The Miscellaneous Adventures of Enola and Prosper 1

CBaHC
Chapter 26: Morning Glory
Page: 157

Enola and Prosper
Chapter: 3
Page: 6

Writer's block status: Fine with Enola and Prosper

Here it is, the beginning of The Miscellaneous Adventures of Enola and Prosper

In the beginning, Enola lived in a large city in the heart of Pasteni. She grew up in the exotic bazaars and tropical sun all her life. Her mother and father had moved from their small town in the kingdom of King Phillip to sell their teas and spices in Pasteni. They were wildly successful and became one of the richest families in all of the near by kingdoms. Enola grew up with the other wealthy children and life was fine. She was always quite, but that was from the fear of strangers her parents instilled at an early age. Her life was peaceful and full of pleasure.
            One particular morning, Enola draped the jewel colored fabric adorned with gold embroidery over herself to prepare herself for another day surrounded by friends. This morning felt different, as if she could sense something important was coming. Before she could dive into deep thoughts of the universe’s senses, her friends beaconed her to come and join them in the bazaar. There was Anha, the dark haired beauty most men courted, and Uwenna, the richest bachelorette in Pasteni. Enola neither had the beauty of Anha or the confidence of Uwenna, so she considered herself the smartest of the three.
            “I propose,” Anha discussed while the three wandered among the groups of travelers and stands of all different foods and finery, “we go to the inn and check up on Demana and check for interesting new faces.” Then Enola got the same feeling she did as she dressed. Something important was going to happen.
            “I agree! Perhaps a prince is staying in town and one of us can finally find a husband! What do you think Enola?” Enola did not answer, but was lost in thought. “Enola?”
            “Yes! Pardon. I have had the strangest feeling today,” she said. Uwenna chuckled with Anha.
            “I could tell, since you didn’t respond when I called for you. This feeling will pass with a spiced wine and a conversation with an interesting character,” Uwenna suggested.
            “I am in agreement with that!” Anha exclaimed. Enola simply nodded as the three walked towards The Merchant’s Bed. It was a large, dark wooded establishment for travelers wishing to stay for a night or many nights. Mostly men stayed in the inn because of the secret brothel, which the owner Quax knew about, but his wife Demana did not. Inside, tables were set for those who wished to eat and drink and chat with lovely women on the pay of Quax.
            “Anha, Uwenna, Enola! Welcome girls!” Demana greeted. She gave each of the girls hugs before leading them to the counter. “You must tell me all the latest news. How are your families?” Demana went to get spiced wine for the three of them.
            “Our families are fine. Kallah is getting married though,” Anha answered.
            “Aw! Our little Kallah is engaged? To who? I have not heard any mention of him from her before and now she is to be wed!” She brought three mugs of wine and gave them to the girls.
            “You know of Abdullah, the son of Rallen, the wine seller? She is to wed him,” Uwenna told. Demana began to laugh heartily.
            “Abdullah?! That boy is far too green for a woman like her! Did her parents arrange it?”
            “Yes, they did, which is why she is to marry him of all people. I’m surprised she hasn’t run away with another man just to get away.” Enola traced the edge of her cup with one finger.
            “She must be so unhappy. It’s a shame she must marry who her parents wish,” she said.
            “That is the way of the world. We can not change it,” Demana sighed. Soon their attention was taken from the sorrow of Kallah’s wedding and to the strangers that walked in. “Who are those men?” They were clearly foreigners, all with pale skin and dressed in black. As soon as they walked in, the women flocked to them to see if they could get some money off of them.
            “They’re gorgeous,” Uwenna sighed.
            “For foreigners, yes. Overall, no,” Anha chuckled.
            “I wonder where they’re from,” Enola whispered. Uwenna couldn’t help but laugh.
            “I don’t care where they’re from, I just want to eat them up!”
            “Keep your voice down! They may hear!” Enola scolded.
            “Good! Then they’ll come over!” Anha chuckled and pushed Uwenna playfully.
            “You love anything exotic, don’t you?”
            “That’s why I’m friends with Enola here,” she answered. The girls all laughed together at that. It seemed they were loud enough to catch the attention of the foreigners.
            “Oh god, they’re coming,” Enola groaned. They would always be strangers to her, though they looked like her and her family.
            “Spiced wine please, for us and for the lovely ladies here,” the blonde one said. Uwenna and Anha both started giggling like young girls. Enola simply looked down into her mug and began tracing the edges once more.
