The tavern door in Lumina creaked open, admitting Adam with an air of quiet authority. As the door swung shut behind him, a hush fell over the few patrons within. Jacob, the tavern keeper, scrutinized Adam with undisguised suspicion, his eyes raking over the impeccably tailored suit that spoke of wealth and influence. Dismissing the newcomer as a curiosity, Jacob returned to the mundane task of polishing mugs, though his curiosity lingered.
A ripple of whispers spread through the room. The villagers, accustomed to the quiet rhythms of their remote hamlet, openly gawked at Adam. Such a refined presence was a rare spectacle in Lumina. They exchanged furtive glances, wondering at his identity and purpose.
Adam’s gaze swept across the room, meeting the hesitant stares of the villagers. He was acutely aware of the attention he garnered, not just here in the tavern, but throughout the village since his arrival. Even the presence of a few guards, a familiar sight to the locals, hadn’t prepared them for someone of Adam’s caliber.
With measured steps, Adam approached the counter where Jacob stood, his back still turned. Adam slid onto a stool, his movements deliberate and unhurried. He rested his arms on the polished wood, his gaze fixed on Jacob’s back.
Jacob, realizing Adam’s presence behind him, felt a prickle of unease. He forced a polite smile. “What can I get for you, sir? I haven’t seen you in Lumina before. Forgive my asking, but I pride myself on knowing the preferred drinks of every guard and the occasional official who graces us with their presence.” He turned to face Adam, his eyes searching the stranger’s face. “May I inquire as to your name, sir?”
Adam remained silent, his gaze unwavering.
“Jacob, isn’t it?” Adam finally asked, his voice smooth but with an underlying edge of steel.
“Yes, sir,” Jacob confirmed, his apprehension growing.
“My name is of no consequence, Jacob. You won’t see me again… unless you make it necessary,” Adam stated, his tone hardening. A knot of fear tightened in Jacob’s stomach.
“I… I’m afraid I don’t understand, sir,” Jacob stammered.
“Don’t be afraid,” Adam reassured him, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Cooperation is key. Let’s start with a glass of water. I don’t drink during business hours.” He exuded an air of quiet dominance, subtly asserting control over the situation. He knew he needed Jacob’s cooperation to glean any information about Jaxith, but he also knew that he couldn’t afford to alarm him prematurely.
“Of course, sir. Right away,” Jacob replied, his voice trembling slightly. He swiftly fetched a glass of water, his movements betraying his nervousness. Adam accepted the glass and took a slow, deliberate sip, his eyes never leaving Jacob’s.
“You have a lovely wife and child, Jacob,” Adam remarked, a disarming smile playing on his lips. But the casual observation sent a chill down Jacob’s spine. Was this a veiled threat? He felt a surge of protective anger.
Jacob sit down in front of Adam, his posture rigid. “What do you want? Who are you? And you’d damn well better keep my family out of this,” he growled, his voice low and menacing.
“Then you’d do well to be forthcoming about what I seek,” Adam countered, his gaze unwavering. Jacob’s anger flared, but then he noticed a faint, ethereal glow emanating from below. He glanced down to see Adam’s hand, still holding the glass of water over the counter, now shimmering with a silvery aura. An unnatural heat radiated from the glass, and the water began to bubble as if boiling!
“Who are you?” Jacob whispered, his voice laced with fear.
“Let’s just say I’m the kind of good man they call when things get complicated,” Adam replied, his tone dropping to a near whisper, audible only to Jacob. “But I can also be the bad man too if you want.” He paused, letting the implication hang in the air. Jacob’s brow was now slick with perspiration. Abruptly, the silver aura vanished.
“I have some questions for you, Jacob, and I know you have the answers I need. Cooperate, and you’ll never see me again. Obstruct me, withhold even a single detail, and things will become… more complicated. Remember, I’m also the bad man they call when things get even more complicated,” Adam repeated, his voice laced with a chilling finality. The message was clear. Jacob, now convinced that Adam was no ordinary man, and with the image of his family flashing through his mind, knew he had no choice.
“What do you need?” he asked, his voice resigned.
“Rumor has it you’re the closest friend of the renowned monster hunter,” Adam stated, his voice cutting through the tense silence.
“Are you referring to Jaxith?” Jacob asked, his anxiety escalating. Jaxith’s continued absence weighed heavily on his mind.
“Precisely,” Adam confirmed.
