“You’d be correct, Guardian of Light. That young man is none other than Thalys Ol’Calien of the kingdom of Maeltryst.” Falen said with a chuckle.
Kara was far over people recognizing her, so she hardly seemed surprised. “Thalys…” She echoed. “What was he here for?”
“The same thing you’re here for. The Adept’s Stone.” Falen said casually.
Now that surprised the paladin! After regaining her composure, Kara looked at the man curiously. “How does some man I know nothing of know so much about me?” She dared to ask.
“Why, everyone knows that you left Rullenfay in search for the Adept’s Stone.” Falen said matter-of-factly.
“Oh…of course.” Kara said, rolling her eyes and sighing. “Anyway…since you already know why I’m here, can you tell me where I might find this information?”
“Right here.” The old man said, handing her the book in his hands. “The young man you met just got done with it.”
Kara looked at the man curiously as she took the book. “He seeks the stone as well?” She couldn’t help but ask.
“Indeed. For what reason, I couldn’t say.” The librarian said with a helpless shrug.
“I see…well enough with him, I must learn all that I may of the stone.” Kara said as she opened the book. She closed the book a moment later, confused. “Is that it?” She asked incredulously.
“That it is. Afraid there isn’t much about that which you seek. I’ll tell you just as I told the nobleman from Maeltryst. Go west to Pavenole where the assassin Voyse En’Dir is said to have found the stone.” Falen explained.
Kara handed him the book back and bowed graciously. “Thank you. I now have a trail to follow.” She left it at that and quickly left the library and returned to her horse that she had tied off somewhere nearby.
“Hmm…didn’t even ask for my name.” Falen said with a laugh. “Young ones these days…always in a hurry. I wonder what she meant by a ‘trail’? Does she plan to follow Thalys? Ah well, not my worry.” Falen said with a shrug.
**********
Faux ducked quickly while he tried to apologize to a man outside for having a drunkard thrown at him. He slumped back behind the bar and regarded the other two with him, Samien and Lida by name. It turned out that the bartender and owner, Samien, was Lida’s grandfather. Lida had gone to work with him after the death of her parents. She had come from the port city, Calshe, known for its feverous sailors. Lida’s parents had been such sailors, so she had grown up learning much of the sail. Faux couldn’t help but laugh at how quickly he had become friends with these two people, yet they still knew nothing of him but his name.
“How much longer, you suspect?” Samien asked Faux.
“Only a few more left, thank goodness. He’s got them under control.” Faux reassured him.
The three suddenly heard a loud crash and the wail of one man. Not much longer at all. Soon came another cry of pain, and then another, the final one sounding like it got further away as it went. Probably out the window.
Faux peeked up to see a bruised and battered Ezekiel barely standing in the middle of the room, many unconscious men lying on the ground around him.
“And don’t be talkin’ about me sister like that again!” He roared, spitting on one man’s chest.
“You have no siblings, friend.” Faux couldn’t help but correct.
“How are you to know you white haired pansy!?” The drunken man asked, his one good eye narrowing dangerously. Faux continued to smile, knowing good and well that his intoxicated friend couldn’t see out of that eye while squinting with as much drink as he had.
“Well, let’s go get you cleaned up.” The rogue offered, patting his friend on the shoulder. That pat was quickly swatted away, and Faux fell back to avoid a sidelong sweep from Ezekiel.
“I don’t need yer fiddles!” He grumbled. “Got me own chair.” With that, he began looking around for a solid chair to sit on. Seeing none available, he merely kept standing.
Just then, a familiar face walked in, carrying two unconscious men across her shoulders.
“You lose these?” Kara asked, flopping the men on the ground. “What, may I ask, happened?” She demanded in a sharp tone.
Faux fell back from that remark, feeling the weight of her ire. “Well you see…Ezekiel here kind of had a little too much to drink and…” He decided not to continue, for Kara had obviously figured that much out already.
“What a mess…” She said somberly. “We must begin work on this immediately.”
Ezekiel spun around to regard the newcomer. “Well well well…looks like we’ve got ourselves a winner.” He said with a laugh, walking up to Kara, a wide grin on his face. He moved his hand up to touch her face, but it was quickly smacked away by the quick woman. Out snapped her other hand, giving a hard backhand across the drunk man’s face.
He staggered back, a hand to his cheek. He roared in defiance and charged at Kara, who held up her fists in a readied position. Out snapped both hands again, smacking Ezekiel across the face twice before she spun under him, grabbing an arm as she went. A quick trip sent the man tumbling to the ground. With a huff, the woman clapped her hands together and turned around to glare at Faux.
“You should have kept him under control.” She scolded, never raising her tone.
“I know but…but…” Faux began to reply.