Prepare for Trouble

Faylen and Keyleth walked into the home; they took a quick look around before noticing Rhen currently holding a dagger to the man's throat. "So, what happened out there?" When asked while maintaining eye contact with his captive.

"Well, Faylen went all berserk and killed the other guy." Keyleth sighed and shook her head. "At least we have one of them to question." Faylen's eyes had a slight yellow glow as he looked at the man. Keyleth noticed and asked, "Are you going to explain your eyes Faylen, or are you just going to leave us in the dark?"

"Explain his eyes?" Rhen questioned.

"I guess I should explain," Faylen gazed down at his palm before looking up at Keyleth. "My family are monster hunters; we have been for generations. The magic that flows within our blood often manifests in special abilities that allow us to hunt monsters easier. Some people in my family have the ability to see through illusions that monsters place on themselves and some, like myself, can even see-through shapeshifting. So, when I focus mana onto my eyes, I can tell what form a creature is hiding." Faylen finished his explanation and kept his head down, seemingly ashamed of something.

"Oh, wow that's pretty amazing!" Rhen exclaimed, causing Faylen to look up and notice that both Keyleth and Rhen were looking at him in admiration.

"Can you do anything else? Or is it like a family secret?" Keyleth inquired while getting closer to Faylen. He took a step back to keep a safe distance from Keyleth.

"You guys don't care that I'm some…" Faylen paused and had a troubled look on his face. Before he could continue Keyleth placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Look Faylen, I don't know what you have going on at home or why you seem ashamed of the power you hold but Rhen and I don't judge people like that," Keyleth said with a smile and looked at Rhen for reassurance. Rhen nodded his head.

"Yeah, if anything I'm just super curious." Rhen looked back at his captive, "But maybe we should save that conversation for another time." Rhen pressed his dagger a bit harder against the man's throat and drew blood. "As you heard buddy my friend here is a monster hunter and your accomplice is already dead, you tell us what we want to know, and I'll keep him from killing you ok?" Rhen demanded and gave the man a sadistic smile. The man looked around the room franticly as if looking for a way out, which caused Rhen to press his dagger in deeper.

"Ahh! Ok. Ok. I'll talk." The man yelled and lifted his hands to show his surrender. "Listen I didn't even want to do this! My partner was approached by this guy, and he instructed us to kill that merchant."

"Hmm," Rhen pondered what the man said. "This guy, you mentioned does he have a name?"

"Well, he never gave his name." The man explained, "He simply told us about the job, but after I refused, he gave us more details. Apparently, he's a soldier from Harsi and-"

"Harsi!" Keyleth exclaimed, cutting the man off from his explanation. "What do the Orcs want with a human Merchant?!"

"As I was saying, he told us this merchant sells leathers and cloth, but he also uses his business to smuggle magical weapons to criminals outside the city." The Shapeshifter explained. "That wasn't their concern however, they were mainly concerned with his ability to distribute these items to the rest of the kingdom."

"So, they are going to declare war with the Raymore Kingdom," Faylen stated dryly.

"Yes, it seems like that is their intention." The man confirmed.

"And you helped them with their plans for what? Fifty gold pieces?" Faylen mocked.

"Actually, it was one hundred and twenty gold, and we are to meet him tonight by the woods to confirm our job is done and receive payment." The man said while smiling, "Look I know you guys are here because of us putting you in a mess with this merchant's death. How about you come with me to the meeting location, and I'll split the money with you all and we go our separate ways?" The man negotiated but just as he finished speaking a silver sword went for his neck but was stopped by Rhen's dagger.

"Faylen c'mon man, what's the issue?" Rhen asked, "We can at least get the money and find out who's behind this to clear my name." Rhen said while easing up his force against Faylen's blade.

"Really? You want to trust a shapeshifter?" Faylen scoffed. "You can't trust a monster; they don't care about anyone but themselves. He will betray us. It's what they do. Especially shapeshifters like him!" Faylen pointed his sword at the man once more, the Shapeshifter only raised his hands higher in hopes of Faylen sparring him.

"Hey, I swear I will take you guys to the spot, and we will get the money, and you can confirm the man's identity." The man begged.

