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Distorted Light :TFALM
(ART)Chapter 2:Aurora & Locust.

(ART)Chapter 2:Aurora & Locust.

Together as we stared into the night sky, the time passed by fast. It felt as each hour passed; it was only a few minutes. Turning to my friend Edgur I said to him, “I will have to return inside shortly and inform the other three Lords of the Demon Provinces soon of these damn Intruders in our land and how we should act once we encounter this group of Humans.” Slowly zoning in and out, staring at the flowers in the distance, sounding almost lost before I started continuing speaking, I said, “Can I be honest with you, Edgur? I can't remember the last time I was out here. I forgot how lovely it was the fresh air." Closing my eyes, I felt at peace.

Hours had passed since the two discussed a plan of attack, and now the sun could be seen slowly rising in the distant background. Edgur looked over and noticed Silvar passed out, looking like a little kid again curled up in a ball on the bench.

Edgur walked over to Silvar and said to him while shaking him, “wake up, Silv,” Shaking him some more before continuing. ”Rest time is over.”

I felt the shaking of someone trying to get my attention as I began opening my eyes now before saying, “Did I...?”

Edgur Cutting me off, simply said, "Yes, you fell asleep.” I started looking up now at Edgur before I replied, saying while getting off the bench, “Well then, that was embarrassing. Let’s go inform the other three lords now together then.”

Getting up stretching like an older man, before yawning, it was a surprisingly nice rest; the fresh air was nice, and It was not before long the two of us retraced our steps and arrived back in the Lord's chambers. Still half asleep, I began walking over to the throne; before reaching over the throne's chair. Feeling behind the throne for the device. It was where I kept the Crystal communication device used to make long-distance magical calls.

The communication device was a small purple crystal gem that was smooth to the touch, and it had tons of magical energy residing inside it, which anyone could feel when touching it. I stretched again, then quietly whispering, “Olso” into the rune; it activated. Strange marks could be seen slowly appearing on it before Edgur, and my eyes lit up briefly as it began activating. Next, a small light started emitting from the device, shooting into the air, hitting the ceiling with a magical circle forming underneath me. Demonic words and letters began to fill the circle's edges, making ancient magic symbols.

Edgur was aware of what came next and said to me, “Very well, Silvar, I will now leave then.” But before he could leave, I said, “No, Edgur!” So I shouted back, saying, ”Stay here. This will make sense in a moment.“

“Very well, Silvar,” Edgur said and then slowly proceeded to walk over to stand beside me. However, he chose to stand off to the backside of me, hiding in my shadow, awaiting what it was I would ask him to do next. But just then, the crystal communication device started to change colours as the call connected. Clearing my throat before screaming into it, I said. " HEY, OLD GUYS, WAKE UP."

Edgur, Caught off guard, jumped back a bit before saying to me, “Holy crap...Say something before you yell like that. I don't think I have ever heard you make that kind of noise before.”

Turning around to face Edgur, who looked worried, I now apologized, saying, “Sorry.” Then I could not help but begin to laugh to myself like a mad man. Ahaha. Slowly we could hear voices coming from nowhere, and I could hear them filling the room; it was as if they were next to us.

One of the voices could be heard clearly above the rest saying to me.

.” Silvar...Why are you waking us up so early?” From their voice, I knew it was the voice of the East Lord. Following behind them was the West lord and, then, the South lord, “Silvar, I swear to our gods you'd better be in a crisis or I shall pound you into the ground and make one. I was having the best dream!!! These little hellhounds surrounded me. They were so cute!!” Speechless, I continued to listen, “Does this boy have no concept of time? It’s barely even Six o’clock.”

