An awkward apology and a trip with twelve beers later, the group was enjoying their drinks. Livi took about one sip before she realised that Peita in fact did brew very great beer.174Please respect copyright.PENANAmfPAJpCN1U
“So how did the talk with my sister go?” asked Vastice.174Please respect copyright.PENANAaXPAtym9X2
“Pretty great,” grinned Ane. “Am I right, Livi?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAlG0jW2u5kQ
“Shut up,” muttered Livi and she awkwardly took a sip.174Please respect copyright.PENANAaYDOomE2kt
“Not that great, I’m guessing?” Vastice laughed. “Don’t worry. You’re one of the many.”174Please respect copyright.PENANALHGU8379Oy
“That doesn’t make me worry less,” replied Livi. “I kind of could’ve ruined our bond with Peita.”174Please respect copyright.PENANA7F2VH895ZS
“Do we need Peita for anything valuable?” asked Ane to Pitér and Tully.174Please respect copyright.PENANA6mFg1fq5PK
“Only she can bring us to the Eastern Bay, for she holds the keys to the portals,” answered Tully. “We might need to pull some extra effort if we want her trust.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAereQblEqgX
“What exactly did happen?” asked Jarco.174Please respect copyright.PENANAt4C3gZkjkW
“I insulted her a tad,” shrugged Livi.174Please respect copyright.PENANAAjGUIgO1rb
“Good job,” replied Jarco sarcastically. “Can we fix it?”174Please respect copyright.PENANA37wNOrcbgj
“Of course you can,” Vastice beamed. “She has a tender heart underneath those thousand layers of coldness, harshness and brute.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAwvMSqRw0eI
“Sounds easy to make her trust us, then,” sighed Ane. “Well, now that we’re here we could take the time to explore Taverness.”
“Time’s running out bit by bit, honey,” Tully warned. “Evil knows no such thing as time, but their clock’s still ticking rapidly.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAgAescH5K3O
“Everyone is just so supportive today,” Ane replied, before she took a huge sip of her beer.
The group had found an inn nearby and immediately took four rooms. Ane, Elliot and Bethil took the top right room, Jarco, Daphne and Livi took the top left room, Lewir, Marrie took the bottom right room and Tully and Pitér took the bottom left. Before they went to their bulks and slept, they did have dinner together. A table for ten was a tad large, so they shoved two tables together. They’d ordered a king’s feast meal before they dove into the deliciously smelling food. It was paired with big cups of alcohol as well.174Please respect copyright.PENANA70MIsrqYxT
“What a treat!” smiled Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANABfdQXmdGB2
“So, Ane… tell us a bit about how you got this group of fine young people to fight at your side,” said Pitér.174Please respect copyright.PENANAYJSItWdlLE
“Elliot and Bethil were the ones with me from the start. Elliot has been my best friend ever since I could remember, and Bethil and I used to be classmates, surprisingly. Fate brought us together. Jarco, my beloved teacher, could not bare to see his young student alone, so he had decided to tag along. Not much later, we met Livi and Daphne, former rogues. We met Ghordo, Rok and Korlos. I am sure you have heard of them. They were… deceitful, if I may say that. Daphne and Livi later joined us on our journey. Unfortunately, halfway through, we lost each other. This led through meeting more allies. Aethul, Mounty and Mint, Hallan and Marrie. Most of us were just headed to the Western Bay back then. So after we had defeated Hayres, Aethul remained with his brother, Sarkhan, and Mounty and Mint remained there as well, but you know that. Willes, our dear friend who helped us out grandly at the battle, stayed there too. So… now we are here. People mainly joined us to reach their destination, but I suppose that the ones who truly belong with us on this quest are still here with us.”174Please respect copyright.PENANApXvNZbjcnV
“Sounds quite idyllic,” smiled Tully.174Please respect copyright.PENANAdtBZizFLdC
“Fortunately it is true,” Ane replied.174Please respect copyright.PENANAzB8MYkBiqC
They continued to eat whilst chattering, drinking and laughing.174Please respect copyright.PENANAwL41DWILLR
“I heard there’s a feast tonight,” said Pitér. “Mind to check it out?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAzIEpfQWwBO
“A feast? What type of feast?” asked Elliot curiously.174Please respect copyright.PENANAP74OoaaGTF
“A feast with tons of beer, cute fairy lights, garlands, loud music, maybe some drama and romance,” smiled Tully.174Please respect copyright.PENANAUL90CvAvJw
“I would not really mind all that much,” said Elliot. “Anybody else?”174Please respect copyright.PENANA5apa4IvI9U
The majority of them agreed to join, and they convinced the leftovers to tag along. Dressing up for the occasion would be quite appropriate as they were still all wearing their rather dirty fighting clothes, so they went ahead and bought some simple outfits to fit Taverness’ steampunk style. Corsets, leather vests, puffy trousers, leather boots, accessories in gold and bronze and fluffy skirts was quite a different to their usual, simple attire.174Please respect copyright.PENANAok86TeA1ji
Ane put a headband over her forehead, finished off with a feather. “Do I look decent?”174Please respect copyright.PENANASryEVBccK3
