Chapter 10: A Familiar Face

He approached the girl who so reminded him of his fiancée. “Rosa!” He took her hand, an urgent look on his face. “How did you get here? Did you… You didn’t…”

“I’m sorry?” The woman appeared confused.

He gave her a warm smile. “Rosa. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m glad you’re here.” Her hand felt warm and smooth in his. Everything about her reminded him of his beloved.

“Oh, I understand,” she lightly giggled. “I’m sorry, but you have me confused with someone else. My name is Iris, and I’m a priestess of the Holy Church of Ivalis.”

Vito’s words left him. Joy turned to surprise and sorrow. Iris kindly held his hand and gently patted it. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, sir. You must truly miss your Rosa.”

“Vito!” Greye caught up with him. “You’re a bit too sly, son. Spending time speaking with priestesses instead of coming with me to that meeting?”

Vito looked to him and tried to speak, but he failed. Greye’s teasing smile vanished. “Come on, or we’ll be late.” Vito slowly released her hand, his eyes locked with hers as though he were trying to find Rosa within her.

A priest approached them from the church. “Lady Iris, the Father’s favorite tree has begun to wilt again, and the gardener is nowhere to be seen.”

Iris turned to face him with a competitive look. “Again? My water magic will see this evil purged from the tree once and for all.” The two shared a brief laugh. She looked back at Vito and offered a sympathetic smile. “It seems work calls us both. I do hope you find your Rosa soon.” Vito opened his mouth to speak, but he made no sound. She turned away from him and returned to the church. The priest gave him a withering look, but Greye stepped between them just in case.

Vito followed Greye away from the church and down the paved road. “She seems like a nice girl. I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words, though.”

“She…” Vito found his voice again. “Reminds me of someone else. Someone I haven’t seen in a long time.” His voice carried the sorrow he felt in his heart.

Greye put a comforting arm around his shoulders and decided not to press him for more. “Two hearts can link together, and as long as there’s love, time, distance, even life, and death can’t sever that connection.” Vito offered him a pained smile. Greye didn’t know he ever had such a love that distance would pain him. He wished he could help alleviate it, but all he could do was affectionately pat his son’s back and smile.

Greye and Vito stood outside a large and gaudy manor in the noble district, well within view of the royal castle. A large gate blocked their way. Vito saw the large walls that kept outsiders from seeing within. He had seen numerous mansions in Kyrenia with fences and gates, but very few had protective walls surrounding them.

Four armed guards approached the gate and eyed Greye and Vito with agitation. Two opened the gates without a word and led them inside the mansion. Though Greye seemed comfortable, the sounds of the gate closing behind them left Vito feeling anxious. His instincts told them to fight and run away. He gave Greye a cautious look, but his father simply smiled and tussled his hair for a moment.

Vito winced as he walked through the mansion. The inside was as gaudy as the outside. Numerous paintings, statues, and vases lined the walls. Most everything was lined with gold. The fine red rug muffled their footsteps as they reached the parlor. “My Lord will be with you momentarily,” the guard informed them. He made no effort to hide his disdain for outcasts.

He hated it, but the parlor seemed like a comfortable place to relax. A perfume wafted through the air, the sofas looked soft, and there was a table full of expensive pastries waiting for them. He mentally used Scan to examine the room. The perfume was safe, as were the pastries.

He picked up a cookie and tossed one to Greye. The two enjoyed the lord’s snacks until the owner of the mansion interrupted their banquet. “Greye! How are you, my friend?” Lord Berold Renaudin swept into the parlor. His flowing red robe and fine jewelry truly highlighted how much money he had and spent on the finer things in life.

“Lord Renaudin! It’s been too long.” The two shook hands as friends. Vito watched Renaudin’s every move. He was a good actor. There was no sign of disgust when he shook Greye’s hand.

“Come, sit. Time is of the essence,” Renaudin urged his guests. Vito sat beside Greye on a sofa across from Renaudin. The lord handed Greye several documents before he began. “I need you and your guild to complete this quest as quickly as possible.”

“An elder dragon? Those are dangerous. I only slew one once, years ago, with twelve other adventurers. They’re very dangerous,” Greye explained.

“I’m well aware. A traveling merchant told me that an elder dragon is approaching a frontier village known as Orinis.”

“Why not bring this to the Adventurers’ Association? There should be no shortage of volunteers to slay it,” Vito inquired.

“That’s precisely the problem, young man. Adventurers would march to Orinis and do whatever they could to kill this creature, no matter the cost to the villagers or their home,” Renaudin warned. “They would seek only wealth and glory and would pay no mind to the village. Indeed, a few may even exploit the people there on the promise of saving their lives. No, this matter must be kept secret. This is a closed quest; only a couple of people in the Adventurers’ Association know of it.”

“I understand,” Greye began. “We’ll handle this. You have my word.”

A smile formed on Renaudin’s face. “Thank you. I knew I could count on you.”

“Is this area known for dragon visits?” Vito asked them.

“Not at all,” Renaudin answered. “That’s what I want you to uncover. Something or someone may have provoked the dragon to fly toward Orinis. Find out who and do what you can to bring them to justice.”

Vito still had his suspicions. “Don’t worry. If there’s a conspiracy, we’ll uncover it.”