Friends in a Foreign Land

Regina, Mira, Ramiro, and Alexis planned to spend a few more days in La’gobell getting things situated but on the evening of their third night in town Reyna reached out via the sending stone necklace that she had given Mira and let them know that they needed to find Eric. So once again they were up at daylight and in the saddle shortly thereafter. They would make it to Sarnthorn by evening meal, but some weren’t happy to even be going.

“What exactly did Reyna say again?” asked Alexis.

“She said that we needed to find Eric. When I asked why she said it was a foretelling. Then she said ‘Pay heed for danger lurks near. Hunters can be hunted. Safety comes when missing pieces are put back together.’” repeated Mira for the fourth time that morning.

“Eric is trouble and we have to go save him. We should have expected as much,” complained Regina. But her words lacked her usual heat, the worry evident in her voice.

“Then it’s good that we’re going to go find him,” responded Ramiro as he took point.

⚶

After being shown to his room, Joon excused himself to go handle some things. Eric left the estate and roamed the town a bit. He saw a fletcher shop and and decided to go purchase some more arrows. While there he managed to talk his way into learning some basics about fletching, which he spent nearly the whole day practicing before returning to Joon’s estate for evening meal.

The next day Eric toured the town more. Several times when he was out and about he felt like he was being watched but never could spot the watcher. He met up with Joon around mid-day for lunch and let him know about it.

“Yeah, I met the owner of the carpentry shop and the book store this morning. Both seemed pretty nice. But as I left both stores I felt like someone was watching me but when I looked around I couldn’t see anyone doing so. It was strange. Got me thinking someone is aiming to rob me,” voiced Eric.

“I’m sorry to hear that. If you’d like I can assign a few of my house guards to walk with you for safety,” answered Joon.

“Thanks but I don’t want to impose. Probably all in my head, anyway.”

Joon smirked and seeing Eric’s question in his eyes, he answered, “Some of your phrasings sound so unusual. It’s like you’re speaking through a translation skill rather than…” Joon paused while realization set in before hurriedly continuing, “actually knowing the language. I’m sure it’s just a product of your upbringing though. Are you certain you don’t want to have a guard or two accompanying you. It’s always good to have a local around who knows the area.”

Eric suspecting that Joon just figured out his secret, again demurred. “No, I’m sure I’ll be fine. But thanks again.”

The rest of the lunch was a touch awkward and Joon excused himself saying said he would be busy the rest of the day but that he would try to make it to evening meal. Eric said that wouldn’t be an issue and continued his tour of all the businesses of the town.

Eric knew that the town armorer was on the list of businesses that his group now owned and didn’t want to risk saying something to tip that person off as well so he avoided that shop as he made his rounds.

Supper that evening was a cozy affair. Eric expected there to be a number of family members but instead there was just Joon and his brother Cao. The three ate an amazing meal and made small talk but Eric couldn’t relax because he was waiting on Joon to ask him if he was a Migrant Spirit.

After eating, Eric got ready for bed and said a quick prayer to Uros asking for guidance. Sleep was slow in coming but did eventually show up and before Eric knew it, the sun was rising again.

After dressing Eric headed to the dining room but a member of the staff stopped him in the hall and passed along a note from Joon that said he would be out for the day but that he should be back in time for dinner. With the message was a few gold coins and recommendations for good places to eat. Wasting no time, Eric headed for the first place on the list and settled in for a big breakfast.

As Eric left the restaurant he once again sensed someone watching him. This time he resisted the urge to look around and instead walked to the nearest alleyway and, after confirming no one was watching, he climbed up to the roof of the building he was next to. Slinking over to the edge of the roof, Eric swept his eyes across the buildings around him looking for anything. After twenty minutes of not seeing anything of interest, Eric climbed back down into the alley and walked out into traffic. Before he had taken twenty steps down the street he felt someone watching him again.

Unsure what to do, being that he was flying solo. It seemed that whomever was watching him only did so while he was outside. This led Eric to eventually decided to head to the place Joon recommended for lunch. As he was sitting down he heard a familiar voice.

“Excuse my forgetfulness, but weren’t you in Arimel a couple days ago as part of the group helping to… resolve some delicate issues?”

