The Corruption- First Draft

Chapter 8

Ryo sat beside Cassius in the family living room of the embassy, the silence between them easy but marked by the slight unfamiliarity of two souls just beginning to connect. Cassius sat comfortably yet upright, hands holding a book, casting glances at the fox by his side with a blend of curiosity and respect every now and then. Ryo's sleek, russet fur caught the gentle glow of the room's amber light, eyes studying his surroundings with quiet interest, occasionally flicking toward Cassius as if sizing up the elderly man. The room around them felt grand yet cozy, with elegant, old-world furniture and towering shelves lined with the worn spines of books.

"You look like you have something on your mind," Cassius mentioned as he closed his book.

'I'm just worried about Jaryn is all. Before he ran off after Havre we had a bit of an argument, I don't know if I was being too harsh on him.'
"Let me guess, something about feeling sad?"

'Roughly, yeah. I was trying to get him to stop feeling down so we could focus on more important matters.'

"I don't think you can be too rough in situations like that. It's how I get Garbone to behave appropriately. A little bit of screaming and suddenly he's not moping anymore!"

He pinned his ears back for a second, unsure of how to feel about that advice. 'Right. I think me arguing with him is what drove him to run off though. Has Garbone ever done that?'

"Oh yeah, a few times. His last attempt to run away is what got him kidnapped by Kyzaf and his little guild to begin with."

'Yati Fae Guild?'

"That's the one. Honestly it's pretty childish of you ask me. Peh, it's like they've never taken any lessons on how to effectively murder enemies. The Highking knows who they are and have been tracking them down to arrest them. The branch in Symilf anyways. I'm surprised they haven't found the identities yet of this branch here in Fzalder."

'Why hasn't he?'

"Beats me. The leader of the Fzalder branch is Lord Angalt, and all twelve of his kids are in it."

'You should tell the Highking then! He'd probably appreciate the tip.'

"Nah. I may not agree with their actions, but I respect lord Angalt enough to let him do what he pleases. I know it's not normal for people born as surface dwellers, but in Hell this is regular demon politics. Compared to my father, he's as innocent as a child."

He looked at him confused. 'You're a demon? I thought you were an ivierae.'

"I am. Ivierae are demons, though of course some young ivierae seem to think otherwise, but we originated from Hell. I'm surprised you don't know this," he mentioned, drinking from his cup of tea.

Ryo shrugged. "So, how much do you know about the Yati Fae Guild?"

"I know a bit about it. What do you want to know?"

"Do you know why they're indiscriminately killing humans and high elves?"

"That I don't know."

'I see. Do you think Ilflurer is a member of the guild?'

"I wouldn't doubt it. He could very well the leader of one of the branches. My money is on the West Jyalb branch- they can be particularly violent there."

'Do you have any ideas who they could be?'

"Oh yeah, definitely. I have three people mind- Professor Rory, Professor Micnillie, or Mr. Yiro. They're all professors at Saint Mirnich's School of Magic. They creep me out, honestly, and that's saying a lot as someone who's lived in Hell most of their life."