Elydes

Chapter 80 - Old Acquaintances

Kai and Flynn sat at the table. Other patrons merrily chatted around them. The hostess of the Sage Tree soon appeared with two steaming plates. Steak with a sweet mango sauce, grilled vegetables on the side, bread and water.

“I hope this is to your liking.”

“It’s perfect, thanks.” Kai gave her a reassuring smile. She looked fine, but her energy flow was still uneven.

“Let me know if you need anything else.” The woman said, giving him a short bow.

Damn. I should have never used the governor’s signature.

His nails dug into his palm. Even worse, he couldn’t deny that a small part of him enjoyed it. How eager she looked to do anything he asked. All he needed to do was waving a piece of paper.

What’s wrong with me? I should just burn it.

“Hey, why is your plate bigger than mine?” Flynn complained.

Kai looked over, glad for the interruption. Yes, his own steak was definitely bigger, it looked like a better cut too. The meat on Flynn’s plate looked burnt.

“I can’t imagine why she would be annoyed by someone like you.”

“It’s not fair, give me half of yours.”

Kai’s fork hit the table an inch from Flynn’s treacherous hand. “Try me.” He didn’t have a decent meal for two days. A pang of guilt wasn’t going to stop him from enjoying that and neither was a sly kid.

Flynn slowly pulled back his hand. “Geeze, no need to be so rough.”

“I’m paying for both our meals. A simple thanks would be nice. Next time I’ll use my knife.” He cut a piece of steak, slowly chewing the juicy meat, and staring at the other kid with challenge.

The boy turned to his own plate. “What was that even about? What did you show her? Never seen Mrs. Calla being so polite. Not even with enforcers.”

“Nothing much.”

“Come on. Do you expect me to believe that?”

No, I expect you to take the hint and drop the question.

“Just my ID.”

“Which is a posh ID… don’t think I didn’t notice that. Come on… I can keep a secret, I promise.”

Even if he had not known anything else about him, someone who made promises so easily was bound to break them often.

Kai gave him a long look, almost choking on the bite he was chewing. Flynn’s face had turned into the picture of an innocent and naive child. Kai felt an instinctual desire to trust him.

I must ask him for tips for Acting, but that can’t be the only skill he is using.

“Does that ever work?” Kai said, Acting unimpressed. “It's a bit much. Who is going to trust someone with such an exaggerated expression? It’s obvious that you’re using a skill.”

Flynn pouted at him. When that didn’t work either, his mischievous grin came back. “You’d be surprised. Most people are idiots and fools. Tourists especially think themselves so smart, they never suspect a thing.”

He cut the salvageable part of his steak and started chewing with gusto. “Anyway, you clearly are not just some local. Are you the bastard child of someone important?”

Kai froze and clutched his knife, his aura bearing down on the boy sitting across from him.

“I get it. Touchy subject.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I mean, I don’t even know who my father is. So it can’t be that bad.”

Taking a deep breath, and suppressing the impulse to strangle the other boy, Kai punctuated each word. “I’m not a bastard. My father was from the Republic, but my parents were married.”

“Was?”

“He’s dead.”

“Oh… is that a good or bad thing?”

Kai glared.

“Sorry, just asking. Not everyone likes their parents. Anyway, was he rich?”

“No. I got the official ID because of my teacher. The Republic never gave us anything but misery.”

“Ehi, I get that.” Flynn put his hand over his own in a comforting gesture. Then pulled it back, carrying a piece of grilled zucchini with it.

A vein started pulsing on Kai’s head. “You know I’m still in time to ask somebody else. You’re not the only person who knows the city.”

“Yeah, but you are in a hurry and I’m the best,” Flynn said with a cheeky smile, chewing his stolen loot with a pleased sound. “Mine just taste like salt.”

If Kai hadn’t spent years tolerating Elijah’s taunts, he might have punched him in the face right then.

The day is still young, plenty of time to drag him into a dark alley.

Kai grinned back, but he must have let something slip because the boy finally shut up.

They finished the meal quickly. Flynn wanted to order more food, but Kai didn’t bother entertaining him. He stood up and forced him to follow. Mrs. Calla noticed him and sent a girl with a sweet smile to show him to his room.

The room was at the end of the corridor on the second floor.

“Here. The bath has already been prepared.” The girl opened the door for them. “Call me if you need anything else.”

Stepping inside, Kai considered if he should shut the door in Flynn’s face and make him wait outside.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Better to have him where I can keep an eye on him. Who knows what other scam he’ll cook up if given the chance.