“Adequate,” teased Elliot as he smiled. “Now stop looking in the mirror. Let us go.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAvGVzqCSD26
“Fine,” Ane answered. She and Elliot left their room at the inn, while the others had already left. On their way to the centre of Taverness, where garlands were indeed decorated around fairy lights, Ane and Elliot saw many people who were also dressed up for the feast. The smell of beer lingered through the air and it somehow harmonised with the music that was played by a group of musicians. People were dancing whilst laughing and whilst drunk, clinging onto each other either for a more intimidate dance or support in order not to fall down as quick – or maybe even faster.174Please respect copyright.PENANA3wo0W7fMfs
“Seems like the party has already begun,” said Ane to Elliot. She smiled at him and he smiled back. It was simple, but Ane felt the sweetness of it seeping through her heart.174Please respect copyright.PENANADpKjREJkY7
“Want to dance?” asked Elliot. “Good thing we had some beer beforehand.”174Please respect copyright.PENANABrGO0hOBSA
“I shall prove I am still the best dancer of us two,” grinned Ane and she mingled with the dancing crowd. As the music notes danced over the hot, sweaty air, they ended up right in Ane’s ear. Together with the buzz of the alcohol and the festive atmosphere and lights, Ane let her food do their own work. They hopped over the floor happily, and when Elliot mysteriously disappeared into the crowd, Ane just mingled with some foreigners from Taverness. Elliot came back, with two large cups of beer, and he handed Ane one. They chugged it down rather quickly, spilling most of it on their outfits. Strong beer, probably brewed by Peita. Time went by, and both Elliot and Ane forgot about that concept. They just danced together and laughed, occasionally dancing with some others.174Please respect copyright.PENANA2B4s8ANRtL
Through the crowd, Ane vaguely saw some people leaning against the buildings around the plaza, either having a chat or a drink with their mates around some cheap tables with cheap chairs. She also saw people hooking up. Eventually, she found Daphne.174Please respect copyright.PENANABQGSmqV08X
“I will get Daphne!” shouted Ane, pouring the last bit of her beer through her lips. Ane headed to Daphne’s table, not sure whether she was walking in a straight line. When she reached Daphne’s table, she recognised Jarco, Bethil and Livi through her blurry vision. She could tell from their muffled, faint voices that they already had had quite the drink as well.174Please respect copyright.PENANAvXBih8NhXB
“Dance with us!” laughed Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAomKHC2SEZt
“No need to say that twice,” replied Daphne and she immediately stood up. She sought support right after, because the buzz in her mind suddenly became heavy, but Ane pulled her into the thick, grand crowd of dancers.174Please respect copyright.PENANAuiJ3Zey5GL
At one point during the night and after many refills of their drinks, Ane could’ve sworn that her entire group was dancing with the crowd. A thick mass of drunk people were just swaying to the music that was flowing through the night air. Counting stars would’ve been impossible at that point, as nobody could properly see a star anymore. The musicians were most sober of all, which was good and obviously expected.174Please respect copyright.PENANAqafOM3g5xh
Anevay’s shoulders felt light. Her only worries at that point were whether she could keep her balance or not. Rhythmic movements flowed through her body. She saw Hellen somewhere, and she approached her.174Please respect copyright.PENANA2KqZ7HqtX9
“Hey, Ane!” greeted Hellen. Her breath smelled of beer.174Please respect copyright.PENANAaPUNAhYKpm
Ane chuckled, and she pulled Hellen closer to her. Her hands were soon on Hellen’s hips. They were both out of their mind, so the moment that their lips touched followed by their tongues was nearly inevitable.174Please respect copyright.PENANA54WUVwcm5C
“Princess…” stuttered Hellen when they broke apart.174Please respect copyright.PENANAAVmhwmYuhU
“I am no princess. At least not tonight,” responded Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAa6mdszVc7u
Hellen just laughed. “Fair enough, Anevay.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAF49lC2Pweb
“Want to find a room?” proposed Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAlnp3Je0B6V
Hellen grinned widely. She took Ane’s hand, and they stumbled out of the crowd. As they got further away from the crowd, the music quieted down. The fresh air collapsed around their bodies and felt refreshing.174Please respect copyright.PENANAWYlYR2S9Kb
“Care to go to the inn?” asked Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAfc8pfeSI7A
“Sure thing,” replied Hellen and she guided both herself and Ane to the inn. They opened the door, and Ane faintly recognised Daphne and Bethil sitting together on the sofa in the common room, both wrapped in the same blankets, cups of steaming tea in their hand talking over the crackling fire in the fireplace.174Please respect copyright.PENANAd6cHz4Rdo6
“Oh, there she is!” said Daphne. “Is she still very drunk?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAW6tfNg2Sk0
