*Sienna's POV*
A light knock sounded on the door when dawn came. I answered the door and was delighted to see Plight. My face lit up, as I flung my arms around him, greeting him and telling him he looks well this morning. He gives me a gentle pat and thanked me saying I look just as bright colorful as yesterday.
I introduced Plight to Baas, telling Bass I hoped to become friends with Plight and Sarial. Plight seemed a little awkward with that, then I'd noticed the blink dogs were with him still. I greeted them, too. Plight got me some breakfast, which was nice. I was about out of my snack supplies, though I could simply summon Galder's Tower. I could cook in it.
Still, I thanked him graciously for the meal. Even after I burned myself on the metal eating utensils. It left a nasty welt across my fingers, that he healed. I ended up just eating without the utensils. He hadn't gotten a meal for himself, not a breakfast eater, he'd have something later, he'd said. He was apologetic over the burn, he mentioned he'd been practicing wood craft lately, so perhaps he could make me some utensils to use. He'd gotten the idea from Kershka.
I told him, whispering in his ear, about my allergy to metals, that metal burns fey. But not all fey. He'd noted it burns me, so he'll try and fix one up for me. I thanked him.
I asked what they were going to be doing today, he told me that Sarial planned to head to East Haven today. I asked him where that is, he wasn't sure besides further East. I asked him which way East is, he'd pointed towards the way I'd come from. I marveled at this concept. Then, I explained to Plight that you can't travel in the Fey by choosing a cardinal direction like this place. It mixes together and moves all the time. Even my home in Tir na Nog was not always where it can be found.
I got full fast on the food and gave the rest to the blink dogs. They were fine with the scraps, and the meat that Plight fed them that Sarial had left for them. I asked Plight if the two were siblings, he'd said close friends, similar to siblings. I told him I was envious. I never had friends until I could summon Baas and Bellam.
Soon Plight seemed to be getting anxious as Sarial didn't show up. She apparently never skips breakfast. I asked if she could be with her sweetheart still, he supposed she may be. We went together to check out the market area, lined with stalls as it was. But Plight noted that Sarial's Mills wasn't there. He grew more concerned. So I asked if there was anywhere else she may be. He figured maybe the cave where she was building a town. There was a place she might sleep there.
I suggested we go check there, then. Perhaps something held her up. But, once we'd started to head that way, we saw Sarial entering the gate with who must be Mills. Sarial's footsteps were a little off. She appeared to be stiff and sore. Worried, but happy to see her, Plight and I approached with the dogs.
I immediately gave her a hug once we'd gotten close enough. She huffed a tolerant sigh and petted my hair, returning the hug lightly.
"Mills, this is Sienna, we met her yesterday. Sienna, this is Mills.. my beau." Sarial introduced us.
I smiled brightly at Mills, then looked at Sarial and said "Are you alright? You're movements seem a little off."
"I am." She blushed. "No worries. What are your plans since we couldn't get Alexander to show?"
"I don't know. But Plight told me you are building a town? And you're going to East Haven?" I tilt my head.
"Yes. I am going to try and recruit citizens to live in my town." She nodded. "Did you want to come with us? I'm not apposed to useful help, if you prove to be so."
"Would that really be ok? I don't wish to burden you." I says.
"It'll be fine. Oh, you can speak Sylvan, can't you?" Sarial said.
"Yes. Did you need something? I'm perfectly fluent in many languages." I tell her.
"Yes, can you ask Theo, the blink dog, to stay with Mills and help him hunt? I'd appreciate it." She said.
"×Theo, Sarial would like you to stay with Mills and help him hunt, can you do that for her?×" I asked the dog in Sylvan, crouching to be closer to it.
It put it's ears back and lowered slightly. "I'm not upset with him..." Sarial said.
"×She isn't upset with you, she wants your help to look after her mate.×" I tell the dog.
The dog tilted his head, sniffed at Mills, then sat next to him and woofed softly. Sarial hugged the dog and scratched his head telling him what a great dog he is.
