Tyler wanted to apologize, but seeing no opening in the conversation, he and Carl settled in to listen. Both men found themselves drawn into the tale.

  "Our father sold us as whores. And our mother killed herself because of it," Teresa said simply.

  The stark brevity hung in the air, but soon the sisters began to elaborate. "Your father... he truly sold you to Godma's army?" Tyler asked.

  "The brothel first claimed us, then the army, after our homeland crumbled. Aeton, that was our country, nestled between Elnya and Paripha." Treni's gaze drifted into the flickering firelight. "You ask if our father could bear to sell us? Sir, you clearly know little of half-elf lives." (True enough, I don't. Even my last encounter with a half-elf left too much unspoken,) Tyler mused.

  "Back then, Godma was conquering Aeton. Paripha cowered in neutrality, fearing Godma's might. Elnya had already bent the knee as a duchy. Aeton was caught between them like a sweet pie, ready to be devoured. Though war never touched our little village, its shadow made life harsh. One July day, Father lost heavily gambling at the tavern and drowned himself in drink. That money was all we had left. Then he overheard some lecher saying: 'A pretty half-elf girl fetches good coin - twins would be worth even more.' And just like that, we were sold."

  The younger sister sipped her beer as her elder continued, "We were barely seven or eight. The brothel owner bought us without a second thought, paying Father copper that wouldn't buy decent cider. But Father practically danced away to gamble with those coins. Then Mother - our beautiful, gentle mother - came to plead for us. 'My lovely lady, your daughters were sold to me legally. Unless you can match their price, they're my property now.' I can still see us, held on either side of that fat brothel owner, watching Mother's helpless face. 'Though, I've never had an elf working my house. Set that precedent, and you can stay with your girls.' His words earned him Mother's slap. He didn't even flinch, just had her shown out. When talking failed, she went wild, trying to snatch us away."

  "Fat owner called for help right away," Treni picked up the thread. "I thought they'd kill her. But he wasn't as cruel as some. 'See the lady out, but don't harm her,' he ordered. As they dragged her to the door, she suddenly grabbed the frame and smashed her head against it. Everyone froze - nobody expected that. She was like a raging bull then, no one could hold her, no words reached her. Until I started crying. She turned to look at me, then at my sister."

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  "After that, she walked out on her own. No one dared touch her," the elder sister squeezed her sibling's hand. "Later, the owner told us she'd taken her own life at home."

  "Hanging?" Tyler remembered his wife Cherry's dark jest: "If I can't bear another child, I might as well hang myself."

  "Gods, no. Such crude ends are for humans," the younger sister shook her head. "Elves would never dishonor life so. She used Moonfire Blossom pollen in water. The poison smells sweet, leaves no trace, brings no pain. It's how elves choose to leave this world."

  "I know it well," Tyler said, folding his arms. "The Moonfire Blossom, unique to Illuviλofer, the Flower Sea Hills. Two petals, one the color of blood, the other of a twilight sky, earning it the name 'Crown of Flowers.' But its pollen yields Whisperdust, a poison favored by elves who cannot bear to watch their human loves wither and fade while they themselves remain untouched by time."

  "My, aren't you knowledgeable, sir," Treni smiled, her hand finding Tyler's thigh. "Did some half-elf beauty teach you this between the sheets? Was she pretty?"

  (Must it have been a half-elf? Why not an elf?) "Not as pretty as you," he answered honestly, earning her smile.

  "Mother said she'd likely follow Father the same way. Elves say, 'If today marks my end, let me leave in beauty.' Most achieve this - their bodies never decay. Father followed her soon enough, beaten to death in some tavern. That same leering patron who'd suggested selling us brought word to the owner. I hated that man's thieving eyes on us. The owner showed one last kindness, burying them together," Teresa's laugh held no mirth. "We visit often. It's darkly funny - Father's bones beside Mother's perfect form."

  "I wonder if she smiled at the end? She smiled so much in those early days," Treni's eyes glistened at the memory.

  Silence fell. Tyler noticed then how quiet Carl had been. He'd dozed off against Teresa's shoulder, wine cup still half-full. (Overdid it again, you fool.) Tyler smiled fondly. (Not even good wine, worse than my home brew. But here I am, drowning sorrows too. War ages you in an instant, body and soul.)

  Teresa stuck out her tongue at her sister and Carl, gently easing his head onto her lap. His sleep deepened. "Surely when your mother bore you twins, she knew perfect joy."

  Treni crawled over, making to rest her head in Tyler's lap. He allowed it, fingers returning to her ear. "Yes, few elf-human unions bear fruit," Teresa said softly. "I understand that yearning - I've dreamed of motherhood myself. We desperately want children, any man's seed would do. Sir, do you know why most half-elf girls become whores?"