Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 20: WISHFUL THINKING

He threaded himself through the thin and bustling crowd, weaving around crates and coiled tarps. A handful of miscreants shadowed his tracks, wishing to steal the gossip's breath before it reached the overseer. But without struggle, the messenger escaped their radius with his heels vigorously striking the stony grounds. When the human arrived at the port, he found his superior crouched by the pillory. Speaking in hushed tones, the barrel-armed elf appeared friendly towards the inmate. His benevolence seemed ill-fitting on his scar-scored face. The runner did not dwell on the thought for too long. Instead, he brushed aside his cynicism and continued his delivery.

"Sir-" the lad panted, joining the overseer's side. Both Enox and Gliden looked to the boy expectantly. "She's here. The yardbirds have her by the gates."

"Any other company?"

"Nay, sir - just her."

"And the wares?"

"The wares?"

"He means the child," the earthblood elf snapped, burning his wrathful glare into the back of his employer's scalp.

"Ah, yes. The child - she's in the wagon and ready for provisions."

"Mmm," the superior hummed, perching to his feet. "Allow them in. I'll be there shortly. And get someone to freshen him up-"

"Spare me the act. I don't want your fake hospitality."

Entertained, Enox turned to Gliden and chuckled at the male's futile stabs at him. "Oh, c'mon now. No need to be rude. Do you not want anything to bite?"

"I would rather eat my own shite before I take anything from you-"

"Please - that's not necessary," the overseer grimaced tauntingly before drifting towards the exit. "But do get him a new shirt. I don't want Inyah to get the impression that I kept him for anything more than just leverage."

Having been detained for so long, one would expect the earthblood to have waived hope altogether. But after hearing his companion's name, the young man was reminded of why he had to protest till the end.

"She's not evil like you!" Gliden shouted, causing the overseer to stop dead in his tracks. Enox gradually settled his eyes on the imp. "Sure, Inyah may have made a few wrong turns in her lifetime but she loves (Y/n). She would never try and hurt her again-"

"You have so much faith in her, don't you?" Everyone, including the messenger boy, who enjoyed the showdown, went silent. "I have faith in her too, Glid. The only difference between you and me is that I actually know where her heart lies."

"You're daft!"

"I only speak the truth. I mean, look - I found you in the middle of the woods when your tribe disowned you. I had to bribe you to see beyond the jarred Emberbacks and Soulfang tongues. But Inyah never had any problems with that. In fact, she was the one who sought after me to be in the trade-"

"You're - you're lying . . ." Gliden interrupted, uncertainly. His voice dimming to a whisper. "She said that you forced her."

"I didn't force her to do anything that she didn't want herself. In fact, all of you could have done anything you wanted so long as you don't mess with my sales." The merchant, seeing the inmate wither with doubt, felt the need to feed fire to the grate. "I suppose you don't know your friend all that well, do you Glid? She doesn't care about you or the albino. She's only here for the thrill of it."

Gliden's lips were agape as though to object, but the words were stuck behind his teeth. Inyah painted herself as the victim for so long, that he didn't bother with the loop-holes of her origin story. All he knew was that she had a troubled past - one that left her abandoned and alone. She was forced into a trade she despised, but kept at it until she had the resources for redemption. But now, things seemed clearer for the elf. It made sense why she took on mission after mission despite having the funds to start over. It made sense why she could sit there with blood mudding face without batting an eye. But most importantly, he could tell why she was never fond of him. And that mauled his heart.