"Welcome," called out a small figure from behind a long bar table, as the pair entered into 'The Dragon's Scorn'. Of which appeared to be somewhat devoid of patrons at that time, or at least, from what they could tell. The area itself could hold an occupancy of up to one hundred and fifteen persons, as denoted by the wooden chairs and benches spread out in an almost chaotic fashion. If needed, though, they could squeeze up to two hundred patrons, but this only occurs during festivals, and the next one isn't scheduled until much later in the cycle.

Once again, the small figure called out from behind the bar, "How can I help you?" From the pair's perspective, this individual appeared to be from the Black Hare tribe, as it denoted the standard colours upon its long ears. However, much like its other members, this one's gender was a mystery, even if they wore skirts, dresses, or standard ware. For they were quite secretive about such things, which always became a hassle when it comes to marriages, as the couple would often fight one another if they weren't compatible.

This one, on the other hand, wore what appeared to be a white breast wrap across its tanned and dark chest, whilst sporting a long and rectangular pink cloth which covered its front and rear end, all the while being held up by a piece of gold string. Its height, though, was only one hundred and thirty-five centimetres, which denoted it to be an adult in its tribe, but to all others it appeared to be nothing more than a child. As one would mistakenly suspect.

"Is your mother or father around? We wish to know if- oof," began the male, but was subsequently elbowed by the Cleric who glared up at him with annoyance.

"Dad," she began with a slight growl in her tone, "That's a Black Hare, and an adult." She then turned towards the other with the idea of expressing an apology to one such as it, but was met with a twinkling pair of bemused, yellow eyes.

"It's fine, it's fine," chortled the Hare as it waved a dirtied cloth at their persons, whilst they entered further, "So? Who are you searching for?"

"That would probably be me, Saya," called out a deep and melancholic voice, one whose owner wore a robe made up of an endarkened material that gave off the illusion of pulling in all light from its surroundings.

This was another male, and one of the members of the family. His ware was, as previously mention, an endarkened robe, but his figure was that of an athlete. So that in the case of him being in trouble, he was able to flee from the scene relatively well. The features of his face, however, was that of one who did not wish to stand out, even though the robe continually called for attention to be directed his way. To say the least, they were bland or without any discernable markings beyond a pair of shadowed grey eyes and a top of matted, dark brown hair.

Next to this male, however, was a two metre tall staff of shadow-pine, and was carved with intricate runes which glowed a dull sapphire in the darkness which he sat. However, such a glow was, in fact, an ethereal glow. One that only casters such as he was able to see, and could draw upon such energies in order to boost their abilities by ten percent. Yes. Such an item was expensive, but were bound to their owners through blood so that only its wielder could use such an item, even after their death.

For now, though, such a person slowly stood up to reveal that his own height matched that of his staff, as he slowly made his way over to the pair. Upon coming to their side, he flicked a gold coin to the Hare called Saya. Of whom swiped at it a little too quickly, then frowned as it fell into a bucket of dirtied water that was used to clean the bar.

"So, where's our ride?" asked the third member with a look of boredom upon his features, "They said they'd take us to [omitted]..."

*****

"Omitted?" Sarah rubbed her eyes after placing the open book between her legs. Of which caused Nox to frown and turn towards his mother with begging eyes. However, this was ignored as the other lifted the book towards her eyes. Whereupon she did stare at the area in which a name should have been scrawled into the old parchment, but found only a bracketed word of "omitted".

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"What used to be there?" she muttered to herself, as the hybrid's head popped up between her chest and the book's lower spine.

"Mama," he mewed softly, "Story, please."

"Huh?" Her eyes blinked a couple times, causing the colours within to flicker greatly before settling into their more usual pace of one colour every heartbeat, "Oh, of course Nox. I'll get right back to the story."

"Kay," the child beamed a smile up at her person, which was well received enough to elicit a small pat on his head as the pair turned back to that which was within the old and yellowed book.

