As they walked the streets of Valinor, people started to appear on the sidewalks. Some come from the side streets, walking from the white elf and orc districts, heading to open stores or to work in restaurants. A good part of them just kept stepping further into the city.
Black elves arrived in their horses and carriages to care for their businesses. The smell of good food invaded Alex's nostrils as they reached the restaurants of the commercial district.
The smell of what seemed to be bacon filled the air, mixed with another scent with a floral aroma. As if it was a herb tea. That scent made the young man crave coffee. He desperately needed something to get him going right now. Every second, he felt more tired and annoyed with the night's lack of sleep.
Walking behind the carriage instead of inside increased Alex's bad mood. The drunk man sleeping inside the vehicle also got beneath his skin. Still, Alex knew they needed to earn their place, which would come from showing some humility. His job was to get as much information as possible, get his Devil's Hand stronger, and earn as much coin as possible in the process, so he sucked up his tiredness and annoyance and kept walking.
Until the carriage stopped and Ratamir left it and announced,
"Time to breakfast before the journey. The travel will be long, and I don't want anyone complaining that the guild doesn't feed you, okay?" Ratamir asked and looked to Tal'Dore, who remained silent, looking to the horizon.
The short man descended from the carriage and started walking with his little and gangling legs towards one of the street restaurants, sitting in one chair around a circular table with three seats.
Alex followed the dwarf and was about to sit in a different place when the guild leader pointed to his side, asking them to join him,
"What are you guys going to eat? It's on the guild," He asked with a smile and two elbows on the wooden table,
"I just need something to get me going,"
"Bad night?" The dwarf asked unpretentiously,
"You can say so. Went to bed too late—"
"Okay, so you'll get a dragon seed tea. That will help you just right," the dwarf waved to a female white elf behind the street restaurant's counter, "Alina! Please two—" the dwarf looked at Tina, "Do you want tea, my dear?" She nodded, and the dwarf completed, "Three dragon seed teas. And bring them hot!"
While they waited, the other guild members took their seats at different tables. Ravi walked from the carriage with immense difficulty and sat beside Tal'Dore. The orc was accompanied by the young white elf, who seemed to be friends. The teen now wore an oversized vest similar to a monk's robe. Completely black with a red circle on the back, the youth was hooded and strolled towards the table.
The orc wore a brown leather vest with a hood, his immense belly creating a peculiar contrast with his armor, which resembled a fighter's. Alongside him, he carried what appeared to be a staff topped with a mineral gleaming red like the blood moon. Alex guessed it might be Arcanite, but he couldn't be sure.
Alina brought the teas, and soon, everyone else asked the same. Before she went back to the counter, the dwarf asked,
"Bring me a loaf of bread, butter, and ham." The words sounded like a dream to Alex, and he promptly demanded the same. Tina was fast to join him, and the white elf serving looked pretty happy with the order,
Not long after that, everyone had their orders and were eating happily. Alex took a moment to look at his food and was pleased to see the heat of the bread was visible in the air. The inside was soft and aired when he opened it in half, just like he liked his bread. The young man took the butter from the side, passed it on the bread, and watched it melt and glimmer in the sunlight. To finish, he put one slice of ham in the bread, natural ham, not the ones he was accustomed to buying on the market back on Earth.
One bite and Alex was transported to paradise. He was an outcast, yes. He was poor, yes. The world would end, yes. But Tevia's food was damn delicious. The world can't end before I eat everything, he thought, but his happiness was interrupted by a voice coming from the other table,
"Enjoying your food?" Ravi asked with a neutral mumbling sound, the one people use when they just woke up from a terrible night of sleep,
"You can say so," Alex replied, his mouth full. He drank one gulp of the dragon seed tea. It had a strong herb flavor, like a mix of rosemary and green tea. It was sweet and had a punch flavor at the end. It made every ingredient party inside Alex's mouth. Not even the following words of Ravi could end the man's pleasure,
"Good for you because you'll be dead soon enough," the words brought a sepulchral silence to everyone. The only sounds Alex could hear were his jaw chewing the delicious food. Is he one of these? The kind who tries to scare the rookie? Not with me, pal.
"I'll not die," Alex said and completed internally ever again. That's my promise.
"Oh, you will. Sooner rather than later. I don't understand what Ratamir's problem is… Accepting all these youngsters, but you two… you two are probably the worst kind I have seen so far,"
"We killed four goblins and—" Tina began to protest,
"Blablabla," Ravi replied, making a pinch movement with his hands, mocking her, "I don't buy it," he ate a big piece of bread and continued with his mouth full, "or maybe you really did it. People in this damn place seem to be so stupid that killing goblins can look like a great feat. The empire is making all of you lazy,"
"Enough," It was Tal'Dore speaking now. He looked at Ravi with the corner of his eyes and said no more. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, and then Ravi got up, drinking all his tea in one big gulp. The human walked towards the carriage but stopped close to Alex and Tina. His eyes were fixed on the former.
"You disgust me," he said, almost spating with a hatred Alex had seen only a few times. Alex immediately got up to face the bully. He hadn't scared Alex, but making him angry? He had nailed it. The young man moved his hand instinctively to his pocket, searching for his black dagger, but Ratamir grabbed his hand with immense strength.
Ravi didn't wait. He just walked to the carriage and entered it. The sound of him crashing against the floor of the vehicle was as loud as any sound could be,
"Let him be, kid. His problem is not with you." Ratamir said with a caring tone, but Alex's blood was already boiling. He sat and started eating again, realizing he was no longer hungry.
"Looks like everyone is dedicated to hating us these days, Tina," he spat the words and drank more of the tea. The girl only nodded, chewing her own food. She was clearly disappointed with the treatment but had a spark in her eyes. Ravi wouldn't make her flinch, just like he wouldn't make Alex flinch.
"I don't hate you, kid. If I'm being honest, I'm quite fond of you two," The dwarf said, smiling and eating, "I heard great things about you, Valther." The dwarf patted Alex on the shoulder. He looked at Tina, "And you, Tina, I'm surprised with what I heard. All good things, honestly." The dwarf completed with narrow eyes towards Alex's friend, and she heavily reddened her cheeks. Oh, he knows more than me about Tina. She is embarrassed by something. He mused while finishing his food,
"Ravi can be difficult, but give him a chance. Honestly, give everyone a chance. We are a tough crowd," the dwarf said, cleaning himself after the last bite, "in no time, you'll be all integrated into the family,"
Alex looked over his shoulder and saw the orc smiling to himself as he read his book. The teen almost sleeping on the spot, even after a mug of dragon seed tea. The dark elf Tal'Dore just standing, looking to the horizon and eating his bread.
"Great family dynamics," Alex muttered, and that made Ratamir laugh hard,
"Hah! It's seven in the morning, kid. Give us a break. Let's go? We still have a long way ahead before leaving the town,"
Alex got up and started moving towards the carriage. Now, with the dragon seed in his blood and being annoyed by Ravi, he preferred to walk on the streets.
They walked probably just five minutes before Alex saw an enormous crowd of city guard elves dressed in blue uniforms leaving one side street. In front of them, a familiar face walked with hands and feet in shackles.