Elven Legacy

Chapter 83

Zemisha

The Red Moon boasted a Nimisian-style bar downstairs – at least according to Noah and Fenek. Apparently it reminded them of their favorite tavern back home. Wind chimes tinkling at the entrance, beaded curtains between hall and bar section, ceramic floor tiles, ebony wood for the bar counter, with paintings of the sun setting over the desert dunes, and of elephants resting at an oasis. Varieties of rum bottles lined the shelves along with a small wine selection and some fruit nectars.

Moira had ordered rum with pineapple for Zemisha, and she savored it now as she sat on her high wooden chair at the bar. All the tables were occupied. Nimisian girls and boys wound in between with platters bearing fresh drinks. The patrons were a mix of Azurians and Nimisians, both languages mingling together and reaching Zemisha's ears in a discordant mix. The music from bands of street corner musicians drifted in through the open windows, carried by a night wind that smelled like autumn.

In spite of the pell-mell noise, Zemisha did catch one particularly amusing rumor about what had happened today. I've got to tell Noah about this one.

Zemisha sipped her drink, turning back around and smiling at Moira. She was in her riding clothes, tan boots and tight pants of the same color, white blouse held snug by a black corset-style vest. Her hair was freshly braided. Zemisha wanted to hold her and kiss her. To hell with conventions, she felt invincible.

Except, Zemisha knew that Moira wasn't particularly comfortable with doing this sort of thing in public.

She settled for taking Moira's hand. "Is it strange that I find you more beguiling in your riding clothes than in some delicate lingerie and lace?"

Moira bit her bottom lip as a slight blush flared across her freckled cheekbones.

"Good," Moira said, raising her drink – pineapple and rum like Zemisha's. "Because I'm never, ever wearing delicate lingerie and lace again."

Zemisha tilted her head as she considered this. "Well, we don't have to say never, ever . . ."

Moira laughed, amusement dancing in her eyes. The lantern hanging from the beam above their heads had a yellow shading screen around it and made her eyes look more teal than blue.

Beside Moira, Fenek finally got hold of a bartender. He'd been eating pistachios from a bowl to pass the time. Now, the young man was at last provided with a refill of rum. The combined aromas of spices and vanilla filled the air as the liquid was poured.

Zemisha raised her glass, and Fenek, somewhat tipsy by now, knocked his glass against hers with a grin. Zemisha wished she knew a few signs. Noah had showed her the one for thank you earlier, so that she could at least show her gratitude.

"To going home," Moira said, and the three of them drank together.

When Zemisha set down her glass, Moira tapped her arm.

"What is it?"

"Look," Moira said, glancing to their right. Zemisha looked up and saw that Noah and Jaden were coming down the stairs.

She smiled. Jaden looked better already, though it certainly helped that he'd changed into his own clothes. There weren't any more high chairs available, so the two of them simply came over to stand, leaning against the bar counter beside Fenek. A few signs were exchanged between Noah and Fenek. Then, to Zemisha's surprise, Jaden made a few as well, though his hands seemed clumsy and shaky in comparison. Craning her neck to look, she thought she recognized thank you somewhere in there. Noah must've taught him before heading downstairs.

She was surprised again when Fenek leapt from his chair and pulled Jaden into a hug, slapping his back. Jaden returned it with a laugh. He smiled at Zemisha and Moira over Fenek's shoulder.