Her hair was more silver and brighter, and her expression firmer and mightier. Confidence dripped down her body like gas and she was shrouded in beauty. Ane, who had been blessed with the black rain of a new era, was entirely embedded into her new aura. Still a fiery orange, but the hint of extra gorgeousness was a little frame of gold.194Please respect copyright.PENANAXMc5nGA9r5
Elliot, who had complimented Ane several times throughout the week of changes, had quite a bit of change on himself. While his jaw was sharper and his eyes were bluer, his hair was messier and his expression was fiercer. His ears were longer as well, almost as if they were pointy. That was a strange part. Was he perhaps an elf? He didn't know what it meant either. His aura was a fierce blue, wavering and glowing, and gently mixing with a haze of gold.
Bethil had probably changed the most, if not just grown up. His hair had reached past his shoulders, and he had messily tied the top half up. He had a prince-like feel, and Jarco said he reminded him of his younger self. He got broader and it seemed as if he trained a lot. The tiger he'd once been was now definitely a leopard with a deep, purple aura with wisps of gold. The one who had teased Bethil about his more mature look the most was Daphnelle.194Please respect copyright.PENANAn1pYY2Kiko
Daphne's short, dark hair turned into wild, black manes covering her shoulders. She matured and glowed up even more than she already did. Her aura had once been grey, but bits of gold slowly made their way into her aura. Great quality came with her, and Ane was sure that it was because of them. It was as if they all seemed to complete each other.194Please respect copyright.PENANAaawZAz838D
"Sharran's Valley seems to be alright," said Jarco to Livi. Both of them seemed like an incredible power couple. Jarco, with his new, shorter haircut, accentuating his beard and sharp jaw, broader and more confident, and Livi, with hair that had taken a more burgundy touch rather than ginger, curling over her shoulders. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAhO6S5xwnR5
"It seems restored. Everyone has been blessed with the black rains," said Livi. "What a time to be alive."194Please respect copyright.PENANAHrwukmXbCu
"I do not remember people undergoing such a transformation last black rains," mumbled Jarco.194Please respect copyright.PENANAYxppg7AzLf
"Because the previous four heroes didn't end the era like these ones did. They officially made a brutal ending, whereas the previous two generations just flowed into each other. Merely worth black rains," answered Livi. "I'm liking this, though." 194Please respect copyright.PENANAZotQzGf3wB
"You seem a lot more feminine," said Jarco.194Please respect copyright.PENANAasq62SryLt
"Not sure whether that's a compliment or not."194Please respect copyright.PENANAPT05Pyp3vZ
Jarco smiled and he looked at Livi's face carrying a little grin. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAUw64J6RjJR
"Good morning."194Please respect copyright.PENANA2jfKWET0OU
Jarco and Livi looked up, and glared into Willis' eyes. He had faint hieroglyphs like Mint's on his face, but they were blue. Result of the black rains, supposedly, but wasn't Willis human?194Please respect copyright.PENANA2FszHkp6Qo
"How did you get that?" asked Jarco, referring to the new facial features.194Please respect copyright.PENANAXynLQ4rKWU
"We are all blessed with magic, my lord," Willis smiled. "I wanted to ask a favour, though."194Please respect copyright.PENANAlr3vfsJHmR
"Of course," replied Livi.194Please respect copyright.PENANAPmBOiW5AKt
"The past weeks, lots of things have happened to the Western Bay. Humans returned here, it's like the old times. Yet the world's still cursed. Since I know that you lot will be going to the Eastern Bay next to continue your journey, please take this with you –" Willis took a flask out of his pocket in his suede jacket and handed it to Jarco "– and hand this to Lewir so he can pass it on to Ninéya, if you will."194Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2cEgm9x0b
"Ninéya?" scowled Jarco. "What is your business with Ninéya?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAE3MBR2rY4X
Willis took Jarco apart and he began to whisper. "I know that your business with Ninéya was just as messed up as my business with the witch. Pass on the flask, it'll give you lots of redemption." Willis finished off with a set of two words that left Jarco with a dropped jaw. The two shared a glare of many confused emotions and Willes lay his hand on Jarco's shoulder, nodded and walked away.194Please respect copyright.PENANAXIRKSuCGee
"What was that?" asked Livi. "Are you okay?"194Please respect copyright.PENANArIKZNDSlys
"I... I am fine," stuttered Jarco. He unconsciously grabbed Livi's hand, which was either a sign of being in need of support or simply needing some affection. She let him grab her hand, but was flustered nonetheless.
