Frost and Darkness

Chapter six; More People

I observe Okami as we walk home. She's at her limit. I don't give her more than a month. A month and a half at best. "Come on girl," I say as she looks at me with tired eyes. "We're almost there." She slowly starts walking again and I stay behind her so I won't lose sight of her. Once we reach our house she starts growling softly. "What is it, girl?" I whisper. Okami sneaks forward along the hut's side to the front. I follow her and peek across the corner. There's a person on the porch, but it's too dark to see a face. From the look of the clothing it's a male. I tell Okami to stay as I sneak further across the house. Closer. I need to get closer to get a glimpse. Shit. He's faced towards the city. I take the dagger from the holster around my leg, speed up my pace and charge. My arm grabs around the person's neck, closing the throat, and I press my dagger in the male's side, not enough to wound him, but he should know it's there. The man's hands grab towards my arm and I hear gasps. The legs flail and the body tries to release itself. "Who are you?" I ask as I release the grip a bit so the person can answer. "Michelle sent me!" He calls, almost desperate. "Who are you?!" I repeat, fiercer now. "Kayden! My name is Kayden!" His hands keep grasping my arms, trying to get out of my grip. "I'm not a threat!" I try to get a glimpse of his face. Useless. The lights of the city are too far away, so I turn the male toward the little guarding flame next to the front door. A faded pink hair color. About the same age as I. A little older maybe. "I can prove that Michelle sent me." The boy pleads. I slowly release the grip, but not my awareness. My dagger stays where it is. In the meantime Okami has come closer and looks at the male questioning. He reaches in his pocket and holds out his hand. A rose petal. But why would Michelle send him?

When I first got to this area, I noticed more wizards than in other parts of the country. I asked someone why they were all gathered here. A woman explained me the use of guilds and advised me to visit one at the other side of the city. When I reached the place I couldn't believe how many wizards there actually were around here. And I was even more surprised to hear that this wasn't the only wizard guild. There were at least 4 infamous ones and that was only in this region. As I walked inside and I noticed that I wasn't anything out of place – if not that my clothing would make them follow me with their eyes. Some murmured something about me having a strong aura, but no one seemed able to identify my magic's nature. As I looked around I noticed two waitresses at a bar. And one thing never changes over time; innkeepers know everything. One of the women had silver hair and the other was blonde. Both ladies wore their hair loose and for both of the ladies the locks reached all the way to their waist. Both were wearing big pink dresses. As I approached them I quickly realized I could really get along with the blonde woman. Her name was Michelle and is about 25 years old and a little naïve. She told me a lot about the ranks in the guild and the wizards I needed to watch out for. One of the wizards she told me about was a guy named Gray. It was the man I saw in town earlier. Anyway. I got to know that Michelle likes roses a lot and whenever she sends someone somewhere, she gives them a rose petal, so they can assure that Michelle sent them.

"Why did she send you?" I try to read the male's intentions. "I need a hand in my guild. She said you might want to join." I frown. Why should I join a guild? "What do you need a hand for?" Is it just a figure of speech or is he talking about an actual hand? "I'm a bit short on people to run my guild. I need a bartender. And a few strong mages." Not an actual hand, apparently. I weigh the chances of being deceived by Michelle and decide that she probably couldn't even come up with it. She's not smart. "And Michelle said you can cook." Kayden seemed less afraid for an attack of my side, now that we're just talking and I have let him go. I still have the dagger ready though. I don't respond to his answer. "Look, she told me that you're socially anxious, but also that you will accept people eventually." I glare. I don't like where this is going. "And hearing the rumors you're strong too." Kayden turns towards the west side of the city. I don't feel like talking anymore so I go inside. He doesn't seem like the type to attack mid-conversation. "Hey." The male calls after me. "I'll think about it." I say as I close the door. "Look for Wings of Hope." I glance through the window to see him leave. I really don't want to mingle, but wouldn't it be nice to get accepted for once? I lay down on my matrass and rest my head on my hands as Okami cuddles up with me. I'll think about it tomorrow.