146 Veiled Threa (2/2)

She was a gorgeous, redheaded elven maiden with broad shoulders and a bust that could rival Kallista's. I recognized her as one of the half-naked females who were hanging around the Lord of Stars. Only this time, she was fully dressed in a red party dress.

\”My lord sends his greetings,\” she said smiling.

When she offered me his letter, I had a whiff of a flowery scent. It was quite a nice smell.

Weirdly enough, the she-elf had come and gone but I was still thinking about how nice she smelled. This prompted Aura to slap me lightly on the back of my head.

\”You are too easily charmed,\” she scowled.

\”Sorry,\” I said sheepishly.

Then I opened the letter and read its contents.

Congratulations on the win. I'll let you have this one.  So let's meet soon and discuss which fairy race has the hottest looks.

- Chris Pint, Lord of Stars and Starfall

\”What did he want?\” Aura asked as she read over my shoulder.

I passed her the note. \”Not much.\”

\”He certainly is… an eccentric one, isn't he,\” Aura said, her brow furrowing.

Luca joined us on our way to pick up Ty. He wasn't alone.

\”Hello,\” said the pilgrim at his side. \”I am Liu Xiang, a representative of the Pilgrimage in the Undercroft.\”

He offered me an honest-to-god business card as if we were in a business meeting at a fancy hotel.

I raised the simple white card to my eye level and inspected it. On one side was the red cross that was also on his robe. It reminded me of the Knights Templar symbol that was popular in the movies. On the other side were his name and designation.

Liu Xiang

Logistics and Communications Officer, Undercroft Division

The Pilgrimage

Beneath the Pilgrimage was a quote.

\”Not all those who wander are lost.\”

It was a line from a poem in the Lord of the Rings, the one regarding the prophecy of the return of the king.

\”We did not mean to intrude in your business, but as your rescue mission had failed, we thought it best if Tiberius Cruz did not end up in the hands of the other fairy clans,\” he explained.

\”So that's why,\” I said, my eyes narrowing. \”What does the Pilgrimage want from me?\”

I might as well ask now that we were face to face. At the very least, I could glean some insight from his response.

\”We wouldn't presume to ask anything of you,\” Liu insisted. \”But we would be very glad if you keep rising up the ranks. Your growing prominence does have a positive effect on your fellow humans in the Fayne, you know.\”

I didn't quite believe his words.

After he'd said his piece, Liu Xiang bowed his head and left us alone, promising that he would offer us aid if we needed help while in the Undercroft.

\”What do you think of him?\” I asked Luca.

\”He seems okay, but…\” Luca hesitated.

\”Go on,\” I insisted.

Luca sighed. \”Anyone willing to work in the Fayne, no matter how altruistic the goal, I don't know… it feels kind of shady, doesn't it?\”

I patted my brother on the shoulder. \”It's good that you're using your brain one in a while, Luca.\”

He shrugged me off and laughed. \”Whatever, Dean… Jerk.\”

\”You're the jerk,\” I countered.

Our banter continued all the way to the acquisition room where we were greeted by Carta himself.

After he'd confirmed receipt of payment from Kallista, he ordered his men to, \”Bring in the merchandise! I want that brat out of my house before anyone has thoughts of tarnishing this auction.\”

After about a minute or so, the kobold guards brought in Ty. He was battered and bruised all over but they at least gave him normal clothes to cover himself with.

He saw me, and a smile appeared on his bloody lips. A tear fell down his blackened right eye.

\”About time you got here,\” he croaked in a hoarse voice.

I walked over to Ty and gave him a hug.

\”Sorry I'm late, man,\” I said in a voice full of emotion.

I felt Ty shake in my arms, and I knew he was crying. I couldn't fault him for it. He deserved to let it out.

\”Sorry…\” he whispered.

\”It's all good, man,\” I said. \”Let's get you cleaned up and ready for home, yeah?\”