Goodbye Lyroz

So, what was it? - Said Leonard.

- What?

- The spell. The one that you just said. What does it do?

- Oh! OH! Right. No, Mr Leonard. It didn't work because I didn't use my staff. It was for...

<< Cursing your father >>

- Getting a good night of sleep. - Said Elyrielle while she gave a piercing look at his "father"

- Oh, that makes sense. Now, Lady Elyrielle. Are you sure that you won't like to discuss this tomorrow? You seem... Have you cried? - Said Leonard with a worried expression on his face.

- I need to solve it today so all of us can rest tonight. It's fair for everyone.

<< "Fair?, it would be much more productive if you spent that time talking to me... But whatever you wish, "princess" >> - Said Oberon with a disappointed look.

Even though Leonard thought that was bullshit. He didn't want to question Elyrielle. If she didn't want to talk about whatever was happening, who was him to make her talk? He would give her the space that she needed. And yes, it was obvious that she cried just minutes before. He wished to know what made her cry like that.

They walked to a little restaurant where the others were already waiting for them.

- Hey! Ms. Elder, you finally arrive! Did you know that Leonard INSISTED on looking for you himself, huh? - Said Edward with a playful smile.

Leonard turned red within seconds and his his face with his coat as much as he could. His blonde hair just helped emphasize how red he was in contrast. In response, Edward burst laughing and started hitting his lap loudly. Louise hit him on the back of his head, clearly embarrassed.

- Hey!

- You know he is not that mature sometimes, Ms Elyrielle. Please forgive his child-like actions.

Elyrielle laughed happily and just nodded before taking a seat by their side.

- So, We were discussing and...

- We think we want to move on to the next town. -Said Louise.

- And we wanted to know if you want to come with us or what? - Said Edward

- I couldn't agree more. I am up to it. - Said Elyrielle, relieved. She didn't want to. She NEEDED to move on quickly. Now she was having hallucinations. Her time was really limited.

- That's it, then we should get go-

- What my friend here was trying to say is... we wanted to have dinner here. Would you want to eat with us, Ms Elyrielle? - Said Louise as she kicked Edward's leg under the table.

- Yes, Lady Elyrielle. Last time you brought food. Let us do the same this time. - Said Leonard with a smile.

Then, a waiter brought 4 plates. It was pork and mashed potatoes. Behind her, an elder lady came to see their son's friends.

- Hey! It's you lovely, elder lady! - Said the owner of the restaurant. She was the same lady that she bought groceries from earlier.

- Do you know her, mom? - Said Leonard.

- Mom? Said Elyrielle.

- I sold her some groceries this morning. She is really lovely, Leo! - Said the old lady. Now that Elyrielle looked at her in detail. She looked like a female version of Leonard. She seemed in her 60's. A small but thin face. Her hair that once was golden as well, it was mostly gray now. Her eyes were green, and light wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Her nose and eyes (beside her eye color) were exactly the same.

- Nice to meet you, Ms. Elder! My name is Charlotte. As you just heard, he is my son. Leonard. I hope you enjoy the food! Is the first time that my dearest son brings friends home! I needed to celebrate this occasion with my best plate! - Said the old Charlotte with a sweet smile that made the wrinkles around her lips look really visible.

- MOM! - Said Leonard now all red again.

- NO WAY! - Said Edward and started laughing again.

Elyrielle just laughed and started eating with the others.

<< "Pork, huh? Why don't you eat more meat like this daily? That is why you are so thin and weak >> - Said the never-ending voice of Oberon.

Edward cheered loudly when Ms. Charlotte brought beer for everybody. They all cheerfully ate and drank with laughs and jokes all around. All of them but not Elyrielle. She could feel her father's piercing stare from the window. She followed him as he wandered all over the small restaurant and critiqued every single detail.

- << What is this restaurant? Is so cheap. Look at these floors. I will put money on that one room of my room is more expensive than this whole place. What about the food? Pork and potatoes? This is her best plate? It seems that she does not know many plates then. Pork and potatoes, HA! All of these is SO vulgar. And yet you come here, take a seat and listen to these troglodytes talk about their boring unimportant lives? You are just as vulgar as them. >>

- Mr Leonard, please let your sweet mother know that her pork is exquisite. And I don't say that frequently. - Said Elyrielle with a smile.

