Varian of the Northern Isles

The Dark House on the Hill

     I woke up by tumbling onto a cold, wooden floor. I groaned and pulled myself up to my feet. My body was sore from sleeping all curled up, but I was mentally refreshed. I used the toilet and took a shower. When I finished, I threw on my clothes and walked into the nearest breakfast shop. The aroma of sweet buns, eggs, various breakfast meats, and coffee lead me into a nearby café. I sat down at a table and ordered my breakfast. When I was done, I began asking around the restraunt for Varian. I received a tip off that he lived in old Corona and I left later that day. Old Corona was a rather worn down part of town located off the main island of the new kingdom. The houses were modest and the inhabitants seemed to lack the joyful feeling that the princess carried with her. A shiver ran up my spine as I approached a bent over woman.
     "Hey, um...excuse me!" I called over to her," Would you happen to know of a person named Varian?"
     The woman looked up and a glare twisted her features.
     "You're looking for that little rat? Well, he lives over there in that dark house," she pointed to a house a little farther up the road ," But be warned. The kid is a freak. His father does his best to keep him locked up but whatever he gets into isn't safe."
I nodded my head warily backing away from the old woman, and continued on the road towards the house. I knocked on the large door and waited. A minute later I knocked again. Still no answer. I was just about to leave and try again later when the door exploded outwards. I was also thrown backwards by the force, and was miraculously alright.
     "VARIAN!!! WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT TESTING YOUR MACHINES INDOORS?!"  Roared a voice from inside.
     " Ah... Dad! I'm sorry! It- it wasn't supposed to go off like that. The valve broke and-"
    I picked myself off the ground and peered into the door way. A boy stood in font of his father and I watched as they began to argue. They hadn't noticed me at all and I slowly eased myself into the door way.
     " Um. Hello."
     Both figures whirled around to face me. The boy was rather short with black hair and freckles. I also happened to notice a single light streak in his hair. The man was much taller and had the same dark hair as his son without the white streak.
"Who are you?" demanded the father. I noticed that even though the pair was arguing just seconds earlier, he still moved to shield his son. I held up my hands, palms facing them, " Whoa, chill, my name is Balia. I was looking for a person named Varian?"
The boy perked up at the sound of his name.
"What do you want?" He stepped forwards and faced me, a curious expression painted on his face.
"I have a job for you if you are willing to assist me. I've heard that you're a wizard and your use of magic is quite-"
"Wait wait, hold on," He interrupted,"It's not magic, it's actually something called alchemy. Right now, I'm developing a new system to cook beets and other vegetables with-"
"Varian, let the woman talk!" his father demanded and Varian huffed but shut his mouth.
"Well, I have a proposition and it involves the use of Varian's alchemy knowledge." I reached up and removed my hood letting my white hair tumble free,"You see, I'm a messenger from the Northern Isles."
At this declaration, Varian scrambled away from me and his father reached to slam a nonexistent door in my face. When he realised there was no door, he spat at me and I winced as the spit hit the ground at my feet.
"Leave us," he growled," We want no business with Northern Isle demons!"
I said nothing as I watched him and his son retreat farther into the caverns of their house.