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>Lina threw open the tavern door and rushed to a table with Gourry close behind. The room was crowded and noisy. Looking around, Lina could see many races of people of various professional classes. They were all eating, drinking, talking and laughing. Others were looking around at the vast selection of merchandise on the walls.
>Lina caught sight of the waitress and called her over. She took their order and left the table. Lina watched her go, pondering over her strange, silver eyes. When she returned with their meal, Lina commented on them, saying that they were lovely eyes. The waitress blushed and said thank you before taking her leave. Lina and Gourry quickly devoured their food.
>Suddenly, a group of drunken mercenaries began to sing a song about a warrior on his way home from battle. Gourry smiled and joined in. Lina looked around again. At the back of the room was a counter where some sat on stools and had drinks. While others went there to purchase some of the items from off the walls before leaving or going back to their tables. When Lina looked behind the counter, she was surprised to see a young boy, no more than twelve. He had brown hair with two purple streaks along the sides of his bangs. His eyes were narrow amythist jewels.
>"Those eyes..." Lina thought, "They look so familiar..." She was just about to get up and have a closer look when the waitress returned to gather the dishes.
>"Are you all set, Miss?" the waitress asked with a smile.
>"Yes, thanks," Lina answered, "the food was great."
>"Oh, you'll have to thank Shy for that; she's doing the cooking tonight." she answered.
>"Is it always this crowded in here, Miss..." Lina trailed off, giving the waitress her cue to introduce herself.
>She smiled. "My name is Jaynis. And heavens no, it's never nearly as crowded. This is mostly a wedding reception."
>"Who got married?" Lina asked.
>Jaynis pointed off to a couple sitting at a table in the corner. They were both elves. The female had long blonde hair and pale skin while the male's hair was black and his skin was dark brown; he was obviously Drow.
>"My life-mate preformed the ceremony." Jaynis explained, a hint of pride in her voice, "the bride is his adoptive sister."
>"Is he a priest?"
>"Well, yes. Among other things. He's been running this shoppe, inn and tavern since before I met him. I'd introduce you, but unfortunately he is very busy at this moment. It'll have to wait until later."
>"By the way," Lina asked, "How much does Gourry owe you for the meal? And how much is it for two rooms tonight?"
>"Wait a minute, Lina!" Gourry said, coming back from his singing. "Why do I have to pay for dinner? It's your turn, remember?"
>"Yeah, I remember, but a place like this looks expensive. I don't have that kind of money." Lina lied.
>"Oh, you say that..." Gourry said with a sweatdrop.
>Jaynis laughed. "My, my...Didn't you read the signs at the door?" she asked.
>Lina and Gourry looked at her. "Signs?" Lina asked. "We didn't see any."
>"Well," Jaynis said, a laugh still in her voice, "If you had read them, you would know that room and board are free here. Only the merchandise on the walls has a price, and even then we usually sell them at low prices."
>Lina and Gourry looked at her, wide eyed and blinking as Lina said, "Wow! You must have money to spare, if you can afford to do that."
>"Well, yes," she said, picking up the tray of dishes, "my life-mate HAS had plenty of time to accumulate his wealth after all."
>Jaynis left with the dishes and Lina and Gourry were left to look at one another in wonder.
>"Hey, I wonder who this guy is to have so much money." Gourry said.
>"Yeah." Lina nodded.
>They didn't see much of Jaynis for the rest of the night, just a little girl with large silver eyes and purple hair who came around serving drinks. Lina assumed she must have been Jaynis' daughter because of her eyes. But...
>"Gourry, did Jaynis seem old enough to have a daughter that old?" Lina asked, a bit perplexed.
>"I dunno." Gourry shrugged, taking a gulp from his mug.
>After a while, the crowd began to thin out. Some left, either to the town in the valley below or some just preferring to travel by night. The rest went to their rooms in the back for a proper night's rest. Lina, suddenly remembering the boy at the bar, looked to see if he were still there. He was there, smiling as he wiped down the counter. Lina looked at him carefully.
>"Who is he?" she thought, "Why do I feel like I should recognize him?"
>Just then, the little girl came over to their table. She bowed, smiling and said, "My name is Hope. I'll show you to your rooms now."
>Lina and Gourry got up and followed her into the back hallways. "You're Jaynis' daughter, right?" Lina asked.
>"Yep, that's right." Hope answered.
>"Is your father around?" Lina asked.
>"Daddy's busy with Tamahome, getting the shipment that just came in. If you have business with him, it will have to wait 'til morning." As Hope opened the door for her, Lina resolved to find out who the master of this house was and why the boy behind the counter seemed familiar...in the morning.
ON TO PART TWO...
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