CHAPTER TWELVE:
HOPE FOR ELIAS
Once he walked into the banquet room of Baron Michael’s large estate, Garrick took a seat between his host and Maldrin. Though the food before them prepared by Marta looked appetizing, everyone gazed expectantly at Michael. Not even Ondibar touched the pheasant, potatoes and wine before him.
Garrick looked over at Cerelene and Anya and then to the empty seat that would soon be filled by Deelah, once one of the Baron’s most trusted attendants reached the room where Elias lay, still in an almost lifeless state.
Seeing Baron Michael look up suddenly, Garrick watched as he passed a few documents to Alturas and then followed his eyes to see the thief quickly walking down the hall to join the group. As Deelah slid into her seat, Anya grabbed her sister’s shoulder and kissed her cheek.
After patting Rowlee and Wompit, who were flanking Baron Michael at the head of the table, the big dogs laid down.
“I have excellent news, my friends,” began the baron as he took a bite of potato, followed by a sip of wine. Then he dabbed his face with a cloth and continued.
“If all things go as planned and the information I have received is true, your Knight of Providence will soon be fully returned to you as good as new.”
Garrick looked over at Maldrin. The old wizard was tapping the top of his staff in anticipation. He stopped when the mercenary nudged him. Seeing Baron Michael take another bite of potato, Ondibar stroked his long beard and grabbed his knife and fork. It would be rude not to eat when his host was, thought the dwarf.
Seeing Ondibar begin to eat, Cerelene grabbed her utensils as well, though the royal elf maiden looked a bit more refined when she cut into her food.
“How long? What must we do…?” blurted out Deelah excitedly. Then the thief composed herself when Anya touched her shoulder again.
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“I know someone who has acquired Lavender of Life,” stated Baron Michael, as he leaned forward to look closer at Deelah.
“Lavender of Life?” questioned Anya in disbelief, though the cleric tried to hide it in her voice.
“Yes,” replied the baron with a smile. After sitting back, he took another sip of wine and continued. “I know what you are thinking. Lavender of Life only come from The Fabled Forest.”
“They are very rare indeed,” interrupted Cerelene, neatly placing her knife and fork down upon her still full plate. “We elves have but a few. A gift. Sent from Fairy Queen Yalani when queen Lightshower took the throne.” Then Cerelene looked across the table at Garrick nervously.
“How did this individual come across one?” prodded Garrick. The mercenary did not want to offend his host, but his own thoughts on this news, along with the look the elf maiden showed him, gave him no choice.
“Oh, Bennell has his ways,” smiled Michael. With all eyes fastened upon him again, the baron took another bite of potato. Then with his fork he pointed back at Garrick. “You told me you were able to return to the bottom of The Cloud Shroud Mountain by use of pressed fairy wings, did you not?” After he dabbed his face again with a cloth, he looked over at Maldrin and Cerelene. “It is not only wizards and elves that can acquire magical items.”
As Maldrin started to open his mouth to retort, Ondibar grabbed his wine glass and spoke. “Assuming this Bennell has Lavender of Life, what are we to do with it?”
“We will burn it in Elias’ room. The smell from the rare flower is said to speed recovery,” spoke Maldrin before the baron could speak. Then the wizard nodded at Anya.
“The Lavender line the river that leads to Queen Yalani’s throne on Lake Essence,” continued the cleric of Elion looking at the dwarf. “They are the fairy queen’s favorite flower and because of that, Yalani has blessed them with powers of healing.”
Garrick watched as Maldrin began to fiddle with the wyvern tooth that hung from his necklace. It was a sure sign his old friend was thinking, but even more, it meant he was uncertain of what he had heard.
“Do you trust this man?” asked Garrick with a soft sigh. “Many a trusting soul has been deceived by counterfeits in the dark corners of Danaria’s market places.”
Seeing the apprehension in the mercenary and his friends, Baron Michael clasped his hands together on the table, his face nonchalant as he looked at Garrick.
“Bennell is a scoundrel, for sure,” began Michael. “But he has always been reliable for me. I do not know how he has acquired the Lavender. And to be honest, I do not want to know. His word is good enough.” Then The Baron grinned. “You can ask him when you see him, if you like. He will be at The Bloody Lance tavern, tonight.”
After the Baron’s gaze moved from Garrick to Maldrin, Ondibar, Cerelene and Anya, it finally rested on Deelah. The one who looked the most hopeful. The one who had been by the Knight of Providence’s side practically this whole visit. Then as his grin faded away, Baron Michael grabbed Deelah’s hand lightly and spoke with confidence and compassion.
“You can trust him.”
