Divine Tears - Chp. 4

The moon hung over the inn as if it was watching over the people, who now were lying in their beds to find rest. Eventually even the restless Atos found his way to the realm of dreams. There he found himself in a wooden room, with a splendid amount of space. Two bookshelves, a working desk with an oil lamp glowing on it and a bed were standing in it. Atos sat on a chair in front of the working desk, reading a book. He was smaller, younger, a twelve year old boy to be precise. “Atos. Are you still awake?” A gentle, elderly voice called. Atos turned his head to the left and saw an old man standing next to him. The face was very familiar to Atos.

“I am just looking through a grimoire, grandfather.” Atos replied to him.

“That's fine I guess. Perhaps you might have a chance to get a member of the court magicians, if you keep up to this. I wish Cyl would put as much effort into her studies.”

“She puts it into her sword training, at least. It is a profession nonetheless.”

“I know, I know. But a sword will always get tainted. And I'm worried about her.” Atos grandfather said with sadness in his eyes and stepped towards the door. “Promise to take care of her, when I'm no longer here.” He said and disappeared into the darkness behind the door frame.

Atos stood up and followed him. But when he stepped through the door frame, the darkness vanished and the room was enlightened by fire. Then everything faded away, dissolving into the void. The call of a raven was heard in the distance and a gentle light filled the space and the dream ended.

******

Cyl was yawning loudly when the bright shine of sun touched her face. Her hair was a complete chaos. She felt totally tired and wanted to sleep longer. “Why can't Ralos be a little bit late.” she was thinking to herself. “Darn this!” She went out of her bed, took her remaining clothes and went outside the room. She was heading towards the inn's bathroom. When she came out 15 minutes later, she went down, where she expected to find Atos. To her surprise he sat on a table and was eating fruits and read a folio. “You are still reading?”

Atos turned to her. “I'm the expert here, so why shouldn't I?.” He grinned gently.

Cyl now went to the table and took a chair. “I know, I know. So, what is our travel route for today?”

“Well, there isn't much forest on the way. But a few villages and inns. And it seems like we would reach Melas tomorrow evening.”

“Wonderful, that makes things much easier. We can go right after I finished my breakfast. I just give them my order and the key.” with those words she stood up and went to the inn keepers desk.

Atos was smiling, but now recognized a person coming down the stairs. It was Rabbe and to Atos' surprise, he didn't hide his head under the hood, like he did yesterday.

Cyl recognized the big bipedal canine and looked irritated. And she wasn't the only one. Many other guest, who were in the room, looked at Rabbe. Some looked up shortly, others looked with curiosity and others with a small hint of fear in their eyes..

“You mind? I'm just a big, hairy guy with sharp teeth and just better smeling than your average adventurer.” Rabbe said and held back a laughter. He went to the innkeepers desk and put his key on it's surface without saying a word. He then went to the table, where Atos was sitting and took an empty chair. “Well, good morning Atos.”

“You know him?” Cyl asked Atos, who was now chuckling softly.

“Helped him with a bandit, yesterday.” Atos replied.

“Well, at least he smells better than the usual thugs.”

“It's all about the right soap and effort.” Rabbe said grinning as he turned his head to Cyl. “Why don't you come to the table? I don't bite, even if I look like it.”

Cyl smirked and replied. “You wouldn't dare it, anyway.”

“She is pretty skilled in martial and sword arts. Our grandfather payed capable teachers. Didn't had a real sword for years, but she does well with her dagger.” Atos commented. “Ah, here is a sword, by the way.” He took the blade Rabbe gave him yesterday, stood up and went to Cyl to gave her the sword. “I hope it's okay that it's an used sword, but for now it should work.”

“So you are a swords... maiden and he is a witch...er?” Rabbe said and his ears and muzzle betrayed his amusement. “I thought humans had issues with their gender roles.”

“I hate it when people point that out.” Atos said with a sighing voice. “I always wanted to be a filthy, stump minded and bad smelling fighter, but I told myself that being smart, a good body scent and a clean skin is much healthier. Not to mention that it's far more funnier to do this.” He said with with sharp cynicism and flicked with his fingers. Suddenly a small quantity of water appeared above Rabbe's head and fell down. “Way funnier than stabbing and slicing.”

The loban was startled and his eyes were widened. “That's not funny, kid.” he growled angrily with ears to the sides.

Atos laughed heartily. “You simply don't understand magic humor. Let me just dry you.” He flicked again with his fingers and the water, which soaked into Rabbe's clothing and fur disappeared. “All harm undone.”

“Anyway. So you are two siblings on a journey?” Rabbe asked now with upright ears and covered teeth, showing that he has calmed down from Atos' joke.

“That's right.” Atos replied.

“I assume you are old enough to travel without your parents.” The loban stated questioning.

“We travel alone.” Cyl replied with a sad look in her face.

“Speaking of this. Did you think about my offer.” Atos asked the Loban.

“Ah, this. Uhm.” He paused a second. “I should know where exactly you guys are heading. You mentioned that you are traveling north, but that's all.”

“Well, first we want to go to Melas and then to Halun. There is a magical gateway in Melas.” Atos explained.

“Well, I plan to travel further to the north.” Rabbe told.

“I guess Kylta is where you are going to.” Atos said to him.

“I guess it's very obvious, as it's the home of my people.” Rabbe replied.

“So, are you coming with us?” Atos asked politely.

“If you pay me a gold coin for this.” Rabbe now extended his right hand and showed it's palm.

Atos now smiled with with a lot of self-esteem in his face. “I have saved money for several things, but why not?" He put s gold coin in Rabbe's hand without hesitating.

Rabbe's jaw dropped. “That's not a small amount of money, kid."

Atos chuckled. "I have ten of those with me, just in case that I have to buy equipment."

Rabbe now nodded and closed his hand to put the coins into a pocket of his robe. "So, let us start right after breakfast." He pointed at the waitress, which was now putting two plates on the table. One was completely covered by ham ans sausages, while the other was filled with bread, cheese, ham and butter. "I hope my table manners don't disgust you."

The three ate their breakfast. Atos slowly and carefully chewed his apple and peach, while Cyl ate fast and without chewing much and Rabbe teared the meat apart with even less chews (his muzzle wasn't really made for chewing). Some stared at the funny picture, which the three different stages of table manners created.

******

Afterwards the group left the inn and went to the road. “Do you guys travel by foot?” Rabbe asked the twins.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Cyl replied.

“Okay, then we should go further now.” Rabbe told her and put his hood over his head.

The three went the road into the northern direction, leaving the inn behind. A few trees filled the emptiness of the road, but about half an hour later, they reached a village, where they passed by. Only ten minutes after this, they approached a farm, which was planting cabbage and wheat. The civilization was finally closer to them and Cyl was happy to be somewhere else then the forest.

“We are in the area with the highest population in Albeo.” Atos explained. “That's why there are more places on a close space.”

“Fine for me. I will kill you, if you lead us through a forest, again.” Cyl said to him.

“Whatever you say.” Atos said flippantly. But suddenly he was gripped by Cyl in a headlock and struggled under his sisters strength. “Hey, that's unfair!”

Cyl released him and laughed loudly. “So, no more forest.”

“Are you always like that?” Rabbe asked.

“Only sometimes.” Atos replied. “Mostly she makes this with other people.”

“Well, it's just noon, so please don't beat yourselves unconscious, before we reach another village.”

“I usually freeze them instead.” Atos replied and they all laughed.

******

They went further and Atos and Cyl chatted a lot during their travel. Rabbe kept quiet and just listened to them. He liked the sound of their voices, as it gave him a feeling for company.

“So, what is Kylta for a country?” Cyl asked the loban, who now looked surprised upon this question.

“A wide forest lies in the south and middle of the land. But the far northern parts are ice deserts. Most of us live in the forest, but some managed to survive the icy wastelands.” Rabbe explained.

"Sounds horrible." Cyl replied.

"Not in the south. There is enough prey for everyone. And our fur protects us from the cold." Rabbe told with a lupine smile, which glanced shortly from under his hood.

"Is there something like towns or even cities?" Cyl asked.

"Well, in the north are a few villages, which are similar to what you have here. And there is also Lum, which is an actual town.” Rabbe explained.

“Town? You mean with buildings and such?” Cyl asked surprised, as she heard the loban's words.

Rabbe gave her a lupine smile. “Well, the fights between tribes in the past led some of us to build actual towns, which were basically impregnable for anyone. As we grew more into supporting each other, the towns became trading points. Well, if others can do it, why shouldn't we.” Rabbe chuckled amused.

Atos chuckled as well. “We will reach a small town, which is formally already a part of Melas, in about five minutes.” He explained. “I guess we don't need to travel any further today, so we can get supplies here for tomorrow.”

“Thanks Arret, I hate wandering for half a day.” Cyl exclaimed cheerfully.

“I could travel for a whole day, but I guess I can be lazy enough to skip hunting. You have to pay for my lunch and dinner, though.” Rabbe said noting.

The group went further and after a while, they reached Hortum, a small town, which had a blooming vegetation. Trees and flowers covered the ground before it, lavender was filling the air with it's scent. The towns people would sell it to perfumers, who would give them good coins for it. It wasn't easy to harvest all of it, but it brought enough gold to life well from it. Only rain could ruin this idyllic scenery, and clouds were already on their way to hide the sun.

“It's going to rain in an hour.” Rabbe commented while looking at the gray clouds. “We better get a dry place to stay.”

“The town's inn should be fine. I can already rent rooms for us today.” Atos said and yawned. “I'm not entirely rested, anyway.”

The group went further on the way, entering the town. The houses were made out of solid stone, which was because the towns people experienced severe damage in the past, when a fire destroyed half of the town and killed dozens of people. A memorial was erected in front, which listed the names of those who died. Atos stopped in front of it and knelled to pray for them.

“Atos, you don't have to pray randomly.” Cyl said to him.

“Showing respect for the fallen is an act of virtue, Cyl.” Rabbe interjected.

Atos stood up and smiled at Rabbe and Cyl. “I'm coming, you two!” He called and ran over to them.

“But seriously, you don't need to.” Cyl repeated and the group went on to the center of the town.

The town center of Hortum was full of trees, flowers and bushes. It was like nature was the welcoming mayoress of the town, who had a great sense for modest beauty. The middle of the place was filled with a fountain, which was placed seamlessly within the green picture of the town, as Ivy grew all over it. Some people were chatting with each other, some were only daydreaming and a few bards played on their instruments to earn their coins. It was a harmonic day.

Rabbe cleared his throat and said. “I actually assumed that the towns were filthy and not that much cleaned up.”

“We have cleaning services for the towns by royal decree. This is why it isn't filled with the stench of all that filth. Which makes the smell of the bakeries far more enjoyable.” Cyl explained.

"My kind isn't that much offended by odor, but some towns are unbearable for me." Rabbe said while waving his nose in front of his nose. "Hortum as a town of flowers is probably the complete opposite."

"Well, it's also a town with shops. And I always wanted to go to the library here. Unfortunately, at home there isn't a public library. All the folios I have where bought or left from..." Atos stopped while speaking.

"What's the matter, Atos?" Rabbe asked worrying.

"It's nothing, really." Atos replied, but his eyes betrayed a sadness within his mind. "We might split up if you want. We can regroup at the "Sleeping Tree" over there." He pointed in direction of a rather big inn, where a tree seemed to be in the middle of the house itself.

"Fine with me." Rabbe replied nodding.

"With me, too." Cyl answered.

Then they split up. Atos went to the library, while Rabbe went down the street and Cyl inspected the nearby smith with a specific interest by entering the forge building.

"Hello, young lady." An old man greeted her, when she just passed the door frame. "How can I help you."

"I would like you to inspect this blade, please." She said and showed him the blade she got from Atos.

"I assume this weapon was from a common thief. The condition isn't too bad, but the way it was forged wasn't professional. The sharpness is pathetic and it is just simple steel. Only amateurs forge blades like this." The old smith told Cyl. "I might have a better one for you."

Cyl smiled and replied. "Thank you very much." She followed the smith to a couple of weapon racks, where he took a simple-looking saber and showed it to Cyl.

"An one-edged sword, a light and sharp blade. The steel is also made with great care. And thanks to leaving out the unnecessary ornamentation, it only makes fifty silver coins."

"Fifty silver coins?" Cyl said searching in her pocket and taking out a bag of money. "I guess you are miscalculating this."

"Maybe. But I see that you have spirit and this sword is a non-seller, even if it is the good standard of mine."

"Deal." She took out the money traded it for the saber.

"You can train a little in the room over there." e pointed to the door behind him. "The dummies repair via magic. Don't hold back."

Cyl went to the door and entered the room. Three wooden dummies stood there, made ready for every weapon to come. Cyl lashed out and cut through through them with ease. She didn't even feel any resistance from the wood. "This blade might be what I wanted." She said to herself and as the puppets regenerated, she cut another time.

******

Five hours later she went out and the smith turned to her. "So, you are pleased with your purchase?" He asked gently.

"The blade works perfect, thanks. I guess it will help me in the future. Farewell, then"

"Just take care. A sword might take lives, but it cannot restore any." The smith said warningly.

Cyl went out of the building. It was already evening and Atos and Rabbe where probably at the inn, waiting for her. The rain already went by and just the wet surface of the streets was left. She went to the building with the tree sticking out of the middle and entered. Inside where a large room, where a row of doors where at the very end, while the front was a complete restaurant. The tree created a mysterious atmosphere in the hall and the inn looked fitting for the town. Rabbe sat with the hood over his head on a table and drank a mug of beer. Cyl went to him, wondering where Atos might be.

“At least one of you is showing up. I had the apprehension that you would leave me with the bill for the drinks.” Rabbe said and Cyl knew that he was smirking under the hood. “So, what did you do?”

“Well, I got this.” She pulled her new sword out of it's sheath and showed it to Rabbe. “I hope Atos isn't mad if I never used the sword he gave to me.” She chuckled.

“I originally gave it to him, so I guess in the end nobody wanted it, anyway.” Rabbe replied and drank from his mug.

“I think I should be more worried about the fact that you stole money from me, Cyl.” A voice behind Cyl said.

Cyl turned around and saw Atos with shrugged arms. “You don't care about this, anyway.” She said.

“Right.” Atos yawned. “But you should ask me first.”

“So, what did you found out in the library?” Rabbe asked curiously.

Atos turned his head towards Rabbe and replied. “I searched for some spells, nothing very special.”

“Sounds good. And do we sleep here tonight? They have little apartments, instead of single rooms. It has it's price, though. Forty silver coins for us.” Rabbe told him.

“Well, let that be my problem.” Atos replied. “And I already payed for the keys, so just let us go to our rooms.” With this the group went down the hall and Atos opened the second door on the right side. Upon entering, they saw a nicely furnished room with a table and four chairs on the middle and portraits hanging from the walls. Three doors, which were decorated with beautiful carvings of flowers and birds, led to the sleeping rooms.

“They give you something for your money.” Cyl commented gaping.

“We are free to eat, drink and sleep. A limited amount of food is included in the price. So in the end I might just pay double as much money.” Atos said while he took of his robe, revealing his gray of pants and shirt, and put it on a wardrobe stand. “I'm going to find some rest, now. You guys do what you want.” Thus he went to one of the sleeping rooms.

“Well, I get some water and meat.” Rabbe said to Cyl and left the room towards the main hall.

Cyl went to the table, put her sword on it and examined it. The blade was reflecting the sunlight coming from the window quite well and the sharp side was clearly thin enough to cut harder materials. While the sword looked simple, the blade was truly a fine work of the old smith. She raised it a little to examine the reflection of the blade in different angles. It wasn't as beautiful as an expensive sword, but useful nonetheless.

“Are you bored?” A voice behind her said and she turned to Rabbe, who was holding a small plate with meat, which he put on the table. He then took off his hood and revealed his face with a lupine smile on it. “I have something to help you out with that.” He took a chair and he gripped in his pocket to pull out a wooden flute, which seemed foreign to Cyl. “This is from my homeland, and I guess Atos can sleep better, if I play this melody.” Rabbe took the flute to his muzzle and started playing. Although his fingers where short and his muzzle wasn't as practical as a human mouth, his melody was very beautiful. The flute created sounds as foreign as itself, some even just audible for Rabbe's ears. He played for about half an hour, while Cyl ate the meat, without taking a break between, until he finally reached the end.

“This was...” Cyl stopped for the lack of words.

“Unexpected?” Rabbe raised an eyebrow and his ears stood perk. “I don't do hunting all day, you know. And arts are something to kill the time.”

“You are just trying to look intelligent, aren't you?” Cyl accused him.

Rabbe laughed, wagged with his tail under his robe and took some of the remaining meat from the plate and ate it. “I'm certainly very intelligent. I speak your tongue fluently, and I have a muzzle with fangs. It's way harder than it looks.” He said after he finished eating.

“Yeah, I see your point.” Cyl chuckled.

“Well, you don't have to worry so much about such things as a half-elf.” Rabbe said, but stopped wagging his tail, when he saw Cyl's surprise. “Did I make wrong assumptions?” He asked apologetic with his ears flattened.

“No, you are right. But neither of us is born with elven ears and Atos is a magician, which makes explanations for longer hair easier. So, how did you found out?”

“After a few hours, I could say it from your scents. Surely, elves and humans aren't that different, but I smell every detail. So, what part of your parents was the elf?”

“Our mother was an elf. But, I never knew her. She died after our birth.” Cyl said, but without any tear being shed. “Our father was killed on his journey to the South, month before our birth. Our grandfather, a rich man, raised us. Of course, he was our father's father. Elves, who get to close with humans, are banished from their society.”

“So he is your guardian?” Rabbe asked.

“Was. He died 5 years ago in a fire. What was left was a pile of ash.” Cyl told Rabbe.

“I'm sorry for you both. It's a shame that fate has decided to let you bear such a burden.” Rabbe said, flattening his ears and looking sadly at Cyl.

“Atos has proven that he can be good with money. The stuff we had left was enough for him to get a hut. The orphanage only takes children until those are thirteen, so it was quite convenient.”

“I guess that's not bad for the start. But what is about heritage? As far as I know, the banks in Albeo have to transfer the money to the heirs.”

Cyl made an annoyed expression and said. “If you are an adult. Bureaucracy is everything but convenient.”

Rabbe wagged his tail again. “That's why we don't have bureaucracy in Kylta.” He said with an amused voice.

Cyl was now folding her hands and rested her head on them. “So, what about your family?”

Rabbe's ears twitched as Cyl mentioned this. “I think I should tell you this tomorrow when Atos is awake, okay?” He said politely.

“Okay.” Cyl said with a curious smile, however she was also disappointed that the loban didn't consider to simply tell it separately to her and Atos. She now stood up and went to the door, which led to the main hall. “How about some drinks?” She asked her lupine companion.

“I wouldn't mind it.” He replied and pulled over his hood. They both went out and to the bar, where the bar keeper was cleaning some cups. Rabbe took his seat first and Cyl sat herself on the chair left to him

“You just went out of a room, so I guess you want to use our free drink offer. Just drink as much you like, we can afford it easily.” The barkeeper said to them. “So, are you adventurers, merchants or something else?”

Cyl answered him quickly. “Adventurers would come close. But just because there isn't a gateway in my hometown, where I could simply go to my destination. I know teleport is very difficult and requires more than one magician at a time, but they could at least try.”

The barkeeper nodded in agreement. “Surely you are right. Only the most important trading cities and the capital have those. And horses aren't cheap either. I could get food for a child for two years for that money.”

Rabbe laughed under his hood. “I guess the reason why there aren't so many gateways are, because the horse traders can stay rich. Horses are easy prey for some predators, especially if they are bounded on something, so more money in the end for those who sell them.”

