{Celeblas Town: Part 1}

A large wall made from lumber looms in the distance, people walking in and out as they go about their daily activities.

We've been walking up this dirt road for the last ten minutes, already having passed a couple town folks on our way.

And guess what? So far they've all looked normal....Well, minus their attire. Seems everyone here dresses in medieval time period clothes or something along those lines

Though again, that doesn't really surprise me after everything else I've learned.

Grim's now leading Arveldis a couple feet in front of Roxie and I. Putting on the act of the poor peddler and his apprentices making their way through town as they try to sell their valuables.

Classic.

Ron so far hasn't shown his furry face, making good on his pact not to. Though that doesn't mean I haven't felt his presence or gotten some odd sensation from him that totally doesn't match what I'm thinking at that specific second.

If that makes any sense.....My life is officially complicated - not that it wasn't before. But I think you get my meaning.

My ears pick up the sound of insistent chatter, delicious smells wafting up my nose and making my stomach growl.

Grim glances back at us as we reach a sudden line of people outside the gates of town, brows furrowed in concern.

So apparently the current king guy has a rule where anyone can't just travel whenever and wherever they want. They have to get this stamp printed onto a piece of paper by a officer at the town their wanting to leave after they've already gotten permission from their town leader who's gotten permission from so and so.

Complicated. I know.

Basically, if you don't have a stamp and you're caught outside of your home town. Then you're dead meat.

Roxie crosses her arms beside me, her head up as she looks around at everything with open interest.

I keep my own head angled downward, quickly elbowing her in the side. She glares over at me, stubbornly rolling her eyes as I motion towards her wide open face.

She childishly sticks her tongue out as I stare her down, finally complying by tilting her head down.

Geez.

The line moves forward, leaving only a couple people between us before the entrance.

But how exactly is Grim getting us in?

It moves forward again, and I find Grim is suddenly right next to the two officers who've been standing next to the gate entrance this whole time, Roxie and I a couple steps back.

I keep my head angled down, but my eyes look up from underneath the cowl.

The two soldiers are dressed in clanky armor, personally making them a little intimidating. Swords at their hips, and even a whip hanging from one of them.

I shiver as a image from that nightmare I had a couple nights ago flashes across my mind.

Shrugging it off, I continue to look them over.

My eyes slightly widen as I take in their faces that are halfway hidden from their helmets.

Waxy skin that has a gray-ish tinge makes up their skin tone, large brown dilated eyes that seem like they're always searching for something, their noses making me want to compare them to a pigs. Warts dot their exposed skin, even a few uneven teeth poking out from their closed mouth. Their height probably a astounding seven feet.

What in the world? Now these are not normal.

"Paper." The one with the whip says - and who I'm guessing is the boss of this little party, his voice sounding like he's choking on a apple.

Grim faces them, not a hint of hesitation on his face. He looks them each in the eye, lifting his right hand up in a slight waving gesture as his lips move from underneath his beard.

"I'm sorry my friends, but it seems I've lost it." Grim shrugs, leaning forward on his staff. "You'll just have to let my colleagues and myself in without it." His voice comes out soft, and I feel a sudden spark in the air that stands the hair on my arms up.

What's he...doing?

The two guards suddenly get this blank look in their eyes, their shoulders slouching slightly.

The boss slowly nods his head. "Yes, yes. Move ahead." He brings his gloved left hand up, rubbing the back of his head through his helmet. A slightly baffled expression on his face.

No way. Jedi mind tricks! You can actually do those?

Grim gives him a pleasant smile, taking a step forward before looking back at him. "Forget we were even here." I spot a slight green glow ignite inside his eyes from underneath his own deep cowl, both the guards heads nodding simultaneously as they move their attention back to the people behind us.

Wow. That was actually pretty nifty.

I look to my right, meeting Roxie's confused stare with my own incredulous one. We both shrug, moving ahead with Grim.

We walk out from underneath the slight overhang the wall around the town has, my head unconsciously moving up as I take in everything.

It basically looks like a old town you'd see in medieval movies. A twenty foot tall wood wall surrounds the whole town, probably only two gates leading in and out. Snow is basically none existent in here, the ground covered in either dirt or brown grass.

Two story tall buildings all cramp together in the center, fields - that actually have stuff growing in them even though it's winter, lay spread out around the perimeter of the actual town. People walking through them with baskets as they seem to pick the plants.

