Eyktol Wide Plot - The Prologue

[Colombina]

Rezon turned a little, his young pride pleased that she followed. "Emmadalor," he smiled around her name. "It suits you. Pretty and a little sad." He raised an arm to escort her further, a gesture both playful and sincere. "Ahnatep demands a certain amount of pomp, milady." They entered the city in that careful pose as the morning arrived in earnest. The sky hurriedly adorned itself in gold dust, not to be outdone by the citizens of Ahnatep. Along the line of the banks of the estuary, tents and table were being raised by many arms and collared slaves. Collective anticipation and hopes for the day given over to love made the air vibrate and hands shake. A few citizens milled about some were sharp with fresh vigor others dreamily blinking at the sky on the first walk home since the previous morning. Most held slim glasses in their hands, filled with brightly colored tonics. The glasses had unique designs and a metal straw, likely personal possessions brought from home and filled by a favorite elixater. Rezon's head pivoted as he watched the small processions. He was trying to read the customs of the Ahnatep born. Emmadalor heard him speak a few phrases of Arumenic to a young lady with watery eyes and hair in perfect coils painted peacock blue. A slim drink was in her hand: a potent violet liquid with a golden tangle of vegetable fibers at it heart. She answered Rezon quickly, eager to shuck off the taint of Foysha. Satisfied, he released the Eypharian from his interview. "The Serpent's Elixirs. When in Ahnatep, do as the Eypharians…" he said cryptically. "She said it's not far from here." And it wasn't. Rezon was soon pulling the tent door aside for Emmadalor to fit through. He followed soon after, his eyes cautiously reading the room. A piece of wadj on a low table had drinks listed in Arumenic and Common. Rezon held it up for mutual scrutiny. "Let me get you something. I hate to drink anything alone. Even a tonic." He narrowed his eyes at the selection, "Jackal legs, for me."

[Emmadalor]

Emmadalor found it difficult to hide her relief when she was finally able to sit. Flying freely through the air was one thing, but trying to maintain an altitude of just one foot above the ground was causing her wings to ache. She stretched her wings with a slight grimace of pain, which she quickly covered up. Rezon was the first new friend she had made, and the last thing she wanted was to make a bad impression on him.

She looked at the strange paper with the unusual texture that Rezon held up before her. She read in confusion at first, not recognizing half the words and hardly understanding the rest. But Rezon's offer suggested they were in some sort of dining or drinking establishment. She read the menu more closely and realized that each title had a description under it. She pulled the strange paper closer to her face so that she could read it more thoroughly. She did not want to order something that would surprise her and possibly cause her to embarrass herself in front of her new friend.

"Cheva's Grace, please" she requested quietly. She had almost gone for Arms of Eypha, but alas, it was barely morning, and she hardly thought it would be polite to take a sleeping draught while Rezon still wanted to show her off. Cheva's Grace was one of the few elixirs whose effects did not seem either unnecessary or inappropriate, and the taste described did not sound nearly as bad as some of the others. Besides, there was something nicely poetic about the name. It made her feel, despite her recent heartbreak, that perhaps she was not eternally destined to be alone.

When their drinks arrived, Emmadalor took hers in both hands and tried a small sip. The texture of the elixir made her tongue and throat feel a bit dry, but otherwise it was not an entirely unpleasant taste. Emmadalor relaxed a little. For a little while at least, she did not have to wonder what she was supposed to do next. She managed a small smile at her savior. "Thank you. Not just for the drink. For everything. If not for you, I might still be lost in the past..." Her voice trembled on the last few words, and it seemed like she might be about to cry. But she closed her eyes, took a steadying breath, and quaffed a larger quantity of her beverage. Though her eyes were still moist, she had managed to bring back her smile. "I will... 'enjoy'... this day."