Chapter 653: Banquet (2/2)

“I will. And I know,” the black haired woman said, starting to eat herself. “You’re Jyraiu. I remember you more… fiery.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve enjoyed one of my performances?”

“In Riverwatch. Years ago. I really liked your wings,” the woman said.

Is she interested in me? No. That sounded more like a monster about to kill its prey.

“I appreciate the compliment,” he said.

The woman smiled. “I’m being rude. It’s nice to formally meet you, Jyraiu. My name is Ilea, and I too have wings,” she said as two large appendages made entirely of ash manifested on her back. Their form looked smooth and durable, nothing like what the few ash mages he had met could conjure up.

He gulped. “Edwin has… mentioned you. Is it true that you’re… Lilith?”

The woman smirked.

He double checked, but it seemed like everything the drunkard had told him was true.

[Battle Healer – lvl ???]

Jyraiu had to draw on all his experience to stay calm. His breathing still increased and he knew she would be able to tell. He knew she could smell his fear. She can even read your mind, he thought, trying to get himself back under control. Three marks. Three marks.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

What… no. I didn’t imagine that. I refuse. An illusion? She’s eating as if nothing has happened. Acting like her status is not worth a mention.

“I told her about your adventures. And how you got the job,” Aliana said.

He gulped.

“Must’ve been pretty shit to lose the western cities. How did you escape when the Elves attacked?” Ilea asked.

Is she testing me? What if she doesn’t like what I have to say?

He wished to be back in Riverwatch, facing down the monstrous smiles of ancient Elves, just to escape this conversation.

___________________

To think I’m scaring this guy shitless. The same man who seemed like a god of fire to me just some years ago. What a truly magical place.

“Ilea!” Edwin said, holding out both arms, holding a bottle in each. He laughed.

“Edwin. I won’t hug you, if that’s what you’re suggesting with that gesture,” Ilea said and started eating.

He waved her off and set down his bottles, slapping Jyraiu on the back as he sat down next to the man. “See, told you I knew her. Who’s the drunk idiot now?” he asked and downed one bottle in the next fifteen seconds of silence.

“I heard you’re an adventurer now,” she said, working on her third plate. Aliana was a good cook. She wouldn’t dare compare her creations to those of Keyla. The battle would be horrific.

“Moving up in the world. Hunted noble, murderer, and now adventurer,” Edwin said. “You’re moving up too. Naive opportunist, Shadow, and now what? Some kind of Ashen God?” he asked and laughed, coughing a few times.

Ilea displaced a plate in front of him. “Wouldn’t want to offend the cook, now would we?”

The man looked at her and frowned. He shrugged and started eating. “So, what’s true? You do seem like you could kill everyone in this room with the snap of your fingers. I can feel danger from you… like nothing I have ever seen before.”

“What more would you need to know?” Ilea asked, focusing back on the food.

“Ah. You see this fellow here, Jebediah,” he said and put an arm around Jyraiu’s shoulder. “He’s a performer, an artist! A great creative spirit. I’m sure he would be interested in your exploits. Those that are true at least.”

And what about you, Edwin?

Aliana sat down too, staring at the man as she started to eat. “Try this one,” she said and put a piece of slightly fried fish on Ilea’s plate.

“Thanks,” Ilea said and ate the piece.

“All that schooling, and that’s the result. Maybe we should cut the funding for your education. It’s obviously not doing anything,” Edwin said, looking at Aliana before he turned back to Jyraiu. “Are you not interested in her? She’s good looking, influential, rich, powerful. She could make you famous in a single day. Lilith… I hear you grant wishes to poor folk and slaves lost in the wilderness. Is that true?”

Ilea displaced the man a few dozen meters up and outside into thin air. “The fish is excellent, Aliana,” she said and smiled at the woman sitting next to her. “Perfectly fried.”

The woman smiled at her, eating a piece herself as a man flew past the large half overgrown windows, a dull crash resounding a moment later.

“Is he doing that on purpose?” Ilea asked.

“I’ve thought about it before. He definitely has enough reasons to feel some guilt. Though he doesn’t ever talk about it. Perhaps he will open up a little with our new friend here,” Aliana said.

Jyraiu looked like a death spirit staring down two Ice Elementals.

“I didn’t mean to intimidate you,” Ilea said, using her healing on him to calm him down a little. He hid it well but her status and the stories about her definitely left an impression. Now that she got a better look at him, listening to his heart beat and seeing his tense body language, he didn’t strike her as a particularly experienced adventurer.

[Fire Enhancer – lvl 158]

“Don’t mention it. It’s not every day that one gets to meet a living myth. I was simply struck by your presence,” he said smoothly, the sweat rolling down his back betraying his demeanor. “And I’m sure he will improve,” he added, looking at Aliana.

Edwin stumbled in with a laugh, brushing away a bunch of leaves and dust, not a single injury visible. “Nice trick. Reminds me of Maria. She coming for lunch too? To finish the reunion. Why not invite that quiet metal mage of yours too. I’m sure he could nod along rather well as you speak.”

Ilea burst out laughing, the man joining in while Jyraiu tried to get some distance between himself and the noble.

She calmed down and continued eating. Not a single reaction. He didn’t try to provoke me. He just doesn’t care anymore. And here I had hopes for you. Ah well, I suppose it all lies with you, little fire wings mage, Ilea thought, glancing at the blood magic warrior who gave her the first real taste of what a level two hundred human was capable of. And even now he’s more capable than half the Shadows I know. It’s a shame really.

“Did he come back?” Aliana asked quietly.

“What?” Ilea asked, looking at her.

She seemed a little taken aback. “Kyrian of course. He was… teleported away.”

“Ah, sorry. I just thought about him meeting Edwin now. Yeah… we found him,” Ilea said with a smirk. “He’s… he’s doing okay. It’ll take some time for him to… adjust.”

Aliana smiled. “I’m glad,” she said and paused. “He was kind.”

Aha. Yes. I remember, Ilea thought with a smirk.

“What?” Aliana asked, seeing her expression.

Ilea just continued eating, smiling from ear to ear.

“Stop it,” Aliana said and sighed. “Ah, I won’t be able to visit him anyway.”

“We’ll see,” Ilea said.