Daphne and Bethil sat around a small, round table, both holding cups of tea. A little breeze fluttered through the open window and the smell of wood and exotic perfumes from the Eastern Bay came along. They had been talking since early this morning. Daphne had told him her history with Mounty, and Bethil had told Daphne a whole lot about his life in the academy. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAs9J4P9LO2m
Daphne used to be a perfectly normal child, until she met Mounty. Through her, she met Sarkhan. The three were close, very good friends, until Mounty came with the idea to ditch the normal society and join the rogues. Daphne, who was struck with love for Mounty, agreed. Sarkhan refused to, but he held grief in his heart since he had been in love with Daphne since day one. One day, few years after Daphne and Mounty had joined Livi's rogue group, Mounty left them. She said she'd be back, and promised to write Daphne letters. They transferred letters nearly daily with help of post doves, but Daphne soon found herself writing, but never reading. After she had reread Mounty's last letters over and over, she'd realised that Mounty left to be with Sarkhan. Daphne never figured out how the two got in contact again, but Daphne assumed post doves. So Daphne remained with the rogues, and with Livi, and made her way up.194Please respect copyright.PENANAp9QvJSiIWq
Bethil had listened intently, making schemes in his head, before telling his own story. He told about how he hated the academy and its strict rules. They learned about earth, magic, potions, botany, maths and some useless stuff, but never about what was vital and even remotely interesting. He hated public academy. Royal academy was more useful for Bethil's life. He had one particularly good friend there; princess Anevay. So after he was sent away from the private, royal academy, he just kept watching her from the walls. They never got close, but Ane's shtick interested Bethil. It was somehow inspirational, the way she carried herself without pride or arrogance, and just came off very laid-back and outgoing. Bethil wanted to live his life in a way that he'd always plan out; he'd grow up and travel. Travel over the hills and visit every main city. Kinslot, Iccarslot, Sharran's Valley, Hilltop and Lily's York. He'd crossed three of his destinations. In the academy, he had always been taught to fear Sharran's Valley and Lily's York. They were mysterious places, but that simply just awakened Bethil's interest.194Please respect copyright.PENANA2jDfUriPn5
Daphne had listened with joy as she heard Bethil talk excessively about how dearly he wanted to explore the world and his gratitude towards the fellowship for making that ambition come true in a, let's say, very peculiar way. The bond between the two had grown excessively stronger. They also discussed their vague goals. What if this would end up in nothing? They decided that it wouldn't matter; they'd gone out and travelled and explore.194Please respect copyright.PENANAmnOjlOxi8A
The door swung open and Daphne and Bethil immediately rose to their feet. Elliot was huffing, holding a letter. He was panting, sweat dripping from his forehead.194Please respect copyright.PENANAZ40ZscjdO6
"What's wrong?" asked Daphne, immediately approaching Elliot and taking the letter.194Please respect copyright.PENANAv8h6kApqBx
"The King... he is... he is dead." 194Please respect copyright.PENANAWgTao1bewr
The three ran to Ane, who was being consoled nearby a bonfire by Jarco and Livi. She was resting her face on her hands. She had cried a ton, that was for sure. She was holding a letter herself, which was smothered with tears and leaking ink. 194Please respect copyright.PENANA8SJUPRwNx9
Hallan and Marrie came rushing as well, together with Lewir. Everybody just sat or stood, sensing the misery dripping from Ane's mood. A wave of greyness washed over the group, and they remained in silence.194Please respect copyright.PENANASKOTrFiQzM
Elliot sat down next to Ane and placed his army gently over Ane's shoulders while she continued crying, and everyone was frozen. Not just because Ane's father had been killed, but because now the Northern Bay had no ruler.194Please respect copyright.PENANAvFVejgTHT8
