A man was walking in the busy streets of the town as he overhears all kinds a conversation.

One of the murmurs he have heard was that a village that is in the west of the town was attacked by undead. They said couple of people have died in the attack.

Another one he find more interesting.

"hey have you heard it? They said there were a band of minstrels that decided to perform here" a man said excitedly.

"wait really? That's unusual. our town barely gets any attention at all"

the other man replied

"yeah that's true I think they already arrived at the center of the town"

This one piqued the man's interest.

The man was nearly 6 foot tall and has deep blue eyes and was obviously curious about the performance. the man walk past the gossipers after deciding to go check the town center.

the man felt the rays of the soft afternoon light that made him cover his eyes slightly every now and then as he moves skillfully through the streets that he knew well.

when he finally arrived at the center of the town he has to push himself forward as there were a cluster of people blocking his view.

when he finally found a clear sight he quietly watched the performers

They wore simple tunic and trousers which weren't in any way special and obviously that weren't the reason why there are so many people watching them.

apparently the one of the minstrels seemingly manipulates the water guiding it across the air as if she was dancing with the water itself gracefully. the man smiled smiled he always find this type of things entertaining wether it is because of the rarity of this performance or the difficulty of doing it or maybe even because he is not capable of doing such things he really doesn't know.

Behind the female performer is another performer this time it was a man with an athletic build and a attractive face. The performer step forward and smiled at their audience.

The man took another step forward this time the path he steps on froze in solid ice and continuous to expand on the ground. A chilly air send shivers to the spine of his spectators. The man then proceeded to conjure a staff or maybe a scepter that is made out of ice. There were loud applauses from his audience even the tall man spectating was entertained.

the tall man was immersed watching the entertainers that he didn't even noticed someone approached him. he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulders.

"Getting jealous, kalle?" Coming from the owner of the hand.

Kalle turned, looking at the man just to find him smiling a croaked smile. Kalle stared at him for a moment.

he was the same height as him, blond and wear a red robe with a metallic pin with a symbol of a bird in it

"Cedric" kalle finally spoked with a neutral tone. "Why the long face? Not happy to see me?" Cedric mused.

Kalle didn't. he never liked Cedric and he was also sure that the feeling was mutual as they really never got along.

"Did you know my patron asked people with magic to look for an powerful artifact? Wouldn't you be interested in helping? Oh wait you can't" Cedric said sarcastically

'relic?'

kalle thought ignoring Cedric's remarks. he was born without magic and it not like it's uncommon, although almost everyone dreamed of having magic growing up and only a few people has the innate ability for it and especially more few in this small town where he grew up.

"curious aren't you? Of course you would but unfortunately I don't think any relic would help your case" Cedric said smilingly.

kalle was trying to ignore Cedric but apparently it wasn't easy.

Cedric being able to sense kalle's thoughts spoke "ohh someone's seemed annoyed what are you gonna do ask your stupid old man for help?"

Kalle pushed Cedric back clearly annoyed by his remarks.

"Oh mad now?" Cedric asked in a sarcastic tone. Just before Cedric says another word which would probably be an insult kalle holds his shoulder with his other hand and using his free hand punches him in the face.

Cedric's eyes grew in shock as he stagers slightly backwards due to the impact. He was holding his nose which was apparently bleeding. Cedric wiped his nose and smiled 'too easy' he thought.

Cedric was straightening himself when he saw kalle who was once again about to strike him

'You never changes' Cedric thought.

However before kalle even got near enought to pull another punch a spear made of ice materialized in front of them.

Both of them flinched, being surprised as they took a step back.

It was the scepter of the performer was using and now it has turned to a spear. The performer spoke articulately

"I am sorry but fighting is not allowed. if you didn't noticed this is our show. Not yours and it wouldn't be good for our business if you steal the attention of our customers" the performer made a half smile

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Kalle look around him; the crowd was really watching them. Kalle despite looking rather still annoyed apologized to the performer in which the performer accepted.

"well it's no big deal just make sure to behave" the performer said with the smile still on his face

However, Cedric didn't seem to be in any mood to apologize. He held the performers spear and smirked. Then opened his mouth "and what happens when I do want to steal your audience?"

Surprised by the remark the performer raise his brow "I don't think you understand the situation".

Hearing this, Cedric laughs "no no no, you are the one who doesn't understand the situation"

As Cedric said these words his hand glows a dim red suddenly there is steam coming out of the spear

'its melting!' the performer thought looking surprised

"Why? did you expected me to be magic less? Where is that smile on your face?" Cedric said smirking, indeed the performer's face was no longer smiling

Before the performer even responded the sizzling sound from the melting ice grow louder suddenly the shaft of the spear split in half losing its sharp edge

The crowd grasp at the scene, the performer looking perflexed but quickly regains his posture and spoke "you shouldn't have done that".

"Why what are you what are you gonna do?" As Cedric said this both of his hand started burning with reddish fire which made the performer and kalle took a step back

Cedric raised his hands in a motion that seemed to summon fire; however before he finishes what his doing a strong torrent of water hits him, sending him reeling backwards.

Cedric looked like a drenched dog, his clothes soaked and his hair hanging messily over his face. He looked as if he was about to bite someone.

Cedric was about to recover when he looked up and Saw another ice spear.

This time it is pointed to his neck he stared up looking at the performer a long time before raising his hands "fine you win" said Cedric smiling.

"but I'll remember this" he said as he was staring at the female performer, who was the one who attacked him, and he was no longer smiling.

The performer moved his spear away from his neck allowing Cedric to stand up. As he did he went pass the performer and bumped kalle along his way out.

"Next time you won't be this lucky" he whispered as he passed kalle.

The crowd parted to make way for Cedric. Most of them seemed afraid they might get caught in the scene.

Kalle stared at Cedric as he leaves he knew that he will come back for him some other time but it does not matter.

"He is trying to provoke you" as kalle heard this he looked behind him. It is the male performer who spoke

"I know it and worked"

Kalle said gloomily.

"He has magic if you didn't attacked him first he wouldn't be able to use magic against you"

The performer said

"I also know that"

Kalle said while still brooding over something

The performer smiled he thought that this man knew the other guy would be allowed to legally use magic since he attacked him first yet he still did. He didn't knew whether this guy was brave or foolish.

It didn't matter he thought he liked this guy.

he offered his hand and introduced himself "I'm anthon winterheart and this" said pointing at the female performer "is my sibling Eli winterheart" the female performer bowed her head slightly.

kalle remembered what Eli did to Cedric and made a mental note not to piss Eli winterheart and so is his brother.

Kalle took his hands and spoke, "I'm kalle thyllos and I would like to apologize again for the disruption we have caused you"

"No that's fine don't think about it. however I think you should be more careful" anthon said sounding worried

"I know that, thank you for your concern I'll be leaving. it's a pleasure meeting both of you"

"And the pleasure is ours" as anthon said.

He watched kalle's back as he leaves.

'kalle thyllos... thyllos why does it sound familiar?' he thought thinking where did he heard the name thyllos.

Kalle walked through the stalls of the markets he passed the vendors and moved through the streets until he found what he was looking for

A two story tavern stood in front of kalle that was made with sturdy stone walls supported by wooden beams.

The tavern looked old yet sturdy

Kalle pushed the door open entering the tavern

There were only few people inside. It is still early for customers rush after all. A big man with trimmed beard and a female with short hair both seem busy serving some of the customers. The female saw him and nodded courtly.

Kalle decided to seat near the counter putting his hands in front of him, still deep in thoughts.

he moved his hand to his pocket and took a silver pin with a insignia of a bird.

He remembered taking it from Cedric when he purposely bumped him. He knew the insignia well he remembered Cedric telling him about his patron

he knew who was his patron was. He could not be mistaken, as that man owned the insignia in the pin.

It is a man he loathed with all his heart.

It took a few minutes before the bearded man has his hands free and moves closer to kalle. The man was standing tall in the opposite of the counter.

"What did you stole this time?" The man said in a deep voice.

his faced neutral.

Kalle knew the man didn't like the habits he have developed.

"The service in this tavern is bad I've been waiting for a long time, I should've picked a different tavern" kalle said ignoring the question.

"I should've adopted another kid" the man said plainly

"And also you didn't answer my question" the man continued

Kalle threw the pin to the man. The man caught it with his one hand and stared at it when he realized what he is looking at he narrowed his eyes.

"It no big deal Gabriel" kalle said as if defusing the thoughts of the man named Gabriel

"It is, you knew I don't want you to relate to him it won't do you any good it won't do us any good"

Gabriel said sounding worried.

Kalle stared at the man with a big physique he knew him well, he respected him and he also knew that Gabriel would only want what is best for him. He was the one who have taken care of him after all.