“Are you still very drunk?” grinned Ane, wobbling on her legs.174Please respect copyright.PENANATfau9o2n1Y
“A tiny bit, but we’ve sobered up. Our room’s free, in case you were wondering,” winked Daphne. “Make it fast though. Morning will be here soon.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAk0ZmWfXEZi
Ane and Hellen both headed upstairs.174Please respect copyright.PENANAFKnLnfzr55
“Poor Elliot,” said Bethil.174Please respect copyright.PENANAS0BjnhgMvq
“Elliot is having a surprising amount of fun with some blonde girl,” Daphne replied.174Please respect copyright.PENANAZJdhOMvWMB
“Oh, is that so? What a large amount of alcohol does to one person…” chuckled Bethil.174Please respect copyright.PENANAepqtugILRj
As morning came, it was Bethil who’d woken up first. He went downstairs and recognised the thick scent of chicken. The shapeshifter looked at the clock and noticed it was close to noon. He stretched, sat down by a table in the restaurant department and greeted a couple that was eating nearby. Bethil went to the bar not much later to order a drink and returned to his seat from earlier. A shelf of books hung against the wall behind Bethil had a row of thick spines of books, all leather bound. Out of mere curiosity, he picked one which had The History of Taverness on the spine. He flipped through the books and was surprised at the great quality of the pages.174Please respect copyright.PENANAmjZ8NiJzx7
Taverness has always been a passage which connects the Eastern Bay to the rest of the world. This is why the Eastern Bay is kept so secretively; very few men can summon the portal to Taverness. Those who have been granted with the powers are loyal warriors to the leader of the city. The city may appear one of the newest, but is older than the Eastern Bay itself. It’s in no other dimension; it is placed right in front of our noses, but hidden behind layers of magic.174Please respect copyright.PENANATCHLjbrLyY
Bethil skipped to the part of the leaders. Seven leaders had already taken the spot, and they were all Killheels.174Please respect copyright.PENANAwere3gyXzm
Killheels is the term for the branch that includes humans who summon magic in a very different way than others do. They awaken an energetic flame within them which the fan out into sparks of magic. It’s an art that’s been taught to very few but spread soon, which eventually led to finding out not everybody has the igniting flame within them.174Please respect copyright.PENANACPXdIGUFdL
Seven leaders – all Killheels – have proudly carried the title of Taverness’ leader. They need no fancy names, but merely their folk’s loyalty. They all mingle with the crowd just as much.174Please respect copyright.PENANAMdvWyvIGAR
Their first leader was Enceladdon, referred to as Laddon, a man of noble origin. He was a Killheel …174Please respect copyright.PENANAMPNMSsQoEc
Enceladder was followed by Callistas, referred to as Callie, a woman in no way related to Enceladdon …174Please respect copyright.PENANAMMfW0ae8zv
Next was Ganymay, referred to as May, a woman of noble origin …174Please respect copyright.PENANA3JQS4KZ2zG
Medionne followed, referred to as Dionne, May’s daughter …174Please respect copyright.PENANAmGr4hoVMFQ
Tremimastus followed Dionne’s footsteps. He was referred to as Trem, … 174Please respect copyright.PENANAdao3f3m8Qt
Then came Ranethetion, referred to as Rane. He ruled grandly … 174Please respect copyright.PENANATjELJrAPEQ
Finally came the part that Bethil had been waiting for.174Please respect copyright.PENANAhKEXuqJDs8
Last but not least is Iopeita, referred to as Peita. She is the current leader as of – a scribbled year – and is believed to rule for much longer. Her twin brother Vastice refused the title as he is not fit for a leader.174Please respect copyright.PENANAJOj23UAHAv
Iopeita. Very feminine.174Please respect copyright.PENANA6DIgO01NFN
“Reading anything interesting?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAQSz1l2A75y
Bethil looked up and saw Daphnelle. Her hair was tied up, so her thick waves of hair flowing over her shoulders.174Please respect copyright.PENANAkDewMc5Qdk
“I was just reading about Iopeita, Taverness’ leader,” replied Bethil.174Please respect copyright.PENANAskfWSQOceP
“Iopeita? That’s her full name?” asked Daphne.174Please respect copyright.PENANAg4vEjfGHCV
Bethil nodded, and Daphne hurried to the bar for some breakfast bacon. She came back and sat down in front of Bethil.174Please respect copyright.PENANAfEksO8xzm6
“Tell me all about it.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAOX9cJLQQx6
“There is not much to read… or say. I haven’t got to the juicy parts.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAiz8uMR6YwV
“Then tell me when you get there,” said Daphne, and she put the slices of bacon on some toast she got along with it. She had nearly finished her breakfast when Elliot came entered the room.174Please respect copyright.PENANAkZB7nzWfSW
“Good morning,” he greeted. Right after, Ane also strutted in. She greeted them kindly and sat down next to Daphne.174Please respect copyright.PENANA8kU1bjkpFI
“Had fun with Hellen last night?” she asked.174Please respect copyright.PENANACbG1lmyVqS
“Oh… let us forget about that,” grinned the princess.174Please respect copyright.PENANAxHq5atWURK
“I shall get us breakfast,” said Elliot and he disappeared.174Please respect copyright.PENANAM7gqPdWHzI
“So, did you have fun then last night? I think we may have met you both at one point.”174Please respect copyright.PENANA93hPbnpttY
“When you came inside and struggled with your balance,” nodded Bethil with a little laugh. He looked up from the book.174Please respect copyright.PENANApGkMInNsKU
“Read anything special?” asked Daphne.174Please respect copyright.PENANAkzr3mTjSV8
“Iopeita is basically in conflict with Ninéya,” answered Bethil. “While Peita wants to keep her city safe by closing her barriers and risk the Eastern Bay’s entrance, Ninéya insists on keeping the barriers open for her own safety.”174Please respect copyright.PENANANItfVBHkrN
“Tough,” mumbled Daphne.174Please respect copyright.PENANAyPLJ7yJHVS
“Is that a book solely about Iopeita?” asked Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAgYuolNlW3a
“Peita’s about your age, I doubt anybody would’ve already written books about her deeds,” replied Daphne.174Please respect copyright.PENANA0Mv2779gYL
“You are two years older,” frowned Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAxkGX9Tbdw1
“I’m no ruler though.”174Please respect copyright.PENANARnf5TaofKa
“That is true,” agreed Ane. “Neither am I, though.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAbH4LIByXjg
“You have everything it takes. You’re about to rescue the world. They’ll definitely write books about a princess like you,” winked Daphne. Elliot set down plates filled with bread, fruit and cheese and ham.174Please respect copyright.PENANAIVDhMINaCA
“I doubt anybody would write books about Anevay,” he grinned.174Please respect copyright.PENANA9f1UorV5j1
The princess nudged him before they began eating. As the four continued chattering and eating breakfast, noon soon came.174Please respect copyright.PENANAAgMwcRX8Lc
The group was sitting in the common room, chattering, some reading and some drawing. It was a cosy afternoon and it felt like ages since things have felt so calm. Yes, Ane’s father was dead, Elliot’s mother was murdered, Bethil hadn’t heard from his parents in ages and Daphne lost her horn, but things were running surprisingly smooth. When Ane and Elliot had talker earlier about the loss of their parents, Ane swore she’d find out whoever had killed the King, and Elliot would hope to not leave Aris’ death in vain. And when Bethil and Daphne had talked, Bethil promised himself he’d write a letter to his parents in the following days and Daphne said she’d hoped Sarkhan would stay afloat.174Please respect copyright.PENANAAZ0rOl0kCo
Jarco and Livi went to the balcony upstairs, each with a glass of a soothing type of soda. The sun was nice and warm, and it felt like an orb of a faint orange colour directly heating up the skin of the couple. The sodas were refreshing though, and they had a similar orange colour.174Please respect copyright.PENANADubuGDBrrf
“So… let’s talk about us,” began Livi whilst she was leaning over the balcony nonchalantly.174Please respect copyright.PENANAaRxe0aEvL8
“Us?” frowned Jarco. “What needs to be said?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAO7Mk3Itrcn
“Do you…”174Please respect copyright.PENANAOqaYeECf2R
“If I am in love with you?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAOaq9BXxOpd
Livi nodded and nervously looked Jarco in the eye.174Please respect copyright.PENANAFUw0GPP6p8
“I… I suppose I do,” responded Jarco half-hesitantly.174Please respect copyright.PENANAjJZRBEnZ4G
“Oh. That’s cool.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAgyWMoAsj6t
“This is very anticlimactic,” reacted Livi and she stood up straight.174Please respect copyright.PENANAesihZYmuZK
“What did you expect?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAF1F6z3z5iH
“Maybe this sounds silly, but some romantic scene like in books and theatres,” Livi shrugged.174Please respect copyright.PENANAn0dM138xGO
“Well… we sure are in some type of book, but even if we were, we would not be the main characters. I doubt we would be the people to have special treatment or extravagant storylines,” Jarco replied.174Please respect copyright.PENANAy8Y3t9VOkr
“How come?” frowned Livi.174Please respect copyright.PENANAS7cpyzLNVl
“This is not our story.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAgltcensimu
“That doesn’t matter we can be selfish, though,” grinned Livi, and she moved closer to Jarco. “Don’t you feel like having a great scene with me?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAZZT5Tl9f2A
Jarco smiled and he took both his and her glasses and placed them on the tiny table in the corner of the balcony before laying his hands on Livi’s hips. They moved closer in together, her arms around his neck. Their mouths naturally met and they both tasted like the orange soda. The kiss tasted orange as well; passionate, but fiery and happy and bright.174Please respect copyright.PENANA8s3PKFIv2F
“What type of scene would you want with me?” asked Livi.174Please respect copyright.PENANAKNu0zsHDfX
“That type of scene that the author would not write in books for minors,” replied Jarco huskily. They both headed inside and locked all the doors. Livi dimmed the lights, and Jarco heated the place up.
