"Kaylia."

"Yes, Kaylia," she continued, brushing the knots from his curls. "Such a lovely girl. Elsa couldn't wait to get her hands on that one. Elves have such natural beauty. But when Elsa's finished with her, she'll be a G.o.ddess. The other one too. Celandine. That one is accustomed to less dirt and grime, if you ask me. Such a gorgeous complexion on her. Well tended skin and hair. It's nice to see women who know how to take care of themselves. Don't get me wrong, elves take care of themselves too, but it's just different." For the next hour, the woman talked and talked as she worked.

Gewey chuckled at the thought of Kaylia being fussed over and made up.

After a while, he found the process wasn't so bad. The girl shaved him, then rubbed a sweet smelling cream on his face, letting it dry as she trimmed his hair. When she wiped the cream off with a warm towel, his skin felt alive, as if it had never felt the air before. 'So this is how a lord lives,' he thought. 'No wonder they always look so healthy and clean.'

By the time she was done, he almost didn't recognize himself. He had never spent much effort grooming. He cut his own hair most of the time. Occasionally one of the women of the village would do it instead, but none had ever made him look so...lord-like. Refreshed and filled with a new confidence, he thanked the woman and headed down the hall to the parlor. Lee was already there, sitting in a large cushioned chair and sipping a gla.s.s of brandy. He was wearing a navy blue suit and jacket, and an ash walking stick with a silver k.n.o.b was leaning on the side of his chair.

Lee smiled as Gewey entered. "Now you look presentable. I almost didn't recognize you."

"Thank you," said Gewey. "It feels different."

"We still have plenty of daylight," Lee observed. "I thought we should see if Dina can make contact with her people. I also think we should make contact with Lord Ganflin's friends at the Frog's Wishbone."

"Don't you two look handsome?" Dina remarked as she walked in. Kaylia followed close behind.

Gewey's jaw dropped when he saw them. Dina was wearing a dark blue satin dress that hugged her figure lightly. Her hair was lifted away from her face and tied with a silver band, allowing it to fall loosely down her back. Kaylia wore a smooth silver dress with a small diamond cut in the midriff. Her hair was left down but Elsa had added shining gold strands that caught the light when she moved.

"By the G.o.ds..." Gewey gasped.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Dina teased. She did a little twirl, causing the skirt of her dress to swish and spin around her.

Kaylia, on the other hand, looked very displeased. "I refuse to go out in public in this," she growled. "How am I expected to fight in this if something happens?"

"Don't worry," Lee a.s.sured her. "You'll be back in your old clothes before you know it. I admit it's a bit early for such attire, but they probably a.s.sumed we intended to stay in until the evening."

"Actually, I think we should do just that," Dina suggested. "My people are hard to find in the daytime, but I know where to find them after dark. We should wait until then."

"Excellent," Lee said. "I asked Martin about the Frog's Wishbone, and he said it's a very nice establishment. It turns out Lord Ganflin bought it a few years back and completely remodeled the place."

"He should have changed the name, if you ask me," Dina said. "It sounds like a low-cla.s.s tavern."

"Maybe, but from what I've been told, it's anything but," Lee replied. "The good news is that we can keep wearing these fine clothes a while longer."

"Wonderful," Kaylia grumbled.

Just then, Martin walked in, followed by three men carrying a lute, a harp, and a flute. He served everyone a gla.s.s of honeyed wine as the musicians began playing softly. Gewey took a seat and allowed the music take him. The songs were sweet and intricate-much different from the music he had heard at the taverns, or even at the festival of Gerath. When the first song was over, he actually sighed.

"There's so much left for you to experience," Lee said to Gewey, noticing the boy's expression. "When all this is over, I promise to show you as much as you want to see."

"That would be great. But right now, I wonder if I'll ever see home again, much less the rest of the world."

"You'll see your village again," Kaylia vowed. She had been listening to the music as well, but now a fire lit her eyes. "That I promise." Gewey smiled, but he was saddened with thoughts of home.

They talked until dusk, keeping the conversation lighthearted. When Lee noticed the fading daylight, he called for Martin.

"Will you be dining here tonight?" Martin asked.

"No," Lee answered. "Please inform Harlondo we will be at the Frog's Wishbone."

"I shall send for the coach, my lord," he said, backing out of the room.

"We'll stop by the tavern first and make certain all is well," Lee told them. "Then Dina and I will make contact with her people."

"Shouldn't we all go?" Kaylia asked.

