The Everburn Mage

11. The Den of Treasures and Magic

Once the train reached the end of its track and the sun's incubated rays poured through its opening doors, their mission had officially begun.

Rune had never actually visited the town known as Star Bell. He just knew it was the biggest hotspot for traders and dealers in the country. Whether they be blue-blooded nobles or gold-famished thieves, people from across the country flooded its streets in hopes of getting their hands on something special. Something magical. "If you want it, we have it!", was the official Star Bell motto. As such, the majority of the town consisted mostly of shops, trading companies, and open-air markets. A true treasure trove unique only to Esteras. At least, that was what he was taught.

Even now, as Rune exited the train station, he had to fight the urge to traverse the town and peruse its wide array of contents. Since he was a boy he'd dreamed of coming to Star Bell. Shops here didn't just sell you typical trinkets and hand downs. There were items possessing magical properties. Artifacts from foreign lands. Foods and treats one could only taste in their wildest dreams. They had it all!

Nevertheless, he didn't have the luxury nor the money to properly fulfill his childhood fantasies. First and foremost, he was a combat mage on an important mission. Over the course of their journey, Griffin and Zenobio disclosed the specifics of their plan. 

As to not arouse suspicion, the mages would split into pairs and check different sectors of the town for any suspicious activity. Should they discover anything peculiar, they would report to the remaining teams immediately and wait on standby until everyone had assembled as a group. Then, as a functioning unit of magic users, they'd investigate the anomaly together and without delay. 

But what would James himself be doing while they were out hunting for criminals? Apparently, the slacker had matters to attend to at Star Bell's military base though Rune had the sneaking suspicion this was his convenient excuse to keep out of harm's way. In fact, he was one-hundred percent positive that was the case.

"Hey, Master. Did you hear?" inquired Daze, hopping next to him. "You'll be partnered with Ebony for this mission."

Fixing his mouth into a scowl, Rune leered at James at the top of the train station's cement entrance stairs, knee-deep in a conversation with Sabine and Striker. "Jeez, what a shocker," Rune grumbled. "Whatever. It'll give us a chance to catch up with each other if nothing else."

"Aren't you nervous?"

"Why would I be?"

"It's just that, well, I heard some horrifying stories about that girl," Daze gulped, his knees trembling like a cowardly, infant child.

"Not interested," Rune countered, showing him the face of his palm. "Was never too keen on rumors."

"Come on! Just hear me out!" Daze wailed. "They say she was adopted by a high-ranking combat mage but before that, she actually used to be a noble, if you could believe it."

Rune folded his arms. "A noble, you say?"

"Yup! And that's not all. I've heard she was disowned by her family because she..." Daze shivered. "Because she..." Daze shivered some more. "Because she..."

"Oh, just get to the point!"

Scuttling closer, the terrified mage whispered into his ear, "Because she killed someone. A member of her family's servant staff, I heard."

"You...that's ridiculous," Rune adamantly denied. "If she did, everyone would've found out about it by now."

"But that's what I was told!"

"Oh yeah. By who?"

"Lukas."

And suddenly, everything was beginning to make sense. Loudly releasing a jetting current of air out his mouth, Rune rested a hand over the frantic private and said, "I wouldn't trust anything that jerk says."