Outside was surprisingly cold. It seemed we were in a snowy forest, which was colder than any snow we had back at home. I was shivering at it, while the other two seemed like they were used to it. It was strange really, the air was like ice, and even though I was bundled up in about a hundred layers I could still feel it.
"What's wrong?" Zath turned to me, picking up on my shivering.
"It's a bit cold, don't you think?" I commented through gritted teeth.
"Not really," he shrugged, his lips curling into a tiny smile. "Although, I've been through here many times, and I assume Elaria has too,"
At the mention of her name, she snapped her head around to look at us. "What?"
"You've been here before, haven't you?" He asked, a little louder than last time.
"Many a time," she nodded, looking over to me. "Don't worry, you get used to it soon,"
"Easy for you to say," I mumbled, thankful that none of them heard it.
Ilbryn, my horse, seemed to be taking to the cold well, which surprised me. I always thought horses didn't like the cold, but apparently not. He was doing really well, acting like the snow was nothing. I wrapped up more, hoping to warm up even the tiniest bit. I stole a glance at Zath, watching him and his not shivering state. He seemed to be concentrating on something behind us. I turned, and saw something moving in the distance. The distance was dark and gloomy, which was surprising since it was in the day, but the trees blocked out some light, cloaking this mysterious thing following us.
"You see it too?" Zath pulled his horse close to me.
"Yeah, that thing," I nodded.
"Thing?" He looked at me confused. "That's something in a hood,"
"You can see it?" I replied, awestruck.
"Yeah," he tilted his head to the side. "Humans can't see very well?"
"Apparently not," I shook my head. "Anyway, back to the thing; what more can you see?"
He snapped back to it, looking at it for a few seconds before turning back. "A witch, definitely. Has, what's the word?"
"Posture," Elaria commented. "Sits like one who knows how to handle magic,"
"Yeah, what she said," he nodded, pointing at Elaria. Her shoulders slumped as her face took on a look of disappointment.
"I wonder if it's just another traveler?" She commented.
"I doubt a normal traveler would be wearing a hood in this weather," he held his hand out. "It's not snowing or raining, so what's the point?"
"It is a little suspicious," I nodded.
"I agree," Elaria turned to stare at the figure. "Let's just hope it's not one of the witch's followers,"
"You just had to go and scare us," Zath crossed his arms, pouting and looking away.
"Yeah," I pouted too.
"Stop sulking," she scolded. "We don't know yet. I'm just a little paranoid, and it doesn't hurt to be a little paranoid,"
"Whatever you say," Zath shrugged. A moment of silence passed, before he spoke again. "I can't shake the feeling that they're watching us,"
"Ditto," I replied, looking for the figure in the shadows.
"Ditto?" Elaria asked, looking at me in a confused way.
"It's a way of saying that you feel the same," I replied. She nodded in understanding.
"We'll just have to wait and see what this figure does," Zath said, turning away from it and staring blankly into the distance.
It was a long time before something came into view. It was a tavern, an old tavern, lit up by a few lanterns and merry cheers. I saw Zath smile at the sight of it, whereas Elaria seemed less than pleased.
"Geez, this place is still open?" Zath commented, beaming.
"It appears so," Elaria mumbled.
"I remember coming here as a child!" Zath laughed a little. "I wonder if Saera's left yet?"
"Saera?" I questioned curiosity getting the better of me.
"My childhood friend," he replied. A second later, his face fell. "I haven't talked to her since I was kicked out, I wonder if she'll still recognise me?"
"Maybe she will," I pulled my horse closer to him. "Who knows?"
"Yeah, I suppose so," he shrugged his feelings off, sitting higher on his horse with more confidence. "Let's just hope,"
The tavern pulled closer. It radiated warmth and happiness, a change to the thick snow falling around us. There was a stable behind it, fit with troughs full of food and water that emitted light. I assumed that it had a heater underneath it, since I knew of no water that did such a thing. Zath sped up slightly, most likely eager to meet his friend after such a long time. Elaria did the opposite, slowing down and looking at the tavern with disgust. It didn't look too shabby, so I didn't understand why she was so disgusted; the windows were clean, the white and black walls looked as if they'd been newly painted, and the lanterns hanging outside were shining bright with a yellow glow, so where her distaste came from I didn't know. It looked so friendly.
"This place is as busy as ever," Zath smiled, a sweet one, leading his horse into the small pen.
"It sure looks it," Elaria jumped off her horse, patting it twice before turning and helping me to lead Ilbryn into the same pen as Zath's.
After dismounting and checking the horses were secure we rounded the corners to the door. Merry singing was heard through the door, and I could see many people inside with large silver tankards a few seemed to be up and moving, what they were doing I didn't know since the glass was blurred.
