D&D Way to Sword Coast

Chapter 8: Remain

It was late afternoon when Yulia finally came to. She appeared dreary and unaware of where she was at first. The moment her surroundings came into focus the Tiefling started panicking. "Alidorim! Alidorim!" she called out in terror. Fortunately, the Dragonborn was close by.

Once she'd calmed down enough Olkith explained to Yulia where they resided and who their hosts were. Though Maddy, Julian, and Father Sebas were polite and pleasant, Yulia huddled close to Alidorim, quivering. Fortunately, the adults weren't offended by her actions. Maddy knew exactly how to draw her out, by producing a plate of food. Upon Alidorim's insistence, Yulia delved into the meal. The moment she tasted the first bite her eyes shown with a joy that her smile matched. It was the first time he'd ever seen her smile.

"Maddy's meals can break the thickest ice," Julian commented making the woman beam proudly.

As the child ate Sebas surreptitiously caste a health appraisal spell and seemed pleased with the results. "The sickness has passed." Everyone sighed in relief, including Alidorim who hadn't expected to be so comforted by the child's wellness. He figured it was only natural. After all, he still had a promise to keep.

Now that Yulia was better, the Dragonborn figured that it was time to settle up with the Bridge-keeper and his family. Julian declined payment in gold and silver. Instead, he demanded his pay in the form of labor.

"There are a few jobs about the manor that needs doing," he explained, "Four days of honest work and we'll call it even." Alidorim agreed to the deal. Even without knowing the specifics of the tasks, Olkith couldn't afford to turn down the offer. The coin would be necessary later on and the work would cover the additional costs of meals, medicine, and shelter.

The next day found the Dragonborn repairing a partially collapse portion of the wall. His part consisted of hefting stone and mortar while Julian and others worked. The masonry came after he mucked out the stables and chopped a brush pile into firewood. The work was difficult, but Alidorim found that he enjoyed it. Using his strength to build rather than kill was a pleasant change of pace.

As he was laying another stone, he felt a tap on his shoulder and Julian pointed towards the center of the courtyard. There stood Yulia wearing a spare outfit Maddy had loaned her. She'd finally left the house to explore her surroundings. She gazed about in awe and wonder. In her venturing, Yulia was greeted by three boys of differing height. The tallest with auburn hair approached her.

"Don't think I've ever seen a girl like you before." The boy began circling Yulia curiously looking her up and down. "Never seen hair like yours. You some kinda elf?"

"Not with horns and a tail. Maybe a drow?" A smaller boy with blonde hair said. The very mention of the appendage caused Yulia to grip it nervously as if embarrassed by it. The boy went on to say. "Da' said she showed up with that Dragonborn during the storm."

"Her hair is kinda weird though." A brown-haired boy commented scrutinizing Yulia's head. All three boys appeared intrigued by her appearance. "It's so red while her eyes are so black."

"There like Fire and charcoal." The second boy supplemented in a fascinated tone. If they were put off by her horns, ears or tail, none of them seemed to care.

"So where are you from?" The tall boy asked.

"Yaf zidc za oiwz," Yulia replied looking nervous. "Xe val'z flvyrwzilv."

"Huh?" the tall boy asked recoiling in confusion, "What'd you say?"

"My sarvw-no-" Yulia started to get flustered as she struggled to find the right words. "my...words...no good." Moisture started to form at the corners of her eyes. Alidorim started to step toward her but stopped at Julian's insistence. His expression seemed to say, 'let's see what happens.'

"You should stop it, Rudi," the brown-haired boy said looking concerned, "you'll make her cry."

The tall boy, Rudi, looked at his friends with an arched eyebrow. "Why? I'm just talking to her. We get few visitors and none of them are kids." Something about the boy's presence seemed to unnerve the poor girl as she tried pushing past them and escape back into the house. "Hey where are you going?" the boy asked grabbing her hand.

" dyz py qa!" she said in a soft but demanding tone. In her anxiety, Yulia had reverted back to her native language. Alidorim again made a motion to intervene but Julian made a soothing gesture. The Dragonborn knew the man wouldn't allow his children to do anything bad, but Olkith couldn't deny his protective obligation much longer.

"What'd she say?" Rudi asked looking baffled. His friends shrugged.

"Wasn't elvish or dwarf." The blonde boy said, "Sounded like she was talking backward."

"Pdyiwy! Pdyiwy!" At the Tiefling's panicked voice Julian turned as if to finally intervene but then paused at what happened next.

"Stupid boys!" A girl stepped out of the stable. She was a bit taller than Rudi with long brown hair. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded running up to the group.

"Cloe?" Rudi asked wondering where the new arrival had come from.

"How dare you pick on a little girl!" she declared, glaring hard at the trio, but mainly at Rudi who was still holding Yulia's hand. "Your terrible!" Suddenly she leaped forward and tackled Rudi along with a smaller blonde boy who got tangled up in the ensuing brawl. Yulia and the third boy looked on in shock as the girl tumbled around in the dirt thrashing about with the duo giving as good as she got.

The impromptu fight was little more than wrestling. None of the adults appeared to be worried though a few did laugh. Tucker even commented, "They're at it again. Maybe this time Rudi will win."

When they finally untangled the girl, Cloe, stood over the pair of trounced boys. "So, you don't like getting beat up?" The pair glared up at her as she shook an admonishing finger. "Then don't go and bully a little girl."

"We weren't bullying her!" the smaller boy said rubbing at his knee.

"Then what were you trying to do?" she asked in an accusatory tone.

"Talking to her, duh!" Rudi snapped back. "You could've asked before attacking us."

The smaller boy winced and rubbed his knee. Yulia knelt down and looked at the scrape. "You...hurt?" The boy nodded.

"I'm sure it's fine," Cloe said waving dismissively, "just spit on it and rub it in."

"You really like spit," the third boy commented looking a bit disgusted.

"Quiet Marcel!" the girl snapped making the boy laugh.

Yulia looked a bit sad as she examined the injury. "Mh-My fault. Yulia's...words bad." She reached into her belt pouch. "Xe-I...sorry."

"Don't be sorry," the boy said with a weak smile, "It's our own fault for scaring you." His smile morphed into curiosity when Yulia produced a vial of ointment. Maddy had given her some extra to apply to her feet if they started hurting. Instead, the Tiefling gave it to the boy who smiled in genuine relief.

After that, introductions were made. While under the watchful eye of Cloe, the boys began plying careful questions to Yulia. They were fascinated by her tail and horns. Eventually, they were able to convince the Tiefling to play with them. Much to Alidorim's surprise she agreed without so much as a backward glance at the Dragonborn.

"With children, play is often the best medicine," Julian commented before nudging Olkith back to work.

"How did you know?" Alidorim asked referring to Cloe's timely arrival.

"I didn't," he admitted with a shrug. "Children will do as they do. As parents, it's our job to know when to mediate and when to let things happen."

By now Alidorim simply ignored the collective assumption that he was Yulia's father. It did little good to argue otherwise. There was something sobering in Julian's words. As her Guardian, Alidorim realized there were things he couldn't protect Yulia from. Moments where he would have to standback and watch what happened.