The next day, Ane carried herself with difficulties. She had isolated herself and merely talked to Elliot, who had just consoled her as he could. Everybody else had been doing their thing and had been extra kind to Ane or extra quiet.194Please respect copyright.PENANA4PxxJuMoWb
Elliot, Daphne, Bethil and Jarco were sat in a room, next to Ane's bedroom who was sleeping. They were quietly talking about the events.194Please respect copyright.PENANAyoP7EJ375Z
"Who killed him?" asked Daphne.194Please respect copyright.PENANAwIOqOSZMMt
"Nobody knows. The Queen found him dead in the morning, and she wrote the letter," replied Elliot. "She just shared the news and notes on how much she misses her. It was a very emotional, rough letter."194Please respect copyright.PENANAkLXxUpMJwZ
"What was the letter that you were holding?" asked Jarco.194Please respect copyright.PENANAkUgiYJrA7p
"It was a letter from Dawn," said Elliot. "It was meant for you." Elliot searched in his pocket for a second before he took out a quadruple folded letter. He handed it to Jarco and he began reading.194Please respect copyright.PENANAHgCyYEOw3S
Dear Jarco and comrades of princess Anevay, 194Please respect copyright.PENANAl2CKV86H3p
Yesterday, something horrible happened. The King has been found dead. As the ruler of the Northern Bay is deceased now, we are desperately searching for help. The Queen is not fit for ruling, and Anevay has no siblings. From now on, the royal council of warfare will take care of Kinslot and our cities. Who exactly the murderer was, is still a grand mystery. I suppose that you met Hayres, also known as Druid Hayaresse. She has allies. Strong allies. Dangerous ones, too. Do not touch Hayres if she is still alive; her allies will awaken and will avenge her any which way. The new era has begun as well. Who killed Ghordo, Rok, Korlos and Aris? It was nearly unbelievable when the black rain came falling down like black crystals.194Please respect copyright.PENANAO2xos7un4M
Please be safe, fellowship, for Hayres' allies are not just doomed. They are mighty, dangerous and above all very rare. They hold magic which nobody can comprehend. You will have to leave for the Eastern Bay as soon as possible, for you will only find safety there. Remember that nobody is what they seem. Your closest friends may be closest to evil as well.194Please respect copyright.PENANAzklcT7Cusx
Kind regards,194Please respect copyright.PENANAklnsmtnsgz
Dawn, headmistress of the royal council of warfare194Please respect copyright.PENANAWbGwYDqFjl
Jarco closed the letter and he thought deeply. "Your closest friends may be closest to evil." Who could that be? Jarco couldn't imagine one person here being bad, different or simply evil. The only person that Jarco could ever find remotely vicious or dangerous was Daphne, as she held a very smoky reputation, but he still trusted her.194Please respect copyright.PENANAOEX8Vz7Gl0
Several days went by before Hallan knocked on Ane's door. She let him in. She was sitting on her bed, reading a thick book with old, yellow pages that Hallan had too little time for to ask about.194Please respect copyright.PENANAMy7b1iDuHm
"Princess," he began, "I need to talk with you."194Please respect copyright.PENANAtQwOHEKI0X
"Of course, Hallan," said Ane and she put away the book. "What is it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAaMz5SLvzRt
"I will be leaving your fellowship."194Please respect copyright.PENANAbQPsPzvoob
Ane just stared down to the floor. She was too dense to be able to fully care at this moment. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAsrev0S2Mmz
"If that is your wish, then so be it. Thank you very much for your help," said Ane whilst she stood up. She embraced Hallan tightly and suddenly felt warm. "Shall we see each other again?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAM46rCWpeVu
"Of course. You shall be a grand reign," replied Hallan with a sweet yet bitter smile. He bowed his head and left Ane's room. Anevay walked back to her bed, but she just stared out the window instead of installing herself again. She took a deep breath and ran both hands through her somewhat greasy hair. 194Please respect copyright.PENANALsYLfYGRy8
