Magic Within Official

Chapter 4

Ajani POV

Shira and I entered the quiet village after about an hour and a half of traveling. We made the unspoken decision to avoid the Inn. We knew that we wouldn't remain unnoticed forever, but there was no reason to speed up our eventual discovery.

Walking down the main street, I quickly scanned the layout. You never know when you might need to make a hasty retreat.

After a few minutes of exploration, Shira and I deemed that our man wasn't residing in the village. It was to be expected, but it made finding him a lot harder.

The village was almost empty. The residents were farmers, and, at this time, they were still out tending their fields. We were alone, apart from the occasional child playing in the street.

"We should go. He's not here, and we gain nothing from staying." Shira said to me. I agreed with her, but something was telling me that I should wait.

I wasn't disappointed.

"Who's not here?"

We both turned around, startled. A woman was standing in the doorway of the house we just passed, leaning casually against the door frame.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We were just looking for my friend's... brother." Shira said quickly.

"Ahuh, suuuuuure you were." the lady drawled, unimpressed.

"You wouldn't have happened to see him?" I asked, seeing an opportunity. Shira shot me a warning glance.

"I don't know." she replied. "Lots of people pass through these parts."

"His name is Jazal Dyslin."

Her eyes widened in surprise. She looked both ways down the street, then latched onto our wrists and yanked us into her house shutting the door with her foot.

I went sprawling onto a couch, and Shira's momentum carried her into the wall. The woman drew a knife from a hidden sheath, and pointed it at my throat. "What do you want with Jazal?"

Shira raised her hands above her head in a non-threatening gesture. "We were just-"

The lady pulled out another knife in an instant, this one pointed at Shira. "Don't. Move."

"Woah, woah, okay Miss Mystery. If you could just," I placed my finger on the top of her knife, gently lowering it away from my face, "put the knife away, we could talk about this?"

"Don't call me that." She said, obviously annoyed, though thankfully she put the knife back in the sheath. The knife pointed at Shira remained where it was. Hey, something is better than nothing, right?

I, of course, was unarmed. What, was I supposed to go into town and ask, Hey! Can I have a sword and a double headed glaive? Also, I need a few weeks of supplies, some tinder and firewood and some new clothes? That would be great, thanks. Totally not suspicious. Not at all.

"Then what should I call you?" I asked.

"Latasha."

Another step forwards.

"Now answer my question. What. Do you want. With Jazal?? Who sent you this time??" she snapped.

"Who did what?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"No one sent us." Shira replied.

"Hmm. Either he's an idiot, or you're telling the truth." Latasha murmured.

Finally, she lowered the knife pointed at Shira, although she didn't put it away. She held it in a casual manner. She knew how to use that knife.

I sat up properly in the chair, Latasha's glare on me the whole time. I tried to sit as casually as possible.

"We simply wish to talk to him." I said. Not a lie, but also not the whooole truth.

Latasha snorted. "Sure. And even if that was the reason you wanted to see him, why should I tell you where he is? It's not like I'm getting anything out if it."

"Well, I'm sure we can find him on our own." I shrugged, before waving to Shira. "Come on. She's not going to help us."

Latasha POV

Dang it Latasha. You know what he's doing. DON'T FALL FOR IT.

But, as much as I hate to say this, he interests me. Something's going on, something he's not telling me, and I'm going to find out what it is.

Also, he's a magician. I can sense it. It's like a sixth sense that all magicians have.

So why hasn't he called me out?

Something's happening, and I'll be damned if I let myself get left out.

Ajani POV

I saw her waver. I've got her.

Latasha sighed. "Fine. I'll show you the way. But only if you explain what is going on."

"I promise." I replied. There was no reason to hide it from her. By the look of her, she's going to find out anyway. Better it be from me than... Other sources.

Shira smirked, having picked up on my trick immediately. "Shall we get going?"

Latasha nodded, and we all walked out if the house.

Neri POV

Fraier rolled a map open on our table in the bar, deep in thought. The bar keeper hadn't been happy to see us, but after Dimitri threw some gold at him, and Fraier fingered his sword, he gladly gave us a table in the corner.

Dimitri look at Fraier quizzically, a slight frown of confusion on his face as he also looked at the map.

I felt very out of the loop. "Fraier?" I asked, looking up at him. He didn't answer though. Neither did Dimitri. Umm. Okay then.

I guess this is as good of a time as any to write you some descriptions.

Fraier and Dimitri were both hunched over the table. Dimitri was in uniform, Fraier wasn't. Fraier was wearing a white semi-formal shirt and a pair of long black semi-formal parts over a pair of shiny black shoes. (Dimitri often teases him about this). He had his sword attached to his belt, and a small dagger on the opposite side. His wavy dark brown hair was pushed back behind his ears, although it was making a valiant attempt to escape, and his eyes are a light grey. Dimitri, as I said before, was wearing the guard uniform, claiming he had nothing else to wear. This consists of a black shirt with the reddish-orange prison logo on the left, over the heart, and loose black pants with a red trim. It may not look like much, but it was incredibly solid, and it could stop a sword stroke from piecing you. Impressive, right?
His hair was spikey and blonde. His eyes are a light green.

I was wearing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts that Fraier had lent to me. We were about the same size, even though he was at least five years older than me. I have light brown extremely curly hair and dark blue eyes.

They both told me to bring a jacket, cause apparently it's "cold". It's really not though, so I'm currently wearing said jacket around my waist.

Well...

I've kinda run out of things to say.

I'll leave it here, and I'll get back to you if they decide to tell me what's going on.

Look.
I apologised already for missing your question. I was busy telling Dimitri to stop being an idiot and use some common sense.

How?? You weren't saying anything! Were you like, using telepathy or something??

No.

How then??

It's a secret.

...

I'm serious. Like, an on-pain-of-death secret.

Fine...
But I will find out eventually. You watch.

*grunt*