Hearing them insult me like that. It made my smile turn upside down, and now I could be seen twitching in anger. Edgur noticed this right away when I turned around to face him to gather my composure as not to sound bitter. I took a deep breath in and out. Then, calming down a bit, I decided it was now time to interrupt their meaningless banter. I then started speaking affirmatively into the crystal device, and clear as day, I said,

“Gentlemen. It has come to our Provinces attention that a group of Human soldiers with magical casters has somehow entered into the Forest of Lost onto our side from the border wall. They're progressing further onto our side as we speak and are moving forward. I am contacting you all now as we are preparing to round up some forces. I will be sending a small covenant-making of myself and my second in command, Edgur, followed by a few support Succubus and other Vampiric military personal acting as additional backup. We will be setting out to find out some answers from these intruders. But before I begin, however, first of Spirit Lord of the East. I have a question for you. Did you know there was a large Alliance force gathering outside Haven?”

'I waited for a response.' “Hmmm,” I could hear a low voice rumbling. ‘While he reflects.’ It was then I could hear another Lord speaking. I know that voice; Then out loud, I said into our communication device,” Why if it isn’t the Dragon Lord which hails in the west. How are you, old friend?”

The Dragon Lord replied as kindly as dragons normally did, “Silvar, I am doing well...Until you woke me up..."

I just remembered Dragons valued one thing above all. ‘Sleep.’ Feeling sorry, I quickly said, “He-he sorry about that, Firo. I got a little excited just between us two, and it is not every day we have this problem.”

Firo, In a slightly disappointed tone, replied through the device, “Well, how are you going to act? This is your province's duty, after all, to uphold the North wall and repel all forces trying to invade.?”

Just then, I could hear the South Lord cut Firo off.' “We have no evidence they are invading Algia. It could be a messenger. After all, we have been trying new diplomatic solutions. We all need to further our two nations, stop the divide between the Alliance and Demons, and finally end this war and have peace. Under their new leader, their direction has been positive, I feel, they are becoming more civilized and less conniving.”

I could not help but interrupt him mid-conversation, replying to his statement saying, “Yes and no... I don't trust them or this leader of the new Alliance...Who is to say they are good? From what my scouts report, whoever they are, they are after something. Why are the humans here with a small group in the first place? I am going to find out these answers and report back.”Taking a moment to catch my breath, I continued. We know little to nothing other than in the last 4 years, the surrounding provinces around the Priests and Angels faction all have succeeded power to form under the government of one nation. Under one ruler...Now I have an uninvited guest in my forest thing’s aren’t adding up.”

Just then, I could hear the Lord of the East's rumbling voice again.

I could hear the voice clearing his throat, and in a raspy voice, he said to me. ”Grhmmm, If my old memory serves me right, I think they said the human province is rebelling and needed the alliance's support. Don’t worry.”

Firo, after hearing the lord finished speaking, I heard him begin talking again, saying to me now, “Well, lord Silvar, we entrust you will have this matter under control. He has answered your pointless question, and we only ask you don't do anything foolish. Report and meddle. Tell us what you find out. Do not forget to report back to us, so we may discuss what to do next as a collective. Can you manage that?”

It was clear Firo was talking down to me in a condescending tone. After all, I just woke him up at 5:AM. Biting my lip, I accepted the tone he used and bit my lip before I replied, ”Yes, but of course, if they run or what about if they decide to fight us? what then would attacking them be ethical?”

I heard Firo continue, this time with a little rage in his voice; he said, “The Human group is an uninvited guest, Silvar, once you find out why they are there for. After that, you do whatever with them as you wish. Once again, after you find out their purpose for being here, of course.”

The crystal device's energy began fading, and so did all the assorted colours of light filling the room. The once colourful rune was slowly was returning to a purple clear lifeless crystal rune, and the light show was over. Turning back to face Edgur, I said, “Well, Edgur, you heard the old fart’s let us get our force together. Round up some of the Red-dawn special forces units now.”

Edgur looked surprised and even went on to ask me a question about the events, "Do they hate you?" I watched as Edgur looked around, and he had that slightly confused look on his face when he said next, “I really don't understand why I was there for that call? I didn't...”

