Chapter 251: The Melodic Moment Alehouse

Chapter 251: The Melodic Moment Alehouse

The small group of hunters and Hollow Shade mages neared the edge of Undergrowth with ease. There were no walls surrounding the city, only log houses here and there. The streets were filled with bustling drows running about. An outpost stood on the main road, a few dozen paces beyond the houses. A few guards patrolled the road, walking from the outpost down to the nearest house and back.

Stryg assumed the outpost served as some sort of checkpoint for new arrivals, but as he looked around the large open space all around them, he began to seriously doubt the security of this city.

Astrid walked up to Loh and bowed deeply, This is where we must leave you. My guildmates and I need to regroup with the rest of my guild and hold a proper funeral for our fallen.

Thank you for your guidance through Glimmer Grove, Loh bowed her head. My people and I are grateful. She took out a pouch of coins and handed it to the redheaded woman, For the families of the lost.

Astrid smiled warmly, Thank you, my lady. Your kindness will not be forgotten. She bowed once more, Safe travels, my lady. I pray you find victory at the tourney.

Thank you. Take care of yourselves, the world is growing more dangerous each day, Loh said.

We will try our best, Astrid nodded. She made a short bow to the rest of the mages before she gathered her hunters and marched back into the forest, their bodies fading into the treeline.

Theyre good folk, Loh muttered. She glanced back at Stryg, So whats your first impression of Undergrowth?

They dont have walls? Stryg twisted his lips.

Hollow Shade is the only Great City that does, Loh said.

How do they protect themselves from threats? Stryg asked.

Against armies? They rely on their natural defenses. Frost Rim is surrounded by the Rupture Mountains, Murtkon has the Silent Marshes, and Undergrowth has Glimmer Grove, Loh pointed at the enormous forest surrounding the city.

And what about smaller threats? Like a group of assassins who just run into the city? How are they supposed to stop that?

Thats why they have guards, Loh said.

Stryg glanced at the outpost, Yeah They dont seem very reliable, he said dryly.

I wasnt talking about them, Loh smiled. She nudged his shoulder and pointed at one of the nearby trees.

Stryg glanced between the tree and Loh questioningly, until he caught a slight hint of movement among the trees purple leaves.

Stryg narrowed his eyes, What the?

The rangers of Undergrowth are stealthy and quite effective, best remember that, Loh patted his back before she walked down to the outpost.

After a few moments she walked back to them, a stack of papers in her hands.

Okay everyone, gather up, Loh called out.

The mages shambled their way towards her and stood around in a haphazard circle. Vayu and Tauri carried Ismene in a stretcher and stood a few paces away.

Did everything work out? Vayu asked in a hopeful tone.

Loh nodded, Yeah, the guards accepted our travel permits. Here, each of you take one of these, she passed out the slips of paper to each one of them. Undergrowths travel laws are quite lax compared to Hollow Shade. Still, these papers prove that you are mages here for the tourney. They should keep you out of trouble if anything comes up.

Thank you, Freya grabbed her slip with a wide smile. I can finally get into a nice tavern and soak in a long hot bath.

Ooh, that does sound nice! Sylvie said with delight.

And on that note, my grandfather has already prearranged some rooms for us in one of the citys most luxurious taverns, Loh grinned.

Thank the gods Lord Noir spares no expense, Callum sighed with relief.

Indeed, I look forward to tasting Undergrowths finest teas, Cornelius twisted the curled edges of his mustache.

I have to go to the citys magic academy and confirm our arrival and get the tourneys itinerary, Loh said. In the meantime, Tauri, do you mind getting all our rooms set up for us at the tavern?

You dont have to ask me twice, Tauri smiled.

Is there anywhere to get a drink? Stryg asked.

Many. The real question is, are any of them good, Callum winked.

My brother told me of this really nice alehouse he went to last time he visited Undergrowth on one of his business trips, Freya said. We could go now if youre all up for it.

Sounds great, its been too many days since I last drank blood, Callum licked his lips.

~Same~ Sylvie rubbed her stomach dramatically.

Freya, I thought you wanted to go soak in a bath? Stryg asked.

Freya shrugged, Well, as team captain its my job to make sure our team has their needs met Aaand I also like to have a nice bottle of spirits with me whenever I take a bath.

No judgment here, Callum chuckled.

A fresh drink does sound nice, Cornelius muttered. Miss Katag, would you like to join us?

No thanks, I still have to get all our rooms ready, Tauri shook her head.

Ah, of course. In that case, I will join you, Cornelius nodded.

What? You dont need to do that Tauri said.

No, I insist, Cornelius smiled. I will ensure we get the best possible rooms for the entire group, just leave it to me.

Thanks? Tauri said wryly.

Master Vayu, are you coming? Stryg asked.

