Eric nodded. “I’d kind of like to talk to some regular guardsmen who’ve been to Aker. They often know stuff, but keep their mouths shut around official people like kings. Maybe you and I can hit some taverns tonight, dressed like normal guys.”
“Yeah, I’m up for that.”
Anna said, “That will give me and Matt time to prepare in other ways. Spells and gods.”
With that decided, they changed into what Eric called “off duty” clothes that were brought to them, and which were more comfortable for everyone but Anna, who needed the help of a maid to get into a gown. It was more that she didn’t understand how to do it than that it was too complicated.
She listened with great interest to everything Eriana had told them, but it was overwhelming after the details about the quest. Information overload had her asking for the simple versions, and they covered the highlights just before someone arrived to escort them to dinner. She could hear an orchestra long before they rounded a corner to find a crowd of well-wishers applauding their arrival, parting to let them into a grand hall that stood two stories high, empty balconies, chairs, and golden curtains above. Rows of tables and chairs had been laid out on the hardwood floor, where it didn’t seem like any dancing was expected, to her relief. Anna almost wanted to add dancing lessons to her list of items to study on Earth, though she suspected it wouldn’t help much. The dances had so far been unfamiliar, but then maybe that was normal. The champions couldn’t be expected to know everything.
At the far end stood more steps to another pair of thrones that sat empty, and just before it lay what she assumed was the royal table. Prime Minister Othor indicated they would be seated there, two of them on each side of the king, who they had learned was a widower with an eye out for a new bride. Others in the room mingled with them as the group tried to stay close together, fielding questions, turning away amorous advances, and otherwise trying to be cordial. They had arrived before either royal, with King Sondin announced first before King Thiat joined them and the festivities began. Red wines, pheasant, boar, brown rice and steamed vegetables made the rounds along with several pies. Anna wondered if the Quest Ring could reduce the caloric content of what she ate when sending her home again, but she decided that eating sparingly was the elegant approach. Fortunately, their hosts weren’t barbarians who expected them to belch to show approval.
During dinner, she listened to the king of Thiat complain about one thing or another, but sensed he wasn’t as disagreeable as his first impression. He just seemed to find no real joy in life. She hoped to talk more to Princess Miara, who appeared sullen, whether about the recent death of her wizard lover or something else. Anna thought the girl might be trouble because she just acted intent on throwing a wrench into everything. It might have been better were she not around too much as planning went underway.
After dinner, the tables were cleared but not removed, with so many guests coming around to talk to each of the Ellorian Champions that a line had formed. They mingled as they could, with Anna discussing the gods of Eridos with those who held an interest in them. She hadn’t tried to use the Corethian Amulet to contact one yet but planned to after returning to their rooms.
As Anna stood listening to a married couple, her eyes fell on Eric, who stood chatting with two noblemen. He was good at this sort of schmoozing, even if he pretended to not like small talk. Well, he didn’t, as he liked to get to the point and for others to do the same, but maybe these alien worlds fascinated him. He certainly enjoyed trying to get information from people, and they sorely needed some. Hopefully, the outing he and Ryan would do tonight would help give them ideas because she really did not know how they were going to do this quest. Sneaking into an entire kingdom overrun with dark elves was far worse than their other adventures because the enemy was everywhere. Eric needed to find a plan.
He saw Eric’s eyes go to a balcony and his face become serious. Following his gaze, she saw a curtain moving as if someone had just been behind it. She looked back to Eric to see that he was gone, and her eyes darted around the room, just catching sight of him stepping through the exit. She hurried after him, not liking the idea of getting separated, but when she reached the hall, he was gone. A concerned Ryan joined her, then Matt, but they saw no sign of the rogue.
Eric had disappeared.
Chapter 14 – The Prince of Kiarven
Aside from no one having been on the second-floor balcony all night, something hadn’t seemed right to Eric about the figure peeking out from behind a curtain. The movement had caught his attention, and then the dark skin and a hint of white hair made the words “dark elf” jump into his mind. The moment he’d seen the man, the guy turned away. Eric had seen stairs to that floor on the way here and left from the ballroom to the steps. He saw no one else as he climbed his way to the top, where he found several doors leading toward the ballroom and a hall that presumably led to the other side. He heard a door close that way and dashed after the sound on light feet. The first door he found led away from the ballroom, the sound of faint footsteps beckoning him to follow. Did the
