Loras waited for a few minutes, but nobody came to his table. His stomach was roaring, and at this point he considered getting up and walking to the bar to order his food. But, before he did, a man in a dingy apron with a dirty towel slung over his shoulder approached his table. He was the ugliest man Loras had ever seen. He only had hair on one side of his head. The other side was marred by a gruesome scar that must have opened his skull at one point. Loras didn't know how anyone could have survived an injury that would have caused a scar like that. The answer may have been in the man's eyes. They were an impossibly bright shade of blue and conveyed an animalistic fierceness. Loras was both in awe and terrified of this man.
"Ya gonna sit 'ere all night or ya gonna order somethin'," said the waif.
"What do you have to eat?" asked Loras without raising his head.
"Food," answered the waif. Loras considered asking for a more detailed menu but thought better of it.
"That sounds good. I'll take it."
The waif grunted and then went into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he re-emerged with a plate of steaming meat. There were also a couple of lumpy vegetables that Loras didn’t recognize and a hunk of crusty bread. Loras could smell the meal as the waif approached. His mouth began to water. The waif began to set the plate in front of Loras and then pulled it back.
"Ya got money?" he asked.
Loras' stomach immediately stopped churning and turned into a hard pit. He hadn't even considered money. His hunger had clouded his brain. But he had a feeling that this waif didn't take credit. More than that, he had a feeling that this waif wasn't going to take that plate of meat back without exacting some sort of his own "payment."
The only thing for Loras to do was to make a run for it, but he could see that the waif was just waiting for him to make a move. His electric blue eyes were almost daring Loras to jump from his seat. Then, suddenly, two coins dropped onto the table in front of Loras.
"Fer his, and one 'fer me too if ya be so kind, Miles," said a voice from behind Loras. The waif gave a familiar nod to the man standing behind Loras and then dropped the plate unceremoniously on the table before returning to the kitchen.
"Der's no doubt about it now. You are absolutely da dumbest floater I've ever known," said Declin as he plopped down next to Loras.
"You've mentioned that before," said Loras, a little relieved that he hadn't been struck on the back of the head by the waif's walking stick.
"What the 'ell are you doing out of da cave?"
"I couldn't stay in there. It was too hard to breathe. I just needed to get out."
"Well dat's da floater in ya, dat is. Yer gonna 'ave to learn to live wit dat like da others 'ave. Better to suffer a bit of discomfort 'dan to be spotted out 'ere by someone lookin' to make a profit," Declin leaned in close to Loras' hooded face, "and 'dey are all lookin' to make a profit."
"And what about you?" asked Loras. "Aren't you looking to make a profit?"
Declin grinned and took one of the pieces of meat off of Loras' plate. "Always," he said as he pulled the meat from the bone with his teeth. "But my compersation ain't no concern of yers."
"Why wouldn't it be?" asked Loras. "You, yourself, admit that everyone out here can be bought. Why should we trust you? What's in it for you?"
"Let's just say dat I've been well provided fer," said Declin as he took another bite. "And you've got bigger problems dan dat to worry 'bout right now."
"I know," said Loras dejectedly. "Can you help me get back to The Hole? Maybe Gracien won't find out that I've left."
"Dat's not yer problem," replied Declin. He pointed to the door. "Dat is."
Loras looked up. There, having just entered the tavern, stood Xander with three dripping-wet Gartune.
Loras instinctively began to get up but Declin grabbed his arm before he could rise from his chair. "Don't move," said Declin. He continued to chomp away at Loras' food as if he hadn't a care in the world. "Dey 'aven't spotted ya. Just act natural and keep yer 'ead down. Here," he slid the plate over to Loras. "Eat somethin'."
Loras reached for a piece of meat, but his hand was shaking so terribly that he pulled it back and hid it under the table. He suddenly became very aware of how much light was in the room. He slouched further down in his chair.
"What are they doing?" whispered Loras.
"Dey just sat down at a table across 'da room. Looks like dey are 'ere to eat too. What a bit o' luck, eh?"
"Luck? You think it's lucky that they happened to come into the same place as me?!"