A large dirt path runs through the middle of town, smaller ones branching out from this one. The buildings kinda remind me of those old fashioned Irish houses I've seen before, small balconies on the outside of some. Empty flower boxes hang from practically every window, everything looking slightly worn and in need of repair.

A abundant of smells assault my nose, all ranging from the delicious heart warming smell of fresh bread cooling by the fireplace, to manure sunbathing in the sun.

Sounds of all kinds hit my sensitive ears, a big difference from the quiet I was getting used to in the forest.

Someone bangs something with a heavy hammer, probably a blacksmith. People talk in a crowded area that's set up with little selling stalls, looking over merchandise seeing as this seems to be their local shopping market.

I bet they'd kill for a Walmart.

Kids play over by a large random boulder next to a field, happily running around with smiles on their faces as they attempt to catch each other.

I spot a couple goats walking around in a small grassy pen out towards the wall area, a couple pigs crossing the road up the street.

I feel like I've been transported back to the seventeenth century.

Grim made it sound like no one was happy around Orelon. Yet these people look....content.

I keep my feet moving along with Grim and Roxie, my mind trying to take everything in at once.

My head comes up a little higher as I look up at the clear blue sky, the sun already more than halfway across the horizon.

I frown as Roxie suddenly pushes down on the back of my head. I look over at her, making a face.

She returns one, bringing her hands up as she rubs both her pointy fingers together in the shame gesture.

I roll my eyes at her, lightly shaking my head.

Okay. So maybe I was doing the same thing Roxie was doing that Grim said not to do.

Don't show your face.

Blah blah blah.

Guess we're both too curious for our own good....Though don't tell her I said that. She'd probably kill me.

I walk up next to grim, Roxie walking up to his other side. "So what we're those ugly things and how come you can do mind tricks? Don't tell me you're secretly a Jedi?" I ramble off, keeping my voice down.

Roxie rolls her own eyes, yet looks just as curious.

Grim glances around. "No, not a Jedi...whatever that may be." He mumbles the last part to himself. "It was simply me suggesting something different to their...weak minds - which is all that little spell works on." He explains, waving his free hand out. "Manipulating their existing thoughts to what best suited us." He says like that makes total sense.

Right....

"As for what they are..." He trails off, looking around again. "Orcs." He simply states.

Roxie's eyes widen with recognition. "Those are real too?...Well obviously. But still. Who'd of thought." She whispers, looking like she's deep in thought.

"Yes, many of the creatures you once thought were merely stories are real." He nods to himself. "Though orcs are not native to Orelon. King Gurthon brought them over from his land across the sea. Using them to fill a large portion of his army." He goes quiet as someone passes, tipping his head in greeting.

He leans back into us. "No more talking." He demands, keeping his face straight ahead.

Roxie and I break off from him, falling back to the back again.

Grim leads us past the busy market, taking us up the dirt path into the maze of closely built buildings that all pretty much look exactly alike.

I stare down at my shoes, the soles so worn they're practically falling off already.

My head swings back up as there's a sudden shout to my left, my feet stopping me in place.

A thirteen year old looking kid is currently being held by the neck of his worn tunic, a different type of guard than the ones at the gate holding him in place as he frantically scrambles to get away.

Curly brown hair hangs down over his eyes, his youthful face full of panic as he kicks his legs around. But what really catches my eyes, are his ears.

They're pointy. Just like mine.

I notice four other guards dressed the same as the one holding the kid - the material looks like nothing I've ever seen, a mix between some light metal and....something. Firm shoulder guards, a leather belt with a bag attached to the hip, interesting designs made into it. A blood red cape hanging around one of the soldiers neck, a design of a crown etched into the material above their hearts - all sitting at a table beside one of the houses, their postures relaxed as they sip on large kegs of liquid. Eyes on the kid and their comrade.

Something just screams, 'official' about them. A air of confidence surrounding them as they proudly display themselves.

Long shiny white hair hangs down their armor clad backs in a specific hairstyle, their body shapes lean - the picture of finesse. Their height looks to be easily over six feet, the darker skin of their faces stretched across to make a sharp bone structure.

And peeking out from their hair - more pointy ears.

