Page 75 of Dark Elf's Good Girl
“I know the brothers through mutual connections,” I explain.
The truth is that I would occasionally run into the brothers at private gatherings for the elite class. I never cared much for Calix for he always gave off a strange vibe but Aiken had always been a pleasure to be around.
However, given the trouble that always seemed to follow them, I never let myself be seen or become attached to them in the eye of the public in order to protect my own image.
“What strange goings-on do you speak of, stranger?” I ask.
“Well, there are rumors going around that Aiken Detlar has gone missing, and that his brother Calix was attacked in the woods near a private residence. People say he got assaulted by a pack of thugs, others say it was a hungry worg.”
“Really?” I quip, surprised to hear the news. “Interesting.”
“But that’s not even the strangest part,” says the elf. “You see, the Detlar family have been trying to cover it up, saying Aiken went on a trip. I know one of the border guards though, and he says he knows nothing of Aiken leaving the province.”
“So I see.”
I wonder how this all came to be. It certainly sounded strange that the Detlar family were trying to paint a different picture about it all. Aiken always seemed to me like an outlier though, definitely different from his brother. An entertaining theory comes to mind.
I wonder if he somehow escaped out of Orthani, perhaps he bribed the guards to seal their lips. He certainly has the funds.
“A peculiar story indeed,” I remark. “I wonder what will become of the Detlars.”
“I guess we’ll see. Anyway, I must be off but I will come to visit your exhibition tomorrow.”
“Very well,” I reply, waving the elf off. “I’ll see you there.”
As the stranger walks out the door, I ponder on his story. I give deep thought to my theory, wondering if it’s what truly happened.
Something else I always noticed about the Detlar siblings is that Calix seemed to always hold Aiken back. The older of the two had always been the more bold one, the one to hog the spotlight.
Maybe Aiken came to the realization of what’s good for him. Perhaps he was the one who attacked his brother and got out of here.
I smile at the thought, finding the image of a beaten Calix amusing.
Just as he should have done a long time ago.
I finish the rest of my kaffo just as Syrval approaches me.
“Sir, your goods are all packaged and ready to go.”
“Very well, would you mind having them loaded on the carriage across the street?” I ask.
“Of course,” he replies, turning to his assistant. “You heard the man, get on it pronto!”
Syrval leads me to the counter as I pull out my coin purse.
“So, how much do I owe you?”
“It comes to about four ipias and one riel.”
“Take five ipias and keep the change,” I say, sliding the money across the counter.
“I think I’ll be able to close up shop early today!” he quips excitedly. “Thank you for your business, and you’re welcome back anytime.”
“I might stick around for a little while, I’m not quite sure yet,” I tell him, stuffing the purse into my pocket. “Say, is there anything new around this town?”
“Well they revamped the art gallery as you probably already know. There’s a few new restaurants around town, nothing much else. It’s more so the people that have changed.”
“The people?” I repeat in curiosity.