The door of the inn swung open, and Vastice and Hellen stepped inside. He guided them to the common room and met several pairs of curious eyes.174Please respect copyright.PENANARAPPyn6Wy1
“Hellen?” asked Ane as she stood up. “How are you?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAOqSginYtIk
“We are fine, but Peita would love to talk with you,” answered Hellen.174Please respect copyright.PENANAnIPUuqPdgc
“Oh, right… About what?”174Please respect copyright.PENANA6M84gu5b4o
“Well,” continued Vastice, “she basically would like to make a deal. Ane, please come to the main building.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAefvsyPWLMW
“Where exactly is it, though?” asked Ane. “Eh… can I bring Elliot?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAw6YazA41qq
“Do as you wish. Peita’s waiting,” nodded Vastice. The four headed back to the main building, which was the most impressive and tallest building in Taverness. A giant clock made out of solid golden gears hung on the front wall. It was four o’ clock, and forty-eight minutes. Twenty seconds, to be exact. The building was symmetrical, perfectly, and had many layers of floors and balconies. Tons of gold must have been used for all the decorations. Ane guessed that the walls were made from solid copper finished with a layer of copper-coloured iron. The main building was located at the far end of the city, so not in the centre where the party had been.174Please respect copyright.PENANAUY5FT4Y7BE
“Let’s go inside.” Vastice led the way. The doors were wide open and looked incredibly heavy to move. Hellen and Vastice walked up three sets of stairs to eventually reach a wood door, which was quite out of place. It was Hellen who knocked and opened the door after Peita’s thick, smooth voice shouted “Come in!”174Please respect copyright.PENANAiUvdcqnTKB
Peita sat in a crimson, leather chair behind an ebony wood desk. Her thick lips were curved in an unpredictable smile and her grey eyes sparkled.174Please respect copyright.PENANAkkLLVGlEq1
“Anevay and Elliot!” exclaimed Peita. She smiled widely and offered the two people seats. She shoo’d Vastice and Hellen outside and they awkwardly turned around and left.174Please respect copyright.PENANAUKvS4b3p5I
“Good afternoon, Iopeita,” greeted Ane, not sure whether she should’ve called her Iopeita or not.174Please respect copyright.PENANAPGJIb11JEt
“Someone’s been reading about the history of Taverness?” smirked Peita and she leaned back in her chair.174Please respect copyright.PENANAD5zTMPAKCy
Ane smiled sheepishly. “What did you want to talk about, though?”174Please respect copyright.PENANA4d3Jr72nOk
“Aha, cutting right to the chase. I like that.” Peita rested her elbows on her desk in front of her. “Basically I’d like to talk to you about the portals that you need. In Taverness, we have three portals.”174Please respect copyright.PENANA7bpgYkE8WR
“Three?” frowned Elliot.174Please respect copyright.PENANA2f9FfYZwZB
“One to Lily’s York, one to the Western Bay, and one to a place where wizards only exist in books.”174Please respect copyright.PENANADs5Xx8Zzip
“I see…” thought Ane. “We would need the portal to Lily’s York.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAG5LuVebZit
“There… is one problem,” said Peita. “The portal has kind of been… hidden.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAYh1LoJhrkW
“Hidden?” frowned both Ane and Elliot.174Please respect copyright.PENANA8eVDKMiwG7
“More like… lost.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAqLf50LrOdv
“Lost,” repeated Ane. “What do you mean, lost?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAGGKPraNYEX
“Basically, I’d forgotten about the many beasts. We caged them, but along with the beasts we caged the portal.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAGAYT0JiBJ0
“So nobody can leave or enter Lily’s York?” asked Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAqjuX6X1mMc
“And why do you not just move the portal with magic? I think Pitér could spawn –”174Please respect copyright.PENANAfLbO3OuE6T