Cutting him off before he could continue, I replied while leaning over, getting face to face with him I said, “Well, I had you there so you could hear our exact orders, my good man, now listen to me. First, Edgur, we are to pursue this human group and acquire information. Which I assume and correct me if I am wrong, but we could use anything in our means we see fit to do so...By perhaps altogether forgoing the senate vote for our mission, would you not agree? Since its a lord to lord order from above.”

Edgur, I could hear, laugh a bit nervously, and then he replied, “Very sneaky, Silv. What means do you plan to use other than the Red-Dawn Special Forces?”

Laughing now, I responded to his question and said, “I don't even know yet, to be honest. I just thought you would get a chuckle from that.” Then, I stopped laughing and, in a serious voice, shouted at him, “Go forth. Summon Aurora and Locust to the castle at once!”

Grabbing him by the shoulder, I pulled him into a makeshift group huddle next, saying, “Be subtle when you ask them if they will accompany us on this task, and make sure you tell Aurora not to mention this to her father. I feel we could use their talents, plus I don't see why those two wouldn't agree... After all, we're getting the gang back together for a little walk in the woods.”

“Right away,” Once Edgur was done responding, he turned around and then quickly left the throne room, closing the door behind himself. Alone again in my throne room, I started turning around, facing the throne room's chair before walking over and grabbing a seat. I must have sat there for only a few moments throwing the rune gem up and down with my right hand. I could not help but be stuck thinking. I wonder how everyone is. While I juggled the rune, I was lost in thought, saying to myself, “This should be really nice to see the gang again.”

Still sitting there, contemplating what I should say to them after these years, it felt strange it has been so long since we met up and have done anything together, let alone even seen each other in person the most I would do is maybe send a letter on Auroras birthday.

Before letting out a giant sigh, I began getting up from my seat before putting the rune away in the safe spot I kept it. I then slowly started heading down the right side hall that leads towards my bedroom to prepare. ‘Still thinking while walking.’ ‘I have been wondering how everybody's been for the last three years and how they were doing since graduation, though after all that was said and done with the death of my mother because of my dumb experiment. After I graduated, I cut ties off with everyone and stuck to my work as a punishment. Now making a loud outburst, I shouted at the dark red hall with golden colour carpet. "Being around those two just reminded me of those good old days, and the family I miss so much and the mistake I made that day.”

Was I selfish? I mean, the last thing he wanted was for anyone to feel sorry for him, let alone pity him. But all things aside, this was a good excuse to say hello again to everyone and maybe rekindled a broken friendship. Arriving now at my bedroom door, I paused and, before entering the room, I looked into the mirror on the right side above a table. The table had a pot of flowers sitting in the center on it, staring into my reflection, almost afraid of it. I felt like a ghost. Glancing away at the sight of myself, I then started opening the door.

Once I was inside the room. Within a few steps, I started approaching another table. Its surface was scratched and damaged. This was the table where I did most of my work on. It was kind of sad. I had a whole castle, but I never left my room. I then pulled out my fancy chair and took a seat with my hands on the table. Moving aside some paperwork, I laid my head down, thinking. Would they even recognize me? I have changed a lot since our school days. For starters, I have gotten a lot taller, not to mention I look and dress differently. I was not the tallest growing up. In fact, I was quite short. However, once I graduated, I grew quite a bit. Most of the other students, while I attended classes, were much taller than I was, and not to mention, my looks were nothing to brag about. That all of that changed once I grew up, and over these last few years, I aged very finely. Some compared my growth to an ageing bottle of fine wine. I was always used to looking just like any normal kid once upon a time, and you would not have been able to point me out in a large crowd. Nor would you have ever known I was next in line to be the lord... But nowadays, I stand out like a sore thumb draped in fancy clothes and jewellery. I suddenly began snapping out of it, and I could not help but sigh, looking one last time staring at the dark oak table my head was on before getting up. Finally, I looked at myself in the mirror, looking somewhat depressed; I continued walking towards the closet before opening the swinging door.

