Gabrielle ushered Lyonis towards the front door of the apothecary. While he didn't want to leave, he knew his presence was making the young apprentice nervous.
"Sir Tualon, thank you so much for all your help. Please, get some rest. I will look after, Madame." Gabrielle was already busy preparing tea for her master as she talked. The redhead glanced up at him. Tears had been threatening to fall from her eyes since she had come downstairs, which worried him.
"Are you sure Cordelia is alright, Gabrielle? Can I help at all?" Lyonis stood at the door, not wanting to leave. He fought an intense desire to run upstairs and see her for himself. But he stopped himself. The way Cordelia swayed uneasily on her feet as he placed her down in her living quarters filled him with worry. Her normal confidence and immaculate presence felt small and weak. Lyonis wanted nothing more than to coax her back to health himself.
"No need, sir. You've done enough." Gabrielle paused and looked down at the teakettle that sat in front of her as if she was deeply mulling over a thought. Her large dark green eyes stared off into nothingness for a long second. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand before looking up at him with a small smile on her face. "I promise she is fine, sir. I am so grateful to you for bringing her back to me."
"When can I return?" Lyonis wanted to come back as soon as possible, but he was trying to be respectful. The desperation in his voice made him feel childish. He sounded like a love-sick puppy. He had met many women in his lifetime, and yet none had managed to capture his attention like Cordelia. Now that he found her, Lyonis couldn't help but feel that Cordelia would disappear like smoke in the wind. His gut twisted with anxiety.
Gabrielle looked at him with a concerned smile on her face, "Ah… I don't know, sir. Please give her a few days to recover. When she regains her strength and energy, I'll be sure to let you know. Where are you staying?"
"I appreciate it, Gabrielle. I'm staying at the St. Vincent Inn near the docks. If I'm not there, please leave a note with the innkeeper for me." He watched as Gabrielle expertly balanced the large tray of food and tea in one hand. She walked around the counter and pushed him out the front door.
"Of course, Sir. I will be sure to let you know as soon as Madame is well. Please, get some rest. Leave Madame Cordelia to me. I'll be sure she is well cared for. Now, please…. Go. Get. Some. Rest." And with that, Gabrielle kicked him out onto the street. He heard the door click closed behind her. The thin linen curtain in the front window swung closed, and silence fell over him. He stood staring at the front door for a long moment before turning away.
A small crowd had gathered outside the apothecary. Lyonis noticed Gabrielle's fiance, Damas, and his mother, Mauve. They had been actively involved with him over the last few days while Cordelia had disappeared. A large older dark-skinned woman was standing with them. They were chatting anxiously with one another.
Mauve had noticed him step out of the apothecary, and her large brown eyes looked at him with worry. "Is Cordelia ok?"
Lyonis nodded and took a deep breath, gazing up at the third floor of Cordelia's building. Her black cat was staring down at them from the balcony. His golden eyes were unblinking.
"Oh, thank goodness…." Mauve clutched her chest and sighed deeply. Her son placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Is Gabrielle going to be able to handle everything? Does she need any help?" Damas spoke up. He looked at Lyonis. His young eyes shoved braveness and wisdom beyond his years. Lyonis had been impressed with how the young man had handled the situation. He had gone out with Lyonis one day while they looked for Cordelia. Damas had told him about growing up in Ville Marais, Gabrielle, and his admiration and history with Cordelia. He was a kind soul, worthy of marrying the feisty redhead.
"Ah. I don't think you need to worry about your future wife. She seemed pretty hell-bent on not letting anyone within arms reach of Cordelia. She kicked me out. I haven't been scolded like that since I was a child." Lyonis laughed when he saw Damas beam with pride.
"That one's a real spitfire, Damas. You better get ready. If she can put a man like that in his place, you'll be no match for her." The old woman winked at the young man, who blushed. "Well… I imagine we aren't helping anyone by standing around here. Cordelia is in good hands." She turned to Lyonis, who flashed a friendly smile down at her. He could tell the old woman was an onery one.
"Young man," she hobbled over to him, "Would you be so kind as to walk an old lady back to her home." Lyonis offered her his arm, which she readily linked with hers. She turned to Mauve and Damas, "I'll see you, kids, later." Before Lyonis could bid them farewell, he was tugged away to walk down the street.
"Don't scare him off," Mauve called jokingly after them. Delphine smiled and ignored the woman's comment. She mumbled something incoherent under her breath.
"And what does a fine young lady like yourself call herself?" Lyonis asked as they started walking down the street.
"My name is Delphine. How'd you meet our lady Cordelia, Lyonis?"
