Yaren looked at himself in the mirror as he sat perched atop Asena. Marveling at how good he thought he looked he drew his axes, posturing in the mirror like a he was ready to charge into battle. He stroked Asenas head as he leaned down to her ears, "Don't tell anyone how many times I fell before I was able to find a way to stay put, I'll give ya a good treat if you do." He whispered with a chuckle. Prodding Asena over to the window he gaped in awe at the amount of people he saw on the street. As far as he was aware, this was his first time seeing such a bustling place filled with such diversity. He clutched the makeshift reins he fashioned to keep steady as he eagerly urged Asena to the door.
Yaren tossed the door open with a triumphant smile as he strode into the hallway of whatever building he was in. Sitting there in the middle of the hallway was a gorgeous middle aged demihuman woman with a sheep bloodline. The snow white horns on her head appeared more like a crown than typical horns. Her skin was a warm tan, her hair the color of malachite. She had a luscious wollen pelerine covering her shoulders, dressed in wonderful sky blue blouse yet the bulk of light protective wear could be made out underneath her cote. She had an ethereal quality to her as she sat there with an amused expression, her impish smile hinting that she had heard Yarens fumbling attempts to mount, and move atop Asena.
A childish titter escaped the womans lips as she gracefully stood up, the ghostly chair beneath her vanishing with a snap of her fingers as she took long elegant strides before bending down directly in front of Asena and booping her nose, eliciting a threatening snarl from the wolf as she leaped back.
"You Wolves never let anyone besides that family close to you, yet you cozy up to some stranger." She said with a harrumph.
After recovering from the spontaneous leap backwards from Asena, Yaren looked at the woman dumbfoundedly. Getting entranced by the womans strange charm, several moments went by before she waved her hand slowly trying to gather his attention, snapping him from his daze.
Embarrassed and not knowing what to say in the moment Yaren glanced back and forth between Asena and the woman.
"You know her?"
The woman burst out in laughter as she gave him a coy smile.
"I know much more than you might think little boy."
Yaren wasn't quite sure why but the womans wording made him wrinkle his nose in dissatisfaction.
"Anyways, there are a few people who would like to have a chat with you, they were going to wait until you were fully healed, but seeing as you're trying to run out already, I will take you to them now."
Before Yaren had a chance to answer the woman narrowed her eyes as she warned "Before you say anything, this isn't a choice. The matter of Yinnsk Village has developed into a much more serious affair than you would think."
Yaren followed the woman out of what seemed to be some sort of private clinic. The people working were aware of Yarens presence but even when they saw him riding Asena they seemed to act as if they hardly noticed him.
Stepping outside Yaren let out a moan of exhilaration as he felt the heat from the sun on his skin for the first time in nearly a month. Awestruck by the bustling streets and the smell from various food stalls, he could barely contain himself as he wanted to have Asena go around the whole town so that he could get a better view.
Rolling her eyes at the childlike ignorance Yaren displayed, she couldn't help but shake her head with a soft grin. Although Norn City was a decent size, it was still considered mediocre compared to some places out in the world. After all, there were city's that housed multiple gods, and those beings equivalent to them. With a whistle that seemed to flow directly into to his ears Yaren gave a sheepish smile as he nudged Asena to follow the woman.
"Don't worry, you will have plenty of time to explore the city eventually. Also, if you're amazed now wait until you make it the core of the empire."
Yaren gave a nod of acknowledgment as the three then continued towards there destination. The giddiness in the young gnolls eyes was palpable as he tried to absorb as much as he could while the traveled.
A brief walk through several blocks brought them to a gate guarded by two men dressed in high grade equipment, the subtle shimmer hinting to the powerful enchantments placed on the armor. The regalia of the guards armor was a deep purple with Bronze trimming, the crest of a majestic serpent coiling around a crescent moon was emblazoned on the center of both their mail and shields.
The strength of simple guards at the gate forced Yaren to swallow the knot in his throat as he could feel the nervous tension begin to swell within him. Asena sensed his discomfort, causing her cackles to raise slightly as she put her guard up. "Don't worry, I'm just a bit anxious." He told her as he rubbed her ears, forcing a whimper of pleasure from the young wolf.
