Lateef made his way through the throng of people. There were many, more than usual, due to the Harlst, a massive ship from the kingdom of Ralafus far to the northeast. He had heard that a member of the royal family was on a journey to Saris.
Most likely a political marriage, Lateef thought.
He paid it no mind, as it concerned him not. Though the amount of people annoyed him, making it difficult for him to navigate the streets. Pushing past a group of travelers, he finally reached his destination, an apothecary's shop, the most famous in Lis.
It had been three weeks since Seraph had left them. Little by little, Lateef had gotten Celestia to open up to him. At first, she'd refused to speak to him, refused to drink anything until she become so overcome by thirst that she consumed all the blood he had stored away. The scolding she received left her in tears. She even refused to leave the cabin; Lateef had to throw her over his shoulder to get her outside. Fortunately, he had discovered something that calmed her, brought her a sense of peace. He had taken her to a small pond near the cabin, a pond Lateef often visited himself. Fairies gathered at that pond, and the sight of them brought wonder the child's eyes.
Lateef made it his mission to heal the girl; and to do so, he needed to get her out and about as much as possible, which brought him to the apothecary.
Pushing the door open, Lateef was greeted with the many sights and smells in the store. Many bottles and jars lined the many shelves, all filled with brightly colored powders and liquids. Plants of all kinds hung from the ceilings and sprouted from pots of all shapes and sizes. At the far end of the room, behind the counter, were rows of books, all leather bound and placed meticulously. A man entered the room through a door next to the bookshelf. He wore brightly colored robes, too bright for Lateef's taste, and several pendants, all with different shades and shapes.
"What can I do for you today, Lateef?"
The man placed the book in his hands on gently into an empty space on the bookshelf before turning to a potted plant on the counter. He pulled a single blue leaf, looked it over, then nibbled it and nodded his satisfactory.
Lateef looked around, ensuring no one else was in the store with them.
"Lusius, I need something that can change eye color, even if temporarily," he said.
Lusius scoffed, placing the blue leaf in a bowl. He sprinkled some purple powder and yellow liquid in, then began to combine them.
"What do you need something like that for," he asked, not looking up from his work, "Tired of those cold, dead eyes of yours, are you?"
"I need to change the eye color of a pure blood," Lateef stated flatly.
Lusius froze. He looked up, blowing his long blonde hair from his eyes.
"Pure blood? You mean?"
"Exactly as I said," Lateef's voice lowered, "I need to bring her to the city, but I can't have anyone knowing what she is."
Lusius set down the bowl, looking at his friend in disbelief.
"You're playing with fire, Lateef," he sighed, "And you want to drag me into it?"
"You already know what I am, what's one more?" Lateef shrugged.
"But a pure blood? You've been around as long as I, you should know no one's going to take kindly if they find out. Gods what would the hunters do if they found out?"
"Which is why I'm coming to you, Lusius."
Lateef swept his hand out, motioning to all which lie around him.
"Look at you," Lateef exclaimed, "You're the best apothecary to ever live! Surely you can create something as simple as this?"
Lusius gave Lateef a look, unimpressed by the spectacle.
"Fine," Lusius gave in, "I'll help you out, but the price will be high this time. Flatter isn't going to get you anything free anymore. Come back in a week, I should have something whipped up by then."
Lusius waved Lateef away, wanting him out of his sight. He didn't know why he bothered talking to him, let alone selling wares to him. They'd known each other a long time, but Lateef always bothered him with things that'd get them both killed. Perhaps Lusius let him around because he acquired rare ingredients no one else could find.
Lateef stepped out of the store, smiling his thanks, promising to pay Lusius his worth. He felt light inside. In a week, he'd be able to bring Celestia to the city. Perhaps then, she'd be able to move on better from her previous life.
A drop of rain hit Lateef's nose. Then another. Looking up to the sky, he saw dark clouds rolling in. People hurried from the streets as rain began cascading down upon them. Lateef stood a moment longer, feeling the cool rain on his face, before continuing on his way. After the storm subsided, he'd take Celestia to the fairy's pond, the creatures loved dancing on the waters after a good rain.
Lateef walked down the street, passing by many seeking shelter from the storm. He stopped in his tracks, feeling a strong presence, a presence similar to those he felt near Celestia and Seraph. He searched the crowd, looking to each individual. Two figures walked by him in the opposite direction, so close he could have reach out and touched them. His gazed fixed on the smaller figure, whose hood was drawn low. Lateef spun around shouting out as the two approached an inn.
"Seraph!"
The figures paused in the doorway, the smaller turning towards Lateef. The elf moved closer, seeing Seraph's face more clearly, as the boy's head bowed to keep strangers' eyes off him. He didn't meet Lateef's eyes.
"Seraph…" Lateef didn't know where to start, had difficulty finding words.