He looked down at her in shock. He didn't remember telling her his name. As if reading his mind, she continued, "Oh, I know about you, Lyonis Tualon. An old woman has her ways. From what I heard, you've only known each other for a few days, yet you risk your life heading out into the wild for her? Go on, tell me your intentions with Cordelia."
He noticed the question change from 'how did you meet her?' to "what are your intentions?'. Laughing quietly, he looked forward down the street. Cordelia had surrounded herself with people who truly cared for her.
"I plan on stealing her heart and taking her far away on my ship." He felt a pinch on his arm, and he laughed.
"I'm serious, young man. Cordelia has never, and I mean never, been seen walking around town with a man in tow. She hasn't given a single man the light of day. Her dismissive attitude is legendary around these parts. What makes you so different, huh?"
"Ah… I don't know, Ms. Delphine… Maybe it's my rugged good looks?" He pushed his hair out of his face, and she pinched him again. He shrugged, "I'm not sure... She intrigues me."
"She intrigues everyone…." She retorted mockingly. "She is not someone you pursue leisurely. I want nothing more than to see her happily settle down with someone. Hell, I'd be happy if she loosed up enough to have a one-night stand, but it is not such a simple matter with her."
"What do you mean, Ms. Delphine?"
"When she arrived in Ville Marais, that girl was broken and lost. That was 30 years ago." Delphine looked up at Lyonis with fierce seriousness, "She hasn't aged a single day… and I'm not just talking about physical appearances…."
"Hmm…" Lyonis mulled this over in his head.
"Now, I won't stop you from pursuing her, Lyonis. Lord knows the girl could afford to feel the touch of a man like yourself." She jokingly fanned herself with her free hand as if the thought itself made her hot, "It would do her some real good." Delphine spoke without remorse or embarrassment. Lyonis couldn't help but admire her honesty.
Delphine stopped and turned to face him. Her round face looked up at him. There was a seriousness in her gaze that felt threatening, like an overprotective mother. "All I ask is that you treat her with kindness and respect. Whether you plan on staying another week or another year, give her something worthwhile. A woman like her deserves that. One doesn't get that way without seeing some shit. If that's not something you think you can do, then I better not see you on this street again."
"I wouldn't dare insult her with half-hearted intentions, Ms. Delphine."
"Hmm…" The old woman seemed content with his answer and patted his arm before letting him go. She turned around and hobbled up to the front of an old shoe store. She waved her hand behind her, "Now go get some rest."
"You as well, Ms. Delphine…." Lyonis bowed to the old woman before turning to walk down the street towards the inn. Lyonis's mind had been so preoccupied that he hadn't even realized his boots were still wet. His feet were chilled and uncomfortable in the stiff boots.
...
The St. Vincent Inn was a large, unimposing brick building located near the dock on the far end of the market. It towered over the edge of the water, overlooking the bay. It was a busy and popular place.
Local dockhands, fishermen, and sailors often stopped by for a drink after their shifts. Boisterous chatter, yelling, and music could be heard from the other side of the grand front wooden door. Lyonis stepped into the inn. The innkeeper nodded to him as he stepped over the threshold.
"Good evening, Commander Tualon. I believe your crew is in the main foyer. Shall I have a bath prepared for you in your room?"
"Have them prepare it in an hour. I want to grab some food beforehand." Lyonis walked past the innkeeper and into the large open foyer.
"As you wish, Commander." The innkeeper bowed as Lyonis descended the steps into the building.
The large open foyer was lined with rows of long tables and benches. Busty waitresses paced the length of the room, clearing plates and dropping off large pitchers of ale. At the rear of the room stood a large impressive fireplace; worn leather chairs, a low table, and a dusty couch sat in front of the comfortable flames.
He noticed his crew sitting at the long table closest to the fireplace carving out a place for themselves in the large room. A couple of them were playing cards in front of the fireplace, laughing and joking with one another. Agis was the first to notice him, and he looked away, scowling.
Lyonis walked the length of the room and planted himself in a free leather chair next to the fireplace. His crew greeted him as he walked up. He leaned back and melted into it as the heat from the flames warmed him. Some of them jeered and punched others, handing one another wads of cash. Apparently, they had placed bets on when he would return. Not that it bothered him.
"Commander... Welcome back." Andronika was playing cards next to him. A large man sat across from her. He said nothing and just nodded at Lyonis respectfully. "We were wondering when you'd show up. We heard you found her…." She turned to face him. A teasing smile crossed her face, "It's quite the heroic tale."
Lyonis sighed and didn't respond. Instead, he leaned forward and peeled his boots off his feet, placing the damp leather pair in front of the glowing fire to dry them.
"Maybe the Commander could enlighten us on why it took him so long…." Agis spoke up from behind him, annoyance thick in his words. "Leaving us to work his business meetings in his absence?"
