I was nodding with sleep for the entire carriage ride, occasionally snapping out of it to contribute to the lively conversation spurred by Physician Iris and Dorian. My contributions must have been borderline unintelligible, for I remembered nothing of said conversation by the time we arrived at our destination.

When Physician Iris promised us a place with plenty of food and board at no cost, I had assumed it to be a cozy home-hers, perhaps, where I could soak in a nice warm bath, after which I would snuggle in soft sheets and sleep like the dead.

Well, it was a cozy home. A two-story house on a farm amidst the fields, with a barnhouse.

A barn house that was alive with light and a bloody booming banquet.

"Welcome to my humble abode!" Dorian announced with a flourish, leading us into the barn house. "Or rather, my party house!"

The space was packed with all kinds of beings-humans, greftyrs, elves, dwarves and a handful of droulans. Some occupied tables filled with all kinds of dishes and drinks while others skipped and danced to the tunes of a large group of instrumentalists. Sounds of flutes, pipes, tambourines, drums, fiddles and lutes blended into a fast merry tune that had the beings tapping their feet on the hay-covered floor and twirling their partners.

Raucous laughter sounded from various corners of the house; a healthy mix of deep masculine voices and high, feminine ones. Not a single soul in there wore a frown, and most of them were flushed with intoxication.

Needless to say, the sleep was jolted right out of my stem with the wakeful, bustling activity all around me.

"Come!" Physician Iris took my hand and pulled my dazed self through the crowd and towards a side of the barn where two dinner tables heaped with food were lined up.

Near it stood a tall, muscular woman with short red hair and bright amber eyes, her bulky, toned body draped in a short-sleeved dress with a dark green and red checkered pattern. A grin stretched her face when she saw Physician Iris, a pair of fangs peeking out through the smile.

"Welcome!" She wrapped her large arms around Physician Iris in what seemed like a bone-crushing hug, lifting the buxom she-elf off her feet with ease.

Physician Iris giggled. "Hello, Diana! I brought friends!"

The vampire named Diana turned her attention to me. In a flash, she'd dropped the physician, and I was the one being lifted in a bone-crushing hug. I choked, my air supply smothered right out of me.

"Welcome, friend!" she boomed, her loud, husky voice reverberating through my whole body.

As she released me, I staggered, thrown off-balance. She then proceeded to give Tristan the same treatment.

Everything else happened in a blur. A plate packed with food was shoved in my hands, and I was thrust onto a table of merrily drunk elves along with Tristan and Physician Iris.

"That was Dorian's sister, Diana!" Physician Iris shouted over the noise and music, her fair skin flushed as a she-elf next to her embraced her.

Tristan and I watched with open maws as the two she-elves chatted and giggled, their hands roaming each other's skin and hair. They were clearly excited for the reunion.

My only question was: At what point did Physician Iris get drunk?

I was a tad worried and nervous about eating meat in front of the elves who were herbivores, but all that changed when I saw Tristan absolutely wolfing down the chicken and pork with his fingers as though he hadn't eaten in days. The elves seemed to be lost in their own drunk world as well, chatting to each other while occasionally nodding along to the music.

Shrugging, I cast aside my doubts and descended upon my meal heartily.

Diana dropped by to slam filled mugs onto our table, her strength causing the rum, I supposed, to spill over.

"Drink!" she ordered with a full-blown grin.

Who was I to refuse?

The delicious food overwhelmed and satiated my empty stomach. I was infected by the lively, carefree company at my table, the merry music and the optimistic atmosphere filled with happiness. I was drawn into it until I became one with it-fully sharing the merry bond of intoxication and celebration with everyone around me.

At the back of my mind was the lingering reminder of my and Tristan's eventual departure to the Wispy Mountains on the Nameless Land. There, we were to find the fourth ingredient.

But tonight, amidst the feast and dance, was the celebration of our first success as a team- of not only managing to capture the third ingredient but mending our broken relationship as well. It was an achievement that struck the chords of my heart, making it sing a happy song. I chose to relish it and throw myself into the throngs of victory.

And so I drank.

Before I knew it, my belly was full and my mind was high on the freedom and elation of being intoxicated. My mind directed my body, urging me to join in the happy fast dance on the hay-strewn floor. I let Dorian and Diana teach me, not objecting when strangers took my hand or linked their arms with mine as we skipped to the tunes of the musicians.

Now, I was not a dancer, especially not among a crowd. But it was my fourth mug of rum, and all I wanted to do was dance, even though it was haphazardly. None of my partners seemed to mind-whether dwarf, greftyr, elf or vampire. We were drunk and laughing, swayed only by the joy of our hearts.

That is, until I noticed Tristan in the arms of Physician Iris.

He was seated on a high stool with his legs parted while Physician Iris was nestled in between. Her large bust squished against his chest and her hands roamed up his arms to his neck. Tristan repeatedly pried her arms off, backing away each time she tried to nuzzle her face in his neck, but she simply could not take a hint.

My body moved on its own, annoyance instantly and immensely replacing the joy I had grown accustomed to.

Forcing a smile as I approached them, I called in a sing-song voice, "Physician Iris!" and proceeded to detach her arms from Tristan. I tugged her back so his body was nowhere near her sinful one. Tristan watched me with surprise, as did the intoxicated she-elf.

In the very next second, however, she was squealing in excitement, "Mavis, it's you!"

She flung her arms around me instead. "I missed you!"

With a gasp, she pulled back, her purple eyes wide and sparkling with realization.