"I have to continue," she told herself. "The quest is not even half done."194Please respect copyright.PENANAX1YZjcxg2e
With confident steps, she walked outside.194Please respect copyright.PENANA69DIDexEdn
The fellowship sat around the bonfire. It had been quite long since they had all been drinking beer together and eating rabbit meat. Marrie didn't really seem to miss Hallan that much, as she was just spending all of her time with Lewir instead. Ane watched around the group. Daphne and Bethil were heavily discussing the stars, Jarco and Livi were a bit tipsy from the amount of wine and beer, Marrie and Lewir were laughing at silly jokes that they were both making up, Sarkhan and Mint were eating and basically nothing but that while Mounty and Aethul were having a drinking game. Elliot, as usual, was sat next to Ane, and he was now and then involved with Daphne and Bethil. It was peaceful and nice. Ane had missed this, and she took another sip of the bitter beer.194Please respect copyright.PENANAiUPObHewK1
"Sorry to interrupt your party."194Please respect copyright.PENANArR2j4qK45W
Ane looked up to the voice behind them. She was faced by two soldiers. They both looked incredibly gorgeous and they were also quite familiar faces. They were soldiers that Ane had met through pure coincidence in the begin of their visit in Sharran's Valley. Pitér and Tully, she remembered. The pair were tall and fierce and utterly beautiful. Pitér had light brown skin with shades of orange, the same colour as his eyes. A sharp jawline and thick, full lips. Broad shoulders that held his armour. Tully was very pretty, too. She had darker skin, like Dawn's, with dark, curly hair that was braided and held in place by some sort of a headband. She had vividly blue eyes, a strange contrast to her skin colour, and was built tall but slender. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAFE2pPQ9iLT
"You haven't met us yet," said Tully, with a heavy, rusty accent, "but we're Tully and Pitér. You may have heard of us."194Please respect copyright.PENANAnvXVSG5yrH
"I have met with you," said Ane, whilst she stood up. She soon realised the height difference with her and Pitér. "Is there a problem, soldiers?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA53HTB7gpHk
"Not quite. We have been watching everything from the sidelines. Hayres used to be quite fund of us, until that day..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAj0jWSbje7t
"We fought along with your side, princess Ane. And we will continue to do so. The reason why we only introduce us now is because we wanted to make sure the time was ripe, and we believe that it is now. If it is okay, we shall join your alliance."194Please respect copyright.PENANAzIxh9UjXta
Ane smiled softly and shook Pitér's hand, and afterwards Tully's. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAReVIjNKtvZ
"One thing, as well," said Tully. "You were heading to the Eastern Bay?" 194Please respect copyright.PENANAPizu6LbWj2
Anevay nodded.194Please respect copyright.PENANAGTj2XNx4GH
Tully and Pitér looked at each other and briefly nodded.194Please respect copyright.PENANAvrYAL6dvWm
"We shall take you to the correct route. Many ways promise to lead to the Eastern Bay, but Lily's York can eventually only be reached through the Taverness."194Please respect copyright.PENANAyGKInHRiJE
"Taverness?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAaVlmjKo6lH
"Village ruled by a pair of siblings. It's the only way to correctly reach your destination," answered Pitér.194Please respect copyright.PENANA6LtnpIS2jh
"He is right," agreed Jarco. "Through Taverness we shall go."194Please respect copyright.PENANASVqcK8XwXd
The next day, the fellowship was on their way under Tully and Pitér's lead. They had a steady pace but little patience. Sarkhan, Aethul, Mounty, Willis and Mint had indeed decided to remain at Sharran's Valley.194Please respect copyright.PENANARaR0urZz2D
