A month later...
Rin knew it was time now. He dared not speak of it himself, but Xylia knew better. Knowing if he did not tend to this last matter it would gnaw at him forever.
Thus they planned a nice day out, taking a carriage ride with Juni to the village of Misty. It had been so long since he had been this far out. But word had no doubt spread of his recent exploits, the people would have no doubt felt the shifting in aura coming from the mountains a month back.
News was already trickling from the capital of the foundation of a new Clan. The likes of which had not been seen or heard of in a thousand years, very few could even recall their ancestor's ways or even knew that such an ancient group still existed. Having claimed the Snowtop Mountains as their territory. The guilds could still enter the mountains for the sake of business, but both Clan and Guild associates alike were to identify themselves. It was said a few had even started to join this 'Dawnsythe Clan'...
The three of them now sitting outside an ice cream parlor. A strange chain restaurant that originated from the capital. One even resided in her own village of Serene. Supposedly its descendants managed them even now. Keeping their recipes a family secret.
Juni enjoying a chocolate ice cream cone, Xylia having opted for a mint chocolate chip ice cream in a bowl, while Rin just had a simple bowl of vanilla. Juni now in a pretty floral dress that Xylia had found for her. Xylia herself in a beautiful sun dress. Rin wearing his robes and having now added a white cloak with a layer of brown on the inner side of the garment. His mark of a leader, but also he wore his prosthetic arm.
Rin admiring this little bit of peace he had found, he would be lying if he said it did not bring him joy to watch Xylia and Juni together smiling and happy. But before he could even react, an overwhelming weight shifted on him, like he was being crushed by an unseen and unimaginable pressure.
"So this is how you spend your time?" A woman's voice said
Rin immediately feeling regret biting into him. The scars still stung in her presence. Xylia felt her presence immediately making eye contact with the one who had arrived. There she stood, long pale blue hair, yellow eyes of a dragon, across her exposed skin were the dark blue scales covering her arms, her legs and going down her neck and midsection. The look she held was one of anger, anger for Rin being here. But was not here to start a fight. Xylia knew that much, she could tell by the way this one held herself. She was pissed off about something else entirely.
"You have more than made a name for yourself. The first new clan established since our ancestors first arrived. Now you call yourself leader. You have a new arm. A family even." The strange woman said speaking towards Rin now
Xylia feeling herself becoming more tense. Rin's false hand calmed her. She was unintentionally making a scene by making it colder in the area. But the strange woman now turned her gaze to Xylia herself, briefly looking at Juni before back at Xylia.
"I can sense your bond, quiet one. It seems he's good at something other than destroying everything. I'm not here to upset you most of all. I just happen to be out getting some groceries." She said folding her arms under her chest "I am Samantha Kai." She added bowing a little
Though Xylia still remained stoic and a hint of a sour look remained on her face. Everything about this woman was intimidating, her aura alone was suffocating.
"I will allow no harm to come your way. It's always been both of our village's way. Or have you forgotten?" Samantha said now confusing Xylia "The pact of Serene and Misty. Both villages existing so far away from the capital, when times of famine or hardship hit either of our villages, we help each other out, I intend to honor that promise." She added further
Xylia a little more at ease with this statement. Understanding Samantha a little more herself, but trust was far from being established. Samantha herself able to smell this on her.
"I will take my leave. I hope you enjoy your day. If you truly want a view, head for the cliffs near the beach and docks. The sunset can't be beat." Samantha said knowing nothing more needed to be said, not wanting to upset the child
Juni now a little afraid and extremely confused looked to her parents for answers. But Rin gently patted her head.
"Worry not little one. A dragon can be intimidating, but most are just protecting what is most precious to them." Rin said laying his words of a clan leader in his way of speaking
Juni nodded a little in understanding, Xylia smiled a little herself. For all the doubts she felt in Rin's mind, he had truly stepped up with his heart.
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"Can I... ask for something?" Juni asked timidly surprising both Rin and Xylia now
"Oh? And what would that be?" Rin asked curiously
"I wanted.. to visit a bookstore." Juni mumbled now looking down
Xylia now felt a warm smile cross her lips.
"I like that.." she whispered surprising Juni now as well as Rin
Soon all three were off and exploring the small village, the stones set in sand forming a walkway that spread through the whole village, coming across a small bookstore along the row of seemingly crammed together buildings. Juni stopped them both at the entrance.
"I can... go in myself. It's, a magical book." She said worriedly now
Xylia most confused about this. She'd never heard of such books. But Rin's hand on her shoulder seemed to ease her mind.
"A spellbook is good to have. But something you shouldn't become overly reliant on, it should only be used for preserving information, it's words never used for anything other than to inform, not worshiped." Rin informed her now understanding her better than she was letting on
Xylia now perplexed by this exchange. So much of the world of magic was still so new to her. While simultaneously learning even more of Rin's nature as a clan leader. She could see a connection to Rin and Juni that she would never truly be apart of. She could only see glimpses of it. With this she carefully handed Juni a single coin that made even her jump.
"A gift, from your father. Now yours." Xylia said now smiling a little at the gesture
Rin himself chuckled a little at seeing she still had not spent this money after all this time. Juni unsure if she truly was allowed to have such a coin. But Xylia merely patted her shoulder and nodded.
