Blood suckers

The receptionist considered this. "You can get it at the civil service branch in Frisco city," she said, "but I assure you that you won't get your ID under your timeframe due to the amount of people there." Her expression brightened slightly. "But luckily for you we are also doing ID cards and our own does not last a whole week. It will be due before the week." She reached under the counter. "You can come back to collect it once it is done."

Eldris nodded. "Okay, what should I do first?"

"First fill this forms," she said while giving him the form, sliding a thick stack of papers across the polished wood.

Eldris collected the forms, his fingers brushing against the slightly rough paper. He saw that it was filled with some questions and answers question, like his parents name, is reason why he did not have an ID card and some other questions that will make someone in his situation scared. But he did not feel scared at all. He just lied through all of them and gave reasons that are believable, his pen moving smoothly across the page as he fabricated a plausible backstory.

Once he was done, he gave the forms back to the receptionist. She then input some things on a computer, her fingers flying across the strange, glowing keys with practiced ease. After some time, she ask for his thumb print, pressing his digit against a warm glass plate that glowed blue beneath his skin. Then she took his pictures with a small device that flashed brightly in his eyes, and some other things that seemed unnecessarily invasive.

When she was done she ask him for a sample of his blood, producing a small needle-like device from beneath the counter.

Eldris wanted to question but he didn't, simply extending his arm in resignation. Gia then said something in his head, her voice tinged with amusement. "It seems like asking for blood is the norm in this world."

Eldris wanted to laugh but just smile at what she said, the corners of his mouth twitching upward briefly as the needle bit into his skin.

After giving out his blood, he was then told to pay 500 copper lim coin. He saw that the money was cheap but some how still cost for the poor, a sum that would be trivial for established hunters but might represent a week's wages for a laborer.

He couldn't help but ask about it as he counted out the coins. "Why so affordable?" he inquired, sliding the money across the counter.

The receptionist pocketed the coins with practiced ease before answering. "The reason is because of the poor," she explained. "If they make it expensive or too expensive, it will give people reason not to do their ID card, and that could cause chaos and disorderliness in the kingdom." She leaned closer conspiratorially. "And that the material use in making the ID are not cost."

Eldris's curiosity was piqued. "What materials are used?" he asked.

But the receptionist shook her head firmly. "The information is not give able," she said, her tone final. "That was confidential."

After that she was then told to return on the third day, handing him a small token with a number engraved on its surface.

"Okay, thank you," Eldris said, pocketing the token carefully.

Luckily for him, Lira too and the rest was also done with their business when he was done, emerging from various doors and corridors to regroup in the lobby.

"Here, take the spark," Lira said, pressing a small, warm object into his palm. As Eldris took the spark he kept it in the pocket of his clothes, feeling its faint pulse through the fabric.

"Mr Chrille," Lira continued, "did you still have any business here? If not we are about to leave, and I want to take you to where you will stay."

Eldris blinked in surprise. "I thought I am staying with you guys," he said, his voice tinged with confusion.

Lira shook her head, her expression apologetic but firm. "No, you are not," she said. "After long discussions among ourselves we decide that it is best you stayed in another place." She held up a hand to forestall any protest. "But don't worry, we will pay the fee for the first month of your stay in the lodge."

Eldris just accepted the situation, though the rejection stung. He knew that it was not all of them that like him - he had seen the look some of them where given him when they thought he wasn't looking. The look that some of them give him is the look of a nobody, they believe that he his just a forest boy that he is nothing. They thought he was clueless. No he wasn't clueless - he was not just interested in bringing the matter up with them, choosing instead to maintain the fragile peace.

"Okay," he said after a moment, "so where am I going to stay?"

Lira gestured toward the door. "Don't worry, we will take you there," she said. As Lira said it finished, they entered their vehicle to the place, the strange horseless carriage humming to life beneath them.

Coincidentally the place was in the same street as the library, a fact that didn't escape Eldris's notice as they rumbled through the cobbled streets.

The building was a two story building lot, its brick facade weathered by time and neglect. It almost looks rundown but it was still fine, at least structurally sound despite its shabby appearance.

The entrance has a normal building, a label was put on there and it says in faded paint: DOOR HOTEL LODGING. And under it was written "money is the key" in bold writing that looked newer than the rest of the signage. They design that money is the key very well for people to see, the letters gilded and gleaming despite the otherwise dilapidated appearance. The naming of the hotel have almost got blurred out by time and weather, but the message beneath remained starkly clear.

There I knew that the owner of the hotel will be a money grabbing rat, Eldris thought to himself as he took in the unimpressive structure.

As we get down from the vehicle, I was told that everything has been paid for already, that he should just go there, say is name and he will be taken to his room.

Eldris could see the look some of them was giving the hotel from the safety of their vehicle. It was they are looking at an abomination, a filth they can't and must never step in, their noses wrinkled in distaste at the very idea.

Eldris said okay and gave his goodbyes to Lira, clasping her hand briefly. After all she is the one he has been mingling with since they met, he could also see that she did not have the look they gave him, her expression one of mild apology rather than disdain.

But before he left he was interrupted by Lira reaching into her pocket. "Here, take this," she said, pressing a small object into his palm. "By the way you are I don't think you have it on you."

Eldris looked down to see an alliance ring glinting in his hand. "No, I can't accept this," he said immediately, trying to return it. "I believe this is overkill. I don't think I did much to deserve being given this."

Lira refused to take it back. "Yes, it's true that you didn't do much to deserve this," she admitted, "I am just giving you." She tapped the ring. "My contact is there and the ring is linked to the sky-ray."

Eldris stared at the gift, overwhelmed. "Thank you very much," he said sincerely, looking at the alliance ring on his hand as he slipped it onto his finger.

"So, goodbye again," he said, "and I hope you a safe journey home."

As he entered the hotel, the smell of cheap perfume and old wood assaulted his senses. He smelt some aroma from a place is nose couldn't find at first, something cloying and floral beneath the musty air. But after reaching the hotel receptionist he knew that the smell was from her, the source of the overwhelming floral assault.

Before he could talk, he was shouted at by a heavyset woman behind the desk. "What do you want, why are you here?!!" she demanded, her voice shrill.

Eldris didn't even flinch at her tone. "I am here to lodge," he said calmly. "My name is on the lodge book. If you check you would see."

........................................................................................................................pls read and vote for my books.