Keep your enemies close

[Emiryal ♕]

Reru pulled his hood a bit closer as he walked through the streets of Lithgow. He had left Kamikuri behind as she was far to recognizable and in the least would draw much unwanted attention here. With the city being so close to where the Varden had established their current base it was quite risky to be here. It would've been one thing if he had been doing it on Galbatorix's orders but he wasn't. He had come to satisfy his own curiosity.

It was quite rare that he heard any rumors of half elves. The last lead he had followed had led him to Arlen a half elf who resided in Ellesmera. This most recent rumor could have little to no truth in it or worse be a trap. He was quite certain the Varden would be quite thrilled to capture him. After all he was Galbatorix's son and it would prove a significant win for them and a blow to his father's rule.

Which was exactly why he hadn't brought his dragon with him. It was easier to go unnoticed and hide his features with magic. Only those significantly skilled enough in magic might notice. He had spent most of the day wandering the city but finding no leads. He had heard quite a bit about the Varden and the support they had from this city. It seemed most of Surda was quite willing to support them and he couldn't entirely blame them.

He didn't particularly like his father any more than the Varden did. But staying close to him would allow him to further his own goals. Not that he had much choice anyways though given that he was bound by oaths. He had a little more freedom than others like Murtagh though. He had served his father for a little short of a century and had gain some small level of trust. Enough that he could act on his own at times like this.

Pushing open a weather worn wooden door he walked into a smoke filled tavern. Boisterous laughter filling the air from a few who have obviously had a few drinks to many. Sitting down at the only open table he accepted a drink from a passing bar maid. There weren't many better places to gather info than places like this. Even if it didn't lead to a half elf it might still prove useful information to take back to the Empire.

[Abyss]

The Varden were currently based in Surda, and Isildyr took this as an opportunity to explore the human city of Lithgrow. Having spent the majority of his life in Du Weldenvarden, he had not really had the chance to be amongst humans. Felyrith had flown near the city’s entrance, landing nearby out of sight of the town guards, she lowered herself so that Isildyr could safely dismount from her saddle. Stay safe, my love, Felyrith crooned softly, flicking her tail as she watched her rider with her piercing amber eyes. “Of course,” Isildyr replied, flashing his dragon a smile. He did not have his bow with him, but he kept a dagger hidden on his person at all times.

“I’ll call for you later,” he said, and with that he turned around and started walking towards Lithgrow itself. I won't go too far, Felyrith said before she unfurled her golden wings and launched herself into the air once more. She was quite hungry and was planning on searching for something to eat. Isildyr should probably glamour his ears and hair since he did not want to draw too much attention to himself, but he was under the protection of the Varden and had a dragon. Instead, he pulled up the hood of his furred cloak as he entered the city.

Isildyr spent some time wandering the streets, talking to a few people here and there and looking at various wares that were for sale, not that he was actually interested in purchasing anything. It was nice to get away from the Varden for a bit and have some time to himself, and it was comforting knowing that Fel would not be too far from the city so that he would be able to call her when it was time for them to return to their camp. Felyrith would not go too far of course, the pair never liked being too far away from each other which was natural. After some time, Isildyr found a tavern filled with boisterous laughter. Upon entering, blue eyes looked around to try and find somewhere to sit.

All of the tables were full save for one where a lone man sat by himself, and Isildyr approached the table, pulling his hood down. He felt a little self conscious about his ears, but it was too late now, and hopefully he would not run into any trouble. “May I sit here?” he asked with a small smile. There was something off about the man that Isildyr could not quite place.

[Emiryal ♕]

Reru paid little to no attention as Isildyr approached his table. He waved a hand causally indicating for him to sit down and join him. It was hard to tell who in the tavern were just towns folk, merchants and travels and who was part of the varden if any. While they made a unified fighting force they didn't have the structure the empire did. One that made it recognizable by the emblems on their uniforms.

Though he was sure some of them were varden which was all the more reason to keep himself unnoticed. That being said it was hard to do just that when he finally did look at Isildyr. He felt like a child again in wonder. What were the chances?

Maybe he was just imagining it being bonded to a dragon could have a very similar effect on one's facial features over a long enough period of time. "You're ears!" he said nearly spilling his drink that he had just put down. "Ah my apologies," he added realizing how foolish he suddenly looked.

"It's just I don't see many elves here in Lithgow and have been eager to meet one. Though your ears aren't quite as pointed as I thought they'd be," he said. That was better. A lie but still maybe more believable than if he just straight up asked about being a half elf.

After his last encounter with another half elf he had found a spark of the hope he had lost decades ago. Maybe there could be a way out of the darkness in his life a way to make the world better with those who might understand the pain he felt. Not that he could reveal who he was here. Not his blood of being a half elf or his affiliation.

