Chapter 50: Problems in Loegrey

The streets of Loegrey was bustling with excitement. Everyone hearing the news that shook the city to its core. From the slums to the west, to the noble quarters of the east, everyone was speaking of the same thing.

Boy A: “No way.”

Girl: “It’s true, I saw her at the south gate.”

Boy B: “You think will fall for that, no wonder your still just a little kid.”

Girl: “No I’m not, I’m telling you the truth.”

Boy A: “Right, like we’re gonna believe a dark skinned Lycanian walked into the city.”

Girl: “She didn’t walk in she road in on a carriage.”

Boy B: Either way, we’re not gonna listen to your lies, right?”

Boy A: “Liar, liar.”

Girl: “*tearing up* But, I’m not lying.”

Nathan: “You should be a shame, making a girl cry.”

Boy A: “Huh, who the hec-”

Boy B: “Ah!?”

The two boys looked up to Nathan, who glared down at them.

Boy B: L-L-L-L-L-L”

The boy continued to stutter his words, while the other just stared in disbelief. Nathan meant to ask them for directions, they were the only ones who didn’t suddenly walk away when he tried to speak to them. However he overheard their conversation and decided to help the girl out. She stood their staring at him at well, but her expression wasn’t like everyones elses, she seemed more excited than stunned.

Nathan: “Hey, could I ask you something?”

Girl: “Ah, y-yes.”

Nathan: “I’m looking for the library, I was told it was somewhere around here.”

Girl: “It’s right down the street, it the big building with the high stair case and large pillars.”

Nathan: “Ah, then I was pretty close. Hmm, oh, I think I see it, thank you very much.”

Nathan waved to the girl and off he went. The girl looked at her friends triumphantly, they both still babbling like idiots.

Girl: “*Sigh*Boys.”

Nathan strolled back to their meeting place, not long after they entered town, they split from Jacob. It’s that they weren’t grateful he got them into town, but the amount of attention they were getting, could cause problems for him and they wanted to avoid that.

After splitting from Jacob, they themselves would split up and another some information. While Nathan didn’t plan on gathering any information, everywhere he went he was being stared at, but as soon as he approach, they would turn and walk away or rather they would scream and run away.

Nathan: “(This is going to be a problem, I figured this would be the outcome, but if they are too afraid for me to approach, it gonna be hard to do anything myself.)”

As, Nathan strolled absentmindedly down the street, A group of people made their way over to him.

??????: “You there, a moment.”

Nathan: “Hmm?”

Walking towards Nathan was a man, with several women walking behind him. A confident man, by the way he walked and the fancy armor he wore, his was wealthy as well.

Nathan: “Can I help you?”

????????: “No, my friend you cannot, for I am here to help you.”

Young Woman: “Look isn’t that Zane, the famous adventurer?”

Girls: “Kya, Zane!

As if out of thin air, woman suddenly appeared around him, as if from then air. Swarming him as if he was prey and to them he probably was. He was indeed an attractive man, most women in his world would swoon over him and there was no difference in this one.

Zane: “Now, now ladies, I was having a conversation, you must all wait your turn.”

Zane stepped around them, bringing his attention back to Nathan, along with several death glares thrown his way.

Zane: “I beg your pardon milady; our conversation was interrupted.”

Nathan: “Its fine, (Milady?) you said something about helping me.”

Zane: “Why yes, I know you have notice the stares all around you.”

Nathan: “Can’t be helped, an extinct race, suddenly showing up, it would be more shocking if they didn’t react.”

Zane: “I so you know, wonderful, then this will be short. I don’t like to brag but I a pretty big deal around here. Fame, respect, noble blood.”

Nathan: “And yet, your trying your damnedest to brag.”

Zane: “Hahahahaha, point taken, but alas, I must mention for my request.”

Nathan: “Which is?”

Zane: “That you join my party.”

Nathan: “I refuse.”

