Chapter 15

We didn't spend too long in the market. Alizon was getting a little worried about Alys, and Lydan generally wouldn't enjoy himself after the encounter, so we decided to just head back to Locito and Laetus and stay there until we decided to leave. 

They were having visitors as we entered. Locito called to us about it, so we walked into the bedroom loudly, somehow not waking Alys up from his nap. We all sat down, with Lydan obviously displeased at Alys' dark appearance. 

"Calm down. What's in the past is in the past," Elaria mumbled. 

"You're still caught up on that?" Zath questioned. "I get it, he attacked someone. But it was out of self defence,"

"He'll get what he deserves when we arrive in Domun," he replied, turning his nose up at us all.

"If we get to Domun at all," Elaria mumbled. It seemed as though I was the only one to hear her. 

"Anyway, I think we need a plan," Alizon rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, most likely a little uncomfortable with the situation. "What were you thinking Lydan?"

"I don't know, he could possibly get us in," he glared at Alys, raising his nose as if he was a speck of dirt. 

"Stop being so rude," Elaria elbowed him. 

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes. 

"He has a point, maybe Alys could get us in?" I questioned. 

"I mean, he could do what he just did to the guard, allow us to sneak onto a boat, and then just leave before they can get to us," Zath suggested.

"I suppose it's worth asking," Alizon nodded. "But still, elves have limits y'know? Elves don't have as much magic as witches do, so make sure you don't overwhelm him alright?"

"But isn't he the son of a witch?" I asked. Alizon looked at me with a look of confusion until Zath said a word that I assumed meant the same and she understood. 

"Often when others breed with others from a different race, they'll have twins; one of each race," she explained. "So Alys can just be an elf if his father is,"

"Then that means he has a fratrem," Elaria mumbled. "But where?" 

Alizon shrugged, showing she didn't know. "I've known him for a while, and nothing's been mentioned like that. Maybe they're with the Pur?"

"But why not take the elf?" Elaria mumbled. "We're overthinking this,"

"Yeah, we are," Alizon mumbled. "Just don't make him so weak he has to be asleep for a week, alright? Although he says he's strong, he hasn't had a chance to practice, so yes he may, and I mean may, have the energy to rival her, his body won't be used to using it and may take more energy than necessary,"

"That's quite useful to know," Lydan nodded slightly, rubbing his chin. Elaria shook her head. 

"Don't you dare," she hissed. 

"I'm your Presidio, I can do what I want," he mumbled back. "As long as it is protecting you,"

"I don't need protecting," she huffed, crossing her arms stubbornly. 

"I don't care," he mumbled. "I couldn't help protect him before, but I'm helping to protect you now,"

Elaria simply nodded, knowing it was futile to respond. 

There was a large moment of silence, one that felt like it dragged on for an eternity. We all had nothing to say, at least if we did we didn't say it. 

Locito poked her head through the door, giving us a smile. "Laetus has offered to tell your fortunes, it's on the house this time,"

"Really?" Alizon seemed excited. 

"Yes, it's our blessing," she nodded, looking over to Alys. "Is he still asleep?"

Alizon walked over and poked him lightly twice before turning back to her. "Seems so. It's unlike him to be asleep for so long,"

"I did check on him earlier and he was awake, but it seemed as if he was in pain so I left him be," she explained. 

"The witch is at it again," Zath mumbled, shaking his head. "I didn't know she'd be able to do it so far away,"

"Well, you learn something new every day," I chipped in, hoping to lighten the mood a little. 

"I suppose you do," he nodded. 

"Well, whenever you're ready Alizon will show you where to go, we have no more appointments for today," Locito smiled once again before leaving and closing the door. 

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm checking my future," Alizon stood up, stretching. "It's been a while since I've seen what's in store for me,"

"It's nice of them both to do it for free," Elaria added. 

"Maybe Lady Fate and Lady Fortune had a say in things?" Lydan asked. 

"Possibly," she nodded in response, turning to look out of the small window. 

Alizon left without a sound, not even a door close. I didn't see her leave, so I was shocked when I realised she did. The silence loomed over us again, filling the air with an unwanted tension that none of us needed. I wanted to break the silence somehow, but I had no way to. 

It was a while before something happened. Alys stirred, sitting up and running his forehead. I elbowed Zath to let him know what had happened, not comfortable with talking and breaking the silence. He stood up when he noticed he was awake. 

"You feeling better now?" He asked, sitting on the vacant bed near him. I followed, not wanting to be caught with Lydan. 

"A little," he replied, moving his hand away. 

"You've been out for a long time," 

"How long?" 

Zath looked at Elaria. She let out a long sigh, checking the small clock beside her. 

"About five hours,"

"Not too bad then," he leaned back against the wall. 

"Totally," Zath rolled his eyes. "Locito said you were in pain?"