"Oh my, oh my, what's..what's this?" she slurred, her hands gliding up my arms to my face. A mischievous grin crossed her face as she announced, "You're jealous!"

I flinched in alarm, my eyes flitting to Tristan for a second. "What?"

She giggled. "You hate me being so close to Tristan. You jealous girl, you."

My face heated, some sobriety coming over me. Tristan tilted his head at me, his lips pursed to barely hold back a smile. His eyes were bright with utter amusement, which irritated and flustered me to bits.

"I am not jealous!" I averred a little too firmly. "I'm simply annoyed because you keep throwing yourself at him when he's not interested. You shouldn't force your affections on people who do not want them, Physician Iris."

She pouted sadly. "I know. I know what he wants. But even if it's not me, I can't help it." She turned to him, beaming as she reached for his face. "He's just so handsome!"

Tristan caught her wrists before she could touch him. "Quit that," he said.

She pouted again. "How unfortunate that your heart is already swayed by somebody else, " she whined, causing Tristan to go stiff. She then turned to me and smiled. "Well, not unfortunate for you."

What was that supposed to mean?

I looked at Tristan, who not-so-subtly avoided my gaze. He released Physician Iris, swallowing nervously.

The drunken she-elf threw her head back and giggled. "You're both so cute! When will you reveal your true feelings to each other?"

My heart skipped a beat at that, and I blushed furiously for some unfathomable, disconcerting reason.

It must have been the alcohol's effects.

"What feelings!" Tristan and I snapped at the same time, a little too defensively.

Physician Iris looked between me and Tristan, both of us avoiding direct eye contact.

"Perhaps I should be the one to reveal-" Physician Iris didn't finish her statement, her body jolting when the tune changed.

She shrieked, "I love this one!"

Overexcited, she grabbed my wrist and hauled me to the spacious middle of the barn where a group was dancing. She led me to dance while my distracted self cocked my head in every direction to see whether Tristan followed us.

I couldn't spot him, but my priorities switched as my body was soon enchanted by the tunes of the song. My focus shifted, my being swept up by the dancing and music once more.

Physician Iris lifted the skirt of her dress slightly as her feet tapped to the tune in complex yet skillful beats. She occasionally twirled and nodded her head, matching the swerves of the song. I was amazed at how her poise, rhythm and energy were so controlled and exact despite her inebriated state.

Everyone else seemed to have the same sentiments, ceasing their sloppy dancing to watch her trot and glide across the floor. Her masterful dance was soon accompanied by the cheers and rhythmic clap of nearly everybody in the barn, multiplying when the beat changed and Dorian swooped in as her partner.

They were so in sync it was uncanny-whether it was the direction of their movements or the blend of their bodies as he whisked her across the floor. I found myself absolutely awestruck. At the song's end, the applause thundered throughout the barn.

And at last, the alcohol and fast-paced dance caught up with Physician Iris. She made to curtsy, but staggered and tripped instead. Dorian was swift, catching her before she fell and literally sweeping her off her feet.

She giggled, nuzzling her face in his neck while he grinned.

I smiled fondly at them. A wistful feeling crawled its way into me as I found myself wondering what it would be like to be accorded affection so deep from someone, that anyone watching could tell the adoration behind it. The way Dorian looked at Physician Iris was the gaze a devotee would give a deity-if mere earthly beings were allowed to desire gods.

I cast such thoughts aside-there was no point in dwelling on them when I had no such person in my life. At least, none that I believed would actually feel that way about me.

It was only wishful thinking.

Exhausted from the never-ending dance, hot from the stuffy air within the crowded, lively barn, I ventured outside.

The night breeze was an instant coolant, soothing my heated skin and airing out my mind. The inky sky was covered in stars, the moon half its size. Still, the silvery shine was evident across the cluster of trees in the distance, and on the stretch of green fields encompassing the barn house. The stillness outside was a stark contrast to the bustling activity within, each element beautiful in its own way.

I walked towards the fence on my right, leaning against the top wooden rail as I looked over the seemingly never-ending green. The air was fresh and clean, causing me to close my eyes and inhale deeply. A slight breeze blew, but because of all the heat my body had gathered, I didn't so much as shiver.

Feeling at ease yet somewhat rejuvenated, I turned, thinking of finding Tristan and Dorian so we could turn in for the night.

I froze, my eyes catching sight of someone in the distance. He leaned forward against the fence as well, watching the fields.

Tristan.

I approached with slow steps, my boots crunching against the gravel and no doubt alerting him of my presence. If he heard me, he didn't stir.

The closer I came to him, the clearer his features became, as well as the expression he wore. It was...forlorn.

Standing next to him, I regarded his face. Unspoken thoughts were written all over it, and eager but unspoken words weighed in the silence between us.

"Are you alright?" My voice was soft but still broke the quiet; amplified by the still night.

He didn't answer immediately, seemingly searching for the right response. "What a loaded question," he mused aloud.

His tone was levelled yet carried a thick contemplation-a kind of philosophy that sought a listening ear, if only to satisfy the need; to provide an escape for the thoughts congesting his mind. I was drawn to be that escape.

"You seem to have a lot on your mind," I pressed gently, my fingers tracing the rail.

"I do. I've been thinking a lot," Tristan replied, his eyes peering into the distance, "about this quest, Adrian, about you and my past."

He sighed-a sound succumbing to melancholy. "About Aurora."

My fingers stilled on the surface of the wood. His last answer was an unexpected revelation, befuddling me.

It was the first time I ever heard him say her name.

Author's ramble.

Are you ready to dive into Tristan's past? Ready yourselves for an emotional rollercoaster, dear readers.

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