Uneasiness (2)

The group were confused on where Indra could've disappeared off too so quickly as they began to leave the manor grounds to walk towards town "Isn't he weird or what?" Zack asked as everyone remained quiet but slight groans were heard amongst the girls "I never seen anyone with a skillset like his besides Silas- magically at least." The girl with elven ears said as Jack gave a low hum "You think your mom has any idea where they found him Kira?" Jack asked as she shook her head.

"She didn't know anything about him until he showed up here, but I think he came from that vampire manor that Sir Cain was sent to destroy a couple weeks ago- that's the only way he could've met him." Kira said as they made their way through town that mainly consisted of demi-humans and their only place of refuge.

The nobility named the town Greyhaven as a mockery- where the "Impure Born" could live out their days away from the human "civilized" cities, a place meant to represent the middle of light and darkness, pity and segregation and never honor. But over time, under Lord Siegfried's protection, the demi-humans and half-bloods made it their own and had transformed Greyhaven into a bastion of quiet strength and the first true safe haven for demi-humans in generations.

Loud chatter and smokey smells in the air let them know they had reached the open market district that was called: The Hearthwalk, filled with different types of food carts, stalls and open-air kitchens and where most people would want to eat for cheap and communal, walking around they stopped at a couple stalls to eat meat and veggies on a stick and continue their conversation.

"I wonder if he would be open to joining a guild with us when we bring the idea to Sir Cain and Lord Siegfried." Jack thought out loud as they looked at him in silence shocked that someone has managed to hold his attention that long- but then again it was only them up at the manor since they had somewhat "special" circumstances than the other demi-humans around town.

Back at the manor walking around Silas could be seen heading towards the library as a unfamiliar scent caught his nose as he scrunched his nose in confusion 'Is this supposed to be the new Dragonkin my father has found?' Silas thought inwardly while following it back out the library and downstairs as the scent led him to the students dorm area as he went inside.

Inside he could sense the use of mana as he followed the trail to one of the rooms he thought empty as he peaked inside to see someone the same age as him if not maybe younger with wild blonde and peach hair that hung to his shoulder blades and a black tattered cloak. At the moment it looked like he was attempting to cast or conjure something as a black shadowy hand came out the ground.

Eyes widening Silas stepped inside and set fire to the hand as it caught Indra's attention as he turned to face him with a blank expression on his face as he casually took in Silas's appearance "Can I help you with something?" Indra asked as Silas raised a brow at him in confusion "You're arrogant for someone casting spells and not knowing what you're doing, you could've summoned who knows what just now." Silas said as Indra closed the books on his bed.

"Learning shadows and necromancy is nearly forbidden here and it's a useless element." Silas said as Indra sighed "Who determines what is useless and what is useful?...You?" Indra asked while crossing his arms "There's a saying, the one who hinders those from growth are ones who cannot grow themselves?" Indra said as Silas clenched his teeth.

"And who said that?" He asked in nearly seething anger "I did." Indra said as there was now tension in the room "Are you implying that you, a mere gutter rat is better than me? I've been studying our culture all my life while you've been digging in the trash looking for scraps!" Silas said as a chuckle escaped his lips that was replaced after with a smirk.

"Look at you...you even believe that you have a chance." He said while staring Indra down "I could beat you without breaking a sweat." He said while turning to walk off "If you're so sure, then show me what a real dragon is capable of." Indra said as it halted Silas in his tracks- his smirk now faded and replaced with a look of annoyance and slight anger.

Meanwhile in town the group were slowly making their way towards a firepit as they all had been laughing and talking about what life would be like if they never had to be at the manor and lived among their families, the topic brought sadness since it was a reality they knew was never coming "I'm glad I still have my mom, I don't know what I would do without her...but at times it can be hard because I can tell she misses our people." Kira said as they all knew about the elves.

Everbloom Groove, the enchanted forest known to be where the elven race was located but no one dared to go inside to confirm since the area was known to cause hallucinations and with no way to know what was real and what was no one dared to venture inside- adventurers included no matter how much you paid most was not willing to venture inside and lose their lives.