Something clicks as I take them in, Grim's words from yesterday replaying in my head.

These are the Light elves Grim was talking about.

The elven guard shakes the kid, his free hand resting at the hip his long majestic sword rests at. "I should flog you for that you filthy brat." He almost yells at the kid, his voice soft in a almost raspy tone.

"I said to shine them. Not make them dirtier halfwit." The kid ignores his words, his eyes narrowed as he continues to shake himself around in a vain attempt to run.

"Let me go!" The kid yells, only getting a laugh from the soldier holding him up. The other three barely containing their laughs, their drinks up to their faces.

Yet one soldier - the one with the cape, stares impassively down at them from his seat up on the deck, arms folded over his chest as his drink sits untouched on the table beside him.

Something's different about him.....

"Oh I'll let you go." Soldier one arrogantly says, pushing the kid away so hard he crashes to the ground before he can catch himself.

The three on the deck break out in laughter, the one not making any change in his facial features.

I get a sudden urge to go over there and help the kid, my left foot literally stepping up to move before I even realize it.

Something abruptly lands on my right shoulder, my head jerking to the side in surprise.

Grim silently stares at me, sending a message through his eyes. I give him a nod, making a move to continue up the road.

He glances over at the small group, his eyes growing sad before he walks up the road towards Roxie and Arveldis - apparently they've left me down here before realizing I wasn't following them.

I look over my shoulder, something still pulling me back towards them.

The kid frantically gets up, running down the street at full speed as he repeatedly glances back at the group.

Soldier one places both his hands on his hips, staring after the kid. "Just you wait, kid! You've only got a couple years left!" He throws out, a large, arrogant smile growing on his lips as he watches him disappear before walking back to join his comrades.

A couple years? Until what?

I have a feeling it's not good.

I turn my head towards the front, picking my pace up to catch Grim and Roxie. There's a sudden hot flash that hits my brain, my eyes involuntarily narrowing.

My head swings back around towards the group, only to find the cape soldier staring straight at me from fifty yards away, his dark eyes unblinking.

My breath catches in surprise, head facing the front again.

Hopefully that wasn't as bad as I think it was....

Grim leads us up the road, taking a turn onto a smaller dirt road. We walk up a small hill towards a larger building that's isolated from the rest of town, a small barn next to it.

A large wood deck wraps around the two story house, a flimsy railing going around the outskirts. Smoke floats out from two of the chimneys.

A wooden sign hangs suspended outwards from the door that leads inside, a picture of a rearing purple horse in the middle of it with letters fanning out around it.

The Purple Pony.

Real original there.

He hands Arveldis's lead to a boy who's standing by the deck - who I'm guessing is the stable boy.

"Food, water, and a nice rub down will do nicely." Grim instructs the ten year old, patting him on the arm before placing a small gold coin in his hand.

I raise an eyebrow. Someone's got money.

"Yes, sir." The kid smiles, showing off his mouth full of missing teeth.

Hopefully those fell out naturally.

He leads Arveldis off, Grim giving her a affectionate stroke before she leaves. He then looks at Roxie and I, holding a hand up to his mouth to signal for us to remain quiet.

What? I haven't said anything....Sorta.

He walks up the few rickety steps, pausing at the doorway as he pulls his cowl down. He then opens the door, walking inside.

Roxie and I follow, keeping our cowls up like we were instructed.

Stepping inside, I'm met with a immediate warmth that clings to my skin, sweat already seeping from my pores.

I'm not good with heat.

A open fireplace sits all the way to the left of the large room - a fire roaring inside, old wood tables spread around with chairs sitting around them. There's a wide staircase to the right, up against the wall. A wood counter at the end of the room stretches horizontally down a good distance of the room, a wall a couple feet behind it.

People with drinks sitting in front of them sit around a couple of the tables, their heads immediately swinging over towards us as we step inside. A large guy stands behind the counter, wiping a cup with a towel as he slowly looks up at us.

Grim meets his gaze, his head moving in a small nod. The bartender guy gives him a curt nod also, looking back down at his hands.

So they know each other....I think.

Grim walks to the far corner of the room, taking a seat at the table tucked into the corner. A good distance away from everyone else.

I take a seat in one of the four seats, my left shoulder next to the wall. Roxie sits bedside me, Grim in front of me.

