the Dwarf held an odd object, made of two round pieces of glass assembled in a metal frame, equipped with a grip to hold it in place.

As soon as he heard them coming in, Valin put down the mysterious artefact, revealing a positively minute physical structure, for a Dwarf.

"Greetings, and welcome in my house," he said, his voice in the key of bass, which was surprising, given his size. His words were courteous, but his tone sounded neutral: it was apparent that, wouldn't it be for Zagal's insistence and her not even much concealed blackmail regarding his pipe-weed, he would happily do without receiving these two foreigners.

Aryon's face promised nothing good; even Nerwen couldn't help but feel annoyed by Valin's biased attitude. However, she tried to keep calm and behave diplomatically: after all, they were in his house and she needed information that, as they told her, only he could provide.

"I know you don't like strangers," she said in a soft voice, in Khuzdul, "I'm here only to ask you information, Lord Valin, not to rob nor to trick or to hurt you, therefore I don't see any reason whatsoever you should treat me or my betrothed like enemies."

Hearing his idiom on the lips of a Human, Valin was startled; the use of the honorific title flattered him, but he was too old to let someone charm him. Not much, anyway.

"Only Wise... Lady Nerwen," he corrected her, using in turn the courtesy title – maybe a hint of a slight softening, the Istar hoped, "You're truly a disciple to the Queen of Earth, as Zagal told me?" he enquired.