" I don't quite understand why dad was so sad though. The humans won and although there were a few wars its better off than how it would've been if the demon king still ruled Merrum. Perhaps he is sad because he can't get to meet the elves either." thought Arya.
In the morning of the next day Lillian started making preparations for Arya's birthday. Everyone in the house seemed to be in a jovial mood. The twins quite liked Arya, they shared their deepest secrets with him and although they thought he didn't understand anything they said, they still felt that he was someone they could rant to whenever things were getting tough. Luna was excited to see if Arya would be able to break the seal that was forced on him and Neel and Lillian were just happy to see their son growing up.
Arya on the other hand kept practicing his magic technique. He felt like if he could find a way to inhale mana and combine it with the technique he was using he would be able to make even the simplest spells two times more powerful. Lately the burning sensation he kept feeling when he tried to inhale mana seemed to be getting weaker.
"If I keep at this I should be able to inhale mana quite soon. Maybe I really was too young to use magic." thought Arya to himself as he continued trying to inhale the mana in the air.
Meanwhile in Draquerth
" Arch Bishop Deon welcome to my humble abode. Though I didn't expect someone of your calibre to come on a mere guard's whim." said the city lord.
" You would do well to mind what you say Rirren. Although you're the city lord that mere guard is someone knighted by the church. And the reason I have come here personally is because there might be more at play here than we think. The dragon and the witch were last sighted a few towns away from here and although it's unlikely that their still here after all these years it's still my duty to check." said Deon as he looked around the city lord's manner.
The room they were in was as tacky as it was big. Everything from the floor to the ceiling was embroidered in gold. Even the city lords clothes had gold marking all over it. If he was trying to show he had money he was doing a good job at it. Paintings of the past city lords were adorned all over the walls which made Deon inwardly cringe. The fireplace seemed to be a magical device as it emitted no smoke. The tea pots that were placed on the table were from Drekatith of southern Merrum.
As Deon continued looking around he noticed that all the furniture was made of Alcrian darkwood which was as beautiful as it was hard to find. Alcrian darkwood was worth more than gold and could only be found in the Alcrian forest. The wood gave the room both a prestigious and a homey feel. But Deon felt anything but at home. Seeing that Deon seemed to be impressed by his collection the city lord gave a smug grin.
However Deon was more disgusted than anything else, as he was on his way to the manor he was looking around to get a general image of the city but what he saw surprised him. The city was corrupt to the core and the poverty of the people ate at his heart. He wondered how the city lord could afford to have all this while his people suffered.
Deon decided that after all this was done he would talk to the captain of the city guards and ask him why he had never reported any of this to the church.
"Now if you will excuse me I must get going there is much I need to do." said Deon as he stood up from the cream white couch.
" I was hoping you would stay the night and enjoy my hospitality, after all it's not everyday we have an Arch Bishop in Draquerth. And maybe we can make a few-" Rirren tried saying.
"Hold your tongue Rirren, I hope you were not about to imply that I take part in your shady dealings. Must I remind you that I could call the inquisition to destroy the entirety of Draquerth if I deemed this place unworthy of conversion. I've seen your city and I don't like the way your people live. If I were you I would start praying because once this is all over you can expect many church members to pay a visit to Draquerth and trust me it won't be on friendly terms." said Deon angrily as he disappeared into a burst of light.
" Amana" said Deon into an amulet.
" Yes your holiness" replied the person on the other side. Amana was of a small stature just 1.65m tall with blue hair and blue eyes. She always seemed to be looking at nothing and had a slightly sad look on her face. She wore skin tight black clothes that emphasized her lack of assets but also the amount of training she had undergone. As she waited for Deon's reply she watched Rirren pack his belongings with a blue glow in her eyes while she kept a spell at the ready.
"Bring him in alive, he has to answer for his crimes. But the condition he is in doesn't matter much so long as he is breathing. Scum like him deserve no mercy." said Deon as he straightened out his robe and began walking to a tavern in an alley.