Awkward Conversations

"I need to figure out where to go next," he murmured, his eyes tracing the lines that represented roads and rivers, cities and little villages.

"I'll stay away from Helgarde, Luminara and Valkenheath for now..." He decided as he kept his eyes on the map.

Aldwyn's finger hovered over the capital city of the Inconi Empire, Garanom. "I feel that should be my next target."

He rolled up the map again, feeling the brittle parchment under his fingertips, and stowed it in his bag with a sense of finality.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Lila stepped in, her eyes immediately seeking him out. She was dressed in her usual attire of black leather and steel, a stark contrast to the rich tapestries that adorned the walls.

"How do you feel?" she asked, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Aldwyn looked up at her, his eyes meeting hers in the candlelit room. "Better," he said, the truth in his voice.

"Good," she said, stepping closer to him. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

Her eyes searched his, looking for the answers she hadn't found in his silence. "Aldwyn, what's your next move?"

He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his decision in the air. "First, I need to regain my strength," he said, his gaze drifting to the bandages still wrapped around his torso. "Then, I'll need to acquire new gear and possibly sell some of the artifacts I've gathered to fund my journey."

Aldwyn's eyes narrowed slightly, the wheels in his mind turning. "After I've gathered my resources and healed properly, I'll likely head to Garanom, the capital of the Iconi Empire."

Her brow furrowed with surprise, "But what about Helgarde?"

Aldwyn's gaze grew distant as he thought of the city in ruins. "What's left of Helgarde holds no value to me," he replied coldly. "It's a grave now..."

Lila studied him for a moment before speaking again. "I understand. I have a favor to ask you..."

Her voice was tentative, and Aldwyn felt a pang of something akin to affection for her. "Of course," he said, his voice gruff but sincere.

Lila took a step closer, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "I want to come with you," she said, her eyes searching his for any trace of disagreement.

Aldwyn's gaze was unwavering. "You are not bound to me, Lila," he said firmly. "Your journey is your own. I would never force you to follow in my footsteps."

Her hand tightened slightly on his shoulder. "But I want to," she insisted. "Master Sewell was like a father to me, and with him gone, you're all I have left."

Aldwyn looked into her eyes, seeing the depth of her pain. "I know," he said softly. "But the path I walk is fraught with danger. I don't want to lead you to your doom."

Her eyes flashed with determination. "I can handle it," she assured him. "Besides, we're in this together. We've been through hell and back, and we can't just abandon each other now."

Aldwyn sighed, recognizing the stubbornness in her that mirrored his own. "Very well," he conceded, his expression softening slightly.

The tension in the room lifted as Lila's smile grew. "Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "We'll face whatever comes together."

She tilted her head slightly, as if she was thinking about something, when she finally made a suggestion. "If you like, we can do the shopping together tomorrow, because I have a few things to do too."

Aldwyn nodded, appreciative of her willingness to help. "That sounds like a good plan," he said, his voice a little softer than before.

....

The two of them made their way down the grand staircase to the dining room, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the manor's hallowed halls. The room was a vision of elegance, with a long table that could easily seat fifty, set with gleaming silverware and fine china. Above them, a chandelier cast a warm, inviting light that made the shadows dance along the walls.

Lord Adrian and Lady Roxanne were already seated, surrounded by a small contingent of their most trusted advisors and guards. They watched with curious eyes as Aldwyn and Lila approached, whispering amongst themselves. The atmosphere was tense, a stark contrast to the warmth that had greeted him upon waking.

"Welcome," Lord Adrian boomed, his voice echoing through the room. "We're honored to have you both join us. I trust you've rested well?"

Aldwyn nodded, his expression unreadable as he took his seat.

The feast laid out before them was a testament to the manor's opulence. Plates of roast venison were passed around, the rich aroma of the meat mingling with the earthy scent of roasted vegetables. The sound of silver clinking against porcelain filled the room as the guests served themselves. Each dish was a masterpiece of culinary artistry, from the delicate swirls of gravy to the precise arrangement of steaming potatoes. The centerpiece was a pièce de résistance—a golden-crusted suckling pig, surrounded by a sea of fruits and greens.

