As Kael and company approached the city gates, they slowed to a crawl, being caught up in the que. There were farmers with carts filled with vegetables, trader wagon-trains filled with goods, men and women, alone or in groups, carrying things they would bring to market.

As Kael and the others settled at the back of the que, Kael noticed, that ahead of him, was a band of men. They were clad in worn leather armour, some had leather caps on their heads, others wore nothing. The group were filled with men of different ages, some looked as young as Kael, others looked even older than Rache, but what they had in common was that they all looked worn and tired. A few members of the group had bandages, but even so, they along with the others, were armed. Crossbows, bows, spears, the odd cudgel and dirks. They looked like an odd bunch.

After a while, one of the boys, noticing Kael's curious gaze, walked over and spoke, “what? Never seen a mercenary group before?”

Kael sat silent for a while, studying the boy, who looked his own age, shorter though he might be. As Kael looked at the boy, the boy noticed something odd about him, one of his eyes were white? It made the way Kael looked at him, feel quite uncomfortable.

He was thinking about speaking up, and get him to stop staring, when Kael spoke first, “well, I suppose you are the first mercenary group I have ever seen, but I had imagined you differently. You cannot be a very successful, judging from your gear, but I guess one cannot expect to see the strongest mercenary companies this far from the capital.”

The boy looked at Kael, stunned. He was starting to get angry, this pale boy was clearly looking down on them, and what was this about seeing the strongest companies?! Who were able to see them as they wished? He decided to give this boy a lecture, at least teaching him some manners would be fine.

Just as the boy was preparing to reprimand the pale boy, one of his superiors called out to him, “let it be Julius… He is right, we are not exactly the kind of mercenary group you hear about in tales.” the old mercenary approaching them was chuckling at this last bit, before continuing, “that being said… we are not a weak group. Boy, don’t you know that the most dangerous beast, is not the fat one, but the bone skinny one… The one with nothing left to lose…” This last bit he directed at Kael with a grin.

Kael studied this old man, he was thin, but he clearly had quite a bit of muscle left. His left hand, was missing, and in its place was an iron hook. He also was riddled with scars. This was clearly an old warrior.

Having been silent for a while, Kael spoke, “You are indeed right old man, I was disrespectful. As an apology, how about I give you a lesson in hand-to-hand combat? With that hook of yours, I promise you, you will be a tiger with wings, after learning some of my combat forms.” Having said this, Kael once again studied the old man, with a sly grin on his face.

Rache, having only paid casual attention to this conversation until now, jerked up hearing what the young master said. He soon broke into a sweat. This would not do, there were too many people present, and a boy his age should not be able to beat up a veteran like this old man. That was what common sense would dictate, but the result would probably be the old man dying from a few punches from Kael, after all, he had yet to master his own strength.

Hurrying to speak before the old man could answer, he said, “Grandson, you should not speak such to a warrior like this. I apologize for his behaviour, if you wish, I shall take his place as a sparring partner.” Having said this Rache only looked at the old man. He did not dare look at Kael’s puzzled face. Reprimanding the young master! This was blasphemy! At this moment however, he had to do this, it was for the young masters benefit after all.

Kael, watched old Rache scrutinizingly. He must have some plan, although he did not appreciate this gesture, he thought he had understood what it might be. Kael, as he thought about the potential reason for the disruption, soon came to a realization. He was far too young to beat up an old veteran, and giving him lessons. After coming to this conclusion, bowed his head, sometimes, he forgot how young he was. Rache, with his old age, naturally knew more about the world than him. Kael after thinking for a while, decided to restrain himself in the future.

Meanwhile, the old man who first had been shaking with indignation, calmed down after hearing what old Rache said. He remembered himself how it was to be young, confident and hotheaded. He smiled at Rache, and said, “well, youngsters are youngsters after all. I think I will decline the offer to spar for the time being. However, youngster, if you are interested in some work one day, come to the Shattered Shield mercenary company. I am the head of the group, so I'll get you in if you want. I will wait for your teaching that day.” He finished this last sentence with a half mocking, half amused grin. Then he grabbed the young boy by his side, and headed back to his group.