I grinned at the display. "They are good friends to you?"
"Yes," Sarial says, "They're such smart and good animals."
I relayed the compliment, the dogs looked pleased. With that done, Sarial and Mills embraced each other and kissed, him needing to get to work, and yet not seeming to want to part from each other. But after a quick squeeze, they did separate, and Sarial told Plight and I to come with her as we went into the guild. The Sleeping Ox, they called it.
I looked around in amazement at all the new sights as we entered. There were eight tables with benches on either side for chairs, a long, long desk called a counter, a stairway leading up to a second floor. We could see where the second floor led to from where we stood. Two rooms, one on the left and one on the right. Behind the counter there was a doorway that led to a kitchen. And next to the stairwell was a quest board.
The quest board was what Sarial was walking towards with Plight, so I followed. Someone whistled as I passed by, Baas, who rode on my shoulder, told me to ignore that. So I did. Sarial grabbed two quests from the board, with a half smile, then she approached one of the humans behind the counter. Clara, she'd greeted her. She turned in two quests she and Plight had completed yesterday before meeting me. They were now Bronze Adventurers.
That confused me, but there wasn't any time to question it, as Sarial set off again. To a shop where the keeper was called Tibin. Tibin's shop. Tibin was a halfling. She greeted him cheerfully and told him they'd accepted his quests. He handed over some papers and a package, which Sarial put in her bag of holding.
That done, we left the shop and started for the East Gate before Sarial stopped and said, "Sorry, I hadn't gotten a clear yes or no from you."
"I would like to follow you. I would like to be helpful. I've always wanted to travel." I tell her.
"Have you? Well, now is as good a time as any. I'm sure you will be helpful." Sarial said.
My face lit up brightly and I said, "When did you want to go?"
"Now is as good as ever. Sooner would have been preferred." Sarial nodded and led us out the gate. It was nearly noon.
I took out my ocarina once we'd left the town intending to play as we went. The two remaining blink dogs, Fawn and Chaser, darted around us playing to the tune I played on my ocarina. Sarial had a light lunch, I was still full. After a couple of hours, Sarial took out a lute, handed it to Plight, teaching him how to play it, and she played a lyre. Our playing was wonderful and lasted a few hours. When Sarial's stomach growled, I asked if we should stop for a time, but she declined. Saying we should go on a little further before stopping for the night. At around 7, according to Sarial, is when we'd stopped for the night.
She and Plight went hunting, asking me to set up camp. So I did. I played a melody and summoned Galder's Tower, twice. The entrance opened into a kitchen, the room next to it was the study, the room above the study was a bedroom, the room above the kitchen was a bathing room, and the one above that was another bedroom. Since two of them slept, they could sleep comfortably.
I was waiting outside when they'd returned. Sarial eyed the building I'd put up. Once I'd explained it, she was fine with it and entered to cook a meal. She offered to cook for me, too, but I asked if I could have some of the meat raw. I told her she was free to use any of the vegetables or seasonings available, pointing out which each were. She gratefully accepted and didn't bat an eye at accommodating my preference. She asked if I always eat meat raw. Which I told her no, just I have a preference for it uncooked rather than cooked. Plight looked at me for a moment, seeming confused, but then smiled at his friend and told us he has the same preference.
She looked tired, and sore, so I'd taken over cooking and suggested she head to the second floor to bathe. She accepted my offer and went upstairs. I told Plight he could use the bath after her, if he'd like. I'd show him how to run the water and fill the bath. Then I realized, Sarial might not know how. So I went and knocked on the door and asked her if she knew how. She did. So I left her to it and finished cooking.
I'd knocked again and let her know food was ready. She must've fallen asleep cause her voice was a little groggy and slurred when she answered me. She must not have slept well. How inconvenient. She came out in a lovely shirt that matched her beautiful pale eyes. Her pants were a navy color and fit snuggly, showing off her slender and muscular thighs. At her throat was a lovely navy choker, adorned with a gold medallion. She wore the same soft boots as before.
