"I thought you said you like my cooking," Simon said.
"I do like your cooking. That's why I gave you the name. It's rather important because some people already know what I do in this world. We should keep all of this our little secret," Delphine said.
"So... what do you want me to do once we get there?" He asked.
"Honestly, it's quite simple. We're going there not only for business but seeing what that city has in store for us. What allies to keep, what enemies to have."
"So, my name when we get there is... Mandy? Sorry, but... what kind of name is Mandy?"
"It's the name that I gave you when we chat with someone who owns the place. By the way, you're going to be my little brother."
As she said that, Simon started to feel embarrassed by the fact that he isn't going to be using his common name. He wasn't the type of person who would get over the fact that he had to appear much differently to make the process easier. Then, he saw Delphine pulling up the top of her cloak, wrapping her long hair together, and making it seem as if she is wearing a hood along with her armor.
"Delphine, are you ready for this?" Simon asked.
"No, but let's enter the city whatever it takes. Now play along," Delphine answered. Then, Delphine and Simon said nothing more to each other, and they both ventured forth into the holy city of Gisbourne.
It took about an hour for Delphine and Simon to reach the holy city of Gisbourne as the afternoon sun was upon them. The town itself had only a limited number of people walking around and discussing things with one another. Delphine was still wearing a hood around her head as Simon is walking behind her and acting perfectly normal; they come across an inn to stay until the evening comes.
"Welcome. We're the cheapest in around. Need a room?" The innkeeper asked.
"Uh, yeah. I guess I will be staying here for a while," Simon answered.
"A room for one, then?" He asked.
"Well, no. There are two of us. My brother and I are traveling together. We look forward to staying here," Delphine said. She was holding back the fire which burns inside her soul as she softly spoke to the innkeeper.
The innkeeper's eyes opened widely as he gave a good look at Simon and Delphine, or Mandy and Miriam. They were both still using their traveling names as they were in the holy city; saying their real names could cause quite a stir.
"Oh. Uh, sure. I guess it must be difficult traveling on your own," he said.
"It's not. We earn a living to sell antiques that our late father left us," Delphine said.
"Antiques?" The innkeeper asked.
"Yes. Our father devoted his life to them. This is the last piece in his collection," she answered. Delphine pulled out a chalice made of shards and rare gold; it was a large chalice that would've caused a fortune if she actually sold it.
"I've been told that this chalice is from the late elf kings. It's a chalice that the elves once drank from," she said. Delphine knew and understood plenty of the elves and their history as they once ruled in the north in ancient times.
Simon was starting to be impressed by Delphine's knowledge about ancient people and items used so long ago.
"That's really something. How much do you want for it?" The innkeeper asked.
"The price is ten million talents," Delphine answered.
"Ten million?! Sorry, miss. But, it just doesn't look like it's worth ten million. I think your father was having you on," he said.
"Yes. I think so too. But, since we travel around selling our father's memories, we decided to try and sell them at the price our father set."
"Then I reckon I should keep my trap shut. Good luck. Here's your room key."
"I see. Thank you very much."
They'll never sell that thing. The innkeeper thought.
Then, Delphine and Simon started to walk towards the room that they were renting, and some of the guards began to look at them. They mostly looked at Delphine and her attractive appearance; they've never seen anyone of such beauty before.
"Who's she? What a sight to behold," the guard said.
"She's a guest. She told me that she is traveling with her brother selling antiques," the innkeeper answered.
"Antiques? That's unusual these days. Are you sure she's not siding with the demons?"
"Don't be daft. She's got a brother. And monsters rarely travel in Masodania."
"Well, for them to wander into town in these troubled times, it's just plain weird."
"How would they know that, with the gag order? Rumors still get out, like the one about a demon appearing in the holy city of Gisbourne."
The room that Delphine and Simon were renting was at the far end of the left hall, and they didn't turn their eyes upon anyone. Delphine uses the room key and slowly unlocks the door, and they both quietly enter the room.
"This room is huge," Simon said.
"It is rather nice. Times may be hard, but this is still a holy city. They have standards to keep up," Delphine said. As she stood next to him, she takes off her armor and lays her greatsword next to the wall; it took her about a minute to gently put aside her equipment.
Simon stood there and gazed upon her body as he was also putting aside his weapons, and he started to sit upon the bed. He watches as her long, blonde hair falls down to her waists, and he started blushing as he took a good look at her. Delphine slowly turns her head and saw that Simon kept his eyes upon her, and she started to feel confused.
"You're staring," Delphine said.
"Oh. I... I know," Simon said.
"Why are you giving me that look?" She asked.
"Well, I... I was just waiting. Waiting for you to be done."
"You still have your armor on."
"Yeah, I know. Is that a bad thing?"
"I'm not the one who makes the rules around here. After all, this is a city that's dedicated to praying to whatever god you believe exists out there. And sometimes, you better hope he does exist. Thankfully, you're with me. Without me, you would be needing all the prayers you can get to survive the night."
"What's so different about the god we serve, unlike most other gods?"
"The Lord God? Well, it's what's in our hearts that he cares about. He loves you as he loves me. God doesn't show his miraculous appearance on earth. We have only to ask for forgiveness deep within ourselves and be welcomed back. Anyone who serves their god believes that there is a paradise, and they wish to be summoned home with open arms."
Simon had nothing more to say about the topic, and he began to look down and felt a bit pitiful that he would ask such a question. Delphine knew a lot about mythology, and she could go on about other tribes and the gods they worship.
"Why? Is that something you didn't know?" She asked.
"I did know. Sometimes, I like to hear what you think about most things," Simon answered.
"Really? You want to know many things about the earth, don't you? I thought you told me you've traversed all the regions of the world. I wonder if you've even learned a single thing about it."
"Well, it takes me a long time to recognize every single detail about certain things. I could go on all day about how many mountains I've discovered."
"Simon, are you boring?"
"No. Why?"
"You can tell me about pretty much anything. And that's the best thing you can come up with?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not you, it doesn't take me a fraction of a second to put everything in detail."
"You'll get it eventually. True, I'm not the best person to go to for answers, but I have the knowledge of many abilities that some people will take years to pick apart and examine."
Then, Delphine became silent for a while as she started to go towards the window; it was already evening as she looked outside. The sun was beginning to set as there were about a dozen people walking around the marketplace. They lived out their lives and never knew that there was a demon hiding underneath the large city. But they believed that nothing of pure evil could ever interrupt their lifestyle; they believed that the gods were watching over them day and night. Delphine knew that the time was soon coming for her to be summoned and defend the city from whatever evil lurks in secret.
"Delphine," Simon said.
"What?" Delphine asked.
"Are you feeling alright? You seem troubled," he said.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm fine."