How did we get here? (1\3)

[|Aesar 'kalvera' Thesin|]

Running through the alleyways of this city, being chased by nearly a dozen people who aren't exactly happy with me, while being covered in blood that's a mix of mine and someones else's, Is quite an exhilarating predicament. Just two weeks ago, I entered the gates of this city, having a few expectations on what'll await me on the other side, and some of those expectations were met. What I didn't expect was someone picking a fight with me and not being able to keep his threats as I 'nearly' I'll say again 'nearly' killed him. After he threw the first punch, or should I say slice, of course. I'm entirely innocent in all this. Partially. Who knew that a small dagger could do so much damage? Hell, I was surprised I nicked him so many times with only a week of training.

I'm faced with a fork in the alley. My chasers lost sight of me, but I could still hear their shouts and approaching footsteps. Hmmm, I should still be in the middle district, and it is rush hour. If I can find an opening to a busy street then blend in with the crowd, I should lose them. The thing is, being covered in blood makes me stand out quite a bit. I take a moment to review myself and see that most of the blood is on my tunic and a little bit on my face. Manageable. I use my cloak to wipe what I can off my face and cover the front of my tunic. Pulling up my hood, I go to the right since it's the direction I hear the most people and run. My footfalls echoed in the otherwise quiet alley. After a few minutes, I slow down at the sounds and sights of a street, and before I enter the bustling crowd, I readjust my cloak to cover my bloody tunic again. That'll have to do, I guess. Joining the mass, I'm shoved and bumped into more times than I can count, but I've grown accustomed to it over the weeks, now first order of business. I'll either need to find thalia or even Zenith before this gets out of hand or...well, there is no or. Thalia or Zenith, it is then. Now where to find them? It's not like I can just waltz into the Sentinel's HQ and ask where they are, WHILE being covered in a bloody mess. Ah, this reminds me of my first night here, except more blood. Haaaaaaa, How did this happen? Recounting the events that led me here, I recall what happened two weeks ago, just a few hours before entering the gates.

[| 1 week, 5 days ago, Monday, November, Era of the wyvern, 998|]

"Well...there's not much to say about me", Thalia said in response to my question. I find that hard to believe. Based on the context clues I picked up, there's certainly a deeper story. Well, whether I learn it or not, it won't matter. Right now, honestly, I just want to know more about the person sitting next to me. I lay back against the seat, "Does that matter?" I ask. She Says nothing, thinking I would resume. After a long few minutes, I speak up, "It's fine if you don't want to talk about your story with a stranger. Forget what I said. Anyways, focusing on more pressing matters, what's the plan for when we enter the gates. You mentioned doing something at the Sentinels headquarters. What is that, if you don't mind me asking?" I change the subject. She looks at me with what I could swear is a grateful expression, then quickly changes to a more severe expression. Definitely something here. "Once we enter the gates, the initial step is to report any findings to Jaz- er, our superiors. Including you. You'll be asked a few questions, then if everything is in working order, you'll be requisitioned a pass. Assuming you don't have one but seeing as you've never been to a city before, you probably don't. After all those formalities are finished, you are free to do whatever you want, within the law, of course. But, as I've said, I'll help you train and show you around the city", She thinks for a moment before speaking again, "I can pay a few days at an inn and get you some essentials. Clothes and weapons, stuff like that, until you get settled. I'd suggest looking for some odd jobs at the docks till we get your adventuring career started, hmmm...", She goes quiet and thinks. Thalia...Your really going to help me this much? I cannot imagine how I'm going to pay back this debt. I better start thinking. "Once we get to the city, just follow me. I'll handle most everything", she announces. I give a nod, "Thank you" She gives off a light smile, "No problem."

A few hours later, I was awoken from a light nap by a shake from Thalia. Looking forwards, I see our destination. A tall wall that mostly veils the city it's protecting, but From what I can see, there seem to be hundreds if not thousands of buildings all over. What a breathtaking sight, but I wonder what's kept on the other side? "More impressive on the inside than the outside, you'll soon find," I heard Thalia say. I stay silent as we approach a gate. Taking a glance around, I see a few elven gate guards talking to a group of people coated in dirt and grime, clothed in only rags.

"I understand, but can you explain what happened one more time, please," one of the guards says. His hands holding a small book in which he's currently writing.