“Has he done something wrong?” Jacob inquired, his voice laced with concern. “Jaxith is a good man, sir. If there’s been some transgression, I’m certain it’s a misunderstanding.”
“Nothing of the sort,” Adam replied. “His reputation precedes him. I know he’s been a boon to this village. However, his past remains… shrouded in mystery, wouldn’t you agree?”
“You mean before he came to Lumina?” Jacob ventured.
“Precisely,” Adam reiterated.
“Well, that’s a delicate matter,” Jacob admitted. “I may be close to him, but Jaxith is like a closed book. He never speaks of himself. He deflects any questions about his past, his family, or even his origins. He's not from Vidin, if you didn’t know.”
“I was aware of that,” Adam said. “But I expected more from you, Jacob.”
“I apologize, sir,” Jacob stammered. “Jaxith is… reserved. He’s either hunting or holed up in his house. The man is twenty-seven and hasn’t shown the slightest interest in any woman. He seems indifferent to everything. But he’s not dangerous, sir. I swear it.”
“Don’t worry,” Adam said, a hint of cryptic amusement in his voice. “Let’s just say he possesses something of immense importance, the significance of which he himself may not even fully grasp.”
“Something like what, sir?” Jacob inquired, his curiosity piqued.
“Don’t concern yourself with that,” Adam dismissed. “Tell me something else. He wields a black sword, correct? Has he ever used any other weapon since arriving here?”
“No, it’s always been that sword, nothing else,” Jacob confirmed. “I’ve even sensed a peculiar connection between him and that blade. He maintains it meticulously. He’s been here for seven years, and the sword has been with him the entire time, which means he had it even before he came to Lumina.”
“Have you ever noticed anything unusual about the sword?” Adam pressed.
“Nothing beyond its length and weight, which seem normal enough,” Jacob replied. “Although, now that I think of it, it is heavier than most swords.”
“I see,” Adam murmured, his mind working. “Jaxith is clearly concealing something. He doesn’t want anyone to know anything about his past,” he thought.
“Don’t you find it strange that someone like him would appear out of nowhere and settle here?” Adam challenged. “Come now, Jacob, you’re his closest acquaintance here. Surely he’s confided in you at some point.”
“Jaxith’s life revolves around hunting or staying secluded in his house,” Jacob explained. “At night, before heading out to hunt, he usually stops by here for a drink. That’s why he spends some time here. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re close. I’ve tried to understand him, but he’s simply… reserved.”
“A heavy drinker, perhaps?” Adam inquired.
“No,” Jacob replied, “and it might sound strange, but he doesn’t touch wine, beer, or any alcoholic beverages. He only drinks orange juice.”
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“What?” Adam exclaimed, surprised.
“You heard right,” Jacob chuckled. “Just another enigma surrounding the illustrious Jaxith.” Adam paused, deep in thought.
“Did anything unusual happen to him before he left for Orstone?” Adam pressed. “You mentioned he always stops by for a drink before hunting. Surely you’ve noticed something out of the ordinary, if there was anything at all.” Jacob considered this, recalling Jaxith’s strange demeanor the morning he left early. He decided to confide in Adam. Better safe than sorry. This man was dangerous, and he was certain Jaxith could handle whatever was happening far better than he could. He couldn’t afford to jeopardize his family.
“Actually, there was something peculiar about him that day,” Jacob admitted.
“Such as?” Adam asked, his curiosity piqued.
“He arrived unusually early,” Jacob explained. “He came to the tavern in the early morning, while I was still tidying up. No one else was there. He didn’t look well, and I don’t mean physically. It was as if he wasn’t the same Jaxith I knew.”
“How so?” Adam asked, his focus intensifying.
“The Jaxith I know is always sharp and focused,” Jacob continued, “but that day, he seemed…distracted. I initially assumed he was heading out for an early hunt, but he told me he'd had a restless night. I thought maybe Albes’ dogs had kept him awake, but he said it wasn’t them. I tried to cheer him up, and he even smiled, but it was forced, I could tell. He was even zoning out while I was talking to him. It just wasn’t like him.”
“Is that all?” Adam asked. Jacob paused, searching his memory before meeting Adam’s gaze.
“He did ask me a rather peculiar question,” Jacob added.
“What was it?” Adam prompted.
“He asked me what I would do if I sensed someone was in danger, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure if it was a trap,” Jacob explained. Adam’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of interest igniting within them. “Finally, something concrete,” he thought.
“I told him it was a risk I wouldn’t take,” Jacob continued. “Especially since I wouldn’t know if that person genuinely needed help. And besides, I’m not the one who wields a sword, he is. I reminded him that helping people is in his nature, and that he’s clever enough to handle any trap or anyone trying to take advantage of him.”
“In other words, you encouraged him to investigate and see if the person needed help,” Adam summarized.
“Precisely,” Jacob confirmed.
“Do you have any idea who that person might be?” Adam asked, his curiosity growing.
“No, sir,” Jacob replied. “He seemed confused, mentioning both Wolford and Orstone. I simply clarified that the town with the hills is Orstone. After that, he left the tavern, and I haven’t seen him since. There have been rumors of some incident in Orstone a few days ago. Do you think Jaxith is involved, sir?” Jacob asked, his voice laced with concern. Adam regarded him for a moment, his gaze distant as he pieced together the information.
“No, Jacob,” Adam replied, his voice dismissive. “And you shouldn’t dwell on it. Is there anything else you can tell me about Jaxith? Anything at all, no matter how insignificant it might seem?”
“No, sir,” Jacob reiterated. “There’s not much more to tell. He was just… different that day. Preoccupied, perhaps. Aside from that, he’s always the same.”
“I understand,” Adam said, rising to his feet. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
“I’ve truly told you everything I know, sir,” Jacob pleaded, his worry evident. “Could you please ensure my family remains uninvolved in this?”
“Don’t worry,” Adam reassured him, though his tone lacked warmth. “Nothing will happen.”
“Thank you,” Jacob breathed. Adam turned to leave, then paused, a chilling undercurrent in his voice.
“You should erase this conversation from your memory, Jacob,” Adam instructed, his tone commanding, not even bothering to turn back. “I was never here, understood?”
“O-of course, sir,” Jacob stammered, his fear palpable.
“Good,” Adam said curtly before exiting the tavern. Jacob finally exhaled, the tension draining from his body. He glanced down at the glass of water, now empty, save for a few beads of condensation clinging to the inside—a stark reminder of the unnatural heat it had held!
Adam strode to his horse, his mind awhirl with the information gleaned from Jacob.
“So it wasn’t a mere chance, as I initially suspected,” he mused. “Jaxith had foreknowledge of some impending event. But how? How did he know the hybrid was in danger?” A series of possibilities flickered through his mind. “Perhaps he’s acquainted with a rogue member of the thieves’ guild and went to offer assistance, only to discover them slain and instead aid the girl. Or perhaps he’s connected to the assassin responsible for the guild’s massacre and was privy to the unfolding events. Or maybe…” He sighed. “There are too many variables. But at least this is a start. I have some threads to pursue now, and hopefully, I can unravel them before catastrophe strikes.”
He mounted his horse, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Between Blamore’s cryptic motives concerning Irene and the urgent need for her as Reldret’s future queen, with Adam himself in relentless pursuit, Jaxith’s quest was about to become infinitely more perilous.
Evening descended upon Ebonmere, painting the sky with hues of twilight. Jaxith sat alone on a wooden bench outside the inn, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse above. His expression remained placid, betraying nothing of his inner thoughts.
The Inn's door creaked open, and Miller emerged. “Still out here?” he asked.
“I’m waiting for Irene,” Jaxith replied. “It’s late, and she hasn’t returned yet.”
“Don’t worry,” Miller reassured him. “She was playing with some children from the village before sunset. I thought you were with her.”
“No,” Jaxith said, his gaze shifting to Miller. “I didn’t want to intrude on her fun. She needs some space after everything that’s happened. She’s been cooped up with no one else except me for the past few days.”
“You’re probably right,” Miller agreed with a gentle smile. “Especially considering her adventurous spirit.”
“You should excuse her outburst this morning,” Jaxith suggested. “She’s sensitive about that subject.”
“I understand, Jaxith,” Miller said. “She did nothing wrong. Perhaps she’s a bit quick to anger, but she was defending herself. I just didn’t expect such an… aggressive reaction from you.”
“He asked for it,” Jaxith said, a hint of steel entering his voice. “I was restraining myself, but he crossed a line.”
“It’s alright, Jaxith,” Miller said. “I don’t hold anything against you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, the evening crowd will soon be upon us. I should get back inside.”
