Questions Answered

"As I understand it, you wanted to talk to me?" A slim, fair skinned woman asked as Grace approached the doorway.

"We did indeed." She replied, nudging Falael out the way. "Come on in." She led the stranger into the room. "Take a seat." She said, motioning to the table with a set of chairs, taking a seat.

"What is your name?" Rinomve asked the stranger, as he pulled out a chair for her to seat to sit on.

"As I said, my name is Melarue Faelen. And I understand that you want to talk to me."

Well, Miss Faelen, My name is Grace Melarin, and these are my friends Falael and Rinomve." Grace said, sitting down at the small table as Rinomve pulled a chair out for their guest. "Please, take a seat."

"Why did you want to see me?" The Elf asked, a puzzled expression dancing across her features. "You don't look like my typical clientele."

"What do you mean, we don't look like your typical clientele? Do you have a typical clientele?" Rinomve asked, frowning.

"You don't look like a hardened thug." Melarue confessed.

"That's because we aren't." Grace replied. "We asked to meet you, because you knew my father."

"I did? And who might your father be?"

"William Melarin."

"William Melarin." Melarue repeated thoughtfully. "Ah yes, he was one of the ones that wanted to leave The Grey Tears. I wonder how he is doing."

"We do too." Grace said, resting her head in her palms. "I, his daughter, have not seen him for several years. On top of that, my mother, brother and sister were killed last week." Melarue looked alarmed at the news.

"Oh, I am so sorry." She said. "He didn't mention having a family the last time I saw him."

"When was that?" Falael asked, arms folded.

"About a month ago."

"Did he say anything to you that might indicate that things were not as they should be?" Rinomve asked.

"Not directly, but there have been rumors that he is not in Her Majesty's favor." Rinomve paled at the reference.

"Did the rumor mention why he fell out of her favor?" Grace asked, very confused. What on Recrosie did he do to warrant the death of his wife and children, she asked herself. Melarue took a deep breath, as if preparing to dive head first into water.

"He was sent on a mission." She said as a knock at the door interrupted them. Falael, being the closest, opened the door.

"Can I help you?" He asked the servant at the door.

"Would you like to order some food, sir? Or will you be dining elsewhere tonight?"

"We will have four bowls of porridge, and two servings of whatever meat is available." He answered. "We will pay for our meals when we leave."

"Very good, sir." The servant said as Falael closed the door.

"Please, continue." Grace urged when the door was shut.

"The mission was to retrieve an object, the staff of light."

"The staff of what?" Grace asked very confused.

"It is the most sacred object of the Dark Elves." Rinomve was the one to reply. "We believe that whomever possesses the staff of light, they are the rightful monarchs of Thoasia."

"So, why didn't she go after the staff herself?" Grace asked.

"Because the mountain that the staff is rumored to be located in is deep within Thoasia's northernmost mountain range, which is currently under the control of the Oblivion Kappa." Rinomve replied.

"So my mother, brother and sister were killed because my father couldn't satisfy one woman's ambition to become even more powerful." Grace mused. "Do you know what happened to him?"

"He managed to escape for a few weeks, long enough to talk to me." Melarue replied, sounding mournful. "Unfortunately, he was recaptured by the royal guards shortly afterward."

"Do you know where he is being held?" Rinomve asked. Grace and Falael looked at him surprised. "That is," he added, as if trying to recoil. "If he is still alive."

"Best guess, the citadel in Everhelm." Melarue said, with a tone that made Grace wonder if she was trying to admit to a crime that she didn't commit.

"Well, wherever he is, thank you for being so forthcoming with this information." Grace said, giving Melarue a contented smile as the pair stood. "It has been an enormous help."

"You are most welcome, Grace Melarin. I just wish that I could be of more help."

"If you had been any more of a help, you would have been contesting one of these two for a spot next to me on my quest for the truth." She replied, joking. "I imagine that you have many clients to see today, so we really shouldn't keep you. And thank you for your help."

"You are most welcome, dear. And I hope that you manage to find the answers you seek." With that, the door closed, and Melarue Faelen was out of sight. Grace turned back to Rinomve and Falael.

"Well, I guess we know our next stop."