Zane: “……………….”

Zane stared at Nathan as he could not comprehend what he said.

Nathan: “Is that all, then I’m leaving.”

Zane: “Wait one moment please.”

Nathan: “Something else?”

Zane: “I don’t understand why you would refuse, I have no ill intent. From what I’ve gather, you been asking around for information, however you been getting treated as you were cursed.”

He wasn’t wrong, it was terrible trying to get any information at the moment. Yet his request was not an option.

Zane: “Your expression says I’m right, if you join my party, all such problems will disappear. You could have anything you want, and with me standing beside you, no one would avoid you or question where you need to go.”

Nathan looked to the women crowding around him, they were all attractive. Though what he said sounded righteous, his entourage told another story.

Woman A: “Hey, what’s so hard about it?”

Woman: “Yeah, Zane is a wonderful Leader.”

Zane: “Ladies please, bragging, domestic or otherwise, it is all the same.”

Nathan: “And all those women are in your party?”

Zane: “Why yes, my own little garden.”

Girls: “Oh, Zane, you’re so wonderful.”

Nathan: “And what about men.”

Zane: “None, not that I’m against it, but for some reason, none of the men I ask seem to want to join and the few who did never stayed long, it’s strange.”

Nathan: “Yeah I wonder why?”

Nathan was getting this weird feeling coming from the women, they were wearing smiles and cheerful, but it felt weird. A similar feeling, he felt with Lynn, a hidden malice. It seemed Zane was oblivious to this fact, they were probably no men ever joined his party. Though Nathan thought this to be a blessing in disguise.

Nathan: “Then, I don’t think it will work out this time either.”

Zane: “I’m sorry, are you suggesting you’re a man?”

Nathan: “Not suggesting, I am.”

Zane burst into laughter, he couldn’t believe some why could lie with such a straight face. The woman around him began to laugh as well, a forced laughed.

Nathan: “Something funny?”

Zane: “Ahahahaha, I’m terribly sorry to go so far as to lie about one’s gender, just to refuse my offer, I could do nothing but laugh or it would just be insulting.”

Nathan: “No, I’m a man.”

Zane: “And as I said, I have no qualms with you being a man, so that argument was invalid.”

Woman A: “Zane, we have that appointment.”

Woman B: “R-Right, we mustn’t be late.”

Zane: “Ah yes, it nearly slipped my mind entirely, I supposed I shall give up for today.”

Zane grabbed a hold of Nathan’s hand and brought up to his face. Nathan quickly pulled away, avoiding the kiss to his hand. Zane simply smile and bowed.

Zane: “We will meet again, I hope you’ve reconsider by then, come ladies, we have business.”

Nathan: “Yeah, don’t count on it.”

Zane turned and walked away, with his party members swarming after him. It seemed, some of the woman believe what he said and were hurriedly trying to leave. A few them gave a death stare or said something obscene, but Nathan just let it go, they did unknowingly help him out. IT didn’t seem like Zane was gonna give up, but those woman would be right there to stop him.

Nathan: “Another bunch of idiot, who can’t believe I am man.”

Anais: “Can you blame them?”

Anais Iris and Ena, walked up to Nathan, returning from their information search.

Nathan: “Ah your back, weren’t we going to meet at the fountain?”

Iris: “We were, but we saw you were having conversation with that gentlemen there.”

Anais: “You should try harder to get your point across.”

Iris: “Could you not just show proof?”

Nathan: “I don’t have any proof.”

Iris: “You most certainly do; all master must do is pull down his trousers.”

Anais: “What are saying!?”

Nathan: “Iris, I can’t do that.”

Iris: “You done it once before, it did wonders when proven your gender to Shane.”

Nathans faced flushed, as did Anais, recalling the spectacle and turning her head in embarrasment.

Nathan: “Well, yeah it would, but that was a spur of the moment and the cicumstances are different.”