He glances over to the carriages for a moment but turns his attention to one of the men, who interestingly has the ears and tail of an animal. A wolf, if I'm correct. The wolfman looked at the elf and wore a face like he was about to go berserk, but a hand from behind him softly gripped his shoulder, and a different man walked up to the elf. A human. "Excuse him," He said solemnly, "We've been through a lot. Anyways, as he said we are-were villagers of a small settlement to the west, two weeks ago, bandits burned it down and killed many of our own, enslaving the rest of us", He took a moment to control his shaky breath. "One week ago, a creature attacked us, tearing apart all of the bandits. We thought we would meet the same fate, but...it just left", He crossed his arms and shook his head like he was trying to shake the memory from his mind. "Can you describe the creature?", The Guard asked, continuing to write in the book. The man nodded, "It was like a...a dragon, but smaller and had no wings. It was pure black and had four, no five eyes that glowed like gold", He shook his head again. "I'm sorry, but that's all I can remember."

I looked at Thalia, who was also listening to the story, and shrugged when I gave her a questioning gaze. Though what the group went through was undoubtedly sorrowful, my interest is in what saved them. I watched as the elf finished writing and handed the book to a fellow guardsman, and spoke in a muffled tone. The elf who received the book nodded and quickly made his way somewhere past the gate with a hasty jog. The first guardsman led the small group past the entrance as well. "I wonder what that's about," I mutter. "Bandits are self-explanatory, but that last part, hmmm," Thalia spoke. She looked up toward the gate and perked up, and looking up myself, I saw an elven woman walking towards us in an even stride. She wore a sort of plate armor with chainmail underneath, with a sigil of two towers on one of the shoulder pads. Her hair was tied back, and her face gave off a completely unreadable neutral expression, which sent slight shivers down my back. Thalia Hops off the carriage and salutes stiffly. Following her actions, I also get off the carriage with less than standard grace. "Seeker Ayla," Thalia greeted the woman respectfully, then relaxed her stance.

"Ranger Vana. I see you've made it back safely", She said coldly. While they were 'talking,' i made my way to Thalia's side but decided to not interrupt. The woman looked over me like a predator examining prey, but after a few seconds, she focused her attention back on thalia, "Feyrith already briefed me on his situation. Follow me. Both of you", With the words, she turned around and started to walk off before either of us could say something. I mentally shrug and follow after the woman. Looking to my left, I see two different soldiers take our place on the carriage. Walking past the gate, it's safe to say I've officially entered the city. With so many various sights, my eyes wander, though it's only just the entrance, they're so many new things and people around. I can hear Thalia follow close behind me as I follow Ayla from a small distance. We walked for about fifteen minutes, which gives my legs a much-needed stretch, before turning a corner and coming face to face with a large area that looked different from the rest of the city.

Simply put, it looked like, and most likely is, a formidable military compound with buildings littered orderly all across the vast area. To one side, there are nearly a dozen small and identical buildings, likely used as barracks. Behind that, there is a large building, its purpose I cannot ascertain. On the other side, it looks like a vast field with many soldiers sparring and training with each other. In the center, there's a sizeable fortress-like building, which I assume is our destination. "Never seen such a large military compound before, I assume," Ayla commented with no notable emotion. "I don't think I've ever seen one at all," I reply. She nods without looking back. How did she know I was looking around without her turning back herself? Not too sure if I want to know.

A few minutes later, I'm in a spacious private office, sitting on a wooden chair. In front of me is Ayla seated behind a wooden desk with mountains of paperwork strewn all over. to the left, there's an immense shelf housed with books. To the right, the floor elevates three steps to a platform with a small circular table with a chair on either side. Directly behind her is a large window that gives an overview of the city. Before entering, Thalia was asked to retrieve something from someone, leaving me alone with the neutral-faced Ayla. She took out a piece of paper from a drawer and started writing on it, "I'm gonna ask you some questions. Answer them truthfully so we can get this over with. First question: Your name", She asked. "Aesar Thesin," I reply.

"No middle name? Hmmm", She looked up then wrote something on her paper. "Your age?"

"Nineteen," I'm not sure how old I am, so I just give a reasonable number. Ayla nods, muttering something under her breath. "Do you know your place of birth," She asked. "No," I shake my head as she continues to write. Time crawls as she asks more questions, and I do my best to answer them. Some of them were simple, and some not so. I'm not sure how much time had passed but looking out the window, I could tell that it was midday when she asked her final question. "What do you plan on doing in the city now that you're here."

