Moments later, downstairs at the inn, Nathan and Amara were seen eating their breakfast at a table far away from the crowd of Klythen soldiers, in a corner that was just beside the bar counter. Both of them sat across from each other, Amara's back against the wall and Nathan's back against the rest of the bar.
Though its early morning, their bunch were loud, rowdy and much to Nathan surprise, they seemed to be too laid back considering they're in their enemy territory.
If the Imperial armies choose to push through to this town, it would be a one-sided massacre. But, I have a bad feeling that these people have something that could rivals those of the Imperial soldiers.
"Nathan," Amara voiced a low one, calling to him in the other side of the table. He just looks at her while taking a sip of a drink while raising his brow, she then continue, "don't you think its weird that they're so nonchalant about being here?"
She's right, its too suspicious. I might have to dig that Lycan for more information.
"Don't bother them for now, it'll be unfavorable for us to cause a scene," he talks while maintaining his mug right in front of his mouth as cover. Amara didn't respond to that and went on to look at their surroundings.
"Drinking... in the middle of the day... these people really," she murmurs. He noticed her making a disgusted face, ones that he never seen before. But, with her looking around, eventually someone would looked back at her. The man in question rose up from his table, mug in hand, walking towards her table while swaying around as any drunkard would.
The man then slammed the table with his mug making it splatter everywhere, some went on Nathan's clothes. He didn't respond at first, rather he can but decided not to. "Yo, pretty face! Why wouldn't ya sat with us over ther—hic—there, we would be a—hic—better company than this piece of fool." After that remarks, many laughter were heard, echoing in the bar.
"No, thank you, I rather be with my husband," she closes her eyes trying to endure, whilst continuing her breakfast.
Thinking he was insulted, he lashed out and grab Nathan by his shirt, causing a big ripple effect in the crowd as the bar went silent. The man looks at Nathan's eyes angrily, his fist clenched tightly, but Nathan himself looks at the deranged soldier with calm, collected eyes. They both were in a stare-off, ones is definitely more unstable than the other, as this went on for quite a while.
"What's going on 'ere?!" The shout catches all of the bar attention, making their heads turn away from the face-off onto the bar entrance. A beastmen figure walks in, its snout were the first thing that can be seen with its fangs popped from the lips, it was the officer that Nathan met earlier the day. All of the soldiers immediately went to salute him, even the one that was threatening Nathan.
With him being let loose, Nathan went back to his chair. "Nothing, sire," a voice from the crowd rang directed to the beastmen. The soldier then went back to his chair before tripping couple of times. "Well, carry on lads," he instructed his men, he then walks towards the counter and goes to talk to the man of the bar, Felzys. Nathan looks at the two from afar and wondering what could they've talked about.
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Amara knocks at Nathan side of the table to take his attention so he won't cause anymore misunderstanding. "Nathan, stop looking at them, you said it yourself to avoid confrontation with them head on," with that remarks Nathan come to his senses. "Sorry, I got carried away."
They seem to know each other very well.
Amara lets out a big sigh directed to Nathan, "You know... you supposed to be the smart one here," she looks at Nathan concerned while taking small sips of her drink. "Is that supposed to be an insult... look, I'm going to go outside to put up a letter to my father. Meet me at our room this midday." He then stands and walk outside of the bar, leaving her alone in the corner. But, feeling a great discomfort being left behind she follow him along.
*****
"I thought that I said we'll be meeting in our room... why are you following me here," he spoke while walking along in the road that completely empty, "I feel uncomfortable with those people, besides staying near you guaranteed my livelihood." They then walks together to a big building standing in the middle, he assumed it was the government building but wasn't sure enough seeing that the place is fairly ripped apart.
When entering the said building, it was dark, no light source whatsoever, the only light came from the door being opened and small holes in the ceiling, even the only sound that is heard is the creaking of floors and ceilings that're about to collapses in itself. "This looks... worrying," she added to the already gloomy ambience.
They then came closer to the what is supposed to be the receptionist table, he tried to looks around the table, but then jump back faster than he could ever think when seeing a body that's laying behind the table. He startled which makes Amara also startled, "don't do that!" She shouted at him for scaring her. "I'm not trying to scare you... there's some—something or someone behind this."
He then gestures at her to come closer so they can inspect it together, they got closer, and closer, until they both can see it clearly. The so called it, looks similar to human however have a much darker skin under their clothing and a pointy ears behind those long silver hair, they believe that the person in front of them is from the Elven races, but they didn't know which tribe this one are. They are one of the most prideful races out there, especially when it comes to their own tribe which sometimes making a single mistake of generalizing them could cause a havoc.
Besides having a dark skin, he could see some what appears to be some sort of symbols and lines that're carved inside their skin that covers up both of their arms.
Turns out the thing that scares Nathan is still alive and breathing, it appears to be just sleeping under the rubble. "Didn't knew elven races would be this laid back," he said it as he then tried to poke the sleeping beauty, which resulting in a failure.
"Not dead, but not waking up," she look from afar, clearly trying to have some distance incase of them waking up suddenly. "So, what now?"
He reaches out to his coat and lets out a single piece of paper, he then puts it in one of their pockets that are available while also slipping some coins in the process as payment. She's confused and asks him, "You think that person is a courier?"
"Just a feeling," he said while staring at the said person.
After spending some more time at the wretched building, they went outside and headed to the inn. As they walk down the town square, she got curious and went to ask him, "What's inside the letter?" He replied, "Its for my father, I've written things that could possibly make that man move from the safety of his mansion." Amara saw an expression she never seen from him before, so cold, yet so furious in his companion eyes, the one that screams danger incoming.