[https://i.imgur.com/bEbS5cKh.jpg]

Inside the closet hung a few shirts, pants, and cloaks I could pick from. After a moment of mental gymnastics on what to wear, I decided to pick out a full sleeve white v-neck shirt with a black silk cloak with a red liner made of red fleece.

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I noticed my red silk scarf off the floor in the closet lying on the floor; I picked it up and brushed the dirt off before wrapping it around my neck, picking out some classic black pants and putting them on. Then, gripping the scarf tightly closing my eyes, I slowly started thinking back to when I was a kid.

“It's been so long,” Muttering to myself. Then, when I opened my eyes, I saw a tear began building up at the corner of my eye; I could feel the ice-cold tear run down my face before it froze and fell.

‘Thinking back to when It was my first year of class when I got this scarf, it was from my mother as a gift. This was hers once upon a time. When I was too scared to leave the castle and head to class, my mother gave me her scarf as a gift. She told him as long as he kept it close and wore it, no one would make fun of me. After all, it was a nice scarf. Giving him that reassuring smile before she left, fading again from my memory.’ Returning to reality, I stared at myself in the mirror and noticed I was now in full-blown tears, wiping my eyes clear. I started walking towards the bed and sat down, gripping the blanket tightly before locating my decent-sized foot-locker at the end of my bed. I moved it over, sitting down beside it before sliding it out and having a look inside.

Inside were some armoured vambraces that had to twist and overlap metal points resembling daggers coming from each piece that faced the user's hands.

The beautiful artistry of a snake that would look like it was climbing the user's forearm connecting it to the rear brace was magnificent. Also, inside that same box, some spaulder’s made of iron and leather and a magical chest plate. The spaulders were also magical in nature, and they had small spiked points woven intertangling with one and another coming out from the back of the plates.

After equipping those, I turned my attention to the shiny black magical chest plate and the greaves beside it. The chest plate was spectacular, with a bright silver metal finish bearing what his family’s crest of the half-moon was. My elder also enchanted the armour with a light magic resistance tier 2. I always admired the craftsmanship of the chest armour. Whoever designed it was truly remarkable. The greaves were pretty basic, with a black plate of metal connected to leather straps with clips. Now partially dressed, I started looking at myself with the armour pieces on, thinking back to the only two other times he wore his full set. One was on graduation, which everyone did, and the other was at his mother's funeral. Everything about my armour reminds me of that day.

”Ahh.” Slamming my hands down on the table hard before holding my head, I started running my fingers through my hair, trying to get my head clear from these thoughts, but I continued to think about that day how I was standing over her grave in the pouring rain crying.

Now taking a deep breath in and out, I just stared at my armour before I then started putting on the chest plate and greaves. Next, I put on the spaulder’s before lastly the boots. I could tell much time passed, but finally, I was ready for action. Again, only moments passed since I was fully geared, and I was considering going downstairs. But before I could decide, I heard a knock on my bedroom door and a voice say, “Silvar, are you inside? Our guests have arrived.” Edgur told me that Locust and Aurora were downstairs and were geared and ready to head to the Forest Of Lost with us. Excited while feeling butterflies in my stomach, I replied, “Excellent, I will be downright away. It’s time to say hello again to some old friends.” Edgur then asked me behind the door. “Would you like to go downstairs together, Silvar?”

Opening the door, I replied to his question,” No, It is fine, Edgur. I will be walking down shortly after you, and I am just my boots up.” Then, I saw Edgur walk away and say as he turned the corner, “Very well. I will tell everyone you will be down shortly.”

“Thank you, Edgur,” I replied. After tying up my boots, I started walking through the castle's hallways before making my way to the entrance room of the castle's hall area. I almost forgot how big this castle was and how long it took to get there from my bedroom. I nearly got lost. But I could slowly start to hear voices, one was Edgur which I clearly knew, and the other sounded very familiar. But it's been so long maybe I had forgotten what my old friends use to sound like. As I approached the large doors, I could hear them laughing amongst each other.

