Elven Legacy

Chapter 36

Noah

When he opened his eyes, and all his senses, to Jaden's reality, the first thing he perceived was the rain pattering steadily against the window beside him, since that particular sound had become so alien to his new desert-dwelling self.

Then, of course, he saw his friends, and broke into a grin.

The four of them sat at a corner table in what appeared to be a small, modest inn. The common room was about half-filled with Azurian patrons, there was no fireplace that Noah could see, one black cat slept on one end of the bar counter, and tapestries with frayed edges decorated some of the wood-paneled walls. No music filled the place, just a few conversations all around. And a burly old man with a cane, maybe the innkeeper, speaking with two serving maids and a scullery boy in the opposite corner.

Beside Noah at the table sat Moira – her dress of gray and blue fabrics looked both practical and elegant, and her long copper locks smelled like stormy wind and rain. And seated in front of him, Kitera and Dharkan. Kitera in a violet dress of the same style as Moira's, and Dhark in his usual snug-fitting black outfit, with probably more leather straps and buckles than he could ever need.

Jaden had been right. They both seemed tired and weary from their travels, from all their worries and troubles, and now with Tessa having suddenly ditched them – ran off, or rather flown off, to the gods knew where.

Noah was rather excited that they were finally telling them the truth. It only felt right.

Presently Kitera and Dharkan exchanged confused, almost wary glances, then they stared questioningly at Moira, as if afraid to look at Noah directly.

Noah rolled his eyes. "Yes, it's really me, guys." He leaned forward on the striated wood of the table top, light-blond hair tickling down from his neck. Realizing with amused surprise that Jaden wore, over a long-sleeved black sweater, his black uniform scarf, the one with discreet gold trimming. Also the one Noah had stolen from him that one time.

Huh. He never told me he kept it.

Locating Kitera's goblet of wine, he casually gathered it up and gulped some of it down. Then, grimacing, he set it back down again, closer to Kitera than before. Dharkan and Kitera tracked his every movement like he was some fascinating summer fair's circus creature.

"Tastes like cat piss," Noah commented of the wine. Especially when you were used to Hart Delun's delicious, spicy, vanilla-flavored rum.

"He does talk different," Dharkan conceded in what was, perhaps, a slightly less grumbly voice than usual. "I mean, it's Jaden's voice, but . . ."

Kitera chuckled, then she just smiled with disbelief in her dark brown eyes, her long, elegantly-drawn eyebrows slightly raised. Her brown tresses, like Moira's hair, had clearly been ruffled and mussed by the day's wind and rain. Noah couldn't help but return the smile.

"I missed you, Kitty Cat," he told her honestly.

Her smile flickered away. "And I did not miss that nickname!"

Dharkan leaned across the table with both arms, athletic bulk of his shoulders hunched forward, and he narrowed his softly slanting brown eyes at Noah.

"If you're Noah, answer this. What's that prank you pulled on poor ol' Vivien back when I'd just got to Quickrivers? You must've been twelve or thirteen at the time. A right little rascal too."

Sudden embarrassment heated Noah's skin – and he knew from experience that the redness showed a lot more on Jaden's pale complexion. Damn it, D, think you could've picked something more embarrassing? Kitera already knew, he didn't care about her hearing it, but Moira was present too, for gods' sakes.