Anais: “Iris, he can’t do that in the middle of the city, its about morals, don’t you know shame?”

Iris: “I don’t know much on morals, but you know as well as I know, he has nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone woud be overjoyed to witness your marvelous-”

Nathan: “And that’s where I cahnge the subject, I found the library, did you get anything?”

Anais: “Nope, apparently, no one’s ever heard of the Rokaka Mountains.”

Nathan: “Hmm, well there’s always the library, let’s go.”

Nathan lead the girls down the street, Ena tapping Anais on the shoulder and slowing her walk. Her faced flushed and fiddling with her fingers Iris took notice and slowed as well.

Ena: "Is it really tha marvelous as she says?"

Anais: "D-Don't ask me that. How would I know?"

Ena: "But, she said you knew."

Anais: "I know nothing."

Iris: " If its about my Master,you could of just ask me, I can tell you everything their is to know. I can tell you about, every single inch of his-"

Nathan: "You think these ears are for show?"

Girls:"Ah!"

Nathan: "I SAID, THE SUBJECTS BEEN CHANGED!"

_

_

_

Anais: “Admission fee, to read a book?”

Guard: “I-I’m sorry.”

Nathan watch on as Anais spoke with the women standing front of the library, refusing them entrance. Nathan let her do all the talking, if he tried, he sure the woman would feel threatened. Every so often, she would glance at Nathan, it seems she was trying her best to keep her posture, but she was no guard.

Anais: “Okay, then tell me why they get to walk right in?”

Several people walk passed the fuss, even with the guard eyes searching for help, everyone turned they head away, while some watch from afar.

Guard: “I’m s-sorry, but I just I-”

Nathan looked up toward the building, he couldn’t read the engraving, but he sur it said something like library. The building was big, four huge columns lining the top of the large stairs case. The design reminded him of Amelia’s study, the main hall having a similar layout.

Nathan: "(Huh?)”

In the second story window, or the briefest of moments, Nathans eyes met with someone staring down from above. As soon as the shadow realized their eyes met, they ducked out of sight. Nathan turned back to Anais, still arguing with the timid looking girl, on the verge of tears.

Nathan: “………………Anais, let’s just go.”

Anais: “What, but we need to get in.”

Nathan: “Come on.”

Anais glared at the guard, making her jump, before turning away and following Nathan down the stairs.

Anais: “I can’t believe this, charging someone to read a book, a hundred Rydt each.”

Nathan: “Don’t believe it, I think she was told to do that to us specifically.”

Anais: “What, why would she do that?”

Nathan: “Iris, were heading back over to that fountain, when I’m out of sight, someone should come out and speak to her, listen to what they have to say, please.”

Iris: “Understood.”

Nathan lead Ena and Anais, around the corner, not long after they were out of sight, someone from inside the building walk out in talk to the girl.

Anais: “You thinking it was because of you?

Nathan: “Probably.”

Anais: “This is so tiring, if not one thing it’s another.”

Iris listened until they all entered the building. She rejoined NAthan in company, back over by the fountain.

Iris: “It was as you said, the moment you were gone, someone came out, she was forbidden, from letting all of us in.”

Nathan: “I figured, it was because of me, right?”

Iris: “No, actually it was all of you, Therian are not allowed inside.”

Anais: “What, but there were Therian amongst the ones who went in.”

Iris: “I don’t understand the terminology, but he referred to you as Rouges.”

Nathan: “Rogues?”

??????: “Yeah, Rogues?”

A therian man walked up to them, a cat judging by his appearance. Red hair and fur, with a smile on his face and a glint in his eye, Nathan could tell, he wanted something.

??????: “Sorry, just happened to overhear. Your trying to get into the library, but they’re not going to let a bunch of rogues walk around, I’m surprise you didn’t get stopped by the guards on the way in.”

Nathan: “I’m sorry, who are you?

Ash: “Oh, right, names Ash, nice to meetcha.”