The barkeeper seemed like he thought about it and than nodded approvingly. “This bunch of bastards is pretty much the type of people to do such stuff. But anyway, what do you want to drink?”

“I think a beer would be fine.” Cyl ordered.

“A mead for me.” Rabbe replied.

“Okay, just wait a sec.” The barkeeper said and went to the bottles. It took him a minute to fill up the mugs for Cyl and Rabbe.

Rabbe finished his mug within 5 seconds and the barkeeper took his mug to refill it. Now Rabbe looked at Cyl and started speaking. “Do you drink often?”

“Just sometimes.” Cyl explained. “Once a week or so.”

“I remember that you drank three mugs of mead yesterday. And you seemed to be without any side effects.” Rabbe told her.

“It's just mead. If I don't overdo it, I should be fine.” Cyl said with a smile.

Rabbe sighed. “Good to hear that you stay at your limits. I got annoyed by a drunkard just two days ago.”

Cyl chuckled again. “Yeah, I know what mean. My brother often scolded me for using violence, but those drunkards only understand a kick to the butt.”

Rabbe laughed, but kept his tail from wagging to keep his cover up. “I guess we have something in common. I punched the last one in the face.”

“The difference is probably the punch.” Cyl started laughing and tears came up from her amusement, which he wiped away with her right hand. “How old are you, actually?”

Rabbe's expression became staggered under his hood, but he answered quickly. “Twenty years. And you guys?”

“Seventeen years, six months, thirty-two days.” Cyl replied while looking meaningfully at the door of their apartment, where Atos was sleeping. “Atos is the younger twin, if you want to know.”

Rabbe was finishing another mug before he replied. “It's hard to tell if he is the protective older brother or you the mean older sister.”

“Well, I try to be less mean, if he tries to be less protective.”

Rabbe laughed again took the next mug. He remained silent and then stood up, seemingly working on keeping his balance. “I think I reached some limits. See you tomorrow.” He went to their rooms left Cyl alone, at least at the first glance.

“Seems you are alone, my friend.” A voice behind Cyl said with a slow gentleness and Cyl turned around to see the most exotic person she ever saw, including Rabbe. The voice belonged to a man, who was wearing colorful linen clothes, which covered most of his body. Only blue and green scales and a reptilian head were visible and Cyl recognized that a sauren was standing besides her, without anything to hide his inhuman appearance. Cyl looked a little bit uncomfortable, as the strange sauren looked at her with his lizard-like eyes, which were intensely green. “I'm Zashim. A modest servant of Ezlon, which you would call Enom, my friend.”

“And? I don't really get what you want from me.” Cyl said.

Zashim reached out his left hand in which he held a letter. “All you need to know is written down in here. I can't speak in public about it. Till we meet again.” With those words the sauren went away and left the through the exit of the building.

Cyl looked at the letter and stood up. “Does he know about it?” She thought to herself and went to her room. When she opened the door, she recognized that Rabbe's robe hung from the wardrobe besides the robe of Atos. She went to the table and raised her hand. A smaller orb of light appeared, which was enough for her to read the letter, which she now opened.

“My dear friend, I hope you trust me enough to believe the words, which I have written down in this letter. I'm Zashim, a sauren as you might recognize. If you are the girl or the boy from my vision, then you might know about the “Infinite Encyclopedia”, which looks like an ordinary amulet.
This artifact is source of all knowledge about the world of matter, an object even dangerous for us. Our high priests kept it safe for ages, until Magrien's armies invaded the temple and killed many of my people.
The survivors were captured to tell the secret of the amulet. And thus, I want to free them and to aid you in your mission to get it back from them. Ezlon is wise and he had a reason to show me a vision about you, I am sure of this. Please visit the “Colorful Palace” in Melas. This is were you will find me.”

Cyl let the words sank into her mind. Zashim appeared nice to Cyl and he would probably know more about the amulet. She decided to think about it when they are in Melas and headed to her bedroom. And it didn't took long for her to fall asleep.