Stephan finally reached Revampirina at his own pace. There wasn't much to do besides trying to come up with a plan to sneak inside the castle, grab the sacred weapons then come out of it without fighting.
They reached the tree where the stranger greeted the three elves an hour ago and again, he appeared out of thin air. Stephan wasn't surprised.
"A witch, a dwarf, an elf and a human," he started. "Is today the international day of elves going around the world?"
Stephan brushed the petty mockery away. He studied the man and realized he was a hybrid. "You are a hybrid…"
"Such a keen eye you have here, apprentice magician. Are you here looking for an inn as well? There was a group of elves who came by earlier. I directed them to the Old Oak Inn since a crazy person is there; she could help them earn a stay there."
"I bet they wouldn't be accepted."
Agandaur and Gillibrian questioned Stephan with their look. Soprana asked the question that swam in their mind. "Why wouldn't they be accepted? Aren't all inns keen to earn money?"
"If you think about it, Soprana, there is no way Revampirina would accept their presence. We could get two rooms for you and me but the others, they wouldn't. Humans harbor a deep hatred for the dwarves and the elves for abandoning them when they needed them in battles. When humans were losing their lands, the other races did nothing. The human king was forced to travel to both races and kneel begging for help like a beggar. Do you think his pride wouldn't take the blow?" he turned back to the hybrid. "You won't take blood from us, don't you?"
"No. The rule isn't for travelers like you all. However, if you spend over three days, you will have to let us taste the refreshing liquid running in your veins. I wonder how a cocktail of dwarf, elf and human taste…" realizing he let the reins to his desires, the hybrid bowed. "Well, don't mind me! I am only here to make sure no suspicious people would enter this keep. You are a weak mage. The dwarf and the elf wouldn't hold on much since everyone will shoot them with their glares and the witch on the other hand, she is dangerous but I guess she is under the human since she is sticking to his side. Welcome to our humble town, travelers!"
The hybrid returned to his post and the group walked further inside the town. It was different from the future since it wasn't cultivated yet the way the vampire Empress wanted it to be. It would need a little bit of time to shape it as she wanted and it would have more humans with the coming of the Ustriestan.
Gillibrian wondered if it was worth following Stephan and his witch. He was a weird lad and didn't show enough enthusiasm in finding the sacred weapons. His doubts kept growing considerably. He watched his back for the last time before turning around and walking in the opposite direction.
"Where are you going?" Agandaur asked. He also had his doubts but not a point to leave the party.
Gillibrian raised his hand without turning back. "This is where our paths separate. I will find the Hammer of Justice on my own. I hate being led by a brat. I feel like a stupid for trying to repay a debt to a stinking bastard."
Agandaur attempted a reply but Stephan stopped him by shaking his head. They moved to the Old Oak Inn and as the apprentice mage wished, they met with the elves. Richard and his two companions wanted to walk past them but Stephan stopped right in front of them. Each time they moved to a side trying to leave, Stephan moved as well, blocking their path.
"What do you want, brat? Do you think I have enough time to play with you?" Richard was already pissed off; his voice was displeasing.
"Since we met again, why don't we share a table, maybe a room? But I have one condition, you see we don't have money so, can you pay for our stay?"
"You are stupid. Why would I be generous to you when your race didn't even give us proper lodging?"
"C'mon! You know why. I don't need to explain. It's mostly the fault of your kings. But I have something that might interest you… Maybe where the Bow of Greenlush resides… I know why you are here… Shall we have a toast in the Old Oak Inn?"
"They refused us, lad. If you want to talk about something, say it here and now because I don't have enough patience to give."
"As you want, since you are doubting me, I guess I will just have to take the messenger with me and move on," Stephan signalled to Agandaur to follow him and he executed like the good traveler companion he was. When the group walked past them, Richard turned and halted them with a word. "So now, you wanna talk, follow us to the inn. I doubt they will refuse you if you are with us. Also, it seems there is a crazy person there that can help you get a room. Well, that's what the gatekeeper said."
The three elves turned around and followed him to the inn. Inside it, again, all eyes turned to them but this time, there was a pair of eyes that attracted Soprana; she just knew who it was just from one glance. She had flowing white hair and brilliant red eyes that resembled a ruby. She had a tankard in her hand drinking and smiling at the drunkards that surrounded her asking for a night. However, she wasn't interested in any of them. She was just drowning her sorrows in the ale asking to forget.
Soprana darted to Stephan's side and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. She dismounted her broom before she could step inside the inn. Her chest brushed against Stephan's face and it made him blush slightly.
"If you are here to flirt, I am not interested," he said firmly using all the courage he accumulated through his journey.
"Why would I flirt with a child?" she grinned. "I didn't know you knew your master was here. How touching to watch her all drunkard and lost in her own world?"