Chapter 18

By nightfall of the second day after the attack at the quartz mine, Marissa and Beaumont had reached the village of Welton: the home of the young male adventurer. The pair was welcomed warmly as they approached the city's southern brick wall. The guards above opened the iron gate and let the duo inside.

Welton was a town about the same size in populace as Ducann, but it belonged to a higher class of people. There were no apparent slums in this village of the north. Everyone appeared to be on more equal footing, and as such the homes looked to be of the same class.

The town had been partially carved into the southern face of the Welton Mountain. Its buildings and roads gradually led upward as the duo passed along the main cobblestone road. Marissa was surprised to see so many of the multiple story buildings being purposed as stores and restaurants.

"Shall we find a bit to eat?" Beaumont asked.

"Quite. It's been a while since I had a hot meal. I think it would do wonders to brighten my mood."

"There is a small place up ahead called Jack's. It's not much compared to the fancier fare of this town, but I prefer it. You might say I even have a small stake in its operations."

Jack's was a simple three story building on the western edge of the main road. Only a few people were still out scrambling amongst the streets, but there was still life inside this small café. Marissa tied Faerun to a hitch outside and followed Beaumont inside.

"Beaumont!" a waitress yelled. "Oh, it's been forever. Come give your aunt a hug!"

The young man complied with his friendly relative with a warm embrace. The woman was just slightly older than her nephew Beaumont, and had the same light colored hair. They exchanged intimate greetings and then they both turned their attentions to Marissa.

"And who might this be? A companion of yours Beau?"

"Yes, Aunt Eileen. This is Marissa. She's a mage of the Church. We have been traveling together since Villion. It's been twice now that she's pulled me out of a jam."

Marissa bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Now that the formalities are in order, what'll you have? Some sausage and gravy? Roasted pork? Cup of tale soup? A fine lager?"

"Some soup will be fine, Eileen. How about you Marissa?"

"The pork sounds wonderful. Maybe a cup of tea as well, if you can manage."

The waitress Eileen replied, "Certainly, it should only be a moment. Both of you, have a seat. Time to rest those weary bones."

The traveling companions sat at one of the tall pub-styled tables situated near the back of the room. Marissa removed some of her equipment from her back and laid them upon the chair next to her. She let out a sigh of relief without the heavy burden.

Unlike other institutions Marissa had visited on her journey, Jack's did not have a location for a bar. For all intents and purposes, this was a place solely dedicated to the serving of food. She slightly reveled in the fact, as she did not want to be around any more drunkards than she had to. Alcohol tended to make men quire irritable in her opinion.

No other patrons were inside of this particular restaurant. It did not look as extravagant as the others nearby on the main road, and as such it possibly did not attract as much attention. Yet again, Marissa was glad to amongst fewer people.

Hundreds of candles lit every corner of the room and the space was unusually bright for such a quaint restaurant. The light helped to better illuminate her companion Beaumont.

She had never really gotten a good luck at the young man, even after this past day. But now the young man was in clear view and Marissa took the opportunity to gaze at him.

Beaumont was of an average height and of an average build. He was not lanky, nor did he have an overly large musculature. He was not bulging out of his armor like other full-time warriors. The young man looked to be fit, but not focused on continually building his physical strength.

On the top of his head were sleek locks of golden hair. The long mane was almost closer in color to white than a yellowish blond. He let his hair fall casually down his face like water cascading over stones in a river. It covered his ears as well the sides of his face. Wisps of hair draping down around his eyes looked very similar to Marissa's twin bangs. They would shift back in forth every time he twisted his head.

The young man wore a simple suit of bleached leather armor. Upon the malleable and protective garment were intricate decorations painted onto its surface with blue dye. On the edges around his neck and on his chest were images depicting large birds. Cuts and scrapes marred the once immaculate clothing. Grass stains and streaks of mud also showed that the armor had seen its fair share of adventures.

He also wore a thick linen coat that was once white. Tans and grays muddied the draping fabric so that it was no longer pristine. Blue satin traced its outer edge, and the azure fabric was frayed in spots: particularly near the tail. A tear or two was also present in the body of the long cloak.

Upon his wrists were similarly dyed leather gloves. The blue was as vivid as the darkest, deepest waters. These too also showed signs of use, as cracks were easily visible along their surface. In addition, his pinky finger poked out through a large whole in his right gauntlet

The young girl's attention turned towards his face. His skin was smooth, and not marked in any way similar to his garments. It almost seemed as though this armor could have belonged to someone else because of his unblemished face. "A man with this much wear on his clothing must surely have some cuts and scars somewhere," she thought.