"Na, I 'tink its lucky dat dey are 'ere fer dinner and not fer you."
"So what do we do?" whispered Loras.
"Nothin' we can do, 'sept to wait fer dem to go." At this point, Miles returned with the second plate of food Declin had ordered. He dropped the plate on the table and gave Declin a searching look while nodding in the Gartune’s direction. Declin nodded back but said nothing. Miles returned to the bar.
"He knows who I am?" whispered Loras at a volume that he immediately regretted.
"'Course he knows," replied Declin.
"Then we have to get out of here before he turns us in!"
"He ain't turnin' no one in."
"How do you know? Isn't he looking for... compensation?"
"Oh he's lookin' for compersation all right – him more 'dan most. But it's a different sort of 'compersation dat Miles is lookin' fer." Loras was confused but decided not to press the issue.
Loras and Declin sat in silence for the next twenty minutes, eating their dinner. Loras eventually calmed down enough to the point where he could grab his food without shaking. His stomach thanked him for his bravery. As his hunger subsided, he calmed a bit more. It was obvious that the Gartune were not interested in anything other than their own food and drink. A few of the less mannish-looking ladies purposefully sauntered past their table. It wasn't long before two of the Gartune had a lady bouncing on each knee. Xander watched his companions and smiled.
An hour passed before it looked as if the Gartune were ready to leave. Xander instructed the two Gartune with the lady friends to say goodnight to their companions. They did, reluctantly. One irritated Gartune gulped down a last mug of ale and stood up from the table. As soon as they got up, they froze. Something at the door had captured their attention. Xander had his back to the entrance, so one of the Gartune tapped him on the shoulder. As the prince turned, his eyes immediately widened.
Back at the table in the far corner of the tavern, Declin poked Loras in the side to alert him. Loras looked up from his meal and choked.
There in the doorway stood Tinko and Regan.
Chapter Seventeen: Trapped
Loras felt his heart sink into his stomach. He watched in horror as his sister and Tinko quickly spotted the group of Gartune sitting next to the door. They froze as Xander rose slowly in his chair, a smile growing on his face.
"See, Belkore, I told you that this was the best tavern in the city," said Xander. "Absolutely, everyone comes here."
"Indeed," replied Belkore malevolently.
Loras began to panic. He didn't know what to do. Sensing that the young Reytana was about to do something foolish, Declin placed his hand on Loras' arm. "Stay put," he whispered to the teen. Loras obeyed.
Tinko and Regan began to slowly creep back toward the door behind them. Belkore laughed.
"Please, try to make a run for it," Belkore sneered. "I've been waiting for some fun." Tinko and Regan stopped their retreat. They realized it was futile. Nervously, they began to scan the tavern, searching for something – anything – that could help them. Regan found the huddled shape of her brother sitting in the corner of the room. Their gazes met for an instant, then she quickly looked away. But in that instant, Regan's eyes had betrayed her. Xander saw the look of recognition on her face. With his eyes locked on Regan, he waved over his shoulder to Loras' table.
"Why don't you come join us, Loras," shouted Xander. "You've been anti-social long enough. It's time to join
the party." Loras' heart sank further into his stomach. He knew I was here the whole time. "Bring your friend too," said Xander. His eyes were still locked on Regan.
Cautiously, Loras and Declin rose from their table and walked over to the Gartune. The few patrons left in the tavern were silent. The music had stopped. The only sound was the slow tap of Declin's walking stick as he approached the grinning Gartune.
"Well now," said Xander. "You two left the city so abruptly that I haven't had a chance to talk to you since your... discovery. Kind of rude, don't you think? After all, I thought we were friends." Though his tone was thick with sarcasm, Loras thought he detected a hint of sincerity in the last part.
"Friends don't send out search parties to capture their friends," responded Regan. Belkore took a step toward the Reytana girl, but Xander waved his eüroc in front of his companion’s chest.
"Careful," said Xander to Regan. "We are not in your kitchen in Reysa. And Dario is not here to help you."
