Elrich Saga Yellow Springs Book One

Chapter 17 Happy Birthday

Chapter 17 Happy Birthday

When I got back to the inn, Daisy was waiting for me. All my packages arrived and she had even stored my new clothes in the chest under the bed. I was grateful for her effort, but I was a bit embarrassed at having her sort through my undies, new or not. I would just put them in my inventory anyway.

I did owe her 42 copper for the drinking we had done the night before. Apparently, I had been too drunk to figure out how to get the money out of my inventory. I had managed to tip Caryl chocolate but somehow wasn't able to get money to come out. I had to be told about my antics the night before while I solemnly paid her.

"It was a bit amusing to me and the girls when you started singing to me, some odd song no one could make sense of. Then you started arguing with yourself. You had the priest in fits of laughter. Then I had to carry you ducks up the stairs. Neither of you had any legs.

"Who is Brunhilde by the way? You kept calling me that while you were singing. Do I remind you of someone you know?"

"She's a famous fictional character. She's a warrior maiden." This was embarrassing, once again I was glad for poker face.

"I see," Daisy said nodding. "I've never heard of her, but anyway, happy birthday.

"I found your present last night on your bed, but I thought it would be prudent to hide it until you sobered up. When I put your clothes away, I put it back on the bed. The note is there too. I didn't open it or anything."

Birthday? Technically, the day I was sent here was my birthday. Who would know that though? More importantly, someone sent me a present. The only one I could think of was Amoris.

I requested a clock for my room, and Daisy ran back and fetched one for me. It was old-fashioned looking made of wood with two brass bells at the top that were struck by a hammer sitting between them. I gave her some chocolate as a tip for her troubles.

Clock in hand, I rushed up the stairs. I really wanted to know what Amoris had left me. It was something Daisy obviously thought I shouldn't have while drunk. I was drawing a blank at guessing though. I really couldn't think of anything.

When I opened my door and saw what was on my bed I nearly dropped the clock. The gift wasn't from Amoris at all but from Edomael. It was a twin to his bow, but this one was all black.

I picked it up, held it up to the light and marveled. It looked like black marble, but it was made out of something else. Not metal or wood it was too light for metal and too heavy for wood. In the light, it had a slight shine to it like an oil slick with dark rainbow colors. I fingered one of the feather carvings marveling at the detail. This had to be hand carved. So whatever the material was, it was carvable.

It was different from the ones I had used. There wasn't an arrow rest and the grip was different. It looked like a recurve bow and a longbow had a baby and out came a simplified recurve bow that was slightly larger than normal. Was this how they looked traditionally? At school they had us use recurve bows because that's what was easiest on beginners and because it was the Olympic bow. I guess you wouldn't need a sight if you had the skill aim.

I strung the bow and tested the draw weight. Hell, I couldn't even pull it halfway back. Recurve bows were supposed to be easy for beginners. I couldn't shoot this thing if I couldn't draw back on it. Not to mention balance the arrow and aim while struggling to hold the string in place. Damnit, maybe there was more information in the letter?

The letter had also been placed on the bed. On the front of it was scrawled HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Inside the envelope was a single piece of paper.