I think for a moment, "I've heard that there's an adventurers association here, so I'm gonna try and get involved with that. Until then, I'm gonna try and find some jobs around to get settled in," I answer. "So your planning on staying around then," She commented. I give a nod. "Else Thalis is quite a large city. You sure you can make it around?", She asked. "Thalia is gonna show me around and help me," I said. "Oh?", She looked at me with the same gaze of a predator. After a few long seconds, Ayla releases her gaze, shuffles a few papers, and stands up.

"You're free to go," she said. I hesitatingly stand up and head toward the door, and as soon as I open it, Ayla says something, "Aesar. Cause trouble in my city and I'll personally deal with you" I give a light nod and exit the room. Closing the door behind me, I let out a long sigh. The amount of tension in that room was nearly suffocating. Walking down the hallway and making my way down some stairs, I let my thoughts wander. My thoughts go to food and the comforts of a bed. I haven't eaten since I woke up, and the times I did sleep were in very unfavorable positions. I don't even remember how a bed feels or how food tastes; I just know that they exist and what they do...This memory thing is very...Inconvenient, but maybe it's for the best. I'm not sure why but something tells me that knowing my past would be worse than not knowing. Is it even possible to recover my memories? Two taps on my shoulder snap me out of my reverie; quickly, I turn around and am surprised to see Thalia wearing a much more casual outfit that accentuates her now flowing amber hair. "Sorry, but you ignored me when I called out to you," She apologized, "You looked like you were in deep thought. Did Ayla spook you too much"

"No, well, maybe a little, but that's not what I was thinking about. So what's the plan?" I ask. She looked a little guilty as she spoke, "Something has come up so I won't be able to show you around, so you'll have to manage by yourself. Here take these", She hands me a small light bag that jingles a little bit. Looking inside, I see six silver coins. "Six silvers should be more than enough for a decent inn for a few days and some essentials as well. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my word but meet me here in three days, and I'll make it up to you" Three days, huh? I think I'll live. "Don't worry about it, Thalia, I'll be fine," I say as I pocket the small bag inside my cloak. "Three days, right? I'll try not to keep you waiting", I say. She nods thankfully and heads to the same stairs I came from, leaving me by myself. I let out a small smile and make my way to the exit, leaving the Sentinel compound.

A half-hour of walking later, I'm standing in front of a quaint-looking building. I can tell that it's quite a large, well-constructed-looking building from the outside. Its beautiful woodworking attracted me to it in the first place, and above a wooden door is a sign that reads "Wolf Fang inn" Huh, interesting name. I wonder why it's called that. Despite its welcoming appearance, I haven't seen a soul enter or leave the building. Well, standing here won't do anything. I walk up to the door, there's a small ring from a bell as I open it, and as I walk in, I'm greeted by a wave of warmth. Looking to my right is what I assume is a dining area with half a dozen circular tables with four chairs each to accompany them. There's a sizeable burning fireplace at the far end of the wall. An unmanned bar with a rack of bottles behind it is to the right. At the side of it, there's a door leading to an unknown room. A stairway that leads to a second floor is parallel to the front door. "Hello?" I call out. "Be right out," I hear a gruff voice say from beyond the door at the bar. Walking toward it, I sit on one of the stools waiting for the owner of the voice. A few moments pass, and the door opens, revealing a tall, muscular frame of a man. The first thing I noticed were the wolf ears and tail. Guess that explains the name. The second thing is that the man's face is clearly battle-worn, sporting a short black yet clearly graying beard and multiple faded scars. His hair is cut short and left unkempt. He walks behind the bar wiping his hands on a towel to the side, "What can I do ya for?", He asks while looking me up and down. His face, while not unwelcoming, seems slightly irritated. "I'm looking for a room for a few nights. Maybe a few weeks" He nods as his right ear twitches slightly, "Thirty coppers a night, two silvers a week, eight silvers a month. Anything above that we'll have to discuss. Three meals a day are included for one extra silver, and drinks are varied. We have two rooms available right now, so how long do you plan on staying"

I finger the meager coin purse thoughtfully and readjust my position. I take out five silver coins and place them on the bar, "Two weeks, plus food."

He picks up the coins, throws them in the air, and catches them with one hand. He lets out a wolfish grin, "Few things you should know, despite its emptiness, this inn gets quite busy during the night, especially during the weekends, just warning ya kid. Second, my daughter and I live here as well, so try not to cause too much of a disturbance, and if you get touchy with her, you'll soon find that your hands are devoid of their body", his words laced with a certain kind of intent. "You won't have that problem," I assure him. Why does everyone I meet have such a dangerous aura? At least this one makes sense. He chuckled, releasing the building tension, "You don't seem the type. Anyways, I haven't introduced myself, have I? Names Krogos, owner of this inn."