[Abyss]

It felt strange being so far away from Felyrith, especially since he could barely feel her with his mind due to the distance between them. She was still there, though, which was comforting at least. Upon approached the table with only one occupant, Isildyr offered a small smile and nodded his head in thanks as the other man allowed him to take a seat. He grabbed a drink from a passing waitress, handing her a few coins as payment and taking a drink from the bitter ale before setting it down on the table. He did not know what he was expecting upon the other man noticing his ears, but as far as Isildyr could tell, his response was from surprise. He doubted many elves came into human cities such as this, and half-elves were quite rare. Although his ears had become a little more pointed since bonding with Fel, they were still not as long as those belonging to full-blooded elves.

“No need to apologise,” Isildyr replied with an amused grin. It was not often that someone was amazed by his ears since he grew up amongst the elves of Ellesmera, and the soldiers of the Varden were quite used to elves and riders by now. “That would be because I’m only half-elven,” he said, taking another sip from his ale. If Felyrith was closer she would have told him to not give away such information, but the other man seemed well meaning and genuinely interested in him, so Isildyr didn’t see the harm of talking about his heritage. Although, he would be quite careful about what information he did share with this stranger. “Have you seen many elves around here?” Isildyr asked, tilting his head slightly. He knew that there were plenty of elven warriors and magic users with the Varden, but Isildyr didn’t know if they ventured into human cities, but he doubted that they would be interested.

“My name is Eraedin. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Isildyr said, introducing himself with a fake name that he had started going by recently. He did not want to risk sharing his real name with a stranger, especially since he didn’t know him and it would be quite unwise to do so. Isildyr didn’t know if he was wanted for being a rider, and although he was under the protection of the Varden and his beloved gold dragon, he could never be too careful. Perhaps next time he would use magic to alter his appearance as well, but it depended on how this current interaction went.

[Emiryal ♕]

Though Reru had suspected as much hearing him confirm it was better. "Not too many elves they seem to keep to themselves. Half elf, something I thought only was in legends but it seems not to be so," he said.

He took another sip of his drink. Though he doubted Eraedin would be very receptive if he explained his reasoning the tavern was hardly the place to speak of his intentions. Certainly not so close to the Varden. Though he was certain he could take quite a few on even he couldn't fight an army alone. It was better to keep a low profile.

"I'm glad to have met you," he said. "I'm on the run so I'd best not tell you my name but you can call me Myrdin," he said.

It wasn't like it was an uncommon story for someone to be on the run from the empire seeking sanctuary in Surda. More often than not those coming didn't seek to join in the fighting only to get away from such things. He had already heard a few earlier mention a similar story. It would do well enough for now as the truth would be far from welcome. "What are you doing in Lithgow?" he asked.

[Abyss]

“Aye, we’re not very common. Elves can be quite reclusive,” Isildyr replied, taking a sip from his ale. He knew that he should probably be more careful, especially when it came to his pointed ears, but if it came to a fight then Isildyr was quite capable of defending himself. Of course, Isildyr hoped that it wouldn’t come to that, and he would much rather not draw too much attention to himself. However, with the Varden making a name for itself and elves joining their ranks, Isildyr figured that it didn’t matter as much.

Isildyr nodded as the other man spoke, confessing that he was glad to have met him. It was not often that Isildyr socialised outside of the Varden, and in truth, he was glad to have met Myrdin as well, and of course he understood not using his real name especially since he was doing the same thing. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Myrdin. Eraedin isn’t my real name either, but I use it often enough that it may as well be,” he said with a light chuckle, blue eyes twinkling in amusement. “Don’t worry, I won’t be revealing your whereabouts to anyone. Who are you on the run from?” Isildyr asked, concern crossing his features.

In the back of his mind, Isildyr could sense Felyrith’s discomfort regarding the whole situation. She did not like being this far from him, especially since she was too large to be able to be of any assistance if something did go wrong. Isildyr considered Myrdin’s question for a moment, trying to gauge whether he could trust the stranger enough to reveal where his true loyalties lied. Be careful, Isildyr, Felyrith warned. I will be, Isildyr replied before focusing on the conversation at hand.

“I’m with the Varden and needed to get away from our camp for a time. I’m sure that we would be able to offer you protection from whoever is hunting you,” he replied, deciding that in this situation it was best to be honest. Felyrith disagreed of course, but Isildyr ignored her for the most part. He probably should have lied, but Isildyr felt like he could trust Myrdin, even though they were both using fake names. These were dangerous times after all, and Isildyr felt rather confident with the Varden on his side.