Sagacious Novelty
The ride was grueling, as expected. But he had made a rather good decision in bringing the group to a Kingdom like Kincade. He had known it was well protected, and not just anyone would be allowed passage inside. Still he wondered, if Belva hadn't been there, would they had been allowed into the city? It seemed that mermen and sea nymph took kindly to one another. It sort of made Alexander wish that their were still elves around. That kind of comradery wasn't something he witnessed daily, and he hoped to sometime in the future to meet someone like himself.
He prayed that the Keeper had nearly brought his race to extinction over a mistake his mother made. She was one elf out of hundreds; they didn't all deserve to be punished. Perhaps, if he had ever been able to feel romantic love, he could have had a child of his own, and kept the his kind in the mix. But how could he bring a child into such a cruel world? A place with men just like him, only looking to get to the top, and not caring who they had to cut down to get there. Alexander didn't know why he was all of a sudden feeling so condemned. But when he finally came out of his thoughts, and really took in what was before him, the elf better understood.
It was Bishop. His presences was making him soft. And perhaps that was a good thing, but it was bad as well. Alexander had promised to allow no one and nothing get in his way of his goals; for now, the boy was an ally. However, there was no telling what kind of hindrance his presence could be in the future. Whatever the case, he taken the responsibility. And he was normally a man of his word.
Upon reaching a clearing in the woods, the group disbursed. The thick of lush green trees was always a sight for sore eyes, and many flowers and vines brought color upon the canvas that was the forest. Beneath them was a bed of fresh grass, soft enough to lay on without a blanket at all. Phineus went to gather fire wood not far from camp, and Alexander proceeded to set up his and Silas' tent, while the man prepared food for the fire. He had gotten a pack of fish in the market. Overall, it seemed that things would be rather peaceful. And the elf tried to keep any looming worries of danger from his mind.
He took sanctuary in his tent, but left behind Bishop's cloak, which he found. Therefore, Alexander wasn't alone for the long. The boy came bursting in, and tossed his arms around his neck-- squeezing him, as he did before. He didn't know much about embraces, or how long they should last, so he sat and allowed the boy to thank him. Albeit he didn't move to hug him in return.
Once he had gone, Alexander removed his jacket, and put on the white tunic he had bought, along with the vest. But left the cloak and large belt for tomorrow. It was merely chilly, and he needed a shirt. The elf left the tent pulling back the flap and realized that the fire was already burning high in the center of camp. Silas, Phineus, Belva and Bishop were gathered around. He stood for a moment, listening to them talk about the fire. And upon hearing the word free, he smiled. It seemed the boy had the same wishes he did.
Alexander walked over, scooped the boy up and tossed him horizontally into the air. Bishop laughed as he turned him over on stomach and flew him around the fire like an airship. Phineus and Silas were delighted it seemed, and dinner was almost done. When he finished, he sat Bishop back down beside Belva, and had a seat on his other side. He then reaching down to remove a tie from his arm and pull his hair into a ponytail.
Alexander glanced at the woman for but a moment, and noted the pin in her hair. His gaze faltered, but Silas caught him staring and spoke up in hopes of embarrassing his companion as he got up and passed out freshly steaming fish, on flat wooden plates. "That is a rather expensive looking hairpin. Where did you get it?"
Alexander scowled and rolled his eyes in disbelief that the man could be so childish. Just because he hoped to win over a woman with jewels, did not mean that the elf had the same intent. "Just shut up and eat. We need to rest as soon as possible, and get moving before the sun rises tomorrow."
Phineus shrugged from across the flames. "I'm actually quite curious myself..."
"Oh for ******** sake! I bought it for 'er! 'Appy? Everyone around the fire jovial with joy? Good. Now eat."
There was complete silence for a moment, and Silas spoke up again. His face full of fish. "How do you like it Belva? The pin, not the fish..."
Alexander could feel his anger growing, but he attempted to keep it under control for Bishops sake.
