A Hafla

Tenth day of Solae, 1485
 
Grimaldus decided to hold a “hafla” to draw the priests out of the tower so we could gain entrance to it. I assumed that it was some type of party, but when Secilia asked what it was, Grimaldus confirmed that it is a party… but Hasim said that it is akin to a party, a drunken brawl, and an orgy all at the same time. I didn’t think that was what Grimaldus was planning… definitely the party and most likely drunken brawl, but orgy?
 
Poor Secilia opened herself up to be the subject of many jokes when she asked what he meant… I shook my head and told her that she doesn’t want to attend one. Grimaldus asked me if I am speaking from experience. I think he was being flirtatious, but neither was I entirely sure, so I told him that I am speaking from observation, rather than experience. Hasim looked surprised and asked me if Elves like to watch.
 
I don’t know what it was about that conversation that made it go downhill so quickly, but it did. I would have been able to get a laugh out of it, if Hasim wasn’t so entirely serious. I don’t know how much longer I can tolerate his blatant ignorance… I feel as though I should almost write a primer on Elves, and ask Grimaldus to help me translate it into Yongrel so Hasim will understand it, and then give it to him to read. Perhaps then he would educate himself enough to not be so ignorant. Perhaps.
 
Since the decision was made to host a hafla in the middle of the streets, Grimaldus set about making preparations. He led us to the Copper Bazaar, a massive marketplace by the docks. He was looking for a friend of his, Yahiro, or something like that.
 
Inira, Secilia and I were distracted by a book stand. The seller, an ancient human woman (I’m getting better at telling human ages now, I think), Ramela was her name, was a wealth of information. I am fairly certain that she must know every single book on her shelves, for when I asked about regional history books, she immediately pulled them down for me. She had a total of four, and her prices were reasonable, so I purchased the lot of them. The Schism, The Primeval Kings, The Great Mother, and Children of the Mother. I think I shall start reading them tomorrow.
 
Ramela was very curious… she asked me many questions about where I am from, and how I came to be here. She asked after my husband, and was surprised when I informed her that I am unmarried. I assume that it is a bit of a cultural shock to her. I explained that among my people, while arranged marriages of political import are seen, it is more common for us to remain unmarried until, and if, we decide to get married. My life would likely be different if I was nobility, but as I am a wizard from Egig Ero Fa, I am able to move about much as I choose.
 
I caught Secilia listening intently to our conversation, while trying to be nonchalant about it. Does the poor girl really not know anything of Elven society? I think I should like to take her to Alcarin at some point, take her to the libraries, let her see the land of her mother’s people…
 
I found Grimaldus arguing with a blue-skinned man, I think he’s a genasi, over by a silk merchant. When I walked up, I discovered that this was indeed Yahiro, and his wife, apparently a woman whom Grimaldus has a rather hostile history with. Her presence thrums with magic, but it is different… she seems more of a witch than a wizard or sorcerer.
 
Hopefully she is trustworthy enough… she appears to be genuine with Yahiro, but then again, I trusted Filandrel implicitly… so I am loath to put too much faith in my insight regarding people at this point… Damian and Grimaldus were the only ones who noticed something was off with Filandrel, well, no… Ravlor never liked him either… but Ravlor doesn’t like very many people, so I never thought much of it… besides, I’ve known Filandrel for most of my life… okay, I need to stop now… I can’t go down that path again. I am in the East now (although this area is a shithole swamp). I no longer have the staff in my possession, so there is no reason for Filandrel to bother me. He can’t scry on me anyways (although the others are completely open for that)… Enough. I’m not going to think about that any longer… I came here to get away from all of that.
 
A procession interrupted Grimaldus’ reunion. A large procession of priests wove their way through the bazaar, sacrificing fish and beating themselves. Something was going on with a mother and child, that was causing Hasim a great deal of anxiety. He asked Grimaldus to stop them from taking the family. So, Grimaldus walked out into the street and began challenging them. He cast a thaumatergy spell to amplify his voice, and berated them for worshiping a false god and leading these people away from their freedom. The lead priest (who I now know is one of the people whom Hasim says murdered his wife) rose to the challenge. He and Grimaldus agreed to a debate at the foot of the tower tonight after sundown. When he asked Grimaldus’ name though… he told him “Damian”.
 
What game is he playing? Giving them Damian’s name?
 
Someone managed to get the family out of the area, thankfully, and the priests departed.
 
Later that night, the hafla was arranged in the streets. Tables were brought out and laden with food and drink. Grimaldus set up a series of pillows in a low tent and began playing. Secilia and I both joined him. This is where I sit now and write. I like the sound of the strange instrument of his, Grimaldus calls it a “morin khuur”. Someone brought out some drums, and there are people beginning to dance. This dance is different from the ones that I know... it seems to be done alone, or collaboratively with a group. It doesn't appear to be a couples dance like most of the dances in the west... it seems less stilted, more organic with the beats of the music... it actually looks like it might be fun...
 
Dekar just challenged everyone to a drinking competition, barring any snakemen, as they are apparently unaffected by alcohol. This will be entertaining... I might even indulge tonight… I’m not going to join Dekar’s drinking competition or anything, but I could use a bit to drink. I haven’t done so since Dekar and I drank with the dwarves in Yaharghul… but tonight… tonight might be a good night for a party…
 
Oh fuck. Meriwald is trying to join Dekar’s drinking competition. He’s ignoring me. Fuck. I’m going to have to go get the little bastard back. I even threatened to dismiss him (which I never do), and that didn’t even work. I am not about to let him poison himself on alcohol…
 
I’ll return to my writing once I have Meriwald in hand.
 
Later…
 
When I was chasing Meriwald, because of course, the little shit didn’t cooperate, I saw someone crouched on a roof, watching us. I looked over towards my friends and saw that Grimaldus had stripped down to his waist and was teamed up with Dekar to take all comers in a fighting match.
 
Secilia, Yahiro, and Rowan left with Hasim to go to the tower, for “Damian’s” debate with the priest. I hoped that they would be okay. I debated about accompanying them, but opted instead to stay and watch the fight. No magic… I’d never actually seen Grimaldus fight something without armor and without calling on any of his power, so I was curious… what can I say?
 
Before she left, Secilia asked me if I trust her. That made me a bit skeptical, because the only time anyone asks if I trust them, they normally do something fairly insane… but she just wanted to give me her talisman. Apparently it will let me teleport to her, or visa versa, in the event of an emergency. She said that if I see the light of her celestial summon, then they are in trouble and I should go immediately to assist them. With that, I felt no guilt about my decision to stay and watch the brawl.
 
I didn’t even really get to watch the fighting though, because it seemed like no sooner had they started in earnest, than the masked figure on the roof began to cast a spell. I countered it, and I could feel the anger emanating from him as he pointed a finger at me and incanted a spell. Inira had my back though, and it fizzled in his hand.
 
This was not what I had been planning on doing this evening… this was supposed to be fun, not a wizard duel. My patience was gone, so I released the magic missiles from my cloak, and watched as his mask shattered and fell away, revealing his true form. He was some kind of weird snake person, and I shouted for Grimaldus. As he and Dekar ran over, our assailant flew into the air on a weird black disc. The rest of the fight was a blur, most of my attention was focused on countering every spell the bastard tried to cast. I don’t know who he is, but I did manage to counter what looked like a time-stop.
 
Secilia teleported next to me and summoned her celestial guardian who shot and killed the sorcerer as he was flying back toward the tower.
 
There is a bunch of screaming now… and smashing on the gates of Alfarid… and so it begins…