How to be of shadow and light (bxb)

Chapter 28- Salem

A/N a speech heavy chapter sorry for those who don't like that

They found the tracker at the next market they visited. It was a fairly average one not as dark as the second of bright as the first. It was a typical village market selling lots of fresh produce, live creatures and craftsmanship.

They found Phoebe's friend in the underground part of the market. The place was built on top of a cave system and venders had took advantage of it building their stalls and buildings into the cave walls. So there was an underground street built to accommodate the cursed who couldn't go to the surface of the market.
After asking around they were directed to the biggest building in the street right on the end. It was built out of obsidian and looked rather ominous especially when all those walking in and out wore hoods to hide their faces.
"State your name and business," a gruff looking man grunted at the door blocking their entry. His body was covered in coarse black hair, horns sat atop his head and a thin tail protruded from his leather shorts. He was obviously a minotaur, a species famed for their strength and bad tempers.
"I'm an old friend of Salem's inform him Phoebe is here and he'll vouch for me," she said calmly. The minotaur sighed and shuffled inside as slowly as possible to make sure they knew how much effort it was taking him. His bellows rang from inside making each of them cringe a little but he came back two minutes later with the tracker.
He was a very odd looking being who gave off an instant air of secrecy. His ears were perhaps the most odd thing standing proud and very upright on top of his head covered in soft brown fur. They were most comparable to that of a hare's ears but it was their sheer size that was so unusual. If a mouse coughed within a ten mile radius he wouldn't have missed it. His eyes were a bright blue grey colour which spoke of infinite intelligence and cunning. Apart from that he was pretty average; small, well-built, a little twitchy perhaps but Alec knew that if he could read auras Salem's would be incredible.
"Phoebe my dear it's been too long," he giving her the briefest of smiles before turning his sharp eyes on Fai and Alec. Hestia left with Fern and the other two trusty steeds were above ground gathering food.
"Who's the green eyed god one of your little rescue projects," Salem asked with potent contempt. The words made Fai stiffen and he would have growled had it not been for Alec's hand brushing his arm, a reminder to keep polite so they could get Salem to help them. Still Alec was disgruntled.
"No he's actually here to acquire your services," Phoebe said in exasperation. Salem had always been kind to her and was an excellent friend to have but the man was horrendously pompous.
"Oh how wonderful come in, come in." He was suddenly made very eager by the idea of some unexpected business. Inside it was very luxurious. No expense had been spared to ensure that all clients had the perfect experience in whatever they desired after. Salem was Phoebe informed them a spirit of knowing which is why he was able to track so well. However it also made him dangerous because spirits of his sort were rather prone to trickery and that was a big threat from someone who knew your every desire.
In Salem's office the extravagance was toned down to be a little more tasteful but even so everything was shiny and expensive looking. "It's like a drakon's nest," Fai had snorted to Alec who had to stifle his laughter.
"So you want to find your brother yes?" Salem asked with a smile that showed a little too much teeth to seem friendly. It was like a ravenous beast leering at it's victim.
"That's right. I seek a lot of answers and he is likely to hold them."
"Very formal and polite Phoebe. I prefer him to your usual guard dog," he laughed sending another curled lipped smile in Faai's direction. This time he did growl, low and quietly in the back of his throat. It was a wolves growl not the loud defensive growl of a little dog but a whispered warning that another growl would not follow. There'd be a bite.
Salem just smirked at that despite the fact that Fai was head and shoulders above him as well as being able to summon burning balls of light at any moment. "Well he's in the mountains but if you want a specific chain and location you'll have to take a hellhound which you'll need a handler for. It's going to cost you I'm afraid."
Phoebe had been afraid of this. Salem always asked for high and personal prices to be paid which could only be funded by the one requiring his services. "What do you ask for?"
"What sort of creature are you green eyes?"
"A leshy," Alec said in confusion, surely he knew that already.
"Exactly so you can pay me with your gift. You summon rare and rather exquisite creatures and that fire horse of yours is really rather something. There's a lot of demons who'd give me huge sums for that beauty."
Alec and Fai were disgusted by the mere idea. Fai looked anxiously at Alec, if the leshy did sell out the beast he commanded then he''d be no better than the people Fai had been in the possession of as a child. Alec however was also outraged by the thought. He had a responsibility to the creatures he had power over and exploiting their lack of will when it came to his command was a sickening idea.
"No deal," he replied flatly and Fai released a shaky sigh of relief and gave Alec a smile of admiration.
"Then you'll have to explore every cave in every mountain in the land," Salem replied with another one of those toothy smiles.
Alec frowned and disappointment washed over him in a tidal wave. "Cheer up gloomy and think. This man is a business man yes and a very greedy one at that. All you have to do is offer him a better deal."
The voice said which really irritated Alec. If this voice knew his brother or was his brother then why couldn't it tell him where he was. "That wouldn't be any fun now would it."
"Who are you talking to boy. I hope it's that Stallion otherwise we're going to have issues." Salem snapped suspiciously.
"I'm negotiating to give you a better deal actually. I cannot give you him but I can perhaps give you something better," Alec said carefully praying that the voice had something in mind to back up the suggestion. Salem nodded though continued to watch Alec carefully.
"Your a commander of life and he wants a rare creature so give him a unique one. Breathe life into something, create a magical beast."
This was going to be interesting. "Does anyone have any clay or something that can be moulded," Alec asked. Salem nodded and went into the next room to get some. He received quizzical looks from his friend but he just gave them a reassuring smile so as not to alert Salem to what was going on. For obvious reasons.
Alec hadn't suddenly forgotten his morals, he wasn't just going to hand over a living creature (especially one of his creation), to Salem. The man was a slimy criminal and God knows what he'd do with the poor creature Alec gave him. So he had formulated a plan which even the voice seemed to approve of.
When given the clay the voice piped up again. "Use mind not your eyes when making the creature. Concentrate on all the features, abilities and powers you want it to possess." Alec didn't argue and got to work. He closed his eyes and worked his hands through the clay. First he worked on the ways it should be able to escape from Salem that would be hidden from the man. Alec muttered a spell that would block his mind from the spirit of knowledge who would otherwise immediately know his desired about what the creature.
"Part of the process. I need concentration," he muttered when Salem gave a snarl of suspicion. He wished for the beast first to have the ability of teleportation so that it could flee from its captors. Then he insured it could speak only its own language which of course Alec could communicate in without others understanding him. The beast should also be able to survive on its own in a habitat so Alec decided it should be adapted to the mountains where they'd be heading. Then as a final touch he gave it a great sense of smell so that it could track Alec's brother in the place of the hellhound offered if things went wrong.
He opened his eyes and to his disappointment the clay was lifeless. "Breath on it," the voice said as if this was obvious. So he did and the change in the mouse sized model was astonishing.
It grew to around the size of a goat and took on some features from that animal. These were namely cloven hooves and a shaggy, curly coat which was predominantly a silver-grey colour with streaks of white and brown as well. As goats were very well equipped for mountain life it made sense. However that's where the similarities ended. It had a tail like a whip with a much lighter covering of hair which it appeared would act like a human arm in that it it could grip onto things. Then there were its long wing like appendages which whilst didn't have the right structure for flight, would allow it glide between peaks. Then the finishing touches were an elongated snout topped with a dog like nose, tufted ears and cat like eyes which would help with seeing in dark caves.

