Chapter 149: One thousand and one questions

It was past lunch the next day before Irin heard the sound of people and horses. Koth took her hand as they, together with Nenhir, went to greet the new guests. She had to admit that Meghart was beautiful, like all elves. There was something ethereal about him. However, he didn't stand a chance against Koth in her eyes. She was a sucker for strong, big men, and although the elven wizard was beautiful, he was slender and gracious. Half a step behind Meghart, Melir came walking. As soon as he saw Irin and Koth, he started waving. His mentor looked back at him, and even though Irin couldn't see his face, she could have sworn he rolled his eyes at his apprentice.

"What did I tell you about decorum?" Meghart pointed out to Melir. Melir looked at him for a moment, then nodded. They both turned towards Irin, and Melir did a clumsy bow. Meghart did one as well, only elegantly and fluidly.

"Welcome, friends," Koth said.

"Thank you, Koth. It's nice to see this place again. You've made some improvements. I approve," Meghart said. He then turned to Irin, and his friendly smile turned flirtatious. "My lady, I have been looking forward to meeting you," he said. He did another bow and held out his hand. Irin took it to shake it, but instead, he bent down to kiss it. Koth pulled her hand away.

"That's quite enough. Keep your hands and lips to yourself," he grumbled. Irin laughed and kissed Koth on the cheek.

"Nice to meet you in person, Meghart. Melir, how have you been? I think you've grown since I saw you last," she said. Melir seemed to forget the manners Meghart had reminded him of, and he enthusiastically walked up to her, shuffling past his mentor in the process. Irin saw Meghart roll his eyes this time.

"I've been great! I've got to see so many new things, and Meghart answers all my questions, except when he tells me I'm not ready for the answers. But that's okay, because I'll just ask him those questions later. And this trip has been so interesting. We first went by ship; I really like going on a ship. Meghart says it's in my blood. Then we rode the rest of the way, and we slept under the stars, and we stopped at this tavern last night," he told her without taking a breath. Irin smiled; she had missed the young man and his enthusiasm.

"A tavern? I can believe that," Koth said and chuckled. Nenhir looked at Melir.

"Is he always like this?" he asked Meghart. Meghart had been glaring at Koth, but now looked over at his apprentice.

"Yes," he said.

"How do you survive?" Nenhir asked.

"Oh, it's not so bad once you get used to it. I just tune him out, and when he gets more excited, I know I need to start listening again," Meghart told them. Irin looked at Melir, worried he would take offence, but he was already distracted by Noodle, who was hovering in the air a bit away.

"Is that a flying snake?" he asked.

"Yes. That's Noodle. Koth got him for me," Irin explained.

"That's so cool! What does he eat? Can he hunt for himself, or do you need to feed him? I've read they're deadly, and you can extract their venom and use it for a lot of cool things," Melir asked.

"You know, young apprentice, Nenhir here is quite an expert on flying snakes. He has been fascinated by them for as long as I have known him. I think he's the best one to answer your questions," Meghart said, looking at his friend with a grin. Nenhir sent him a death glare.

"Really?" Melir asked. Nenhir looked at him as if he thought the young man would self-combust at any minute. Then he sighed.

"It is," he conceded. "Irin, may we borrow Noodle for a bit?" he then asked.

"Sure, he'll like the attention," she agreed.

"Come along, young one, I'll teach you the basics," Nenhir told Melir. Melir looked at Meghart, who nodded.

"That was nice of him," Irin said as the two walked away to look closer at Noodle.

"It's every wizard's duty to teach the next generation," Koth said as he put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, a little further away from Meghart.

"You did it on purpose, knowing he couldn't refuse?" Irin asked Meghart. He just smiled and shrugged.

"Your punishment is that you won't have your helper when settling the horses and carrying the bags to your guest room," Koth said. Meghart's face fell at once.

"But you will help me? Right?" he asked Koth.

"Oh no. Can't do that. I didn't help Nenhir out of principle, not even when Irin asked," Koth said, pretending to be remorseful. Irin giggled.

"You can just let the horses roam if you wish. We don't have a stable, yet," she told Meghart.

"Your guest room is on the second floor, the one to the right," Koth added.

"Fine, fine," Meghart said and led the horses closer to the other three.

"I think I'll start dinner while the kitchen is still nice and quiet," Irin said to Koth.

"I'm coming with you," he told her.

"It's okay if you want to spend time with your friends."

"I prefer spending time with you. And that way I can keep an eye on the elf," he said.

"You aren't seriously worried about Meghart, are you? He has nothing on you." Koth smiled at her.

"Not really. But I prefer to keep an eye on him anyway. He can't help but flirt," he said.

"I knew someone like that once," she pointed out with a smile.

"I have renounced my bad habits. Now I only see you," he said, and hugged her from behind as he buried his nose in her neck and blew air on her skin. She giggled and squirmed.

"I'm guessing the improvements to the garden and to this place are thanks to you, Irin?" Meghart asked as he walked into the kitchen. Irin tried to calm down and gave him a big smile.

"Koth helped out," she said.

"But it's all been her ideas," Koth added.

"Makes sense. Is there anything I can help with?" Meghart asked.

"No, no. You've had a long journey, and there aren't many days left to rest. Sit down, and Koth will get you some ale," she told him.

"Would it be possible for some wine instead?" Meghart asked.

"You're lucky. I always keep a couple of bottles in case you stop by. If I don't, you always whine and cry like a baby," Koth said, heading for the root cellar.

"I do not!" Meghart objected.

"What don't you do?" Nenhir asked as he and Melir walked into the kitchen.

"He whines like a baby if he needs to drink ale instead of wine," Koth said.

"You do," Nenhir agreed. "I hope you aren't planning on forcing all of us to drink it?"

"No, no. I still have the real deal, my friend," Koth said.

"Can I have some ale as well?" Melir asked.

"No. You and I will stick with lemonade. We need at least two responsible adults in the house. I've seen Koth when he gets drinking with old friends or family. It didn't end up well," Irin told him. "And just so you know, my lovely wizard, if you get so drunk that you can't climb the stairs, you're sleeping in the kitchen. I'm not hauling you up the stairs," she told Koth and gave him a kiss on his cheek.