The sound of something ripping caught their attention as Kira saw her bracelet light up with elven runes as her mother could be seen stepping out of a dark green slit in the air in front of them as she looked at all of them with a sigh of relief on her face "I've been calling you!" Her mom said as Kira went into her pocket and pulled out her ring and put it back on her finger.

"My bad, I took it off earlier while I was eating. Is everything alright?" She asked as she had a look of uncertainty written on her face "There was a fight at the manor and it completely destroyed majority of the backyard and part of the dormitory." She said as they all had faces of surprise and shock "Because of this I have to assign you guys to a inn tonight here in town for a while." She said while closing the portal tear behind her.

She began leading them from the outskirts of town and through the Hearthwalk and to the Hollow Flame Inn: Known for it's venison stew and Honeyroot ale that was also ran by a werebear named Brom as he held a close friendship with Kira's mom since opening his shop- given that she was the one that gave the necessary pull in the right places to speed up the process for the place.

Soon they arrived to a three-story tall building made of dark stone and burnt timber with glowing ember like runes etched into the foundation as the roof has jagged black tiles that was charred at the tips with two twisted chimneys that emitted slow purple-blue smoke while the front door was two heavy double doors reinforced with iron, decorated with carvings of flames devouring stars.

Lastly the cracked wooden sign above the door with glowing red lettering that reads "Hollow-Flame Inn" as bone made of flame and shadow curls around the name, stepping inside the first floor was called the Ember Hearth that held the main tavern room as it was dimly lit by magical fire sconces on the walls and a massive central hearth made of blackstone, filled with cold blue flames that give off warmth but no smoke.

The floor is cracked obsidian tile; the woodwork is charred but solid. The tables made from old ships with runes carved into them that glow faintly when drinks are served, a bar stretches along one side with an enchanted mirror behind it that shows not reflections but brief flickers of people's secrets as the bartender is woman named Kaela with ember eyes and a arm made of flame-forged metal.

The place buzzed with action as everyone had food and more than decent ale in their hands as Kira gave a slow sigh while facepalming "Why couldn't we have gone to Mira's Pot? The crowd their is more our age." Kira pleaded while walking towards the front desk "So all of you can create more work for me tonight? I don't think so maybe another time." She said as a man stood at the counter looking at everyone in the bar area having a good time.

He stood at seven feet tall, broad shouldered, built like a mountain as he towered over all of them and more than likely the tallest person they've ever seen as he had muscles like coiled steel, arms as thick as tree trunks and covered in ritual scars and battle tattoos as he wore a black shirt with a seven inch wide chain necklaces that was silver in color as his eyes seemed to be a deep-set amber color as they seen his small smile as he seen the group.

He walked from behind his desk as dark grey pants could be seen and brown boots, as his hair is long and unkempt with braids bound by bones and bear teeth, with a beard that was thick and wild that also held a silver streak in the middle "Kyla! It's good to see you!" He said as they embraced each other while scanning Zack after before giving him a playful evil smirk.

"How's it going wolf pup?" He said as it made Zack grit his teeth "I am not a puppy!" He said as it made Brom chuckle "What can I do for you all tonight? You here for the venison?" He asked as Kyla smiled "Sadly no, we're here to book some rooms- mainly for the kids only though." She said as he gave a slow nod of understanding.

"I have rooms available on the second floor, The Ashened Quarters should be good enough for them tonight." He said while returning back to his desk "I will return here tomorrow, I will call you specifically Kira when it's okay to return back to the manor." She said as Brom came back with two black and grey keys that had a wooden numbers on them.

"These are your rooms, each with a double bed." He said as they took the keys- obvious the boys and girls was separated and began making their way towards the door beside his desk that led upstairs "Thanks again Brom, as always the Tempest family appreciates you." She said as he gave a slow nod "Actually, we need to talk." He said as it brought a small hint of confusion to her face.

"I will prepare us a room to talk in, we will be meeting on the third floor." He said as he walked back over to his desk to grab what he needed as Kira now had some sort of idea of what he wanted to talk about but rather keep that thought to herself until they were in a private place.