Lila filled her plate with food, her eyes lingering on the various dishes with a hunger that went beyond the physical. For Aldwyn, the smell was almost overwhelming. After months of surviving on meager rations, the feast was a sensory assault. He took his time, filling his plate with small portions, unsure if his stomach could handle the sudden indulgence

Lord Adrian raised his goblet, the rich, dark liquid within glinting in the candlelight. "To new beginnings," he toasted, his voice resonating in the hushed room. The others followed suit, their glasses chiming together like a solemn bell.

As the meal progressed, the conversation turned to matters of commerce and politics. "The oil and coal sector is booming," Lord Adrian announced, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "We've secured a lucrative deal with the dwarfs of the Iron Peaks. They've agreed to supply us with the finest ore and coal in exchange for our protection against the growing gremlin infestation in their mines."

Aldwyn listened intently, his mind racing with the implications of such an alliance. The Iron Peaks were known for their unmatched craftsmanship and resources. If the Inconi Empire were to gain a foothold there, it would significantly bolster their military capabilities. He took a sip of the robust wine, the warmth spreading through his chest as he pondered his next move.

"Forgive my intrusion, Lord Adrian," he began, his voice cutting through the cacophony of chatter. "Can you elaborate on the nature of this gremlin infestation?"

Lord Adrian's gaze flickered to Lady Roxanne before he responded. "Indeed, the gremlins have become a nuisance of late," he said with a hint of annoyance. "They're saboteurs, attacking mining equipment and stealing supplies. We're working to eradicate the problem."

"Gremlins are clever creatures," Aldwyn mused. "They rarely act without purpose. Could it be that they're being controlled or manipulated by a higher power?"

Lord Adrian's eyes sharpened at the suggestion. "It's a possibility we've considered," he said, his tone guarded. "But as of yet, we've found no evidence to support such claims."

Lady Roxanne, sensing the tension, deftly changed the subject. "Lila, my dear," she began, her voice light and airy. "How do you find the fashion in Vellaris these days?"

Lila swallowed a mouthful of venison before answering. "It's quite avant-garde, my lady," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Lots of frills and lace. Not quite my style, but it's interesting to see."

Lady Roxanne's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, a knowing glint in her eye. "Perhaps it's time for a change," she suggested. "A new look might help you... attract attention."

Lila felt a blush creep up her neck, but she kept her composure. "Thank you for the advice," she said evenly, her tone carefully measured.

Lady Roxanne leaned in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're quite the beauty, my dear," she said in a low voice that was just loud enough for Aldwyn to hear. "It's a shame to hide it beneath all that leather."

The room grew quiet, the only sounds the clink of silverware and the occasional cough. The air was thick with tension, and Aldwyn felt his grip on his fork tighten.

Lila looked down at her plate, the color rising in her cheeks. Her hand hovered over her glass of water, but she didn't take a sip. "Th-thank you, Lady Roxanne," she managed to stammer out. "I'll... I'll consider it."

The room remained silent for a beat longer before Lady Roxanne's gaze shifted to Aldwyn. He met her eyes, his own expression unreadable. "And what about you, Aldwyn?" she asked, her voice like a velvet caress. "Do you find our city's fashions to your liking?"

„Well, damn, now it's my turn..." He thought to himself quietly.

Aldwyn took a bite of his venison, chewing slowly before responding. "I'm not one for frills and lace," he said, his voice as smooth as the wine he sipped. "But to each their own."

Lady Roxanne's gaze remained on him, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Indeed," she agreed. "But there are many who would disagree. A man of your... caliber, should not find himself wanting for companionship."

Aldwyn's eyes narrowed, but he kept his voice calm. "I'm flattered, Lady Roxanne," he said, "but my focus is on my mission. I have no time for frivolous distractions."

The room was filled with a taut silence before the conversation gradually resumed, shifting to less personal topics. The evening stretched on, with courses of desserts and fine cheeses, but the undercurrent of tension remained.

....