Leonard nodded and said it to her mother. Elyrielle couldn't tell if the mother or the son looked happier.

<< Oh please! I bet any of my maida could cook something better blindfolded! >>

// Why don't you get one to make you food then, father? // - Said Elyrielle telepathically to her father.

He raised an eyebrow and his expression turned into a surprised one.

<< You know telepathy? >>

// Of course I do. You would have known if you talked to me //

- Lady Elyrielle? Is everything all right? You keep looking at one point of the room.

Elyrielle took this opportunity and said to Leonard something in whispers.

- Could we talk about it outside? I think I might ow you the truth.

- Oh! s- sure. Mom, we're going outside to bring more beer. You just take a seat and eat with the others please.

- How sweet of you my beloved son. Okay, okay, go ahead sweetie.

Leonard and Elyrielle got out of the restaurant. She was looking at the bright moon over their heads. Leonard looked at her from the back.Her hair softly moved with the wind. Her hair almost glowed as the moon that night.

- So, what you wanted to say Lady Elyrielle?

- I suffer from the elder's fog.

Silence

- The what?

Elyrielle turned and shocked asked:

- You humans don't know about the elder's fog?!

- Never heard about it. And believe me, I read a lot during my preparation to become a magician.

- Hmmm, interesting. Well, let me explain. The elder's fog is a disease that elfs get at any point once they turn 1000 years old. Ir affects your magic, your body, and your mind. There is no known cure or way of preventing it. As you already saw, my magic sometimes fails because of it. Sometimes, my memory fails to me. I feel weaker overall. This is the real reason why I want to go to Ry'kloth. My father is the only one who didn't get affected by this.

But today... today, I got one of his letters. Never paid attention to them. Not that much, at least. But today... that wasn't his handwriting, Leonard. That wasn't his way of writing either. I'm so confused. My mind might be playing tricks on me... But I KNOW my father. If I am right... What does that even mean?!

Elyrielle started crying. Her voice became almost a whisper as she continued talking.

<< And now you cry? What a shocker. Women always tend to do that. And for what? Do you want this squalid "man" to get in your pants? What about your husband? He was always loyal to you... that I know of at least. >>

- I...

- That is not all. I have a son. I am married.

- Oh...

- I used to be? Is so confusing. I left because I was sick but also because I couldn't force myself to live my last days like that. In a loveless marriage and without all purpose. Just rotting away slowly until I become just a hollow version of myself.

- What... what do you mean?

- I am dying, Leonard. This is why finding my father is crucial. I don't want to die. Not like this.

<< Such a drama queen. Well, not a queen, you are never becoming one. >>

- And now... I see my father I'm hallucinations ALL the time! Or ghost! or curse! I don't know anymore. I feel that I am going insane. I don't know what is real anymore. That is all. If you wish to tell the others. If you wish to find another party member that is not dangerous to herself or to others. Just let me know. You are all together here now. Discuss it and let me know. I will go and rest for today. I-

Leonard grabbed Elyrielle's hand and pressed softly.

- Lady Elyrielle, we already knew that you had an issue with magic. You just didn't tell us the whole truth. Now, that is okay! Is your life. We agreed that we wanted you in our team. You are strong and smart! And most importantly, kind! Do you have any idea how many elfs we met that were so high up their asses that they were impossible to deal with. Sotry about my language. You... you are that and much more. And even if they do not want to keep going with you, I want to. So please, come and enjoy the dinner please. You deserve a break. And, tell your father's ghost or whatever that he can go and fuck himself as much ad I care.

<< YOU INSOLENT SIMPLE HUMAN! >>

It took a few seconds for Elyrielle of staring at Leonard with widened, watery eyes before she started laughing.

- Thank you, Leonard. Really. Let's go inside.

- We will find a solution for you, Lady Elyrielle, I promise.

- By the way, my father did not like what you said.

Both laughed and went to look for the beers. Elyrielle felt as a huge weight disappeared of her chest. Maybe tomorrow wasn't as scary anymore.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***