Magi-Nation Lore
Come On Inn
Glimpses, Part 5
By Sharpe Thorne
It was a peaceful evening at the Vash Naroom Inn. The locals had finished the repairs a few months ago, and the Innkeeper could almost forget, for a moment, that not so long ago the city had been all but lost. His thoughts turned to his friends up north. Laranel’s stories about the dangers of the auroras echoed through his mind as the rumors of the sky lights had been circling in town for a few days. While he seldom travelled away from his inn, Poad’s trip to the arctic tundra of Nar had formed some of his most cherished memories. These thoughts about his friends had him on the edge of his stool with worry.
Poad sighed and took a deep breath to recenter himself in the moment. He took the time to place down his towel and prepared the table for his weekly card game with his friend. Hopefully, his friend’s assistant would arrive soon so that Poad could devote his full attention to the returned Historian.
*
Outside the Inn, but still in the same tree several branches over, Evu breathed deeply as the lengthening shadows of the evening reminded him of what he would never return to. He had caught an early nap in preparation, and years had passed since the Historian had felt his mind as clear as it was tonight. He still could not remember … everything, but he cringed as he passed a darkened stub where a withered branch had fallen from the residential tree. He hoped he had had no part in that, but he really could not be certain. Not knowing irritated him. He was the Historian and should know! He supposed that his memory was why the Council of the Library had assigned him the new apprentice.
As if thinking about the young Magi had conjured him, a rustling of robes heralded the scholar’s approach. Evu sighed inwardly. He appreciated the assistance, and even the value of taking an apprentice, but it reminded him that he had been ailing for a long time, even before his more muddled stint with the Dark Twins.
Evu breathed deeply and put on a smile. “Ah, hello … boy. Ah yes, Artimillies. That’s it. It is a great evening for a stroll, I believe? Were you able to finish cleaning out the Historian Home? I remember … something important was there, but I can’t remember what. I hope you were able to reconstruct some of the scrolls and tomes that we found in the fireplace. All that knowledge, we must keep it … while we can.”
Evu cringed at calling the remnants of his old room the Historian Home. He was starting to feel at home in Vash Naroom again finally, but he had been very slow to clear out the damaged parts of his old residence. The darkened remnants of it reminded him of the recent history that he did not love to remember. While the forest of Naroom had been his home, and now it was again, the specifics of the time away still felt raw. Despite his misdeeds, the townsfolk of Vash Naroom had accepted him, an act that helped heal his heart. He knew that trust once burned is seldom re-earned. He also remembered the last time someone had invited him on a walk. How was Tryn anyway? Evu cringed again, this time remembering her screams….
“I made a strong start, though there is a lot to sift through. Sive even came back to help out for a few days, between her studies abroad, since there are some interesting tomes there that are otherwise restricted to higher levels of access at the Library. We have a number of leads to reconstruct, but many of the tomes were dangerously stained or damaged. It may be a long while before we know for sure what can be saved. It is a good place to start the reconstruction of the lore of the Moonlands though, and all the better where Wence has been away for longer this trip than is normal.”
Artimillies’s rambling response interrupted Evu’s musings, as he had nearly forgotten he had asked the Magi anything. Evu listened politely, but the boy could speak so long with a single breath that he might as well live in the Deeps of Orothe.
“That sounds wonderful, but tonight is my weekly game with Poad. Are you still able to help him run his till while we play? I am happy to tell you the history of our people again come morning, but I should be going.”
The Historian resumed his stroll toward the warmly lighted building in the distance. His apprentice fell in step behind him and followed in comfortable silence.
*
Upon their arrival at the Inn, Poad smiled as the pair stopped to greet Pepper. His flying hinko was bustling around the front room, merrily sweeping up fallen treats wherever she could. She chittered excitedly at them as they entered. As usual, the Inn was slow on game night. The locals knew Poad’s schedule almost as well as he did. Artimillies headed to the counter where only a pair of regulars were sipping their cider. He greeted them like always, and began to help by washing out some of the Inn’s mugs.
*
Evu smiled at the enlightened atmosphere. His old friend could always invite cheer no matter what he had gone through. The fact that Poad still believed in the old magi filled him with self confidence that he did not always feel these days. Evu beamed and approached the game table near the back. He could see that Poad had already set up the cards. The pile of delectable jelly beans already set out. What was that? Had he even made the blue ones again? Evu could barely remember when he had seen those last.
His heart in his throat, he struggled onto the chair, but not as much as he did in other establishments. Poad understood how to treat the height disinclined, being one himself. The Innkeeper had already taken a seat across the table. With deft movements, the jellybeans were divided and the games began. Evu felt a sense of belonging and mental engagement that he had missed for the longest time, and now treasured every week.
*
Poad chuckled as he saw Evu subconsciously munching on his betting pool. Hand after hand, Poad kept winning. Beating Evu had stopped being a challenge long before he had even left the city, but he cherished the time with his friend.
As the night wore on, Poad continued to sneak beans between the piles to keep the game feeling balanced despite Evu’s continuing to dwindle (both from snacking andfrom losing.) Finally, their time drew close to an end and Poad gave Artimillies the signal that they had worked out.
Artimillies smiled and passed by the table on his rounds and while Pepper crawled onto Evu’s lap to demand nuzzles from the wizened one, Artimillies passed the spare jelly bean bag to Poad who upended it over the remaining pile on Evu’s side. Then yawning, he drew his friend’s attention back to the game.
“Looks like a lucky night for you, friend. How about one last round to take all the spoils?”
As he dealt the round, he slipped the high hyren into Evu’s hand before passing it over.
“What an end to the night! Your hand beats my twee trio!” Poad smiled and swept the pile into a bag as he exclaimed, “Looks like you win again. Let me help you get your winnings for the road.”
*
Evu preened a bit. “So sorry to clean you out, friend. This just hasn’t been your night, but I could never bring myself to turn down any reason to get a new supply of your delicious treats!” Evu swung himself down from the chair. “I will look forward to our time next week, and I can bring the sweets! You work so hard and deserve a break, too.”
*
Poad chuckled. He waved as his friend and the apprentice walked slowly out, whistling a familiar tune. Evu had said that same line, in some form, for months now, but not once had Evu showed up with treats for game night. It didn’t bother Poad; he was in it for his friends, he could handle the food.