The room was painted in warm tones, with a nice fluffy bed, a small wardrobe and a nightside table. It wasn’t big, but it had everything he needed, and it was sparkly clean. A door led to the bathroom where a full tub waited for him.

Kai took his best clothes and put down his backpack by the bed. “Don’t touch my things.”

“As you say, mister. I promise." Flynn sat on the bed away from his bag.

With one last look, Kai disappeared into the bathroom, locking the door. He had barely time to take off his dirty clothes when he noticed the boy looming over his things in his mana sight.

It wasn’t surprising. He purposefully left his backpack there to see what he would do. His ID, paper and silver were hidden among the clothes he brought with him.

I guess he's not as smart as he thinks he is.

Flynn hesitated over his bag, his hands an inch over the leather straps that kept it closed. Right as his fingers were about to brush the knots, the boy stood back and started pacing.

Sparing a small part of his mind to keep track of the situation, Kai focused on his bath. A baby blue piece of soap that smelled of coral flowers and two white towels had been left beside the tub. The water was heated to a pleasant temperature.

I can’t remember the last time I washed with hot water.

Stepping inside he let out a satisfied sigh. He comfortably fit inside the tub with enough space to stretch his legs. Outside Flynn had stopped in front of his bag twice more, but never went through with it, continuing to pace.

After submerging his body for a few seconds and contemplating how much he’d like to go for a good swim, Kai took his time scrubbing his body.

One minute or five won’t make a difference.

He was almost finished when, after nine times he pulled back, Flynn’s hand touched his backpack.

It took more than I thought.

“I can see you!” He yelled.

The boy jerked back as if he had been struck by lightning, tripping and falling on his back. A groan of pain came from beyond the door.

“I was just looking.” A meek voice called.

Kai didn’t bother to answer, drying himself off while he hummed a happy tune. With his best clothes on, he unlocked the door.

“I hope I didn’t make you wait too long. Let’s go.”

Flynn looked at him warily, no smirk on his face.

“So, where are we going first? I might buy you dinner if we finish on time. Unless the part about knowing the town like your pockets was a lie too.”

“I’m the best there is. Just follow me.” With an affronted expression, Flynn began to march down the streets.

“Are you sure you remember all the places?”

“Trust me.”

It would be easier if you hadn't tried to scam me multiple times.

The Sage Tree was in one of the best districts of Sylspring, but the difference was apparent when they stepped into poshtown. Separated by an invisible line, the streets became cleaner, the buildings higher and more colorful. Most of them were shops with barely any residential buildings.

Large glass windows displayed all kinds of random things. From appetizing sweets to a sea of knick-knacks as pretty as they were useless. Colorful necklaces and glass sculptures. Extravagant hats and intricately woven pieces of jewelry. A large number of them flaunted mysterious but meangless symbols that probably passed as local folklore.

“Is there truly someone who buys this junk?” Kai chuckled out loud when he read the ridiculous prizes on display.

Flynn nodded, his tone and posture muted. “More people than you think. Look around.”

Moving his gaze away from the eye-catching shops, Kai noticed how things had changed. Swarms of tourists crowded the streets, making up more than half of the total number of people. They looked at the windows and leisurely chatted amongst themselves. Outside poshtown he had noticed just a handful, here they were everywhere.

“Walk like you own the place,” Flynn whispered in his ear.

“Like this?” Head held up high, puffed chest in a mix of an arrogant and dignified posture.

“More easy-going. You are on holiday in a place where you can afford to buy anything that catches your fancy. You’re not trying to look like a good boy, but to have fun.”

Looking around it wasn’t hard to understand what Flynn meant. Kai mimicked a relaxed swagger with the help of Acting.

“Perfect. Here’s your first stop, mister. Sylpie’s Herb Shop.”

It was one of the few shops without obnoxiously extravagant displays. A sign with Sylpie’s Herbs in clear black letters on a white background. That didn’t mean it looked plain. Dozens of beautiful potted plants were on display. All of them shone brightly to his Mana Sense.

The inside was no less impressive. Rows and rows of glass containers lined the walls with neatly written labels. A bounty of harvested mana plants and flowers that made Kai take a second look. They were the only clients at this hour. A child about his age with bowl-cut hair was busy cleaning a display.

“How may I serv—.” The boy turned and froze on the spot, a potted purple daisy in his hands.

Kai was the first to wake up from the stupor. “What are you doing here, Telu?”

“Kai, is that you.” A toothy smile grew on Telu’s face.

“I’m coming.” An old voice called from the room behind the counter. Kai felt a shiver down his back.

No, this can’t be. I must have heard wrong.

