"Come on, Eydis, hurry up!"
Eydis trudged behind Natalia, her stomach churning in protest at the thought of another molten cheese monstrosity. Maybe a discreet dash back to the inn would be wise.
Hearing her thoughts, Natalia huffed, "Eydis, haven't you heard? Azura's blue cheese is legendary!" Before Eydis could groan, Natalia was haggling with a vendor. "Two blue cheese sandwiches, and make them oozing!"
Eydis grimaced, the pungent aroma emanating from the shop was enough to turn her stomach. "Ah, don't worry, these are all for me. Now, brace yourself for the real deal – Ker Ys oysters, fresh from the waves!"
Seafood, now that was a language she understood. "Now why didn't you just lead with it?"
Natalia chuckled as she playfully elbowed Eydis, "you know what they say – save the best for last!"
Stepping onto a small, anchored boat by the pier, Eydis was engulfed by warm candlelight and the intoxicating aroma of garlic, butter, and herbs. She leaned down, her voice conspiratorial. "Natalia, if I'd known this was a date, I'd have worn something fancier."
The warm breath from the brunette tickled Natalia's ears. She flinched as she spun around, complaining, "Stop teasing me, you're insatiable!"
Eydis arched an eyebrow, enjoying the flustered blush painting Natalia's face. "Just appreciating your efforts, Nat. You're the best, even if your cheese choices are… adventurous."
"Just… this place is impossible to get into!" Natalia stammered, trying to regain her composure. "I had to pull strings, charm oyster shuckers…"
Eydis chuckled, "A fact I deeply appreciate, Nat." They settled onto a creaky bench, the gentle rocking of the boat sending a wave of contentment washing over Eydis. Just as she leaned back to enjoy the moment, a voice, smooth and silken, sliced through the air, shattering the fragile peace.
Melissa's voice, laced with honeyed venom, slithered through the air. "Well, well, who do we have here?" Her gaze, a viper's appraisal, raked over Eydis and Natalia. Beside her, Astra stood as still as a marble statue, seemingly bored by the entire encounter.
Eydis kept her gaze steady, amusement glinting behind the facade. "Lady Melissa and Lady Astra, I see the restaurant's reputation precedes itself." Eydis replied, catching Natalia's unease.
Melissa smirked, settling into her seat across from them. "Indeed," she drawled, the syllables dripping with condescension. "I've been here a few times myself. This, however, is your first, wouldn't you say, commoner?"
Eydis returned the smile, a cold flame that didn't reach her eyes. "Unfortunately, yes, but I'm fortunate to be experiencing all my firsts with Natalia." A choked gasp, obviously due to hastily swallowed water, cut through the tension. Eydis' gaze flickered to Astra, a blush blooming on her cheeks before disappearing like a wisp of smoke. In its place, annoyance settled on her elegant features instead.
"Let's get to the ordering, Melissa," Astra commanded, her voice surprisingly clipped. To Eydis' surprise, the usually haughty Azura girl obeyed without a murmur. Melissa, the arrogant viper, seemed subdued under Astra's shadow, a result of having her life saved by the formidable metal mage.
Their oysters arrived, glistening jewels on a bed of ice. Eydis relished the tangy burst of citrus and spice against the creamy mollusk, devouring them with practised ease. Natalia, ever the traditionalist, favoured them grilled with smoky bacon. As they indulged, a snide chuckle from Melissa pierced the air.
"Didn't know commoners had such refined tastes," she drawled, her voice dripping with feigned curiosity. "I thought you lot preferred your food…filler, you know, like meat."
Eydis' lips curved into a smile, not unkind, but laced with a hint of challenge. "Flattering, Lady Melissa, that you take such close interest in my culinary preferences." Before Melissa could retort, the waitress arrived, bearing a monstrous steak, easily capable of feeding two. Eydis watched as Astra's gaze fixated on the meat, tracking its journey with uncharacteristic hunger—a rare, almost endearing, glimpse into the usually stoic Silverkeep girl.
Sensing eyes on her, Astra snapped, "Is childish bickering all you're capable of, or can I eat in peace?"
Eydis' grin widened, her eyes lingering on Astra, despite the girl's visible irritation, "An interesting choice, roomie. Have you considered their oysters? A true delicacy, I assure you."
Astra met her gaze, a flicker of uncertainty battling the hunger in her eyes. "Not a fan of raw seafood," she muttered, taking a large bite of steak with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. Melissa appeared flustered, her barb about commoners backfiring spectacularly.
"You haven't lived until you've tried them," Eydis crooned, dipping a plump oyster in hot sauce. With a swift, graceful movement, she popped it into Astra's mouth.
Surprise flickered across Astra's face. Natalia choked, a hand flying to her mouth. Melissa's eyes widened, shock momentarily erasing her carefully crafted mask. Astra stared at Eydis, speechless, the unexpected oyster a hostage in her mouth.
Astra considered spitting it out, but she wasn't the type who wasted food. As she chewed, the unexpected explosion of freshness, spice, and tang surprised her. She met Eydis' gaze, "Fine," she grudged, "but it would have been nicer without..." she trailed off, a flicker of amusement dancing in her violet eyes, "...your saliva on it."
A mistake, Astra learned, just as Eydis' grin morphed into a predatory smile with mischief. "On the contrary, Lady Astra, I'm aware some admirers would love a taste. Just like in that little letter from..." Suddenly, Natalia was upon her, a fiery whirlwind whisking her away from the table.
"Enough!" she hissed, her voice tinged with desperate urgency. "Don't you see what you're doing?"
Eydis, momentarily stunned, allowed herself to be dragged outside of the restaurant, the unfinished sentence a tantalising tease hanging in the air.
"Eydis!! Must you taunt her like that?" Natalia's voice cracked with a mixture of exasperation and concern.
Casually, Eydis shrugged, "She missed out on good oysters if she kept holding onto familiarity."
"Fine, I'm sure there's a deeper meaning to that cryptic riddle, but let me settle the bill first." Natalia said as she hurriedly darted back to pay, and rushed out just as quick.
"Alright, done, now, tell me more about what you meant just now!" Natalia commanded, conjuring a book and a pen out of thin air. Eydis couldn't help but emit a groan.
**
Moonlight bled across the sea, painting silver streaks on the waves below. The whitewashed houses of Ker Ys, adorned with sapphire trim, glowed softly, a stark contrast to the stoic stone of Terravale. Eydis leaned against the balcony rail, the salty tang of the ocean air a balm to her soul. Tomorrow would be the full moon, a harbinger of new challenges, but tonight, she embraced the serenity.
Memories of her cramped bedroom and rustling silk flitted through her mind. Astra's midnight entrances felt deliberate, designed to disrupt her sleep. Tonight, however, the only sound was the gentle lullaby of the waves.
A gentle rasp on her door jolted her back to reality. Her five teammates stood clustered in the doorway, their faces etched with a determination that bordered on desperation. Elias, ever the enigma, leaned against the frame, an amused flicker in his eyes.
"Welcome, I guess?" Eydis greeted, surprised by the impromptu gathering. They filed in, the floorboards groaning under their weight, a reminder of the inn's age and secrets. Adam, their self-proclaimed diligent strategist, stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"Six minds are better than one," he announced, his gaze flicking to Eydis for approval. A murmur of agreement rippled through the group, except for Elias who remained silent, his emerald eyes holding back a private storm.
Adam unfolded a crumpled parchment, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "This riddle arrived at my doorstep this evening," he admitted, his voice laced with a tremor. "I believe it holds the key to the lost treasure, our quest this round."
"As shadows sway, eight arms confide,
Celestial light on the ocean's tide.
Whispers hum where kraken hides,
Decipher the course, where nature presides."
The riddle hung heavy in the attic air, a tangible entity shimmering in the moonlight filtering through the dusty window. When Adam's final verse faded, all eyes gravitated towards Eydis, their de facto leader and mistress of enigmas.
Instead of the expected dive into analysis, Eydis rose, drawn to the moonlit balcony. The cool air whispered against her skin as she gazed at the silver-streaked expanse of the sea, her mind churning with possibilities. "Let's hear your theories first, Adam," she finally said, her voice calm despite the thrill sparking in her eyes.
Adam, emboldened by her trust, launched into a passionate discourse on Ker Ys and its whispered tales of the Kraken's legendary treasures. He proposed a visit to the Kraken's ancient temple. Even Elias, ever the sceptic, offered a silent nod of approval.
As they hashed out their travel plans, Eydis' gaze subtly shifted towards Elias. In a hushed whisper, barely audible above the excited chatter, she asked, "What have the gannets told you, Elias?"
He stiffened, surprise momentarily shattering his mask of neutrality. "Gannets? Is this another riddle, Eydis?" he countered, his voice playful yet laced with a hint of apprehension.
