Journey of the Half-Elf - Book 1

Chapter XXVI - The Second Sunset

Some time after leaving Maa'gor's tavern, Guinevere and Gastan returned to the house, only staying for a few minutes before having to go back to begin their jobs.
After walking into her bedroom to pull down her blue headscarf, she folded it neatly, placing it down on her bed. Though she desperately wanted to keep it, the Half-Elf chose instead to remove the wolf-mouth necklace, hiding it beneath the pillow to provide some semblance of
security — to her, the aged iron symbol and black string held more sentimental value than the expensive blue threads, for the woman who gifted it to her was the one who saved her.

With only the black bandana around her ears to adorn her, Guinevere closed the door and approached her father.

"Should we have apples?" Guinevere suggested, plucking a pair from the food-plate on the worktop. "Maa'gor told us not to take too long."

"Yeah alright, cheers." Gastan replied, accepting it from her hand before biting down on it. "Dawn gave these to you, right?"

"Yes. But I'm not sure what orchard she got them from." Said the young woman, lightly clasping hers as she took out a juicy white chunk. "They're still in good condition," She gulped down and continued, "And the family's been on the move for a while now."

"You know, I wish I could meet them." Her father confessed. "I gotta thank them all for their help."

"Same." Guinevere smiled. "I want to see them again. I miss them."

"I know you do, kid.
You told me Bloody Fangs were after them, right? They're nasty cunts."

"Have you fought one before?"

"Nah, and I'm fucking glad. Liam has, and he told me he'd rather fight a bear with a spoon. He killed the cunt eventually, but got out of it with a broken arm. That was years ago, but he still hates that day.

Listen, Gwinna." Gastan's voice coursed with fear, but to ensure the safety of his long-eared daughter, he became strict and heavy with his words. "The Bloody Fangs... they're all men. Humans. And if it wasn't obvious already, they're allowed to walk freely across the Border. They stay in the South most of the time, but some of them'll ride north.

In this case, one of them's trying to hunt Dawn and her family. And he won't stop till all four of them are dead.

You listen to me. They wear red and black, and they live for blood and chaos. Whatever part of whatever city you're in, if one of them's there, don't even fucking look at them. If one of them's hurting someone, walk the fuck away and don't look back. Otherwise they'll get you as well.

After nonhumans, they go after women too. They're sick, soulless, rotten to the fucking core. Don't fucking do anything to get their attention. Avoid them as best as you can and don't even think about being friendly to them.
They're so evil, it's like The Abyss shat them out. They make Zulwraiths look friendly."

"Where do they typically dwell?" Guinevere enquired, now sharing her father's fear. "Only Alfrindon is predominantly human. It makes sense for them to be there, no?"

"Yeah. The South Outskirts, a place that makes here look civilised.
Luckily, there's only a couple of them living there. They're strong and smart, but they don't have numbers."

"Why does Lord Alfrind allow them to stay in his city? They're clearly terrible people. Does he not care for his reputation?

"Honestly? I've got no fucking idea. It might be some sort of deal between Alfrind and the Bloody Fang leader.
Whatever it is, it doesn't fucking matter to me. Just stay out of trouble. Don't play the hero against them. Please." He begged.

"I will, Father." Guinevere replied as she carried on eating her apple. "I will do my best."

"I know you will." He sighed before giving her a faint smile.