I noticed a bar nearby, and despite the strange glances I'd gotten from the villagers, I thought this was the perfect time to wet my lips. Even though I thought strangers weren't particularly welcome here, I figured that money would be a good incentive to ease most prejudices.

I went in expecting trouble, but my expectations were quickly dispelled: this wasn't any typical drinking establishment with drunken brawls and foul walls. It was a gentleman's residence, with cigar smoke billowing and conversations that never rose above the realm of polite banter.

"If you please, bartender," I said as I took a seat at the bar, "give me a drink. Anything's fine."

"Of course, sir," he replied, handing me a glossy glass filled with a black liquid.

Taking a sip, the taste pleasantly surprised me. I had imagined something bitter, but it had the taste of a sweetness I had never experienced before.

"What is that?" I asked in shock.

"It's my own special brew. Black Beer, named after the bark of the black trees I use for it. Have you seen them? They grow near the citadel."

"I haven't, not yet," I nodded in appreciation and finished my drink.

I couldn't help but admire the atmosphere of the pub, with its pleasant chatter and good-natured people--a stark contrast to the suspicious glances I'd gotten in the village.

"If you don't mind me asking," the barman started, "are you, perchance, a high elf?”

"Got it exactly right. How’d you know? And why do you ask?"

"With golden hair and eyes, it is quite simple to tell. High elves are rather uncommon, and I don't wish to insult. If I'm not mistaken, your people often avoid encountering the supposed 'lesser races', don't you?

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Crown Rike is one of the few high elves that the people of Chauk have seen, and he is also one of the most approachable."

"Golden? Are they not green?" I enquired with confusion.

"No, sir. As golden as the sun they are."

He leaned forward and said in a hushed voice, "We don't get a lot of visitors, so we like to make sure we know who's coming. I’m sure you understand."

I nodded, understanding the barman's intent. He had just been trying to keep his patrons safe and make sure no troublemakers showed up looking for an easy target.

"No harm done," I said.

Though I thought to myself off-handedly, "looks like I'm color blind.”

At least that would explain all the strange glances I had while traveling here.

Is the sight of a high elf really so odd?

Well, it makes no difference.

I took another sip of the sweet black beer and asked, "So, who is this Rike you're talking about?"

"You are unaware of his majesty? I wouldn't be so shocked if you weren't a high elf. The ruler of Chauk is Crown Rike, a high elf like you. He resides by himself in the Akalekian Citadel's tallest spire. I'm certain you can see it if you walk outside. Even the clouds themselves are pierced by it."

"Do you think he'd allow me in if I went there? Or will the guards lead me into the dungeons if I tried to meet up with him?"

"There won't be any guards. The only formal authority figure in Chauk is Crown Rike. It's just him, and sometimes his Mirror-Images. Rike nominally has all the power, but we seldom, if ever, see him. We generally run things ourselves and he usually avoids all people and turns them away, but I'm not sure how he'll respond if he encounters another high-elf."

"Interesting," I said, in response to the barman's words. "I'm sure I can make a trip a to the Citadel. But I'm still curious why it is so unusual for a high-elf to be seen. Is it because of something Crown Rike does?"

The barman nodded and explained, "Yes, that's correct. Many of the people here are superstitious and believe that when a high-elf is seen, something unusual is bound to occur. There are stories of Crown Rike's exploits, but they're mostly rumors. He rarely has contact with anyone other than his Mirror-Images, so it's difficult to confirm any of them."

"So, I should keep an open mind when I go and see him," I said. "At least I'll be prepared for the unexpected."

The barman smiled. "That's wise. I've heard that Crown Rike himself is actually quite friendly, so there's no need to be afraid. Just have faith in your own abilities and be honest. I'm sure he'll appreciate your courage for making the journey."