Ane felt like her fellowship would sooner or later fall apart. She had never been particularly close to either of those four, but she still felt somewhat empty inside. They were just like little bits of a crystal. It'd be shiny no matter what, but every bit of shine counts.194Please respect copyright.PENANAHaHLAqSear
The night rolled by fast. At that point, Ane completely had to rely on Tully and Pitér. When Elliot and Jarco had asked her why exactly she trusted them so blindly, Ane had simply replied that their aura betrayed their good will. Besides, if they made wrong moves, they could easily fix it. The princess knew she didn't convince Elliot and Jarco completely, but they'd have to deal with it.194Please respect copyright.PENANA8spVqjNPEN
More days went by and the fellowship got to know Tully and Pitér on personal levels. The two had been a romantic pair ever since they could remember and had been serving Hayres and her dark reign, but merely out of defense. They figured they'd have more chance of having a better reputation if they served Hayres. Tully and Pitér hadn't exactly been the most innocent people, though. They often sabotaged Hayres' plans and always blamed arrogant, prissy guards of her. They stole several of the guard's swords and blamed him for not taking care of them well enough, they poisoned some of Hayres' most loyal soldiers and blamed them for eating illegal foods, they ruined armour of slaughterers and blamed them for being too reckless with their materials. Hayres was naive for them, perhaps because she felt close with them since the early days, as Hayres hadn't always been that corrupt. Tully's mother was quite close to Hayres' mother and Pitér's father was Hayres' teacher. The three had basically grown up together. Unfortunately, one of them gave herself to evil and corruption. They found that the least they could do was help whoever rescued Sharran's Valley from a possibly terrible fate.194Please respect copyright.PENANAmM9JSnjb6O
"Here is the secret passage," said Tully after they entered a split road. The group dismounted their horses and looked at the road, quite disappointed and unsure what to think of it. It was just a road which had two ways, one going left and the other one – surprisingly – right.194Please respect copyright.PENANAw6YnP8gWak
"I do not get it," said Ane. "Did you really just come along to tell us whether it was right or left?" 194Please respect copyright.PENANAQAP54NBv61
"Remember the hill over the core?" asked Pitér. "You'd be going right over it if you'd go either one of these directions. The trick is to just add a little magic!" 194Please respect copyright.PENANAW6ZMRpqvdC
He opened his hands and summoned flickering lights of dancing redness on his palm. He sparked it off into a small distance, right between the two ways. It exploded into a work of dancing magic that strung together and creating a vertical ellipse. It was obvious that the swirling, fiery red energy inside of the ellipse was some type of portal.194Please respect copyright.PENANAMOY3piuQt9
"Ladies first," said Pitér with a smug smile.194Please respect copyright.PENANAQm20fCEkVD
Anevay looked at Elliot, who gave her a reassuring nod. She walked to the portal, impressed by its saturation. She dipped her finger into the matter and it felt warm and soft, but breathy and airy. With a satisfied face, she smiled at her group and stepped through the portal. The world was soon engulfed in energy, a bright colour and a sensation of rapture and Ane saw nothing but waves flashing in front of her eyes, until bit by bit, every wave attached itself to another, creating a painting of a landscape, which soon embedded itself into reality. The princess checked her hand to see if she was completely fine, and soon her friends followed behind her. In front of her, the landscape seemed to come from an entire other realm. Bronze, silver and a tacky gold silhouetted every shape and form. There was no grass, but instead a metal-like floor. Smoke and gas was pumped out of huge factories. It seemed slightly like Iccarslot, but a hundred times more mechanical. Dwarves, humans and people that seemed like enchanters roamed through the streets that had rusty, sturdy buildings made of thick iron.194Please respect copyright.PENANAPoE7bFjire
"Is this Taverness?" asked Anevay, realising her jaw had dropped.194Please respect copyright.PENANAqIITuQ4jwm
