Arvium

43: Attacked

Month 1, Day 4, 17:30:12; Arvium, High Council Tavern

Aella's mouth dropped open as she started up at the glistening white marble face of the tavern. Like the other buildings in the High Council complex, white marble encased the two-story high building, with friezes just below the roof carved in intricate designs and brilliant colors. A giant clock, built out of glittering aquamarine, silver, and black lettering took up the peak at the top of the building.

Two twelve-foot, darkwood doors hung open above a few marble steps, laughter and clinking glassware echoing into the street. Banners with the guild emblems hung from the walkway on the second floor."Wow," she whispered, stopping at the base of the steps. "It's beautiful."

She squinted as she saw something move in the corner of one of the rafters, then frowned as she saw a crow. It flapped its wings once or twice and scooted along the rafter before disappearing into a shadow. I just hope it doesn't poop on me. She turned her attention to Gemini as he stepped next to her, towering over her with his large frame.

"The inside can be rather rowdy," he said, laughing as he stopped next to her. "My sister and I were here last night."

Aella nodded. "It looks pretty quiet."

"Come on," he said, taking her hand and pulling her up the stairs.

The interior was warm and inviting, flickering lamps and torchlight creating dancing shadows on the dark wood walls and bar at the far end of the building. The ceiling reached forty feet into the air, curving into a long shadowy beam that ran down the center. Dark rafters joined it in an arched pattern, with giant wooden chandeliers hanging every ten feet, dotted with burning candles.

Between them and the bar were dozens of small tables, and several thirty-foot long tables with benches running the length of them. A double staircase led up to a second floor, and a railing indicated a walkway that ran around the circumference of the giant room.

Half of the tables were filled, and the pleasant aroma of fresh-baked bread and cider filled the air, along with the lively conversations.

"It's pick a seat where you can find one," Gemina said, letting go of her hand and pointing to an empty table near the bar at the back. "That one will do."

"Please, sit by me," Sigmund said, pulling out a chair for her. His face was emotionless, and she hesitated. But his body was loose, and as she looked closer, she noticed a small smile.

She slid into the wooden seat, smiling softly to Sigmund. "Thank you."

"A pleasure."

She watched with wide eyes as the others sat down around her.

"So you managed to escape a level 4 wild boar," Gemina said, clapping her hands and nodded to her.

Aella shrugged, lowering her head and nodding.

Gemini laughed, slapping the table with one of his hands. "The Alphas were impressed, Aella. But next time, let one of us come with you when you're out at night so we don't lose you again."

She glanced around the table, seeing the smiles on the twins faces, the solemn face of Sigmund, and Maeva who was sitting with her legs draped over the arm of the chair, twirling a piece of her hair with her fingers and blowing bubbles with her chewing gum.

They all went out of their way to help me. She smiled. "Let's celebrate then--to my victory and as a thank you for all that you did to find me."

Gemini waved a hand. "I'm sure you would do it for us."

"It was no problem, Aella," Sigmund said quietly.