Zath pushed open the door, letting the merriness flood past us. The sound of singing and an instrument that sounded like a violin flooded my ears, loud and bright like the sun. They seemed to be singing about a woman and a man, and love. It's all I could pick out against their thick accents, and the mixture of them really threw me off.
Zath led us to the bar, requesting three rooms for each of us. The bartender, an elven woman, obliged, smiling and handing over three keys. They began talking to each other, I couldn't quite hear them over the merry music but they both seemed to be happy. Eventually, he led us to an open table, sitting down.
"Do you two know each other?" Elaria asked, sitting down.
"She's Saera's mother," he replied.
"Ah," she nodded, sitting rather uncomfortably in her seat.
"What's wrong?" I asked, picking up on her discomfort.
"I've never been in a place so… rowdy," she replied, tensing up when they all cheered after their song.
"It's a little difficult to get used to, but you do soon," Zath replied, leaning back. "For now, let's just relax, have a good night before we set off and are hunted by the witch again,"
"You just had to remind me," Elaria rolled her eyes, listening to the band to begin playing their violin-esque instruments.
"He's right though, it'll be good to relax after all those scares," I felt myself shiver at the thought.
She nodded, tensing up as the singing began again.
The door opened yet again. A hooded figure walked through and flicked its hood down, revealing a male witch, fit with white horns and eyes. He smiled, walking to the counter and tossing a few silver coins to the barmaid and in return receiving a key. He sat down at a vacant table, and a young girl brought him a tankard brimming with froth. The girl smiled at Zath, she seemed to recognise him. She immediately walked over after she finished serving the witch.
"Zath, what a nice surprise," she smiled, speaking with a thick accent, her black bangs covering her raised eyebrows, tinted with the slightest bit of purple. She was quite odd; pale, yet had green scales around her wrists, neck, and pointed elven ears. Her chubby cheeks were tinted pink, her smile almost reaching her eyes.
"It's nice to see you too Saera," he smiled back.
"It's been years since I've seen you, how have you been?" She replied, and then turned to look at us. Her eyes stopped as they landed on Elaria. "Gosh, it couldn't be…"
"What?" She tensed up.
"Altium Elaria?" She questioned. "You never told me you knew her!"
"I met her two weeks ago," he replied, gesturing to her. "Oliver too,"
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you in person," she bowed slightly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Saera," she replied.
"You too Oliver," she smiled at me, a chirpy one.
"It's nice to meet you," I replied, unsure of what to say.
"Anyway, can I get you guys anything?" She asked, looking at the empty table.
"Three of your finest Cervisia," he replied, leaning back further on the wooden chair.
"Alright, three Cervisia on their way," she saluted and walked back to the counter, placing her tray on there and relaying the instructions to the elf.
"I've never had Cervisia before," Elaria told Zath. "Is it any good?"
"It's quite nice for the price," he replied. "Although it's quite strong,"
"I'll keep that in mind," she nodded, leaning forwards slightly.
The song ended, and cheering erupted again. The musicians asked for a request, and many were shouted. They called upon one person, listened to their request, and told us that it was a dancing song, so we were free to dance too, even beginners. They began, and many couples began to dance. Saera returned with the drinks after dodging a few drunken elves dancing. There were mainly elves, with a few witches, humans with bird wings, big burly men covered in scales, the whole lot. She set the drinks down rather quickly, standing beside Zath.
She was about to talk when the witch from before tapped Elaria on the shoulder. He held his hand out, smiling. "Care to dance, m'lady?"
She seemed shocked at the request. She turned to us both, and after a few vigorous nods from Zath took his hand. "Yes, I'd love to dance,"
He smiled, pulling on her hand and knocking her off balance slightly. I expected her to be a little offended by his trick, but they both laughed it off, joining the sea of couples dancing to the music.
"What about you, old friend?" Saera held out her hand.
"Sure, as long as you're alright being here on your own," Zath turned to me.
"Go and enjoy yourself," I replied, nodding.
He swiftly took off dancing with Saera. I watched them both have fun, occasionally checking on the other witch and Elaria. They were both laughing and smiling, stumbling around the dance floor as they attempted to move to the fast beat. They were all laughing and smiling.
A timid elf came over and asked me to dance. I obliged, saying I'd never danced before. She told me she hadn't either, and we both attempted while having fun. At this point it was getting chaotic, and the music seemed faster than ever. A few of the older dancers had an idea to switch partners every once in a while, so would call out switch every so often to almost force us to. It was fun, I danced with an array of different people including a human with bird wings who was extremely bubbly and happy, a woman covered head to toe in scales, and a few elves before I somehow landed with Zath.
"Nice to see you again," he smirked, pulling me along to join in the dancing.
"It's nice to see you too," I replied, letting him guide me to the music.
"You enjoying yourself?" He replied, catching me after I was knocked off balance.
