“The Dragon’s Hoard.”
My-re, Vomarian Fae, and Shadowspire’s arenamaster Egan, stood in front of Westwind’s business establishment. On one side of the cramped lamp shop was a hookah smoking lounge and on the other a jewelry shop. The proprietors of each stood at the entrance and enthusiastically encouraged passerbys to come in. However, the only thing outside of the Dragon’s Hoard was a sign written in fading, red letters, “Come in and choose wisely, as one lamp within will grant three wishes.”
Entering the shop, it was unusually dark despite it being mid-morning and a light shop. There was also a metallic taste and smell in the air. Lamps of various shapes, sizes, and design were placed in every conceivable nook and cranny. Some of them appeared quite valuable based on the exquisite detail and size, but by no means all of them. There was barely enough room to walk without having to take precautions to not knock into--.
Bang! My-re’s train of thought stopped as she inadvertently kicked a lamp causing it to knock into another, then another, causing several hollow ‘clunking’ sounds.
From the back of the room a man emerged. Not just any male, but the most manly man My-re had ever seen in her life. Glancing at Vomarian, she always considered the Shagornan elf striking, but this person was gorgeous. His cleanly shaven face was perfectly symmetrical and tanned. There was a solid build underneath his clothes, but not jacked like most gladiators on the Isle of the Eye. She always thought overblown muscles were gross. He had shoulder length brown hair and noticed how soft his blue eyes were as they met hers. She had an instant desire to gain his admiration.
“My lady, I know it’s crowded, but please be careful with the merchandise.” The silkiness of his tone had a calming effect on her.
As she began to retrieve the kicked items and set them back up, My-re stammered, “I’m so, so sorry. It was a complete accident. I’ll be careful.” She then added, “I absolutely love your shop. It’s so quaint. I’ve never seen anything like it. The Dragon’s Hoard. I get it, not a hoard of gold, but lamps. Brilliant! You know, you’re beautiful outside, I mean the weather is. Um, How are things?”
“What is wrong with you?” Vomarian Fae snapped.
Arenamaster Egan said, “Master Westwind. This is Vomarian Fae and his companion My-re.”
“Hi, I’m My-re.”
“Yes, I just said that,” Egan replied, shook his head, and then continued. “They’re from the Isle of the Eye and-”
“Lord Protectors?” Westwind interrupted. “Then you’ve come a long way for nothing. I will have no dealing with Lady Greywand. I haven’t for years and don’t see that relationship renewing either.”
Vomarian Fae said, “No, we’re here about your mate.”
“Araminth? This is about Araminth?” Pausing for a moment, Westwind said, “Please inform Lady Greywand that Araminth has passed on and no longer within her or her parents influence.”
Egan stepped forward and asked, “Wait, are you saying you two aren’t here to retrieve a magic lamp that will grant three wishes?”
Shaking her head no, My-re said, “My condolences on your loss.”
“It was a long time ago and I’ve moved on,” Westwind replied.
“Really, with anyone special?” My-re queried. The room looked at her in awkward silence for several heartbeats. “What?”
“Unless, I can interest you in a piece of merchandise, I have other customers to attend to,” Westwind said despite them being the only ones in the establishment.
“Where is she buried?” Vomarian Fae questioned.
Westwind looked at him with suspicion. “She never mentioned being close to any Shagornan elf, so you what? Want to pay respects?”
“What my callous friend is trying to say is we have a duty to confirm Araminth’s passing. This is the first question Lady Greywand will ask. So, with the upmost reverence, would you allow us to lay a flower at her final resting place?” My-re asked. “Then afterwards, maybe we could go to a tavern and get a-”
Interrupting, Vomarian bumped her and shot her a stern glance.
My-re mouthed, “What?”
“Of course. I’ll take you there. Let me gather a few things,” Westwind said and proceeded to the back of the store.
Heading towards the entrance, Arenamaster Egan said, “It seems your business is close to being done. I’ll take my leave and please give my regards to Lady Greywand when you return to the Isle of the Eye.”
Nudging Vomarian, My-re said, “See that was easy. Finally, something’s going our way.”
“Will you stay focused?” Vomarian requested in a harsh tone.
Throwing up her arms in supplication, My-re mumbled under her breath, “The nine hells he’s cute.” As they waited she toured the crammed shop examining various pieces of interest. The only spot not covered with merchandise was a large trunk tucked in a corner of the room. It was mostly closed with a piece of red fabric clothing partially hanging out. Lifting the lid to stuff it back, she noticed it was full of women’s outfits. At first, she thought they were just Araminth’s former belongings, but the material wasn’t packed away neat as she would expect. It had been rummaged through. Maybe Westwind had looked for something in a hurry.
Calling out from the back room, Westwind said, “Araminth’s resting spot isn’t far outside of the city. However, it’s in the middle of the river north in the forest. We always loved walking along its banks at night when the moon was full. The waterway had been temporary diverted to make room for the aqueduct and has since returned back to nature. You can lay your flower in the water.”
Scoffing, the Shagornan elf responded to her, “Something about things going our way, eh?”
Turning away and mimicking the elf’s mocking words, My-re reopened the chest, grabbed one of the garments, rolling it up tight, and tucked it under her shirt.
Emerging from the back, Westwind said, “Now, follow me to the last resting place of Araminth Goldeneye.”