Shadowglade [On Hold]

Chapter 7

 Osuin finally made it back outside, making his way out of the ravine with nothing more than vague information and a dagger. Not even Gael offered to give him some helpful advice to survive the mission and make it back before dawn. It was clear. Osuin was on his own. He made his way swiftly to the hills. Once he found a good vantage point on top of one of the hills, he spotted Glendale. Not too far to the right was the target's location.

"The bastards didn't tell me the likely spots he'd be in." Osuin sighed.

He hopped down the hill, sliding on his feet and then launched into a full on sprint once he made contact with the ground. He still hadn't gotten used to his speed, having tripped a few times, but he did save himself from looking dumb in front of onlookers. A thought crossed his mind, though, prompting him to stop and look back in the direction of the Sanctuary. He was free. Not that he was held captive, but he did begin to have second thoughts about all this. He didn't feel chosen for anything besides the hellish life he's had to live thus far. His parents are dead, he had to leave his friend whom probably hates him for leaving. There's no telling what would be running through Sarun's mind at the thought of Osuin. Would they hunt him down if he just abandoned ship? Even if it was just a bluff, the Matron sounded completely sure of his death should he fail.

Rubbing his eyes, he paced himself and headed to the unnamed village, to him, at least.

***

Sarun pushed the door to the Inn open slowly, half expecting the Inn to be as empty as before. To his surprise, however, the Inn was teeming with individuals looking for a good time over alcohol and stories.

"Hey, this way, Sarun!"

To a far corner, he found Eric waving him down like a child, with two younger people next to him, a male and female. Both of their eyes were white, just like his and Eric's. He weaved his way around dancing drunkards and seductive prostitutes, eventually finding himself a seat across from Eric. He smiled and looked at the female to his right first. She had the soft countenance of a twelve year old, but the voice of a mean warrior goddess. He tried to stifle his laughter seeing as how her voice didn't match her face.

"Welcome to our Unit, Sarun. Eric's told us a lot about you despite you being new and all."

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Well for starters, you got stabbed and didn't make a sound! Am I wrong?"

Sarun had to tear his mental storage apart just to find the memory. The Dradei, that's who it was. He winced at the thought of being stabbed, but knowing his body would heal on its own was more than comforting.

"Yeah, you're right. I've been stabbed many times⎯metaphorically speaking. Being stabbed physically is nothing compared to emotional pain."

Sarun's eyebrow did a short little dance at the thought of his best friend being nowhere to be seen. He left without a trace, and despite still caring for his friend, Osuin's decision was unforgivable.

"Hey, Sarun!" The male jumped in to distract his new teammate. "Whatever you're thinking about, whoever you're thinking about, is not worth your mental energy. You're with us now, and as such, you're our brother."

Sarun fought back tears. He'd never met someone so readily accepting like this before, besides Osuin of course. He allowed a grin to show before Eric stood to his feet. Sarun finally took note of Eric's massive size and muscle mass. He was a hulking man, no doubt about it.

"Sarun, by the way, this is Talida Rosalin," He said as he motioned towards the female, "And this, over here, is Amal Kretus. You three should chat up while I go grab us some drinks!" Eric bellowed.

"Make it Dragon's Blood!" Amal shouted. Eric only retorted Amal's suggestion with a mocking scoff.

"Just looking at you, I doubt you'll even be able to handle Dragon's Blood!" Talida snickered.

Amal simply scoffed and looked around the Inn, eyeing the prostitutes in particular.

"Watch and learn ladies. This is how a knight gets his groove on!" Amal smirked as he slid out of his chair.

He approached one of the more fair skinned prostitutes and reached in his back pocket. She seemed to be sweet talking him, but that sweet talk turned physical when he pulled out a big pouch jingling with coin. She forced him down into a chair and turned to face opposite him, proceeding to lower herself onto his lap. Amal turned to look at his teammates, who watched in disbelief as she gave him the lap dance of his life. Talida only offered a disapproving shake of her head while sporting a mocking grin. She turned her attention to Sarun, who had just been watching in utter amazement.

"So, tell me about yourself, Sarun."

Sarun's gawking stopped immediately at the sound of Talida's voice. He had to quickly condition himself to not laugh while listening to a baby faced girl outdo him with a husky voice.

"What do you want to know?"

"General details would be nice, but whatever floats your boat is fine with me."

Sarun had to stop and think for a moment. The last few days have been such a blur, and current circumstances still felt more than surreal.

"Well, I'm twenty. My dad kicked me out recently because he wants me to learn how to survive on my own."

"So you're without shelter."

"No, I lived with an old friend at first, but he's gone..." Sarun's tone took a dark turn.

"Gone? Dead?"

"No, he just up and left a while ago. I haven't heard from him since. The Grand Priest think's my friend's taken a dark turn, spiritually."

"I see..." Talida said vaguely.

"But I'm fine. He left me without leaving so much as a note. Glad to know that he was a true friend."

Talida noted the sarcasm in Sarun's voice and met it with a soft smile.

"You know, you're with us now. So stop your sad reminiscing and smile!"

Sarun offered a soft chuckle as he turned to look at Amal who seemed to be having the time of his life. Eric finally returned with drinks wrapped in his muscular arms. He set them down on the table and found his seat with a rough grunt.

"Amal, get your ass over here! It's time to discuss our new member's initiation into our Unit!"

"Initiation?" Sarun gave a confused smile and watched as Amal scurried like a rat back to his seat.

"Despite you being initiated by the Grand Priest, our Unit has an initiation ceremony of our own!"

"I don't think I'm liking this. If it's more painful than the Grand Priest's ceremony, then I want out!" Sarun whined.

"Oh don't worry," Amal began, "You'll be just fine!" he snickered deviously, enjoying the amount of confusion and fear Sarun began to express.