Arleana's bow (Part 1)

"Yes, please!" Remee snapped up. They went and took a seat at the bar. The tender, who had disappeared into the store room, reappeared with two steaming mugs, "Your not from around hear, are you?"

"How did you guess?" Arleana said sarcastically.

The bar tender ignored her remark, "Looks like its clearing up out there already."

Remee and Arleana looked to the window where sunlight was leaking through. Quickly they finished and stood to leave.

"Thank you for the drinks," Remee said as she flipped some coins onto the counter and left.

Æ

The streets were soaked yet bright. Everything reflected sunlight, blinding the two at first. Apparently Remee knew Shirka well. She wandered through the street mumbling names.

"Ah!" Remee stopped at a corner looking to the left than to the right; "We should go to see Christof!" she turned and began down another stone street.

"Remee, what are you doing?" Arleana followed her despite her hesitation, "We’re going to get lost."

"I know what I’m doing." Was her response as she power walked at an amazing speed.

Remee went on like that stopping suddenly and turning onto different streets every little while. Finally Remee slowed her pace. By now Arleana had quit trying to get some sense out of her. Remee walked up to a small shack. It stood alone. Arleana could feel strange vibes, but they felt strangely magical. Remee, without hesitation, walked up to the door and knocked on it."

"Who’s there?" came a voice from inside.

"It is I. Remee."

They heard as the latches were undone and the door creaked open a crack as to see them.

"Oh, Remee!" an old man, rather tall for and old man, swung the door open all the way.

"Christof!" Remee reached up and embraced him, "It’s been so long."

"Yes," he murmured, "Too long." The old mans mouth curled into a smile making him look years younger. "Who is this?" he asked turning his grinning face to Arleana.

"I am Arleana," she said and stuck out her hand as for a hand shake.

Christof hugged her, "Any friend of Remee’s is a friend of mine." He quickly ushered them into his tiny home. Though the windows in front of the house had appeared normal, Arleana noticed they were lightly tinted blue. On the other side of the house were shelves lined with rocks, or rather crystals.

Christof noticed Arleana staring, "I collect crystals," he explained, "They’re beautiful are they not?"

Arleana nodded. Then looking at his windows she asked, "What are those windows made of?"

He grinned, cleared his throat, and chanted:

"Strong as an ox,

What have I told you are on my shelves?"

"Crystal?" Arleana said unsure, "They are made of crystal?"

"That’s what I said, is it not?" he responded with the silly grin still on his face.

Arleana put her hand on the cool window. It was strong, yet soft. The window cast a mystifying blue light.

"So, what are you doing in this dratted city?" Christof smiled despite his words.

"The storms brought us here, thank goodness for that." Remee added politely.

"Ah, fate has brought you here." Christof’s eyes wandered for a moment then flickered back, "You are traveling by foot? Oh, gracious no. You need mounts."

He hurried off through a door and came back a second later, "Remee take these," he put into her hand 4 beautiful stones, "And go to Len, he’ll trade 2 for a mount. You do remember where Len’s shop is, don’t you?"

"Yes, and thank you so much."

"Wait," Arleana put her hand on Remee’s arm, "We can’t accept this. These stones must have taken you so much work." The colorful, perfectly shaped gems lay in Remee’s hand.

"True, but I have many more," he responded generously, "Not to worry, this is only pay back for your kindness." His smile flickered at Remee.

Remee smiled back and turned for the door.