[Ch. 48] A Special Gift (Past)

The next day, none one moved out of bed until the afternoon.

Everyone was groggy and in pain after the excitement of last night. I was the only one who didn't hurt, mostly because I was used to being hungover.

Raylon groaned, rubbing his head, "Why does everything hurt?"

"Because you drank too much." Korph moaned, "So stop talking."

Raylon glanced at me and I quickly averted my eyes. I couldn't stop thinking about how I had forcefully kissed him the night before. His lips were still swollen from my bite.

Amanda sighed, "I didn't even drink that much, and I feel awful."

I grew annoyed with listening to everyone complain, so I handed each one a leaf.

Korph took it in confusion, "What's this?"

"Helps with hangovers. Put it under your tongue."

They didn't question it and placed it in their mouths as directed. Amanda spoke, "Where did you get this from?"

"My garden."

They all froze.

My garden had mostly poisonous plants, but I didn't feel like explaining that they weren't all poisonous. Eventually, they found that the leaf didn't kill them, but helped with their fatigue instead. Once everyone felt better, we left for the market.

I made sure to keep my distance from Raylon. What if he suddenly remembers what I did?! What would I say?

He noticed I was avoiding him and nudged me, "Are you alright?"

"..."

He continued with a dejected look on his face, "Did I do something last night?"

I tossed him a quick look before walking faster to avoid answering. How could I admit I was the one who did something?

Mona looked at her brother's dispirited face, "What is wrong, brother?"

He looked at her, "Did I do something to upset Moao last night?"

Mona smiled, "Do you not remember?"

He shook his head, "I don't remember anything."

She giggled, "Let's just say you were very affectionate with Lady Moao last night."

His face dropped, "Affectionate?! How?!"

"You were practically attached to her. If anyone came near her, you hissed at them. Not to mention you kept telling her that you liked her."

His face turned red, "I did THAT?! No wonder she is avoiding me!"

"But I don't think she hated it." Mona spoke with deep meaning, "After all, she let you sleep on her lap and even stroked your hair."

He felt as if he had been hit with several arrows, "Lap?! HAIR?!"

"When she took you to your room, she was gone for a while. And when she came back, she drank so much liquor that even Korph couldn't keep up." Mona gasped and looked at Raylon in horror, "Perhaps you did something immoral to her when she dropped you off?!"

"No! I-"

She covered her face in horror, "I knew I shouldn't have left you alone with her! But, I just thought since it was Lady Moao it would be alright..."

"No! There's no way I did such a thing! If I had, she definitely would have hit me!"

"...Good point. Unless she liked it?"

He turned a darker shade of crimson. Amanda shouted at them, "Stick together! There's a lot of people in the square and we're almost there. Watch out for pickpockets!"

Korph plugged his nose, "Why does this city smell so awful?"

Those from the Dragon clan had heightened senses so their noses were much more sensitive. The city had tons of different smells wafting from all of the food vendors and other unmentionable smells. People were shouting from their stalls to grab passerby's attention, and numerous conversations could be heard all around the square.

It would be overwhelming for a Dragon clan member such as Korph. However, Korph didn't seem to be that upset as he rushed to every booth to grab the food and snacks. I followed in his wake making sure to pay the frightened vendors. Amanda and Mona found themselves having a hard time keeping up.

Amanda looked over at Mona, "I suppose if we stay with each other it will be fine. Princess Mona, would you like to visit the boutiques?"

Mona smiled excitedly, "That would be lovely. Brother, do you want to follow us or them?"

"I will follow them."

Raylon rushed to catch up with us. His eyes soon caught sight of me. He strode towards me like a predator to its prey.

While I paid, I heard Raylon whisper into my ear, "I didn't do anything immoral to you last night, did I?"

I flinched from his warm breath blowing on my ear. I frowned and ran away leaving behind a slack-jawed Raylon. He shuffled after me assuming he did do something immoral. He stopped when he noticed a sweet smell. He happily rushed over to the chocolate booth. The clerk looked at him, "Hello! Would you like to buy some chocolate?"

"How much for a bag?"

"It's 23 gillons."

Raylon looked confused, "I have 145 quils."

