Prophecy's Twilight: The Guardians #2

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Hiya
Well here is that missing Guardians chapter I forgot to post last week,
sorry about that. I?ll try to get the rest of this weeks update out over
the weekend, but after that there will be a two week break in Twilight
since my beta is taking a vacation. Also I?m trying to end all chapters
on a high note this week with little in the way of cliffhangers, so bear
with me okay?
Catch you on the flipside,
Cilia 
Guard Fairy Beanbag and spreader of fairy dust and joy

Title: The Guardians
Book: Prophecy's Twilight
Chapter 2: New Companions
Author: Cilia
Beta: Cheryl
Summary: The plot keeps on rolling, with the group's entry into Port and
Tark admits something that will change things quite a bit in coming
chapters.

PROPHECY?S TWILIGHT: THE GUARDIANS

Chapter 2: New Companions

In later years I would discover that this was the journey that changed
my life, seeing my friend captured and witnessing the battle of the
Tower those were just stepping stones. It was here where my adventure
began.
- Lady Tare Rose

They emerged from the rift just outside the city of Port, the only other
true elfin city aside from the capital city Solonus. Theris seemed to
stagger a bit for a short moment after they emerged fully, but by the
time Tark was there to support her, she was standing up straight. 
?This is Port, the southernmost city in the Elfin Kingdom,?
Theris explained. ?We should be able to secure passage on the ship that
travels between the Isle of Ages which leaves in two days time.?
?What can we expect once inside the city?? Tark asked, always
probing for information, for the edge.
?The merchants are very worldly, but I would keep your hood up
if passing through the docks at night,? Theris replied with a smile. 
?Joy, cloaks and daggers, my favorite,? Tare muttered as she
pulled up her hood.
?I did try to warn you,? Theris said. ?And it will only get
worse,? she added.
?We are committed to this path Lady Theris,? Tark said with just
a hint of an edge in his calm voice. ?Our best chance to contribute to
the coming battles is by aiding you,? he explained.
?Yeah, what he said,? Tare stated with a firm face. ?We?re in
until the end!?
?I admire your enthusiasm,? Theris nodded.
?Oh stick it where the sun don?t shine,? Tare bit back. ?You
know Litni once warned me about you,? she added.
?Ladies,? Tark grumbled, that ended the impending word sparing.
?Lady Theris we are but your humble guards,? he said with a bow and
Tare?s eyes bulged. 
?Tark!? she hissed.
?For appearances sake,? Tark answered calmly. ?After all not a
single being will believe that Theris is ours,? he explained.
?You have a fine tactical mind General,? Theris nodded.
?Well let us see if it can get us through the gates without
causing a scene,? Tare snorted, but Tark just looked at her and smiled
his thin smile it was the one that made Tare?s insides feel all gooey.
The honorable Tark despite his years had yet to learn what effect he had
on the ?weaker? sex.

They passed through the gate smoothly, with Tark assuming the role of
bodyguard and Tare much to her own pleasure the role of Theris? servant.
With a few words to the gate guards about the Lady Theris? desire to
travel incognito and a few silvers exchanging hands to smooth things
over, he got them through the gates without a problem. It helped though
that the gate guards were women as was still the rule in these parts of
the kingdom.  
?You are one devious old drow,? Tare said in awe. 
?You live and you learn,? Tark just replied as they made their
way through the city. 
?But you forget to mention that the wealth of the third house
traveled with you,? Theris stated, she had assumed a very stiff and
regal posture, so whomever passed them just saw a noble with her
servants, not two of the Heroes of Necris and a barmaid from Necris. 
?Planning my Lady, planning,? Tark replied as his eyes took in
the street, but his ears also played a role and all the time his mind
was in motion, thinking up plans, contingency plans to those and
fallbacks to those.
?That inn will do,? he said and pointed to the tall white brick
building that loomed up ahead. Elves always build tall, but unlike
Solonus with its marble and finely crafted stone buildings, Port?s
buildings were made of bricks and plastered with white or red plaster.
?Stately,? Tare commented. ?How deep are the chests of the Third
House?? she asked.
?Deep enough,? Tark answered. ?You do not honestly believe all
those young noblemen want to marry Litni just for her beauty and
temper?? he asked with a glint in his eyes.
?Not very romantic are we?? Theris asked.
?I?m Drow,? Tark answered. ?Women pick me I do not pick them,?
he explained.
They earned a look from the innkeeper upon their entry, the man seemed
to be cast in the same mold as all innkeepers, stocky, with a belly and
possessing an big yet suspicious smile accompanied by a round friendly
face.
?This is my Lady Theris,? Tark said with a flourish and volume
of voice that did more then any form of cloak or disguise. ?She requires
quarters for the coming days while she awaits passage,? he explained.
?Yer a drow?? the innkeeper asked.
?Unfortunately I did spawn from that race of beings,? Tark said.
?A bastard child of the last war,? he explained.
?Aye,? the innkeeper nodded. ?Without house no doubt?? he asked.
?True, but not without resources,? Tark replied as he took out
his leather purse. 
?Five Royal Silvers,? the innkeeper said, since he?d been
running the numbers through his head since the moment they entered.
?Three and your best room,? Tark argued.
?Four and a half, with breakfast included,? the innkeeper
replied.
?Three and a half and a service to our room,? Tark hackled.
?Yer robbing me blind you drow, four and no questions asked,?
the innkeeper counted.
?Deal,? Tark said and opened his purse. 
The innkeeper summoned a young boy, his son, if the looks were any
indication to escort them up to their room. The innkeeper was true to
his words, the room was on the top floor of the five story building,
with a view of the sea and balconies. 
?Well I?m impressed,? Tare sat down on one of the room?s two
beds. ?I had no idea you could hackle,? she stated as she flopped back
onto the bed for a short nap.
?It?s all tactical thinking, sometimes you win sometimes you
don?t,? he answered as he wandered through the drapes and onto the
balconies.
?I want to thank you General,? Theris said. ?I had forgotten how
difficult things could be,? she explained as she joined him on the
balconies.
?I?m just glad to be of service,? Tark replied as his red eyes
scanned the view.
?You miss your daughter, it?s understandable,? Theris replied.
?I miss someone too,? she added quietly.
?It is not the loss that bothers my mind, it?s the way in which
I lost her. I do not like being helpless,? he stated but his voice
didn?t waver.
?Not many of us have fond memories of Necris my friend,? Theris
replied. ?But you are still young and with age you might forget, I am
near eternal and thus have not that luxury,? she explained.
?I have a long memory,? Tark stated. 
?I have no doubt of that General, but there are other ways to
forget after all, life moves on,? she said and just as Tark turned
around to reply she was gone. 
?I wish that were true Lady Theris, I wish that were true,? he
said into the wind and for a moment he lowered his guard, if he hadn?t
he would have seen Tare with tears in her eyes watching from behind the
drapes.

To be Contiuned in Prophecy's Twilight: The Guardians #3