She's beautiful, for a human girl. I complimented how wonderfully she looked, like art. It made me want to keep her. She laughed and said it would be a difficult thing for me to do. To keep her that is. I told them how I didn't think humans were going to be so pretty like they are. I'd thought Alexander was an exception to humans being ugly, but it seems that its just another thing the Elves in the Fey were disgusting over.
We shared the meal together then, Sarial with her cooked foods and me and Plight eating our food raw. It was delicious. Sarial and I got to talking about our families. She is adopted by Leonin and has four siblings. I told them it's always just been me, Alexion and our mother. Alexion got on with the People back home. I was mostly by myself, no one besides Alexion and the spirits would play with me. Though, I didn't see the difference between Alexion and I. They did see one.
A few hours after dinner, Sarial was beginning to fall asleep. I told her about the two bed rooms available for them to sleep in. I hadn't known if they'd prefer to bunk together or separately, bit I figured separately would make sense. Sarial went for the one above the bathroom, with her thanks. I told Plight where the second one was located, telling him about the study as well. He went for a bath, I showed him how to use it, then I entered the study to read.
He joined me after his bath while I was curled up with a book. I smiled at him, and told him he could read any of the books he'd like, or we could talk if he preferred, until he needed to sleep. He looked through the books on the shelves, so I'd started reading again.
"How do you like never having to sleep?" Plight asked.
"Hmm. I don't know that I have an opinion towards sleeping or not. Baas and Bellam don't sleep, they're spirits, and my mother and Alexion do not sleep. None of the neighbors, either." I tell him. "Sleeping is odd to me. And I don't like dreams."
"Why don't you like dreams?" Plight asked.
"Because I dreamed of having friends or of playing with Alexander with my mom and brother. A lot of the times aside from that, they were utterly silly, like some drug induced hallucination." I explain.
"I can understand the feeling of not having friends. Probably for different reasons.. but.. yeah." Plight said.
"Why? You seem very nice. I'm nice most usually. The people my age back home do not like me because Alexander is my father and he had no business being with my mother, they say. But mom loved him. Isn't that enough?" I asked him.
"It should be." Plight said. He selected a book and sat near me.
"I think so, too." I smile at him. "That's a good story. It's about the goddess Tamara."
"Well this will be a fine read then, because I-I don't know anything about her." He said.
"You don't? Which of the gods do you serve?" I ask.
"I'm not sure. My god is not deemed it fit for me to know their name." Plight answered.
I tsked. "What a rude god to give you power yet not a name and demand you serve. Do you know the principles? Your commandments?"
"I know ..nothing." Plight admitted hesitantly.
I frowned confused. "But you're a cleric.."
"Yes." Plight said. "I just... feel I.. need to help people. So this god or goddess.. gave me the power to do so."
I twisted around and wrapped my arms around him, "Gods are often bullies, there are many gods who don't tell people who they are or lie about it. It's why Alexion serves Tamara. Even though she's a Dragon's Diety he likes that her followers stand against tyranny, and are peaceful and merciful."
"That sounds like a wonderful goddess." He said, opening the book to read.
I gave him a squeeze and then laid my head on his shoulder, tucking myself against him and looking at the book with him. "The Celestial language can be difficult to read." I commented.
"Ah, I was indeed having issues reading this." He said.
"Oh. I didn't know. I can read it to you, if you'd like." I say.
"I wouldn't want to bother you, but.. if you wouldn't mind, I would enjoy it." Plight said.
"You're no bother, Plight. I'll be glad to. I can teach you, if you'd like." I tell him, "I know humans don't learn as much as elves, but I think that's a lifespan issue rather than intelligence."
"Indeed. I think that's a lifespan problem. But I would love to learn." Plight said.
I began reading and translating for him, pointing out individual letterings and teaching him how to pronounce them. It was a lot of fun for me to be teaching him. And he learned pretty well, managing to form a sentence in Celestial by morning. When the sunlight spilled into the room, I immediately felt guilty, having kept him up all night. I apologized to him, but he assured me it was alright, he'd enjoyed it.