He had a chiseled, but still smooth, chin beneath his thin lips. His eyebrows framed his face in such a way that he always looked pleased or happy. A pair of dark blue eyes peered out from below his whitish-blond hair. It was at this moment, that the young man realized that she was looking him over with great detail.

"Find anything you like?"

"Upp," Marissa was caught off-guard. She had always searched for the tiniest details, and she didn't realize she had been staring at him for so long. The young mage must have spent several minutes staring at her cohort.

Her pale cheeks began to turn red. As she had done before, to hide her embarrassment she hid her face by looking down. The black locks of her hair attempted to hide her discomfort.

Beaumont laughed.

At about this time, Aunt Eileen returned with their hot meal. Marissa whispered to herself, "Thank the Heavens." She was not only starving, but she was also looking for anyway to distance herself from the awkward silence.

Eileen sat down in a chair between the two diners, "So, I wondered when you might be back. Did you tell anyone you were coming?"

"No," he replied as he took another sip of his soup. Marissa continued to eat her meal.

Eileen asked again, "And does that mean that I shouldn't inform your father that you are in town? Another one of your 'silent' visits?"

"It's not like that, Eileen. I just don't feel comfortable seeing him right now. The situation is just a little bit too hot at this time."

"Now you know, Beau. I don't think that's true. While I haven't seen your Dad in a good long while, I do think that those events are just water underneath the bridge."

"I know, I know. To tell the truth, that is part of the reason I'm back. But now that I'm here, it doesn't feel like I should. I had thought my emotions had settled, but seeing the mountain again has told me otherwise. Maybe on my next trip back…"

"Suit yourself. Need anything else from the kitchen?"

"Some more soup would be great. Can't get stuff this good anywhere to the south. I think I need to get more of my fill."

"And you girly?" Eileen asked.

"No thank you, miss. Much obliged though."

Beaumont's aunt went off back into the kitchen. Marissa could hear her mumbling as she went. Apparently she wasn't too pleased with the young man sitting across from her.

"So," Marissa asked, "care to elaborate on that little discussion back there?"

"Uh, not right now. Just as I said, it’s a little bit too hot to deal with the situation at the moment."

"Then can I ask what other purpose you might have in town? You know, so that I might convince you to travel on to Holloway instead," Marissa tried clumsily to bat her eyes at the young man.

Beaumont laughed. "You don't do that often do you? The whole feminine charm thing? Can't help but say you're cute when you do it, but that doesn't mean it'll get you anywhere." He laughed again.

"Well that can you at least answer my question?" she replied with a humorless tone. The young woman wasn't pleased that her attempt didn't work.

"It's nothing important. I just make an effort to come back home after long periods away. I read that it helps to keep the adventurer grounded. If one doesn't return home, then they lose purpose to the adventuring. Some famous proverb or something."

"Then why won't you accompany me to the north? Have you got anything better to do?"

"It's not like that. For anyone else, I'd take the job and lead the adventure if the money were right. It's just…" He paused, "It's just that I don't think you are ready to make that journey: alone or in a group. It's far too dangerous for a novice like yourself.

"And I was hoping that if I don't go, then you wouldn't go. Regardless of your silly test."

Marissa became defensive, "Did I not handle the situation perfectly at the mine? And what about the katabear who attacked us on the path leading to mine? Or even the night alone in the forest with the bandit creature? I believe that I am well enough prepared for any challenges ahead."

Beaumont remained silent and did not reply.

"So is there nothing I can do to convince you?" she pleaded.

"No."

Marissa sighed. She called out, "Eileen, how much do I owe you for the wonderful meal?"

From the kitchen in the back, "Oh, nothing dear. A friend of Beaumont is a friend of mine. No charge for tonight's meal."

The young mage called back, "Thank you, you are most kind. The Church also thanks you."

Marissa turned her attentions toward Beaumont, "Well, can you at least tell me where the Church is in this town? So that I may join my comrades?"

Beaumont walked Marissa outside of the restaurant. He pointed down the road and explained the paths she needed to take in order to reach the Church grounds. Marissa gathered her gear, unhitched Faerun, and mounted her horse.

The young woman bent down in the saddle with a traditional farewell gesture. She spoke two words and headed up the cobblestone path. Her quaint "Thank You" echoed down the hill and back to the blond-haired young man standing outside of Jack's.

Continue reading onto Chapter 19