Ch 3.6

Inside the carriage, Ben sat ramrod straight, every muscle locked. His eyes flicked anywhere but forward, refusing to linger too long on the person seated across from him.

What in the world is this about? he thought, struggling to make sense of the situation.

Across from him sat Lady Eliguen—the eldest daughter of the Cretzel clan’s chief, famed for her beauty even among elves. Tonight she wore a sheer nightgown that caught the lamplight, soft fabric hinting at curves formerly hidden beneath her formal robes. Elves were known for grace and allure, but seeing it firsthand like this left Ben acutely aware of every breath he took.

“Forgive me for calling you out so late,” Eliguen said with a coy smile. “I thought this would be the best time for us to speak alone.”

Ben forced his gaze higher, fixing it on the window behind her rather than her face—or anything below it. If anyone saw a royal elf in such a state, it could spark a scandal—or an execution.

“My lady,” he said carefully, voice stiff, “what matter was so urgent that it couldn’t wait until morning?”

Eliguen leaned in, closing the space between them until Ben could feel the warmth of her presence. Her hand slipped over his, soft and deliberate, her smile turning faintly predatory.

“Well then,” she murmured, eyes half-lidded, “I’ll be direct. Benjamin Almond, as ambassador of the Cretzel clan, I wish to extend an invitation for you to join us. It’s an informal offer for now, but rest assured—if you accept, I’ll make it official. With us, you’d be treated as an equal, even favored. All the resources of the Isle would be yours at a single request.”

Ben blinked, caught off guard, and for a moment, speechless. “Um…”

Eliguen’s tone softened, persuasive and measured. “The Cretzel clan is one of the Three Spears that guard this continent. You have more to gain with us than without. You needn’t decide immediately—learn all you can from the Old Demon first. When you’re ready, our doors will be open.” She ended with a coy smile, her eyes glinting with calculation beneath the charm.

For an instant, Ben felt the pull of her offer—and the weight of her closeness—but years under his master had taught him how to master impulse and emotion. Seeing through the silk of her words, he drew a slow breath, steadied himself, and gently withdrew his hand from hers.

“I appreciate the offer, Lady Eliguen,” he said quietly, “but I can’t join your clan.”

Lady Eliguen blinked, clearly not expecting his answer.

She straightened and glanced down at herself, fingertips brushing the edge of her sheer gown as if reassessing her approach.

“Hmm. I thought that would work. Are you… perhaps into men?”

“Huh? What—no!” Ben sputtered, face heating in disbelief.

Eliguen laughed behind her hand, soft and musical.

“Hehehe… relax, I’m only teasing. I’d just heard human men were simple creatures, easy to please. I thought a bit of charm would do the trick. It seems you’re an exception.”

Ben frowned.

“So that’s what you thought of me. Maybe it would’ve worked on some other human—but not me.”

Eliguen gave him a sly wink.

“Well, I had to try. Winning you over could’ve earned my faction the Old Demon’s favor. Too bad all that effort was for nothing.”

Without a word, Ben snatched a blanket from the seat and handed it to her.

She smiled and pulled it over her shoulders.

“Thank you. I suppose that was a bit improper of me. My apologies.”

Ben’s scowl deepened.

“If your father ever heard about this, I’d end up with my head on a spike.”

“Don’t worry,” she murmured with a strangely light smile, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You won’t remember any of this anyway. So—let’s start over.”

Ben hesitated, the words sinking in too slowly.

“…Wait. What do you mean by that?”

A faint, glowing sigil appeared before Eliguen’s eyes. Her irises flared with white light—and then a blinding flash swallowed the carriage.

Ben flinched, heart jolting. A spell? An attack? But before he could react, the magic surged through the air and was gone.

His vision went blank, mind fogging over as if wiped clean. When he blinked again, he was still inside the carriage. The dim lamplight swayed, and Lady Eliguen sat across from him, wrapped demurely in a blanket, her expression perfectly calm.

He frowned, dizzy, trying to recall what he’d been doing. The last thing he remembered… she’d simply asked to talk.

Maybe the fatigue’s getting to me, he thought, rubbing his temple.

“So,” she said lightly, “now you have my attention?”

Ben blinked. “Oh—right. You wanted to talk about something?”

Eliguen smiled. “Yes. I heard you’re heading to Barville Port for an escort mission. Assigned by the Old Demon himself, no less. I was curious—can you tell me who your client is?”

Ben relaxed, the fog dulling his suspicion.

“Oh, that’s all you wanted? Sure. I don’t mind.”

He leaned back and explained, “Apparently, I’ll be escorting a woman from the Church of Virtue to the Withering Woods. She’s building a chapel for the Ulfar tribe. I’ll serve as one of her bodyguards, along with another adventurer.”

Eliguen’s eyes narrowed slightly, gleaming with interest.

“Hm… the Church is already making moves, then. The coalition will need to act quickly. No wonder the Guild tried to keep it quiet. Thank you, Ben.”

Ben faltered. Should I not have said that? The thought barely formed before the haze in his mind settled in again.

“Well, that’s all,” Eliguen said brightly, folding her blanket. “You should rest. We leave at dawn.”

“Alright. Good night, Lady Eliguen.”

Ben rose and stepped out of the carriage.

The night air hit him cool and damp. His head felt oddly light, his thoughts sluggish—as if he’d woken from a dream he couldn’t quite remember.

He glanced toward Rukas, who was snoring on the ground, one eye eerily open.

Creepy, Ben thought with a half-smile. Better keep my own eye open, just in case.

Settling down on his bedding beside the dying fire, he kept watch even as his eyelids drifted shut, the fog in his head still refusing to clear.