1. Across Eternity: Book 5 - Chapter 5


    Date: 5/30/2024, Categories: Fantasy Author: Sage_of_the_Forlorn_Path 

    Is anyone actually reading this? Ryojin Jakka is the only one commenting. All I want is a little feedback, please. What do you like? What are your favorite scenes? What do you think of the characters? I want to hear from you.

Methodology

It was the middle of the day, and the tavern was lively, with men and women alike indulging in spirits. Tails of all different kinds hung out of the backs of chairs and stools, whether furry, scaly, or feathered. Most of the light came from the front windows, but candles still burned in dark corners. Friends and coworkers talked amongst themselves, sharing complaints and jokes, but most of it was the former, all directed at Uther. Whether it was the taxes or the guards patrolling the streets, Uther’s authority was grudgingly endured, but murmurings were going on. Whispered in fear and anger, talks of rebellion passed between bowed heads and over empty mugs.

Yet despite the patrons' heightened senses of sight, hearing, and smell, no one knew of the intruder sitting among them. Wrapped in a veil of mana, Noah listened in to the numerous conversations, noting any details relating to the Pack and the Profane. He also paid attention to dialects, accents, and slang, learning how to speak as an ordinary citizen of Welindar. He had spent several days perusing the local taverns and other meeting places and roaming the back alleys, picking out anyone looking or acting suspicious and tailing them for info.

While Noah was doing undercover ...
    ... work, Shannon assisted Valia in the streets, chasing leads and taking down the fiends.

“Thank you again for letting me come with you,” she said as the two walked down a crowded street. “I’m glad to help Lord Noah with his work, but some of the things he does in there, the things he does to the people you capture, the way he experiments on them… I couldn’t stop imagining those things being done to my kin.”

“Considering what I walked in on, I’m surprised you lasted so long. Noah lives in a very different world from you and I. I sometimes get glimpses of it from his stories, and they often leave me awed, horrified, and heartbroken. Other times, he’ll tell me a story that makes me fall in love with him all over again. Anyway, it’s nice to have you out here. Honestly, I thought you had a grudge against me.”

Shannon gave a mournful sigh. “I was never mad at you. It just hurt to be reminded of that night. But I know you did everything you could to save my father, I know that you wanted to make everything right. What happened wasn’t your fault, it was theirs; the Profane, and if not for you, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t simply want to help my people, I want to return the favor.”

“Well I’m happy to have you. Just be ready, these streets are crawling with danger.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Off in the distance, they heard several roars and the sounds of battle. “Looks like you’re going to get your chance. Let’s go!”

They set off towards the commotion, Valia sprinting and Shannon ...
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