The green door closes, then Mound of Potions fades into the background of the forum as Alexander returns to the temple. With a quick step, Alexander hurriedly returns to gain some respite for leaving the temple without informing anyone.
The streets no longer have the heavy early morning traffic, this consequently shaving off time on Alexander's traversing of Orbis. Upon arriving at open doors, he stops. Reaching into his new leather pouch Alexander pulls out one silver then puts on a bright childish smile, and proceeds to skip into the temple. As soon as he passes through the doorway Alexander spots Anera pacing back and forth with a look of worry. Anera turns and looking at Alexander walks up to him for a hug.
Anera: (Common) "Where have you been!? Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"
Keeping his wide grin Alexander resipricates her hug.
Alexander: "It is my 6th birthday so I wanted to explore part of the city. Oh, I got a job at Mound of Potions and got paid in advance. I'd like to donate my earnings to the temple that has taken care of me."
Seeing the silver coin as Alexander opens his hand Anera's eyes begin to tear up.
Anera: "My dear boy, that is so sweet but you need not donate your money. But, Mound of Potions is quite far, did you run into any trouble?"
Alexander: "Thank you but I insist."
Alexander places the silver piece into Anera's hands. Which she clasps onto gently.
"There was no trouble at all during my adventure, hehe."
Anera: "That's good to hear. Also, I know it's a bit late into our conversation, but Happy Birthday! So, since you are now six, have you decided a name for yourself or would you like the temple to name you?"
Alexander: "I have a name, I am Alexander."
Anera: "What a nice name, but what about a last name as well?"
Alexander: "Hmmm, ok, then I shall be known as Alexander Argead."
Anera: "Wow, what an interesting choice, it sounds ancient. Come now, let's go to the dining room to eat and let the others know your name. Also, I hope you are looking forward to heading out to the woods at noon. You must be excited."
Alexander: "I can't wait to let the others know my name. I'm really looking forward to that. I bet there will be a lot of trees."
With that the pair make their way to the dining room where around 30 children can be seen chatting up a storm and eating a hearty stew.
Anera: "Hello everyone, today is a big day, it is somebody's 6th birthday today."
Leaning down she whispers to Alexander.
"Go on now, don't be shy, use your new name."
Alexander waves at his so-called peers with a half hearted smile.
Alexander: "Let me introduce myself. My name is Alexander Argead. I'm glad to be here."
There is very little applause coupled with glares and sneers by Alfonso and others.
Anera: "Good job, now get something to eat you'll be leaving with the other children in a bit."
Nodding in agreement Alexander goes to sit alone after grabbing his meal. Checking the mood of the room he notices Alfonso with narrowed eyes looking at him. Alfonso then turns away and says a few words to some other kids who seemingly nod and snicker in agreement. Looking back at Alexander, Alfonso has a cruel grin on his face. Turning his attention back to his food Alexander rolls his eyes.
Alexander: (inner monolog) "Wow, could they have been any more obvious?"
After around 15 more minutes Anera calls everyone to the entrance of the temple.
Anera: (Common) "Ok little ones, it is once again time for you to help the temple by going out to the woods of Mislan and gathering some firewood. Now here are some leftover burlap sacks from the kitchen, make sure not to tear them. "
Leaving the temple the group of children is guided by a priest of the temple, toward the direction of the Rudis forum and the south western gatehouse.
Stone walls 40ft high and 20ft thick with towers another 10ft higher becomes an imposing feat of masonry as the group approaches. Passing through the open gate and raised portcullis, murder holes in the wall for oil and arrows to strike down assailants are seen. Once outside the city and looking back, the coat of arms of Orbis, a griffin with a gold coin in its front claw and sword held by its tail, is carved above the arch.
Outside the walls the gravel streets starts to turn to dirt that has been packed by copious amounts of traffic. Traders and haulers bring wares in and out of the city. Fields of crops in the finishing stages of being sown, bend around the city and roll the distance for no less than two miles. A river 30 feet wide slithers its way past the west side of Orbis towards the sea with water mills lining its banks.
As Alexander and the group walk for about 2 hours. Finally, they enter the woods. The environment being more temperate, a mixture of conifers and flat-leaf trees make up the forest. Grass yet to be smothered in snow still has its prewinter green. The party continues to follow the road for another half mile until coming to a stop.
Priest: "Alright children split up, in 3 hours I'll use thaumaturgy to enhance my voice to call you back. Be safe, and watch out for creepy crawlies."
With those words, Alexander looks around and seeing more than a couple of eyes on him dashes left, deep into the woods. Alexander's wood-elven blood naturally just gives him increased speed and agility, but here in this forest, it had a much grander effect. Moving, as if his body was guided by nature itself, he began to hide tree to tree. Blending with the foliage with every step like a nymph, as he purposely creates a subtle path in his wake. After Alexander passed through an open glade his ears picked up a hissing sound. Stopping he looks to his right and sees coiled in the roots of a tree is a snake staring straight at him. Dark burnt orange scales line its sides with what look like gray spiked platelet armor its back. Without a second to think the snake went to strike, with fangs bearing at Alexander's face. Seemingly as fast as lighting, his right hand grasps its nape nearly crushing the snake. The spikes on the spine of the snake are piercing his hand as Alexander's squeeze tightens.
Alexander: "Only a foot long? Ahhh, look at the little baby. You may be useful to me, so behave."
Proceeding to slide his thumb and finger forward along its jaw Alexander pinches the snake's mouth closed. Just on the other side of the clearing he sees Alfonso and one other human kid with long black hair break out of the treeline. Moving into a less hidden position Alexander turns his back to the clearing. Pretending to put wood into his burlap sack he hears heavy panting. Alfonso approaches with the other boy who is at least a foot taller than Alfonso. As they approach Alexander, it is within ten feet that Alfonso begins to speak.
Alfonso: "Huff, huff… You damn knife ear, huff, you came out pretty far. Huff… Wanna guess why we followed you out here?"
A confident grin crosses Alfonso's lips as he slowly approaches. Alexander looks back with a coy look.
Alexander: "Oh…. I don't know…. But, based on how often you stare at me I'd have to say you're into a child half your age, and you're here to ask for my hand in marriage. Sorry Alfonso, but you're not my type."
Alfonso: "No you idiot! You stupid mutt, since you can't piece together that, you're gonna get a beating. And, who knows, maybe I'll just kill ya, nobody will miss you pointy."
Alfonso, reaching down with his left hand to grab Alexander, rearsback his right to him a beating. Spinning to his left, back towards Alfonso, Alexander in one fluid motion knocks Alfonso's arm to the side releasing the snake's head which bares its fangs. In that moment ducking down to strike, piercing Alfonso's artery in the back left knee. Venom soaks into the bloodstream of Alfonso. Alfonso's lackey, not knowing what is happening pauses for a moment then flanks. The lackey attempts to tackle Alexander but upon seeing this, Alexander simply removes the viper from Alfonso's knee, sidesteps the large boy and using the lackey's momentum to kick out the lackeys legs. Jumping onto and straddling the fallen boy, Alexander sinks the vipers fangs into his neck. Alexander held that position for only but a second before standing back up. As Alexander closes the mouth of the snake once more, he observes his victims beginning to flail, veins blackening, skin becoming a toxic purple with black blood seeping from all orifices. In less than a minute the corpses cease to move. Peering down at the snake held tightly in his hand, Alexander smiles.
Alexander: "What luck! Genmar's gonna love you."
While Alexander puts the snake into his sack, a little flare of hellish red flickers deep within his pupils.