Chapter 40: Secret mission

Norrix:

I walk on the streets of Amestavora. I can hear laughter from the tree houses. It is always good, to find such lively places. Before I know it, I am before a bar. Grinning, I go inside.

Now, if my three traveling companions knew that I was hunting, they'd chew me out. After all, it is not like I am hungry. Yet, the sight of the closeness of the dragon and the necromancer makes me want to get some action tonight.

Elves are easy on the eyes, and with their penchant for keeping their hair long, I can even imagine that they are beauties the likes of which I like to find in my bed.

As I walk into the bar, a hush falls over the patrons. I grin, and go to the barkeeper.

"Do you serve blood?" I would rather not hide who I am. It is not like I am attacking anyone, or that I have ever attacked anyone.

"We do. A glass?" The barkeeper asks. I nod, and then make myself comfortable on the stool. I turn to the elf on my right, and give him a dazzling smile.

"So, what is there to be done around here? Apart from hunting?" I ask. He looks up from his glass. I can see that the liquid inside is a bright yellow color. The ice cubes are nearly molten, though.

"Tending to the trees," the man says, and then picks up his glass. As the barkeeper comes with my order, I touch his glass with my own. The ring that results from the contact seems to have broken the patrons from their spell. The talk around us resumes, and I try to pry more out of this elf.

"Surely, there are more interesting things to be done?" I ask. I take a sip from my glass. The blood is cold, but fresh. "Are there plenty of vampires passing through?"

"There are. It helps that the church doesn't have a big presence in here," my conversation partner says. I quirk an eyebrow.

"This region doesn't have a temple of Harika?" I wonder, just what sort of place this could be.

"Oh, we do have one. With a priest to oversee the naming ceremonies and the burials. It is just that we don't pay him much mind, when we don't need him," the elf offers his hand. "My name is Elias. The only fire mage in town."

I shake his hand. For a minute, I feel some sort of tug at me. Yet, it is gone, as soon as I try to decipher it.

"Norrix, of the house of Doros. Seventh generation," just why did I tell him that? Normally, I don't offer this information to people I won't spend much time with.

"What brings you here, Norrix?" Elias asks. "Surely, you didn't come, so you can buy a tree house?"

"I am on a mission. Have you ever heard of the Dread Lord Sorix?" Elias's eyes narrow.

"You serve that worm?" The elf asks. I can smell smoke rising from him.

"No, I am trying to keep a dragon and his family safe from him. I have to admit, that I have seen him just once. Real piece of work. Has the mental shields of a demon," I nearly said God, but I don't think Elias would have appreciated the comparison.

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"He came in here, and took our dead," Elias all but snarls. I blink at that. Just how many corpses does Sorix need? And for what?

"How long ago was that?" I ask him. My slight thirst all but forgotten.

"A month ago. We got reports of other thefts, too," Elias says. He takes another swing of his drink, and grimaces. "I was supposed to guard the graveyard. Fire mages are the natural enemies of necromancers. Yet, my fire did nothing!"

He slams his glass on the bar, and some yellow liquid splashes out and onto the wood.

"Hey, be more careful," the bartender scolds, as he comes with a cloth to wipe the mess away.

"Sorry," Elias murmurs. Yet, he is still angry.

"You know, my party and I can do with some help. We also want to deal with Sorix," I suggest. I don't know how powerful Elias is, but I do know he is an elf. They have plenty of mana.

"Your party?" He asks. He must not have drunk a lot because his words are not slurred.

"Yes. There is a dragon, a necromancer, but he doesn't even worships the Dread, and a kid. The kid is chosen by the Elder Dryad," he chuckles at that.

"Are you sure they are not the Dread Lord's allies?" Elias asks. I shrug.

"It may sound as if they are villains, but they are not. The kid, in particular, is adorable and in need of protection. The Dread Lord got his mother killed. It will be a long time, before the munchkin follows the git. If it even happens," Elias seems to ponder on my words.

"Are you ready for the battle, or will you hide?" The elf asks me. I look down at my glass of blood.

"We have to hide. We were thinking about going to the grasslands, and training our asses off, so we can bag Sorix," Elias snorts then.

"So, you are as useless as I am?" I don't like the way he beats himself up. It is simply not healthy.

"I am yet to meet a useless fire mage. Come on, just think about it. We could use your help," I say, as I rise my glass to my lips again.

"Well, your offer is better than the offer of the town council. They don't even want to send a party out, to deal with the necromancer," Elias takes his glass, and drinks deeply. When he sets the glass down, it is empty. "Lead the way."

I smile, and then drink up my glass. After which, I pay for both our drinks, and we leave. We make it to the inn before the sunrise.

 I really wanted to see what Giv and Nate think about the addition in the party. Guess, I can ask Erik how it went, when night falls. For now, I can just focus on sleeping. The three are still asleep, as I leave a note with Elias, and go back in my bag.   

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