Donnan, clearly startled, blinked at Elea for a moment. "Where did you come from and what's that?"
"Um. The temple? And this is the Life box that we were after?" She looked stunned, herself, still trying to process what had just happened to her.
Donnan watched as she held up the featureless black box to him. He immediately noticed that there was no latch or a way to open it. "OK. Why don't you tell me what happened while I get dressed." He was very calm, knowing that getting upset would solve nothing.
Elea recounted what had just happened to her within the Temple. Donnan asked a few questions as he dressed and then was silent. Finally, he made a decision. "Well, we have the box but I think we should stay here a few more days. I would like to see about setting up a couple of performances for you as well as finding out the established trade routes." He looked back at the box. 'I wonder what's in it.'
Elea nodded. "Sounds good." She was more than happy to let Donnan lead. He always seemed to know the right path.
Donnan stood up. "I'm going to go get something to eat. Why don't you take a bath and then join me." She nodded and smiled as he put on his ever-present feathered hat. Elea went to her room as soon as Donnan left.
Donnan headed downstairs and walked over to the bar. The innkeeper was tending; wiping down the bartop. "Good day, Sair. A strong ale and that meal you promised, if you don't mind." Donnan smiled his most charming smile at the man. After that, he chose a table against the wall, under a high window, leaning back against it to watch the busy tavern. He noticed that there never seemed to be a slow time. 'This will a good place for Elea to perform once we have the caravan up and running.' He thought with a smile.
About twenty minutes later, Elea came walking down the stairs, looking much better, calmer. Donnan noticed, as usual, the elegant bard turned a number of heads and there was more than one disappointed look as she made her way over to his table and sat down. He squeezed her hand affectionately. "Hungry?"
She nodded vigorously. "Starving. I've been hungry a lot recently."
Donnan waved one of the serving girls over to take Elea's order. After the girl left, he turned back to Elea. "What do you think of this place? Won't it be a great place for you to perform? It's never slow. I'm sure we'll turn a pretty coin."
Elea opened her mouth to answer but fell silent as a low rumbling came from the East. Her eyes widened and she clutched the table as the ground shook. People and furniture began to bounce and fall over. She dived under the table as the earth roared and bucked like an angry stallion.
Donnan had managed to stay on his feet, leaping and dodging the chaos around him. As soon as it was silent, he leapt, executing a double flip onto the table and peeking out of the high window. To his horror, he saw the mushroom cloud of a tremendous explosion about fifty miles away. The realization hit him full force. 'By the Gods! It was the future Elea conjured!' Then a second realization hit. 'The debris!!' Leaping from the table and diving for cover, he yelled out "HIT THE DECK!!!"
He saved more than a few lives with his warning as the wind-rush of *things*; trees, houses, animals, people, carts, dirt, rocks and many other objects, came tearing through the city of Greenplain, shredding anything unprotected in it's path. Donnan slid under a table to relative safety as the world exploded around them. Elea could hear the panicked cries of humans and animals alike as she curled up into a tight ball, praying that she would survive this.
There was a moment of deadly calm before people began to move, soft moans of pain from all around. Elea looked to see where Donnan had been, expecting to see him standing, dusting himself off and grumbling about his clothing. Instead, she saw him lying prone with a huge splitter of wood, it looked to be a table leg but longer, embedded in his hip.
Elea rushed to his side. Thankfully, he was unconscious. After a moment's thought, she decided that she needed to pull the wood from his hip. With a mighty heave, it popped loose. Her relief turned to terror as the blood began spurting from his body. 'Oh Gods! What have I done??' She tried to staunch the flow but nothing seemed to work. Frantically, her mind considered her options.
Suddenly, she was yanked from his body and a guard stood over him with a hot iron. The man cauterized the wound, stopping the blood loss. Elea could have wept with gratitude. The guardsman made sure that Donnan was not going to die immediately then continued on. She looked around and realized the most of the inn had been taken care of. The men, used to the casualities of war, reacted with an instinct and coordination that comes from those who have work together, with military precision, for a long time.
