Chapter 3: This is normal?
"You will really like the town," Bianca said gently as they walked through the woods.
"Yes," added the dwarf. Methan had found out that his name was Alum and the robed man was named Matt. "This might be a border city, but we must all band together to protect the city against the threat of demons."
"Of course, the lord will find a place for you," Matt said.
Methan chatted happily with Bianca and Alum, but for some reason, his intuition wouldn't let him trust Matt. He always felt that there was some sort of hidden meaning to his words. Walking quickly, the group left the forest without incident and arrived at the city.
It was, in a word, huge. Extending high into the air and obstructing most of one's sight, the city's stone wall could be seen the minute that they left the forest. A tall gate with guards was receiving men and women dressed like the trio behind him.
"Id or pay the toll," the guard said as they arrived at the gate.
"Here you are," Bianca said, handing over some type of card.
"Ah, the Swift Wind party," the guard commented. "Did you have a kid with you when you left?"
"No," Matt responded, with a slightly oily smile. "We found him in the forest and are bringing him to the city lord."
"Very well," the guard responded. "Be on your way. We wouldn't want to keep the lord waiting."
Thanking him, the group entered the city. For the most part, the city wasn't that much different from what one would expect from the exterior. Simple stone houses rose up all around them. People bustled about their business, moving from stores to street stalls as they gathered their necessities. The air was filled with the clamor of vendors promoting their goods. The streets were surprisingly well maintained and the air was free of any unpleasant smells.
However, here and their, signs of magic could be seen. A cook conjuring a flame to grill meat of a storefront being washed with water magic. Methan followed the trio in silent amazement until they finally arrived in front of another set of tall gates. Behind which could be seen an impressive manor.
"What is your business?" inquired the guards as they stopped in front of the gates.
"I am Matt of the Swift Wind party," Matt answered. "We found a child in the forest and have brought him for the lord to examine."
Once more, Methan heard them referring to him as a child. Looking down, he could see that he was on the shorter and finer side. Remembering his reflection, he did have a certain amount of childlike innocence in his face. However, his status said his was sixteen. Maybe it had to do with a lifespan difference?
"Go ahead and wait in the reception room, he will be notified shortly," the guard answered gravely.
Nodding in acknowledgement, Matt guided the group into the manor. Just as the outside suggested, the manor was extravagantly decorated with polished stone statues and fine-woven fabrics. Maybe some people would find it magnificent, but Methan had other thoughts.
'Tacky. Gaudy. Tasteless,' he thought to himself as he passed by another painting.
"The lord will be here momentarily," Bianca said as they sat down on a coach. Bianca and Alum sat on either side of Methan's small form, while Matt sat in a cushioned chair nearby.
"Don't worry and just let us do the talking," Alum added, kindly.
"The lord, Count Luxus," a maid suddenly announced from the door.
Standing and turning, they saw the count enter the room. He was a tall, powerfully build man dressed in extremely exaggerated clothing. His presence filled the room the moment he entered, but Methan felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Ah, this must be the child," Count Luxus said with a tightly controlled smile.
"Yes," Matt responded respectfully. "He is called Methan and we found him alone in the forest."
"Ah, were you lost? Or have you perhaps lost your family?" the man inquired carefully.
After a couple of questions, it was determined that Methan had been living alone after losing his family to a bandit attack some time ago. He had gotten lost in the forest until the adventures had found him and he could use basic magic.
"You may go," Count Luxus said to the adventurers. "I will take care of him."
As he escorted them out, a maid came and gave Methan a strong cup of tea. The vapor had an overly sweet smell that helped relax his whole body.
"Don't worry," the count said, returning and sitting across from from him. "Have a drink and we will take care of everything."
Sipping the tea, Methan felt that something was wrong, and tried to reject the tea, but it was already too late. Drowsiness swept through his body and after setting down the cup, he toppled over and slowly fell into darkness. The last thing that he saw was the evil smile of the count as he bent over him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone