It was almost dusk when D’rmas returned. Mikko had returned some hours before. The golden ring that looped through D’rmas’ nostrils caught the light of the flame floating above the quartet.
“Finally, he is here,” Hermon stated.
Eldana looked up at him, but her face didn’t reveal any emotions.
“How’re things like out there, friend?” Mikko asked.
“They’ve died down a little,” D’rmas replied. His voice was deep and crackly. “The guards have upped their security. And the goons of the man you two angered still roam about.” He looked at Siem, and Mikko.
Hermon sucked air through his teeth. “Siem has not the flair for diplomacy at all.” Hermon joked. Not one of them laughed.
“We need to get out of here,” D’rmas said. “We’ve got to go somewhere with more publicity, like an inn or something.”
“An inn? Wouldn’t we be discovered in public? We should be in hiding, keep our heads low.” Hermon argued.
“True, my friend. We’ll keep our heads low, just not here. Lord Taboon is masterful in the use of magic. He’ll use it to ferret out the places that could easily be hiding spots. In a public place, we have the cover of a crowd. It’s easier for us to escape if an attack is made.”
“We should be on our way then,” Eldana said.
D’rmas looked at Eldana. The last time he had seen her, she was in a state of delirium.
“I’m afraid we haven’t been properly introduced,” D’rmas said. He walked forward a bit. “D’rmas, formerly of the Qeltifom clan, now a member of the Guild of Free Warriors.”
Eldana offered a small smile. “I’m Eldana.” She said.
D’rmas grunted, then nodded.
“Let’s move,” Siem said, getting to her feet.
The streets were still teeming with people, so the group merged themselves with the crowd. As they walked, Siem and Mikko used magic to keep track of the energies of the passing crowd in the hopes that they would be able to detect anyone who was coming too close.
“Do we have any particular inn in mind?” Mikko asked after a while.
“No, but…” D’rmas began to say when Eldana cut him off.
“Yes, we do,” she said.
Siem and Hermon knew what Eldana was going to say before she said it.
“The Tavern of Wholesome Laughter.” She said. “It’s not in the capital, but in the town of Kleas...”
“That’s still close to the capital,” D’rmas observed.
“Yes,” Eldana said. “But we know its owner Techle. His tavern can guarantee our safety, at the very least, for a couple of nights.”
Hermon sighed. “I could use his positivity spell, right now.”
“He uses spells on his customers?” D’rmas asked. There was a hint of confusion in his voice.
“Relax,” Hermon said. “I did say it was a positivity spell. There’s nothing to be worried about.”
Mikko moved closer to Hermon and whispered into his ear. “The warriors of the Free Guard don’t like being surprised. That this one is ready to brave the prospect says a lot.”
Hermon looked at D’rmas. He found himself wondering what kind of man lay behind the fierce warrior, and if he was capable of establishing a working, amicable relationship with people. We’ll soon find out, Hermon thought.
It took them another day to travel back to Kleas. With the help of Mikko’s ability to use magic to speed up their journey, things got a lot faster. This time, at the gates of Kleas, they did not use any spell to hide and the guard, without hesitation, opened the gates. It seemed that once you arrived in Kleas before, you would always have a place.
A soft golden light spilled out the windows into the streets of Techle’s tavern when the group got closer. At the door, they could hear the sound of gentle music coming from a flute.
Siem pushed the door, dinging the bell hanging at the doorpost. The air was filled with the happiness magic that they experienced the last time they had been there. Immediately, Siem felt a refreshing wave of strength and vivid optimism. They all felt it as they walked in. Even D’rmas face had a soft glow to it.
The people in the tavern were either too engrossed in the flute’s music or conversing in their little groups, to look at the new people enter the room. Techle was behind the wooden counter, wearing the same hospitable smile he’d worn when Eldana, Siem, and Hermon had come to him earlier.
“I see you’ve increased your ranks,” he said, taking the group in. His eyes lingered on Mikko for a moment, but then he smiled and asked, “What brings you back here?”
Siem smiled. “Your excellent service of course, plus we’re in dire need of somewhere to rest for the night.” “It’s not just that,” Hermon said. He let his eyes scan the small crowd in the tavern. “When we left, you said you could keep us safe?”
Techle didn’t say a word. He only let his lips spread wider, an indication that he was eager to listen.
“Well, we need that help.”
“Hmm…” Techle said. “Follow me.”
“Holly!” He called.
A young lady with blonde hair walked towards him.
“Our guests here need special service. You’ll handle things around here while I take them out back.” The young lady nodded and smiled as she went straight to the bell at the end of the bar and started to ring it with full swing.
“Oi fellas, Holly is back,” she announced loudly. Half of the guests grunted with some form of happiness. Techle looked bewildered at Holly, but she just smiled.
“Shall we?” Techle asked as he pulled off his apron and handed it over the counter.
He turned and walked towards a door set in a dark alcove. The door was small, so it required the group to walk in single file and led to a wider corridor. The moment Techle walked in, torches hanging on the wall whooshed as they came alive with flame.
“This place is a magical wonder,” Mikko observed, his eyes coated with awe.
“Indeed,” D’rmas affirmed. “It’s not the owners working magic here. The place itself
