Sen sat across the table eating away the plate of food in front of him. To his other side was Orin, who was snoring after drinking too much. Sen could feel the cold stared from the people around him as a they stared at their table obviously angered by the snores of the man. Even so Sen didn't cower and continued to eat making up for his missed breakfast.
After a while Sen's plate was empty as he sat their famished. He sank into the wooden seat his now pot belly stomach nearing to explode as he groaned gently tapping his stomach.
"Oh fudge. I'm so freaking full. " Sen thought as his gaze shifted to Orin.
Orin's snores didn't relent and had finally stared affecting Sen. He sat there looking at the drunk man turn again and again almost falling of the table but somehow always managing to sway back in the last minute.
" Tsk , why did grandpa leave me with this drunkard. " Sen thought partially annoyed by the snores.
It was an hour past noon. The sun's rays had fully engulfed the summer sky spreading their scotching warm through the land. People preferred it this way over the other solstice one for the warmth and the other for the protection from the arcane beast they roamed amongst them. The sun was considered a deity due to the holy light rays it emitted. Thanks to that arcane beast were rarely seen far from their normal habitants.
Sen wasn't thinking of that. His mind dazed of back to when he was initially bound to the ale head man sleeping in front. It was earlier in the day after he had said his goodbyes to Neil and Mira.
He had stared to make his way back into Laptove town after he and Orin watched as the carriage that had Neil and Miss Chin drift farther by the minute. The sound of the carriage wheels gradually died off as it approached the horizon leaving behind a cloud of dust that settled in the wind. He was slightly angered and had decided to go back and find his grandfather.
" Hey Kid, don't worry I'll help you get strong. "
Sen heard Orin say. He stopped
"Call me Orin. " Sen slowly turned back to face the man who was hardly able to stand up straight. It was nearing noon and he was knees deep into tipsy town. He gazed at Orin's droopy slanted eyes as a wavering smile formed across his face. He was barely able to hold his hands up straight with every motion swaying him off balance as though he was being assaulted by a crushing wave.
" Tsk. " he thought.
" What are you going to teach me? What ale is best before noon. " Sen said his tone slightly hoarse with hidden disapproval.
Orin's eyes narrowed then said in a low tone.
" I'm hoping not to. "
He then sighed then moved towards Sen. He then roughly rested his hand on Sen's shoulder then said.
" I'm looking forward to traveling with you kid. "
Sen felt Orin's hand rest on his shoulders. It was strange. Orin, obviously from his mannerism and factually from his breath, was drunk. Yet the grip he had on his shoulders was firm. Firm was an understatement. It didn't waver nor shake. It was like a predator that had sunk it's teeth into its prey, there was no escape.
" Come let's go , you must be hungry. " Orin said as he let of Sen's shoulder.
Sen snapped out of the awe of Orin's shear strength. His eyes blinked rapidly then turned to Orin and asked.
" What do you mean travel together ? I'm staying with my with my grandpa. "
Orin had started to walk back into the town. One hand rested on his sword's hilt and the other rubbed the back of his head as he said.
" Oh! I didn't tell you. "
" Your grandfather left. Your in my care now. " he said as he continued walking.
The world spun around Sen as he gazed at Orin walk away . He had not anticipated the response that he got and why would he. Ever since he was five it had been him and his grandfather. He was the only family he knew or rather that had cared about him enough to want him around. Thus after Orin he heard Orin's answer he could help but wonder.
" Why ? — Why did he leave me behind ? "
Then a few steps ahead of him he heard Orin say.
" He didn't abandon you if that's what you're thinking . He just gave you time to find the path you want — "
" and once you're ready you'll meet again. " He added.
Sen stayed quiet for a while. He remembered his fight with his grandfather then clenched his fist hard.
Suddenly he heard.
" Also hurry up or your going to pay for your own meal. "
Sen started to make his way to the town following Orin. The sword on Orin's waist jilted as he walked. Sen watched the man slightly slouch his way into the town. Deep in his mind he knew there was more to Orin than what met the eye.
Sen was pulled back by the shouts a lady dressed in a chef's uniform. The white fabric was stained with oil and brown coloring at the ends. In her hand was a pan, the outer part black from all the seasonal heating. She glared at the now awake Orin as he dug through his pockets searching for something that the chef lady already knew wasn't there.
