Kitsune: I’m updating. Maxwell kept on bugging me so I’m doing this now for her, Vel-kun, and Blaze-kun. Hope you enjoy!

Tales of the Past: Chapter 4

Mandy led Maxwell, Velsper, and Pierce through a busy street. They were getting odd stares from the locals, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Mandy stopped when the crowd had thinned out some. They looked around to find themselves in a circular area with streets leading out of it at different directions. In the center stood a small lake, no more then 20 feet, and in the center was a huge tree. There seemed to be something particular about the tree, but then Mandy turned to question them.

“Is there anywhere specific you would like to see first?”

Pierce looked around before answering for them. “What exactly does this town have to offer?” He asked glancing at the shops that lined the outside of the circle.

“Well, there is the weapons shop, an items shop, a magical artifacts shop, a potions shop, an inn, and other shops with everything in them,” pointing to each as she said them.

“How bout we start at the weapons shop?” Velsper asked in an excited voice. He hadn’t gotten the chance to get a new weapon since his bastard sword had broken in a fight with some golems a couple of weeks ago.

Maxwell just shrugged, but added quietly. “After than, we go to the potions shop.” She left no room for argument.

Pierce smiled. “Well, looks like we have our answers. After those two, I would like to see what the magical artifacts shop has to offer. You never know what’s being uncovered these days.”

Mandy nodded and led them to the weapons shop. As soon as they stepped inside, they were welcomed by…Lakasha? The entire group, except Mandy, looked on in surprise. The Lakasha look-alike just smiled at them. “Welcome to the Taglar weapons shop. All of our weapons are made with the finest metals and crafted by our best black smiths. Is there anything in particular you are looking for?”

Velsper regained his voice and pointed an accusing finger at her. “Hey! You’re that chick that we saw before we came here!”

The woman giggled before shaking her head. “I see that it was my sister’s group that examined you before you were allowed to enter Lokith. Please, do not think ill of her. She is just being herself. She is very fond of Lokith and protects it with her life.”

Mandy turned to them. “This is Jealana. She is Lakasha’s twin sister, both are some of the last of the Taglar race.”

Surprisingly, it was Maxwell who spoke up. “What are Taglar?”

“The Taglar are a race of were-cats. We are sort of like were-wolves, only we have complete control of shifting out forms. They are harder to hold around the time of the full moon, but we have still managed.” Jealana replied.

“How is it that they are some of the last? Where they wiped out or something?” Pierce voiced his question.

“We were already so few that we only need one Taglar village. Because of the fear that the other races had, any Taglars that were seen outside of the village were usually killed. Our superior speed, strength, and powers automatically made us evil in the eyes of the humans. The other races just feared us. For this reason, we kept the location of our village a secret from all outsiders, but about 200 years ago, our village was attacked by a large group of warriors from an unknown enemy. We were completely unprepared and most of us were destroyed in the battle. The only ones to escape were my sister, about 15 other cubs, and myself. We were pursued, but then we were saved by Bou-sama. He defeated the few that had come after us and then lead us back here, to Lokith. He gave us food and shelter. We owe a lot to Bou-sama for his hospitality. He even gave us jobs here so that we might be able to live productive lives.” Jealana stopped for a moment to let the information sink in.

“Wow.” Velsper let out. It was hard to imagine that practically a whole race was wiped out in just one single blow.

“Well, that’s enough about me. How about I show you what we have to offer.” She led them around the store showing them various weapons. A set of short swords caught Velsper’s eye and he examined them. Plain black sheaths covered them, but when opened they revealed a pair of the swords that were beautifully made. He tested the weight, and despite how heavy they looked, they were very light.

Jealana saw him and motioned to them. “Those are two of the finest swords that Kalin and Keff have made. They each made one and then created a spell that would bind them together. They are brothers just as Kalin and Keff are.”

Velsper sheathed them. “How much?”

Jealana shook her head. “I have not been able to sell these swords to anyone. I don’t know why, but the others just seemed to have passed them by. I have a good feeling. I will give them to you if you do me a favor.”

Velsper looked at her warily. Getting stuff for free was never a good idea. “What is it?”

“When you go to the towns you are in, ask about the Taglars. We all want to find out who destroyed our village, but we are not able to leave the safety of Black Forest. Just see what you can find out and if you find anything let us know.” Jealana offered.

Velsper nodded. “Alright. I can’t argue with a deal like that. I’ll take them.” Saying so, he placed the straps on and now had them crossing over his back, so that they were easy to grab.

“That’s good, but we need to get going if you want to see the other shops before the meeting.” Mandy said quietly from next to Velsper.

Velsper jumped up and turned around quickly. “Holy shit! Don’t sneak up on me like that!” He clutched a hand to his chest.

Mandy gave him a neutral look before walking towards the exit of the shop, but before she could reach the exit Jealana put a hand on her shoulder. She glanced back at the others to make sure that they were not able to spy before making the younger girl face her.

“What’s wrong? You are usually more…active and happy when showing visitors around. Did something happen at you meeting with the council?” Jealana asked worryingly.

Mandy shook her head. “I’m fine. Nothing happened. Now if you will excuse me, I must take them to two other shops before their meeting with the council.” She brushed her off before facing the trio of hanyous. “We must make haste.” She then walked out of the shop.

They shrugged before following after, but not before noticing the worried/anxious expression on Jealana’s face before they exited the shop.

Mandy then led them down a few stores before stopping in front of the potions shop. Upon entering, they were greeted with a strong smell. Velsper put his hand over his nose to try and block the smell. “What the hell died in here?”

A chuckle came from behind them and they turned to see an old man, leaning on a stick, right in front of the door. “That would be the smell of a special mix of herbs. It’s a healing potion that can erase all trace of even the deadliest burns. We had a customer that needed to heal someone with sever burns. I had to make another batch just now. The smell will fade soon enough. I the mean time, is there anything I can get you?”

Maxwell took a step forward. “I’m looking for some rare herbs, I was wondering if you had any here.” She took a piece of paper.

The old man stepped forward and held out his hand. Maxwell handed over the piece of paper. “Hmmm….I think that I have most of this in the back. You were not kidding when you said that these are rare herbs. You want some of the rarest I have, that’s going to cost you.” He eyed her, as if questioning whether she could pay for it.

Maxwell pulled out a leather pouch and emptied its contents into her hand. Three diamonds and a ruby glinted in her hand. The man’s eyes widened before he grinned. “Is this enough for you old man?” Maxwell growled.

He grin grew and he quickly snacked the precious stones out of her hands. “Plenty my dear. I’ll even throw on some extra pouches to carry them in free of charge.” He then turned to Pierce, