Welcoming

Adaceus continued to wait in the carriage, it was only a couple of minutes went by since Hainan went home, until a click sounded at the front door of the house. Adaceus turned his attention to it, and one of the women before came out. It was the elder, walking toward the carriage in a conserved manner.

"Excuse me? As Hainan explained to me, you are the one named, Adaceus, am I correct?"

Adaceus focused on her, before replying, "Yes, I am."

She stayed silent for a few seconds, only staring at him with odd focus in him.

Is something wrong? He said in his mind, feeling uncomfortable by this.

The the elder bowed her head, steady and precise. Adaceus was quickly startled by this, and looked around in hurried motions, before being interrupted by the elder.

"Thank you," she said, clear and faultless, "Thank you very much for saving Lord Hainan."

"W-what?"

She stood up, and looked at him again, squinting her eyes through her small glasses placed on her nose.

"Lord Hainan explained to me everything that occurred yesterday, and the trouble they were into. I am giving my thanks to you for saving Lord Hainan."

"A-alright, um," there was a pause in his speech, "You are, welcome, I'm glad I was able to help."

"Indeed," she replied.

"Well, then, now for why I'm here, I am to escort you inside, as Lord Hainan instructed, you will be staying here for the night."

"I'm sorry, what? Are you serious?" He asked, surprised.

"Quite so, as to repay you for saving him, he has offered you a place to stay and rest. And, looking at your condition, and the event that happened, in my own opinion, I think its best for you to accept the offer, sir Adaceus."

"Nhhn," he hummed.

Adaceus began to go to his thoughts at the proposition he was offered. It was not a bad idea thinking about it, he was offered free shelter, a proper one at that, where he didn't have to worry about the dangers that lurked, but at the same time, staying in the same space as that powerful woman, the partner of Enid, he guessed, was something he was put off by. Not necessarily out of fear, which really should be taken into account, but concerns about the attitude she would take with him, and as first impression goes, that was unfavorable. Thinking further, he reached a descision.

"If it serves you well, I shall accept."

"Wonderful, now if you would, please get ready, sir Adaceus."

"O-oh, no," he said awkwardly, "please just call me Adaceus, and might I also learn your name?"

"You may address me as Enid, sirAdaceus."

"Umm...mhm," he nodded, "yes, Enid."

The elder's suddenly clapped, startling Adaceus, "Now! I am to believe there are others that are with you?"

And Adaceus nodded.

"Well then, come, I'll lead the way."

Adaceus leapt down and went to the side of the carriage, opened its door, where he saw the two girls, sleeping in the seats. Shaking them slowly, they opened their eyes with burdened blinks, where they looked at him with a tired look, still sleepy, Fiora and Agie struggling to keep their eyes open. After fully waking up, they lumbered down the steps of the carriage and headed to where Enid was waiting, standing there with perfect stillness. Her eyes visibly widened from shock, but said nothing as they went to her.

"Follow me," she said, dignified in her way of speaking.

The path along the door was carpeted with a blue cloth rug with its length reaching to the door. It was two doors built in two together and resembled that of a gate, and Enid opened for them. They all entered, and saw the interior. It was a radiant main room, all colored with a blue colored rugs that covered the majority of the floors, and white painted walls that were spotless to the eye. Countless ornaments hung from the roof, lanterns of peculiar designs all spread out and illuminated a gentle light. Placed at the end was a staircase that split in two directions to the left and right.

Enid stepped forward.

"A room is prepared for just at the right side, sir Adaceus," and he nodded in acknowledgement.

They passed through the large, spacious hall, lighted by a chandelier that dangled in the ceilings center with bright, floating orbs responsible for providing the light. In every wall, placed on desk's or left as is were decorative pieces; vases and statuettes laid in each of them, and in the grandness of it all Adaceus could not help but admire. He always had an appreciation for these things.

"My word, mister Hainan did tell me he was an individual of wealth," Hainan said, his eyes still plastered to the surroundings, "But I did not expect to how much of a significance." 

"Oh? Lord Hainan told you what he did?" 

"Yes, on our way here he said he was an accomplished merchant, but forgive me as I couldn't quite remember the detail of it all."

"Ah, quite so, quite overwhelming, is it not?"

"Yes it was."

Enid chuckles slightly, "Well, what he said is correct, he is quite a successful merchant, so much that even the very king of this country is a frequent consumer and his direct line for an assortment of products."

"Having a favor of a ruler, that is quite an achievement."

With a slight smile on her face, she replied, "Quite so."

Enid continued on the front of the group and turned to a direction on the right. It was just a large corridor, with nothing but doors placed on each side until it ended with another turn to the left, filled with the same rows of doors, and after walking after a couple of them, they stopped at the sixth door, with Enid placing herself at its side.

"Here it is," she introduced.

Adaceus reached out his hand and took hold of the bronze knob. He turned it with a click, and opened, revealing the room inside. It was a medium to large room, the floors containing the same blue carpet that was common throughout this home. There was a bed on one corner, with a simple pillow and blanket, and at it side was a desk. It was a room equipped with the bare necessities.

"Adaceuas, a word," Enid chimed.

"Yes?"

"After what Lord Hainan said to me, do you need healing anywhere? Injuries that require tending to?"

"Ah, no, that won't be needed."

"Then, anything you want me to bring to you?"

"That won't be needed either."

"Understood, now that I have escorted you thus far, I will be leaving you for now." 

"What do you mean Enid?"

"The request of Lord Hainan was to leave you to rest and recover, and to await further orders, so I will leave you to your own, do not hesitate in using whatever this room has to offer."

"I see, thank you."

She bowed, and went outside, closing the door behind her.

All three of them were now left alone.

Adaceus turned his sides to where the girls were, only to find no one there, gone without a trace. He looked around the area of his waist, before turning around and seeing the bed, with the two girls fast asleep in the middle of it.

"Haaah," Adaceus sighed.

He loosened himself up, stretching his shoulders in circles that couldn't help but give a crack. He unfastened the sword oh his back, putting in on wall before going to a chair at the end of the bed and sitting on it, looking at the slumbering girls.

He let his weight sink into the cushioned seat, and pulled out the tome from his waist. Though the answers to his questions were absent on this book, he couldn't just ignore the insights this had to offer. It was knowledge; knowledge he needed to have an understanding of this world around him.

Opening the book, he continued his reading.