Dawn- An Age Of Darkness

"What act?" It was safe to say, I was utterly confused.

"Are you not the one who asked her for some meat?" he said.

They might have misunderstood me. So I tried to correct him. "I think you are mistaken. We asked for a place where we could find meat."

"You mean edible meat, correct?"

What other kind of meat could I have meant?

"Yes?" Now, I was even more confused.

He stared at me for a minute, scratched his head, and became excited a little. "Oh! Excuse my rudeness in that case. There aren't any places where you can buy meat in Alfeim. I had the wrong idea about you." He acted politely and then called the waitress whom I had asked.

He said something to her and she apologized. I was quite dumbfounded. What was going on?

Is this some kind of elaborate play or something?

Maybe the elves fancied stuff like this?

The manager saw us out of the establishment and when I was about to leave he whispered. "Don't say meat in public, especially to women." I looked back and his eyes were full of seriousness. "It means…"

I heard what he said. I couldn't believe my folly. My ears heated up and my heartbeat rose. I couldn't even face the waitress anymore. I left the establishment but said one thing before leaving, "Sorry." I meant that too.

I was looking miserable and the old man was giggling, barely containing the sound. He knew it and I could feel it in my gut.

"Damn geezer. You knew!"

"Knew what?" He said, acting all innocent.

He was pretending to be innocent but I knew he was not.

"What are we talking about?" Alisa asked.

I couldn't say anything. He had me cornered. He knew I couldn't say anything about it as it was too embarrassing. Besides Alisa was but a child. I could never have said something so indecent in front of her.

"Anyway, we need to look for an inn. The last time I was here I stayed at Leaften inn. Wonder if it's still open," He said looking at the sky.

The geezer really knew how to change the subject. His smirk never vanished.

"You can be nostalgic later. Let's go," I said. I was a little pissed but definitely embarrassed.

If she weren't here, I'd have popped your bubble and beaten some sense into you old man.

The old man took us to the inn. It was open and still in business. He knew the owner and we even got a discount. The sun had set and the stars started appearing. My room was on the third floor. The bed was soft and fluffy. There was a sweet smell in the room. It almost felt fruity in a way. I liked it. Even the color declared elegance. This particular Inn had wooden cabins but even a novice like me could tell that this was no ordinary wood. It was probably even stronger than concrete. Elves really were an interesting species.

I came downstairs after checking everything. This place was miles better than anywhere else I've ever stayed in this world. Why wasn't I summoned in this kind of place instead? But then again, I most certainly didn't want to be summoned by the elves, no sir.

It was night and we were just chatting downstairs.

"We'll head to the palace tomorrow." The old man poured a glass of wine.

"Do you think they'll let us in that easily?"

"Don't worry I've got you covered," He said.

Yeah, I doubt that.

Alisa cocked her head around. "We're heading to the palace?"

"This might get very dangerous, Iil' lady. It would be best for you stay at the inn and wait for us." The geezer gulped down wine like it was elixirs or something. Actually, it did smell pretty good and even I was tempted.

"Yeah that would be for the best," I said. I really wanted a drink but I controlled my urges.

She smiled, as though she was saying she understood. "Nope. I'm coming with you." She didn't understand shit.

Should I comment on her resolve or pity her idiocy?

"Anyway, I don't see any of those gray small guys," I said.

Suddenly a lot of people were staring at me.

"What are you talking about?" The old man looked at me with curiosity.

"Gray?" Alisa's words didn't reveal curiosity rather they indicated suspicion.

The same suspicion that covered the rest of the people there. She knew something and that was clear by now. But we moved on from the topic.

"Nevermind. I might be mistaken. It's getting late. I'll turn in," I said.

Why are they staring at me? I thought elves turn into those things when they get old enough. So do they die quickly or something? If so, then perhaps it was rude of me to ask that?

"Now? It's not even midnight!" The old man's sense of bedtime was pretty whacky. He already emptied one bottle and opened another.

"Sigh* which part of I'm going to turn in early did you not get?"

He didn't protest. I was injured after all.

"Good night Daarc," Alisa said.

"Good night. And don't drink too much Geezer."

He just gave me a smirk. He was going to drink a lot, a lot-lot.

I went upstairs, got out from my armor, and laid the sword on the ground. Biteria was still on my shoulder so I got her down to the bed.

"I'm going out for a bit, so say here. It's harder to move in armor, and the sword is heavy, so I'll just keep them here. Watch over them, okay?"

Can't believe I'm talking to a bunny. But what a cutie she is!

The door was locked and it looked like a good lock. But I didn't want to part with my sword. Who knew when something shitty might happen again? I sighed and picked up my sword. Biteria stared. It was embarrassing.

With my knife and sword, I jumped from the window to a nearby roof; it hurt like a bitch. I didn't know what a magic shop looked like but it was for the best that I went in alone.

Should I ask someone? No that would be stupid.

I got down from the roof in an alleyway and walked along the road; everything was lit. The house looked marvelous. But my wounds were also spectacular. They reminded me that my rest was overdue yesterday.

The roads were lit too. Honestly, if I didn't know better, this whole town seemed kind of modern without any technology that is. I was impressed. Besides, it was clean and even the air smelled different in a good way. The town was in the middle of a forest, so there were trees here and there, strangely, not insects. Some trees were bigger than others. But one was so big that I could see it from about half a kilometer away. I walked there.

It almost felt like a festival as I walked down the streets of Alfeime. Such a pity that I couldn't really calm down and enjoy this situation.

There were plenty of people out, and they all seemed kind of alike, but immediately one particular fellow caught my eyes. She was alone and she was looking distantly at an oak tree. I could never forget that pair of red eyes and that silky hair.. It was Lianne.