I looked around the clean, candlelit room, which was meticulously tidy. On the other side, near the window, the two hooded figures were waiting for me.
As soon as I entered, the elven woman looked in my direction. Apparently, my show of intimidation at the tavern wasn't enough to keep them away.
Damn.
I walked patiently toward them and threw myself into the chair near the window, facing the her. The guard remained at attention with his sword drawn.
As If that would intimidate me.
I took a cigarette from my pocket, lit it, and took a long drag without taking my eyes off her. She glared as if I had just stripped naked.
"Don't you have any manners?" The disapproval tone in her voice was the same as if she were talking to a dirty beggar. "Smoking indoors in the presence of guests... how rude."
I exhaled slowly, letting the smell of tobacco fill the air between us before responding.
"You two approach me in a tavern, pressure me into doing something I don't want to do, stalk me, come to where I live, and you're still standing in front of me wearing hoods. But I'm the one with no manners? Interesting."
She seemed to have bitten her tongue, as she made a disgusted face, but then took off her hood. A cascade of silver-brown hair fell around her refined face.
For an elf, brown-toned hair was rare. A disguise, perhaps? Her golden eyes held my gaze with excessive confidence.
She looked up at the elf and asked kindly.
"Lut'hner, please."
Hesitantly, the guard also lowered his hood. He also had a handsome face, but it was visibly worn and tired. His hair was white and tied back in a low ponytail, and his brown eyes...
Wait... brown eyes?
I was about to take a drag on my cigarette when I noticed his eyes. I smiled broadly and chuckled.
"Well, well... we have some mudblood here."
Lut'hner's expression stiffened. For a moment, his hands went to his sword, but after a few brief seconds he restrained himself. His jaw was tight, clearly uncomfortable that I had noticed. His voice came out harsh and sharp as a sharp sword.
"Don't call me that, filthy creature."
I finished my cigarette quickly and burned it in my hands. I blew out the smoke and closed the window, since the sound of the rain was getting on my nerves.
I pointed my index finger at him as if it were a gun about to give him a headshot.
"Call me filthy again and I'll call you mudblood and rip your head off. How about that?"
The elf remained impassive during the interaction, but her eyes analyzed my every move, as if reading me.
"Mr. Duncan, as I said in the tavern, I've been looking for you. It was difficult and very exhausting, but I finally found you."
The door opened, interrupting the elf. Lina entered carrying a silver tray with a flowered teapot and three cups. She set it on the table and was about to serve us, but Lut'hner stepped forward, smiling in that charming way that only elves could.
"Excuse me, Miss Lina."
Lina blushed slightly, dropping the tray.
"Oh... of course. Excuse me."
Then she turned toward the door, and before leaving she gave me a very strange look, as if she wanted to say something, but gave up and closed the door.
When she left, the elf resumed the conversation.
"As I said before, I am searching for the Legendary Sword of the Mad Hero. Reliable sources have told me that you know where it is."
Lut'hner served tea for me, the elf, and himself, but only as a courtesy, as he made no mention of drinking any.
"If this is to be an exchange of information" I picked up my cup and blew lightly on it before taking a sip. "Could you give me the first piece of information, which is essential in any negotiation? Your name."
She sat up straight, picking up her own cup with a slight smile on her face. Perhaps she thought she was making progress.
"Of course, I apologize. My name is Lurya."
I narrowed my eyes slightly. This is a very strange name for an elf. Something about her didn't add up, but it was hard to figure out because she gave nothing away.
"So... Lurya," I paused briefly to let them know that I was suspicious of them in some way, "what would a young elf like you want with such a dangerous artifact? Surely not to melt it down and place it on King Vaer'ion's throne."
Lut'hner shook his hand on the sword hilt, clearly unhappy. But Lurya raised a hand to stop him.
"Confidential matters. I just need any useful information on the whereabouts or exact location of the sword."
She drummed her slender fingers on the table, perhaps a habit of anxiety... or impatience. Damn elves...
"You know, this is an extremely dangerous item, Miss Lurya. I recommend you stop your search here. That sword will only bring you pain and suffering."
She stopped drumming her fingers, narrowing her eyes at me.
"You... seem to know a lot about this subject. Too much experience. As if you've used the sword... or owned it."
I tried but couldn't contain my laughter. That damn... She was good, and dangerous, like a snake just waiting for the right moment to attack.
"You're pretty sharp for such a young elf. You must be what, about 300 years old?"
She tossed her hair back with that damn annoying elven charm.
"313, thank you. But back to the matter at hand, are you going to tell me or not?"
Lut'hner threw the same bag on the table, but this time it seemed fuller. Heavy platinum coins and Elnari crystals rolled out.
Either they were crazy to walk around with that... or extremely powerful.
Lurya stared at me as if she were going to tear a piece of me out; I could almost see the gears working in her head.
But I already had my answer.
I grabbed the bag. At that moment, she smiled slightly. However, I tied the bag shut and threw it back to her.
"Forget it. Find someone else."
I was about to get up when Lut'hner made a move to unsheathe his sword. But before he could even breathe, I made my move.
"Shadow walk..."
In seconds, I was face to face with him, staring into his clear, extremely wide brown eyes, which threatened to pop out of their sockets. My hand rested on the hilt of the sword, sheathing it back.
My mind began to bubble with rage. Lut'hner's expression changed from surprise to alertness when my eyes turned crimson. Then I whispered as if there were poison in my voice.
"Put your sword away. The floor was waxed this afternoon."
Lurya initially seemed surprised by the sudden movement, but after a few seconds, she returned to her usual, as if she had understood something. I turned to leave, but not before hearing her.
"I'll stay at the inn. You can be sure I'll get my answers."
Then she stood up and they both walked past me toward the exit.
When their footsteps began to fade, I took a long breath.
I definitely need some sleep.