Chapter 50
Later that evening, Lauren, MaGayla, Carlton, and Antonus entered the castle tavern. They went to the great hall where Hoseph said he would gather his friends to meet. When the opened the door, loud music and a ruckus of laughter assaulted their ears. "You remember the time when that giant eel bit off your ear!?" Someone yelled.
"Yeah well. I still got it back didn't I. And that eel was a tasty treat!" Hoseph yelled back. "Oh you finally made it, my lady. Come join us." He caught Lauren by the wrist and led her to a seat that had several seats open so her entourage could sit around her. "The little bit of separation should help you with your dark magic exposure. Having those two gods on each side will act as a buffer. You don't need to get sick."
"I understand. Thanks for thinking of my safety." Lauren replied.
"I will always think of the safety of the Keeper. Once it's my job, it will always be my job."
"So, you used to work for one of the keepers?"
"Yes. It was a long time ago. I'll tell you about it some other day. Today, you will get your first healthy exposure to dark magic. I wish I could be there when Prof. Gavin is shocked that you don't have the weak reactions you would normally have when you first meet people with magic you are not used to."
"Right. Well, You can be if you want to."
"Great. Let's get to the introductions. These are my friends: Kyra - the banshee, Dasson - the one-eyed cyclops, Greer - the Lycan, Shantel - the Dryad, Todd - the Satyr, and Tedd - the Centaur. I didn't bother with my friend Cristus - the vampire because you see a vampire constantly."
"Oh, so, that's why I didn't get an invitation to this gathering. Not cool dude." Cristus said. "Don't you know that Vampires have different types of magic? She might meet Sephtus or Symon. They are strong and have different types of magic that could effect her."
"Oh. I am sorry I didn't invite you. It's good you are here." Hoseph stated.
"Well, it's nice to meet you. I am seeing the need for protection. This is a lot of magic in this room right now. I'm not used to it. It's a bit overwhelming." With those words, Lauren started to loose consciousness.
"Double your protection Antonus." Carlton commanded.
"Right." With the doubling of their protections, the two gods moved closer to Lauren and hugged her. "We have you, Lauren. Open your eyes and trust us."
Lauren smiled. "I am happy to be wrapped in your arms and your magic."
"Ok. Now that I am protected, please come and introduce yourselves one at a time. Cristus I hope you don't mind, but could you be the last to come near? Your power is too much right now. I believe that once I become familiar to the other forms of magic here, I will be able to handle a conversation with you."
"That's fine. You have not hurt my feelings at all. It is good that you realize your limits and have the eloquence to say so. I will definitely wait my turn.
Each of Hoseph's friends stepped up one at a time. Kyra - the banshee, came first. "What do you know of the Banshee?"
"Well, earthen stories always present your kind as ghostly female creatures that wail and mourn because of the loss of a love."
"Yes, that's mostly true." Kyra agreed. "Most of those tales the banshee doesn't get over the loss. However, we do. I loss my whole family. The pain was so deep I changed. After several years and a new love, I stopped the wailing and loss the desire to kill other women that were happy. I am still a banshee but I don't do evil things. Be careful never fall into my dire state. It could happen to anyone. I used to be a fairy queen."
"Wow, I will be careful indeed."
Dasson - the one-eyed cyclops was next. "We are seen as man-eating shepherds. When in truth, we don't eat humans unless we are under an evil spell. Since most witches and sorcerers are humans, we will kill and eat as many as we need to find the person that have us enslaved. The problem with that is the spell we are under usually keeps us from killing our capture. We are gentle creatures. We try to live quiet lives."
"I understand. You mostly try to be peaceful. I am sorry that other people would see someone as special as your race as tools of destruction."
"Your understanding and kindness is noted."
Greer - the Lycan, stepped up. "Hey there my lady. You have several of our kin working for you already so you shouldn't have too much of a problem being near me. I am the king of the werewolves. My family line rules and provided the wolves for your guard."
"I am glad that you provided such capable young men to serve as my protectors. I have no complaints. You're welcome to come and meet them any time you want."
"I already do come by to check on them. We meet at the town tavern, nothing official. I had to make sure everything was working out."
"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you."
"I didn't mean to offend. I'm just used to doing things my way, you know, since I am a king and I have lived for thousands of years."
"I understand. I just thought that I would have known something like this, from my team members at least." Lauren thought about it. 'Does my team feel like they can't come to me and tell me things?'
"Your team is not allowed to tell you about the meeting. It is against my rules. Now that we have met and I will remove the directive they are under. Don't take it personal. I apologize. Please don't blame them."
"Ok." Lauren replied. The Lycan king moved away. He knew he had to do something to make things up to her. He was in the wrong. He had to find a way to make it right.
Shantel - the Dryad, came up next. "Hello my lady. I am not evil at all. It is just my duty to protect the forest. It is not my fault that people endanger themselves by damaging my forest."
"That's true. People should honored and the forests revered." Lauren stated.
"That's right. I like you. Let me know if you ever need help."
"Ok. Will do."
Todd - the Satyr, and Tedd - the Centaur approached. "Hi. You might not believe it but we are twin brothers. Our mother was very busy, if you know what I am saying. No. It's not nice to say but it is the truth." Todd said.
"So, did you grow up together?"
"Yes, Our father raised us. Mom went back to her job life. We are seen as bad because we have to gather humans to impregnate to have children. It's not like we kill them or keep them. Once they have a kid or two, we let them go. Many of us try to get women that are willing. That is what I would rather do."
Lauren smiled that the brothers as they finished their time and left. Cristus - the Vampire, was next to come sit.