When we make our way through the city and arrive at the destination, I'm a little speechless.
Elias told me this was a restaurant. So why… is it so big?
From the outside, it looks like what I would assume a palace would be. Four stories and wide. Very wide.
I was surprised by the academy and it's impressive stature when I first arrived in the city and thought that it was the only structure I've ever seen comparable to the arena.
Now, I know my knowledge is lacking and how truly ignorant I am.
While the Frosted Rose looks to be made out of wood mostly, it was no way inferior in it's appearance.
On the third floor I can see a giant chandelier of sparking and glowing red jewels through giant color stained window panes. The ambiance feels somehow sophisticated and it puts me on edge.
I feel like a savage standing so close to it.
I close my mouth from its open gawking as Elias pulls on my arm.
"Come on Kelric, don't even think of backing out now."
I let him lead me as we pass various people of high station. When we reach the entrance a woman wearing a masculine style suit greets us.
"Reservation for.."
"Elias Hayford."
"Ahh you grace is with your presence M' Lord, the table on the third floor is ready. Miss Pyne and Miss Bywater have already arrived."
"Excellent! Here, for your trouble."
Elias does a slight of a hand and I see him deftly slide a gold into the woman's palm. She then steps to the side a little, allowing us to pass.
'I knew he had money.. I should've tried to squeeze some outta him when I had the chance.'
My thoughts are distracted when we fully enter the Frosted Rose.
The first floor is odd and I see no tables in which to dine at, instead there are men and women pairs slow dancing to the orchestra on the stage at the back of the room.
There's a path down the center of the room, marked by a plush red carpet. It breaks off and leads to stairs to the left and right hand sides of the room.
It makes for an odd design as the couples dance in sectioned off quadrants.
I do not like the softness of the carpet when I step on it, it feels unnatural.
We pass the second floor as we continue on to third. There is a sturdy bannister that's reinforced with metal on the stairs. This design is copied by the railing on the second and third floor.
The second floor had tables on it and seemed to completely filled from my point of view.
When get up to the third, the tables are spread way further apart, allowing for conversation that couldn't be overheard.
Elias leads me to a corner of the room and I spot Marinah sitting with another woman. Our table is by a large window and overlooks the city streets.
Marinah notices us as we approach and her angry red face is immediate when she looks at me.
'Wow. I've made an enemy and I haven't even finished the exam, great job Kelric.'
Elias nudges me with his elbow to get my attention and leans in to whisper.
"Just play it cool and be yourself, tonight will be a great victory for us both."
'I don't know what victory there is to have here..'
"Who else would I be?"
My question catches him off guard and he laughs loudly and the other girl at the table turns to look at us.
Her voice curious and teasing.
"What's so funny Elias and who's your friend?"
She looks me up and down and I see a little anger in her face as well.
'I'm not very popular with women it seems..'
Elias catches her look and now he seems to dislike me a little as well.
Elias introduces me as regret my decision to come here.
"This is Kelric, I met him today at the exam and we've become quite close."
His irritated look turns into a sly grin.
"When did we become close?"
For some reason, everyone laughs like I told a great joke. I'm still confused as the woman Elias came here to meet, puts out a hand towards me.
"I'm Kathlyn Bywater, pleased to meet you Kelric."
Her handshake form is weird. Her hand is tiled down and her wrist is limp.
Now that I think about it, Marinah had her hand the same way earlier before turning it and asking me to shake.
I shrug inwardly and grab the extended hand and shake it as well.
Everyone laughs again and I'm starting to not like it. I hold my tongue and bear being the butt of their joke.
Elias pushes me into a chair opposite Marinah and he sits down next to me across from Kathlyn.
Elias starts a conversation with Kathlyn and I sit silently and stare at Marinah.
I don't attempt to talk to her as I fear she might burst into anger at the slightest provocation.
I'm surprised when she asks me a question.
"H-have you been in Watercrest long.."
"No, I got here a day ago."
"Ohh.. then uhh you must've just came from your hometown to join Elomburg academy."
"Yeah."
Elias takes an interest in our conversation and butts in.
"Oh yeah I've been meaning to ask, where are you from Kelric?"
"Saltpond Village."
Kathlyn's face turns into a grimace.
"Oh that's terrible, I heard from my father that Saltpond got raided a couple years ago by slavers… he was furious at Earl Stanning for pulling his forces so far from the coast. You must've had a hard time after you got away.."
I shake my head at her misunderstanding.
"I didn't escape, I only made it back to the kingdom.. two months ago? I don't remember exactly. I lost track of time when I got back to Saltpond, nobody had buried the bodies and it took a while to do by myself."
Marinah dropped her glass of water and Kathlyn put a hand to her mouth.
Elias was muttering something about scars.
'Maybe I should've just lied..'
"Kelric, I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to ask such an insensitive question."
"It's fine Kathlyn, they died a long time ago."
The air is awkward and Elias stares at me like he knows some great secret.
I know then that I should've just kept my big mouth shut.