Eydis grinned, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Perhaps," she whispered, squeezing his arm briefly. "The birds might just lead us to the Kraken, after all."
With that enigmatic parting shot, she dismissed her teammates, leaving Elias standing alone in the moonlight, his face a kaleidoscope of skepticism, curiosity, and something akin to… fear? The door to the attic clicked shut, but the riddle of the treasure hunt, and the deeper mystery of Eydis' riddle, echoed in the silence.
**
The perks of having Adam as their strategist were evident – highly organised, exceptionally punctual, and annoyingly persistent, thought Eydis. Pulling on a cloak over her tunic, the white silk disappearing beneath the dark fabric, she felt more prepared. Her blades nestled snugly in hidden boots, Ethereums cold against her belt. Stepping from her room, she was met by Adam's flustered blue eyes.
"Sorry to intrude, but…" His voice hitched. "We should probably go."
A reassuring smile curved her lips. "Of course. Lead the way." Swinging a heavy sack over her shoulder, Eydis followed Adam's lead. He wanted to ask her about the contents of her bag, but decided it should be left to the imagination. However, a nagging curiosity played on his lips, "It's warm in the temple, but you seem, umm…" He trailed off, unsure how to phrase it.
Eydis raised an eyebrow. "Overdressed? Maybe you should pack a cloak too. And a change of clothes," she added cryptically, before veering off to greet their teammate, Anna and Joseph. Adam, bewildered but trusting, excused himself to retrieve his 'forgotten' garments.
The temple clung to a distant mountain peak, far from the welcoming embrace of the shore. They received a special, rickety horse-drawn carriage that took an alarmingly long half-day to climb the treacherous path.
A colossal bronze Octopus statue, eight arms frozen in time, greeted them. Dust caked its surface, a testament to the Kraken's forgotten presence.
The team began to frantically search for an entrance or any clues that might lead them to the treasure cave. Adam scoured the walls, his fingers tracing intricate carvings, while Anna rummaged through dusty scrolls. Eydis, however, stood unmoving, her gaze fixed onElias, standing beside a copper donation box. The Sylvanwood boy discreetly slipped a paper into the donation box by the statue. His gaze, usually full of confidence, held a flicker of anxiety. Sensing eyes on him, he spun around, only to be met with Eydis's unflinching gaze.
Just as the search slowed, optimism faded, Eydis called out, "Hey, Anna," the silver-haired girl startled at the sound, turning around, "Have you checked this box yet?"
Anna followed her fingers to see a donation box, a lock securely placed to keep the contents away from greedy hands. "No, but I will!" She exclaimed with renewed determination.
Closing in on the box, a small white light sparked from the tips of Anna's fingers, melting the metal lock away. "Look, guys!" She called out, having peeked at the content.
As the team gathered, they glimpsed a few coins and a worn parchment inside the box. Anna read aloud, "Moonlit tower stands alone. Below, the hidden treasures shone."
Adam, the strategist, pondered, "Moonlit, alone…" Then, a realisation struck him, "It's the lighthouse!"
Joseph scoffed, "Back to the shore? Another half day? Are you sure?"
Eydis, with a voice dripping in obvious fake sweetness, retorted, "Any brilliant ideas, Jo?"
Joseph huffed defiantly, muttering, "Suit yourself, whatever."
"There's no time to waste, let's go!" Anna exclaimed, leading the group back to their carriage.
Eydis trailed behind the group, her shadow slithering alongside theirs. Elias, a whirlwind of suppressed emotions, caught up to her. His gaze, stormy and grey, clashed with hers for a fleeting moment before he looked away, the muscles in his jaw clenching and unclenching.
"Don't worry," she said, a sly smile playing on her lips as she noticed the tension drain from his shoulders. "Your secret's safe with me."
Relief washed over him like a wave, momentarily erasing the storm clouds in his eyes. He nodded, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips, then turned to catch up with Adam, his trembling hand lightly ghosting over the shorter boy's before retreating.
Eydis watched, a pang of empathy twisting her gut. Unrequited love, she mused, a two-headed beast - exhilarating in its devotion, agonising in its unreturned sting. Could she ever wear that cloak of loyalty, silently guarding someone she treasured, knowing they might never return her feelings? The question hung heavy, an echo of the wind's mournful cry through the brooding clouds. She glanced at the sky, a sudden awareness chilling her bones. Had she packed a raincoat?
"Missing Siri already," she mumbled, slipping into the carriage, the chill a tangible reminder of the emotional storm she'd just witnessed.