Listen, kid. It’s getting colder, and the first guests are starting to order tea. This morning, someone actually asked for my Candora blend. Aurelius gave me the recipe a few years ago, back when we first met.
And that reminds me of a story. Of course it does.
I believe it was on our first journey together. We had just joined up with Lucryss and Caelen, and it was the first time all of us had sat around the same campfire. It was one of those first warm evenings of autumn. The leaves were colorful, and the earth still smelled faintly of rain.
Lucryss had been staring at Aurelius for a while. Which was strange, since Lucryss is in a relationship and normally doesn’t stare at other men.
At first, I thought Aurelius hadn’t noticed. But the man is a teacher. He notices everything.
He poured two cups of tea, sat down beside Lucryss, handed him one, looked him innocently in the eyes, and asked teasingly:
“What can I do for you, Your Highness? You look like I’m confusing you.”
“Until just now, it was only your pants that confused me,” Lucryss replied, just as teasingly. “But now… I have to admit, you’re not quite what I expected.”
Aurelius looked down at his pants, then back at Lucryss.
“My pants? What’s wrong with them?”
“They have pockets. I’ve never seen that before. Is that Candora fashion?” Lucryss asked, running his fingers over the pocket on the side of Aurelius’ leg.
Aurelius laughed, took a sip of tea, and explained.
“No. Actually, I asked a colleague to alter my pants. As you know, most people in Elyndor wear coats with pockets. And I like the pockets. Just not the coats. They get in my way. So I wondered why we couldn’t just sew the pockets onto the pants.”
“But don’t things just fall out?” Lucryss asked. “You move your legs so much.”
Aurelius grinned.
“Yes, that was a problem at first. But I handle it the same way they do with backpacks. Just put a piece of fabric over the top and fasten it with a button. Then nothing falls out. That way, I have just as much room for things as you do in your coat. Without having to wear a coat that gets in my way.”
“Clever. Not just a teacher, but an inventor, too?” Lucryss nodded approvingly.
Aurelius laughed and waved him off.
“No, no. The pants are my only invention. Though really, all I did was combine things that already existed. And even that was actually my colleague’s work. I can’t sew at all. The only other thing you might call an invention are my tea blends.”
“Wait. The blend is yours? Tarric. You have to try it. It’s excellent.”
Lucryss pressed his cup into my hand before I could say anything. And of course I tried it. I’m always on the lookout for new specialties for the Hanged Elf.
And Lucryss was right.
The tea was perfect.
It tasted like Candora. Cozy. Safe. Like an evening curled up under a blanket in front of a warm fireplace while soft snow falls outside and a bird sings somewhere in the distance.
I don’t know whether it’s Aurelius’ magic or if he simply has an incredible talent for herbs. Either way, his teas are the most popular drinks in my tavern.
And, honestly, I don’t leave home without some anymore.
And that is the story of how the Hanged Elf became the first tavern in Elyndor with a tea selection.
And how Aurelius somehow became a teacher and a tea brewer, too.
I’m Raven Morrigan Hawke, artist and worldbuilder creating Elyndor and the Eris System—two worlds shaped by stories, characters, mysteries, and countless little details.
Elyndor is a dark, living fantasy world of ancient secrets, strange creatures, magic, and stories that rarely go exactly as planned.
The Eris System takes those ideas somewhere else entirely: into the vastness of space, where technology, distant worlds, and new stories are waiting to be discovered.
Through art, stories, and worldbuilding, I invite you to step inside both worlds—and see what you find along the way.