"Listen, Faylen," Rhen whispered to Faylen making sure the Shapeshifter couldn't hear. "I don't trust this guy either, but he knows where the Orc soldier will show up. We can at least use him for now. Plus, I need him alive in order for our guard friend to arrest someone." Rhen bargained and held his hands together.

"Fine, whatever let's just get this over with." Faylen rolled his eyes and gestured towards the door. "Lead the way Shapeshifter but know that the moment you try anything your life is over." "Faylen threatened. Causing the man to swallow hard.

"Right, no worries. Just follow me." The Shapeshifter said and stood up slowly.

"Guys what about our guard buddy?" Keyleth asked and pointed at James who was still unconscious outside. "We can't just leave him here."

"Can't you use your magic to heal him?" Faylen asked.

"No sorry, I'm not that kind of mage." Keyleth explained, "I'm a sorceress so I can pull raw power from the Weave, but healing is more in the divine department. Something I'm not really in tune with." Keyleth shrugged.

"Wait. So, you pull power from another dimension?" Faylen asked as he walked over to the body of the Shapeshifter he killed and dragged it into the house. The other Shapeshifter saw this and made a face showing his discomfort but stayed quiet and didn't move from his spot next to Rhen.

"Well technically everyone pulls their magic from the Weave. I'm just more aware of how I do it." Keyleth said while creating a ball of purple energy in her palm. "Most people study magic in order to understand its structure and how they can harness its energy. They spend years learning how to shift its form and how to draw the right amount of energy needed to form their desired effect." Keyleth explained as Faylen came back outside and lifted James onto his shoulder. "I however just get images or a feeling from the Weave and can just cast magic naturally. I've had a special connection to it since birth. Oh, and the Weave isn't exactly its own dimension, it is an energy that flows throughout the dimensions. It's hard to explain to someone who can't feel it the way I do." Keyleth continued as she popped the ball of energy in her hand causing her white hair to float a bit as the energy dispersed around her. "I suppose a magical scholar could explain it better but since it came naturally to me, I never truly studied."

"Well, I do get what you mean to a degree." Faylen said, while adjusting James on his shoulder, "I also just knew how to activate my abilities, it's just innately there in my subconscious."

"Ok you guys are making my head spin; can we just go to this meeting spot?" Rhen asked while rubbing his forehead.

"Of course, Rhen, let our friend here lead the way." Keyleth laughed but realized she got carried away in her explanation.

"Right," the Shapeshifter exclaimed. "Follow me now."

They all walked back towards the tavern but before they walked past it Faylen stopped the group, "Hold on for a minute guys I think it's best I let James rest at the tavern while we investigate further." He said as he started walking towards the entrance of the tavern. Before stepping inside, he looked back at Rhen and Keyleth, "Don't let him out of your sight."

"Yes, sir," Rhen said in the trained voice of a soldier. Keyleth just shook her head at Rhen's actions and gave a thumbs-up to Faylen.

Inside Faylen found that most of the tavern had cleared out and only a small few remained. The demonic-looking cook and the barmaid were sitting down at one of the tables. The man seemed to be doing his best to comfort the women when he noticed Faylen come in with the guard over his shoulder. The cook quickly rushed over "What happened?" He asked as he inspected James, whilst helping Faylen set him down at one of the booths.

"We got attacked by one of the assassins and James was the first in the way," Faylen explained. "He was hit in the head pretty bad, but he doesn't seem to be bleeding, but he must have a concussion."

"We will take care of him," The man exclaimed as he gestured for the barmaid to come help. "You said one of the assassins attacked, does that mean there's more?"

"Yes," Faylen confirmed, "but don't worry we have it under control. It was only one other, and we have him leading us to the one who hired them."

The demonic man's yellow eyes widened, "is this some greater plot then?" he asked.

"We aren't sure but that's what we plan to find out," Faylen explained keeping the details they learned to himself.

"Alright well you all be careful," said the demonic man out of concern.

"Of course," Faylen said with conviction. "Sorry, what was your name? I don't think I got it before."

"Oriax, you said your name was Faylen, correct?" Oriax, asked to confirm.

"That is correct," Faylen stated. "Well, I'll be off now don't want to keep my compatriots waiting," Faylen said as he walked to the door of the tavern while waving at the cook and barmaid, who returned his gesture until he left into the cold night once more.