“Elliot, you can spawn portals outside of Taverness wherever you want, but the portals from inside of Taverness only have one set place. Imagine Taverness was a triangle, then each corner would have a portal. In the far corner, however, is the portal to Lily’s York, infested with creatures. People technically could leave Taverness through that portal and come in through Lily’s York, but they’d have to fight the beasts, which does not happen.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAOuYXAlW2Ft
“In other words; you messed up,” said Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAVguilZxCxE
“Slightly,” nodded Peita. “We have not had any Eastern visitors in quite some time.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAKmAvxbsAYy
“What is wrong with making a new portal?” asked Elliot.174Please respect copyright.PENANAF83hSQhNab
“Killheels are capable of more than men can comprehend, but not of such things,” Peita sighed. “Our own body energy is our magic. It’d require too much of our strength. If you truly want to use the portal, you’ll have to fight the beasts.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAd26lkQhGkq
“What are they? Menrock? Vultiffes? Shooharrens?”174Please respect copyright.PENANA5iU8lI5ESl
“Anevay, you’re underestimating it. They’re… very normal.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAPWznkbYH3G
“Normal?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAW8ADV9JlIU
“Tigers, lions, wolves, bears.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAk0UyWRRrGW
“Bethil would like that,” noticed Ane. Elliot let out a nervous smile.174Please respect copyright.PENANAiwIZEoCjzH
“The thing about them is… usually, they’d battle each other to death,” explained Peita, “but for a reason beyond our imagination, they’ve created odd alliances. Some people have made it out alive and the amount of beasts did get thinner, but there are still many. It’s not an actual cage, by the way. It’s more like a forest of them.”174Please respect copyright.PENANARUxzaMjvXf
“I think we can make it,” said Ane. “We have a good group.”174Please respect copyright.PENANABLYBemGbVI
“I enjoy your confidence, but they’re animals. You know that humans are a lot better at swordsmanship because they merely rely on that and don’t use the benefits of magic? Well, it’s just the same with animals. Their beastly instincts and rage is far beyond a menrock’s or vultiffe’s,” Peita answered. “If I may ask, what is the true nature of each of you?”174Please respect copyright.PENANA4yk9jq3Bed
“Daphnelle is a Druid –”174Please respect copyright.PENANAVd3ErInXkr
“– oh my, a Druid in our camp? How nice!” smiled Peita.174Please respect copyright.PENANA1HusUPM25x
“Bethil is a shapeshifter, Jarco is an elf, Livi is human, Marrie is a doomed just like Lewir and Pitér and Tully are also doomed.”174Please respect copyright.PENANABj796vCkI1
“And what about you two?”174Please respect copyright.PENANATeJVAqc6fv
“I am a necromancer,” smiled Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANA42vHZQ5K4c
“That’s rare, isn’t it? And you, Elliot?”174Please respect copyright.PENANADg91LUJwya
“I… I do not really know,” admitted Elliot sheepishly.174Please respect copyright.PENANAB4EeccEML5
Instead of having one of those annoying or uncomfortable replies, Peita just leaned back in her chair.174Please respect copyright.PENANABJmtxWr319
“Well, there is more than enough time to figure out who we really are, isn’t that right?” she smiled.174Please respect copyright.PENANAKPTO9mOisQ
Elliot looked at Ane, who smiled at Peita, and Elliot smiled back in a grateful way.174Please respect copyright.PENANAqX71McaYi7
“Alright. So… once you’ve decided what you’ll do, you can come by any time. You will probably find Vastice doing his thing around town. I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay so far.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAyIAob1iLC3
“Taverness is quite different, but an unmissable part of our adventure,” said Ane and she stood up. Peita smiled at them and shook their hands as the two left. When the northerners had left Peita’s office, the young leader turned to the giant windows behind her and watched over the woods from a wide distance. Her brow furrowed and she worriedly sighed.