Thank you, but I dont drink anymore, Vayu said. Besides, I need to take Lady Ismene to the Pale Lotus.

Um, Im right here too, you know, Damian said, displeased.

Oh dont be so intimidated, Parvus, Heather patted his shoulder. Calex is in a league of his own, no ones comparing you two.

Is that supposed to make me feel better? Damian frowned.

I mean, yeah, Veronica giggled sympathetically. You know youre pretty cute.

You think so? Damians eyes brightened.

But, Calex has this glass-like beauty, you know? Veronica shrugged. Like perfectly chiseled, a work of art. Its just how it is. Everyone admires the Thorns from afar, that doesnt mean you matter any less though. Youre still a catch. Veronica raised her hands and leaned back, Just not my catch.

Damian hung his head in bitter rejection.

Hey, I thought you werent interested in Calex, Heather said suspiciously.

Im not, not like that at least, Veronica grinned. Unlike you, I know whats possible and whats not. Calex wont date anyone his mother doesnt approve of and we all know Lady Thorn doesnt think anyone is good enough for her son.

So, theres still a chance? Damian looked up with a cocky grin.

Veronica shook her head, You really dont know when to give up, huh?

My family didnt rise to greatness through idleness, Damian said.

Hm Maybe you have a little Calex in you after all, Veronica smiled coyly.

Ugh, this is boring, Heather groaned. Without Calex here whats the point? Maybe we should just leave, Veronica?

We could stay a little longer, Damian said. Barkeep, you must hear all sorts of interesting rumors. Anything salacious to entertain our friend?

The barkeep nodded and closed his eyes in thought, Hmm One of House Talons maids went to clean one of their mansions extra bedrooms, but when she opened the door she caught Lord Talons wife being rammed in from behind by a-

Centaur, yeah, thats last weeks news, Heather sighed. I heard Lord Talon slit the centaurs balls off and made him eat it. Then he gutted the centaur in front of the stables.

...What happened to his wife? Veronica asked weakly.

Disappeared or so the story goes, Heather said eerily.

...So shes dead, Veronica guessed.

Obviously, she was just some commoner before she married into House Talon, Heather said. No one important will miss her.

Fuck Veronica swallowed uneasily.

Heather tapped the bar table, Anything else? Something new?

The barkeep furrowed his brow, Um Oh! I got one. One of the merchants came in this morning. He claims that one of his caravans was traveling near the edge of Glimmer Grove and accidentally wandered into Vulture Woods

Really? What happened? Heather leaned forward.

They say some of the caravan guards saw a pair of sylvan goblins, the barkeep said.

Sylvan folk, really? Heathers blue eyes widened with interest.

But get this, the barkeep whispered. The goblins were riding wolves.

Wolves? Bullshit, Heather shook her head. No one can ride a wolf, itd bite your leg off first.

The barkeep shrugged, Forgive me, Miss Navis. I dont come up with the stories.

Goblins riding wolves, huh? Veronica mused. I guess its not as crazy as those dragon rumors.

Nothing is as crazy as that, Damian chuckled.

The Melodic Moments door slammed open with a loud bang. The songstress and minstrels stopped mid-song at the abrupt noise. The alehouses patrons' heads snapped towards the door, their eyes widened in surprise.

Damian furrowed his brow, What the?

A voluptuous dire ducked her head under the doorway and stepped inside the wide room. She glanced around the alehouse with an excited grin. Oooh, I like the blue lights, nice touch, Sylvie said.

Vampire? Veronica muttered.

It was rare to see any non-drow frequenting any well-established alehouse, let alone one as expensive as this. Not that anyone seemed to be complaining, both men and women alike stared wide-eyed at the gorgeous vampiress.

I cant see anything, move your big ass, a voice complained from behind the dire vampiress.

Oops, my bad, Sylvie laughed lightly and stepped aside from the doorway.

Finally, Freya rolled her eyes and walked in. Huh, well what do you know? This place isnt half bad.

Heather narrowed her eyes, A dwarf Golden hair and eyes? And those elaborate hair beads Is she a Goldelm?

A Hollow-Shader? Veronicas face lit with interest.

Callum walked in behind Freya and glanced at the stacked shelves behind the bar. He sighed with relief, Finally, some decent bottles of blood wine.

Another vampire? Damian whispered.

Just some more visitors here to watch the tourney, Heather smirked. Looks like they all came to see their citys team lose.

A fourth figure walked into the Melodic Moment, he wore a black cloak and kept his face hidden beneath the hood. He was shorter than the vampires but taller than the dwarf. Yet unlike the rest, this visitor did not speak. Instead, he pushed past the other three and made his way straight to the bar. He pulled back a stool a few seats away from Veronica and sat down. The stool creaked underneath his weight.

Stryg slammed his palm over the bar and turned to the barkeep, Two bottles of your best dwarven Fire-Breath.