Dario, thought Loras. The image of the Reytana governor charging into Xander's search party flashed in Loras' mind. It was the first time that he had thought of the governor since they had left Reysa. So much had happened since then that their time with Dario seemed like an eternity ago, even though it was only a few days past.
"What happened to him?" demanded Loras. "Did you kill him?"
"Would you have liked that?" asked Xander. A few days ago, Loras would have. Much had changed since then. "No, he's not dead... at least he wasn't when I left him," continued Xander. "Although I fear that the man in charge of his incarceration does not share my affinity for the old boy. Reysa may soon be in need of a new governor."
Loras' blood began to boil. The same heat he had felt when he first received his light began to permeate throughout his body. He clenched his fists at his sides as sweat began to bead on his forehead.
Damnar and Damina could see the rage building in the Reytana teen and they both clutched their eürocs, sensing that a fight was imminent. Belkore turned to face Loras as well, his violet eyes gleaming.
"You better learn to control that fire inside of you, Loras, before it gets you in trouble." said Xander, coolly. "I don't want your sister to have to watch you bleed."
"Stop it! Both of you," shouted Regan. "Nobody is going to fight, ok. You've got us. You won. Now what?"
"Now," said Xander, "we take you back to Gartol." Damnar and Damina quickly glanced at Belkore, who responded with a quick shake of his head.
"Why?" asked Tinko. It was the first time he dared to speak. "Why not take us back to Reysa?"
"Because, my robust little friend, the king wishes to speak with you."
"But we haven't done anything wrong!" pled Tinko. Xander bent down to look the panicked teen right in the face.
"You don't really believe that, do you? I thought you were the smart one."
Tinko tried to answer but Xander had heard enough from the Reysene. "No more questions from you," said Xander and he shoved Tinko over to Damnar's grasp. "We have a long trip ahead of us and you're already giving me a headache.
"You—" Xander pointed at Declin. "You're coming with us too." As he said this, he reached for the gimpy waif but, to his surprise, the waif deftly side-stepped his grasp.
"I'm gonna have to disagree with ya 'der," said Declin calmly.
"It was not a request!" shouted Belkore as he stormed toward the waif. This time, Xander did not stop him. Belkore reached out with both hands but again, Declin showed surprising quickness for a man with a bad leg and side-stepped the oncoming Gartune. As he did so, he swept his walking stick under Belkore's back foot, sending him tripping into the table behind him. Glass and porcelain burst into hundreds of sharp pieces and the contents of the table went flying all over the floor. Belkore immediately collected himself and turned around furiously. But as soon as he did, he was tackled to the ground by a charging Loras. Once on top, Loras began swinging wildly at the Gartune pinned beneath him. He landed a few glancing blows before Belkore threw Loras off with a ferocious shove. Loras went flying through the air and was caught from behind by Xander, who grasped Loras’ arms behind his back in a painful lock. Loras struggled, but it merely made Xander's grip tighter. He continued to squirm only to show Xander that he would not relent, but Loras knew that he was caught. Meanwhile, the other three Gartune began to circle Declin.
Declin stood calmly at the center of the circling Gartune. Their eyes were fixed on the unassuming waif. They would not be out-maneuvered this time. Damnar made a quick jab toward the waif to try to get him to jump back, but Declin stood still. Then Damina rushed a few steps forward to see if Declin would react, but again, he did not move.
"I told yas before," said Declin calmly. "I ain't goin with ya. Yous can keep dancing around all ya like, but it ain't gonna change 'tings."
"You may be quick with your little stick, old man. But you're no match for the three of us," snarled Belkore.
"Nope," replied Declin, "but 'dey are."
Declin's gaze shifted towards the tavern door where Regan and Tinko were still standing. The Gartune had stopped paying attention to them ever since Declin sent Belkore sprawling. Now all four Gartune looked back at the same time. Tinko and Regan were still there, but they were not alone. Standing behind them was Gracien and six other Reytana.
