Scene 2 - Fatty and Slim

Making good pace the siblings headed forward. They noticed that with each block they passed the buildings got better in quality. Dispute the change in scenery tensions were high as the group hoped that the journey would be safe. Luck must have been on their side as throughout their two hours walk was relatively peaceful. It surprised even Vince in how they didn't run into any more slavers. Up ahead he could see into the distance a building with a Tavern of Dragons sign above. Despite the calm, Vince noticed that the streets had grown silent a sign that the slavers were coming. If this didn't work out he knew that his siblings wouldn't be long for this world. Inspecting the Tavern the first thing he noticed it wasn't made from cheap stone and street trash. Towering over eight-stories, the building's azure dragon design gave off a majestic air. The sight made Nena and Luna's dull eyes light up. Looking at the building Vince thought it was impossible for the slums to have such a high-end place. And if his memory served him right, this building wasn't here a few weeks ago. Then did it get here? In front of the building a statue of a black obsidian dragon fighting a fierce white jade tiger. Passed that two guards stood in place next to the door entrance, one tall and skinny, the other short and fat. Dressed in black robes carrying fierce expressions. The two glared at the group of slum children scaring the three little ones, Nene, Luna, and Sol. The older children were unmoved by such threatening gazes. Vince moved onward not worried in the slightest, but the two guards stopped him in his tracks. “HALT!”, The fatty took the lead and spoke up, “What business do you people have here? If you have nothing then be gone before we become impolite!” Nena gripped onto Xue’s clothing; scared of these frightening men. In response, Xue stared coldly at the two men, trying to use her gaze to kill the two. Without a single word, everyone surrounded Nena ready to pull out their weapons. With a smile on his face, Vince spoke, “I wish to speak to Master Mo, he gave this card to my late Mother. He told her if she found an awakened mage to get in contact with her. The mage is my sister Rune, so sirs is Master Mo in right now? The matter is very urgent.” He then grew shell-shocked staring at the card in Vince's hand, his face and posture took a quick one-eighty. The fat man fierce face crumpled into humbleness. Who knew this fierce fat tiger would turn into a little fat kitten just by Vince calling the name of his boss! The skinny one bowed, “Please follow me! I will take you all to the guest room. Brother fatty, go tell Master Mo that guests have arrived!” Without another word, skinny led them into the tavern allowing Vince a sigh of relief. When he got to the doors he noticed that hundreds of shadows were lurking in the surroundings. The slavers cold greedy eyes watching every movement he and his siblings made. Hopefully, Master Mo could help them, otherwise… They wouldn't be walking away alive. Scene 3 - The slave trading leader Off in a corner of the street, a small headed man spied the siblings enter the strange blue tavern. Throughout all his years of staying in this town, he had never seen this building here. Still, it didn't matter much he had to report this to his boss! Turning around the small headed man told his underling to keep watch as he went to report to his boss. Then he made haste through the twisting streets all the way to a little shop where he entered inside. As soon as he entered the smell of the horrid outside was replaced with the smell of lavender. The warm wood walls and the bright lights were a treat for the beady-eyed men. The only thing that ruined the atmosphere was a dozen men standing around him with weapons drawn. Scared witless the spineless small headed man bowed deeply towards the ground. “Boss the awakened girl just entered a blue building called Tavern of Dragons. What are your orders?” Sitting in a lavish seat a nicely dressed white robbed man picked up his goblet. His expression sinister as he cradled the goblet in his hand. On closer inspection, the goblet was made out of a man's skull and the handle made with a well-crafted leg bone. Held together by hardened crimson wax stronger than copper. Tipping the skull to his lips the stench of blood overflowed as the man savored the blood like fine wine. He placed the goblet down on a buff slave’s back when he finished drinking. Snapping his fingers another slave filled the goblet to the brim with a ruby stained bottle, “Oh? Excellent work Number Five! I will reward you ten silver coins for finding the awakened little girl!” Number Five bowed to his boss, “Big boss is too kind, and lowly one does not deserve such fortune.” The white-robed man chuckled while nodding inwardly to himself. He had groomed Number Five in the great art of boot licking and seeing his work borne fruit made him quite happy. “Mhmm, you still did a good job Number Five. Nonetheless, I must reward you at least with a night of the finest women from the Purple Jade Palace.” Number Five kowtowed to his boss, “Long live the Big Boss! What are your orders?” The white-robed man grabbed his skull goblet and took a gulp swallowing all the blood within. He smiled showing his bloodstained teeth before crushing the skill with his bare hand. “Come on boys we’re heading out to that tavern to kill all those little shits! Leave none alive except the awakened girl. Humph, they dare run away from me! They shall pay with their lives!” Scene 4 - A swordsman's wish Ren didn’t know what to think, his mind kept drawing blanks midst walking till know, ‘Why? Why did mother have to die? Out of hatred, I killed every man who had come for his sister but what now? What is my goal now that there's a hole in my chest.’ Ren sat there with a torrent of thoughts as he and his eight siblings waited, ‘What can I do? Can I protect my brothers and sisters? Ha! I couldn’t even protect our mother, so how could I protect them with this pathetic strength? It didn’t help that this Master Mo was a magician afterall I'm a swordsman.’ He sighed, wishing this Mo guy turned out to be a master swordsman. Then he could learn sword arts and kill all those who dare hurt his family… so he wouldn’t be helpless once again. Full of seething in anger and self-loathing, despair engulfed Ren's mind. He was put in charge of watching the little one, but they wouldn't move they looked as if their souls were missing. The shock of their mother dying in front of them was still fresh in their minds. They wouldn’t have even moved their feet if it wasn't for Vince forcing them even he didn't wish to leave. There wasn't any time to grieve through with slavers nipping at their heels. Turning his head Ren gazed at the youngest, Nena knowing that seeing mother dead had hit her the hardest. Afterall, she was the most attached to their mother. The grief washed over him it was all his fault, if only he was strong if only he had been faster! Mum had kept them kept them safe, showed them how to read, fed them, and damn well tried to keep them dressed! Holding back his tears, Ren remained strong and showed little emotion. As the second oldest brother he had to show them that even when things go bad you must move forward! There would always be time later to mourn for their mum, but right now was not the time! They needed to get to this Master Mo to take them as apprentices, hell even servants would work! This was the only path for Rune’s survival that they could think of, and Ren could only pray that it worked... That freak Slave Leader Cao wouldn't let them get away scot free. Working as a guardsman Ren had grown to know his organization and knew how ruthless Cao was. As one of the top ten most dangerous men in the kingdom, he could be taken lightly. Cao led over five thousand thugs in the kingdom and was under the protection of a noble. With men and influence, the guard wouldn't dare touch the man making him a powerful figure in the slums. The worst part Ren had heard about the man was what he liked to do to those that defied him. Bloodletting them by cutting their heads off and turning their blood into wine. He'd then take the skulls and boil off the flesh. The flesh of the person would be turned into a meal, drinking blood from their skulls as a form of sick pleasure. Getting away from his useless thoughts and he sat on a cushion provided by the skinny black-robed man. The siblings were served tea from some black-robed maidens that came into the room. After the time it takes to boil a kettle of tea, the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway was heard. The siblings tensed up at the sound; this person had their life and death within his hands. The first to see this ‘Master Mo’ turned out to be Ren, who was sitting closest to the door. Unexpectedly the first thing he noticed was the sword carried on Master Mo’s waist. Seeing the weapon piqued his interest wondering if he knew how to use it. Then he gazed up at his face and felt his soul tremble violently. Master Mo had long thick black hair, with dancing purple crescents hanging in each eye. The color of the eyes was green, blue, and the shining crescents seemed to be tattooed over his pupils. His eyebrows were as sharp as swords and he walked forward aloof and proud. His expression was cold like a bitter winter that never ceased to snow. On the robe, he wore loosely various eye-catching patterns filled the fabric from head to toe. The robe seemed to tell a story of a war between a Winged Lion and Land Dragon, fighting to the bitter end. Hastily Ren cried to his siblings, “Don’t look at him in the eyes!” He feared that the little ones would be injured under Master Mo's gaze. Luckily the siblings listened and turned away from his eyes avoiding serious injuries. Hearing his cry Master Mo noticed the problem and to Ren’s relief Master Mo retracted his aura. And bowed his head slightly in apology. He lips parted and a deep voice that loomed over the room, suffocating the youths with a faint pressure. “My apologies young ones, did I frighten you? I forgot myself, having just left my training room. My fat guard told me… Ah yes, you are the newly awakened magician and also… you correct?” He finger pointed towards Vince, the oldest of the siblings. The siblings turned to Elder brother in shock. Vince was a magician! Vince smiled warily, not moved in the slightest, “How did you…” “Notice?”, Master Mo smiled at him, “You needn't worry; most low-level mages wouldn’t be able to detect you. Seeing how well you’ve hidden, not unless they had my type of eyes that is.” With Master Mo explaining such the air turning awkward between the two groups. Seeing this Ren spoke up, “Master Mo, the three of us have come looking to become your disciples. I hope that you don't mind that we brought our siblings, as there was no one at home to look over them.” Master Mo was startled and glanced at Ren, sizing him up before speaking, “You want to be my disciple? When you haven't even awakened? Why should I bother considering you?” Ren's eyes were blazing as he rose up and bowed to Master Mo, “I wish to spar against you Master Mo! As one swordsman to another, to prove my worth!” Master Mo, as if suddenly understanding, gave a faint smile to this hot-blooded youth. “You have no chance to win against me, but I will allow you to spar against Fatty. If you win, you can become my disciple.” Bowing his head once again, Ren felt he had to do his best to show his abilities, “Thank you for this chance Master Mo!” “Yes yes, Fatty, take him to the training room and test him.” Seeing how eager Ren was to test his skills, Fatty’s blood began boiling as well. His small beady black eyes shined as he led Ren to another room.