Hidden Wonder

Suprised Welcome

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After about an hour of running I could no longer hear or smell the group coming after me. Knowing I needed a new place to crash at I continued on for what felt like 4 more hours, only stoping if there was a water stream near by to hydrate. My steps slow as I see a town up ahead, well hidden and slightly smaller than others I've been to.

The sun is already starting to rise covering the sky in beautiful pink and orange hues. I use my cloaking magic to cover up half of my scent and let my fae ears out since we are near fae borders and start walking into town. I read in a book that a certain rune stone can be used to keep a cloaking spell active 24/7 while being worn, but I haven't had much luck finding such a stone. Though I always made it a priority to check any crystal shops I may stumble upon.

There are only a few lights on in some of the shabby buildings and shops which is good for me, I have a bit of coin saved to get what I need here. Walking along the buildings I take note at what I see.
A clothing store, a inn, a tavern, blacksmith shop, book store, .....Timmy's juicy meats and broths....hm.... Might have to check that one out if I do say so myself. Towards the end of the dirt road there's a small shop, the lights aren't on yet so i inch closer to read the sign.

"Cyphrus's potions and crystals" I whisper to myself. Ooooooo ... how crazy, might have to continue trying my luck, maybe this shop may have the stone I'm looking for... it's almost like.. some Devine being has Interfered in my life's story and pushed me to this town.

I inch closer towards the window to try and take a peek inside. As I cup my hands around my face and peer into the window I see an array of crystals and potions, I feel a weird emotion come through me, hope. It's hope that I find this stone and finally have some peace to try and blend in and live somewhat close to a normal life.

I snoop a little longer until an old man's face pops out of the darkness, face basically pressed against the glass right in front of my eyes. "AHHHHH" *fart* oh fuck me i nearly shit my pants. Clutching my chest I look back up and see the man bent over grabbing his knees and laughing so hard he might fall over.

Scoffing I quickly give him the special finger and turn around to walk away, continuing my search for a place to stay for the time being. Thinking I might find my luck behind these buildings and in the woods. Nature seems to like me more than people in towns anyway.

RYDERS POV:

It's almost 5 in the morning, I've slept only a couple of hours which is seemingly becoming a glorious habit. Wrapping the towel around my waist i stare at my reflection in the mirror.

My black hair still dripping with water, I look exhausted, which is rare to see in fae. naturally, we can absorb energy through the elements around us but it takes a bit of time, like meditating, Indeed I look like the weight of my world as been bashing my skull in for the passed 50 years. "Fuck".

Walking into my room and grabbing my clothes, a simple v neck tunic like shirt with black jeans, I quickly change and gather my thoughts for what today has in store for me.

       As I'm headed towards my door I hear a sturdy knock and know it must be gavyn, my closest friend and commander of my soldiers. "Come in."

Sure enough it is gavyn who opens my door and asks "we have an important meeting today Ry, are you ready to put on your fae King panties and prepare for the shit storm?"

          "First.... Fuck you... second, gods no Gavyn, you'd think the passed 50 years would've been less hostile, but I have to be ready, so let's get a move on."

        "All right boss, sounds good to me."We make our way through the castle to our "Oval Office" of sorts, our meeting room. Sitting down at the head of the table I meet the faces of some of my most trusted friends and also the faces of whom we are even having this meeting in the first place.

"James, Ellaera, It's been a long while hasn't it?" I say, keeping my face neutral. James speaks first "yes Ryder it has, I'm sure you already know why we needed to have this meeting done although I've been waiting for quite some time"

the vampire king seethes out as though he'd love to jump across the table right now and try his luck. "Ah yes I do apologize for the wait, although I'm not quite sure how you run your species, I take care to make sure my people are protected and safe at all times which makes me quite busy James."

I continue  "I wonder how much you truly care about your people, especially when you spend too much free time running around partying and drinking so much blood youre found outside in a pile of hay." I say with a smirk on my face.

"YOU GODS DAMNED PIECE OF FAE TRASH!" James yells as he bolts out of his chair. My guards pull out their weapons hands pointed towards James to make sure no harm comes to me or anyone else in the room.

"BOYS! This is not the time for a pissing contest, please, can we get back to what we all came here to discuss" Ellaera, queen of the lycans, sternly says. "Ah, I do apologize for my tongue James, Queen Ellaera is quite right." I say still with a smirk on my face.

If only I could take a picture of his face currently, he's practically foaming out of his mouth. I let out a quick chuckle and focus my attention to Ellaera. "Please, let's start with what intel you've discovered Queen Ellaera."

"Please, call me Ella," she takes a serene deep breath and continues. "I have a feeling with what we have found everyone in this room will get quite close in the coming months." Ella spoke smooth with grace.

"Very well Ella." I show her a slight smile but my mind is stuck in what she just confessed. How curious... Ella continued on "My men have heard rumors of a revolutionary group with all species included. Lycans, vampires, fae, even low numbered species like witches and warlocks trolls, etc and even humans. We currently don't know their plans or what they stand for, only that they call themselves 'The One'."

   "That is utterly ridiculous, there's absolutely no way that there could be such an inclusive gro-" "James, Ella is correct." I said with authority. "My men have also heard of this group and that they are constantly moving and growing in numbers."

"Well then, we'll just have to pin point their location and kill them all before they grow!" James basically growls out.

"No, we cannot just throw our soldiers in without more intel about the groups intentions, since there are many species joined together in this group, that makes them quite powerful. It would be idiotic to March headfirst without knowing anything at all" Ella stated.

"Yes I agree completely, we need more intel, we should create a group specifically made for stealth and retrieving information, all of us need to make a squad and once we get what we need, then we make our move." I say and am answered with nods and sounds of agreement through out the room.

"Very well King Ryder, I do hope we all understand the importance of communication, as we all might find different information." Ella states.

James grunts "are we finished?"

"Yes... please, if you'd like to stay for a night, you are welcome." I say

"No." James's reply was quick as he walks out of the room. I give one of the guards a look that has him quietly leaving the room to tail James. You're a fool if you trust anyone regardless of how long you've known them. Especially others in power.

"That's quite alright King Ryder, surely we will speak again soon, good day." She says and exits the room with grace. Though I have another guard tail her as well, doesn't matter how much you expose yourself to me. Trust no one.