The day progressed slowly until nightfall hit, and they were left with a table void of snacks, a bar below void of patrons, and a burning desire to enjoy each other’s company with strong drink and meaningful conversation. They indulged in pints of ale and short glasses of liquor, and shared their deepest thoughts and wildest dreams while drinking away the harsh reality of their dark lives.

  As they finished their fourth bottle of ale, though, Kamille and Thillan led each other up the stairs and into one of the rooms, kissing all the way up. Ayela smiled as she watched them, and went behind the bar to grab another bottle that she could enjoy by herself. “You know, culture would dictate a woman drinking this much by herself is unbecoming.”

  “I don’t really care what culture thinks,” Ayela spat with slurred words as she leaned against the bar. She was certainly drunk, but not to the point where she couldn’t stand up straight. Reading was certainly difficult for her, though. “Culture said my folks’r are lesser than other elves.”

  “That’s certainly not what we think. I hope you know that,” Asher said in perfect form, as though he weren’t even affected by the alcohol. “You have a good night, and don’t stay up too late. We wake early tomorrow.” With that, he stood up from the bar and made his way upstairs.

  Ayela sighed and stumbled back over to her seat at the bar, then popped the cap off her bottle and took a heavy swig. She leaned her back against the bar and looked around at the empty room, wondering what it would have been like if she weren’t given up by her parents. She wondered if she’d have ever gotten involved with groups like the darklings – or if her parents would have even taken her to Enthedrill to begin with.

  She’d heard about Songrivan culture and architecture; it was beautiful and ethereal. There was an element to it that brought it out of the history books’ pages, with cities built into forests, castles and pyres that towered over mountains, and elegant artwork built into every aspect of their way of life. They brought an entirely new meaning to elvish culture, and made her proud to have come from such strong and beautiful societies. The empire had its own aesthetic, for sure, but there was something about the way Songrivans wove their cities and societies into the nature around it that made her want to be there. She wanted to be with her people.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Then, as she took another swig of her ale, a shadowy figure loomed outside the entrance, peering in to find her by her lonesome and lost in her thoughts – which she was quickly pulled out of. She sobered up a little out of fear, and was ready for an attack. The figure didn’t knock, though. Instead, it motioned for her to come over with a rushed wave of her hand. She hesitated at first, but she gave in and went over to the door. The figure held up her phone with a message that Ayela struggled to read;

  I know you’re heading to D’Vnora, and that you’ll be stopping by Cassum on the way just before you get to the city. I’ll meet you in Cassum in the alley behind Jagin’s Bakery the night you arrive. Please be there. I don’t believe in coincidences.

  Perhaps it was the alcohol, perhaps it was Ayela’s experience with the Kult, but whatever it was, she didn’t feel the familiar numbness of fear or anxiety over her mysterious guest. She simply held a thumbs up in front of the window, and the figure ran off. As he was running away, though, she thought she caught a glimpse of a face that was severely beaten. Her thoughts drifted to the imperial the boys beat senseless, but then she chalked it up to the alcohol. She sighed and shut the lights off as she headed up the stairs. A good night’s sleep is what everyone needed after everything that had happened. Whoever this stranger was, they could wait until the morning for her to pay any thoughts or attention towards. For now, she just wanted to drift off into the ocean of drunken dreams.

  …Perhaps they would take her once more into Rhaja’s loving embrace…