Old Rache, having heard everything, was sweating again. He prayed that the young master would find it in his heart not to be offended by that man. Exterminating a mercenary company was hardly low key. However, if that was what the young master wished, that was what would happen.

To old Raches relief, Kael only grinned and laughed, having heard the old mercenary. He then spoke to old Rache, “thanks old gramp's, I was a bit to hasty there. It appears I forget my own age sometimes. I have realized, having only been around you old timers my entire life, I should probably act a bit more low-key. Let's head into town, I look forward to where you will take me.” Kael smiled at old Rache after this, he then proceeded to lean back against his seat, seemingly falling asleep.

It took them close to an hour to get past the gates. At their turn, the brothers showed a sigil. This was a mark, belonging to the traders union of Fallgara. They did not have to pay toll for entering the city, they only paid a yearly tax. Upon seeing Kael and old Rache moving up to the gate, they were about to offer to take them with them as well, but old Rache politely declined. The brothers looked at each other before telling them, that they could find them at the local traders union house later, before taking their leave.

The guard looked at old Rache with a deadpan expression, who would decline such an offer of free passage? He was about to ask for the fee, when old Rache pulled out a small sigil and a roll of paper. Old Rache proceeded to pass these to the guard. The guard looked with widened eyes at the sigil in his hand, it took him a long while before he started reading the scroll of paper, upon which his face went pale as paper.

The guard opposite him looked at him in bewilderment, what would make his colleague change like this? Before he got to ask, the other guard bent forward in a respectful and differential bow. He did not speak a word, nor did he try to stop old Rache as he took back the small token and the piece of paper. Old Rache, then had the horses move forward.

As the cart disappeared in the crowd, his fellow guard could no longer hold his curiosity. He asked, “What the hell was that? Why the sudden change in attitude, who was that old man? That paper, what did it say, and what was that small sigil?”

The other guards face, having slowly regained some colour, paled immediately. He walked over and smacked his colleague in the back of the head, before reprimanding, “stop asking questions! That man could have us hanged if we showed him disrespect! Did you not see that sigil? It is the sigil of the Wake family! Only second to the city lords house, they may look low-key, but some of us know otherwise. This only a side branch of their family, unlike others here, they are originally from the capital, and from what I hear, they are not weak at all.” The guard had said this in a harsh whispering tone, and was clearly winded from this tirade.

The other guard, having heard what his colleague had to say, became nearly as pale. He started muttering to himself about looks deceiving, thanking the gods for his luck, if he had tried to hinder that old man, his superior would probably have his hide.

A kilometre inside the city, the old cart was trudging forward on the cobblestone road. Kael was currently studying the surroundings. They were currently in the trade district. The smell here was of vegetables, raw meat and smoke among some. Other smells were definitely present, but at the moment Kael did not care too much about that. What fascinated him was the amount of people he saw. Young and old, tall and short, dark and light, there were people in every colour and appearance.

Kael was also being watched, people looked and pointed at him, from afar. He did not think much of it, but the surrounding people, did find him just as fascinating as he did them. Tall and lanky, pale as snow, grey hair pulled back in a ponytail. His face was very fair, but that was not what caught most people's attention. In fact, his left pupil was completely white. Many young women stared longingly after this young man, who looked so fair for a commoner.

As they travelled on, the district got smaller, and the street and buildings became fairer to look at. Eventually they reached a small gate. It was broad enough for two carts, a far cry from the city gates. Same procedure as at the main gate happened. The guards here were even more deferential. The land surrounding them was divided into grand estates, and the streets were only walked by nobles and rich traders. These people stared after this odd pair, who looked so out of place, but did not act upon this. Just the fact that they could be here, was enough as a deterrent. Though, the pair did leave a bad taste, after all, peasants were not an ordinary sight in the noble area.

After a hours ride through twisting streets, they arrived before a massive mansion. The walls around this place were of even greater quality than what separated the commoners from the noble district. As they neared the small gate, guards started fanning out from the gate. One tall man in steel plate mail stood out from the rest, clearly the guard captain.

