The Lost Tale

Eldesnin

I'm woken by a tapping on the door, my eyes crack open- the room is lit from small rays of light through the window. I rub my palms against my eyes as the tapping sounds again, and I'm on my feet. Opening the door just a crack I'm met with a smile from Lankin; "Mornin' Lady. The dark haired friend of yours sent this up- said to come downstairs whene'er you're ready."

The innkeeper extends his hands, in them a plate of food unlike any I'd eaten before. I smile and accept it eagerly and Lankin makes his way back down the hallway. My mind rushes through the events of last night as I eat the sweet bread, chunks of warmed fruit scent the air. A burning image of Ove stands in my focus, standing in the doorway with soft eyes- the light of flickering from torches in the hallway had painted his olive skin with twinges of gold.

We'd spent the night talking after he'd come in, relaxing together on the cot- I remember the feeling of safety as I fell asleep in his arms. I smile to myself as I finish getting ready for the day, feeling as if I could conquer the world as I collect my things and head downstairs. Ove and Eluf stand at a table to the corner of the room as I reach the bottom of the staircase- a small grouping of papers sit atop the wood surface.

"Morning" I smile as I reach the table, Ove turns to me with a warm smile and Eluf gives a subtle wave. My eyes graze over the papers before them- The city of Eldesnin written in bright blue lettering. I take a seat and run my fingers across the cover of the booklet, flicking through the pages curiously as Lankin approaches.

The barkeep points to the papers in my hand as I eye them curiously- "The city on the edge of the world; are you all here for the sights?" He seems genuinely interested as he props against the wall beside our table. Looking around I notice many different creatures- some like that of our world; wolves and bears sit to one side speaking in our language. Other forms scatter the hall, all varying in origin- some of them grotesque; men with slime covered skin laugh over a bright yellow drink.

Ove shakes his head as he replies to Lankin, "Just passing through, though we do need to hit a few vendors before we go. Where's the best place in town for some camping gear?" his voice sounds chipper as he converses with the barkeep, they babble back and forth on who has the highest quality items- and soon Ove holds out a map of directions.

Lankin leaves us to plan out the day with a list of vendors throughout the city, "come on back before you head out of town- get a bite to eat." I flash a bright smile at the pig-faced gentleman as we gather up our things and make our way out into the sunlight. The warmth of the day pours over my face as the door to the bar closes behind us, the chatter from the inside fades into the bustling of busy city-goers flooding the cobblestone streets.

Leading us through the streets, Ove seems to be confident in his purpose- the buildings around us are mostly tall- though there are a few small buildings I assume to be houses planted to the roots of the skyscrapers like shrubs beneath a tree. We weave between the paths, turning corners until we reach our first stop- a small shop with an open side welcomes us through beaded strings cascading to the ground.

Yellow eyes welcome us, a tall woman with pointed ears and grey hued skin smiles as we enter her shop. "Welcome" she calls out a greeting before turning her attention to the customer next to her- I smile her way as my eyes gloss over her. She has white hair- shaved at the sides but growing long from the top, falling at her narrow hips.

We spend a few minutes browsing her goods- exotic furs and other needs for our journey litter tables around her store neatly. Since Sleipnir took off with the supplies we'd prepared, we've been living solely off the land- and now we take our time perusing for any small comfort we can afford from now on. I run my fingers over some of the furs, they are softer and thicker than most of what I've seen back home.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, my name is Nilyha- and this is my store." The woman towers over me as she talks, her footsteps silent from crossing the room. She smiles down at me, placing a slender finger against the fur I'd been eying. "This is a good choice for travel, the fur of the desert stag can make even the roughest of arrangements comfortable."

I nod, the fur is unlike any stag I've seen- the beige pelt is blotted with dark areas that would blend into the sea's bottom. "My friends and I are looking for supplies for the trip we are on; we might be on the road for a good while. The innkeeper Lankin told us to come see you."

Nilyha's eyebrow twitches upward, her yellow eyes flashing as she grabs the fur up. "Well a friend of Lankin's is a friend of mine- I'll put this over here until we sort out everything else you'll need." She crosses the room again, placing the fur on a blank table; for the next hour she flits from one table to another- helping us pick from her assortment of tools.

By the end of it all we paid for a stack of furs, and three leather bags for us to move our supplies in. Nilyha even throws in a slab of metal that she says will cook any meat to perfection over flame- "Also doubles as a good weapon if you need it in a pinch." She smiles brightly as we pack up all of our goods, and we wave over our shoulders as the beaded drapes open us to the streets once again.

We hit a few other vendors, mainly gaining some dried meats that we can keep with us on our journey. After we are satisfied with all of our purchases I take out my charm, the chain still cold after all this time. It leads us to the far side of the city, the stone buildings become sparse- opening our view to an expansive drop; a cliff overhanging, spilling into other lands below.

Eluf's blue eyes widen at the sight; water spills over the edge of the world miles off from countless rivers as they bottom out into the depths below. It's a grande image that takes each of our breaths from our lungs- I try to take it in, giant branches weave from beneath the earth and cling to the edge of the stone drop, the thick wood burrowing through the earth like roots.

Coming to a still, we look forward- over the dropped edge of earth and down, the extension of this realm is beyond anything I've ever seen. The charm floats at the end of the chain pointing into the unknown and my brows furrow. "I wonder how we'll go about going down there..." My voice hangs in the air with only echoing the faint roars of water falls.

The guys exchange a glance; the same question crossing their minds. Eluf suggests that maybe Lankin will know- and the three of us head back to the bar as the sun falls like a feather in the sky. Familiar plumes of smoke rise from the roof of Lankin's place as we return, the normal bustle vibrating within the walls. This place gives me a sense of security and warmth- and as we make our way to the bar Lankin's crooked smile meets us.

"Find some good stuff- didn't I tell ya?" He makes a gesture to our new packs, and we thank him for his references. The night is settling in and we decide to stay another night- the smell of luxurious meats hang in the air and soon we have platters set before us.

"You really are an astounding host!" I praise Lankin as he sets my platter down, thankful for such delicious meats to fill me up. "Oh- Lankin; we reached the edge of the cliff and were wondering how we could go down. How do we get to the base of the tree?"

Lankin clears his throat and scratches his chin, "There are tunnels from the stone walls that make way down- but if you don't know the way you might want to find a guide." He clears our platters away as we finish eating and he turns back towards me "I can ask around for anyone taking a trip."

"No need" the voice chips in from behind us, and over my shoulder I catch sight of Nilyha; the shop owner casts a steady gaze towards us. "I'd just come to thank Lankin for sending you all to my shop today; always a good supporter of business. Anyway, I'm headed down the base of the tree myself- I can show you the way." She looks even taller than before, her slender features making her look powerful and agile.

Eluf eyes the store keeper curiously, and with a quick conversation it's decided; Nilyha will guide us down the tree after we've all gotten a night's rest. She tells us the way will be long and to be ready early- insisting we meet at her shop just after sunrise.

We all head to our rooms, Ove walks me to my door as Eluf lumbers ahead- the wooden door closes behind him as Ove and I come to a still. His eyes roam my face and I smile as I open the door and invite him in; the room accepts us into its darkness. Rest is welcome as we set down our things, the bed softening my muscles into relaxation as he lays next to me, night passing as slumber pulls me in.