Adventure of Exiles

There was a nice view of the sea from the cliffside.

“So, how is the view?” Felix asked as he sat down.

“It’s nice. It’s such a lovely night. Look at the stars.” Lisa answered as she sat beside here.

“Yeah, the moonlight is shining off the sea, it’s very pretty.”

Felix went for his belt and took out a metal flask.

He took a big drink, the whiskey burned his throat. Tasted like he bit on a piece of wood but it was Edwin’s favorite.

Lisa scooted closer to Felix and leaned on his shoulder.

He offered the flask to Lisa. She shook her head, “that stuff will kill you.”

“Good.”

She sighed in response.

They sat in silence for a bit just watching the night sky.

Lisa took her head off Felix’s shoulder and grinned, “ready for a surprise?”

“Oh yeah? What are you going to do?”

“Ta-dah!” Lisa then produced some colored tubes made with paper.

“Wow, a bunch of colorful sticks. Truly an amazing gift.”

Lisa rolled her eyes, “it’s a more than that. Sit down for a moment, boy.”

Felix did as she asked.

She then got up and set up the tubes.

She then conjured a fire in her palm and set a light to the base of a couple of tube.

She ran back and sat down next to Felix.

A plume of smoke came out the top and then there was a burst of vibrant color in the night sky.

Felix couldn’t help to smile at the bright colors of blues, reds, and yellows. The crackling of smokepowder.

Lisa’s eyes were twinkling, “ta-dah! Aren’t they beautiful? Fireworks with smokepowder made by expert alchemist yours truly.”

Felix sniffed the air, “I seen smokepowder used before when I was with the ravens. Big bombard cannons. How it all works is too confusing to a simple sellsword like me through.”

“Oh, I can explain how it works. Smokepowder is a combination of charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter. There are a few other components but that’s the main ones. Combined and crushed into a fine powder, and you mix in the right ratio, and boom!”

Felix scratched his head, “saltpeter? Salty Peter? Yeah, I’ll take your word for it.”

He tilted his head, “you still have some to fire off.”

“Why don’t you do the honors?” Lisa replied as she threw a bunch of sticks at Felix.

“Can do.”

Lisa stood up and stretched, “I wish I could get a better view of the fireworks. Maybe I can climb up the cliff.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Felix replied as he grabbed her arm. Then he hoisted her up over his shoulders.

“Woah! Hey! How are you going to light up the fireworks now?”

Felix pulled out a stick out of the bundle from his left hand. Flipping it, getting a sense for the weight and balance.

“Light it up. I got this.” He said as he held the stick up to her.

Conjuring up another a flame in her palm she lit it alight.

With a flick of the wrist, he tossed the stick into the air and at the fuse.

They repeated for the remaining fireworks.

Then the night sky was filled with colors and lights.

The sound of the crackling smokepowder filled the air.

“How’s the view from up there?” Felix asked.

“Oh wow, it’s beautiful!”

“That’s good.” Felix replied with a chuckle.

They stayed like that and watched the last of the fireworks, the smoke fading away.

Felix put her back down on the ground.

He was still holding on her when he noticed she was looking at him intently, “thanks, Felix.”

“For what? I should be thanking you.”

Lisa leaned in closer, “no, for the night.”

“You don’t have to thank me, tonight has been fun.”

Lisa then reached up and stroked his cheek.

Felix leaned into her touch.

“You know, Felix. There is something we can do to cap off the night?”

“Oh?”

She moved in closer, her lips pressed against his.

Felix was stunned and then started to kiss her back.

It was sweet and gentle.

She then pulled back blushing, “...how was that?”

“Good. It was good.”

Lisa smiled, “I’m glad.”

Lisa sighed, “well we should get going, it’s getting late. My mom would kill me if she knew I was out this late.”

“Well, let’s not keep her waiting. Lead the way.”

Felix and Lisa walked back to town.

When they reached the town square it was deserted except for some stragglers who were drinking and a few still taking stuff down.

“Well, good night. I had so much fun, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night. See you tomorrow.”

He watched as she left, her hand waving as she got further and further away.

Well…that just happened.

He took his flask and started to drink.

Processing what happened or perhaps trying to forget about it. Either way works.

After some time, he headed back to home through the darkness of the night.

***

Felix woke up to the morning sun.

He groaned. He had a throbbing headache.

He rolled out of bed and got up.

He sat down at the table.

He heard a big sigh and like magic a plate of eggs was in front of him.

He looked up to see Michael looming over him.

“Well eat up.”

“Thank you.” Felix mumbled.

“So, you were up late last night.” Michael sat as he sat to the right of Felix.

“I was.” Felix answered as he shoveled the food into his mouth.

Michael frowned, “you are making a mess.”

Felix paused and wiped his face, “I was busy thinking.”

Michael shook his head, “You mean drinking.”

“Same thing.”

“To be young and irresponsible again.” He then opened a ledger started writing.

Felix snorted and took another bite.

Emily came up from behind and shook Felix. His headache pulsed with pain.

“Careful girl. Your bodyguard is hungover.”

Emily giggled and moved around and stood in front of him, “hey, Felix. Hey, Felix.”

Felix blinked his eyes and focused on Emily, “yes, your majesty?”

“How was your night?”

“My night? Honestly, it’s been surreal.”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about what about you and Lisa?”

“Me and Lisa? ...it was fine.”

Emily started hitting Felix in the back.

“Hey! Knock it off, princess. I’m eating here.”

“Tell me, tell me.”

Felix shrugged his shoulders, “we had a great time. We went up to the cliffside and saw the fireworks.”

“You two kissed, right?”

Felix sighed, “what would you do if I said I did?”

Emily squealed and jumped up and down.

“You got to tell me more.”

“I’m not good with that sort of stuff. You should ask Lisa instead.”

“You right, I’ll go right now.” Emily said as she left the house.

“Wait! I mean...shit.”

Michael looked up from his ledger and had a small smile creep on to his face, “poor choice of words there, Felix.”

Felix sighed, “yeah, no kidding.”

Felix got up from his seat and started moving his body.

“You should sit down and take it easy.”

“I need to keep moving, don’t want my muscles to get stiff. Besides I have someone to see.”

Michael frowned, “who could be so important that you would get up with a hangover?”

Felix stood up and cleaned his plate, “I’m good to go and it’s pretty important.”

Michael frowned, “fine. Just make sure you are back by lunch.”

Felix grumbled on the way out the door.