Chapter 17: Legendary Bravery

The trio finished all of their chatter and packing and head over to the bar. On the way to the bar they noticed the amount of people in the streets had gone down significantly, sure it was late but it seemed most of the town's influx of people came for the events and likely left. Even the stable's and pop up carriage shops gave clear indication that things were returning to more average numbers.

The trio entered the bar and before anyone could take more than a few steps Bean spoke out " Let's get a drink all together properly this time." Everyone agreed and head to the bar. E had counted all of the available funds they had, on hand it only came out to about 3 gold and a few silvers. On their Guild card only 40 gold remained. The pinch of their purse had to make due until they finished their first quest.

Sitting at the bar the three of them held idle chatter as they waited to be serviced. Jasper and his few gals were still kept quite busy. As the sat there they heard the pricks of a guitar being strung as a man began to waver around the bar singing.

" Aim for the head

sword through the spine

Leave'em headless

Blind leading the blind

ALL MY HEROES ARE DEAD~

BEEN LAID TO REST

WITH A ARROW IN THE HEAD~

ALL MY HEROES ARE DEAD~

BEEN LAID TO REST

WITH A ARROW IN THE HEAD~!"

Will save rolled - Success

The man seemed to capture the attention of many as he sung deep from his belly, however morbid his words rang true to many of the patron's, some even sang along. E thought that it was a rather catchy tune he could tell it set the atmosphere a little cold as a few people around began to stare in the distance blankly obviously in thought, while other chugged their beverage's. The words the man sang carried some weight. After his performance a few people chimed out some cheers and tossed a few coins at him and he began to play more melodies without words. The atmosphere quickly changed into and upright and happy scene as people began to give focus to their immediate company. E admired the man's ability to waver many of the people's feelings. He looked back at his friends as Jasper approached the bar in front of them.

" Oy you lot, good seeing you've made up. Enjoying the Bard? He's a got a good rasp yeah. I assume a drink is what you're sitting here for?"

E perked up at the sound of a drink. But before he could ask for one Jasper spoke again.

" I'm not at liberty to give you any until after our talk. I know it's a bit sudden but follow me to the back room, it's a bit important. Henry and Ru'jai are already waiting."

They were all a little caught off guard but didn't really question it and followed Jasper. He lead them behind the counter after appointing his staff to take his position at the bar. They went on back through the kitchen to another door into a small hallway, at the end of it was a single door. Jasper opened it and pointed them in. They entered the room to see Henry and Ru'jai sitting around a table chatting with another man whom even E had yet to meet. Everyone in this backroom were new to Bean and Mae. Everyone took a seat. The Wood Knights were all a bit frazzled as the room fell quiet and awkward briefly before the first person, Henry spoke up.

" So Everest. You don't remember us do you?"

E looked around the room he sized up everyone briefly. He had met Ru'jai, Henry, and Jasper over the passed two days but the other man there was again a new face. Compared to the rest he was rather ominous he wore a hooded cloak and very tight looking leather armor under it, his face chisled and gruffed with a recent shave that left a 5 o'clock shadow and a large scar across one cheek. He sat there with a rather serious expression. E responded with a simple answer. " No"

" Well I guess that's to be expected. Most of us haven't seen you since you were a few years old, and Law there has only only remembers your mother pregnant. We are the remnants of your parents old party. The Ravenswood. Jasper was an addition after your parents left and had never met them but we quickly retired after a few quests. It didn't feel the same. A month ago your father came to see me as he had done sparsely over the last well couple decades. I was the parties Berserker, your Dad and I were a strong backbone to our group."

Ru'jai spoke up as Henry seemingly nodded to her to take his place in the conversation. Mae had her jaw dropped to the floor already and looked back and forth between E and the other's in the room while Bean sat there silent and blushing. He had a long stare at Ru'jai and was seemingly smitten. " I am Ru'jai, I was retainer to your Mother. I was the Druid of the party... I assumed by what Henry spoke to your Father about you know nothing of what we will begin to tell you. Your interaction with me earlier already confirmed you didn't hear of me..." Ru'jai seemingly trailed off briefly and the new face Law spoke out next.

" Hello. I am Law and last I remember or even spoke with your parents you were yet to be. I was the parties Shadowborn. My last quest was to see the trail to your parents not be found. In the beginning, I fended off quite a few inquiries about them and only rarely any in the years after until recently has anyone come looking for them. Which is why I am here." Law spoke in a very monotone and straight shooter way. Henry picked back up where Law ended his introduction.

