Fior, once again stood at the counter, arms crossed and expression that would match that of an exhausted parent as he watched the similar scene unfolding before him. It felt like a Deja Vu.
"Say, kids, have you tried this came before?"
"It’s a dried fruits cake, the kiddos here like it!"
His drunk friends had dragged the Pure Mana Elf kids into the tavern and then demanded Varek to bring some sweets and snacks for the kids.
Varek stared in disbelief about the tell the drunkards to let the kids go but Fior simply patted his arm.
"Do it, they’re too drunk so, they’ll pass out soon enough." Fior suggested.
Varek grumbled a few curses under his breath before he shouted for his wife in the back to bring some snacks for the kids.
The terrified kids sat rigidly on the chairs with the loud, drunk Dark Elves around them.
"So, what’s your name, young man?"
"I-Im Viren."
"And you little Miss?"
"I-I’m Coriel."
The kids gave up their names in a stuttering tone and the Dark Elves grinned. The table was soon filled with the snacks the kids hadn’t seen before.
"Try this, it’s the pudding made of Bolloer tree sap, it’s my favorite."
"Oh, it’s my favourite too!"
The Dark Elves indulged the kids, the kids though a little hesitant slowly reached out and took small bite of the recommended dishes.
Talen was the first to be brave enough to eat it, a single bite made him pause before his eyes widened and he took another bite.
"Like it, eh?" The Dark Elves laughed.
"Here, try this as well!"
"This too!"
The Dark Elves pushed forth the small dishes and bowls to the kids and the kids, reluctant at first tried the snacks before they started slowly relaxing.
Fior then watched Davian who had fallen asleep, slumped over the empty table.
"No wonder they came out." Fior muttered.
"What is this? It’s really sweet! I like it!" One of the kids, Liriel asked pointing at the brown little cupcake.
"Ah, that’s sweet cake, it’s made from Garei’s roots." Rilvy answered.
The kids, terrified and hesitant at first showed signs of opening up as they answered the questions of the Dark Elves.
"So, you came here to be friends with us, because Miss Guardian Dragon told you to?"
One of the kids shook his head, "Not only that, she said we should see for ourselves if you are bad or not."
The Dark Elves grew silent before one of them leaned ahead, "So, are we bad?"
The kids glanced at each other, then at the table full of snacks and then at the Dark Elves gathered around them.
"You... don’t seem bad." Coriel spoke in a feeble voice.
Lorat chuckled while the other Dark Elves simply smiled.
"Then, will you all visit us more?" Lorat asked.
The kids appeared a little hesitant but then they nodded.
"We-We’ll also ask if Miss Guardian Dragon can come with us next time!"
"Yes, we’ll show her that we made so many friends!"
The kids announced and the Dark Elves laughed.
"Sure, sure, we’d also love to see our Guardian Dragon."
"Hm? Wait, aren’t we forgetting something?" Lorvash grumbled.
Just then, a pair of arms appeared over the shoulders of Rilvy and Lorvash and the third man leaned in from past their shoulders looking at the kids.
It was Davian, he’d woken up by the noise and the sound of the kids.
"Hm? Kids?" He tilted his head, leaning against the sides of the two Dark Elves.
"Did he adopt you kids too?"
The kids looked confused and the Dark Elves turned to Davian.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Him- no, her!" Davian fumbled with his words.
"Decide, man!"
"He has the habit of adopting kids and people who have nowhere to go!" Davian shouted, "Well, it’s more like she has a habit of picking up strays."
Fior stared at Davian for a moment, were he and his grandmother taken in by the Dragon because they were abandoned?
"We’re not adopted by anyone!"
"Yes, I have my Mama and Papa!"
"We only came here because Miss Guardian Dragon told us that we should be friends with the Dark Elves!"
The kids defended and Davian grumbled.
"Like always..."
"Ey, you’ve drank too much, kiddo, why don’t you go and sleep?" Varek spoke up.
Davian grumbled looking like he would throw a fit but Fior quickly stepped in taking a hold of Davian’s arm, throwing it over his shoulders before he pulled him away from his friends.
"That’s right, I should take him back." Fior announced and then looked at the kids.
"And you’all too, come along. It’s getting late, your folks will get worried about you."
The kids gasped as if suddenly realising that they were supposed to head back soon and started getting off their chairs.