'Healing potions! I have my potions.' Elea checked Donnan once more and then raced up what was left of the stairs. Almost all of the top of the Inn was gone. Amazingly enough, her room was the only one still standing. She pushed the broken door aside and ran to her pack, tossing things out of it, searching for the potions. As she looked up with a small cry of triumph and a vial in her hand, she saw it.
The Life box had a visible latch and lid.
Elea blinked for a moment as several assumptions and conclusions rushed through her mind. She pushed most of them away, allowing herself time to think. What she finally decided to do, without consciously thinking of it, was to empty the contents of the Life box (several vials, two scrolls and a tube) into her backpack and throw that over her shoulder, hurrying back down the steps to Donnan.
She quickly gave him the vial of healing potions, helping him swallow, craddling his head in her lap. Elea smiled thankfully as his eyes fluttered open. "You're alive." He groaned his want that he wished he were not alive as he felt the pain. She helped him up, letting him lean on her until he had his balance.
Looking at his hip through his torn breeches and seeing the healed dimp there, he asked, "What hit me?"
Elea picked up the staff sized piece of wood stained with his blood. "This. Then I pulled it out. Then a guard cauterized the wound."
Donnan looked at her for a moment, wondering why he was still alive. "You really don't know much about healing, do you?" He sighed as she shook her head. "OK, I'm alive. Let's get out of here." He leaned on the wooden pole like a staff. He paused and smiled. "By the way, thank you for helping me."
She put a hand on his chest. "Your room is gone. Mine was the only still standing."
He nodded. "OK. I will - Oh no! My weapons!" For a moment Donnan looked really upset, then he steeled himself. "Get your stuff and meet me by the stables." He ground out between clenched teeth.
"Donnan?" He stopped again and looked at her. "The Life box opened." That was all that needed to be said. Both of them knew what that meant. He nodded again and turned towards the stables.
Elea hurried up to the room and scaveanged all that was left of their equipment. When she met Donnan at what was left of the stable, she found him smiling with their horses and his beloved blades. He had found them imbedded into a wooden wall. Silently, Elea saddled up and rode beside her walking companion, who was too sore to ride.
*
A few hours later, when they were definitely out of Greenplain, the two adventurers stopped and set up camp. There had been an unspoken agreement that certain things could wait. Once they sat down after dinner, they looked into Elea's bag for what had been in the Life box.
One by one, Elea pulled the items out of her pack: 2 letters, 12 small medallions, 3 vials, a silver tube and a silver ring. She opened the first letter and began reading aloud.
"My Dearest Elea,
Elea blinked in surprise and but could not supress her grin. Donnan rolled his eyes and then took the three vials, drinking them down. She could see his health returning. He motioned for her to continue reading.
Elea stopped reading and looked to the bottom of the letter. It was signed 'All my Love, Bretonius.' She blinked at it a little, tears welling up in her eyes. "Bretonius was my father?" She half whispered the question. Emotions overwhelmed her; their past conversations whirling in her head. She looked at the letter but could not read it for the tears blurring her vision.
Donnan could see that Elea could not continue and gently took the letter from her.
As my daughter, you have inherited more than just property. You have inheirted my abilities as well. The Tower is yours and all that goes with it. Trust Be'ornhelm to guide you through your studies. He will assist you as he has assisted me. Also, Sharlynn and Reynald both honestly believe that you are Reynald's daughter. Please do not destroy that fantasy for them. It is all that they have and they both love you so very much."
Elea nodded, tears streaming down her face. Donnan continued on.
Donnan paused as Elea took the silver tube and opened it. Within was a crystal wand with twelve gem stones. It was beautiful. Elea smiled as the wand seemed to hum in her hand, recognizing her. She put the wand away and then picked up one of the small medallion. It was intricately engraved with a tree upon it. She guessed that it was to be worn out in the open so all who saw you, knew that you had a right to be there.
Donnan continued.
