Thirteen

Even though I’d had a few sips of my nectar and even felt like having another glass, I couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable in Jayrell’s home. The only thing I could put it down too was the fact that it was just too fancy for me. I felt like a pebble in a pile of diamonds.

“Forgive me for sounding stupid, but when you say hate, how much so?” I asked. Faelana’s face looked upset.

“As much as Brigg hates you humans, if not more,” answered Jayrell. He looked to his sister and saw that she was too upset to talk. I could see it too.

“Ah, right. My next question is this. Vulug and Jackson. What were they like with each other? Vulug had made him money.” I fought off the urge to have any more of the nectar. As much as it was a burning refreshment, I needed to focus. The stuff was way too strong.

“Jackson was polite enough with him. But they were definitely two you wouldn’t want to leave alone in a room for too long. They’d had some arguments before, and it didn’t end well.” Jayrell tensed his hands on the armrests of his wooden throne.

“Do you mind if I have a smoke?” I asked. The cigarette was in my hand before I realised what I was even doing.

“Go ahead, I think I’ll have one too,” said Faelana. She stood up and walked over to a bench in the far corner. She came back with a cigarette that was on one of them fancy holders to stop their hands smelling like cigarettes. The kind of fancy stuff I expected from elvish nobility.

“I’ve never understood the appeal of those things. You know they can kill you?” said Jayrell. A pompous tone laced his voice, and a look of disgust came over his face.

“Just a vice. My next question, what were your group doing Saturday night? The night you went to Grob’s? Before and after?” Faelana had approached me and lit my cigarette with a little magic fire that appeared between her fingers. She then lit hers and went back to her throne.

“Well, Vulug had just made us some more money that evening with a special fight against a minotaur. The odds weren’t in his favour as much as they should’ve been, so we made more money than we thought we would. We were at Grob’s to celebrate.”

“How often would you go to the Cracked Cauldron? It doesn’t seem like the type of place someone of your stature would frequent. I’ve been there a lot and never seen ya.” I was staring intently at the two of them now. Focusing like I did back in the ring.

“It was a place we frequented more when Heston and Faelana got engaged. It wasn’t a very popular engagement and we needed to get away from the rich snobs. They didn’t make things easy for Heston, but we still wanted a drink and a good time.” Jayrell’s whole body tensed up as he spoke.

“How long were you both engaged?” I made sure I looked at Faelana, hoping she would answer me.

“Five months. He’d been courting me for close to a year before that.” A small smile appeared on her face, as though she were reminiscing on some good memories.

“I’ve actually seen you at the Cracked Cauldron before,” said Jayrell. “You had passed out pretty early and your wallet was stolen by a halfling.” There was a cheeky smile on Jayrell’s face, as though he were trying to poke fun at me.

I remembered when the little halfling stole my wallet. Halflings were a tricky lot. Looking like a mix of a short human and a monkey. They were quite hairy, with big feet and tails. They loved to get up to mischief.

I’d felt the tricky little bastard pinch my wallet, but I was in no condition to chase after him. I’d faceplanted the floor the moment I stood up. I’d only gotten my wallet back because Grob and Bhodie had intervened.

“I remember that night. Surprisingly.”

“Honestly sister, why was this the detective you hired? Edge City has so many, almost too many. This was the man you hired?” Jayrell looked at his sister, his wry smile still on his face. I wanted to slap him real good.

“Most of them were already too busy. I wanted someone who had frequented our homeland and treated us fairly.” She scowled at her brother. Annoyed that he dared question her decision. Something only an older sibling could do. I’d know, my sister gave me that look all the time.

“Ya know, I’m right here. You could wait until I’d left the room.” I shot Jayrell a grin and blew a huge cloud of smoke out of my nostrils.

“I’m sorry.” Jayrell looked a little uncomfortable now. He hadn’t expected me to say anything.

“I must ask, what was your family like with your engagement to Heston. How did they treat him? What did they think about it? Why were you so happy about it?” I looked at Jayrell when I asked that last question.

“Typical elvish nobility. They look down on humans. Of course, they were appalled that I even dated a human. They detested our engagement and did everything they could to talk me out of it.” Tears returned to Faelana’s face. There was no doubt she had truly loved this man. It wasn’t just an act of rebellion.

“Unlike most elves, and fairyfolk in general. I actually like humans. Our situation for living here is what it is. Most of your lot, though sometimes stupid and simple, are accommodating. I think both our people can work better together at improving our coexistence.”

“What did you do after visiting the Cracked Cauldron that night?” I repeated myself.

“I went home and the other three headed out for more entertainment.” My heart leapt when I heard that little bit of information.

“One more question, this one aimed at both of you. Seeing as though he hated fairyfolk so much, how did Jackson treat both of you?”

“We got along fine. Moreso when the drink was in us. We actually found a lot of things to talk about when alcohol was involved,” Jayrell answered.

“He was standoffish with me. Would sometimes give me the cold shoulder the whole night I was around. Heston would often pull him up on it. It was awkward, but I loved Heston. I wasn’t going to let one idiotic friend change my mind.”