The world of Laifel

"I'm hoping your intentions are honorable enough," Eleanor snapped; from the look of the three, she didn't trust them at all. "You'd best watch what you say; we're not in the best position here."

 

Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Looking for me?"
Once again, Tristan examined Lanan's companions. He then muttered to himself. "Hmmm........ perhaps it was pure luck that we should meet. This could be very...."
Tristan cleared his throat. Lanan was looking for him? It was then that Tristan noticed that Nas seemed like she was about to attack the girl that spoke. "That's enough Nas." Nas gave Tristan a reluctant look before settling down. Tristan then brought his attention back to Lanan. "You were looking for me? If you need more bolts, then you'll have to wait awhile. I'm not in the best condition to shape right now."

 

"Ruby, you and Gemini let me talk to Tristan alone," Lanan replied. He knew the ferret must be Naserrea and hopefully by separating her from Ruby, he would avoid any necessary trouble.
Ruby nodded and led Gemini to a nearby building, glaring at the girl by the prince and hissing at Naserrea. She then leaned on the wall and crossed her arms.
"It's not bolts," Lanan said, looking at his quiver. It was less than half-full, but that could wait. He wasn't sure if he should talk in front of Tristan's female companion, but he didn't have a choice. He pointed to the ferret by Tristan, "Is that your Summon?"

 

Eleanor sighed and lowered her blades slightly, though she was still wary. I've done a pretty awful job of protecting him so far, she thought. I need to be more careful.

 

Tristan frowned. This couldn't be good. What did he know? "Summon? Don't know what you're talking about. That's my companion's pet, Nas."

 

Lanan frowned. Is he serious? Ruby said her master was a prince and a shaper...and she recognized the ferret as the Summon.... He took a deep breath and continued, "Don't be alarmed. I know you're really the Prince of Ilianam. It's not that hard seeing these posters everywhere. And I know that's a Summon; Don't take me for a fool."

 

Tristan gave Lanan a blank stare. All sorts of emotions were going through his head right now, however, Tristan maintained a calm appearance. Lanan was right, Tristan shouldn't take him as a fool, but... "I'm no longer the person you think I am. I am no prince. Do not call me that." Tristan released a sigh. "Yes this is my summon, Nas. I don't really understand it all, but supposedly I've been chosen by her. However, what I want to know is... how did you know, and what do you know?"

 

Lanan's frowned turned into a small smile that quickly turned into a serious expression. "She," he pointed to Ruby, "is MY Summon. I'm not entirely sure what they are, but I know the War of Demons and Angelens was real."

 

Tristan was taken aback a bit. Another summon? Demons? Angelens? Tristan didn't know what to say. "What are you talking about? It's just a fairy tale. Creatures such as that cannot possibly exist!"

Nas gave her master a strange look. He didn't know?

 

Lanan's eyebrows both raised. "What? You didn't mean she didn't tell you?" He asked. He didn't stop to think for one moment that he wouldn't know about the War after finding out he had a Summon. "So you haven't been attacked yet? By Demons?"

 

"What do you mean she didn't tell me, and no of course I haven't been attacked by demons. Why would I?" Tristan looked at Eleanor questioningly. What was he talking about?

 

"Uh, well," Lanan was stumped. HOw do you explain to somebody fairy tales were real? Even he wouldn't believe if he hadn't been attacked so many times already. He looked at Ruby who had a mocking smile and then back to Tristan. "We should talk about this somewhere else more private."

 

Tristan rubbed the back of his neck. "Actually, it would probably be better idea for me to stay put for the time being. The people here don't like me much." Tristan quickly explained the story to Lanan.

 

"So right now we're not very welcome, both of us," Eleanor finished for Tristan. She had no idea what Lanan was talking about; her mother had never talked about her race's past. "There's no where for us to go... and Tristan refuses to leave until he can... do some good."

 

Lanan sighed, "This is much bigger than one to-" His mouth dropped and his eyes became blank as he realized something. "Join the King of Ilianam" were the words of Alira's summon. The King's son was banished, Tristan was really Prince Tristan of Ilianam. "Your-your father...and the Demons!" He managed to say.

 

Now Tristan was completely lost. "What? You're not making any sense. What about my father? What do you mean demons? Demons don't exist."

"But they do, Master. I've fought them myself."

Tristan didn't even bother to look at Nas. He knew what he would see. Tristan thought for awhile. He knew that Nas wouldn't lie to him, but still, Demons? Really?
There was a sudden gust of wind that was blown in Nas' direction. Caught in the wind were several leaves.

Nas made the leaves circle around her. She made their stems grow and merge with the stems of other leaves. Within seconds, she had created clothing made out of living leaves.

"I still find this hard to believe." said Tristan while shaking his head.

 

"The old stories," Eleanor began, thinking back to her childhood. "That's what he's referring to, I'm sure. And if Nas believes him... well, I guess I do, too."

 

Lanan let out a sigh and explained everything he knew. He started with how he was attacked by a monster who called himself Azazel, then moved on to how he was saved by a snake-woman. He had trouble explaining how Ruby was his Summon since he himself didn't fully understand the bond, but figured Tristan would know since he had his own. He talked about what happened at Arnum: being attacked by another Demon and her "Summon," he told Tristan that he thought he could deal with this information better than himself. He explained how he met Gemini only to be attacked by Ekaf moments later. He finished by telling Tristan and his female companion that Ekaf had said "Join the King of Ilianam" and how he figured the King was either a Demon or on their side.

 

"Still.... Demons? It seems a tad far fetched, then again so do summons. But then where have they been all this time? Lanan, tell me about these... Demons, that you speak of."

 

Eleanor was glad Tristan asked the question, eager to hear an explanation.