- the streets of Icefalls-
The capital and our layover here in Bloodhaven, my master (Agatha) came all over from the mountains to greet us. Had it not been for Reifa spilling the beans I wouldn't have told her. Anyways what's done can't be changed. As we got off our the airtrip and moved into the city our group namely Agatha ; Sara and yours truly have garnered lots of attention gazes pour onto us as we strolled the streets of this very steampunk like city. Cars jolted about , train tracks and electric cars everything you'd expect from the 19th century aside from the fantastical and scifi elements.
"So this is Icefalls." Said Kayla as she stares at the city like a country bumpkin
"You like what you see girl?, well don't get used to here much. After all civilization hinders a human or in your case an elf potential."
"She's basically a shut in." I interject
"*sigh* Zephyr must you act insufferable , people would kill for a master like Agatha even though magic is not her forte she is among the top competent mages in the world." Hubert says exasperated
"Not only that it is said that her swordplay is unrivaled none except the Sultan could match her in that regard. By the time they fought she'd pushed the Sultan into a corner without his pride we'd have lost that was." Sara adds further
"So s-she is that amazing, i'm in awe and Mr Zephyr you trained under her!." Kayla says beaming
"That lizard whelp can't see that hes fortunate that I gave him the time of the day but im glad to see that I'm appreciate and in that regard. Keep showering me with praises , i live for this hahahaha!."
"Guys stop stroking her ego, or else you won't hear the end of this." I sigh in resignation
We continued talking while heading out to the entrance of Icefalls , all was well until we were surrounded by a group of 80 guardsmen their magic rifles aimed at us
"You right there and the miss!." The guards captain points at Hubert
"Me?." Kayla replied
"You elves are to be arrested at sight , Chancellor Fredrick decreed!." The captain of the guards addressed our party
"What is the meaning of this?." Agatha takes a step forward , seeing her the guards appeared jittery and apprehensive at the thought of facing her.
"M-my apologies madame Agatha I'm just following Chancellor Fredrick orders. Y-you can take it with him if you like." Said the captain
"Tell that boy Fredrick that I'm coming to see him too." She said menacingly before turning back to us "sorry for the welcoming Kayla , it must have been a shock."
"I always knew that elves were not welcomed here , you needn't be sorry Master Agatha." She says stiffling a smile
"This better be worth it." Said Hubert grumbling to himself
The guards take to both of our sides likely to shrug off an attempt to escape as futile as it is , I can't help but commend them for standing up to Agatha something that I don't see myself doing in this life at least.
The murmurs of the crowds intensified as the sight of a dragonkin, halfman and elves hawled by the guards was surely to gain traction as if we don't stand out enough.
"How's the other boy George, haven't seen that Emperor since the calamity hahaha." Says Agatha conversing with the captain
"Madame to keep it off the record, the Emperor left the country or so it was said. Word among the noble circles is that he passed away. We might never know surely you've been made aware that Chancellor Fredrick rules in his stead."
"Ah... I lost much contact with Bloodhaven had it not been for the Elven envoy I wouldn't have come here to greet our guests. A nice fellow by the name of Tyrel."
"Tyrell!! He's here?." It's been a long time since I've seen him
"Aye, he's here alright infact he came with me to welcome you the sod.... I just lost him in the shopping district hahaha,.. oh speak of the devil."
A bespectacled young elf runs screaming , his blonde hair is dishelved, his blue eyes bloodshot clearly enraged as he calls my master.
"Tyrell, what are you doing here?." I ask astonished
"Oh, Zephyr i didnt notice you and i see you brought the entourage along never mind that Agatha!.... you tricked me into paying your debts."
"Hahaha , it wasn't intentional. I hope find it in you to forgive an old coot like me."
"Forgive ?, you emptied my coffers."
"What's going on here?." Hubert asks confused
"Nothing to concern yourself over boy." Agatha winks at Hubert
"No he has to be concerned, you went and gambled away money again Master. You treated poor Tyrell like a piggy bank, I wonder how you stayed alive for all this time when you owed many people money." I sigh in exasperation
"Part of that is why you came out string."Agatha makes a smug expression
"Dr. Tyrell are you alright, you're shaking." Kayla peers at Tyrell
"I'm alright , it's just that I'm burning and carrying the ire of the people she's wronged. I'm one of them." He glares at Agatha as she hides behind my back
"Master Agatha has quite the colorful personality." Sara says bemused
"Colorful isn't doing her any justice." Another sigh escaped my lips
"Tyrell temperament aside all attendees are present. We will head to the mountains from the North." Agatha nods to herself likely commending herself for steering our attention
-Mountain path-
I temporarily joined the party as we ascended to the mountains Tyrell had let the whole incident in Icefalls pass begrudgingly and got back to working as our emissary, Hubert had a first camper experience always insistently asking me questions about every little rock, wood, bug and herb we encounter, Kayla does her very best to catch up to us as she almost tripped and falls i end up catching her along the road eventually I decided it was best that I slow down to ease her mind and last but not least we have Sara she volunteered to be the vanguard dealing and dispatching of any monsters that we come across out of respect for her wish we thought it was best that we don't interfere.