Eric looked up to see one of the Solons from Arimel standing next to his table. “Yes ma’am, I was. I’m Eric and, you are Solon Mai, right?”

“I am indeed,” answered Mai as she pulled out a chair and sat at Eric’s table. “Are you here in Sarnthorn looking for more people like the ones you found in Arimel?”

Fearing that Mai might say something she shouldn’t, Eric tried to steer the conversation. “No ma’am. I’m just spending time with a friend and getting a couple days rest while the rest are elsewhere continuing their hunt.”

“Oh? Someone from the capitol with friends way out here? Who might that be?” Before Eric could even decide if he wanted to answer Mai continued, “It wouldn’t be anyone from the Lieu or Quang family as they never go anywhere. The youngest member of the Lieu family is older than I am. Might it be someone from the Lac or Soi families? They’re the only other notable families here in town, besides a my own of course, but I’d know if you were friends with some of my family.”

Eric sat overwhelmed by how quickly she figured this out. Part of him wanted to be cautious but another part wanted to see if she could help him figure out who was spying on him. He took a sip of ale while thinking what the hell. “I don’t want to trouble you, but I have a problem I could use some help with.”

“Of course. What can House Dao do for you?”

“For a couple days now, whenever I’m walking around town I’ve felt like someone is watching me, maybe even following me. I’ve not been able to spot anyone and I’m unsure what to do next.”

Mai stared off into space while tapping her chin for long enough that Eric was regretting asking and sure that she would say no. But eventually she spoke again. “One has to wonder why you were sent here by the crown. You are quite young and very inexperienced. Yet you hunt very dangerous prey.” Seeing Eric start to stiffen, Mai waved him down, “I’m not saying you aren’t dangerous yourself. Yes yes, I’m sure you can kill lots of things. But you are used to hunting, not being hunted. It has you rattled. One has to wonder why the crown chose you. Perhaps you saw something you shouldn’t have? Or are you related to someone important? Either way, the fact that you’ve asked me for help tells me that you don’t actually have a friend here. Someone new. Yes, you’ve just met someone and now aren’t sure if you can trust them. Maybe even wondering if your new acquaintance is one of the ones you’re hunting.” Refocusing her eyes back on Eric, Mai saw that color had started draining from his face. “Yes, very unused to this sort of thing.”

Standing from the table Mai motioned for Eric to follow, “Never fear, I’ll not leave a young lamb here to be slaughtered. Come.”

Eric rose almost on autopilot and started to follow her from the restaurant. Something about the way she just ordered him around, he liked it. Found it comforting. As he watched her walk in front of him he took the time to admire her figure. He did have a thing for older, dominate women, but Mai had to be hundreds of years older than him. As he stepped next to Mai, he idly wondered if a such a difference in age was a taboo in elvish culture. They had walked about three blocks before the feeling of being watched snapped him out of his ruminations. As he started to slow to look around Mai spoke, softly but with an air of command.

“Keep walking. Don’t let them know that you know. Never give away information if you can help it.”

Eric did as he was told. It felt like more than one this time. He wasn’t sure how he knew but it just felt like there were two people watching him now.

“Good job realizing someone was watching you. You picked up on it faster than I did. Good instincts, those. But you need to relax. A couple more blocks and we’ll be at my family’s estate,” Mai said.

Eric tried to do as she said but he knew he did not look casual. Soon he saw the gate to the property Mai was headed toward. As they got closer he could see the guards wore blue tabards similar to what Joon’s family wore. Seeing who was approaching, the guards stepped aside and bowed, hand to chest, to Mai. A few minutes later and they were entering what could only be called a mansion. It was three stories tall and fancy to the point of almost being gaudy. As they entered, Mai whispered something to the butler who met them at the door and then waved for Eric to follow her.

Since the guards outside had bowed he hadn’t seen the house crest but the wolf was quite visible on the butler’s outfit. “Why does that seem important?” Eric asked himself as the butler turned to do whatever he’d just been ordered.

“All safe now,” Mai said. “No one to watch you within here. Let me get you a room to relax in.”

“Thank you ma’am,” replied Eric as he took in his surroundings. It was true, he didn’t feel anyone watching him anymore. He took a calming breath and continued to follow Mai. She led him into a well decorated sitting room where a server awaited them with a fresh pot of tea and some snacks.