“Just let me know if you need anything.” Miller added while walking back and disappeared back into the inn, the door closing softly behind him.
Just then, the resonant neigh of a horse echoed through the air, drawing Jaxith’s attention to his left. He spotted Irene approaching on Senka, her horse cantering toward the inn. A wave of relief washed over him. She was safe.
Irene reached Jaxith and dismounted, a radiant smile gracing her lips. “Hey, Jax,” she greeted him, her voice brimming with cheerfulness. Jaxith could easily see that she was genuinely happy.
“So, you found some children to play with,” Jaxith observed.
“Yeah,” Irene replied. “Actually, they asked me to join them. I was just watching them at first, but they reminded me of how I used to have fun with Flinn, Leo, and the others back at the guild." A tinge of melancholy colored her words.
“Anyway, how are you feeling now?” Irene asked, settling down beside Jaxith.
“I’m fine,” Jaxith replied. “It’s good that you had some fun. That’s what matters.” He gently brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face.
“Is something wrong, Jax?” Irene asked.
“Just checking your burns,” Jaxith said, withdrawing his hand.
“I’d forgotten about them,” Irene admitted. “I can’t even feel them. How are they now?”
“They’re gone,” Jaxith replied. “That’s why you can’t feel them.”
“Wow,” Irene exclaimed in surprise. “I didn’t realize Emelia’s potion was so effective.”
“Actually, it wasn’t just the potion,” Jaxith explained. “It only helped a little this morning.”
“You mean something else helped too?” Irene asked.
“Yes,” Jaxith confirmed.
“What was it?” Irene pressed.
“I suspect this rapid healing is due to the activation of your demonic side,” Jaxith explained.
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Irene asked, a note of worry in her voice.
“Of course it’s a good thing,” Jaxith reassured her. “Don’t be naïve. Think of it as a superpower. You’ll need it on our journey. Who knows how many dangerous encounters we’ll face? If you get injured, it’s good to know you won’t be in grave danger, depending, of course, on the limits of your healing. You’re not a complete demon, after all.” Irene looked relieved at his words, then turned her gaze to the sky.
“I didn’t know you liked watching the night sky,” she commented.
“I prefer anything that offers peace and quiet,” Jaxith replied.
“Yeah, I know you do,” Irene said, a playful glint in her eyes as she glanced at Jaxith. “You’re sooooo peaceful.”
“What are you implying?” Jaxith asked, sensing her teasing tone.
“I didn’t leave immediately this morning,” Irene confessed, a smile spreading across her face. “I saw everything.”
“Saw what?” Jaxith asked.
“You mess with her, you mess with me,” Irene said, mimicking his swing with a comical expression before bursting into laughter. Jaxith simply watched her, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“I’m ready to bet he pissed his pants from fear,” Irene declared, her laughter echoing through the evening air. Jaxith looked back up at the sky, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Come on,” Irene urged. “You should be laughing, not just offering that weak smile. Life isn’t always serious, Jax.”
“I’ll try,” Jaxith replied.
“I suppose that’s just how you are,” Irene said. “By the way, I’m sorry for losing my temper this morning. You’ve talked to me about this before.” She glanced at the ground.
“Look up,” Jaxith said gently. “I didn’t mean you should let any piece of shit talk to you like that. You did nothing wrong. With the mayor, you made a mistake, and he had the upper hand, so we needed a clever approach to get him to leave you alone without anyone following you, since we still don’t know who’s after you. But what you did this morning is something I’m proud of. Your self-respect is the most important thing in your life.”
“So, that’s why you were angry with him?” Irene asked.
“Yes,” Jaxith confirmed. “He had no right to speak to you like that.” He looked up at the sky, and Irene returned his gaze with a warm smile.
“But that doesn’t mean you’re excused from working on your own temper,” Jaxith added, his gaze turning serious.
“Fine, grandpa,” Irene retorted sarcastically. They sat in companionable silence for a while before Irene declared she was starving. They entered the inn, which was indeed teeming with patrons, just as Miller had described. At this time, a good looking carriage was getting closer to the inn. The air buzzed with conversation, and Jaxith even overheard snippets of discussions about his morning defense of Irene. Irene followed him, a palpable air of pride surrounding her. They reached Miller just as the inn door swung open, admitting two gentlemen, flanked by two imposing guards. These men were John and Edward!