"Aesar, and I'm just a traveler. Nice to meet you" I extend my hand, and he takes it with a firm grip. After he lets go, he puts a key on the bar, "Yours's number five at the end of the hallway up the stairs. Check it out, get settled in. My daughter should be coming back soon with some groceries. Once she does, I'll cook you up a meal" I take the key and thank him, heading towards the stairs. Walking up and to the end of the hallway, I unlock the door that has the number five on it. On the other side is a decent-sized room, a twin-sized bed with a small end table to the left. The foot of the bed was a chest, empty when I opened it. There's a mid-sized desk on the right side of the room, accompanied by a comfortable-looking chair. Sitting on it, I relax and examine the rest of the room. The only thing left worth mentioning is a small closet enveloped within the right wall. The only thing I have on me is one silver and that small book, travelers guide to Else Thalis, both of which I'm going to keep on me, so I have nothing to leave in the room.

Well...I don't have anything to do right now, so might as well...

I take off my cloak and leave it on the chair. Slowly I ease into the bed, and as soon as my head hits the fluffy pillow, exhaustion envelopes my body, making me unable to get up. That's...new. I close my eyes and drift to unconsciousness.

[|Krogos Kataar Gayle|]

I watch as he goes up the stairs. Once he's out of eyesight, I let out a large grin. Yep, he's the one. Lady Kalveras dead man in the flesh, or should I say, boy? When I was summoned to the hunting grounds by lord Lukos and told me theirs a chance I might meet his friend's champion, I didn't expect much. But there he is. I mentally sigh; though it is exhilarating, it changes little. As long as he's paying, he's a customer. Nothing more. Placing the coins in a lockbox, I head back to the kitchen to return to my work. It should be another hour until Rae gets back, so I might as well pass the time somehow. Might as well get started on the cooking with what little ingredients I have.

Huh, turned out I have more in stock than I initially thought, At least enough for five people, which is more than enough for now. Enough time had passed for the meal to be complete. A piece of juicy roasted duck with a hearty soup at the side, and to wash it all down is a glass of sweet red ale. Eh, I could make better if I had more to work with. Aesar hasn't left yet, so that means he's still in his room, either sleeping or doing something else. Too bad. I walk to his room and bang loudly on the door. A moment later, I hear some shuffling, and the door opens.

[|Aesar Kalvera Thesin|]

I jolted up at the sound of loud banging, forgetting where I was for a moment. Looking around the room, my memory returned, and I quickly got up to open the door. Opening it, I see Drogos with a slight smile. Before he can say anything, the smell of something delicious invades my senses. "Woke you up, did I? Lunch is ready. Eat it or don't", He walked away with those words. Stretching my arms, I put on my cloak and follow him to the first floor. Stepping down the last step, the smell only gets increasingly fragrant until I track the source to one of the tables. It's some sort of roasted meat with a side of colorful soup and a cup of red liquid. I see Drogos take his place behind the bar, cleaning some glasses, so I take mine to the table. Slowly I take a piece of the meat and bring it to my mouth. Biting down onto it, many different flavors and juices invade my tastebuds. Woah...this...this is so damn good. Swallowing the juicy meat, I move on to the soup. Using a spoon, I test the creamy liquid. It feels like the polar opposite of the beef, but after ingesting a little more, it just goes well together. Voraciously I devoured the meal and finished it with the sweet red liquid. "Haven't seen someone eat like that for a while. I'll assume it was good then", Drogos comments as he collects the dirty dishes. "Yea, it was. I think it was the best food I've had in a while", I say while cleaning my face with my cloak. "Good to hear," he places the dishes somewhere on the bar. Standing up, I start to make my way to the exit when a question enters my mind, "Didn't you say your daughter was gonna be here" I ask with no hidden intent. "Soon," he plainly stated. Well, alright then. That answers that. "I'm gonna be out for a while."

He just nods his head, his ears flickering slightly. Letting him know I'm going, I open the door and leave the inn. The evening sun turns the sky a light orange as the cold air bites at my exposed skin. Breathing in the crisp fresh air, I head into the semi-crowded street and walk, Mentally noting down anything that interests me. My goal is more than a simple walk. Though that is half the motivation. No, I'm exploring my surroundings. If I'm gonna be here, I should know what's around.

It is nice to walk around, though.