Child of Ember - Chapter 14

Dea turns back to the others.
"This is a song that was sung to us - that is, Celestia, Natacha and me, when we arrived at the Three Rats Inn, by an old grief-struck woman. I think the song is related to the murderess. You may see why I jump to conclusions.
I think today we will have to see if we can find this woman, as well as find out who the courtesane was, and if she had a relation with our 'Child of Ember'.
I hope you " and here she indicates Eve and the Griffen "are willing - and able - to help us."

Celestia listens to the story. A look of sadness in her eyes.
"Eve, I don't know what to say. That 'man' was horrible. He deserves to be punished. I too, would like to help you after we find the 'Child of Ember'. "
Celestia looks pensive for a moment. "I just had an idea. It might be a little strange. Could the person that hurt Eve maybe be a friend or connected with the 'Child of Ember'? After our bath, I might have a way to peek into the future."

"I fear that my duties as Faith's instructor will prevent me from aiding you in this endevor, though any thing that does not conflict with that i will be more than willing to give." Eve says.

Griffen nods to Dea as if it is all the answer needed for his position on the subject. He smiles slightly at his silence and the possible annoyance following and says, "Yes I would be happy to help you find this Child of Embers and the courtesan who had dealings with her." He rubs his chin gently as his emerald eyes gaze off into space, "Where was the last place the 'child' was seen? Were any clues left at that scene that you saw? Basically what has transpired before my arrival that might help in tracking this individuals?"

Celestia watches and waits to see what everyone else is going to do. She is torn between getting some sleep, doing some research, getting something to eat or just staying in the bath.
There is a slight grumbling from her stomach but she takes no notice of it.

"I am sure you can all be of help. Some in different ways than others." Dea rises out of the water, pushing herself up on the edge of the bath where she sits down.
The wet dress clings to her body, and you can see the shape of her breasts and belly drawn out in the silky cloth.
It makes you wonder why she is wearing the thing at all.
"Eve, I would like to know if you know anything about the nightlife in the city. You have a history with courtesans, not? If you know something about those who live in this city, especially who we can talk too, that might help to find out who will die tonight... if I am right about what is going on, ofcourse.
Well, think about it.
Right now though, I have to talk to our lord about some... things I have had on my mind since we got here.
Celestia, I leave it to you to explain what went on to mister Griffen. Maybe his expert knowledge can get us on track."
With that, Dea rises up, grabs her satchel and dress, and, seemingly without bothering to change, steps outside.

"Okay, I guess I made the point..." Dea mutters as she steps outside, shaking her head at herself.
"Why am I behaving like a headless chicken? These people do not understand our ways... It's futile to dress up, to hold to the customs and expect the respect I would have at home..."
She sighs, withdrawing in a side room for a few moments. When she gets out, she has changed again, though her hair is still undone.
"Let's settle this."
She moves up the corridor, to the place where she expects Dolph's study or room to be.

She has found huis study though he appears to be gone. Perhaps he is elsewhere in the tower...

Dea frowns. Higher up then? He could be sleeping...
Slowly she goes up the tower, trying to make out the way to his bedroom. As she encounter a likely door, she knock softly.

The stairs lead to a hallway at the end of which is another set of stairs. As she passes through the hall way Dea hears what appears to be a childs voice. Feminine and delicate, her voice is un muffled by the closed door.
"It was so real! They are comming for me, don't let him take me. Don't let the carnival take me away!"
"It is going to be okay. No one is going to take you away darling." Dolph's voice seems so soft and loving like that of a parent soothing a childs hurts. " It was only a dream darling. Just a dream."
"But it seemed so real!"

Dea hesitates.
In her homeland, no-one would have commented had she entered, but as had become painfully clear, the people here were different. And the matter was not a concern for the child...
Ofcourse, Dea does not apply that same criteria to herself. She very much believes that everything is of her concern.
She waits for several moments on the treshold. Then she raises her hand, and knocks softly on the door.