Donnan stopped reading as the letter ended. He saw tears streaming down Elea's face again. He put the letter aside and hugged her to him, stroking her hair. He knew how hard it must be on her to have had her father there and then lost him before she knew who he really was.
"We have to get back to the Tower." Elea wiped at her tears. She had the sudden urge that she -needed- to be there *now*. "If we ride hard, we can get there in three days -"
Donnan stopped her. "Put this on." It was the silver ring. It fit her as if made for her hand. "You own the tower now, right?" Elea nodded. "Why not call to it and have it bring us home?"
She looked at Donnan. The idea was intriguing. "Shouldn't we break camp first?" She gathered all the items from the Life box back into her bag.
"There's not much to break down. If it works, we can have the tower bring it with us."
Elea nodded. "OK." She put her hand on Gaxis' hilt. {{Tower?}}
{{Yes, Mistress.}}
She was clearly surprised. {{You -can- hear me.}}
{{Yes, Mistress.}}
{{Could you bring myself, Donnan and our gear and horses back to the tower?}}
Almost before Elea's thought was done, reality shifted around them. Donnan and she were standing in the middle of Bretonius' study. Both of them were startled and slightly disoriented. Once they caught their bearings, they heard a discreet coughing sound. Turning around, they both saw a familiar person standing there.
"Welcome home, Mistress. Greetings Lord Donnan." Be'ornhelm smiled to them.
*
It took a little bit to get some of the particulars worked out. Be'ornhelm, who was once Bretonius' assistant, was determined that he would be Elea's assistant now. As he told her, 'his family had always served her family.' He took her through the process of making the Tower hers. Even though once it was done, she felt a new sense of "home" from it, she kept thinking of it as "Bretonius' tower."
One shocking discovery was the Bretonius' seat on the Council of Seven was to remain open until Elea chose to take the seat for herself. Elea had to sit down for a bit after that little revelation. She was having a hard time imagining herself in such a powerful position. She was having difficult time dealing with the fact that she, herself, was growing into a Time Mage and that the Time Wardens would one day work for her.
Another revelation was that it had been foreseen that Elea would have three children: a daughter and two sons. That her children were destined to shape the future of the North Kingdom. Be'ornhelm would not tell her who father of her prophecized children was.
Donnan suggested that they now travel to see Reynald, the Duke of Furyondi and her father as far as anyone knew. He was an old man and would want to see her. Also, they needed to know if they would have his support for when they went into the City of Skulls to rescue his father. Speaking with Reynald through the crystal orb, two days hence, they agreed to meet a couple of Reynald's private guards who would conduct them to the Duke with the utmost discretion.
Be'ornhelm assured them that he would care for the members of their party that were still at the tower and would alert them if anything of concern happened.
*
They had the Tower sent them about an hour's ride outside of the castle. Elea was more than a little nervous about meeting her 'father' and her 'brother.' She wanted everything to go well. As planned, Donnan and Elea were met by two discreetly dressed royal guards. The guards did not know whom they were meeting, only that they were meeting two people very important to the Duke and that they were to be conducted to him immediately upon arrival.
They walked through the double doors to the Duke's large quarters. They were amazed at the Spartaness of the room. While everything was of excellent quality, only the most necessary of items filled the room. There was a bed to one side, a couple of chairs about the room, a large table for work and meals, very little in the way of adornment. It seem to be the room of someone who wished only for peace and quiet.
Elea stopped at the door, unsure of what to do or say. She could see an elder man with a regal bearing sitting in one of the chairs. He put down the sheaf of papers at their entrance and smiled. "Come in. Come in, my dear."
She glanced back at Donnan who urged her forward. What was she to say to this man who was her father but really was not her father but she needed to pretend that he was? She pushed that confusion aside and decided to simply believe that he really was her father. Elea stepped up to him and smiled. "Hello Father."
The Duke of Furyondi's face lit up at her words. "You are the very image of your mother, Elea. So beautiful. Come, come sit with your father and tell me everything."
Elea sat opposite the Duke, motioning Donnan over to them. At Reynald's urging, Donnan gracefully approached and knelt before him. Donnan's poise was almost broken when the Duke named him "Knight of the Hart."
The three of them spoke for some time, getting to know each other. Elea learned of her half brother, Matthew, who would become a good leader in his own time if he were not pressured by his wife, Morena. The Duke sighed, explaining that he had given into his son when he had professed love for the strong willed, dark-eyed woman; reluctantly allowing the two to marry. "I regret that decision more each day." He confided to Elea and Donnan.
Then they discussed Donnan's father and possible future plans to rescue the man from the clutchs of Iuz. The Duke promised his support when the time was right. He smiled, commenting on how the son had become much like the father. The conversation then to Sharlynn, Elea's mother. Donnan took his leave at this time, explaining that he needed rest. Toby, one of the Duke's over anxious chambermen, escorted Donnan to his room, fussing over the swashbuckler like a motherhen.
Reynald and Elea spoke of times past. She was content to listen to her father ramble on about his life. Much to her her surprise, she found herself growing very fond of the old man, thinking of him as if he really was her father. She could not help herself when he wistfully sighed, "If only I could see your mother one last time. It would do my heart good."
"I can do that for you, Father." Elea smiled, thinking of her new found ability to teleport via Bretonius' - Her - tower.
"You could? How?" The man's old eyes sparkled at the thought.
"Magic, Father. Pure and simple." She quickly thought of what she needed to do. "I believe I could have her here within two days. If that would alright?"
"Of course, child! Do what you need to do." He coughed, age returning to his bones. "I need to rest now, Elea." He took her hand. "It has been so good seeing you. Thank you."
Elea kissed her father on the cheek and then left him to his attendants. She hurried to Donnan's room and let him know her plans. He agreed to stay at the castle to be waited upon hand and foot and to rest up for their return to the Tower. He wished her luck on her journey and settled in for the night.
*
Elea's journey had just begun. She gathered her gear, put her hand on her sword and called to the Tower. {{ Tower? }}
{{ Yes Mistress? }}
{{ Bring me to the Tower and let Be'ornhelm know I have need of him - }}
As the tower responded with {{ Yes Mistress. }}, she found herself standing in Bretonius' - Her - study. She dusted her hands off and sat in the leather chair behind the desk to wait for Be'ornhelm. She knew what she wanted to do, she just had to get Be'ornhelm to assist her.
***
Within a few hours, Elea was standing inside her childhood home. All of the household servants were in a twitter over the fact that she was finally home again, fussing over her like a child. She finally got it through to them that she really did need to see her mother. They let her know that Sharlynn was at El'Auth's funeral. They assumed that she had known that he recently died and that was why she was there.
The news of her uncle's death did not phase her. Vaguely, she wondered if she should be disturbed for not being affected by the man's death. She shook off those thoughts and went to wait for her mother's return.
Their reunion was one of bittersweet joy. Mother and daughter shared the happiness of being together and the pain of those who were now lost to them. Sharlynn was hit hard by Bretonius' death. She had loved him very much.
Elea told her Mother of her travels with Donnan and the group. When Sharlynn heard of Reynald's wish to see her 'one last time,' she immediately set her servants to packing for the visit. When Elea told her how they were going to travel, Sharlynn's eyes grew misty. "My little girl really has grown up." Was all she said.
After two days of preparation, Elea, Sharlynn and two of Sharlynn's servants were ready. Elea used the crystal orbs to let her father know that she was returning to his keep with Sharlynn. Reynald was overjoyed by the news. In the background, she could hear a number of preparations being made to accommodate the impending special guests.
Upon their arrival in Elea's stateroom, Elea escorted her mother to see Reynald. They met up with Donnan along the way. There was much merriment and happiness all around. As Elea and Sharlynn entered Reynald's room, Elea heard Donnan tell the guard, "No one, and I mean -no- one, enters that room for the next hour." The guard, taking in Donnan's new garb with the red and white of the Paladin of Hart and seeing the look on his face, simply nodded with a quiet, "Yes Sir."
Elea, Sharlynn and Reynald enjoy each other's quiet company. Elea could see that having Sharlynn near him improved his health and demeanor incredibly. For the first time in a long time, she felt comfortable and 'a part of the family.' Even with the comfortable atmosphere, Elea saw that Reynald and Sharlynn were speaking less and less; losing themselves in each other's eyes more and more. After a five minute silence, Elea quietly excused herself, knowing that her parents wished some quiet time alone.
As she walked out of the room, a soft smile upon her face, she told the guard, "Give them at least one more hour alone, more if you can. If it's not an emergency, let them be." The guard, having peeked in as Elea exited the room, immediately agreed with a determined look on his face. She slipped off to her room to relax before the formal dinner arranged for that night.
***
Elea dressed elegantly, letting the servants that her father sent to assist her, style her hair into a tumbling mass of ebony curls. Just as she finished preparing herself and was examining her face in the mirror, she heard a knock at the door. She was quite surprised to see Ballarius there. She had expected to see Donnan.
Ballarius gave her a courtly bow. "Might I have the honor of escorting you to dinner, M'Lady?" He asked, green eyes twinkling.
She looked over the incredibly handsome Time Warden. "Ah, I think Donnan is escorting me tonight." Elea told him apologetically. At least, she had hoped he was.
"Valaria has the pleasure of his company tonight." Ballarius smile gently. He must have known that Elea was waiting for Donnan to meet up with her.
There was a small surge of annoyance and jealousy that caused her to frown. She had not realized that Valaria was present in the Keep. Elea quickly smoothed her face over into a polite smile. Ballarius was kind enough to not notice her obvious emotions. "Then, I would be delighted, good Sir." She placed her hand at his elbow, allowing him to escort her to her father's private diningroom.
They were the last to dinner. As they entered, the discussion stopped. Elea knew that they were a striking couple. Her pride at that disappeared as soon as she saw Valaria. The woman shone with an unearthly beauty that made Elea feel like a street urchin. She recovered her composure as Ballarius seated her to her father's left.
Reynald looked so much better than from the first time she saw him. "Evening Father, I hope I did not keep you?" She flashed a quick smile to those at the table: Reynald and Sharlynn; Donnan and Valaria; Ballarius. Silently, she mused on the beauty of those at the table, knowing that the servants must be a bit awed since Elves and Time Wardens did not come this way often.
"No, no child. We were just reminiscing about the past." He patted Sharlynn's hand. "Your mother has done wonders for me. I feel twenty years younger."
The servants began to bring in the meal. Reynald had spared no expense for this night. Delicate appetizers, fresh bread, butter, salads, a roasted vension steak in a mildly sweet raspberry sauce, mutton, duck, fresh vegetables. Everyone dug in, enjoying the fine feast, discussing everything and nothing.
The servants were quietly attentive but not obtrusive. They watched, listened and gauged the needs of the guests, offering a fresh dish, drink or napkin as needed. As the servants whirled through, no one noticed that one did not return.
When dinner was over, the desert plates were cleared, coffee was served and everyone was quite saited, Donnan cleared his throat, speaking up in a quiet manner. "Everyone, if I may? I have something I would like to tell you all." Heads nodded. "I would like to announce that I am getting married. Valaria has consented to be my wife."
There was a moment of silence as Elea's heart stopped and her stomach dropped to the floor.
Sharlynn looked between Donnan and Elea, slightly confused. "Oh. Oh my. I always thought you and Elea - " Her voice faded.
Elea thanked all of her Performance classes as she and Donnan exchanged a glance. Then she laughed softly. "Oh, Mother. Donnan and I love each other but not in that way. We will always be there for each other, guarding each other's back." Her voice was strong and true. She almost believed the lie herself.
"Well, then, congratulations Donnan, Valaria." Sharlynn recovered smoothly. "I wish you two the best." The rest of the table joined her with their own congratulations and well wishes.
