Hunting Death- Rophan Returns
#13 of Hunting Death
Rophan Returns
The town is rather impressive looking, far bigger than anywhere I've been. Granted that's not really saying much. My home is not really designed to have much outside traffic, which this city clearly is. Where I grew up there is a sort of communal area where we all live and get necessary supplies or get access to the forge but that isn't where we spend most of our days, instead spreading out through most of the forest and exploring the various caves and iron mines in the nearby area. Here there seems to be very large roads at the entrance, as if to allow big carts in to a large degree. On top of that the sheer volume of scents is almost enough to overwhelm me by themselves, let alone the sounds and sights. I have no idea how so many humans are able to live in such close proximity to each other with such chaos and be able to understand what all is going on at any time. Just in case I move in a little closer and practically walk on Hashal's shadow to ensure I don't lose him in the insanity of this town. Hashal seems to see just how hard I am being able to grasp just how massive and chaotic this place seems to be and guides me over to a small, quiet alley.
"So you're here, as promised. Now what?"
"I don't know. I didn't exactly have this all planned out. I was never really given any direct instructions on how to avoid my death other than find those who can help and stay away from those who would harm me. What would you suggest?"
"Well it's probably best if we treat this as a stepping stone. If there is a set chance of anyone being one to help you the most effective way would be to go to as many areas of high populations as possible. Thus I'd say we get what we need to make a prolonged journey, check out the people in this town thoroughly enough for your liking and then head towards the next major city."
"There you are!" Someone shouts from the entrance into a main street, the tone rather familiar.
More as a reflex than anything I call Anaelin out and take off my pack, ready in case there is need of a fight. As a precaution, however, I do not hold Anaelin in my mouth but rather let it rest on the ground with the rest of my pack. My ears pull back when I realize that the elf I had met a while back is the person who had apparently called out.
"I've been looking all over for you," Rophan exclaims, gesturing his arms wildly and with a look that implies he hasn't really been sleeping well lately. "Where did you go? Do you have any idea what it's like to have finally found the one person who would lead you to your destiny and then wake up to find that they've decided to leave and forgot to wake you?"
"Do you know this elf?" Hashal asks, looking in my direction.
"It wasn't an accident. I left you because I don't trust you and want nothing to do with you. You followed me, great. That's what your dream told you, right? Now go leave me alone and find your destiny elsewhere," I comment before flicking my head and attacking him with my scythe.
So much was he not expecting me to outright attack him he barely manages to let out a startled yelp before my Anaelin's blade sinks into his back. He stands there with a confused look on his face before falling forwards. Having no more need of it for the time being I pull my scythe out and return it to its sealed location in the amulet around my neck.
"What was that about!" Hashal demands, as startled by my act as Rophan was.
"We should keep moving, I'd rather not be still standing here when he wakes up."
"Only if you promise to tell me what's going on."
"Fine, fine," I comment while leaving the alley back into the more crowded areas of the town. "You remember me saying how I'm supposed to try and find as many people as possible that could help me stop my death? Well my blood also tells me when I run into someone that will be directly involved in killing me. Unfortunately it doesn't really tell us which is which."
"So then that elf..."
"He's one of mine, yes. My body told me when I first saw him that he'll play a vital role on whether or not I live to see next year. And given his thoughts on what I am I'm pretty sure he's the type I'll want to avoid."