Trailing Silence | Chapter II - Section III

Section III

The two of them walked down the path towards the forges. Alice pointing out places and streets as they walked. The two of them laughed and smiled as they went along, catching the eyes of some of the people around them, though none went over to them.

“Oshlot!” Alice called as she neared the forge.

“Mm, ah, Elf! Glade to see that you’re back and have company as well,” The older dwarf smiled. The grey in his beard gave away that he was much older than either of the elves but his hazel eyes still shown bright with the fire of a young dwarf.

“How have you been Oshlot?” Alice greeted.

“Well, of course,” He grinned. “Who is your elven friend?”

“Faerie,” she replied with a small bow.

“Quite, anyways what brings you to my forge Elf?” He asked.

“You know why I’m here dwarf.” Alice replied and he grinned. He hurried back into his forge and into the back. He returned holding a cloth covered item. He glanced up at Alice before pulling off the cloth and holding up the bow to her. Both the elves’ eyes widened and carefully Alice took the bow in her hands.

“Oak with pine?” Alice questioned and Oshlot nodded at her words. Faerie ran her fingers along the patterns in the wood.

“What’s the cord made out of?” Faerie questioned.

“Dwarven hair wrapped in a light cloth, stronger that way.” He replied.

“It’s beautiful,” Alice breathed.

“I’m glade you like it Elf, oh wait, Smit said for me to give these to you.” He hurried back inside for a moment before returning with two quivers of arrows handing one to Alice and the other to Faerie. Alice slung the bow over her shoulder and picked out a handful of arrows.

“Silver tipped?” Alice looked at Oshlot. “You guys spoil me.”

“Oh course we do.” The dwarf grinned.

“I brought you guys a little present as well.” Alice slung the quiver over her shoulder and dug into her pocket producing a small sack and handed it to the dwarf, he quirked an eyebrow at her before opening the pouch and blinking once, twice, before looking up at her.

“Where did you get this?” He asked as he looked back down at the metal in the pouch.

“We adventured along a lot of river beds, me and the two other dwarves in my party sat down along the river when we stop and pick out the metals we find, splitting it when we’re done. Thought it was the least I could do to try and repay you guys.” Alice smiled softly down at the light brown haired dwarf.

“Also we stopped by a dwarven kingdom while we were out adventuring. Matrand, I believe, had a great laugh with them. Gosh can they tell stories, asked when I saw you next to say that they hope you’re well in health and they are proud of you and you’re always welcome back.” He nodded at her words.

“Where is your party?” Oshlot asked after a moment of silence.

“Had to leave them behind,” Alice muttered, eyes falling.

“You’re going back after them aren’t you?” Faerie looked at Alice as she nodded at the question.

“I have to know if they’re alright Oshlot.” Alice told him.

“I understand, come see me before you leave, alright? And tell Angie where you’re going.” He told her. “Now go on the first sun is starting to set.”

Alice nodded at his words. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she gave him a hug before turning around and leaving with Faerie.

“I’m coming with you,” Faerie told her after a while of silence.

Alice looked at her, “But…”

“I’m coming with you.” Faerie said more sternly as she met Alice’s eyes. “I know it’s dangerous but I’m not letting you leave alone Alice.” Alice slowly nodded.

“Not like I can stop you,” Alice muttered.

“Quite right you can’t,” Faerie replied. Alice stopped and looked at her.

“Why? Why do you want to come, you know it’s dangerous heck you even got shot. So why?” Faerie smiled and put a hand to Alice’s cheek.

“Because I’ll forever regret it if I don’t.” Faerie planted a light kiss on her lips before pulling away. “Come on the second sun is starting to set.” Alice followed after her, aware of the confused looks that followed them from the non-elven beings around them.