Taking a deep breath in before opening the doors woosh,’ I opened the large swinging doors, and as they swung back and forth open, everything and everyone stopped. It was like time itself froze for me in that minute, and the same voices no longer could be heard talking. Then out of nowhere, my anxiety kicked in. Like the awkward kid who arrived late to the party, I made weird hand gestures while looking around and saying to everyone, ”Hey guys, now don't let me ruin your fun or your conversations, please continue just as if I was not even here..” Slightly laughing before mentally punching myself in the face. One of the women standing in the hall screamed when she saw me had a weird expression on her face and said, ”Well, look at what the bat brought in,” I saw her turning to Edgur as she said that. I found it hard to believe that that was my old friend Locust. As Locust continued talking, she said, “My goodness, look at you, you’re absolutely adorable, so cute. Silvar, It’s been forever. Come down here, please and hug me.”

The anxiety I felt subsided, and responding now, saying to Locust, I said. “You are looking very well, outstanding yourself. For sure, give me a second, and I will be right down.” I started to walk down the large grand entrance stairs towards them. I started thinking back to when we all first met. Locust Always had been a bit of a klutz, making it even weirder she was an assassin class...However, growing up together, I always noticed her tripping and falling over in the background wherever I went. While there, I occasionally would do my best to help her up now and again, and once she got older, her tendency to trip and fall only got worse, I noticed. Locust was and always has been a big boob bimbo in my eyes. She always had long pink hair, either long or short and had purple eyes. However, nowadays, it was only long on the top. Now I could see Locust’s hair was shaved on the sides to stubble, but the look still gave her that beautiful length. Standing roughly 5’6, with a perfect figure, Locust was classed as a Higher Succubus for her combat abilities and fighting skills. While her looks always had the boys going crazy back in school, Locust did not swing for that team, and she tended only to be friends with women. Making the only exception for me while growing up.

Locust always used an armour set; most succubi were a custom, but hers was unique with a twist. Her armour was of lighter magical steel than her kin’s, giving her excellent mobility compared to the traditional set.

She also wore elbow armour pieces with knives attached to them below the elbows, with a set of heavy knee guards and high-top boots that went up to the guards. Locust also donned heavy chain-mail gloves that had built-in spiked knuckles. Locust’s breastplate was simple compared to most, only covering her boobs, but it had various straps connecting her other armour pieces to it, which were also running all over her body. Like I mentioned earlier, Locust didn't wear a traditional set of armour by any means...This was exposing her bare stomach and thighs with the odd strap running down her belly connecting to her skin-tight shorts. I never understood why she used shorts. They had a small little hole cut out, allowing her tail to poke out the back of her armour. The suit displayed her perfect body for all to see before they would die.

Zoning back, I then asked her while I smiled, “So how has long had it been?” While looking Locust in the eye, Locust responded with. “Too long!! Get over here!!”

Giving me a huge hug, her big breasts now began pressing up against my chest. I always loved Locust’s hugs in school, but now it was too much suffocating, in fact. Now that she was a fully developed woman, double d's were pushing against me. First, I saw Locust staring to look up into my eyes. Then, I met her soft purple eyes with mine. Locust leaning over, then began casually whispering into my ear, her chest now tightly pressed against mine. I could feel my heart race as she said, “So are we going to lie to Aurora about our mission, yes? No?”

Playing what she just did and said off casually, Locust continued now, gripping me even more tightly than before.”Now, if I had to guess how long to answer your first question, at least a year or two," I tried to break free but failed and heard her say, "Wait, hold up, Silvar, don’t try to push away from me!!” Locust continued to squeeze me as I tried to break free from her. This reminded me of better days as I could not help but begin laughing. After I had a good laugh, I tried working my arms free, trying to wiggle out of her grip. Each time I struggled, I would bump or hit her breasts with my shoulder or peck, and I saw her face getting red in excitement. With all my might, I tried to resist her charm, realizing this was futile. Locust was enjoying it more than I was, and I gave up and yelled.“Damn, you're strong as ever. Still, I see. Locust, what's with the Kung-Fu grip? Why are you not letting me go? Damnit!!” I saw Locust smiling while licking her lips before she replied, “I need to get a good look at you, so I am not letting you go so easily. And it is not so much I am strong; you're just weak.”

