Ebudae. She didn’t want
to upset new friends just as soon as she gained them. “It’s just
that . . .” She didn’t know what to say.
“Don’t worry about it.” Glav brushed away
the matter and played a discordant note.
“My family has been around ever since Dralin
was built on the ruins of the city below.” They all sat up straight
and looked on with extreme interest, even Pelya. “I can’t tell you very much because I’m sworn not to and I don’t break my
word ever.”
“I respect that,” Glav said with a
respectful nod. “I would love to hear anything you are able
to tell us, especially about the ruins below.” The others nodded.
Pelya looked alarmed as though worried Ebudae might speak of their
many adventures in that city.
“It is said that people have lived in this
place ever since humans first appeared in the world of Ryallon.” It
was a safe story to tell, but one few people knew of. “I don’t know
anything about the beginnings, but I do know that at numerous times
in the past, invaders have leveled or conquered previous cities.
Every new city has been built on top of the old.”
“Fascinating. Do you truly believe there are
cities underneath us?” Aphry asked.
“No, that’s not possible, Artifacts and
other things may be buried underneath,” Glav told her. “Old
buildings would have been reused or leveled to make way for the
new. Ruined cities are fairy tales made up by foolish minstrels.”
He looked around with wide eyes. “Oh wait, that’s me!” He strummed
a funny little tune and waggled his eyebrows, drawing giggles from
the young women.
Ebudae didn’t look at Pelya so as not to
give anything away. “There are whispered rumors that Dralin is
built on massive columns over the old cities and that dangerous
creatures roam the darkness below.” Actually, it was fact. The
supports deep into the ground were architectural marvels laced with
a network of powerful spells that should hold Dralin for millennia.
She and Pelya had seen them.
“I doubt that,” Glav said with a wave of
dismissal. “It’s a pretty story, but there’s no way it’s
possible.”
“In this city? From what Lizor has seen,
anything’s possible,” the big man disagreed. “With all the crazy
things here like the Tower District and Wraith Park, Lizor would
not be surprised.” He jammed a thumb into his chest and playfully
made his pecs jump in response.
“It is intriguing.” Aphry looked at Ebudae
with interest. “What an adventure that would be.”
“It’s not possible, even with all the
wizards here.” Glav was determined that it couldn’t be. “You said
your family has been here since the beginning of Dralin. Does it
say anything about the time before that?”
“No. The family histories begin then, and
I’m not even sure I should tell you that, but . . .” Ebudae
considered what to tell them. “The Pallon estate has been in our
family since that time. It’s in the Merchant District instead of
the Noble District because of a marriage in that early time between
a rich merchant family and a powerful noble family.”
“Those arrangements happen a great deal
throughout history,” Glav stated to the group. “Oftentimes nobles
lose fortunes for any number of reasons: mismanagement, theft, war,
drought, insanity. It’s fascinating.” He asked Ebudae, “Do you know
why the marriage was needed?”
“No. That detail was left out. Since then,
my family has done well for some generations and poorly for others.
At this point, we have almost no power, but are still rich.”
“So dinner is on you tonight?” Glav asked
with a raised eyebrow and mischievous grin.
Ebudae laughed. “Yes. I’ll buy dinner, a
fair price for the shade and company. I’ve hardly spent any money
today so I’m able to.” The statement brought cheers from the group.
She gave Lizor and Juggles five silver pieces to get food and more
wine. Then they all enjoyed a good dinner and more conversation
before the
to upset new friends just as soon as she gained them. “It’s just
that . . .” She didn’t know what to say.
“Don’t worry about it.” Glav brushed away
the matter and played a discordant note.
“My family has been around ever since Dralin
was built on the ruins of the city below.” They all sat up straight
and looked on with extreme interest, even Pelya. “I can’t tell you very much because I’m sworn not to and I don’t break my
word ever.”
“I respect that,” Glav said with a
respectful nod. “I would love to hear anything you are able
to tell us, especially about the ruins below.” The others nodded.
Pelya looked alarmed as though worried Ebudae might speak of their
many adventures in that city.
“It is said that people have lived in this
place ever since humans first appeared in the world of Ryallon.” It
was a safe story to tell, but one few people knew of. “I don’t know
anything about the beginnings, but I do know that at numerous times
in the past, invaders have leveled or conquered previous cities.
Every new city has been built on top of the old.”
“Fascinating. Do you truly believe there are
cities underneath us?” Aphry asked.
“No, that’s not possible, Artifacts and
other things may be buried underneath,” Glav told her. “Old
buildings would have been reused or leveled to make way for the
new. Ruined cities are fairy tales made up by foolish minstrels.”
He looked around with wide eyes. “Oh wait, that’s me!” He strummed
a funny little tune and waggled his eyebrows, drawing giggles from
the young women.
Ebudae didn’t look at Pelya so as not to
give anything away. “There are whispered rumors that Dralin is
built on massive columns over the old cities and that dangerous
creatures roam the darkness below.” Actually, it was fact. The
supports deep into the ground were architectural marvels laced with
a network of powerful spells that should hold Dralin for millennia.
She and Pelya had seen them.
“I doubt that,” Glav said with a wave of
dismissal. “It’s a pretty story, but there’s no way it’s
possible.”
“In this city? From what Lizor has seen,
anything’s possible,” the big man disagreed. “With all the crazy
things here like the Tower District and Wraith Park, Lizor would
not be surprised.” He jammed a thumb into his chest and playfully
made his pecs jump in response.
“It is intriguing.” Aphry looked at Ebudae
with interest. “What an adventure that would be.”
“It’s not possible, even with all the
wizards here.” Glav was determined that it couldn’t be. “You said
your family has been here since the beginning of Dralin. Does it
say anything about the time before that?”
“No. The family histories begin then, and
I’m not even sure I should tell you that, but . . .” Ebudae
considered what to tell them. “The Pallon estate has been in our
family since that time. It’s in the Merchant District instead of
the Noble District because of a marriage in that early time between
a rich merchant family and a powerful noble family.”
“Those arrangements happen a great deal
throughout history,” Glav stated to the group. “Oftentimes nobles
lose fortunes for any number of reasons: mismanagement, theft, war,
drought, insanity. It’s fascinating.” He asked Ebudae, “Do you know
why the marriage was needed?”
“No. That detail was left out. Since then,
my family has done well for some generations and poorly for others.
At this point, we have almost no power, but are still rich.”
“So dinner is on you tonight?” Glav asked
with a raised eyebrow and mischievous grin.
Ebudae laughed. “Yes. I’ll buy dinner, a
fair price for the shade and company. I’ve hardly spent any money
today so I’m able to.” The statement brought cheers from the group.
She gave Lizor and Juggles five silver pieces to get food and more
wine. Then they all enjoyed a good dinner and more conversation
before the
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