The guard captain went up to the cart as it stopped, with a doubtful look, he studied Kael and then old Rache. He eventually spoke, “We did not expect any supplies today, who are you? Are you aware that you have come to Wade family mansion? How did you two get into the noble district anyway?”

Old Rache did not speak, as with the previous guards, he passed on the paper and the small token. The difference between these guards and the ones guarding the gates, soon became clear. The captain, having read the contents of the letter and seen the small sigil, stood in a daze for a while, before going down on one knee.

He then shouted out, “My lord, pardon my actions! This one will take the punishment required if you wish it so. You lot, why are you standing about!? Kneel for his lordship!” The captain yelled this in a fierce voice, before again turning to old Rache, with head bowed, not saying a word.

The other men about stood in shock, before scrambling to their knees. Old Rache on the other hand, had a smile on his face, he waved his hand at the captain, signaling that it was alright. He then had the captain come over, before whispering something in his ear. The captain then bowed, before letting them inside the mansion gates. The other guards wanted to ask the captain about these two lords, but did not dare, seeing the seriousness of his face.

As Kael and old Rache disembarked from their cart, servants came out to see them. Along with the servants came a castelan. He spoke in low voices with old Rache, before quickly walking into the mansion again. Old Rache turned to Kael, then spoke, “We are here young master, this will be our home in the city, you should go have a bath and get some food, meanwhile I shall go speak with our host.”

Kael nodded and followed some servants. Old Rache sighed, before heading into the mansion. As he got further inside, the castelan reappeared and led him through many corridors before stopping in front of the doors to the great hall. Old Rache was then lead through the doors and into the spacious room. In the end of the room, stood a tall chair on a pedestal. There sat a middle-aged man. He was an impressive looking man, he was powerfully built, with a rather handsome face. His hair contained traces of grey, but this only made him seem wiser.

Old Rache proceeded to walk all through the chamber, stopping only a few feet in front of the man. He studied the man, the midde-aged man studied him in return. He was not familiar with this old man, who seemed to know everything. The lord stood up, and started walking towards old Rache. Whom then produced another piece of parchment, different from the one used with the guards, and the small token.

The lord looked surprised at the sight of the token, but did not change his expression too much. Without a word, he proceeded to take the parchment. As he started reading, his face became pale, he even started to tremble in excitement. His eyes were wide as saucers as he looked up at old Rache for a moment. In a trembling voice he then proceeded to ask, “c-can you please let me s-see proof of your identity great s-sir?! Can it this be true? If it is...”

Old Rache said nothing in response, but suddenly, he started changing. He grew taller, and taller, until he was half the height of the chamber roof. His face started twisting, until a completely different face appeared. He looked much more royal, but also terrifying. His eyes became red, he sprouted two great horns on the sides of his head. These horns were black as obsidian and curved to just above his temple.

His feet grew hooves, and he sprouted fur, and finally, his skin became a dark red colour. When he spoke next, his voice was not the of an old man any longer, instead it was dignified and dripping with power, “now do you believe, lord wade?”

Following this, old Raches face twisted into a malicious grin, before continuing, “your family, has served us for a hundred generations. The Wade family has been our puppet on this continent for longer than your family has written history, but you have always been rewarded. Today we entrust you with your greatest reward yet. The young master of the abyss is now the guest of your house. You should know what to do, no?” This last, old Rache said in reverent voice, filled with pride.

The lord stood there, mouth agape for a long while, before he started crying. He then prostrated himself on the ground, shouting, “the Wade family stand ready to serve the young lord, whatever he may ask of us, he shall have! If he asks us to die, we will gladly do so. This world will belong to the young master, if the Wade family can only serve at his feet, we will still do so if he asks it of us! Alach na ein! Long live the dark lord!”

Old Rache smiled at the lord, then said, “The young lord is taking a bath as we speak. Do not neglect him, but do not disturb him for the time being. He is here to experience the world of mortals for the first time. Understood?” he then proceeded to walk out of the chamber, leaving the stunned lord behind…