"That was extraordinary," Salem shouted in glee like a giddy child on his birthday looking at a shiny new gift. "What is it," he demanded eyes wide as saucers.
"A unique creature I created it so there is nothing like it in existence. I'm sure it should cover the cost," he said flippantly. "I call it a snuff." Fai gave him a look of incredulity but he was pretty partial to the name.
"Excellent! The fire horse is forgotten this thing is brilliant and so quiet. I can market it as a pet." It was true the beast watched them curiously but was very reserved in its actions. It wasn't a bizarre idea to see this beast working by the side of any man and doing so attentively.

"Hello child it's your creator," Alec said in the tongue only the creature could understand.

"Hello master, do you wish me to go with this man?" The snuff asked and from it's pitch Alec could tell the creature was female. It also sounded apprehensive like it didn't want to displease him but at the same time wasn't thrilled by the idea.
"Yes but do not fear little one I am not abandoning you. I made you with the ability to teleport which means you can go any place in the world at will. So once I have been gone a whole night you can return to me and I will ensure you are well cared for." The creature smiled revealing both canines and molars, it was an omnivore.
"I will do just that creator and I will ensure he does not know of the plot." Alec gave her a smile and a pat on the head to show that she had done good. Her whip like tail flicked back and forth like a dogs and she pricked her ears up showing off the tufts on them.
"What are you telling it," Salem asked going from excited to suspicious very quickly.
"Just her instructions to do as you say and obey any master she is given. She's an amiable beast very willing to please and I'm positive you'll have no issues with her."

Once things were ironed out about the hellhound Alec was to receive Salem went with Phoebe to take the snuff to the stables and discuss old times. So Fai and Alec were left to lounge around in Salem's office as well as having a bite to eat. A satyr like the one at the first market brought a tray of tea and some cakes. He looked flighty and nervous so the boys said little to him so as not to provoke him. The tea was a peculiar taste something herbal but not unpleasant so they drank it for something to do.
"That was amazing what you did earlier. I'm surprised the snuff wasn't jet black though it's your usual style goth boy," Fai said warmly as he sipped tea out of a flowery cup. Yet again Alec noticed the illuceo's cool composure.
"Yes I did what needed to be done but I'll let you in on a secret," he said and leaned right in so he was next to Fai's ear with his golden hair tickling Alec's face. "The snuff can teleport. I told it to meet us a night after we leave." He giggled and Fai's face lit up in delight.
"You tricked the trickster, oh Alec that is good!" He chuckled heartily relieved that the boy hadn't sold the snuff out. The creature was pretty darn cute and by all accounts very friendly, Fai had never had a dog and he thought that might be even better than one. He gave Alec a quick peck on the lips and then yawned.
"Gods its been a long day." He sighed and Alec caught the yawn.
"Yeah I'm suddenly feeling the weight of the day." They both sank further into their armchairs with appreciative murmurous.
"Everything is soooo soft," Alec said in a slow drowsy voice his words slurring ever so slightly. Fai gave a nod and their eyelids drooped both fought to stay awake but they were fighting a losing battle.
"Feel weird," Fai giggled and Alec joined in until they were both slumped over in drunken hysterics. Within a minute they were slumped in their seats breathing heavily the tea dribbling down them. It was a as well as being a peculiar taste a peculiar colour and when the cups were empty a suspicious residue was left behind.

The minotaur returned once they had been asleep for a few minutes and carried the two out effortlessly who knew where. They were so sound asleep that they didn't notice and Phoebe was not around to help them.