"Hm?" He looked at him in confusion. "How does she know?"

"She checked on you," he shrugged. "Besides, you just admitted to it,"

"Yeah, yeah," he waved his hand in the air. "It was only a headache, no big deal,"

"It was only a bit of Argenti," Elaria mocked. 

"You're supposed to be on my side," he playfully scolded. She simply smiled sweetly in return. 

"That's enough you two," Lydan complained, crossing his arms sternly. 

Elaria mumbled something under her breath, earning her a sharp glare from Lydan. She simply stood up and sat down next to me. 

"So, was it the witch?" She asked, not paying attention to Lydan who was staring her down. 

"I don't really know," he shrugged. "I've been a little weak for the past couple days since the whole 'incident', so it might just be that,"

"I don't think so," she shook her head, her hair falling past her shoulders, forcing her to tuck it behind her ear once more. "I mean, weakness doesn't really cause headaches,"

"C'mon, stop bringing your logic into this," he complained.

"So it was the witch, alright," Zath nodded. 

"You guys are impossible to lie to," he shook his head, smiling at all three of us. "It was,"

"Called it," Zath held his hand out for a high five. Elaria complied. 

"It's surprising how far she can reach," he told us. "She isn't nearby, I would've known by now,"

"Do you know where she is?" I asked. 

"Not exactly," he shook his head. "Although I have a feeling she's in the forest still,"

"A feeling?" Elaria asked. 

"My gut feelings aren't often wrong," he shrugged. "I've been told too many times,"

"He's right," Zath added. 

"Well, at least she isn't nearby," I chipped in. "We don't really need her here,"

"We just need to keep her away long enough for us to restore Va Bor," Elaria mumbled. "After that, the magic should drive her away,"

"It will, trust me," Alys added. "It'll drive me away too, hopefully at least,"

"No it won't," Lydan spat. "You're staying,"

"Whatever," Alys rolled his eyes. 

"Stop it you two," Elaria scolded. "This is the least of our priorities as of now,"

"I suppose," Lydan shrugged, turning away.

I saw that Alys was about to speak again, but was interrupted by Alizon walking through the door. She had a bright smile, as per usual, and a new necklace that seemed to be a golden pendant. She came and sat with us on the bed.

"So, how did it go?" Elaria asked.

"I've got a good couple surprises in the future, that's all I'm allowed to say," she smiled at her. "You know how they work, only you know about what will happen,"

"Who's going next?" Zath asked.

"They said for Oliver to go now since they know for sure nobody will arrive and see him," she explained. "They're in the room directly outside this one,"

"Thanks," I stood up, wanting to get it over and done with, and also a little curious about my future. 

The room was lavishly decorated, with tapestries hanging from the walls, and a table in the middle on a flower patterned rug. The both of them welcomed me as soon as I entered, gesturing for me to sit down.

"Your future is bright," Locito told me. "You have no cause of worry, honestly,"

She eased my worries a little with her words, but a little still remained.

"There is something on your mind, is there not?" Laetus asked.

"Well, i suppose im a little worried about Alys and Zath," I began. "I mean, Lydan isn;t the nicest of people to Alys, talking about how he'll die because of what he's become, and Zath got kicked out-" I cut myself off to let out a deep breath. "I'm just a little worried about them both,"

"Rightfully you are, i'd expect no less from someone so caring," Locito nodded. "But they will be more or less fine. There will be times when you doubt my words, i know you will, but remember what i say; they will make it out alive,"

"What do you mean by 'more or less'?" I asked tentatively, not sure if I wanted the answer or not.

"Unfortunately, i'm not allowed to tell you," she shook her head solemnly. "I'm only allowed to disclose the basics,"

I nodded in understanding. "And what about my family?"

"Your family are fine," She smiled at me. "Although worried, nothing drastic has happened. There will be a few surprises when you return home, ones again i am not able to say, but they are good ones,"

"That's a relief to know," I let out a deep breath.

"There will be a few more additions to your ever growing family, some you know, and some you don't," she told me, smiling. "But you will get along with all of them,"

I nodded, not knowing what else to say. She leaned closer, shielding her mouth from Laetus. 

"Just between you and me, one may or may not be a significant other," she mumbled, moving back. 

"Who is it?" I questioned. She simply shook her head, smiling at me. 

"That's for you to decide," she replied, picking up a pendant much like Alizon's. She popped it open, looking at the hair inside. 

"What do you think?" Locito asked, showing him the small strand. 

"A suitable amount," he replied. "You're getting better at this decision making,"

She nodded, closing it and handing it to me. "May this be a stroke of luck,"

"Thank you," I took it, returning to the room. 

The rest of the night was uneventful besides a couple harsh words from Lydan and Alys taking a couple naps and being woken up each time. I ended up falling asleep.