Approaching the guards at the gate, the woman gave a simple wave of her hand as the guards bowed in greeting. "Greetings Lady Folia." They said in unison as the stepped to the side. Seeing the two men eyeing the monster riding a fierce looking wolf tentatively, the woman ordered the two men to be at ease as she told them they were with her. Having no choice to accept her words the man pushed the gate open before giving a salute and returning to their sentry.
The courtyard of the manor they entered was unlike anything Yaren had ever seen. Intricate fountains stood towering amidst a beautifully tended garden. Large trees baring a small pink fruit added spots of shade with benches underneath, the whole scene was breathtaking, even the walkway was unlike anything he had experienced. Maids were hanging lines of laundry while gardners artfully trimmed lush hedges.
Folia put her hand to her mouth giggling at Yarens unfamiliarity with the tendencies of the wealthy.
Yaren nearly keeled over as he drew in the sheer opulence of the manors interior. Sculptures, Art, and stands of rare and expensive armors lines the walls of the large room they were seated in. A well kempt elderly butler soon walked down a large staircase to the side as he asked the two to follow them. The butler and maids were skeptical to allow the wolf inside the manor, but once the woman named Folia explained Yarens situation to them they wearily acquiesced.
Yaren wanted to touch the beautiful wooden banister on his way up the stairs was worried he would fall off if he didn't hold on tightly to Asena. Turning down a hallway lined with an absurd amount of doors, one could only imagine what would fill so many rooms with. Approaching a fairly plain looking door, Folia let loose a delicate rasp on the wood before briskly opening the door taking bold strides inside as if she had owned the place, much to the chagrin of the employees of the manor.
Looking around the room, one couldn't help but notice the stark differences between the furnishings of the chamber compared to the luxurious decor of the rest of the manor. Seated at an ordinary desk sat a man clothed in an exceptionally made tunic adorned with the same crest as before, A marvelous looking serpent coiling around a crescent moon. The man had short classy blonde hair, the touch of wrinkles on the mans face suggested many years of experience and trials. He had a set of serpentine vibrant green eyes that complimented his well defined facial features. Two long earrings in the form of snakes hung from one ear, and if one payed attention to the small exposed area by the mans wrist they would notice a dark green tattoo of a snake that seemed to slowly slither around his arm, only briefly coming into the view of the observant. With one look even a bum would know that this man was a distinguished individual, although it there was no hostility in it, the pressure exuded by the man made Yaren feel stifled.
The man didn't even seem to flinch at the sudden intrusion as he rubbed his temple, a vexed expression evident on his face.
"Folia, how many times do I have to tell you not to barge into my study like that?"
Folia twirled extravagantly in the air before taking alluring strides until she was at the edge of the table, bowing deeply with a mischievous grin.
"My apologies oh great esteemed Lord Everitt Adder, Earl of the Ophidian Earldom of the Kuldrid Empire, Patriarch of the Adder Family, Hero of the Sado.."
"Enough enough, you know how uncomfortable that makes me." The man, Earl Adder said with an exasperated sigh as he threw his hands up in defeat. Folia let out a victorious howl of laughter as she gleefully swayed side to side.
Due to Folias little show, Earl Adder hadn't noticed Yaren and Asena as they had stayed back closer to the door. Upon noticing them Earl Adders eyebrows shot up, intrigued at the unique pair in front of him as he shot an inquisitive look towards Folia. Instead of answering Folia waved Yaren forward motioning towards Earl Adder with her palms.
Yaren scratched his cheek as he awkwardly introduced himself. Although all it took was a single skill point to learn the Inglant language, he hadn't had much of a chance to practice it much so the words still felt clumsy as the rolled off his tongue.
"Earl Adder." He said with a bow.
"My name is Yaren, and this is Asena."
The shock was apparent of Earl Adders face as he scrutinized the Gnoll in front of him with renewed vigor.