0 - Dawn Of Silver

6 - Missing Link

15th day of the river season 2441

The Peace Festival, the second largest festival in Daigorn, was held today. People gathered in the heart of the capital, some from other realms: Detmor and Elthen. Of course, it was time to celebrate serenity, empathy and calm. No weapons were allowed on the premises with the exception of the guards, which was a law that was enforced only on that day. It was therefore a perfect opportunity to visit Fayne without much concern, though it had never stopped Azena. She was sneaking between people; some were offended when she touched them by accident.

"Don't you dare touch my purse, little scoundrel!" bellowed a lady with graying haired tied up in a bun.

Azena ignored her despite her urge to insult her because yes, she had learned crude words in the company of commoners. It had been more than a year since she knew the Litfow and she had kept this secret of her family. She was supposed to be with hers, but as usual, she had slipped away.

"At least it was not witch," she said to herself in an attempt to keep her moral up.

She turned into a deserted alley. Her destination: Fayne's home where she was to meet her soon. A brown cat disappeared at her sight as if his life depended on it. Since she adored these feline creatures, Azena watched it, admiring its beautiful tiger coat.

"Hey, watch out!" yelled a whiney voice. "Hey! Hey!"

But Azena could not stop in time; she was going too fast. The members of the two individuals intermingled and they eventually collapsed heavily on the dirty tiled road.

"Well, that's it!" exclaimed the boy.

He looked up to examine the one that had tackled him. The two recognized each other at first glance and like a mirror, they clenched their fists in perfect synchronization.

"You!" bellowed Bentrh, pushing his messy hair with a whim of his head. "I warned you that –"

He had grown up; he was just about to begin his adolescence. It was not a good sign; he was much stronger than Azena, but she had to face him.

"That you were going to kick my ass the next time you saw me in your dilapidated neighborhood," she finished for him.

"Dila, what?" questioned the boy, confused.

"It means falling in ruins, my great genius," insulted the girl vehemently. "Only the Litfow home retains some dignity around here."

The next moment, an angry fist was swung against her right cheek. She fell back to where she had the first time, rubbing her wound with a grimace. She was aware that she had deserved that one. Complex words normally made the commoners react with annoyance. On top of that, she had allowed herself to mock him.

"You dare attack me about my education while you, you little voracious witch, you had the chance, only Elysia knows why, to have access to the most qualified mentors of the area!" Bentrh roared, applying pressure on his knuckles to make them crack. "You're really a piece of shit, an empty shell, just like all those nobles!"

Normally, if one had said these exact words to a noble, the latter would have let himself be possessed by an evil spirit just to curse his instigator. A commoner did not insult a noble. But Azena was different; she did not like associating to social groups. So, she let those insulting words slide and stood up calmly.

"Do you feel better now?"

Bentrh raised his eyebrows, still on the defensive. He raised his fists and placed them in front of his face as if waiting for an attack.

"Watch your tongue or you'll never have another chance to cast one of your spells," he growled.

"My tongue, is it not? That's all?" asked the girl, staring at him coldly.