"Tribe of the Aquene"

An original series by Darkness Tigerpaw
(c) Darkness Tigerpaw, all rights reserved
Not to be used without permission under penalty of law.

Chapter 6, Page 027

Horizontal beams of sunlight entered a large window in the guest room occupied by Ferelia. She was soundly resting in a comfortable bed of the softest down; her mind far, far away in dreams of green fields.

The bright light woke her as it shone in her face. She sat straight up, admiring the beam's warmth for a few moments before leaving the spacious mattress and its multicolored silk sheets. She walked to the window and looked out upon a new city: Glakta. The endless skyline of wooden rooftops and billowing chimneys filled her vision. Beyond that, as she looked to her right, she was the first in her group to see water. The endless sea connected the far away docks to the end of the horizon.

The drow wondered what was out there in the water. Was there a volcanic island dominated by fire giants who enslaved the aquene and what did a fire giant look like? she wondered.

The bright morning brought many curious thoughts to her, especially her concerns for Tai: old friend, lover. But now, her concerns were about the survival of herself and the group. One cannot act so irresponsible and expect to survive.

Looking down from her window, a magnificent courtyard filled with heavy foliage, trees and a small pond in the center of it filled her heart with honest charm. Just below her window, she saw A'arch and Lammina snuggled against each other, still awake, conversing. Ferelia thought it was time she revealed her concerns about Tai with them.

* * * * *

Lammina's strong right arm draped the elf's shoulders as he nuzzled his face against the side of her chest. The sunlight warmed them both as they stared deep into the thick growth and vegetation that surrounded them. Glakta had taken meticulous care of her private garden and they were respectful in their admiration.

Ferelia stepped out of a rear door that connected the house to the courtyard and slowly walked up to the snuggling pair, making sure to step heavily so she could be heard walking. She didn't want to surprise them.

The drow and the dragon both turned to look behind them upon hearing Ferelia's footsteps. "Good morning," A'arch said.

"Good morning," she replied. "My, you two look comfortable."

Lammina could only smile bashfully while A'arch sat up to address Ferelia.

"Forgive me," she began. "I have a concern I'd like to discuss with you if I'm not interrupting."

"What's wrong?" Lammina asked, beating A'arch to the same question.

Staring down at her shuffling feet nervously, she had difficulty finding the correct words. A'arch rose and walked up to Ferelia with concern. She had been very quiet these last few nights and he was curious as to why. Wrapping one arm around her shoulder like the loving parent he had always wished for, he asked "Ferelia? What troubles you?"

The beautiful female drow looked away from A'arch and stared at the cobblestones in embarrassment. She did not want to tell him all her concerns and worry. Confiding in A'arch and Lammina was something she knew she could do and they would be objective, but the emotional burden she carried for Tai's well being was a heavy weight she could not lightly forget. She acquiesced and began to speak. "I fear that I don't know Tai as well as I had so many years ago. We were close, like sisters... and more. But she's changed and I worry. She is not herself anymore. She used to be more reserved, more conservative in her actions, but now she takes too many silly chances and rarely thinks before acting. I'm very concerned for her. She's not as level-headed as we are."

A'arch nodded in agreement as she spoke.

Ferelia finished her concerns with "You and I know how important it is to keep a level head. We must constantly be on alert or we die. We all know this."

Again, A'arch smiled back at her. He understood and agreed completely. There was much to consider since lives were at stake here. Having Tai in the group was now considered a liability, but, simultaneously, she had to be protected. The small bag she kept in her possession worried A'arch the most, only he, Ferelia and Lammina understood what the dire consequences were to be if the bag fell into the wrong hands.

"I'll talk with Tai," A'arch said. "It's about time Lammina and I sat down with her."

A little embarrassed, but smiling, Ferelia gave A'arch a large, tight hug "Thank you," she said. "Tai means a lot to me. More than you could ever know."

Lammina was the last to speak up. "Ferelia, we both trust your judgement. Your concerns are our concerns."

* * * * *

A'arch, Lammina, Ferelia and Shi'n sat in a circle around Rareki as the noon day sun shown down on them. Partially under the shade of one of Glakta's hand-planted trees, the human articulated to them all his limited knowledge of the city of Glakta, its port system and multitude of races and species that called the city home.

Glakta was a place where humans were in the very small minority. Almost every type of intelligent being lived and worked here: the reptilian races, kobolds, elves and even the Ishibah, the rare fish people. There were a few dragon hybrids to be found, they usually had positions of great status within the city or they could be found at the library teaching the public to read, write and understand numbers.

Being the largest port on the continent, it was trade that kept Glakta's gold flowing and its diversity is what gave it its reputation and size. Unfortunately, Glakta was a city that was not pure by any means, there was its underground crime syndicates, mature districts to partake in physical pleasures and the occasional pirate made an appearance beyond the dock. Pubs were the most popular places to visit as they were plentiful, followed by the overly green city parks where families could spend the day playing sports, relaxing in the sun or conversing with the Grass Demons.

The city was almost perfect in a way, a place where anything can be found and purchased for enough gold.

* * * * *

In the evening hours as the sun began to set, Glakta's home was brimming with activity. The main banquet hall was the most busy as servants set a massive rectangular table for the night's supper. The chefs were cooking wild boar, fish and fresh breads for the special dinner the host was having for her honored guests.

Tai finally awoke and left her guest room, not bothering to straighten her hair, brush off her clothes or wash the bad taste out her mouth. She descended the stairs, scratching rear body parts rudely, yawning all the way down. Even the guards that lined the red and gold staircase were a bit embarrassed by her behavior, attempting to look away.

At the bottom of the stairs, A'arch and Lammina waited patiently for Tai and witnessed her every move with disdain.

To be continued...