Dwarf Jewelry Chapter 2

From Grigbertz

Once Eloina had decided to go looking for Geitre, it didn't take such a long time before she was on the road. Eloinas employer didn't let her keep her borrowed clothes and she couldn't get much of her old wardrobe on anymore, but the mistress of the house gave her an apron as a gift so she could cover herself a little atleast. Eloina appreciated the gesture but didn't think she'd keep it very long. She'd either get something a bit more covering, or, and she blushed when she thought about this, she'd walk naked. It was summer and the air was warm, it'd be no problems.

Her mistress talked her into waiting till the next day before she left, so that she could leave early and avoid the people of the town. Eloina agreed, partly because she didn't want to shame her employers in any way. former employers, she corrected herself - she didn't work for anybody anymore.

That evening she ate at the main table along with the family. They were all friendly and wished her a safe journey and that she'd find the dwarf. Eloina could really take the time to appreciate the fine diningroom and the other perks the family enjoyed, when she'd been a maid here she'd been too busy to have a look around. Actually, she got help from the staff cutting her food before they left, but she still couldn't use the cutlery... so a little undignified, she had to bend forward and eat directly from her plate. This drew a few smiles from the family, but everyone was polite and it wasn't mentioned. At first...

Durban was the eldest son in the family, and mostly kept to himself and a few close friends. There were whispers among the servants that these friends were not respectable citizens, but nothing was ever said to Durbans face, or his fathers for that matter. Now Durban had been eyeing Eloina for the entire evening and finally spoke up.

"Doesn't she look like a dog, eating like that? I think she does! Why are we serving her at the table? Come here Eloina, and eat at my feet as is becoming."

And he put down a plate beside his chair and beckoned for her. Eloina blushed and didn't know what to do but the mistress came to her rescue before she had to respond.

"Durban! That was entierly out of line! Now you apologize right this moment!"

"But why mother? Look at her! Why should I apologize? I'm the eldest son, remember? And I'd really like to see her eating at my feet..."

"Enough! Durban, you apologize or leave this room right now."

Durban rose from his seat, eyes blazing. He eyed his parents and siblings but found no support there, so he turned on the spot and left the room. But not before muttering:

"I'll have her, I swear..."

Eloina was a bit taken back by this, but the rest of the family assured her that Durban had just been letting the wine speak, and that she should pay it no attention. Besides, she was leaving in the morning and noone knew her destination. Not even Eloina herself, she noted.

The rest of the evening went smoother and Eloina soon forgot Durbans words and their implications. Her sleep though was a bit uncomfortable since she wasn't used to sleeping in chains... she woke up several times during the night when she tried to shift around but couldn't.

"Oh, I hope I will get used to them if I'm going to be stuck with them for a while", Eloina said as she watched her anklechain in the moonlight at one time during the night. She eventually fell asleep again, and actually felt rested in the morning in spite of the many awakenings.

That morning, she left the village behind her. She wasn't born there, her parents lived elsewhere and so she didn't leave any relatives behind.

Soon, the village could not be seen anymore. Eloina actually enjoyed the new adventure before her and walked barefoot on the road towards the mountains. Her chains didn't hinder her as much as could be expected, since Eloina was very agile and had grown somewhat accustomed atleast to the anklechains. It was still a nuisance not to be able to do what she wanted with her hands, like shield her eyes from the sun or brush away a bug. Or adjust her apron, wich her (now former) mistress had given her this morning to preserve what modesty she could now that the chains wouldn't come off. However, this didn't affect her good mood as she walked along the road.

After walking for almost the entire day without meeting anyone, Eloina could see a small dustcload behind her getting closer. After a while she could se a wagon approaching and she stopped by the side, thinking that just maybe she could get directions or even catch a ride. When the wagon got closer she recognized the spice merchant from her former village and she couldn't help trying to shield herself a little as he stopped his wagon where she stood. But then she remembered that the merchant had mentioned dwarfish craftmanship when he had seen her the other day and instantly got curious about what he knew about these kind of things.

He spoke first. "Hello Eloina, how nice to see you here instead of the regular wanderers. Would you like a ride, that is ofcourse if you are going the same way as I am?" Eloina said she'd like that, and that she was going the same way. She was determined to talk to the merchant about her chains, but it could wait a little. And it'd be a nice to rest for a while. Eloina climbed up on the wagon with a little help from the merchant, and sat down next to him. "That will never do" the merchant said, "You will get splinters from my poorly sanded bench. You had better sit down in my lap."

Eloine did as told, since the merchant was a nice man and not unattractive either. The wagon drove on and the two of them talked about this and that until Eloina brought up the subject of the dwarves and their craftmanship. "It seemed like you knew about chains like these..." Eloina said and let her anklechains jingle. The merchant thought for a while before answering "Yes I do... but I know someone who knows more, and if luck is with us we'll meet him tonight. Have you ever seen the elves, Eloina?" Eloina shook her head, and shortly thereafter the wagon left the road and turned into the woods.