"Where were you all this time Tyrell?." I ask my companion
"I was busy working in my clinic and restoring Marsche village outside of that I did some odd jobs for Hubert while I was gone."
"you brewed that Elixir I heard about."
"It was an experimental potion, you see some of the villagers had recurring nightmares. I couldn't do much with my meager mana so I decided to work on that Elixir Hubert requested and from the looks of it a single whif is enough to drop a wyvern." He smirks to himself
"And what about the emissary thing, hard to believe that Reifa made you a politician." I say stiffling a chuckle at the thought
"I'd lose my braincells had I become one, don't insult me Zephyr its just that her highness is worried about you."
"Me? What's there to worry about."
"Ever since the fight with the XIII you've become distant not sounding like yourself at all."
"Alot of things happened, it's not like me to turn broody all of a sudden and trust me I don't. I just need, to get my game up."
"Get your game up? Sometimes you use peculiar terms regardless of that all, I don't neither do the others want you to push yourself."
"Push myself? Salamander gave me his powers and now he's sleeping because of me, Hubert, Sara and Kayla got wounded protecting Reifa and she was willing to sacrifice herself to spare people that weren't her subjects aside from the friends and the dreams I keep having get more clearer that guy keeps getting stronger I can't just standby and do nothing. I saw a dream Tyrell, in it I was lying on my back and he gutted me with a sword, He'll come for me i and anyone I hold dear, I can feel it."
"He? Who is He?."
"Belial , I don't know much about him but I know he's contracted 3 powerful dragons and he's favored by Calamity.Truth be told he frightens me."
"I don't know where to begin Zephyr, don't carry that mountain on your own. You're much like her highness in that regard always going an extra mile for everyone but your own."
"I wouldn't take it this far but I'm the only one who can stop whatever Belial's planning and to do that I need Lithea or whatever remained of her."
"And would you call for help when things don't go the way you envisioned?." says Tyrell
"I-I don't know." I say moving on
"Haaa!." Sara leaps and twirls as she slashed through a dozen demon bears
Agatha looks at Sara intrigue written on her face.
"Your fighting style is a breathe of fresh air here , the command over the blades and the way you balance your stance. I'd not felt this in ages to think i'd want to spar hahaha, umm Sara right?." Agatha says
"Your compliment is much appreciated Master Agatha its an honor that you think highly of my fighting style however a failure like myself deserves no praise."
"What brought this about?." Said Agatha to which Hubert replies
"Its a long story... the Sultan he abandoned Sara." Said Hubert
"I was weak so I was cast aside." Said Sara correcting Hubert as she bit her lips in frustration when suddenly a hand holds her shoulder
"You might think you are weak Ms. Sara , but to me you're anything but you kept us safe this whole time fighting demonic beasts a long the way. I admire you and your resolve to get stronger I feel it as well"Said Kayla mustering a bright smile.
"Admire me?, Ms Kayla that was kind of you to say." She says unsure "I don't know where I would have gone without Zephyr but now I have a clear goal as he does. I want to get stronger so I won't be ashamed of myself anymore." A fire lit in her eyes
- two hours later -
We arrive at a clearing women and men clad in armor patrol the area , carrying state of the art weapons and a few magik tanks appear before me. The soldiers clad in silver armor notice our arrival and point their rifles at us from all directions.
"You have the nerve to show yourselves here!." Said a man wearing decorative armor I assume him to be the leader
"Are you talking about us?" I answer confused
"Not you lizard , it's those knife ears over there!. How dare they show their pointy faces around here." He growls in the presence of my Elven companions
"That was uncalled for, I assure you whatever you're thinking off right now know that we aren't the right target for your ire." Tyrell steps up to difuse the situation
"I know what I saw boss, two Elven ones a Blondie just like that man over there!." He points at Tyrell , wait all the Elvens here are blonde except Hubert who's hair is platinum leaning to blonde.
"I have not come here before neither did my fellow elvens its mistaken identity I assure you."
"Tyrell, you're a godforsaken emissary act like one. Don't let those riffrafs confuse you with some unknown peasants." Says Hubert stepping up riling up the guards
"Why you!, knife ears scoundrel." The guard looks to unsheath his sword
"Hubert, you're not helping." Says Tyrell whispering to Hubert
"Say , I don't suppose we can pass right?." Agatha takes it as a queue to step up front
"Madame Agatha, what brings you here!." Says the captain appearing flustered before composing himself and answering her "apologies madame even if its you, we are under a directive directly from the chancellor. All suspicious individuals are to be detained and elves that come around these parts are designated as threats especially mages among them." He gives Hubert a glare before unsheathing his sword
"I'll take it as a challenge, fine i always hated you brutes for what you've done to her highness!." Hubert readies a spell
"Kayla behind me!." Said Sara unsheathing her dual blades.
"Master, is it me or does bad luck follows me when you're around." I take out my spears
"Haha, this time I had nothing to do with it boy." She readies a stance
"If you won't surrender peacefully , my only option is to neutralize you knife ears!." The captain gives his soldiers a heads up and gives the order
"Attack!."
To be continued