Both Roxie and I keep our heads angled down to the table, a shadow falling over both our faces.

Tendrils of hair fall down in my eyes, sweat beading on my forehead from the heavy air. My stomach growls, a emptiness turning inside from only eating a couple pieces of dried meat - jerky for those who care, and some water all day.

Not much to live off of. Especially when you have such a high metabolism as myself.

Roxie folds her hands in her lap, her green eyes flickering throughout the room. I find my own eyes repeatedly scanning the area, my ears on high alert.

There's a sudden movement to my right, my head staying down as I glance that way from underneath.

A girl that looks to be about Roxie's and mines age walks towards us, her attire that of a worn looking light blue dress, a white apron over her front.

Light blue eyes peer steadily at us as she easily maneuvers around the tables towards us, her face smooth with a light tan. Long platinum blond hair - almost white, hangs down her back in a messy braid, a couple loose strands hanging over her forehead.

I look down at the tabletop again as she stops next to Grim, a serving tray in her right hand as she expertly balances a few empty mugs.

"Three warm ciders, please. And three specials." Grim orders, absentmindedly playing with his pipe as he continues to look composed and cool.

Though that's probably not hard for him to do.

She gives a curt curtsy in reply, her sharp eyes flashing over Roxie and I before she walks off towards the back of the room that's behind the wall - the kitchen?

Grim sighs, tapping his pipe on the table before shoving more of that dried plant down inside it. He places it in his mouth, setting his pointy finger inside. There's a quick zap of green, a small wisp of smoke curling up in the air as he lights his pipe.

He catches me watching, giving me a mocking smile as he breaths it in.

Show off.

Soft footsteps sound seconds before the girl shows up again, her tray full of food and drinks.

Quick service here.

She places three wooden mugs down on the table, setting a plate of delicious smelling food down in front of each of us individually.

Grim happily rubs his hands together as he looks the food over before digging inside his robe. He pulls his hand back out, handing the patient girl a few more of those gold coins.

She gives another quick curtsy without saying anything, holding her empty tray up to her chest as she walks away.

Grim scoots his chair forward, tucking a napkin down in his lap. "Well, dig in." He says, already digging into his plate of food.

Roxie slowly looks her food over, deeming it satisfactory after a moment.

Guess they don't believe in silverware here.

I look down at my own plate, a sudden bout of sickness hitting me as that uncomfortable heat continues to burn at my skin, smells repeatedly wafting up my nose and stinging my brain as they seem to amplify.

My vision suddenly swirls, my hands automatically grabbing the tabletop as-if it would actually help.

I squeeze my eyes shut, taking a deep breath in through my mouth. Smoke, body odor, all sorts of different strong food smells, all continuously waft up my nose. A pulse of pain throbbing in my temple.

I think I'm going to hurl.

My eyes open, immediately being met with the sight of Grim staring over at me with a raised brow.

I give him what I hope is a encouraging smile, swallowing my dry throat as I refocus on my food I suddenly don't feel so hungry for.

A large chicken leg sits on my plate along with a couple slices of fried potatoes, a chunk of fluffy bread beside them.

Roxie lets a breath out, pausing her eating long enough to stare sadly down at her already half eaten plate.

When she gets hungry. There's no stopping her....As I've found out.

"I miss ketchup." She thoughtful points out, leaning back in her chair as she picks up her chicken leg. Biting it despite the fact she's apparently a ketchup lover.

It's funny how desperate you become when you're hungry and don't have McDonalds anywhere near you.

Too bad you couldn't order take out. I'm sure they'd be so confused.

'Uh hello, I'd like to order a double cheeseburger with a side of fries - make that a large, delivered to this world that apparently exists outside of earth......Hello? Is anyone there?'

Oh yeah. I can just see it now.

I pick up my piece of bread, taking a dainty bite. I chew it up, swallowing it with a refreshing drink of cider.

There's suddenly heavy footsteps from the right, my head tilting to the side as I look that way.

Great.

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A/N

Cliffhanger!! Duh duh duuuuh! XD.

Questions:

1.) Anything, or anyone stick out to you in this chapter?

2.) Who officially doesn't like light elves now? (Big meanies....literally lol.)

Next Update: Still trying for my weekly schedule. Sorry for being a day late btw.

Vote!! Comment!! ❤️

Maggy