A hand rested on Seraph's shoulder, the hand of his larger companion. Lateef eyed the man. He wore a strange mask, its ears long and pointed, with unusual markings. Though the eye slits, Lateef could see piercing golden eyes, staring him down. Lateef felt an uneasiness. The man gave off a dangerous aura. Every fiber in Lateef's being screamed at him to get away from this man.
"Don't be long," a low voice came from behind the mask as he turned, walking inside.
Seraph stared at Lateef. They stood in silence as people pushed past them.
"What do you want, Lateef" Seraph broke the uncomfortable silence.
Lateef, taken aback by the question, looked at Seraph in disbelief. It had been three weeks since he'd last seen the boy. Three weeks since he set out to find and return with his mother. Why hadn't he gone straight back to his sister?
Lateef motioned to the door, "Let's get out of the rain first. Then we won't have to shout to hear each other."
Seraph turned on his heel, walking swiftly into the large room without a word. There were already many people inside, sitting at tables and drinking at the bar, creating as much noise inside as the rain did out. Lateef pulled out a chair at an empty table, sitting in it. Seraph followed suit.
Out of the rain and in the candlelit room, Lateef had a bit better look at Seraph's face. He looked ragged and depressed, little life could be seen in his red eyes.
"Celestia misses you," Lateef spoke first, "She asks about you every day."
Seraph said nothing, only nodded slightly.
"You should go visit her," Lateef continued.
More silence. Lateef sighed. He didn't know much about Seraph, only what Celestia had told him, and the boy was difficult for Lateef to read.
"I never told you," Seraph stared down at the table, "but I never liked her much. She's always been a spoiled brat. But still, that night, I had to protect her. Not so much for her sake, but…I knew father would have been disappointed in me if I didn't. And mother…she…she would never have forgiven me…"
Seraph's voice changed. It cracked as he spoke, as he tried to maintain himself. Seraph spoke, his voice barely a whisper.
"I never liked her either. She favored Celestia, ignored me. I didn't care if she died."
Seraph looked down at his hands, as though they contained some secret Lateef didn't know. A tear drop landed on the wood, and Lateef could see a hopeless look on Seraph's face.
"If I had known…If I hadn't…If I…If I just…I…She…She didn't deserve…that…"
Based on Seraph's words, Lateef understood that his and Celestia's mother was dead. Lateef wanted to help Seraph, but didn't know how. He gently laid a hand on Seraph's.
"It's alright," he said in a comforting tone, "I know you're feeling pain, but-"
Anger flashed in Seraph's eyes. He pushed Lateef's hand away, bolting up, slamming his fist onto the table.
"How would you know?" Seraph screamed at the elf, "You didn't see what he did to her! You didn't see how she must have suffered!"
The room went quiet, all eyes on the two. Seraph's chest heaved as he struggled to compose himself. Lateef closed his eyes, knowing Seraph was right. He didn't know the pain Seraph felt, didn't even know what the boy had witnessed.
Lateef looked into Seraph eyes, they burned with rage.
"At least tell Celestia of your mother's death in person," Lateef spoke gently, not wanting to rile Seraph up even further.
Seraph shook his head. He reached into his cloak, pulling something out with a long silver chain. He set it down on the table, pushing it to Lateef. It was an amulet, a clover made of bronze with a ruby in its center. Lateef carefully picked it up, looking it over.
"It was our mother's," Seraph rasped, "She would have wanted Celestia to have it."
Seraph looked Lateef in the eyes, holding the gaze. Determination and fury within them.
"I'm going to find the man who killed her, father, and the rest of my clan. I'm going to make him regret ever setting foot on our island."
Lateef's chest tightened in fear. How could a child so young and weak make him feel so frightened? Lateef had a bad feeling as to what was to come.
"Seraph," Lateef spoke, hoping Seraph would listen to him, "that man your traveling with, stay away from him. I don't know why you're with him, but I think he'll only lead you down a dangerous, dark road."
Seraph stood, listening to the words Lateef spoke, but he didn't care. He walked to the stairs, climbing them to join the masked man.
The room had been filled with noise again, though some still glanced at the lonely elf. Lateef gripped the amulet in his hand. He was frustrated at how powerless he felt when he spoke to Seraph. There were many things wanted to tell the child, now that he had a moment to think straight, but it was too late. Seraph, overcome by grief, would not listen to Lateef.
The elf stood, shoving the amulet into his pocket, and left the inn. He strode out into the rain, slamming the inn's door behind him, cursing. He looked up, raindrops stinging his face.
Goddess Alina, I beg of you, watch over the poor boy.
Lateef sent a prayer before walking toward the city gates. No matter what decisions Seraph would make, Lateef would keep his promise. He would care for, and protect, the innocent child he had taken into his home. He vowed to himself that no harm would ever befall Celestia as long as he lived.