"I didn't really want to take Lee," Dina admitted. "The order is very secretive, and distrustful of outsiders. For me to bring one person may be a problem; if they see me with three others, things could get...complicated."

"You two will wait for us to return, a.s.suming all is well at the tavern," Lee instructed. "Then, we'll come back here to regroup." They all agreed, though Kaylia still wanted to change her clothes.

Martin returned shortly after, to inform them that the coach awaited them downstairs. They thanked him and left.

Lee told Gewey to make certain he wore his sword. "It's fashionable here," Lee said as he dropped by his room to get his own. "As for the ladies..."

"I'm armed,'' Kaylia a.s.sured him. "As is Dina." Gewey tried not to think about where they had hidden their knives.

"We're off then," said Lee, and they all walked down to the waiting coach.

Chapter 28.

When they arrived at the Frog's Wishbone, Gewey was surprised to see that there were a dozen fine coaches parked out front. The building had clearly been renovated, though Lord Ganflin had left the old, faded sign depicting a frog with a wishbone in its mouth. Before they had a chance to exit the coach, the door flung wide to reveal Harlondo, smiling in at them.

"I was just about to head back to the manor to join you for dinner," he said. "But I see that you've decided to join me instead."

"Lord Ganflin recommended this place to us," Lee replied as they stepped from the coach. "And since Martin informed us he owns it, we thought we should see it while we're here."

"He finds it to be prudent to have a place where old prejudices aren't allowed," Harlondo told them, glancing at Kaylia. "You'll find that everyone is welcome here."

Harlondo walked them in and instructed the barmaid to find them a good table. The tavern was by far the most elegant Gewey had ever seen, though of course he was no expert. Still, the floors were laid with solid stone tiles, and the st.u.r.dy wooden tables would have made anyone in Sharpstone proud. Fine lanterns hung from the ceiling, and the walls were decorated with beautiful oil paintings.

A marble fireplace had been built at the far end of the hall, and two leather couches had been placed on opposite sides. A lutist strummed lightly from the near corner, enthralling the small crowd gathered around. Looking around the room, they found they were by no means over-dressed; lords and ladies in fine dress were everywhere, and scattered among them were at least a half-dozen elves. The barmaid showed them to their seats, and Harlondo ordered a bottle of wine for the table. Lee spotted who he a.s.sumed was the innkeeper talking to a group of three elves near the fireplace.

"The food here is excellent," Harlondo declared after the wine arrived. "Lord Ganflin is very particular when it comes to cuisine." He looked at Kaylia and smiled. "They even serve elven dishes, if you'd like."

Kaylia looked surprised. "Really? I haven't had mint roast lamb in a while. I wonder if they have it."

"They do indeed," he answered cheerfully. "It's a favorite here. In fact, if your friends have never tried it, I must insist they join you."

"Unfortunately, Dina and I must leave shortly," Lee replied. "But I would appreciate it if you would have some sent to the manor for us."

Harlondo looked a bit disappointed. "I am sorry you won't be able to join us. But I will see to it that you both have a dish awaiting you. Might I ask why you must leave? The nights are quite entertaining here, especially when the elves start singing-such magnificent voices they have."

"Nothing of consequence," Lee answered dismissively. "But I must attend to it before morning-a nuisance really."

"I understand."

Lee excused himself and spoke briefly to the innkeeper. "We must go," he said when he returned. "We'll be back soon."

"Take your time," Gewey told him. "I think I'll have a fine time right here."

"If you're delayed, I'll see them back to the manor," Harlondo promised. "I have a carriage outside."

Lee nodded in thanks, and he and Dina took their leave.

Harlondo took the liberty of ordering for the group, and they listened to the lutist as they waited for their meal.

"Greetings, sister," said a tall elf who had seen them from the fireplace. He was dressed in a green ruffled shirt and pants with black b.u.t.tons and had a long knife at his side. "I'm Drantolis. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all," Kaylia replied. "I'm Kaylia. This is Gewey and Harlondo."

"Harlondo I know," he said. "But you say you're Kaylia? It is truly an honor to meet you." He bowed low. "We have antic.i.p.ated your arrival. Lord Broin says that Linis speaks very highly of you."

"Is Linis here?" Gewey asked.

"No, I'm afraid not. He wanders the land, as Seekers do. We rarely see him. But Lord Broin sent word that you and the lovely Kaylia would likely come here. But where are your other companions?"

"Attending to some business," Kaylia replied. She sounded uneasy.

Drantolis gave her a knowing look. "It's strange the first time, speaking openly among humans. I still find it hard not to cloak myself. And the clothes are a bit difficult to get used to."

