Verange

Chapter 25

Hayden had woken up shortly after dawn and climbed out of his bed. He found Elis’s note and grumbled. Some other elf was supposed to show up around noon to go with him. He wasn’t supposed to leave until then.  

He busied himself by looking around her home. The first room he entered was something of a kitchen. It was rather empty besides a washing basin, a couple cabinets against one wall, and a table with two chairs against the opposite. There was a stove as well, assumedly heated by fire.  

He rummaged around for something to eat and found nothing. He guessed she hadn’t gotten time to get anything for her arrival. Off the kitchen was a bathroom similar to the one he had back at the Verange.

The next room he entered was Elis’s bedroom. He immediately backed out.  After the last time he had looked at something of hers he shouldn’t have, bad things happened. He didn’t want that to happen again. 

The last room was strange. The first thing he noticed was a half finished painting of the same man that was in the picture back in her room. There was also a guitar and a desk cluttered with papers. He didn’t stay long in this room either, sensing this was more personal than her bedroom.

He went back out to the main room and sat in one of the chairs. It was extremely comfortable and he drifted off to sleep again.

When he awoke, there was yet another stunning woman standing over him with an amused expression. “Hello Hayden. I am Lithiana” She had raven colored hair and deep brown eyes. Her build was similar to Elis’s, though she was slightly more endowed. 

He struggled to speak as he stood up out of the chair. “Hello… Are you here to watch me?” He mentally hit himself for asking that. Stupid question. She laughed though, and it heartened him. 

“Yes, Hayden. I understand that Elis wanted you to find a new set of chairs to replace these ones?”

He nodded in response. “Yeah. Though I don’t know why. These ones are amazing.”

Lithiana smiled at him, though it seemed sad. “Keni made those for her when they moved in. I assume they hold many memories she doesn’t want to relive.” 

Hayden cocked his head in confusion. “Who’s Keni? That guy she had paintings of? I wasn’t aware she ever lived with anyone seriously.” 

Lithiana shook her head. “No. I suppose you wouldn’t know. She was always quiet about her personal life. Yes. He and Elis were together for a long while. Since childhood really. They both really cared for one another. It nearly killed her when he died. She came back, muttering it was all her fault. And then she left.“ The elf looked quite sad and Hayden frowned.

Hayden shook his head. “She doesn’t like talking about it. But if new chairs are what she needs to get over him, I’ll get them.”

Lithiana gave him a smile and moved towards the door. “I’ll lead the way.”

They spent most of the afternoon wandering the city. Hayden was lost the whole time, but she knew where to go and they managed to find a set.  It was about an hour before dusk when they got them back and got rid of the other ones. 

Lithiana left him soon after and Elis showed up minutes later. She looked stressed, but gave him a smile when she saw him lounging in one of the new chairs. “I like these… Thank you Hayden.”

He smiled back and stood up, not sure what to do now. She gave him something to do. “Hayden. Tonight, we have to go to a feast. Every time I come back they have one for the arrival. I’ve never been to one for a different reason. You’ll have to dress nicely.”