A few minutes later, Orin lay on the street outside of the inn his sword no longer tether to his waist. Sen was standing besides him , arms crossed as he glared at him with a disappointed look. On Orin's face was a soot print of the chef lady's pan and a small flaring bump.
" And don't come back here again without any money! " Sen heard the chef lady scream as she returned to the inn.
Orin slowly rose from the ground dusting off the dirt from his clothes.
" Lucky break kid. " he said looking at Sen.
Sen shook his head in disapproval.
" I can't believe grandpa left me with this man. " Sen thought as he watched Orin standing before him.
Orin sighed then he stretched with bone crackling being heard faintly.
" Looks like vacation time is over. " he said ending with a heavy breath.
" We are heading out soon, Sen. Go get your things and meet me at the east gates. " he ushered Sen as finished stretching.
" East gates ?! " Sen said his eyes wide.
Orin had already left leaving Sen alone in the streets. Sen's heart pounded as the memories of the miasma event replayed in his head.
" I can't — " Sen said snapping out of the flashback. With a sway to the right then to the left Sen realized he finally alone.
< Octa Guild >
Trojn's office was still with only silence walking across the room. Trojn sat in his office chair . His chin rested on his clamped hands as he let out a sigh. He turn to Orion who was sitting at the other side of his desk. Orion was perusing through a brown file his face turning sour as he flipped the pages. Lothor , eye patch guy, stood behind Orion. He had already gauged the weight of the situation even without looking at the file Orion was reading.
" There is no escaping it, huh. " Trojn said watching Orion flip the last page of the file.
" Yes , we really don't have a choice with this one. "
Orion sighed as slowly closed the file. He then dragged his hair back , letting loose and sinking into the chair he was seated on.
A gentle wind whooshed into the office scattering the documents that lay on Trojn's desk.
The trio didn't budge. They watched the papers flutter across the room like leaves in the autumn wind and slowly settle down around the floor of guild master's office.
A paper fell besides Lothor , who was standing disciplined as usual. He slowly reached for it and picked it up.
Trojn sat faced to the window getting a small view of the bustling town.
" Am going to need you two now more than ever once they arrive. I hope I can count on you. " he said as he watched Lothor place the paper on the office desk.
" You can count on it sir. " Lothor said his eyes now fixed on the paper.
" I doubt I'm to expect a pay rise. " Orion said a small smirk on his face.
He sighed as the smirk disappeared.
" Sure, You can count on me too. " Orion added.
The atmosphere of the room grew denser as the three looked at the paper Lothor placed on the desk. On it was a crest same to the one Orion and Lothor wore on their coats. Below it was writing in bold black ink.
The Imperial Gentry.
< East gates>
Sen stood at the east gates as he stared into expanse beyond them. He had used the gates many more times in the past as he headed home but this was the first time he saw it looking as it did.
A meadow had started sprouting some distance from the gates. The green grass spread across the expanse with some blemishes of white ,velvet and faded pink starting to bloom into its beauty. The arcane energy in the area was slightly gentle as it often collided with the Lishnar shields producing a soft and soothing hum.
As one walked deeper into the path the green grass slowly faded replaced by brown and withered plants. The area greatly contrasted with the dry wind blowing through the dried trees producing a fragmented and hollow sound. The plants across the area had completely dried out, lifeless from the scar left by the miasma event.
" Where is he? " Sen thought impatient.
Orin had said that they were to meet there and yet he was no where to be seen.
Suddenly Sen heard his name being called out.
" Sen , you coming or not? "
It was Orin. He was standing some distance from the gates looking at Sen.
Sen clenched his trembling hands and made his way towards Orin. His heart raced the more they got close to Salur. His chest felt like a thousand hands were all pushing onto it as he more he walked the heavier the breathes he took. They had made their way half the path to what used to be Salur village. In a distance Sen's blurry vision perceived a crater. In it Sen could see all the villagers who had died. At the forefront was Miss Ludge and her husband and standing right in front of them was an Miss Chin.
Orin supported Sen , helping him to stay on his feet.
"It seems you're not ready to go back." Orin thought.
Sen was barely able to stay conscious but he understood why Orin brought him here.
" Don't worry everyone , I'll find her … " he said looking at golden scales that hovered over Salur.
" … and kill her. " Sen said as the world turned dark.