Dawn- An age of Darkness

Jowy left and we decided what to do next. His words were a warning and he meant what he said. But the same went for me.

My mind was already made up. "First let's get some food!"

My mind was too narrowed to think, I want to eat and that was it. Who cared about worldly affairs such as revenge and stuff? All we needed to think- was about food.

"Boy, do you have any clue what the elves eat?"

"I've seen them eat plenty of times, why?"

The old man sighed and led the way. Alisa and I only followed him in confusion. My dear Biteria didn't leave my shoulder. My luck might have been really high, as she was yet to bite me all day.

We headed for the market. The houses were mostly two storied, and they were made from baked bricks and they were plastered. They almost looked modern and yet something about those houses reminded me of the Mughal age. The windows were made from transparent crystals. The architecture was just ahead of the rest of the places I'd visited. Even the roads were made using bricks and plastered instead of marble or cobblestone. Truly a beauty to behold.

The old man took me to the market and my throat clogged up.

What is this?

There wasn't any meat or even fish. The only things that were available were green vegetables, vegetables, and some more vegetables. It was like I was somehow, back in the grasslands outside of the villages. Damn.

"But I've seen them eat meat," I said.

"They can't hunt in the forest, so where do think meat would come from?"

"They don't raise cattle?" My voice was tiny and the answer was obvious.

"They have better things to do. Still want to dine in an elven shop?" The old man had a smirk. He knew it all along. I really wanted to beat this damn geezer.

"I'd take my bread," I said with great agony.

However, the city was bustling with busyness. There were elves everywhere; I suppose I should have expected that as it was a country of elves. We were getting occasional stares but they weren't hostile in any way. Hard to imagine men and elves were at war. It almost felt like there were no hostility between the two races, but I wasn't that dumb either. After all, anything could happen when you're dealing with elves.

Alisa looked around with wanderlust but seemed more confused than fascinated.

We went into a bread restaurant and bought plain bread; apparently bread restaurants were a thing in this world- not that I cared... The bread tasted good but it wasn't something you can just chew on for ages. The provided soup didn't go that well with the bread as it was filled with nothing but vegies.

I didn't get to complain though.

"Elves are a racism free country, so I think we could even visit the weapons shop if we wanted to," the old man said. "And since we're at a break on the war, they won't harm us even if we were to act a bit too rude." I didn't like that smirk on his face.

"But I don't see many humans or dwarfs here."

"Humans wouldn't be able to come here quickly without an elf's help. And dwarfs don't go well with elves. Besides, most humans are afraid of elves."

I could imagine why people would fear elves. Elves were powerful and they were quick to betray others for their own sake. Of course, powerless humans would be scared of them.

"They hate each other?" Maybe that's why Dwarves and Elves had a bad relationship?

"I wouldn't call it hate but they don't like each other."

It was odd but I didn't really need to worry about those things. "I see. Is there any magic shops? Since the elves can use magic and all," I said.

"There are but they don't permit humans in."

The glee in the geezer's eyes suggested that he spoke from experience.

Being disappointed, I toyed with my spoon. "Is that so?"

If humans aren't permitted then this might be a problem. I need to know more.

"I don't like that look. Don't go about doing anything stupid." The old man knew exactly what I was thinking but my mind was made up.

I smiled. Even a geezer like that could understand me these days.

Alisa was quiet. She didn't talk much ever since we came to the town.

"Is something wrong Alisa?"

"Not really. This place reminds me of my village. We used to live peacefully like this," she said. "Ours was a much small village though. And it wasn't as pretty." She went back to memory lane. She was awfully quite the entire time. Maybe Brenda's death was weighing on her.

"I see." I didn't have any means of consolation for her.

I didn't say anything more. All my doubts against her were speculations, so I didn't show even the slightest of hostility. Besides she even confessed that it was her fault, but then again she was just unconscious the whole time.

Purr!

"Wanna eat?" I held a piece of bread over my shoulder. But Biteria tilted her head sideways and gave me a firm denial. We needed meat.

"Looks like she doesn't like the bread."

"That would be the case. Are you sure there are no sources of meat here?" I said.

"The last time I was here, that was the case, but maybe things could have changed," the old man said.

That gave me an idea. It was probably best to ask for a local to help- at least that's what I thought.

"Excuse me, miss!" I called out one of the waitresses.

"Yes?" She came close.

"Is there any place here where you can find meat?"

She was flustered. Maybe I should have explained myself better. "Meat?" she said in shock and then added, "No I-I don't think so. But I'll check in with the manager."

She left and we finished our meal. However, she didn't come back. It was getting late and we were getting impatient. "Let's go pay the bill."

We paid the bill but before we could leave the manager came to greet us.

"Good evening gentlemen. Please come this way," He said with a wide grin.

He was a tanned man with long ears. Unlike the rest of the elves who were fair and tall, he was shorter and much darker. He would look human if he didn't have those ears.

We were taken to a room where we sat.

All this just because we asked about some meat?

"Now, what is it that I hear? Why did you propose such an act to my worker?" he said. His words were rough and his voice was quite deep.. I got the impression I might have offended him.

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