*****

The trio of Humans did not have to wait long, however, as a small Gnome wearing what appears to be smoke and clouds all about its body, walked through the opening of the inn. What was odd about this occurrence, however, was the fact that the Black Hare, who was glancing at their persons every now and again, simply stopped. It was as though these three simply ceased to be, and the being was delighted when it found a gold coin in its dirtied water bucket.

"Who left this here, I wonder?" It glanced to and fro, clutching the coin to its small chest, shrugged once, and hid it under the portion of the breast strap which covered the left side. Afterwards, the little creature went back to work, scrubbing the counter with the dirtied water once more.

"He would have a field day if he saw the Hare scrubbing the wood with dirty water," muttered the Cleric, who then turned towards the odd little Gnome with smoke and clouds for clothing.

"Ahem," coughed the one before them, and spoke with an obviously male, but tenor in pitch, voice. One in which was surprisingly in a monotone, "Now then, do I have the pleasure of having Sir Dashall, Lady Aclara, and Sir Melephas before me?" At their nod, a smirk appeared upon his lips, "Excellent," he clapped his little hands one, which almost instantly teleported themselves to a mountain summit which overlooked a small, wooden village.

However, this village had gone through some recent changes. Such as there being a lot more monstrous creatures roaming around and through such a place. As well as their being a mass of Undead milling about with several dozen children laughing and playing as they weaved this way and that through them all. Of which concerned the Gnome, older male, and Cleric female, as the Undead were a scourge and a pest that must be quashed at all costs. On the other hand, the one called Melephas only stared down upon the scene with apathy, and snorted a little in surprise.

"Someone's been busy," was his only comment to the whole of what was occurring below.

"Melephas," Dashall turned towards the other with a stern look about his features, "the Undead are a menace, and if they were unleashed..."

"You would all die to the point of major Gods being called in," muttered the Gnome, who had squat near the ledge and was biting the nail of his thumb.

"What do you mean?" asked Aclara, who was now clutching her mace close to her chest.

"With what I can see, the one in charge of these things could, in fact, kill you without much of a glance. Not to mention the grunts of Undead and monsters. Those ones..." He turned to size the trio up for a moment, then turned his gaze upwards for a time, as though contemplating some great mystery. Within a few moments, he continued his thought, but it came out in a whisper. One that caused the trio to strain their ears to catch, "You would not survive against a single one regardless of your strength."

This was spoken with his eyes growing wide, almost saucer-like, as he turned back towards the milling creatures. Of which seemed to now be congregating towards the southern entryway. Where they all roared greatly as an unknown being strode into the village wearing a pale blue robe. Behind this one was a cadre of metallic creatures which resembled Skeletons, and behind these ones was a wheeled cage being dragged and pushed by ones who appeared more lively, save for the whites of their eyes burning brightly.

Within the cage, however, were crying individuals who appeared to be Orcs. This included the males, females, children, and elderly, as they were brought into the centre of such a place, and quickly tossed onto the ground. Whereupon the children who were once happily playing, had grabbed up some knives, and fell upon the old, infirm, and sick with joy. Of which caused those who were not within such a category to become horrified, whereas the rest laughed uproariously at the sport the children participated in.

After such a gruesome task was completed, the bodies were left alone to be devoured by those of whom were monstrous creatures. The others, however, were forced towards what appeared to be a large throne of stone and iron. One that was able to sit a great being over five metres in height, whereas another was situated beneath such a seat. Of which was made of wood, and held the individual with a faded blue robe about their person.

This individual was revealed to be a tired old Human with long, white hair upon his head, as well as an equally long beard of the same colour. However, what was strange about this person was not their personal features, but of his eyes, expression, and who stood beside him. For his eyes were the colour of blood that shone with the radiance of the day star above them, whilst his features were twisted into a hateful scowl full of contempt for all life.

As to who was beside him? Well, needless to say these were Brutus and Sia. Brutus on his right, and Sia upon his left, but to those above the village? They merely saw a pair of four-armed, skeletal creatures that should not exist anywhere upon Azzarath.