"Definitely," I replied, smiling and holding his hand tightly to stop myself falling again.
"That's good to hear," he smiled, pulling me along.
We both danced to the fast music, occasionally falling over due to the speed, but catching each other. We both enjoyed ourselves doing it, except it was cut short by one of the old dancers yelling 'switch' a little faster than usual. I ended up with Saera somehow, even though she was halfway across the room. She didn't seem pleased with me to say the least, fit with a glare and rage in her eyes.
"Stay away from him," she hissed. "He's mine, not yours,"
"What?" I replied, confused. I had no clue what she meant by her words.
"I've seen the way you look at him, stay away," she hissed. "He's not interested in you, trust me. I know him better than you. He'll just leave you alone and depressed like everyone else he's dated,"
"And why won't he do that to you?" I responded, feeling a little offended that she assumed something about me.
"I've known him for a long time, he wouldn't do that to me," she replied cockily, smiling and shrugging. "So stay away,"
There was a tense silence between us as we waited for the switch again. It seemed to take an eternity, whereas with Zath it lasted a couple seconds. I couldn't wait for the switch again.
It came after a long time. I ended up with Zath again, even after Saera trying to push past me. He pulled me away quickly, holding me tight.
"What did she say?" He mumbled. "You look uncomfortable,"
"Nothing," I shook my head, not wanting to worry him.
"I see," he nodded. "Tell me in your own time,"
He smiled brightly at me, pulling me and making me lose my balance. I laughed at his little sly trick, pulling him too in an attempt. He smirked at my feeble strength, pulling me again and making me laugh. He made his movements large to force me to move more, which in turn made me rely on him to keep myself stood up.
Unfortunately, the song ended. Zath laughed at me as I fell over one more time, catching me in his arms.
"You really can't stay balanced, can you?" He mumbled, smirking.
"I'd be better if you didn't try to knock me off balance," I replied, punching him lightly in the arm.
"Whatever," he shrugged, making his way towards Elaria and the new witch, who were both laughing.
"You're so energetic," Elaria said, wobbling slightly.
"I know, I know," the witch smirked, helping to steady her.
"Well, look who showed up," Zath began, stopping nearby the witch.
"Way to blow my cover," he rolled his eyes.
"Do we know you?" I asked, looking the witch over. He didn't seem familiar.
"It's Alys," Zath stated.
"Alys?" Elaria jumped back slightly. "You look so… different,"
"It's a disguise," he replied. "I use my magic once and it's gone,"
"Ah," she nodded.
"What happened to the original plan?" Zath mumbled.
"Alizon didn't have the available potions," he shrugged. "Let's sit down and discuss there, we're in the middle of a dance,"
We all sat back down at the table we were on, and Saera had to join us too. I was a little uncomfortable around her, and Zath noticed too, but the other two didn't so I was thankful.
"Essentially, she had enough for one potion, so suggested I catch up with you guys to get there and meet her," he explained.
"Well, it's a very convincing disguise, a scarily convincing one," Elaria replied, looking him over again.
"Circe is one of the few people who has the recipe for the potion," he replied. "She was gifted it by the witch leader after she spoke to the Light Goddess and she told her to,"
"Ah, this matter is so big it involves more than one goddess," she nodded, thinking to herself. "Well, let's hope that you don't need your magic,"
"I have a spare with me just in case," he mumbled.
"Let's just hope you don't need it then," she responded.
"Let's,"
It was a little silent after that. The two stopped their conversation and Zath was focused with keeping Saera at a safe distance from him after she kept moving sidewards to talk to him and pushing me away with her leg. He noticed it, I saw him, but didn't bring it up, instead exchanging worried glances with me. The other two ended up talking again about miscellaneous stuff, and quickly made their way through a couple tankards of the alcohol, or what I assumed was alcohol anyway. Elaria was quickly drunk, and began to lose her posh way of speaking slightly. Saera was adamant on Zath drinking something new, but he was constantly telling her he didn't want to. It seemed a little suspicious, even Alys noticed since he turned his nose up at it.
Alys and Elaria ended up dancing again when she got really drunk. She had a hard time staying upright, but was funny and enjoying herself. Alys was slightly drunk, but not too much. He still had his coordination, and ended up guiding Elaria. I was uncomfortable sitting with Saera and Zath. She constantly excluded me from the conversations they were having, even when Zath tried to bring me into them. I didn't really want to be in them anyway; they were all about when they were younger, and I didn't know them then so i wouldn't have anything to talk about anyway.
I eventually got so uncomfortable I left. I quickly grabbed a bag from the horses and walked up to my room, feeling the burning glare from Saera as I did. I saw Zath attempt to follow me, but he ended up tethered to his chair by Saera. I didn't mind anyway, I was getting tired and didn't want to be drunk.