A wrinkled face with a shrewd smile greeted them, her eyes widening when she saw him.

“Kai, how have you been my dear? I almost didn’t recognize you. Look how much you’ve grown.” She scanned him from head to toe. “It seems you’re doing well for yourself. Don’t worry, I’m not offended that you left Greenside without a word.”

Dressed in expensive fabric, and with carefully combed gray hair, she looked like a different person. But Kai would recognize those crafty eyes anywhere.

“Old Selly, what are you doing here?”

The old woman smiled. “People call me Sylphie now. It was actually my cousin's name—may the ancestors accept her soul—but it’s better for branding to keep the same name.”

“There were no younger relatives to take the shop?” He blurted out.

This must be a nightmare. She is stalking me.

Old Selly looked dramatically offended. “I still have a few good decades in me,” she adjusted her embroidered attire. “My poor cousin never married, and everyone agreed I was the most suitable person to take over. Not even my sister Sally can rival my experience.”

“Gran’ invested half the money to open the shop.” Telu helpfully added.

Selly gave him a disapproving look. “Enough about me. Tell me, Kai, what have you come to buy? My stock has grown considerably since the last time you visited.” A familiar glint of greed in her eyes. “I’ll cut you a good deal for old times’ sake.”

“I’m just here to retrieve a package. Should be under the name Theodora. It has already been paid.” Kai delivered the last line with great satisfaction.

“I’ll go fetch it.” Telu disappeared into the other room, coming back with three small packets. “Here.”

“Thank you, Telu.”

“Why don’t you take the time to browse the shop, dear? I’m sure you’ll find something to your liking. I’ll offer you 20% off on your first purchase.”

“I’m in a hurry.”

“Fine, 30%. But just because we are old friends.” Old Selly said with a pained expression.

“Maybe next time.”

Kai had almost expected her to offer 40%. He should have known better. She pressed her lips in a thin line. “We’ll do it another time then. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”

Not if I can help it.

“Bye, Telu. It was nice seeing you.”

She can’t have a monopoly on herbs here in Sylspring too. That just isn’t possible.

“Where do we need to go next?” Kai asked Flynn.

The boy gave him a curious look. “What was that about? Is the owner your friend?”

“Acquaintance at best. And don’t think I didn’t see you snatch those two gardenia leaves off the shelves.”

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” Flynn replied with a straight face.

“Sure…” The idea of Old Selly finding out someone nicked an herb under her nose made him smile. She, who was known as hawk’s eye and breaker of fingers in Greenside’s market.

Maybe that blow could hasten her to the grave. But if I tell her she will make me pay for them.

“Just out of curiosity, how much would you say these gardenia leaves go for?” Flynn casually asked as they started walking to the next shop.

“You should have gone for the yellow flowers on the lower shelf. Ten times the price.”

The next stops went without a hitch. Flynn’s advice seemed to be working, no one gave them any problem. A few enforcers stared at them longer than normal, but that could have been due to his flamboyant entrance this morning.

Kai just had to wave his brand-new ID to prove his identity and retire the packages. His backpack was getting heavier, but he only felt a fraction of the weight. It didn’t take long for Flynn to find out and pester him with questions. Kai could feel the boy’s eyes staring at him when he thought he wasn’t looking.

Crossing all the names off of Elijah’s list, there were only two merchants left: Terla and Revhani. The only two he needed to haggle with. Flynn swore he had heard their names, but he couldn’t find them. Asking the other sailors and merchants, they found out their ships were due any day now.

I was hoping to be done today.

“Seems like you’ll need my help for a few more days.” Flynn said with a grin as they walked back to the Sage Tree.

Kai gave him the second mesar he had promised. “I’m sure I can find two people by myself.”

“What if they take advantage of you? I’m great at haggling too.”

“Let me guess, you are the best haggler in Sylspring?”

Flynn stopped on the spot with a shocked expression. “How did you know?”

“I think I’ll manage by myself.”

“Come on. It’s a deal that pays for itself. You’ll save so much money, I swear.”

Kai rolled his eyes. Maybe he was right. “I’ll think about it.”

“I knew I could count on you, mister.”

Kai threw him a withering glare.

“Come on, aren’t we friends by now? Are you planning to go to the selection tomorrow, Kai?”

“Yes.”

“Just because we’re friends, I’ll be your guide free of charge.”

“Thank you. I can’t imagine how I would find the main square without you.”

Flynn threw his arms over his shoulder. “I can offer a lot of useful information. I know everything about the competition.”

“I never said I would participate,” Kai removed the intrusive arm.

“What about the delegation from Higharbor? I heard their little princess is coming.”

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