“She is nicer than I expected,” said Elliot.174Please respect copyright.PENANAsBpRa8ocZn
“I suppose so.” Ane glanced at Elliot from the corner of her eye. “So, how did your night with that cute girl go?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAvw9JsnttR0
“Oh. Was it a girl? I thought it was a guy…”174Please respect copyright.PENANAyF5GF7HV1w
“Perhaps you hooked up with both,” laughed Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAFjczZtsNIe
Elliot’s cheeks flushed red and he avoided eye contact with Ane as they walked to the inn. “Alcohol does the strangest thing to men, does it not?”174Please respect copyright.PENANA39zY9PFcMV
“So what has happened?” winked Ane.174Please respect copyright.PENANAwQR3HzC8wv
“Nothing I can vividly remember. I am sure that you went off with Hellen, though.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAhuzIFJoD9u
“Nothing happened, either. Hellen refused to do anything intimate with me aside from kissing me, and she tucked me in and left.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAWQEFRKqvWX
“That is very sweet of her. I remember you used to like her a lot,” said Elliot.174Please respect copyright.PENANA6FivXIqszg
“I did. We were very good friends. Everything has definitely changed since then.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAEynZZqWCqp
“No feelings for anybody?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAlfGszyVCDJ
“I would be lying if I say I was not deeply in love with someone,” Ane sighed.174Please respect copyright.PENANAQpFR6XKqAL
Elliot remained quiet. It was difficult. A bad timing. A bad situation. Was it their chance? Would they ever have a chance? It was worrisome, and all that they wanted was just to be happy together, and in love.174Please respect copyright.PENANAxBHbywhhdy
When the pair arrived back at the inn, they shared the news with the others over a snack or two.174Please respect copyright.PENANAFwbDDnxsFE
“So it requires a lot fighting,” concluded Ane. “We can survive it. We are with good fighters. However, they are no men. They are beasts. We do not think like them. We know too little about their tactics.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAHMfVHoDvpY
“Livi, you are human. Do you not know anything about these beasts?” asked Jarco.174Please respect copyright.PENANAgwmrKMCSDa
“These animals don’t occur in our part of the realm. I’m sorry, I don’t think I can help you,” replied Livi and she shook her head before taking another bite of her snack.174Please respect copyright.PENANAtZkW7PXkza
“We have to go to the Eastern Bay, though,” thought Elliot aloud. “We will have to go through.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAEreMn9aHUE
“We just need good teamwork. Always stick together and feel each other’s next moves,” said Tully.174Please respect copyright.PENANAFbEpOGYb6W
“It isn’t that easy for us,” said Bethil. “We have fought, but never together as a team.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAroOjox6P9E
“It has kind of been parallel play,” agreed Daphne. “Together, but never really together.”174Please respect copyright.PENANA5j1BelNtKL
“Should we train beforehand?” asked Marrie. “I am not sure if everybody here is as great with weaponry.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAotvi2JQdh2
“When Marrie and I were walking around town, we saw a perfect combat training area,” Lewir mentioned. “It was pretty large and open and had many opportunities.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAls4DEnfyIB
“What were the enemies?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAuSYHmVN7fK
“Killheels used their spiritual magic to spawn vicious, but harmless, enemies. All types,” answered Lewir.174Please respect copyright.PENANA9pj1bHiYh3
“I see,” thought Ane aloud.174Please respect copyright.PENANA782kh9HQsw
“We could also help you with techniques,” offered Pitér.174Please respect copyright.PENANAJCAH1D9EA5
“And defending yourself. That is vital,” added Tully.174Please respect copyright.PENANAvgllK6SyHA
“Seems like we will be stuck here for a while…” sighed Ane and she leaned back in her chair. “Let’s do this.”
The combat practice building was located in one of the corners of the town. The place was a tower of floors and it kind of resembled a very block-y and unholy church. It was thick and fierce and had big, rusty letters spelling Combat. Original, thought Ane, and she and her friends went inside. Many people were inside the building, using heavy, but nicely forged swords, bows so nicely crafted you’d think they’d merely be decoration, axes and hammers as elegant as ribbons of silver rivers and some people used nothing but their bare hands, fighting harshly but swiftly.174Please respect copyright.PENANAgDYWtfev8m
“I feel so out of place,” mumbled Ane. “Could I spawn my monsters in here?”174Please respect copyright.PENANAbhHoYieqNi
“No, you could not.”174Please respect copyright.PENANA6m53Kx2WI7
Ane turned around on her heels and saw Peita. Her thick hair was tied in a ponytail and she was wearing more armour-like attire. Vastice stood next to her, but there were no signs of Hellen.174Please respect copyright.PENANAbfY6faaPLB
“No magic in here. This is why it’s a combat area,” continued Peita. “Weapons are to the right, armoury to the right. The highest floors have more difficult enemies. You are brought up automatically after defeating your own group of enemies. When you’ve finished the top floor, the seventh floor, you’ll be brought down. Replenish your health and hydration often. They may be harmless, but you’re still vulnerable to mother nature.”174Please respect copyright.PENANA1rEUojk2qn
“Right,” mumbled Ane. Peita and Vastice both went to the right and left wing of the building to collect their supposedly favourite weapons and armoury – which consisted out of each just a shield – and they gestured the others to come along. The group of twelve moved through the curious trainers who broke out of concentration for a few minutes and went to the back of the large spacious area damped in sweat.174Please respect copyright.PENANAR37XkxgHiX
Peita stood in front of a normal-sized oak door. When she pushed against it, it slid open, but only subtly.174Please respect copyright.PENANAbTCcRqiYog
“Come inside,” she said, almost whispering, and she pushed the door open. After everybody had entered the dark room, Peita closed the door behind her. A loud thud signalled the door was shut.174Please respect copyright.PENANAqgyZYGm7Ry
“It would be cool if I could see anything,” said Ane, suddenly worrying. What if this was not Peita? What if this all was a trap? Unneeded worries crossed her mind, but immediately sparked off when Peita summoned an orb of light that spread through the room, seeping into the walls, emitting bright and natural light.174Please respect copyright.PENANARz9xatKMdS
“Welcome to Vastice and my private training area,” she said, locking the door behind her. “This is where we trained for hours on end, sometimes even with Pitér and Tully.”174Please respect copyright.PENANALARvPer6bb
It was an empty, high tower-like chamber. Vastice and Peita both combined energies, and the room flashed into a landscape. A beautiful, open area of hay and grass spread out. There was a sole cabin with an open, large door. Weaponry, armour and replenishment was stored inside. Some benches were placed outside as well.174Please respect copyright.PENANA4XvltosFwh
“Is this… a simulation?” asked Elliot, moving his hand through the fresh air of nature.174Please respect copyright.PENANAcGz2NwVYG0
“Killheel magic,” nodded Vastice. “Grab some items before we’ll start spawning monsters.”174Please respect copyright.PENANA7HT6RKKzEU
“Will you each fight individually or in groups?” asked Peita.174Please respect copyright.PENANA0uIC1Iz74a
“I think it’s best if they kind of figure out their own. Then they can work together in later levels,” suggest Tully.174Please respect copyright.PENANAYQMNHxWlVR
“It’s also best to see what weapons they like best,” added Pitér. “Even though I’m sure they got that all figured out.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAb3GnpiP0bx
Ane took a claymore, the grip perfectly in her hand. The fuller shone in the light and had a near diamond glow. The guard was thick and decorated with gems. Elliot grabbed a longsword, simple yet forged with best care. His mother taught him how to fight with a longsword. A wave of sadness rushed over him, but it ebbed off as he held the sword and felt a glistening force of his mother’s soul within his heart. Bethil chose two short swords. He liked the stealthy abilities and he could easily move between crowds of enemies. That’s what he’s always done. Swift, but steady. Daphne let her fingers slide over a rapier.174Please respect copyright.PENANAAJfQv7JyCn
“Mounty would’ve loved this weapon,” she thought aloud. She took a long, elegant falchion instead. Lewir stood beside her, and he watched the falchion instead. He drifted away into his thoughts and remembered the last time he properly held a falchion. A faint scream, a harsh stab. His motivation for heading to the east slammed back in his face, and he grabbed the grip of falchion.174Please respect copyright.PENANAg7KPSTyBaa
“What are you thinking of?” asked Daphne, who’d noticed the sudden change in expression on Lewir’s face. He looked at Daphne, and then he sighed.174Please respect copyright.PENANAjM9ZLXd4p2
“Sometimes Marrie reminds me of her stubbornness and nerve,” he mumbled. “That’s why I have to protect her.”174Please respect copyright.PENANAzn0fN6oGg3
“Protect her well,” replied Daphnelle, and she grabbed her falchion. She scanned the curved ending, admiring the forgework, and set foot outside.174Please respect copyright.PENANAjRcoAgABbU
Marrie took a spear, a weapon a bit different than the others wielded. It was tall, like her, elegant, like her, but strong, like her. Your weapon is a part of your body; use it as a weapon, let it control you just like you control him, recalled Marrie. Words of Hallan, who had taught her the basics of melee combat long ago. The wood felt light in her hands, but the blade looked vicious.174Please respect copyright.PENANAlMRpfV3OFh
Pitér and Tully each used their own beloved type of swords; broadswords for each. The way they carried their weapons made it seem as if the pair had come out of their mothers carrying a tiny version of the sword. Standing tall, with the weapon in their hand, they looked so fearless. Ane admired them from a short distance.174Please respect copyright.PENANAqeFIiqiUgC
Jarco, who’d been looking around for a long time along with Livi, finally picked a gladius. The pointed tip was elongated. Jarco took two, for dual wield, like Bethil, and he satisfactory walked outside.174Please respect copyright.PENANAd9645xSe4t
Livi chose a zweihander. Muscle strength was something that she’d always been proud of, and the broad, large sword would perfectly damage her enemies yet protect herself if she’d parry well.174Please respect copyright.PENANAySMcIb1hJU
“Everyone ready?” asked Peita.174Please respect copyright.PENANAYv0D8ACXcn
They all nodded, and got ready. Peita snapped her fingers, and the beautiful sunny landscape made place for a dark sky and dirt on the floor. Roars of beasts and howls of wolves echoed in the distance. Peita grabbed her two blade sword, walked to the middle of the field, followed by the others, and smirked.174Please respect copyright.PENANALLEjVGqmCX
“Have fun and good luck,” she said.