"Come, the door is open," Dolph says.
You swing the door open and enter the chamber. Golden sumlight streams through the window, lighting the bed and its occupants. The purple velvet of the canopy has been drawn aside and tied with gold cord, the sheets of satin have been tossed aside. In the center sits Dolph cuddling to him a young teenage girl.
Fourteen at most, the girl is as pretty as they come. Wide inquisitive eyes look from you to Dolph. Dolph runs his fingers through her hair, and kisses her forehead just below a set of budding black horns.
"Faith, this is Dea. She is a friend," he says looking worriedly at you. "Dea, this is Faith. Faith is my ward. I have taken her to raise as my own." Dolph smiles as she gives him a hug.
"Faith was just telling me about a nightmare."

"Pleased to meet you, Faith", Dea says, smiling friendly to the young girl.
"Your new father has some interesting people under his roof. You don't have to be afraid of me. I'm a... you would call me a priestess, I think.
I know a bit about dreams. Dreams are fancy, though where I come from they can seem a lot more real.
Do you want to tell me about your dream? Or would you like to hear one of mine?"

"One of yours?" she says a little uncertainly. It is obvious that she is nervous. Perhaps a little talking might help.

Dea nods as she sit herselfdown on the bed.
"Very well.
Where I come from, I am known as a Maiden. That is a woman who has not ties. No binds. We do not have to obey or even tolerate the men around us. We are free and independent. But freedom comes with a price. Once every so often, we get lonely.
We can find solace together, and I have several times found comfort in the arms of a stranger for a night, but I have never found a consort. The feeling is there, ever so slightly, and at night I dream.
In my dream, I walk on a cobbled path through a garden filled with connifers and flowerpatches, Irisses, and Lilies, and colorful flowers the likes I have never seen. The path leads up to a white house, a low patio with a inner terras, with a fountain that spews crystal clear water. The sky is sunny, a strange orange, with white clouds spinning above.
As I approach the house, a man steps outside, young and handsome, and though I cannot discern his features, I know him to be my husband. He comes to me, hugs me, holds me close. So warm it feels, so at home. Then from behind, I hear the splash of water. I turn, and there, emerging from the fountain, is a young girl. My daughter.
She looks much like you, same eyes, same hair, though I remember she has freckles and is a bit younger. She runs at me, throws herself up into my arms. I hug her close and twirl around with her. This young wonder, that has come from my womb and is a part of me. Ofcourse, somewhere deep inside me I know I do not have a man or a child. That I cannot ever have them, but I push the feeling away, and enjoy the moment I have right then and there.
We walk into the garden and sit down, to have some corn and milk together. And we play and frollic - me, my husband, and child. That is when..."
Dea's voice falters. Her hand raises up to the seal on her forehead. As she touches it, it seems to vibrate, as if the beetle stirs. She blinks her eyes and smiles.
"Well.. that is the best part of my dream.
The rest is not for today, I think. But that bit of my dream always reminds me that, were I not devoted to the life, I could have been happy being a mother."

"You can't ever get married? That is sad."
She stares down shyly. "My dream is of the Carnival coming to town. I dreamed of the bad man coming to take me away. He is real scary, he comes up to me and tells me that I have to go away, That he is the only one that loves me. He is covered in a dark cloak and hood and shadows. All I can see is his eyes..." she pauses, "...and his feet. They are bloody. Everywhere there is people in cages, and happy music plays as they scream. People stare and point and poke them with sticks or throw rocks and laugh."
She suddenly looks up at Dolph, "I don't want to be put in a cage!" she shouts and throws her arms around him.

"Nobody will put you in a cage, girl." Dea sais.
"You are quite safe here."
She extends her arm, letting her hand rest on Dolph's shoulder.
"Your guardian will make sure nothing happens to you, I'm sure. Now what you need is a good breakfast.
I can make you some hot porridge, if you like. With apples and resins, if I can find them, very popular in my home country. Then, tonight, I will make you a herbal thea to drink before bed, so you can sleep without nasty dreams. Sounds good?"

