Chapter 73

They walked in silence for a time. Rain was forced to walk on the side of the road as the number of people on the road increased, not because there wasn’t enough room, but because his looming presence was causing a commotion, especially amongst the small number of horses and livestock pulling wagons. Apparently he hadn’t quite emptied Lynthia of animals, there were a few that had avoided his attention through luck or location, although it was clear they were still lacking as many carts had people pulling them rather than animals.

He felt Opal shift, she was holding up surprisingly well, although the occasional happy soft moan that was barely audible suggested she might be holding up a little more than just well.

They headed against the flow of traffic many eyes following them, mostly for Rain, watching warily, jittery. The succubus had clearly set the town on edge and seeing Rain wasn’t helping matters so he was glad when they neared the gates.

The two guards with him were able to get him by without too much trouble despite the gates being jam-packed with people, they called out and the other guards helped clear a spot for Rain to get through. Inside was just as busy, but with every step he took it became less so, the focus of everyone inside town was to get out the gate so it was obviously going to be crowded, but the rest of the town had been cleared out, people leaving as soon as they could and the streets he padded down felt uncomfortably abandoned. It wasn’t the emptiness, it was the discarded items people had dropped in their packed flight. A hat here, a doll there, someone’s luggage broken open, clothing strewn across the ground, a cart on its side. It felt desolate and Rain found he did not like it, Lynthia had been his home however awful a home it had been and it was weird seeing it like this.

He soon realised their destination judging by the direction and his knowledge of the streets and waited patiently for it to come into view.

A large building with a huge front marked with tall pillars and pointed arches. It was the town hall, the home of the town’s council, the authority below the Ranker. The Ranker ruled all, but the town council saw more to the day to day management of the town that the Ranker had no interest in.

This place was just as empty as the rest of town, a breeze blowing a lonely scrap of cloth across the paving the only movement, that is apart from the two people standing on the steps. He recognised one of them and he rose an eyebrow in question. Before he could get an answer however the two guards stopped in their steps.

“You’ll uh, find your master in there monster. Just remember we had nuffin to do with whatevers been done to her.”

“I thought you said nothing has been done to her.”

“Y-yes, to the best of our knowledge, just don’t come after us or anything okay? I’ve got nothing to do with this, and soon nothing to do with Lynthia, I’m leaving with everybody else.”

The one with a pick nodded. “A succubus and a giant wolf? Naw you’re right its too much. I’m off too. Hope you cause trouble for them council fucks, they no doubt had something to do with the succubus in the first place.”

He flicked the pick from his mouth sending it bouncing along the cobble then without a second glance turned on his heel and strode off, long haired guard in tow. Rain watched them go then turned to the town hall.

That red haired elf was there, the one who had been bothering Lyra. He felt he understood why and how Lyra had been captured a bit better. That elf had had intentions for Lyra from the start.

He strode up the steps, the elf watching him with contempt. That expression becoming a little less contemptuous and a little more alarmed as he drew near and their height difference became more obvious.

He looked down at the elf.

“Where is she.”

“You’re looking for your master. A mindless dog scenting its owner I suppose, you’ll find we have her in our possession.” He attempted to look down his nose at Rain, he didn’t have much success, Rain’s height meant he had to lean so far back that he looked slightly ridiculous. “No doubt you will suffer if she dies as you are clearly thralled to her so don’t get any ideas.”

The rotund woman beside him gently fanned her face, comfortable in the sun despite the dress she wore. Rain had to take what she was wearing in twice because it was remarkably similar to what Opal was wearing. He supposed it must be some kind of high leveler fashion. He did think Opal wore the dress better than the Human woman, though he doubted she would appreciate hearing that.

“You can think what you like. Show me where she is.”

“Now, now, you great brute. Our parties must first become acquainted before we can come to some amicable agreement.”

Rain blinked, so did the elf. The elf opened his mouth, then something akin to understanding crossed his gaze and he slowly closed it.

“What is this? I’m not here to make friends I am here to take back Lyra.

She fluttered her fan in Rain’s direction ruffling his fur and nodded.

“You’ll do. Come.”

She then turned on her heel and walked away, her heels clicking against the stone as she went.

Rain and the elf stared at her back then hurried to follow. They appeared inside the lobby of the hall and then from there down a corridor. She didn’t pause but pushed through a double door, the elf hurrying in along beside her. Rain came more slowly, wary of a trap. This was a group of the town’s high levelers, no doubt reduced in number due to recent events but still a massive threat. He had to be extremely careful if he was to save Lyra’s life and make it out himself.