            “I see you’ve found the prettiest girls in the inn for us, Sebastian,” said the second. He had dark hair and dark eyes with chiseled features.
            “I did my best,” the blonde one answered. Uwenna and Anha were both enjoying the attention from the two.
            “Where are you gentlemen from? You seem very exotic,” Uwenna asked. She twirled a dark piece of hair between her fingers.
            “Us, exotic? Fancy that. You, ladies are the exotic ones to us, but I believe it is all a matter of perception,” Sebastian explained.
            “We are from Corianne, in King Phillip’s country. It’s not as nice as here and much colder,” the dark haired one said. Enola looked up instinctively.
            “Enola, aren’t you from King Phillip’s country?” Anha asked. The two men instantly took interest.
            “My parents are, yes,” she muttered.
            “Fancy that. Which town are they from?” Sebastian asked.
            “I believe they lived in Erana.” Both seemed mildly amused.
            “Ah, Erana. Lovely town. Prosper is from there. Speaking of the bastard, where is he?” the dark haired one asked.
            “I’m right here, Cal,” another man answered in a thick Eranian accent. It was similar to the way Enola’s parents spoke. He was dressed all in black like the others and had dark hair like Cal’s, though there was a reserved sense to him that the other two lacked. His eyes were a piercing emerald and even Uwenna was uncomfortable under his glance.
            “Ah Prosper! We were just talking to these lovely ladies and it turns out that Enola here is from Erana, just like you!” Cal explained. Prosper’s gaze shifted to Enola, who was already uncomfortable as it was.
            “I don’t recall seeing you,” he stated.
            “Her parents are from Erana, not her. That’s why you don’t know her,” Anha answered for her. Prosper never even so much as flinched as she spoke. He kept his eyes on Enola. She tried her best to hide her discomfort, but she could not make eye contact.
            “Why are you not looking at me?” he asked her.
            “Prosper,” Sebastian chuckled, “that was a bit forward.”
            “No, it’s fine,” Enola said. She glanced up at him. “I don’t like strangers.” The air around the group turned tense and people began laughing nervously. Enola did not look away though.
            “Well, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet, right?” Cal suggested.
            “Nonsense,” Prosper stated. A silence descended again over the group.
            “I think this is the longest Enola has kept eye contact with a stranger,” Anha whispered to Uwenna. Demana came over to wipe the counters and get the news on the handsome strangers that walked into her husband’s inn. She immediately sensed the uneasiness.
            “Um, would you gentlemen like to reserve a room for the night? Perhaps some food to fill your stomachs?” she asked. Everyone seemed to sigh from relief of the tension broken. Enola finally felt as if she could look away.
            “We will be. Three rooms for two nights, if at all possible,” Sebastian answered. Even a happily married woman like Demana was blushing under his attention.
            “Well, yes, of course. That will be 60 manas,” she answered. Cal was the one who handed her the gold coins for the rooms.
            “It’s much appreciated Miss,” he said.
            “Aw, it’s my pleasure gentlemen,” she answered. She left to get the keys to the room and handed them over. She winked at the girls, and then looked to the gentlemen. The three understood the gesture perfectly.
            “If you would excuse me, I need to attend to some business. Good day,” Enola said quickly. With a slight bow, she rushed out of the inn.
            “Wait! Enola! Where are you going?!” Anha called after her. She sat back at her seat and glanced at Uwenna.
            “That’s really odd. Where do you suppose she could be going in such a hurry?” Uwenna asked. Anha shrugged her shoulders.
            “Did we spook your friend?” Cal asked.
            “And by we, he means Prosper,” Sebastian added.
            “Unfortunately, I believe that is the case. Enola is easily frightened by strangers. I’m really sorry about her,” Anha said. She looked to Prosper, who was looking at the door.
            “Well, I suppose there’s nothing we can do,” Cal stated.
            “Pardon me. It was lovely meeting you ladies. Good day,” Prosper said suddenly.
            “Woah, where are you going?” Sebastian asked.
            “What are their names?” Sebastian stopped where he was.
            “Why do you ask that?” He was chuckling nervously.
            “What are their names?” Uwenna appeared to begin to answer, but one look from Anha told her not to. Sebastian and Cal were at a loss for what to say. “That’s what I thought. If you were truly interested in them, you would ask for their names first.” The next part he addressed to Anha and Uwenna. “If you’re looking for more than a bit of fun, look locally.” Prosper then left the inn and went into the market of Pasteni.