"Just wait out here for a second."
Elias grins and gives me a deep bow, "Yes M' Lord"
The shop is quiet and I realize that it's still very early, the sun hasn't even risen above the city walls yet.
There's a chime on the door and I hear the old healers groggy voice from a room in the back.
"Not open, unless your dying, come back later."
"Sorry, I'm just here to check on the woman I brought in yesterday."
Footsteps sound behind a closed door until it opens and reveals the woman. She slept in her work clothes it seems.
"She's not here anymore, check the Madbell Inn, that's where I think she was headed."
After asking for directions and bickering with Elias some more, I push the door to the inn open.
A young serving girl swiftly comes up to us.
"Breakfast will be ready in a few, do you want a pint, water, or milk?"
"Sorry I'm not here to eat, is there a woman staying here with three kids?"
The young woman immediately puts her guard up.
"N-no. Ain't no one like that here."
The door opens behind me and a familiar voice calls out.
"Gods Kelric, why'd you ask like that? You sound like a thug."
"Elias, I told you too wait outside."
"Yeah and I didn't listen, it's as cold as a Frost Giants balls out there." He turns his attention to the serving girl now, "My friend here just wants to check up on the family, no funny business."
He flashes a golden chain I've never seen before from under his shirt.
"Y-yes! At once M' Lord."
The whole display was unnecessary, because soon, three small pairs of feet are running at me.
"Big brother!"
"Mister Kelric!"
I'm tackled at the waist by the three kids and for some reason, I do not mind it.
Placing my hand on the little boys head, I pat it gently.
"I heard from the healer that your mother was doing a lot better."
"Yeah! Thanks to you big brother!"
Elias grumbles to my side, "Ohhh so he can be your brother, but not me."
"That's good. All right, I'll be going then."
The eldest girl hugs me tightly and looks up at me with watery blue eyes.
"Whaaaatt! C'mon and have breakfast with us mister Kelric. Preettty pleeaasee.."
"Alright.."
Elias stops snickering at me when my glare meets his eyes.
While I'm not very hungry, I'll never say no to food.
Halfway through the meal, I notice someone slowly making their way down the stairs.
I get up and go to her side, bracing her body in my arms.
"Good morning miss, hope you don't mind we started eating without you."
She seems shocked to see me and I stiffen slightly as she pulls me into a deep hug.
She's quite a bit stronger than she looks.
She's all smiles when she releases the embrace.
"You're a good boy Kelric, a very good boy."
Her fingers stretch out to pinch my cheek and I feel embarrassed at the display. Usually I'd get upset when someone looks down on me, but this woman is full of tender care.
She's trying to put something in my hand, but I do not accept it.
"That money is for you and your family. Please stop trying to give it back."
Her voice is yelled whisper at me.
"But Kelric! Do you understand just how much gold this is! This is more coin than-"
"I know and it's yours. Just make sure to keep it hidden."
Her state is piercing, but I don't back away from it.
Finally, she just reaches out and pinches my cheek again.
"You blessed boy.. come on, lets not keep the kids waiting."
Elias smoothly worms his way into the ragtag group and the meal is makes me feel relaxed.
For some reason the little boy and Elias got into a bragging contest, about me. It was so absurd that I had to stop listening to the stories about my feats of strength.
My heart feels light in the presence of this struggling family and a piece of me feels fulfilled when I see the look the old woman gives me.
I've never known a mother, but she seems like a good one.
There are a chorus of tearful goodbyes as we leave.
Outside, the air has warmed up a little and Elias and I head back to his house. Until he stops and smacks his forehead.
"Gods, I'm so dumb."
He narrows his eyes at me when he sees me nodding to his words.
"We need to make a stop at the tailor again, I know for a fact you do not have any formal wear for tonight."
"What about that suit? Can't I just wear the same one?"
He shakes his head like he pities my intelligence.
"No, my simple minded friend. That's a Jilliar suit meant for dining. You need a Jaxar style for the ball."
"That sounds.. idiotic."
"It is.. but we nobles must keep up appearances. The more coin you waste, the higher your standing is."
He shakes his head a little in disgust.
"Still, it's better just to play along. Come on then, follow me."
At the tailor's shop, the portly man doesn't check my measurements this time and heads to the back after Elias makes his order.
I cringe when I see the new suit and turn to Elias.
"I'm not wearing that."
"Stop being a child, it's not that bad."
To say the suit is extravagant, would be an understatement. There's a complex pattern of symbol embroidery with golden stitching layed upon a dull black. The coat tail is long and the lapel at the breast is huge, almost reaching the shoulders.
The pants aren't even really pants and cut off at the knees. Long socks are supposed to stretch up and tuck the pants fabric inside.
The cuffs on the jacket are large, you're supposed to wear some type of retaining band to keep them in place while they poof about.
I'd rather fight in the arena naked again than wear this.
Elias's eyes light up and he says the one thing that could convince me.
"I think Marinah would find you quite dashing when she sees you in this."
I hang my head in defeat as we walk out of the tailors with a new suit hanging over my arm.
Times flies by after we make our way back to his house. Elias re-explained Glory War to me and read aloud the command cards so I could play.
It's fairly easy to remember which card does what, each one has a corresponding image.
For example, the 'Archer Squad' card has a picture of multiple bows while the 'Cavalry Charge' has a horse with a lance atop it.
A few mistakes had happened however, once I confused the 'Commander' card with the 'Hero' one and sent my leader into the front lines. I lost that game almost immediately.
It's actually very fun and I don't really want to stop playing, even though I haven't won once.
My sigh is loud as I look at the new suit when the butler tells us it's time to get ready.