Chapter 210: [210] Date
"So where are we going?" Eliron and Artie had been walking for a few minutes now, so he felt the need to ask.
Artie glanced at him and smiled. "It’s a place I found on my way to the tower, trust me, you’ll like it."
"But shouldn’t you be resting? Yen said your injuries were very serious..."
"Yen is a worry wart, I’m fine, see?" She raised the arm that had once been a mess of bones and flesh.
Yennefer had done a pretty good job healing it. There were even no scars, which was common when healers worked on major wounds.
She increased her pace a bit then held Eliron’s hand, urging him forward. "Let’s go, it is just around the corner."
The place Artie was talking about was apparently an outdoor, roof top tavern. The stairs that lead up to the place were made of polished wood, beautiful patterns neatly inscribed onto them.
They went up the stairs and Eliron took in the view with a small smile on his face.
Wooden beams were arranged all around the tavern, forming something that looked like spaced out bars, and atop them were small shimmering lights that casted a warm glow over the tavern.
There was a bard resting by the side of the wall, lute in one hand, a bottle of beer on the other as he sang.
But by far, one of the most beautiful parts of the tavern was the view. From up here, they could see the entire city sparkling underneath the starry night sky.
"So, what do you think?" A little bit of her smugness seeped into her voice.
"I didn’t think you had an eye for things like this. It’s beautiful."
Artie seemed mildly offended by his remark. "The first part wasn’t necessary, you know? Let’s go to our seats."
She led him to a seat at the very edge of the room, here they were free of any disturbance. If Eliron stretched a bit and peaked down, he would see the roads below.
A waitress was with them barely seconds after they sat down. She had lush brown hair and eyes, and at the top of her head, two cat ears were peeking out.
’A beastfolk...’ It was the first time Eliron was encountering one in this world.
They all gave her their orders and she came with their drinks a few minutes later. Artie had ordered red wine, while Eliron opted for Dandelion wine.
He held his glass cup to his face, the amber liquid swirling within it. Then he looked above the rim of the cup, staring at Artie.
She had taken a sip from her wine and was drawing invisible patterns on the table. It was obvious that she had something to say, but she was being silent for now.
"So, what is the cause for this celebration? Or have you finally called headlong for me?" Eliron joked.
Artie smirked. "You’re the one who promised me a date are you not? I would ask you the same question, if I didn’t already know the answer."
She emptied her glass in one gulp and filled it back up.
"That aside, I heard from the other mages that being a wizard is a rather momentous occasion."
Eliron raised his glass. "Then I guess we can toast to that. I hope you know how much work you’ve signed up for yourself though?"
He smirked and pointed his glass towards her. "As an official tower mage, I am going to work you to the bone."
Artie clicked her glass against his. "Two months with you is enough for anyone to grow a thick back for your torture." She smiled.
"Torture?" Eliron frowned playfully. "Anyone who hears you would think I am some sort of monster."
"Many would argue that you are." Artie crossed her legs and leaned back on her chair before speaking animatedly. "I never got to talk about this, but do you plan on killing my best friend?"
"Terra literally cried to me everyday about how you torture them on a daily basis."
"Again with that word. I do not torture them, they are simply undergoing—er—special training."
"She was the one who said she wanted to be a swordsman wasn’t she?"
Artie rolled her eyes. "Well, she might break her back before she gets there."
"That’s why we have Yen, is it not?"
Artie gave him a look, but she could not hold back the smile that blossomed on her face shortly after.
She stared at him for a moment, her forest green eyes taking in his blue. Under the lighting, Eliron’s eyes looked more captivating than ever.
Artie could feel her heart starting to race. It was now becoming a common occurrence while she was alone with Eliron.
It was not the loud, chaotic type of heartbeat, it was calm, yet very noticeable. It was almost as though she naturally let down her guard around him.
She took a sip out of her glass. "You’re really something..." she finally managed to say.
"So, are you ever going to tell me why you wanted to join the tower so badly?" Artie was more cautious than most, she knew how problemating a confrontation with a high elf could be.
Eliron still couldn’t figure out why she accepted the fight.
Artie shrugged as she directed her attention to the bard. He had finally let go of the beer, and was playing the lute while singing.
Her mood seemed to dampen a bit.
"The tower is just a means to an end..." she sounded thoughtful as she spoke.
Eliron waved his hand dismissively. "Let me guess, it’s important for whatever grand plan you have?"
His voice became a little more serious. "I’m not against whatever you have planned. Just make sure you don’t hurt yourself in the process alright?"
"The tower... it was a close one."
If he had not made it there on time, then there was no telling what would have become of her by now.
Artie was silent. She kept her gaze on her glass, watching as the crimson wine circled around the cup.
"I was going to leave, you know?"
She had been ready to walk away and try another day. She knew how dangerous confronting a high elf of his caliber was.
But—
"I saw my s-sister again..."
"Your sister?" Although Eliron knew Artie was cursed, he had no idea what sort of curse it was. He knew that she had other sisters, but he also knew that her oldest sister was dead.
Was the curse related to seeing ghosts?
"Does this have something to do with your curse?" Eliron was a little hesitant to ask, knowing that he was stepping on rocky grounds.
Artie kept her gaze on the table, all she did was nod before looking up.
’There is no point keeping this to myself...’ Artie thought as she stared at Eliron. It was not even a secret to begin with, more than half of the villagers in Artaris knew about her past, or at least part of it...
Was it fair that only the closest people to her were left in the dark?
Soon, there was a chance she would have to abandon them for the sake of her revenge. When the time comes, Artie’s hope was that they would at least understand.
Still, at the same time, there was a gnawing feeling in her mind.
What if he hates her after her confession? What she was about to tell him was the secret behind her sister’s death, a story she had never told anyone else.
The thought of Eliron looking at her the way her sister did, of calling her a murderer. It was too much to bear.
Yet, Artie steeled herself, then her aloof expression cracked. Her face was in a strange mix between calm, stoic and merriment.
"Eliron, what I am about to tell you..." she swallowed. "Is the story... of how I killed my sister."
"With my own two hands."