"It feels great to smell this slightly dirty air again!" said Tully with a big grin on her face.194Please respect copyright.PENANAcZaBX581bU
"This is the only way to the Eastern Bay?" asked Ane.194Please respect copyright.PENANA0BhPCUcHlu
"No, it is not," said Jarco, "but it certainly is the most fun."194Please respect copyright.PENANALBAdryb4f9
"Well, let's explore," suggest Livi. "Who knows what we might find here." 194Please respect copyright.PENANAFy8PiEKFa9
"Where do we go, though?" asked Elliot. "This place is like a maze."194Please respect copyright.PENANAJRxratUF1f
"Taverness stretches over miles of the land. It has clear borders, though. Leave a border and you'll find yourself right in the woods or somewhere less pleasant," warned Pitér. "We have to find the leader of Taverness."194Please respect copyright.PENANAkUmXzJDzax
"Taverness has a leader?" asked Daphne in disbelief. "Why no king?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAB3EWbYkYyl
"These people are not like us. They believe in feasting, working and inventing. We believe in ruling, fighting and conquering."194Please respect copyright.PENANAC0lx6pnKUz
"So, this ruler?" frowned Ane.194Please respect copyright.PENANAYayKpNwbTC
"People call the ruler Peita," answered Pitér.194Please respect copyright.PENANAjefzSZXN3p
"I've heard about Peita," said Lewir. "Very difficult to get along with, apparently."194Please respect copyright.PENANA2xJcr9mGJe
"If not nearly impossible," sighed Tully, "but once she's on your side, she's a treat. Let's go."194Please respect copyright.PENANAXOciVLOASG
"Where?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAxyVkFmameq
"The tavern, obviously," Tully smiled. She and Pitér took the lead and the rest of the group followed them, observing the city in awe. Men walked around with vests, top hats and monocles while the women wore high boots and corsets. Ane had never opened a book about Taverness. She'd assumed it was just a popular pub. How wrong could she have even been?194Please respect copyright.PENANANHqGr8ceJl
"I feel very misplaced here," said Marrie, holding Lewir's hand. Her bright blonde hair contrasted with everybody's rather dark colour of hair, and her dress didn't fit in with the dress code either.194Please respect copyright.PENANAZeb0qKZmVS
"I feel as if long hair for men is forbidden," mumbled Lewir, running his free hand through his long, red manes.194Please respect copyright.PENANAE3jDUL50oV
"I'd enjoy it here, though," he mumbled. "This place looks rich."194Please respect copyright.PENANA5yWC4b76yP
"Money won't make you happy," said Marrie.194Please respect copyright.PENANAqZm11GATVt
"Are you so sure of that?" smirked Lewir.194Please respect copyright.PENANAHmJcXHLiLi
Right after Marrie had smiled back, she yelped. The runner who had pushed her aside apologised loudly. He waved at her as well, before he ran off again. Merely seconds later, a second runner neatly avoided Marrie.194Please respect copyright.PENANABSmaGRAwpw
"Apologies for my friend!" she yelled, smiling at an utterly confused. The girl had been chasing the guy, but what for? Marrie didn't have enough time to ask, before the girl ran into Ane's back, sending both the girls to the floor. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAVfXYwSMrba
Elliot immediately helped her up, and Jarco helped the other girl up out of mere courtesy. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAkHZR2t8nfU
"I recognise you," said Ane as soon as she faced whoever had pushed her in the ground.194Please respect copyright.PENANADZLGrjhvZG
"Princess Anevay!" 194Please respect copyright.PENANAgoepwiN3Nr
"Hellen!" 194Please respect copyright.PENANAYrfuxFkTty
The two girls hugged it out in front of the others. 194Please respect copyright.PENANALQ8u3l2pyD
"Your hair..." whispered Ane as she glided her fingers through Hellen's thick strands of long, braided hair. By this time, the guy who had rudely thrown Marrie out of balance, had returned to Hellen. He wore a white shirt underneath a grey, sleeveless, leather vest. A brown belt held his trousers in place, which were tucked in some sturdy, leather boots. He wore one leather glove, on his left hand. Probably to protect his hand from the surprisingly intricate pistol stuck in his belt. It seemed like smoke could burn right through the metal any moment. He wore a silver necklace with a gear with exactly seven spikes. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAVjBDxgzaVd
"Excuse us," he said. "We were just playing around."194Please respect copyright.PENANALE1WwOwdxt
"You seem too old to still be playing around," muttered Marrie.194Please respect copyright.PENANAuYfwJFm8ga
The guy put his hands on his hips, undefeated, and glared down to Marrie. "Fair point," he eventually said. "My name's Vastice."194Please respect copyright.PENANA1Y1mVndcog
He had a thick accent, noticed Ane. She shook his hand and then turned to Pitér and Tully for further guidance. They, instead, looked at Vastice with confused eyes.194Please respect copyright.PENANAw6xLa5Xjdn
"Vastice, the Killheel?" asked Tully. She was almost as tall as the man was.194Please respect copyright.PENANAN0R0h6Nodv
"Right address," nodded Vastice.194Please respect copyright.PENANA8h6G5JzXGI
"He's my friend," said Hellen to mainly Ane. "He brought me to Taverness."194Please respect copyright.PENANAIRlk04vcFg
"You should be in Kinslot, though," whispered Ane.194Please respect copyright.PENANAIWr4CnIKLp
"After the King died I couldn't stay there a second longer. Kinslot's in ruins, Ane. You should've been there."194Please respect copyright.PENANAWirENcpahH
Hellen's slightly insensitive choice of words hit Ane deeply, but she just grimaced the hurt away and looked away from her childhood friend. She just nodded in an agreeing way and turned to Pitér and Tully.194Please respect copyright.PENANArwxOvnjSfB
"Please, lead us to our friend Peita," she said.194Please respect copyright.PENANAQl5znVp2Zg
"The leader of Taverness?" asked Vastice. "We can bring you there. For a little price, of course!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAqJKu2tQDJu
Hellen nudged Vastice and he apologetically smiled a sheepish grin. Ane eyed him judgmentally and raised a brow to Elliot, who was clearly having his own hesitations about Vastice as well.194Please respect copyright.PENANAz12vuji0ym
"Eh, we are alright with Pitér and Tully," decided Ane.194Please respect copyright.PENANACcUPbLhhtM
"We know each other. Why not just go together?" asked Vastice. "I'll pay your drinks in the tavern."194Please respect copyright.PENANATxJN0HYoto
Ane looked around her group, and the decision had clearly been made. "Lead the way."194Please respect copyright.PENANAS2pUjhrIRZ
The group walked through the tangle of buildings and machines. The corrupted air made Daphne breathe rather heavily. She and Bethil were walking next to each other in a rather comfortable silence, aside from Daphne's occasional coughing.194Please respect copyright.PENANAAKnQN6iaeC
"What do you think about Taverness?" asked Bethil.194Please respect copyright.PENANAn7he16Dh8S
"Surreal," Daphnelle answered.194Please respect copyright.PENANA7Y6sGhGgCf
"How come it feels surreal?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAGZ0NKZTA6g
"I've only ever read about Taverness in thick books, and I assumed it was a myth. Machinery, guns, airships, steam trains and mechanical weapons, it all sounded a bit too unreal. Yet here I am."194Please respect copyright.PENANAiPQhvvIX7N
"Well, this sure seems like an entirely different world to me."194Please respect copyright.PENANA8jeDM9At3g
"They hide themselves for dangers, and I can clearly understand. I couldn't imagine the damage if one of those industrial towers would get hit..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAsaxqcHOR2V
"Let's just hope that'll never happen. At least not when we're here."194Please respect copyright.PENANAU5AklwvOA4
"We're here," announced Pitér. They stopped in front of a large pub. The smell of cheap beer and smoke flowed through the windows and Ane had to stop and stare for a minute. Inside the bar, giggling women were flirting with drunk men. The girl behind the bar seemed oddly young, but she seemed to have everything under control. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAL1eJbcx8Dm
