Arriving at a secluded spot in one of the many alleyways that littered the streets of Corcilus, Adara let out a sigh of relief. It was stupid of her to try such a long journey with an injury, but she couldn't afford to show weakness.
Lucas, who had no injury, looked just as relieved at the pause in journey, he himself had been struggling to keep up with the scrawny body he inherited, even if it was remarkably fitter than his old one, it could never keep up with Canor, who was a freak of nature.
Lucas was curious about his level of weakness earlier, after all it had belonged to a soldier. So when he asked Adara about it she suggested that he was probably a squire that they picked up along the journey.
apparently the iron march had not been very organised near the end of their jourmey.
"Well team, we made it!" Smiled Canor, his youthful chuckle infuriating the exhausted duo.
"May I present to you... The VIPs lounge," he called as he pushed in a slightly darker brick on the side of a house.
Like clockwork, an abrupt ticking began vibrating off the building that Adara was leaning on for support, startling her.
With a grind, part of the stone brick wall began to slide downwards, into the ground, revealing a winding staircase into the abyss, lit only by the occasional torch.
Canor grinned, "shall we proceed?"
----------------
After descending close to 20 meters into the ground, the trio found themselves facing an archway, with intricate carvings depicting some kind of battle.
On the left, a man dressed in regal armour and a crown of bone led forth his army. Facing him was a terrifying beast resembling some kind of dragon, bearing several heads.
Lucas was staring at the drawings, trying to gather as much information as possible. He felt a need to do so, due to his lack of education in this world.
Adaras interests was beyond the archway, because it appeared to be a nobles lounge, a stark contrast to the atmosphere created by the stairway.
A deep fire warmed the room from one side, with a large leather couch sitting on the other side, facing a looming balcony, which itself, overviewed the actual auction House.
Lying down, on said couch was a young girl, maybe 12, her jet black hair stopping at her neck, plastered to the couch, clear evidence she had been here for a long time.
Matching her gaze, the child smiled at Adara, her blood red eyes twinkling, her mouth revealing fangs.
Eris was a vampire. Or at least, the body she inhibited was a vampire. It was known that the 30 evils had to use other bodies as hosts, unable to assume a physical form themselves.
Dropping to one knee, Adara and Canor kneeled in reverence, Lucas followed shortly after.
"As you instructed, my lady, I have brought Hypnos's servent and her companion," remarked Canor, his usual humour disappearing.
Eris regarded them with a whimsical yet calculating gaze, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Oh, look what the cat dragged in," she purred, her voice carrying an unsettling sweetness. "Hypnos's little servant and her knightly friend. What delightful company."
Adara inclined her head in a gesture of deference, choosing her words carefully. "My lady, we come seeking entry to the auction, as instructed by my lord, and your elder brother," she stated, trying to hide any signs of discomfort from her injury.
Eris's crimson eyes flickered with amusement as she observed Adara's attempt to conceal her pain. "Oh, don't bother pretending, my dear," she chided playfully, her gaze locking onto the concealed wound. "I can sense your discomfort. You're injured, aren't you?"
Adara remained silent, maintaining her composure despite Eris's unnerving scrutiny.
Waving her hand, Eris released some form of red mist into the air, before Adara could react it drifted inside her wound, and miraculously, it stopped hurting.
"It won't get any worse now, and it'll stop being a pain," said Eris, her grin remaining in place, "but you should still seek attention after we are done with business here,"
Turning to Canor she gestured for him to rise and join her, he did so, leaving the duo kneeling on the floor.
Adara kept her gaze lowered, speaking carefully yet respectfully. "My lord entrusted us with a mission to acquire an item of importance. It's to be found within this auction," she explained, choosing her words cautiously in the presence of the powerful vampire.
Eris waved her hand dismissively, "yes I know, I have been warned in advance that you would be coming, that colleague of yours sure knows how to send a message,"
Canor flinched at the memory, supposedly, Ronan had sent a crow, it certainly explained why Canor had known to escort them.
"Come, join us. There are many treasures to behold and acquire in this gathering of peculiarities," said Eris, patting the couch next to her.
"I do hope you find what you're looking for."