The man burst out laughing in a demeaning manner, "Quils? Please. That much doesn't even make one gillon! Get out of here if you can't pay."

Raylon gritted his teeth, "145 quils in the phoenix nation could buy at least a hundred meals!"

The clerk stuck out his tongue, "Then go spend it in the Phoenix nation!"

He pouted as a small bag appeared above his face. I dangled it in front of him, "Do you want it?"

"Yes! But, how did you pay for it? Even my money couldn't buy a single piece!"

"Sadon money is worth more here."

"Why?!"

I went to answer but suddenly heard shouting. I recognized the voice and rushed over. Korph was held up by his shirt, kicking and screaming, "Oi! Let me go!"

"Shut up brat! Where's your parents?" The man holding him had a scruffy appearance. He had medium-length curly blonde hair that was pulled back. He was much taller than Raylon and his muscles showed visibly through his loose shirt.

Korph shrieked, "Parents?!"

Raylon cut in, "What happened?"

"The brat just tried to steal from us!"

I pulled out the pouch attached to my waist, "I can pay."

"Tch. Money won't solve this. Don't you know what happens to those who steal from pirates? We take their hands."

Korph's face turned white, "What?! Moao! I thought you said no one would hurt us if we wear this gaudy medallion?!"

"Everyone except pirates." A familiar voice came from behind them. Raylon began to grind his teeth in irritation at the sound of the voice. Gyles grinned at the man, "Charles, let him go. These are friends."

Charles grunted and tossed Korph to the side as if he was trash. Gyles walked up to me and slapped my back, "I almost didn't recognize you in that dress! You look good. Although I still prefer you in trousers."

I stared at him apathetically. "You didn't stop over last night."

"Sorry about that. I got caught up between two beautiful blondes."

"..."

He lightly tapped my shoulder, "I will stop by the tavern tonight to catch up. Sorry about Charles. He's new."

Korph stood up angrily and brushed the dirt off of himself. He held up a fist, "You are lucky I didn't beat you up!"

Gyles ginned, "How about I give each of you something for free from my booth for the mishap? We have new, never-seen-before treasures."

Korph turned up his head, "Hmph! You ought to give me more than just one!"

Gyles narrowed his eyes, "I take it back. Everyone can have something except you."

Korph's mouth dropped, "H-Hey!"

Gyles ignored him and turned to me happily, "Come this way, my lady."

I patted Korph on the back, "Never try to take advantage of a Pirate's goodwill. It won't end well."

Korph lowered his head and pouted as we walked towards the booth which had all sorts of trinkets. My gaze landed on a pouch of seeds. Raylon noticed and smiled, "You really like plants, don't you?"

I gave him a glance, then quickly walked away. Raylon looked down guiltily. He felt an arm wrap around his shoulder and looked over to see Gyles grinning. "Well, looks like someone made somebody angry."

"Shut up." Raylon growled.

Gyles laughed, "Calm down. Here. Just give her these."

He handed him a pouch. Raylon looked at him suspiciously, "What's this?"

"It's dark chocolate. Moao doesn't like sweet things, but this chocolate is bitter. It's one of her favorites. It's incredibly rare because not too many people like it. I was going to give it to her, but you can instead."

He eyed him suspiciously, "Why would you help me?"

"Because I find this entire situation hilarious."

Raylon rolled his eyes and shook off his arm, "Whatever."

Gyles wasn't offended and smiled, "Have you decided what you want?"

Raylon mumbled, "I will take the seeds."

"Oh really? I didn't think you'd be interested in seeds. Or perhaps it's not the seeds you're interested in, but the person who is interested in the seeds?"

Raylon looked away feeling embarrassed for being seen through, "Shut up."

Gyles laughed loudly and smacked his back, "I can tell we will be great friends."

Raylon rolled his eyes before walking back to Korph and me. Gyles hopped to my side, "Oh yeah! How did selling your new drawings go?"

I answered without any hint of bragging, "Sold out."

Raylon blinked, "You sell drawings?"

"You didn't know?" Gyles asked with a smug look, "She's quite good. She makes booklets and sells them at the booth over there under a pen name. She is quite famous for her ink drawings."

Raylon was impressed, "Wow! I would like to see them sometime."

I blinked at him, "Really?"

Gyles slapped me on the back, "Isn't that wonderful! You should give him one of those booklets as a gift. I'm sure he'd enjoy it. Wouldn't you?"

Raylon nodded with a smile, "I would love it."

I looked away and felt my ears turn red, "Mmn."

Gyles chuckled, "I need to go back to the booth. I'll see you later tonight."

"Mmn."

We continued to explore the market square until we came across several street performers. Korph was overtaken by the street music and began to dance. I watched him silently not realizing Raylon's gaze was upon me. Suddenly, I felt his stare and turned to him. "What."

He tensed up and grew flustered. His face burned red as he quickly pulled out a pouch. I took it and smelt it as he spoke quickly, "Don't get the wrong idea! The stupid pirate gave it to me to give to you. He was going to give it to you originally. It's not like I knew it was your favorite though."

"..."

Raylon continued to spout words without thinking, "He must really like you since he knows what your favorite things are. And I'm sure you like him too. Which is totally okay if you do."

Seeing him stare at his feet while shouting his insecurities, I reached into my pouch and pulled out a strap. "Here."

He stopped rambling immediately and took the strap that was in my hands. It was connected to a white marble sculpture of a girl holding an orb. "What is it?"

"It's Demial from the ancient Somal legend."

The Somal were the ancestors of the northern people. The people in the Northern capital Celu treat it as a legend, but the people who live past the Aesir mountain treat it like the truth. The Demial legend is one of the most famous. In ancient times, there were two clans of gods. One who ruled the higher world and one who ruled the lower world.

They had been fighting for centuries out of their desire to conquer the other. They each believe themselves to be superior to the other. At this time, the humans lived in the middle world and were unable to use magic. They were caught in the crossfire between the two god clans. The warring clans brought calamity to the middle world and the humans were the ones who suffered.

When the fighting reached the climax, the magic of the two god clans combined to produce an orb that would destroy them all. Demial was a human and could no longer tolerate the damage caused by the gods. She sacrificed herself to absorb the energy orb.

It shattered her soul and she was never able to reincarnate again. The gods saw her sacrifice and were moved. A mere human risked her soul in order to prevent the destruction they had created. They both agreed to peace between the lower and upper worlds. In order to apologize to the middle world for their transgressions, they gifted the humans with magic. Demail's legend was a cautionary tale for war and sacrifice.

As Raylon looked at the marble statue, he could tell it was an antique. He looked at her in curiosity, "Where did you get it?"

"From the booth." I pulled out another strap, "You also gave this to me last night. Here."

He looked at it and recognized it immediately, "T-This is my mother's… Did I really give it to you?"

"Mmn."

He scratched his head, "I don't remember last night, but I'm sure I wanted you to have it. You should keep it."

I shook my head, "You said it was the only thing you had left of your mothers. You should keep it."

"In my culture, if I took back my gift it would be considered very rude."

"Why does that matter if it's such a precious heirloom?"

He thought hard for a moment before answering, "It just does."

"Then why give it to me?"

He hesitated, "To be honest, I don't understand why I did either. But I must have had a good reason. What's done is done. Just don't lose it."

"Mmn." I looked at it closely and felt a certain warmth in my chest. I put it into my pocket and tapped it to make sure it was safe.

"Oh!" He pulled out the seed pouch and handed it to me, "I got you this. I noticed you were looking at it earlier. Do you like these types of things?"

"Mmn."

He smiled warmly, "What kind of seeds are they?"

"Don't know."

Raylon was a bit disappointed, "Oh."

My voice was uncharacteristically warm, "Thank you."

He flinched and stared at me in disbelief. Just as he was about to say something when he heard Amanda shout, "Lady Moao!"

Mona and Amanda walking over holding bags. Amanda began to show me her findings, most of which was actually purchased for me. Mona walked over to Raylon and looked him up and down carefully, "Did something good happen?"

"What?" He quickly looked at her trying to hide his guilty face, "I don't know what you mean."

She teased him, "Your face looks like a tomato and you're grinning from ear to ear. Something good had to have happened. You can't hide it from me, dear brother~"

He turned away from her, "Shut up."