"I expect you to pay for all of our drinks," said Ane to Vastice, and she pushed the door open. Nobody batted an eye and Ane told her group to go find a place to sit whilst she'd order beer for everyone. Livi kindly offered to help her with the drinks and Hellen did the same.194Please respect copyright.PENANAE0oDzYqQbu
The trio headed to the bar, where the barmaid looked up to them with a smug smile. She was wearing a white shirt underneath a leather, corseted vest with tiny silhouettes of gears on it. She wore a thick, brown belt with a gold buckle in the shape of a clock on it. Her trousers were leathery brown tucked in some strapped boots. The heels ticked against the wood floor with every tip. The necklace around had a gear with exactly seven spikes.194Please respect copyright.PENANAh0y6MC7Q6o
"Like my necklace?" asked the barmaid. Ane shook out of her thoughts and apologised.194Please respect copyright.PENANAPT9NEfl7AB
"I have just seen that necklace before."194Please respect copyright.PENANAmngwHKE75o
"You must be from the south... And yes, my brother Vastice wears the same one. Poor thing... having to meet my brother on your first visit."194Please respect copyright.PENANAngpaSEkYGp
"How do you know this is our first visit?" asked Livi.194Please respect copyright.PENANArEX9lwOkXP
"Is it not?" smiled the barmaid.194Please respect copyright.PENANAj9FTDjfZut
"It is," muttered Livi defeated.194Please respect copyright.PENANAhn8jTWCB7P
"Anyway. What drinks would you like?" 194Please respect copyright.PENANAkePe7bJ0KR
"Twelve beers," ordered Ane. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAbAY6Fmszi0
"How strong are these beers? Make it fourteen!" said Livi with overflowing confidence.194Please respect copyright.PENANAOfbREPGExP
"I doubt you'd be able to down one of these without already getting major tipsy issues," smiled the barmaid.194Please respect copyright.PENANA7kqq4O6HhQ
"Peita always brews the best beer," said Hellen to Livi. "In bars you cannot drink more than one beer at a time. Ordering more isn't really allowed, since Peita doesn't like to be responsible for drunk incidents."194Please respect copyright.PENANAqa1ThFvyhe
"Peita sounds like a bit of a party crasher," Livi sighed.194Please respect copyright.PENANAU3dm2IAk1M
"Livi, watch your words," shushed Ane.194Please respect copyright.PENANAmgwDuueeHu
"Your girl's smart," said the barmaid. "So, twelve beers?" She already began getting the cups and filled them with beer from the tap, giving each one a nice, thick collar. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAE56M88auJc
"I doubt this Peita would ever find out about this. You will not share this with anyone, will you?" asked Livi to the barmaid. 194Please respect copyright.PENANAV6SdvM6OnM
"Peita doesn't like to be patronised," said the barmaid, filling the seventh cup with beer.194Please respect copyright.PENANAPEk88Rq0I4
"I'm not patronising Peita," said Livi. "Or should I say peitonise." Livi laughed at her own joke and Ane tried her best to keep herself from chuckling even the slightest.194Please respect copyright.PENANAxG9N2Aa0O4
"Livi, I think it is best if you –"194Please respect copyright.PENANA95VpYsZBWG
"Have you met this Peita, Hellen?" interrupted Livi.194Please respect copyright.PENANAWqbNTCpkQ1
"Yes."194Please respect copyright.PENANAoPeDQh7mQe
"What's he like?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAkpKjhKinbp
"Peita isn't –"194Please respect copyright.PENANAnpr0AhTJpI
"– choosing his employees well. Does it take that long to give us beer?"194Please respect copyright.PENANANeAtcW01D8
"Livi, be respectful!" hissed Ane, but she couldn't help but break her seriousness by smiling a little.194Please respect copyright.PENANA0It0CHJscI
"I'm just messing around. Apologies, barmaid. I got a little too cheeky."194Please respect copyright.PENANARzYax2VA1B
"Well, Peita suddenly doesn't want to give you beer anymore," said the barmaid.194Please respect copyright.PENANA5Jo9t0npOh
"You can't do that," protested Livi. "Your brother's paying for this. You can't fake Peita's orders to get away with this."194Please respect copyright.PENANAVXLBnfg5iN
"Livi," interrupted Hellen, "she is Peita."