"Eh? All of you are leaving?"
Some of the Dark Elves groaned and the kids glanced at each other before Talen stepped up.
"We-We’re leaving for now but we’ll come back again!"
"We promise!"
"We’ll come tomorrow!"
The kids promised and the Dark Elves handed them some of the snacks before Fior finally managed to bring all of them out of the colony.
He felt as if he’d grown a century older in just one day.
The sun was already setting by the time they crossed the borders into the Pure Mana Elves’ territory.
The kids excitedly talked about their plans of going back again to meet their new friends and Fior simply sighed as he realised that the human man was barely awake to carry his own weight.
Fior missed the days when he was carefree enough to not be bothered by responsibility.
Soon enough, the kids and Fior reached at the base of the World Tree. The sky had grown darker now and the World Tree glowed under the moonlight.
The kids stared at the beauty for a long moment before one of them spotted the young girl sitting up on of the large roots.
"Ah, she’s sleeping!"
"Should we go up?"
The kids discussed and Fior spoke up, "It’s better not to disturb her."
The kids groaned a little and Fior added, "You can tell her everything tomorrow."
The kids glanced at each other before they nodded and then started heading back to their homes.
Fior also started to turn but the human on his shoulder moved away.
Fior looked at the young man who staggered over to the roots, climbing clumsily over them.
"Hey, wait!" Fior chased after him.
Davian grunted and kept climbing while Fior cursed under his breath thinking of knocking him out but then he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned his eyes to see his Grandmother there.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
Fior pointed at the young man who had nearly reached the sleeping Dragon.
"He’s drunk, he might end up saying something rude to Miss Guardian Dragon." Fior said.
Yttriva turned her gaze again and a small smile appeared on her face before she gestured for Fior to look ahead.
Fior sighed looking up and noticed the young human staring at the young child without any word, he then clumsily removed his thick coat and then gently, carefully placed it over the sleeping child.
"It’s a matter between the Guardian Dragon and her guest. We shouldn’t interfere, let’s head back." Yttriva said.
Fior stared at the young human who sat down near the sleeping Dragon before he sighed and then decided to just go along his Grandmother, he had done enough babysitting for the day.
The cool evening breeze flowed past the World Tree making its leaves rustle and Davian who sat under it did nothing but stare at the face of the sleeping child.
The little girl not older than 5 was curled up in the little depression between the thick roots, her cheek pressed against the root. Davian wondered if she wasn’t uncomfortable sleeping against the rough and hard surface but she looked at peace so he didn’t wake her.
The little girl’s long snow white hair spilled over the roots and her cheeks slightly flushed held a rosy tint. Her little mouth was slightly open as she breathed and her white eyelashes fluttered ever so slightly.
Davian felt his heart clenching in his chest as he watched. He had seen Reina when she was young, but not this young.
I wonder if our daughter would look like this? I hope she does-
Davian shook his head as his thoughts started going the stray path again.
He had other pressing questions that he needed answers for.
Yet, the sight of the sleeping child was enough to make him forget about all the anxiety and the turmoil that he had been fighting with.
He released a sigh, feeling the heat from his face slowly dispersing as he realised.
I can’t even keep being angry at her... But there’s no way I’m letting her off the hook!
Reina felt the ebb and flow of the life source that the World Tree breathed along with something close by which seemed more or less like a brightly lit lantern placed close to her. Beyond her eyelids, she couldn’t feel the light but the nature of this warmth was enough to tell her who it was.
She stirred a little feeling the strong scent of alcohol before she opened her eyes and saw a coat draped over her. Her eyebrows furrowed a little before she sat up properly and noticed the figure sitting right next to her.
"You’re awake." A familiar voice spoke, there was a hint of drowsiness in it which matched the scent of alcohol giving Reina a clear conclusion.
"... You’re drunk."
Davian turned and Reina got a clear view of his bloodshot eyes, those violet orbs which looked like liquidised twilight skies. Somehow it sent a pang through her chest, she tried not to let it show on her face as she ran a hand through her face and pushed her hair back.
The silence stretched on in between them and Reina decided it would be best for her to explain first and then let Davian decide what he wanted to do. Though, whatever he chose, she knew she would still try her best to not let him walk away again.
With that determination she opened her mouth.
"I-"
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter