Faefalling (working title)

17- I return to civilisation and find it still sucks

My first course of action was locating the others. My gaze swirled over the evershifting constellation of fae. Heads bobbed left and right, yet the grateful, towering nymph was nowhere to be seen. Well, they had to be somewhere... hopefully.

Walking along, I eased out of my anxious gait and quickly became one with the crowd. Everyone was busy with their day-to-day lives; younglings ran circles around my legs, your average fae bumped into my shoulder without so much as a glance back or a hurried apology. And of course, there was no kingdom you could go to without being hassled by merchants. I turned my nose up at every one that stepped into my path, various trinkets hanging off their arms and sprawled across their tables.

Just as I finished backing my way out of another purchase, a hand slid over my shoulder. The uncomfortable shivers racing away from the touch forced me to turn. There, I was met with Agaveah's smiling face, Lazuli peeking around her back. At the pompous shouts from my latest haggler, the two were quick to apologise, mingling giggles with their words. One wink later, they scurried past and darted back into the writhing throng as if I was just another stranger on the street.

The merchant drew me back in with a sorrowful shake of his head. Then, he directed the attention back to his wares, as if he'd somehow saved me from the two maidens. I left him mid sentence. More angry words on his part formed, this time aimed at me, but they fell on deaf ears.

Quickening my pace a step, I followed the giggling duo at a distance. Agaveah threw a look back, sidled down a side street and entered the first bar on her right. I waited a couple moments before following suit.

The wooden door swung open at my touch, creaking on its hinges. Inside, marbles skidded across the floor and thudded against the stools holding the evening's first drunkards. As I'm sure you can imagine, the smell of booze throned above all else, though my stomach growled at the meaty undertones. Lazuli and Agaveah sat at the table furthest away from everyone, in the corner of the room. Paintings lined the stained walls leading up to them, each a more obvious fake than the last. Oslac would've had a fit.

A man stood over Agaveah and Lazuli's table. Brown and red stains leaked down his apron and a white cloth hung over his shoulder. Short, gritty hair framed a sweaty face, hiding at least a couple chins.

I plunked myself down at the free seat at Lazuli's side, cutting off whatever he'd been about to say. His eyes popped out of his skull as he looked me over, and his stare turned towards my two companions, apparently expecting some complaint. None came.

"I'll take the same as these fine young ladies," I stated, not bothering to remove my hood.

He nodded, though not without a few more lingering glances Agaveah's way. Then, off he went, dragging one leg behind him.

As soon as we were alone, Agaveah pulled a piece of paper from her pocket.

"What's this?" I leaned over the crumby table.

"While you were dilly-dallying out there, I actually tried to get started on a plan." She slid the small paper my way. "I was asking around for some old friends and this found its way into my possession. I didn't see who slipped it into my pocket, but I feel we should go to the address."

I glanced at the street name written on the crumpled piece of paper. The letters were sprawled in elegant cursive waves.

"How can you be sure this isn't a trap? The guards at the gate got a look at Lazuli's eyes. Maybe they called us in," I answered.

Lazuli perked up at her name. "Oh, don't worry about them, they were too distracted by my breasts to even take a look at my face. No matter the species, men are all the same," she sighed.