Giving me a wink. That was a nail in my manhood. I could hear my pride being shattered like a large glass window in my mind shattering into a hundred thousand small pieces. Locust continued scanning me, but now I was pale in the face and lifeless for a few moments before the colour reappeared in my face. Locust, after seeing me lifeless, decided to follow up with a few more questions trying to ease the tension, “You are looking a lot better since school, plus you are looking adorable, besides for that hair of yours, Silvar...It is a complete mess.”

It worked, we both started to laugh after that comment, and I now started pointing to my hair, asking Locust, “My hair? What's wrong with it? Not a lot changed with it; it might be a tad longer and messier, but still.” Playing with her hair in front of me, Locust then said, “your hair also use to be snow-white...When did it go, silver?” Before giggling some more about it. She had the nerve to begin comparing me to an older man. Before finally, Locust decided to say something nice to me, “Nothing, I swear it looks good on you.“

After exchanging some small jokes and jabs back and forth, I finally said to her, ” It's been too long. I forgot how you made me smile.”

I started walking towards Edgur, a tiny lady hiding behind him who did not look too happy. I began turning my attention from Locust to the tiny little lady standing behind Edgur; as I knew who I invited over, I still could not believe she came. I noticed the little lady giving me quite the evil stare, which sent shivers down my spine. I could hear her soft voice from behind Edgur as I heard her say.”Your all grown up now, wow.” Aurora then quietly continued whispering while still staring.

-stare-stare-stare In an even quieter voice, I heard her say as she continued, “Three years and now you decide to call me, typical you’re such an ass hole I hate you.”

No one heard that but me. she meant no one to. After all, she directed it towards me alone, and after hearing that, it was like Aurora just thrust a knife into my chest right through my heart; I loved Aurora once upon a time, and we never actually broke up. So I just kind of stopped talking to her after that day...

I was not the kind of person to hold a grudge, but apparently, Aurora was. Aurora was a small, timid Vampire who was quite short compared to other vampires, but she still managed to have lovely long legs, a slender tight body and very nice breasts with the firmest little ass. Aurora had gorgeous dark red hair that went down to her waist. She usually had braided. I noticed Aurora always had a soft expression on her face, like she was ready to cry. It was almost as if she was always sad about something. With the most beautiful ruby eyes, I always had thought. Unlike my green eyes, Aurora had the traditional red Vampiric eyes; though her skin was not pale white and was tan like mine, she could have been many young girls' fashion idols if her skin was pale. Also, Aurora had freckles on her nose and cheeks, which I thought was always cute. I always compared her to the most beautiful woman I knew, which was sadly my mother. She was roughly the same height as Locust, who stood at 5’6; however, Aurora was obviously a bit shorter when they stood next to each other, standing at 5’4.

Aurora wore a very similar suit of armour to my own. But it was not as flashy as she would say to me many times in the past. Also, unlike my own, hers was exposing some of her skin around her thighs as she did not wear the classic black leather pants and instead wore skin-tight shorts like Locust, having to be different all the time. Aurora described “me" many times in the past; it was basically the same armour I used but without the bells and whistles and magical enhancements. It was without all the fancy craftsmanship because nobody cared about all that crap but him.' I vividly remember her saying it to me as it pissed me off when I was younger. Growing up, Aurora and I use to be a couple throughout the best years of my life. However, one thing led to another and well, after graduation and the accident... I cut ties with everybody, including her I felt I did not deserve her or be happy, and I kept to myself and my work. Aurora, Did not deserve this treatment. I could not help but feel like shit as I stood still.

As I stood there thinking, standing in my own world for a few moments, I did understand why she was so upset with me. Now picking myself up mentally after her verbal abuse, I turned to Aurora. She could not even speak before I told her,

“I’m sorry for everything,” Everyone, now looking around confused, all looked at me. I knew Edgur and Locust were not paying attention to our conversation. Uninterrupted by their confusion, I cleared my throat and continued. "I am sorry, Aurora," Looking next at Locust, "And I am sorry, Locust, I did not take the time to talk to either one of you guys after the accident three years ago.“

My head was low, and as I looked up, I had a lot on my mind as I continued to say to them all, “I am sure you are aware of what happened shortly after that day on graduation. I hear word travels fast. I know that's no excuse, but I did not want to burden you with it,” I started giving them all a reassuring smile before finally saying. "How about later? If you like to, you can ring me out for it in private I promise to answer some of your questions.”

I noticed Aurora did not have it, and I noticed her slowly shaking her head and responding, “No” Auroras' response caught me off guard, and I looked down at Aurora, who continued to talk to me in an angry trembling tone of voice, “That's not good enough; we all cared about you, especially me!.. how could you just upright leave... you ditched all of us you left me all alone!!”

I could not help but hear just how hurt she was from the tone in her voice, and when I got down to talk to her and look into her eyes, I noticed Aurora was now crying, and before I could say a word, she began punching my chest. Looking to my left to Locust for help and getting none, I grabbed Aurora by the waist and pulled her in for a hug hoping this would calm her down like it did in the past. Saying to her in the process,” I’m so sorry, holding her in his arms until she calmed down a bit. Then, we can all go if you like to and get something to eat just like the good old times. I will tell you guys why I summoned you here while we eat. But, basically, I need your help with a problem. I figured I could use your guy’s talents, and once we return, I promise to spend the rest of the day explaining myself a little bit better.”

Looking down into Aurora’s gorgeous watery red eyes, I now started saying next to her, ”I am going to have to let you go now if that is okay.” I heard her soft voice reply. “One more minute...I can't remember the last time you held me. It has been so long.”

Aurora Looking up into my green eyes with tears in hers, I could feel never wanted to let me go again. As I embraced her, I was left speechless. As time passed, she did not let go, and I did not want to be rude after all. I was asking them out of nowhere to come down to the castle in their armour, which was a weird request to begin with, and literally was out of the blue. Not to mention he told Edgur to tell Aurora not to tell her father a word of it or mention to him where she was going today. All he needed was the civil affairs senator questioning him on his actions and what he was doing in the forest. But also, being now 3 years since he has invited them down, it was kind of weird...Saying to himself mentally. To be fair, it was not like I told them not to come over in the past.

I started pulling Aurora back into my arms when she let go. For some odd reason, she smelt so good like strawberries and flowers, and I now looked down at the top of her head and said, “You know, I always had a hard time saying no to you, Aurora, I really did miss you. So it’s fine, ill let this go for a while.” Everybody continued to chat away in the hall, and I made a small chat with Aurora, who was still glued to my hip. I tried to break free with no luck, and I could not help but turn to Edgur to ask him a question.

“Hey, Edgur. You always talk about that place, the one down on the 3rd street. I can't remember its name, and I am not sure you even told the name. I do remember it is close by the markets if I am not correct.

Why don't you show it to me before we head out? We will go there to eat, and I’ll try that dish perhaps you keep recommending for me to try, if you would like, it would be my treat.”

I noticed as Edgur stopped talking to Locust and turned to me enthusiastically responding, ”Really?? Today’s starting to shape up to be an alright day, Silvar! Right on, let us go right away.” He then started turning towards Locust, and I saw he had a smile on his face. After Locust was done prying Aurora off me, we all started following Edgur through the door to the castle's entrance hall and exited. Once outside, we left towards the direction of the markets.