Reynald and Sharlynn began asking questions of where and when. Upon the discovery that Donnan and Valaria wish to marry as soon as they could, Reynald offered his keep and a Bishop within two days. The ensuing discussion gave Elea time to gather her scattered thoughts and to push away the pain. She felt sick to her stomach but knew she had to keep up a front.
Halfway through the conversation, Valaria excused herself, saying that she was feeling tired. Ballarius immediately offered to escort her to the room so Donnan could continue the wedding planning. Elea watched Donnan kiss Valaria goodnight. It was so obvious that he was happy. It made her smile as much as it stabbed into her heart.
After Valaria left, they went back to the wedding plans. Somehow, it came up that the wedding could be in the Tower instead, giving Reynald a small vacation to relax in. They set it up for a fortnight from today, arranging that Reynald and Sharlynn would vacation there and it gave time for the announcements to go out. Also for Donnan's mother to be able to attend.
The wedding set, Donnan mentioned that he still needed to get Valaria a ring. After a bit of hedging and joking on Donnan's fashion sense, Elea offered to go with him because she knew his taste in jewerly. After much jesting and poking at Donnan, it was agreed that Donnan and Elea would go search for a ring the next day. With that decided, Elea excused herself from the dinner table, explaining that she had a much needed appointment with her bed.
Elea wished everyone well and went to her room unescorted. She managed to stay composed long enough to shoo the servants from her room, then the tears came like a storm, coursing down her face in streams. She threw herself to the bed, sobbing as quietly as she could. She cried until she could cry no more, then carelessly undressed, tossing her garments about the room. "I will survive this." She muttered, teeth clenched. "He's still my friend. He is not lost to me." Elea tried to reassure herself as she climb back into bed and fell into a restless sleep.
There was a soft glow in the room as Ballarius appeared at her side and gently touched her brow. Her restlessness ceased as his spell quieted her dreams, allowing her slip into the darkness of oblivion. "Yes, Elea, you will survive this. You are stronger than you know." He quietly murmured. With than, Ballarius faded away, returning to whence he came.
***
Elea awoke feeling a lot better than she thought she would. She dressed quickly and met up with Donnan in the kitchen. Their breakfast was simple and pleasant, talking of her parents, their adventuring group and life in general. Donnan quieted down as they left the Keep and headed to the market area of the city. Elea knew something was on his mind but did not press it. Donnan would speak up when he chose to.
"Elea?" Donnan asked as they walked down the main street.
"Yes?"
"What do you think of all this?" Donnan glanced at his long time friend.
She smiled at him. "What do you mean?"
"Valaria. The Wedding." He was a little concerned because it had happened so fast, wondering if Elea was feeling alright about the situation.
Elea paused, shading her eyes against the rising sun. "If you're happy, Donnan, I'm happy. That's all that matters."
'That's not an answer.' He thought. "No, seriously. How do you feel about it?" He pressed her a little.
"Well, the one question I do have. If you and I were to marry, our child could unite the entire North Kingdom. Are you trying to avoid a prophecy?" She stumbled. "I mean, if you are going to marry Valaria, I want you to be doing it for the right reasons." Elea concluded lamely inwardly cursing her inability to say what was in her heart.
Donnan laughed. "Of course, if it is prophecy, if Valaria and I have a son, your prophecized daughter and my son would unite the North Kingdom, too. Or even if she and I have a daughter - you are also supposed to have two sons." He looked at her. "Yes, I love Valaria. I am doing this for the right reasons."
Elea smiled and half hugged him. "Then, that is all that matters. I think it's wonderful!" With that declaration, she silently swore that she would never broach the subject again. She had lost Donnan to Valaria but he was happy. She would be content with that. Again, Elea almost believed herself.
They walked on in silence for a bit. The road was growing more and more crowded as the Market opened. It was the comfortable silence of two friends who knew the other well. Then, Donnan stopped in the middle of the street, Elea almost running into his shoulder. She looked at him with questions in her eyes.
"Then, Elea, my best friend, would you do me the honor of standing up for me at my wedding?" Donnan's face was serious, though his eyes twinkled.
She felt herself growning misty eyed and nodded, whispering, "I would be honored to stand for you at your wedding." She hugged him tight and then pulled back, wiping at her tears.
Donnan looked very pleased. "Thank you, Elea."
Nodding, Elea covered her emotional state by dragging Donnan forward, towards a jewelry store. "Now, let's find that ring."
He let himself be pulled along by Elea, mixed feelings of happiness and hoping that the bard really was fine with the impending marriage. He stood back as Elea glanced over the rings on the counter and dismissed them with a wave of her hand. "Sir, we are looking for something special."
The shop owner shrugged. "This is all I have in rings. Now, if you are looking for a necklaces -" They walked out of that store, leaving the shopkeeper to his patter.
"Well, that was no good." He muttered. Donnan was impatient to find just the right ring. "We have all day, luv." She laughed as then continued on. Three jewerly shops later, they hit pay dirt. Both could tell it as soon as they walked in to "Jacques' fine jewels shoppe."
Elea looked around the pleasant store. She glanced at the myriad of rings on the counter, under glass. While many were beautiful and certainly of excellent quality, she did not see the 'right one' within them.
Donnan saw the small shake of her head. "Sir Jacques, we are looking for something unique, special. Do you have anything else?"
The man looked over the good quality and cut of their clothing and nodded. "I do but they are of a rare and fine quality. Quite expensive." He smiled at their unflinching gazes. "Well then, follow me." He motioned for his apprentice to mind the front as he disappeared into the back.
They followed him into an intimate room with a small table and a couple of chairs. After seating them, he brought out a small tray with ten gorgeous rings on it. Donnan was impressed, as was Elea, but she still did not see -the- ring. She did not know what it looked like but she would know it when she saw it. Jacques pulled out two more trays and set them on the table, giving them time to examine his wares without pressuring them.
On the third tray, Elea saw it. A stunning ring of diamonds and emeralds. It was elegant, classic and perfect. The ring sparkled without being gaudy, noticible without being overwhelming. It would suit Valaria. She noticed that the emeralds would match Valaria's eyes. She pointed it out to Donnan. "That one."
Donnan looked at it and nodded, approving of it immediately. "How much for that ring?"
Jacques smiled a charming smile. "An excellent choice, Sir, M'Lady. Beautiful craftmenship and quality. It came to me from the East, a far distance away and cost me quite the pretty coin."
Donnan nodded seriously as the game of hagging went through its introduction. "Indeed, Sir. I agree. A fine ring. And how much for you to part with such a treasure?"
Jacques named an outrageous figure.
Donnan immediately quartered it.
Then, the two men began to haggle in earnest. It was interesting to watch two experienced hagglers in full mode. They insulted each other, cajoling, weeping, posturing, cursing, swearing that each other was stealing. It was all very good natured, even with the insults. Both were obviously enjoying the verbal sparring.
At one point, Elea was thrown in as part of the price of the ring. It startled her. She figured that the two men were kidding, but put her hand on the hilt of Gaxis, just in case they were not. They both got the hint and dropped that line of the bargaining. Slowly, the two numbers grew close and they finally settled on a price.
Both men seemed satisfied, exhilarated by the haggling. Donnan happily handed over the hefty price and Jacques happily wrapped up and seperated with his treasure. They parted, both smiling broadly, thinking that they had gotten the better end of the deal.
"Happy?" Elea asked as they left the store.
"Very happy. Thank you for coming Elea. You did pick out the perfect ring. Valaria will love it." Donnan was vibrating with excitement. He knew Valaria would be pleased. And he had found the ring within the promised twenty four hours.
Elea nodded, for once, feeling no pain. Only a dull ache in her heart that she was able to ignore. She smiled to Donnan as they walked back to her father's keep in high spirits.
Continue on to: 9. Love, Friendship, Duty & Honor