A tall, slender woman walked over, placing a large plate of food and a cup of tea on the table in front of him. Her dusty blonde hair was braided down the length of her back, and she wore a tight-fitting shirt and pants. A thin scar ran the length of her face from her forehead down across her left blue eye. A small dagger was strapped around one of her thighs. Her athletic build and stealthy way of moving hinted that she was some sort of mercenary and was skilled with a knife.
"Commander, you must be hungry. Ignore Agis. There was nothing that needed to be done while you were gone. We simply moved the meetings to another day." She shot an annoyed glance at Agis, who was pouting like a child. "And it's not like we can't handle things ourselves every so often. The Commander works his ass off for us. You should be more grateful, Agis."
"Thank you, Theodora." Lyonis grabbed the cup of tea. It was in an old brown clay mug, and he swirled the liquid before taking a sip. A familiar feeling crept over him. His tense muscles relaxed as a gentle warmth enveloped him. "Is this Cordelia's tea?"
Theodora nodded, "We saved the last bag for you, Commander. You should get more from your new friend. It really hits the spot." She winked at him before sitting down at the long table next to him.
"I'm glad you all enjoyed my tea." He said sarcastically, looking around his crew, who ignored his gaze. Lyonis took another sip. The tea was still delicious, but it was missing something. He looked over at Theodora, who had unsheathed her small dagger and was using a small stone to sharpen it, "Do we have any honey anywhere?"
"Honey?! Since when do you like sweet stuff, Commander?!" Theodora glanced at him, throwing him a disgusted glance as if he was suddenly a different person.
He shrugged, then picked up his plate of hearty food, finishing it in moments. He sighed. The meal filled his belly, his body warmed by the fire. Cordelia's tea worked its magic, releasing the tension deep in his muscles. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair.
His mind wandered back to earlier that day. Cordelia fainting in the water, the look of her lifeless body in the boat, the feeling of her soft lips on his… His infatuation with her was frustrating. He felt like he was acting unreasonably. But despite that, he couldn't help but feel drawn to her. And after hearing about her agelessness from Delphine, he felt even more that theirs was a fated meeting.
Lyonis stood up and grabbed his boots from in front of the fireplace. He turned to his crew, "Take the day off. I'm going to bed. Wake me if anything comes up." The men and women around him rejoiced, clinking their mugs of wine and ale. The only one who looked displeased was Agis, but this was nothing new.
Lyonis trudged up the stairs to his room and opened the door. A bath had already been prepared, and he quickly removed his clothes and slid under the water. There was a knock at his door.
"Commander, may I come in?" He heard Theodora's voice from outside his door.
"Sure." He sank his shoulders beneath the water in the deep bath. The door opened with a loud creak, and Theodora stepped in. She closed it behind her. The sight of her commander in the bath hadn't phased her in the slightest, and she pulled a wooden chair from against the wall, placing it near the tub before sitting on it. Her gaze looked down at the dagger, and she ran her thumb over the blade, checking its sharpness. Dissatisfied, she continued scraping it with the small flat stone.
"You good?" Her voice was clear. There wasn't a single trace of delicate femininity in it.
"Hmmm…." Lyonis closed his eyes. Behind his lids, Cordelia smiled at him, and in his memory she brought a white porcelain cup to her soft lips. Once again, he was filled with worry for her.
"Fuck…." He thought to himself, frustrated he couldn't get her out of his mind.
"Did you find anything on her?" He spoke to Theodora, who shrugged.
"She's quite the legend around these parts. The locals are fiercely protective of her. Getting information about her was tricky. They were automatically on edge when I asked about her. But not in a 'we can't talk about her because she's scary' more of a 'why do you want to know about her?' sort of thing…." Theodora continued. She twirled the knife around, animating her words. The sound of metal on stone seemed to echo around the room in a rhythmic pattern as she returned to sharpening.
"They said she moved here about 30 years ago…" She looked over at him.
"Let me guess… she hasn't aged." Lyonis knew what she was going to say. Theodora nodded and smiled. Her Commander always seemed to be one step ahead of her.
"Yeah… Neither has her cat. He slinks around everywhere, popping up unexpectedly in random places. They called it her familiar - some sort of spirit guide, I guess. They like him because he's an excellent hunter. Helped clean up the rat problem at the docks." Theodora kicked back in the chair, balancing it on the back two legs. Her gaze was still fixated on the blade in her hands.
"Nobody knows how old she actually is - some guess over 100. Others say 400. Nobody knows what she did before moving here or where she came from." She eyed Lyonis again, gauging his reaction. He didn't move a muscle.
Lyonis knew all of this already. He had expected there was more to meet the eye regarding Benoni, and there was probably no way anyone would know how old Cordelia actually was. It seemed like the kind of information she would keep close to her chest. Theodora continued.
