Veil of Destiny

Chapter 3 The Unlikely Summon and the Tavern Brawl

The skeleton didn't look like a high-level monster, or even a skeletal soldier. The bones were small, indicating that the person had been of slight build. They were covered in mottled stains, with several prominent cracks in the crucial skull. As for the ribs, they didn't even add up to twenty; perhaps some wild dog had used them for sustenance. The only distinguishing feature was the presence of two slender, wing-like structures on its back.

"Is this the creature created by the essence of the gods?" Dorian was bewildered. This skeleton seemed far removed from anything celestial, suggesting that the gods, in all their glory, might share the same essence as the forces of evil.

Dorian extended his mental energy, gradually merging with the skeleton, attempting to control and examine this potentially new breed of creature. Everything went smoothly; the skeleton appeared to possess no special abilities beyond being slightly stronger than typical skeletons. A wave of fatigue washed over Dorian as his magic depleted. "Well, you're my pet now. I'll call you Sophia," he said, not caring about the relevance of the name. He sent the skeleton back to the otherworld. As it vanished, Dorian sensed a brief moment of discontent from it, perhaps displeasure at the name. "Skeletons get annoyed? I must be exhausted," he thought.

The following morning, after three consecutive pet summoning attempts that drained his magic, Dorian finally accepted that his pet was indeed a skeleton. After the usual meditation to replenish his magic, it was almost dusk. "Time for a drink," he decided.

The "Oakwood Tavern" was an old establishment, sizeable and located just three blocks from the northern magic academy. It was also a hub for mercenary guild tasks, drawing in magic apprentices and mercenaries alike, along with fiery dancers and girls hoping to snag a wealthy patron.

"Hey, isn't that Dorian? Long time no see! Heard you've turned over a new leaf, aiming to become a grand mage?" Dorian turned to see Ryder, an old friend from their days of brawling and chasing girls. Ryder, three years older and built like an ox, had a father who was a captain in the city guard, and was considered a mid-level knight. Despite his father's wishes for him to become a knight, Ryder ended up in the magic academy, showing enough talent to become a third-level mage a year ahead of Dorian.

Dorian sat down beside Ryder, silently took a drink, and sighed deeply. The others at the table were clearly aristocratic idlers, each sporting a rapier. Two dancers were laughing and joking with the group. Ryder put an arm around Dorian's shoulders. "Man, it's been dull without you. No one has your knack for fun. What's up, girl troubles? Don't worry, I got you. Here, have a drink! Bartender, more tequila!"

The tavern's atmosphere was reaching its peak, with the occasional scream and loud laughter breaking out. "Hey, Dorian, let me introduce you. This is Reginald, second son of Earl  Blom; this is Grayson, whose father is my dad's superior; and this is Tristan, nephew of Marquess Floren." Ryder slurred slightly as he made the introductions.

"I said, that girl over there is pretty good, but she seems a bit difficult to deal with." Reginald said, eyeing a corner of the bar. The group looked over to see a table with four men and two women, likely mercenaries. One woman, about eighteen or nineteen, wore revealing dark armor, exposing her long, white thighs. She had a thigh strap with three throwing knives and wore a chest plate that accentuated her curves, with a low neckline revealing deep cleavage. A large two-handed sword next to her hinted at her strength. Her fiery red hair was loosely draped over her shoulders.

Next to her was a delicate young noble girl, around fifteen or sixteen, in a finely made dress, her only adornment a pair of sapphire earrings.

The rude stares from several people were immediately noticed.The female warrior glared back, causing Reginald to whistle. She scowled, her hand on her sword hilt, but the mage beside her restrained her. "Don't cause trouble here, Vivienne."