Moon Glade

Honouring

The courtyard fell silent as the guild leader stepped up to the podium. She commanded the silence with just her presence alone, everybody's eyes fell onto her without her saying a word. My breath caught in my chest as I saw her.

She was taller than any female draco I had ever seen, at least a foot taller than me, with long, straight black hair that perfectly framed her face. Her skin was pale in contrast in her dark black draco scales and horns, her ice blue eyes washed over the crowd of guild members and for a second, I thought she looked at me. Her dress was deep forest green and flowed down to the floor, the dress displayed her shoulders and intricate scales that decorated them, growing up to her neck and below her hair. 

"Death..." She started, her voice soothing and silvery. "Comes to all of us eventually, but for Balin, it came too soon."

I placed her voice instantly. It was the voice I heard in the rat's cave. She must of saved us. 

"Today we honour, respect and remember our fellow adventurer. Like too many new adventurers, he was taken before his time at the hands of evil."

Luca grabbed my hand and held it between us on the bench, out of the corner of my eye, I could see Luca weeping silently. 

"Let us all pray to the elven Gods that Balin may rest and be happy in his next life." She finished. Everybody lowered their heads and closed their eyes. 

With all of my might, I silently prayed to the elven Gods that I may have their forgiveness for not being able to save Balin. 

Upon opening my eyes, a tall Onyx male with shiny grey hair was stood behind the podium and the guild leader was no longer in sight. 

"The feast to celebrate Balin's life will begin shortly in the main hall." He said, gesturing towards the doors to the main hall behind him and stepping down from the podium.

As everybody stood up to enter the main hall, Luca let go of my hand and smiled apologetically at me. "I'm going back to my room." He sniffled and walked away. 

I was painfully aware that I was now awkwardly standing by myself, a few guild members threw glances my way, probably knowing that I was one of the stupid new adventurers that took on too much too handle. I felt deflated and wanted to go back to my families farm, to my safe place. 

"Come and sit with us Clara." Shouted Richard over the benches. I nodded, grateful to know somebody, sitting alone would have been enough to send me home. 

Richard lead us to a table near the bar in the main hall, there sat a group of people I recognised from earlier. "These are some of your veteran house mates." Whispered Richard as he pulled out a chair for me to sit down in. 

"Hi Clara, I'm Leo." Said the first, it was the onyx who had announced the feast. 

"Hi." I smiled back quietly. 

"Leo is the special advisor to Camille." Followed Richard, smiling at Leo. I nodded, remembering the guild leaders name was Camille. 

"I'm Nala." Smiled the next Onyx, she was tall and had short brown hair, she looked friendly and fierce at the same time. 

"Nice to meet you." I replied, noticing the green cloth she had fashioned into an eye patch. "I lost it in battle." She replied, used to people staring. 

"Sorry." I murmured, trying not to look at it. 

"Don't be, I was young and reckless once you know!" She winked and took a swig from her drink. 

"The rest of your housemates are around somewhere, I'll introduce them to you later." Stated Richard. 

"Would you like a drink?" He asked and I nodded as he walked towards the bar.