221 Villa (1/2)

There were a few knights here and there roaming the streets, but they took one look at Li, recognizing him, and simply passed by, a few of them giving acknowledging nods, though many times, they simply passed by, too stressed about current events to give greetings.

”Kind of eerie,” said Li as he held Tia's curled up form in his arm. She had now entered a deep sleep having stretched her waking time far longer than usual in trying to keep up with his own busy schedule. In this state, she was basically in a kind of hibernation, almost completely unwakeable.

”At the least,” said Sindra, her ears twitching and her feline eyes glowing with darkvision. ”We will see and hear any who try and impede us.���

”You can ease up around me,” said Li. ”You know you won't encounter any harm around me.”

”It is simply habit,” said Sindra. ”And one I would like to keep. No offense to your strength, good seer.”

”Fair enough.”

The Farmer's Guild being in Riviera's midtown along with the city hall meant that going to the inn on northside was a rather long, uphill trek. Li could always move as quickly as he wanted, but he liked to keep the pace that those walking around him were comfortable with.

Sindra favored a quick pace. Far quicker than a regular man's, her steps unnaturally light and agile as befitting of her Feli racial traits. They covered ground quickly, getting past midtown, past the bridge that separated it from the northside, and up the richer streets to the district of inns. Or rather, it was more accurate to call them villas.

They were immaculately white, multi-story buildings that stood at the edge of the northside where they overlooked the lake.

”The Pearl, huh?” said Li as he stood in front of the villa where the northern letter senders were at. He made eye contact with two guards that stood by the front door. They were not Rivieran knights, but instead mercenaries. Judging from their dark skin and curved blades, they were from Duvin.

”A chain of villas known as much for their luxury as their willingness to turn a blind eye to the shadier dealings of the wealthy,” said Sindra. ”In a way, I do suppose this is a more apt meeting place than I originally thought.”

”Well, the elves, if they are indeed elves, do not skimp on making themselves comfortable.” Li stepped up to the guards, and they peered at him cautiously. When they saw his face clearer in the torchlight at the inn's entrance, they nodded and made way.

”Oh, am I an expected guest?” said Li.

”Room 9,” said one of the guards gruffly, his accent thick.

They made their way past the inn's lobby, a stone and marble room decorated with alabaster statues of sea creatures. There was a reception desk studded with pearls – the villa's namesake, but nobody was there.

Although, from the torches and fireplace that roared with gentle fire, it was evident that some measure of staff was keeping the place clean and maintained, not to mention that downstairs, there was probably kitchen staff working through the night.

The Pearl had three rooms per floor and three stories, and room nine was at the very highest floor, occupying a wide view of the lake and therefore costing much more.

”High end clientele,” commented Li as he made his way up the third set of stairs.

”The elves do value material comforts,” said Sindra flatly, a thin hint of disdain present.

Li knocked on the white painted, carved wooden door to room nine, and it opened immediately, revealing behind it an elf.

This was the first time he had seen an elf with his own eyes, though of course, he was familiar with them from the game.

The elf was tall as most elves were and, judging by his sunken in cheeks and angular jaw, almost gauntly thin. He was old, wrinkles weathering his face, and his eyes too were sunken in, dark and tired. Wisps of thinning curly gray hair graced his head, and when he looked at Li, he nodded.

”Guildmaster, I presume?” said the elf, an accent also audible in his words, though barely noticeable compared to the guards at the front. His eyes settled on Tia and widened for a split second before removing their surprise, but it was a second that Li noticed.

”You presume correctly.”

”And Sindra, it has been some time,” said the elf as he looked past Li to Sindra.

Sindra raised a brow and crossed her arms. ”Cicero? So it truly was you that sent the letter.”

”Why would I not?” said Cicero as he beckoned Li and Sindra to come in. ”I am your sponsor. I am responsible directly for your well being.”

”I believe an elf of your learning should know very well why,” said Sindra curtly.