Kaylia was suddenly aware of her all too human attire and blushed. "It is strange," she agreed. "Especially the clothing."

The elf scrutinized Kaylia for a moment. "They certainly know how bring out the beauty in a woman though," he said with admiration. "Please, join us once you've eaten. The rest of my kin will be excited to meet you."

Kaylia nodded, and the elf politely excused himself. Gewey felt a familiar twinge of jealousy that Kaylia immediately picked up on.

"At least something good has come from this evening so far," she observed.

"And what's that?" Gewey asked, trying not to sound upset.

"You get to feel as I have during our trip," she replied, looking satisfied.

Gewey looked confused. "I don't know what you mean."

"Don't try to understand the fair s.e.x, my lord," laughed Harlondo. "It will only cause you grief. Just accept that they know more than you, and try to keep up as best you can."

"Wise words," Kaylia agreed with a smile.

The meal was very good. The mint lamb had a uniquely wholesome flavor that made Gewey think of spring.

More and more elves filed in as they ate, and he could tell by the wandering eyes that they had become a topic of discussion among both humans and elves alike.

When they had finished, Gewey was stuffed. He leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily.

"So what did you think of it?" Harlondo asked.

"As good as I've ever tasted," Kaylia said, wiping the sides of her mouth with a napkin. "Thank you."

Gewey only nodded and smiled with satisfaction.

"Wonderful," Harlondo replied. "But if you will excuse me, I must attend to some business while I'm here. Looking after Lord Ganflin's affairs takes constant vigilance. Might I suggest you join master Drantolis and his friends near the fireplace?" He rose to his feet. "I shall return shortly."

Kaylia and Gewey went over by the fireplace where Drantolis and two other elf men sat on the couches talking.

"Good of you to join us," said Drantolis as they all rose. "This is Pilianos and Salmitoris." The elves nodded in turn. They were dressed much like Drantolis, and each wore a long knife at his hip. "It's good of you to join us."

"It's our pleasure," Gewey said. Suddenly, he felt two small hands at his lower back.

"You didn't think you could keep the new arrivals all to yourself, did you?" came a woman's voice.

"Allow me to introduce Lady Fritzina," Drantolis said, gesturing toward the woman.

"Charmed," she laughed as she slipped around Gewey and took his hand. "I hear you're friends of Linis and his band. How exciting! He's like some hero right out of a legend, wouldn't you say?"

Lady Fritzina wore a fire-red gown that twirled easily around her feminine figure as she moved. Her red hair and silk gloves made Gewey think of the sirens his father had told him about as a boy. The stories of sailors being lured to their death by the sirens' song always frightened him.

"Kaylia and Gewey are highly regarded by Linis," Drantolis told her. "No doubt they are heroes in their own right if they traveled with such a worthy Seeker."

Lady Fritzina looked intrigued. "Is that so?" she asked, eyeing Gewey with interest. "By all means, do tell us of your exploits. On the rare occasions Linis comes here, I have to ply him with drink all night before I can get a peep out of him. Perhaps you'll be more forthcoming?"

Gewey gave her an embarra.s.sed smile. "There's really nothing to tell, Lady Fritzina. Most of my life has been spent on a farm."

"Oh, do call me Zina," she insisted. "Everyone does. You're a commoner, you say? How delightful. Please sit next to me and tell me of life on the farm." She sat on the couch and patted the spot next to her. "I'm always cooped up here in the city. I think it would be lovely to breathe fresh air for a change."

Gewey timidly sat next to her. Kaylia looked none too happy as they all took a seat.

"Tell me, Lady Fritzina," Kaylia began, purposefully using her full name. "How do you feel about the elves in your city?"

"I think it's the best thing to ever happen to Althetas," she replied. "Hopefully we can be an example to other cities." She slid closer to Gewey. "Tell me, Gewey, how have you enjoyed our city so far?"

"It's big," Gewey blurted, nervously. "I mean, it's very nice."

"A man of action, not words," Zina teased, wearing a mischievous smile. "I like that."

"Leave the boy alone," the innkeeper scolded as he brought their wine. "He's a guest of Lord Ganflin. I don't think he would appreciate you embarra.s.sing the boy."

Zina laughed. "I was only trying to make him feel welcome. But being that you're an honored guest of Lord Ganflin, I think I need to try harder."

Kaylia seethed and leaned forward. "What do you know of elven courtship, Lady Fritzina?" she asked, forcing a smile.

"Nothing, I'm afraid. But I'm eager to learn. Please tell me."