I was glad he wasn't upset with me. Sarial joined us shortly after. Then I excused myself to bathe. I rejoined them quickly, not wanting to be left behind. Sarial was making breakfast. She was energetic today and chatty. Plight had told her about my teaching him, it seems. He was complimenting my ability to teach when I'd returned. I complimented Sarial's cooking ability cause it certainly smelled amazing. I tried to not have breakfast today, but Sarial insisted. So I appeased her.
After that, we went outside to continue our way to East Haven, Sarial leading. Plight had asked if we could bring the book with us so he could study on the way. I told him that unfortunately, anything from within the tower ceases to be when brought out of the tower. I apologized for letting him down. Sarial suggested learning the verbal bits while traveling. Plight liked the idea and said he'd like to do that if I didn't mind. I'd agreed to continue teaching him. Sarial even began picking up words.
At about noon we came across some merchants that were traveling. They stopped and offered us to look at their wears. Curious, we did so. One in particular had many eggs of various colors in a basket. The merchant told us they were mystery eggs and that depending on how they are raised is what hatches out. Interested, Sarial picked a golden egg, saying it reminded her of her father. Plight picked one swirled a deep red and white one. I picked a lovely green one, that Sarial said matched Plight's eyes. I told her light green's a happy color. I told Plight his looked like adult candies we had back home that was cream and strawberry flavored. He'd said that it was an interesting combination for flavors. I told him its delicious. Sarial mentioned she'd try it. So I produced a candy for her. Plight declined, which suited me cause I only had the two.
We were satisfied with our purchases, so the merchants continued on, as did we, in opposite directs. Not twenty more minutes had passed when we heard sounds of fighting ahead, around a bend in the road. Sarial and Plight immediately ran forward to help, me lagging behind. I started up a fireball spell, then faltered, seeing Alexion fighting some orcs. He'd killed two, and two were left, so with a brief melody, I careful fireballed the area, making sure Plight, Alexion and Sarial wouldn't be harmed.
The orcs dropped dead, and Alexion turned towards us. He'd looked at me, briefly, before touching his religious Star, then a fierce expression crossed his face and he pointed his sword at Plight. I froze, confused, slightly next to and ahead of Plight.
"Undead, what are you doing in light of day!" Alexion growled.
Plight paled slightly and quietly said, "Not again."
I launched myself at Plight and wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist and shouted, "No, Alexion! He is my friend!"
"He's undead-" Alexion began, but Sarial cut him off.
"Most importantly he is my dearest friend and Brother. I will not allow harm to come his way."
Alexion's face contorted, "My goddess demands I end unde-"
"No!" I said, squeezing Plight. "Tamara's happiness is the preservation of life and happiness. Plight heals and helps others! He helped me a lot now! And he gave me yummy food and spent time with me and he hasn't been mean at all!"
Alexion's face had lost it's fierceness. Sarial had her blade drawn, ready for a fight. He seemed to be debating. "Get off the undead, that's rude, Sienna." Alexion said, his voice uncertain and uncomfortable.
"You're not going to try to hurt him?" I asked, peeking at Alexion.
"Not presently. Not until I figure this out." He said.
Knowing that was as good as I'd get right now, I loosened my grip and returned to the ground. Looking at Plight worriedly.
"Are you ok, Plight?" Sarial asked.
"It's.. not my first time being hunted." Plight responded.
"Why have you helped Sienna? Have you placed her under some geas?" Alexion asked. "I warn you, I can place Zone of Truth."
"I know your kind. You may as well place it before you ask your questions." Plight said. A hard edge creeping into his voice.
Alexion cast Zone of Truth, unoffended by his tone. He asked again, "Why have you helped Sienna."
"I am glad that that is your first question. It shows you care for your sister. I helped because that is the right thing to do." Plight said.
"Have you placed anything mind altering on your companion or my sister?" Alexion asked.
"No. And I never would." Plight answered.
"Why do you wear robes?" Alexion questioned.
"I wear them because they are my burden to bear." Plight replied.
"Have you lied to my sister?" Alexion asked.
"No." Plight answered.
"Have you any questions?" Alexion said.
"I have many questions, but none that need immediate answers." Plight said.
Alexion closed his eyes for a moment. Then released the spell and said, "Thank you for looking after my sister. Sienna, we need to go home."
"I want to help them." I tell him.
He frowned. "With what?"
"Plight said they are making a town to help people." I replied.
Alexion gave an exasperated look. "Sienna. Mother will be quite cross-"
"But Alexander is in Sarial's bag! But we can't get him to come out, yet." I told him, interrupting.
"Alexander is in Sarial's bag." He repeated. He pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment and put away his shield and weapon. "That is the strangest thing you have ever said." He sighed.
I wasn't sure what more to say to convince him. But Baas told me he'd drop a stick on him if he doesn't take the stick out of his ass. And then Baas insisted I tell him so. So I did.
"I can just break your body, Baas." Alexion retorted.
I gasped, "Don't hurt Baas!"
He tsked and said, "He's a familiar, Sienna. You know they don't die permanently."
"So. Don't hurt him." I stamped my foot.
"I will not hurt your familiar." Alexion sighed. "Mother would be cross if I leave you in the Mundane. Did you even pack anything for traveling? You are very impulsive."
Sarial started laughing and said, "You sound like me! Doesn't he, Plight?"
"I was trying not to say anything, but yes." Plight nodded.
"I scold my siblings all the time, nagging them." Sarial says.
"It's Alexion's special skill. You're only like a minute older than me, Exio." I remind him.
"A minute in the fey may be years in the Mundane." Alexion replied with a shrug. He looked at Plight with a hesitance. "Why have you not sought a device against detection?"
"He's new to the world. I'll be seeking one for him." Sarial said.
"Do you know how or where to acquire such a thing, or what it'd be called?" Alexion asked.
"Got some general ideas, yeah." Sarial replied.
"I can't leave her in the Mundane." Alexion said to himself. Troubled and looking to the sky, grabbing his goddesses symbol.
After a pause while Alexion tried to figure out how to persuade me, Sarial said, "Apologize to Plight for your aggression and you may travel with us."
He looked at Sarial for a moment, tense, then his face relaxed. He then bowed to Plight, and said, "I apologize for my reaction to you, Plight. If you will allow for a days time, I will make you an item to shield you from divinations."
"That would be greatly appreciated. And I thank you for not pressing further. I do understand where your actions would have come from, so I do forgive them." Plight concluded.
"Thank you for your mercy and understanding." Alexion said, straightening himself. "Sienna, if you would summon the tower? I would like to use your empty room."
Sarial looked troubled, so I asked her, "Are you ok?"
"Yes. I had hoped to only take three days to get to East Haven... But this is equally important." She said.
Alexion frowned at me. "We can summon pegasus to speed the journey."
"Oh." Sarial said. "Then I have no qualms."
With that, I summoned the tower. Making a study and kitchen for the first floor, a bathroom and bedroom for the second, and the empty room as the third. He immediately went up to the third floor and I told the pair the layout of the tower. Which meant I could teach them more with the books.
Plight was very interested by that, and as we went inside to the study I apologized for not knowing what was going to happen. He asked how would I know that would happen, if I knew he'd be there. The answer was that I didn't know he'd be there and I'd not suspected anything about Plight would warrant such a reaction from my brother. He apologized and said it's nothing something he shares. Every time he had it'd led to an angry mob chasing him. I told him I hadn't meant that in an accusatory manner. Sarial told us, you'll go round in circles that way, none of us had a way to know what was going to happen and nothing did happen. Plight smiled and agreed.
After that, I began teaching them Celestial again. Sarial made herself and her dogs some snacks, then we continued again until dinner. Sarial then pointed out to Plight he had two more people who knew bout him and didn't care. I didn't comment. I didn't care bout whatever he may be cause he'd been nothing but kind. I took out my egg and sang it a song. Sarial seemed to be talking to her egg as she cooked dinner. And Plight hummed a pretty melody to his.
After dinner we'd gotten to the Celestial teaching again. Only after a couple of hours, Sarial had fallen asleep.
Plight chuckled and said, "We should get her to her room."
I nodded and asked, "Is she normally so quick to fall asleep?"
"I don't know. I am not normally in the room with her when she falls asleep." Plight answered.
"I don't know much bout humans.. I'll assume it's normal for her." I decided, as Plight picked her up. I got the doors for him and pulled back the covers. He tucked her in.
As we returned to the study, I asked him, "If you don't mind.. Can you tell me what you are? I'm only curious. It doesn't matter to me."
"In a lot of people's opinion. One of the worst kinds. I am a vampire." Plight said.
"Oh. But you're in control of yourself? You must be a born one." I noted.
"You know.. a fair bit about my people to be able to understand that so quickly." Plight commented.
"I've studied a lot. Vampires are just people. They can have their own morals. Is it true that it hurts your throat if you don't eat for a long time?" I asked, "I've never met a vampire before. Oh.. If you're uncomfortable I can drop it. I don't want to upset you."
He smiled slightly. "It's alright. I've never answered questions over general curiousity before. It's always been to appease righteous anger. And it's not that my throat hurts. Its more.. I just get very, very thirsty.. Until a point where... I no longer have a say in the matter. But for me, that takes.. a very long time to reach."
"I can answer things, too, if you're curious. Like Alexion is allergic to metal, as well." I told him.
"I know why I have a special diet. Why do you prefer your meat raw?" Plight asked.
"Nutrients." I said, with a shrug. "When you cook things it burns away certain nutrients. I have a very weak physical state. It leads to cravings for meats and sweets. Plus, it's yummy."
"Have you ever tried sashimi?" Plight asked.
"I'm not familiar with the word." I admitted. "Common isn't a language I've much practice with."
"The language is about all I've had practice with." Plight said, "But sashimi is thinly sliced cuts of meat served with sauces."
"That's an odd name. I suppose I have had similar to that, then. It's more polite to take small bites." I tell him. "What do you mean by language is all you have practice with?"
"I did not have.. teachers when I was young. So reading.. writing.. even arithmetic is severely lacking in my skill sets." Plight admitted.
"I can teach you." I tell him. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."
He happily accepted the offer and we launched into the basics, starting with common. We kept at this until morning, when Sarial rejoined us, till lunch time when Alexion finally came down. He offered him a simple chain necklace with a single emerald in it. He told him it will prevent people from recognizing that he is anything but human. Even against most disciples belonging to gods. He thanked Alexion for taking the time and effort into crafting it.
Alexion told him to not thank him. It would get frustrating to travel with him if every paladin stopped the group just because two celestial feys and an undead were traveling together. He continued to say that atleast he doesn't reek of sulfur like evil beings do.
"I can only imagine that is a very unpleasant sensation to have to deal with." Plight said.
Alexion nodded, then stepped outside and said "Let's get to that town, shall we?"
I got up and went outside, too. Sarial and Plight came out, too. I played my Ocarina, casting Summon Greater Steed as Alexion cast the same spell. Two large beautiful Celestial pegasus appeared, one being my dear Bellam, the other being Epia.
Sarial chose to ride with Alexion, leaving Plight to ride with me. He commented he'd never been on a pegasus before. I told him how to mount him, and got up before him, demonstrating. Alexion called to him and showed him how to mount with a girl already on. Plight had only a little trouble getting on, but did so fine. Alexion wrapped his arms around Sarial, to help keep her mounted as Epia took to the sky.
I told Plight to hold me tightly, and waited for him to do so before also taking to the sky. Plight ended up holding me extra firmly as we sped to the town in the air. With Sarial's frightful directions to Alexion, we made it to the town without issue, though Sarial was sick upon landing.