Juni took a breath as she entered the small shop. A tired man with white hair sat behind the counter, but soon was alive and awake spotting the small girl. A smile graced his tired face.
"I wondered when I'd be seeing you little one." He said almost like he knew her
Juni immediately felt fear paralyze her. Did this old man truly know?
He now chuckled as he swiftly waddled out from behind the counter and to the many packed bookshelves.
"Oh yes yes yes, oh wonderful. I can always tell when a young curious mind enters my shop. It's always in the eyes. And on any good day, I can tell when the winds of fate blow through and the sun smiles on my little shop." The old man rambled as he pulled out various books at a rapid pace unable to decide on one
Juni watching this man truly perplexed. She herself not having learnt much, was still often surprised and thoroughly confused on the complexities and layers to magic.
"You have a very open and intuitive mind young one. But no one is above learning. Even after two centuries, I still meet new mages that continue to surprise me." He said finally settling on a book
Juni stood up on the tips of her toes trying to look at the book. The way he held it and studied at it. She could just make out its black bound leather. But he began walking back towards Juni herself now. He held the book like he'd known it for a long time.
"Only select mage's over the centuries have come into my shop. They come from all over the land. There are plenty of magic shops in the capital, and the other guild towns. But those that come out here, are not of the garden variety. And the winds tell me when, not who or why. But I trust those that find me are here for a purpose." He explained to her now
He now held out the large book for her to take. Juni herself completely taken aback as she carefully accepted the book. She truly couldn't feel the latent power in its binding alone. The soft leather feeling moist, like a snake's skin. Something about it deeply comforted her. Like it was part of her that had been missing and she now found.
"Do you... know, what this all means?" Juni now asked quietly
But the old shopkeep merely smiled at this.
"Dragons are marvelous creatures. But they're far from the only ancient creatures that roamed these lands when the gods did, legends passed down through the ages. Some say they're nothing more than fairy tales and bedtime stories." He said even more cryptically
Juni knew she would get no more answers from him as she now offered him the coin her mother had given her. The old man was immediately shocked by this amount in this single coin, but accepted it nonetheless giving her a bagful of gold coins in return.
Xylia was pacing slowly outside as Rin sat on the pavement meditating.
"I'm worried." Xylia whispered
"She will be fine. This is her choice." Rin assured her but Xylia wasn't amused by his Clan tongue "She's still a child and will allowed to be, but when destiny calls us for a task, it is ours alone to attend to as it dictates. But we are her parents, not gods." He added now being forward with his words
Xylia a little taken aback by Rin's response. He seemed to know something more than he was letting on, her instincts were telling her so. The way he spoke often sounded like there was some great cosmic entity or god-like force of nature just out of the corner of their eye, waiting to pounce on whatever it is he spoke. Juni soon stepped out with a book and bag of coins.
"I found my book." Juni said smiling a little even as offered the bag to her mother
Xylia still a little uneasy about all of this. She smiled regardless as she accepted the leftover money and patted her daughter's head.
"Let's go, find that.. cliff." Xylia struggled to say wanting to enjoy this day with her family
Rin now lifted Juni up onto his shoulders as she immediately surprised by this as the three of them walked on. Finding themselves on the outskirts of the village now. On the edge of the beach and on a cliff where Samantha had described. Juni now climbed down, Xylia giving a pained but silent expression not wanting her to fall or get hurt. The young girl now looking out as the sun slowly set into the fog. What each saw and felt truly could not be described in words alone, but knowing more was out beyond, waiting. The end to a beautiful day out...
Meanwhile...
Samantha had just finished her shopping at the meat market, bakery and market. She was still pissed off, angry that he had come around. All the rumors and stories she'd heard were true, and what she'd seen for herself was enough proof he was indeed a changed man. Her trust in Rin himself was far from anything but solid, but see in him with that woman and child. It made her not hate him as much...
As she was now walking past the boathouses as a young man with long shaggy hair and in tattered and dirty clothes was arguing with one of the locals over his boathouse.
"I'm telling you! I can pay whatever you want! Please for the love of the gods, I just need a place to sleep for a day!" The young man said angrily
"And I told you boy! Take your fancy coins, and piss off! It's a matter of principle around here. I already arranged for someone to stay here, they paid, I'm not about go back on my word." The owner of the boathouse argued back not giving in
"Cmon! Can't help someone out in need?" The boy asked
"Hey!! You need a place to sleep you say?" Samantha called out
His head snapping her way as he met her eyes, his own a bright and wild shade of blue. Like there was a bright and burning fire behind those eyes. Threatening to burn everything in their vicinity. His aura immense and raging out of control like a fire that would not stop burning.
"You know some place?" He asked walking her way now
"I might have a spare room. Might even feed you, if you quit your damn yapping." She fired back as this shut him up
He now smirked chuckling a little and offering a hand to her. He could sense her own aura as he studied her. He knew what she was, but she knew what he was inturn.
"Tanner Fair. Son of the current reigning Demon King." He said as she was indeed impressed
"Samantha Kai, a simple Dragonborn. Only the few around these parts." She said as he too was impressed by her willingness to say this
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