"Come on Reed, surely you're not so stuck up as to skip out on a drink with us!" Green eyes gleamed cheerfully in the darkness. "We have some travellers you might like to meet."

Reed turned to the voice. He smiled when he saw Prop leaning against a wall in the shadows. His square, handsome face made him look like a noble or a hero of legend come to visit. His bright blue and orange suit helped the look, as did the fiery red scarf. The Disguiser had dyed his hair an intense shade of violet since last Reed had seen him.

Zephyr kicked up a bit of dirt with his wind. He twisted it in the air to give the impression of a form. A pair of sky blue eyes blinked open where the head would be. The ghostly looking west wind nodded to Prop before allowing the dirt to fall.

Prop looked slightly uncomfortable. "And, ah, Lord Zephyr." He bowed awkwardly. Not even the best of Disguisers dared do something that could anger a spirit of nature.

The air thrummed, the voice that came from nowhere sounded full of withheld energy. How many times must I remind you, Prop? The "Lord" is not necessary.

Prop made no reply. Instead he beckoned to Reed and began walking into the shadows. Reed followed. He could feel Zephyr's presence just over his right shoulder.

The two men walked swiftly through the darker street. They emerged in a lighter, but somehow feeling even darker, street. There were no people as Prop strolled across to a short, simple house. It was white, an oddity for the city itself but not for this street.

Prop opened the door and bowed with a smirk. "After you, Reed."

Reed stepped inside and was immediately met with a bright, boisterous atmosphere. The unassuming building housed one of the most notorious taverns in the city. Reed knew full well the kinds of people who frequented this type of establishment. A few, like Prop, were people he considered friends.

Prop stepped in behind Reed. He tugged Reed's ponytail gently to get his attention and nodded to the staircase at the back of the room. Reed raised an eyebrow. "An illusionary second floor?"

Prop snorted. "The roof you nitwit. The people I want you to meet didn't want to be inside."

Reed shrugged and started for the stairs. Under his breath he murmured, "Zephyr, go on ahead and check the roof. I trust Prop but I'm a bit worried about the people he's taking us to."

In response, Reed felt Zephyr brush through his red hair. Reed's practiced eye was able to catch the slight distortion in the air as Zephyr swept over the heads of the unsuspecting patrons.

Reed moved slowly across the room, greeting those he recognized. He felt Zephyr return just as he reached the base of the stairs. Prop is right... The wind sounded amused. You will be intrigued by the strangers. You have never seen the likes of them before.

Reed frowned but didn't press. Prop was right behind and he didn't want to lose the Disguiser's trust. So he went up the stairs.

The flat roof held only one round table with six chairs. Three drinks rested in front of three figures. The three occupied seats each had a black cloak draped over the back. All three figures were tall, lean, and dressed in dark clothes with long silver rapiers at their belts. They all seemed to be around Reed's age.

The figure closest to Reed had bright red hair, brighter even than his own, that was cropped short and stood up slightly in the front. He had a sharp nose, patient smile, and eyes the color of freshly spilled blood. He watched Reed with intent curiosity.

The next figure was tipped back in his chair with his hands behind his head. His black hair fell around his shoulders. Violet eyes almost as bright as Prop's hair glittered with amusement. A smirk rested on his face as he gazed at the third figure. His facial features looked the same as the redhead as if the two were near duplicates of each other.

The last figure was different. This young man seemed to lounge in his chair, though he wasn't tilted back like the one next to him. His angular face was a sharp contrast to the slightly rounder faces of the others. His black hair had been cut sloppily into something shorter than the other one with black hair but longer than the redhead. A thin silver circlet was mostly covered in the messy locks. The most startling part made Reed stop in his tracks.

The eyes of the lounging young man fell on Reed. Suspicion and wariness rested there, despite the sharp smirk that revealed sharp teeth. Reed stared into the eyes in shock. The left eye had a ragged scar over it from the eyebrow to the corner of the mouth. The eyes themselves were nearly solid black. No white to them at all. There was a thin ring of ocean blue among the pure black. It was unnatural and only occurred in one kind of people.

Darklings.

And Darklings were supposed to be unable to leave the Inkbane Forest.

Fascinating, are they not? Zephyr whispered.

Reed double checked the faces of the other two with the Darkling. Both had eyes like those of humans, though more angled. He looked back at the Darkling before finally walking up to the table.

The Darkling's smirk grew faintly mocking as he studied Reed for himself. "Well, well, well... The Lighted decided to join us after all. Evening, Sunshine. I was beginning to worry you'd set us up, Prop."