The Slums of Euridayl

18: A Book & Its Cover

It wasn't until Kieran struggled to bustle through the door that the old man turned around. Hearing the cacophony of noise and disruption he turned back to them with a scrunched nose. It was then his eyes landed on the smooth and ever-winding tail at Kieran's waist.

Thokre's eyes shot wide open and he very quickly moved to help the stranger.

"Good gods of Azzan, sorry my boy. I hadn't noticed."

Kieran allowed a polite smile and allowed the man to help him into the cottage. When everyone was settled, Thokre scanned the strangers, eyeing them. Enid sat on a rug on the floor while Kieran occupied the empty sitting room chair. Arius was stalking back and forth wearily around them.

"Arius dear, you can give up the facade. I see no trouble with these fellows."

Arius growled slightly before stalking off into the old man's bedroom. When he returned, he was in floppy haired boy form with a large tunic and loose drawls about his lower waist. Enid and Kieran blinked at him curiously but neglected to question the matter.

"Anyhow... did you always have that bit?"

Thokre gestured to Kieran's tail a bit nervously. As though he weren't sure how sensitive such a topic could be. His bedside manner was admittedly shoddy.

Kieran smiled and shook his head.

"However did such a thing happen?"

"Pixies, rotten shites. Deep inside of Fallburne's forests."

Thokre raised a brow and toyed with his beard.

"Fallburne's forests? You two aren't Druid."

Enid shook her head.

"Mission from Dillac's king, we were soldiers."

"Ahh, right. Well Fallburne pixies are a very particular branch of creature. They're villainous little things, spiteful. Though their magic isn't terribly strong. I'll dig through some of my studies and see what I might come across."

The warriors shrugged as Thokre pulled his creaking body up from the armchair.

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Arius awkwardly tapped his fingers on his leg for a moment, staring at the strangers. He then rose to a standing position and offered them tea.

"Please, if you don't mind."

Kieran looked at Enid confusedly. That was likely the kindest way she'd ever spoken to anyone before. Her eyes followed the young lad out of the room. When his back was turned and he was far enough away, Enid rose to her knees and shuffled over to Kieran.

Kieran furrowed his brows at her as she settled her arms across his lap. The proximity wasn't so much the problem, it was the idea of Enid doing anything so unlike herself.

"The boy."

Kieran nodded, watching her eyes as they scanned him with half wonderment and half something undecipherable. The blue swirled and grew a few shades darker. For a moment the sensation made Kieran dizzy but he refocused when she spoke again.

"He's a lycan."

To this, Kieran rolled his eyes. He wasn't fond of superstitions.

"You can not possibly know that."

Enid shot him a short glare and nudged her head in the boy's direction. Kieran stared at the scrawny teen almost disinterestedly. He stood over a boiling kettle with a wooden spoon in one hand and a knapsack of tea in the other. His hair was wild and unkempt and he likely didn't shower with suitable frequency. Kieran scrunched his nose.

"So?"

"The wolf from earlier. It's him."

Kieran looked at her with disbelief. He reached a hand forward and flicked her in the forehead, right between the eyes.

"Oww, wha-"

"Stop focusing on the boy, focus on our situation. We don't know these two, they could be out to hurt us."

Enid sighed and pulled away from Kieran almost grouchily. She settled back into her spot on the floor and gestured around the room.

"Does this look like an evil lair to you, Kieran?"

The man sighed indignantly. Misshapen bookshelves were the primary decorum and most of the knicknacks were likened to forest animals such as bunnies and toads. It was about what anyone would expect a grandparent's living space to look like.

"Looks can deceive us. You remember Miss D's home?"

Enid rolled her eyes.

"I remember waking up in a damp basement. How is that deceiving?"

Kieran blew air out through his mouth and then closed it. Perhaps that wasn't the best example, he didn't get a good glimpse at the places until they ran like hell away from it.

"Oh bollocks, you get my point. Just stay cautious."

Enid slumped her shoulders in defeat and nodded.

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