"Don't worry I don't plan on doing anything stupid" kalle said trying to assure Gabriel

Gabriel stared at him for a moment

"You know that wasn't the first time you said that" Gabriel said.

Kalle managed a hearty laugh Gabriel knew him well.

"How is lyra?" Kalle asked

"She is doing fine far more fine than you would have done" Gabriel said

He knew Gabriel was right.

Lyra was the women with short hair helping gabriel deal with the customers. She looked like she have gotten the hang of it. she was the same age as kalle and needed some place to work and since the work at the tavern does not suit kalle and Gabriel desperately needed an extra pair of hands they decided to hire her.

Gabriel suddenly remembered something.

"Wait I almost forgot who did you steal this from?" Gabriel said holding the pin

Kalle told him the events that happened earlier.

"That was very much like you" Gabriel said both his arms crossed.

"And You shouldn't fall for that again" Gabriel followed.

"I know I'm not really good at keeping my temper at check you knew that. Also Can I ask? Have you heard? they seem to be searching for a relic" kalle said pointing at the pin.

Gabriel recognized that kalle was avoiding the topic.

Gabriel knew what he meant of course he always knew things. gossips has its wings and his tavern is a nest.

"I thought you said you won't be doing anything stupid?" Gabriel looked at him suspiciously.

"I won't I'm simply curious" kalle said shrugging.

Gabriel flicked the pin back to kalle which was caught easily by kalle.

"It's nonsense, they are said to be searching for the source of all magic, something called pandora. One that is used to be wielded by someone powerful" Gabriel said now seating at a chair in the opposite of the counter.

'Pandora?' kalle repeated in his head.

"Such thing exist?" Kalle asked now even more curious.

"If it did it then why would they start searching only now? Also the idea of having an age without magic was merely a theory" Gabriel said now sliding a tankard of mead to kalle and taking a sip of his own

"Thanks " kalle said as he reached for the mead and also took a sip.

"I never understood how can you drink that, I always needed something stronger" Gabriel said as he look in his rum.

"And I never understood how can you work while drinking that" kalle pointed out

He took a sip again

"So you think they are chasing legends?" Kalle asked

"I can't say for sure but legends always have origins aren't they? The only thing I'm sure is that it's not for us to find out" Gabriel said

Kalle thought so too.

it was not up to them to find out, he repeated in his head. Tired of the day he told Gabriel he wanted to rest and said thanks for the drink.

he got up on his seat and was headed to the stairs

Where his room was located.

Gabriel looked at kalle as he was about to moved upstairs 'he have grown ' he thought yet he still feel extremely worried, but for what reason? He didn't knew.

When kalle reached the second floor he holds the door knob of the first room and rotated it making a clicking sound.

Once he opened it he lay on his bed tired. He put the pin on top of the night stand and decided to sleep.

After kalle's dreamless sleep he woked up in the middle of the night. he tried to go back to sleep but it's useless. He thought of the things that have been happened for the day. He thought about the pin, he thought about the owner of the insignia. He hated the feeling of not being able to do anything.

he looked at the window.

It's already dark.

He decided he needed a walk and took his cloak.

He moved down the stairs the tavern is now full of people. travellers, locals and all types of people. it is the time where customers arrived the most.

Kalle saw Gabriel for a moment; busy with all the customers and decided not to disturb him.

He always thought of helping him. He tried several times but it always don't end well, he isn't suited for making drinks nor for serving them. He is too short tempered. in the end both of them agree it would be best for kalle not to help.

He opened the tavern door and felt the cold air in his face. He didn't knew where he was going. He just walked aimlessly at the streets brooding about what happened over the day.

Suddenly he saw an alley one that he never even set foot on. he knew the streets well, he also knew that there was nothing of interest in that alley. He didn't know why but he decided to enter the alley.

Kalle walked at the the narrow passage ways of the alley cautiously.

Suddenly he saw a silhouette at the end of the alley kalle squinted to see more clearly. Then he recognized that it was a woman running towards him. The woman bumped into him and apologized before running again.

Kalle noted her appearance. The woman had curly hair and was about 5'7. She looked to be in her 30's and had an attractive face.

'strange' kalle thought.

He was about to continue his walk when he noticed

something shinning near his foot when he crouched to inspect the object more closely, He realized that the object was a necklace of some sort with a yellow crystal pendant.

Kalle took it and looked back too see if the woman was still there.

She was not.