She smiles and nods enthusiastically.
Dolph looks to Dea, "I will have the cook have something ready for when you wake. I know you need to get some rest. Is there something you wished to speak with me about?"

"I was going to... wanting to talk about... I..."
Dea steeled glance at Faith, a little uncomfortable with the young girl's presence.
"I... we took off a bit on the wrong foot. I... have not been very friendly to you. I thought... well... you're a wizard, and you were rather reckless and... I am not used to the customs here."
She sits down, her cheecks flushed red.
"I have behaved arrogant and unappropriate. To you and the other people. In my country they treat me a certain way, taking into account certain customs. Even after spending several weeks on this continent, I cannot get used to the differences.
But... that is not the reason I feel uncomfortable around you."

He smiles at Faith, "Why don't you see if you can find Eve. I think she is in the baths. Just because I am home, that doesn't mean you are excused from your studies."
She nods reluctantly, as if unwilling to go.
"When you are finished, come and see me. I have something for you."
Her eyes suddenly brighten "REALLY?!?! Can I see it?"
"Later. Go, attend your studies. I will be in my study when you get done."
She smiles and rushes to get dressed and quickly is gone.
Dolph turns to you, "Perhaps now we can talk more privately?"

"What a sweet girl.", Dea says, somehow searching for a way to delay the conversation.
"You shouldn't send her off without breakfast though."
She sits down on the bed and looks at him, and a silence descends over the room.
"This is highly unusual", she says at last. "I don't really know how to put this in words. I am ... no. You.. ehm..."
She curls one lock of hair, stil moist from the baths, between her fingers as she conciders her next move.
"I... need to know how you feel about me?"

He looks at her a little oddly, as though confused as to what she means, then he speaks softly, his eyes catching hers.
"I find you quite intriguing. I find you and your culture very interesting. I would like to consider you a friend and companion. I know little about you, but I can see in your heart you are a good person, but pain has left you wary of letting your heart guide you. Perhaps in time we can build on our understanding of each other and strengthen our bonds and friendship."
"You are a healer by nature, and I respect that. I am not a man who builds a lot on faith. Yet I look at you and see the wonders that the strength of your faith brings. You weild a power I cannot begin to understand. It frightens me a little. But I feel I can trust you, also."
"Sometimes when I look at you I can see the pain and loneliness in your eyes. You have woven an armor around you to keep others away, and now you are trapped inside. Perhaps someday you will be free?"

"Intriguing?"
A sad smile forms on her lips.
"Well... it could be worse, I guess."
She lifts herself up, plucking a non-existent particle of dust from her dress, as if she has difficulty looking at him.
"I will... go and make some breakfast then, as I promised Faith. I can't sleep any more now. Not with all these things on my mind."
Though determined to not let it show, she is obviously tired.
At the door, she turns.
"I made a choice, Dolph, over fifteen years ago. I have never regretted that choice. I may have my dreams, but regret - never. Not until I saw you and Faith, just now."

"Each of us must make choices in our lives, many of them painful." his voice trails off a little as he says this. He pauses and looks at her. There is a gentle saddness in his eyes. A sense of loss she has noticed many times in people who have lost someone close to their heart. "Truth be told you are a beautiful woman, and perhaps someday your road will lead you to a different path."
"Might we discuss the different paths we take over dinner some day?" he asks smiling at last.

Dea nods, then heads to the kitchen, where she plans to make porridge (she'll need apples and raisins, milk, and oatmeal).
She's trying to keep her mind of Dolph for now, and some mindless labour may help...
While she is pretty tired, she can't sleep as of yet.

She finds the kitchen fairly easily. Each of the items in it are well marked. Who ever does the cooking here regularly knows their stuff. There are even a number of spices from your homeland.