" Little light. E, you're a product of a very particular situation. You're Father. The Fallen Light, otherwise known as Knight Lumin. He was a very Brave man. He entered the courts of many with his deeds and grew famous in his youth as a very professional and promising adventurer. One day he took a S tier bodyguard quest from the Dur'ae. The royal courts of the elvish kingdom A'pesh needed their princess sent over to meet with another kingdoms family about a possible marriage. That kingdom was none other than Carth, and the family The Lionne's. The princess and your father fell in love over the month long journey and she left her family.. Your Father had essentially cut off relations between the two Kingdom's who intended to unite through wedlock. The largest issue about the circumstance was your mother as Elves do, live to be thrice even four times older than the average human. Wether the A'pesh had success in eventually taking control over Carth kingdom as time went on or the Carth sought to have longer lifespans to rule they found mutual benefits to grow together. Such a topic is more political than it seems at face value. Being that you and few others are the only half-elf to be born in the last few hundred years, as elves usually shy away from inter-marriage. No one wants to outlive their partner or children. The stunt your father pulled left a deep stain on the notion with the humans who heard of his deeds, either out of jealousy or a number of other reasons. Needless to say Half-breed humans are treated quite poorly by most. The real kicker here is.. The Queen of the Dur'ae has recently passed away. The elves do not rule alone and the Queen and King titles are merely as such, as long as they are of royal blood a Father and Daughter or Mother and Son may rule together until the younger Marries, allowing the elder to retire and become a advisor in their latter years. Your mother is not an only child but she is only that of two, Your uncle is younger than her."

Law stepped in as the topic lead Ru'jai to tears. " That is were I come in to play in this situation. I have been keeping an eye on the royals on both sides and there is much more to this and it goes deep. The Kingdom of Carth never gave up on the possibility of joining in hand with the A'pesh. The Prince who was to wed your mother eventually married another human woman and quickly made heirs. His first born was a daughter. She has recently just turned 18. I have word that you Uncle attempted to succeed the throne by poisoning your grandparents of which your grandmother succumbed to her illness and your grandfather is bedridden, but this is being hidden from everyone except his loyal subjects. Your uncle is far younger than your mother and is only a couple hundred years old which is like a thirty at most compared to that of humans. And he plans to marry with the Carth's bypassing your mother to take seat. She by age and right is to be the new Queen, and for the first time ever your father a human, King. Regardless of her separation from the Kingdom of A'pesh she is still in line to rule. Tulare your uncle has been prodding high and low to seek out and kill your mother and father. Unfortunately, The Lionnes plan to double cross your uncle after the marriage and take control of the A'pesh by forcing them to uphold their traditions, so even they are seeking your parents. I intercepted some communication between them and what seems to be some elven conspirators. If any of this gets out, War is sure to happen."

E was completely overwhelmed. The amount of information he had withheld from him made him upset and sad at the same time. His parents did everything they could to raise him well, he was happy in the forest, he could feel the love of his parents in the way they took care of one another. He was a prince. A halfbreed prince. All he could think about was his parents safety. E had so many questions he didn't know where to start, E looked to Mae and Bean. Mae had fainted at some point in their talking and was just a ghost of her self in the seat. Bean on the other hand look at E and just smiled. The only thought in his head, " My friend is a Prince. Cool" E decided he would ask some questions.

" So then are my parents going somewhere safe? What does this even mean for me? Am I wanted dead ? Why tell me this and why didn't my parents instead they asked you?"

Jasper put his hand on E's shoulder. He looked at E with a smile and spoke.

" E. You're going to have to get strong. And quickly. You may be able to hide under the idea that you are just some random human for now. But eventually they will find out who you are, I made a blunder and didn't realize who you were at first. After I saw your guild card I realized I made a mistake. I'll own that. You need to get to A rank adventurers as soon as possible, then you will have the protection of the Guild Hall itself and a strength within your group enough to stop any attempts at your life. The Guild Hall association is built and backed by adventurers. Build a strong reputation and your name will carry enough weight that any news of an attempt at your life will either be thwarted by those who idolize you, or at least be brought to light. We have put together a timeline and we believe you have six months at most before you're known of. The last name Lumin is common enough that it won't stir up to much a ruckus but if anyone sneaks into the archives to query about you things may change. Realistically no one knows your even alive, yet. Your parents are going somewhere safe and if what they are set out to do succeeds then... War will be upon us quicker than a spark. They've made many enemies. But also very powerful allies, and they are currently gathering the last 2 members of Ravenswood. Don't worry about them and put yourself to the task at hand"

Mae had come out of her shock. She stood up and looked at them all. Then bowed. " I'm truly grateful to meet the party Ravenwood. I don't know how much help I'll be but I sympathize with you Everest. I also have a muddied bloodline and have been teased by it growing up. If you'll truly have me, I would like to be at your service until I'm not necessary....your highness." Mae went from bowing to the table to specifically E. E blushed and looked around at everyone a little caught off guard.

" Mae.. Yes of course. Don't worry, and Bean you already know we share enough of a bond, it may be only a couple days with you but, You're my party. We will make our own legends." E responded a bit shaken in his voice. He was feeling extremely overwhelmed. " Also call me anything else, royal titles are useless to me. Bean nodded rapidly.

Law spoke up after E. " Not to burst the bubble. But you weren't leaving this room without accepting the circumstances. Good on you Miss, and little one."

Just after that E received a notification from his class menu.

Class quest - Seer

Level each parties members level to 9 within the half year.

Completion rewards - Unique class variants for your party members, New Seer class skill.

Failure - Death

E looked at his notifications read it quickly and dismissed it. " The fuck is that. Class quest, DEATH." He thought. He then asked everyone at the table. " Okay where do we start?"