"Aside from her occasionally lifting small objects or mending things, there wasn't much information on her magic. Apparently, she doesn't use it openly all that much. Some people think the scope of her power is actually pretty limited. I don't buy it, though." Lyonis agreed with the statement but didn't say anything. He let Theodora keep talking.
"She is a valued healer. Almost everyone I talked to had some sort of story about when she cured an ailment or tended to a wound. There was even a plague a few years back that she managed to contain and cure rather quickly. But after she fixed you up, I kind of figured that was her gig. She has an apprentice - that redhead girl - she lives with her grandmother. Both her parents are dead."
Lyonis thought back to how fiercely protective Gabrielle had been and how distraught she was when Cordelia went missing. It made sense how, after losing both parents, Gabrielle would cling to her master like a worried child.
"She often stops by a place called Cafe Lavigne and gets the beignets with black coffee. She always wears clothes that cover her all the way up to her neck. The church doesn't like her one bit. The thing with the gator had everyone really amped. The church was using the rumors to freak their congregation out - so of course, it was blown way out of proportion. The locals talked about her and the situation with such admiration it was hard to pick out what was truth and what was fabricated."
Cafe Lavigne was owned and run by Mauve and her son, Damas. So that seemed pretty normal. He knew the church didn't like her after running into Father Croix. Lyonis had seen firsthand what had happened with the gator. The only thing he didn't know was what happened after she had walked into the swamp. Nobody but Cordelia knew that.
"Ah! Everyone seemed pretty excited to receive her gift during the Epiphanie Festival. Apparently, everyone shares gifts with each other during the festival. Cordelia gives charms that are supposed to bring good luck and protect everyone during hurricanes. They're like tiny bouquets of dried flowers and sticks that people hang on their doors. At the end of the festival, they have to be burned in fireplaces. They said that the buildings that hung these from their doors never flooded or got damaged during big storms. Could be coincidental, though."
Lyonis wondered if he would be gifted one during the festival. He would have to plan something to give to her in return…
"She doesn't accept gifts during the festival," Theodora said this as if reading his mind. " She also doesn't get involved in local politics, stays pretty quiet. And nobody has ever come to Ville Marais looking for her. She has never taken a romantic partner, and everyone is pretty much on the same page that she's off limits. I went and talked to the old fortune teller, Lady Ambrose, I tried to get information from her, but she was no help at all. Kept talking in riddles and was just plain rude and creepy as hell." She waited for him to say something, but when he didn't, she kept talking.
"I couldn't find anything else on Cordelia. Aside from those involved with the church, the locals basically worship her. Even the church-goers couldn't give me a solid reason why they didn't like her aside from saying that 'she's a demon'. Seems like fear-mongering bullshit to me, though. She lives a really quiet life here. She's not really hiding who she is, but she's also not really using it to her advantage. Weird. Commander, what do you think is going on?"
"Hmm…. Seems like she's just trying to live a peaceful life."
"Yeah… but people like her. People with power… They don't just live peaceful lives, Commander. You know this." She pointed the tip of the knife at him trying to drive home her point. "From what I gathered, she doesn't seem dangerous. But there's obviously more to her than meets the eye."
"We're all more complicated than we let on, Theodora. You know this better than anyone."
Theodora shrugged as if she didn't really agree with him. She waited a moment before speaking again. "Why are you so interested in her, Commander? Sure, she's a witch, and that's pretty interesting, but you're being… I don't know… weird about it. Don't tell me you've fallen for her?"
"If Gresas is going to be doing business here, it is my job to ensure the trade route is safe for future merchants… I just want to make sure she isn't a potential threat." Lyonis sighed deeply and rubbed his eyes. He didn't want to admit it, but maybe he had fallen for the witch of Ville Marais.
"Rrright…." Theodora rolled her eyes, not believing a single word he said. "I don't think we have anything to worry about regarding Cordelia. In my opinion, the church is a far bigger threat." She stood up, "Well.. that's all I have to report at the moment, Commander. Anything else you'd like me to look into?"
Lyonis shook his head, "No. Just keep your ears open for anything interesting. Let me know if you discover anything else you think is worthwhile." He waved his hand at her, dismissing her. "Wake me if anything comes up. I asked Gabrielle - that redheaded apprentice - to inform me when Cordelia recovers. If she stops by, let me know as soon as possible."
"As you wish, Commander." Theodora nodded and walked out the door of his room, closing it behind her with a gentle thud.
Lyonis stayed there in the bath until the water grew cold before finally climbing out. His mind mulled over the last few days and the things he heard from Theodora. Not bothering to dress, he fell onto the bed. Sleep hit him like a brick, and he was fast asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.