Before the Gartune had time to react, ray blades sprang from the palms of Gracien and his companions. The Reytana then leapt over Regan and Tinko. With the doorway now clear, the remaining waifs in the tavern made a mad dash for the exit. Gracien landed on Xander, setting Loras free from his grasp. Two others landed on top of Belkore, pinning him once again to the ground. The other four Reytana landed in a circle around Damnar and Damina. With the tables now turned, the twins leaned up against each other back-to-back in a defensive position.
Meanwhile, Xander managed to pick up his eüroc and began sparring with Gracien. The skill of the two warriors was in full display as they engaged each other. Sparks flew from Gracien's sword as it collided with Xander's staff. Several times Gracien nearly landed a devastating blow to Xander's body but was deflected by a quick defensive maneuver. An equal number of times Gracien was nearly struck but managed to avoid the blow. Neither Tormada maintained the upper hand for any prolonged period of time. However, it was not long before Belkore was restrained and Damnar and Damina were overpowered by the remaining Reytana. Once his companions were subdued, Xander could see that the fight was lost. He swore bitterly, held up his hands in surrender, and dropped to his knee.
"Nice to see you haven't gotten rusty during your vacation," said Xander as he allowed Gracien to tie his hands behind his back.
"Make sure their restraints are tight," said Gracien as he tied off Xander. He then began barking orders at the other Reytana. "You three scout the nearby buildings to see if there are any other Gartune in the area. You two stand guard over the prisoners. I don't want to hear a sound out of any of them." Gracien looked directly at Xander when he said this. Xander, in turn, gave him a little mock bow.
"Somebody go find Miles," ordered Gracien.
The Reytana grouped the four Gartune in the corner of the tavern and made them sit against the wall while Gracien waited for the bartender to return. Loras ran to his sister and Tinko and embraced them both as tears ran from his eyes.
"What are you two doing here?" he exclaimed as he wiped the tears from his face.
"We came looking for you! What are you doing here?!" replied Regan.
"I thought we were gonna die!" interjected Tinko.
"I... I was hungry... and then I saw Declin..." stammered Loras. "Wait, how did you get out of the cave?"
"Well, when we couldn't find you, we went and found Gracien," replied Regan.
"I thought we were gonna die!" repeated Tinko, clearly in a daze.
"Wait – you told on me?" said Loras.
"We thought you were in danger!"
"I can't believe you told on me!" exclaimed Loras.
"You're lu
cky she did," said Gracien as he walked over to where the teens were huddled. "If she hadn't, you would have been on your way to Gartol right now."
Gracien was more than a little annoyed. Loras could see that. He expected to get another firm hand on the shoulder from the Reytana, but this time he got a finger jabbed into his chest. "Several people have risked their lives in order to bring you here, Loras." Gracien's normally calm voice rose with every word. "More people than you know. And you would throw away all of their sacrifices, why? Because you couldn't sleep? Just because you have no regard for your own life doesn't mean that you can be so careless with it! It is time that you grew up and started thinking about somebody other than yourself. You are no longer a child. You are a Reytana. Your life is valuable and it's time that you learned that."
Loras bowed his head in shame. He knew that Gracien was right. Even though the reprimand hadn't really been directed at them, Tinko and Regan shared in the embarrassment. Loras was one of them. After all that they had been through to get here, they shouldn’t have let him go off on his own. The three teens sheepishly sat down at a table and kept to themselves while Gracien sought out Declin.
"Once again, we are in your debt," said Gracien, upon locating the waif.
"I'm keepin' count, ya know," replied Declin. "''Dis is goin on yer tab."
Gracien smiled for the first time. "I have no doubt. Thank you, old friend."
Declin mumbled something to himself as he walked over to join the teens at their table. They were too embarrassed to look him in the eye. They knew that Declin was one of the people that had risked their lives for them. Declin gave a tired sigh, smacked Loras on the back of the head and then slumped down in a chair next to him.
"Did you know that we had been spotted?" whispered Loras to Declin.
"Not fer certain, but I had a feelin'," answered Declin. He nodded in the direction of Xander. "'Dat one may play sometimes, but he's no fool. I reckon he spotted yous the minute he walked in."
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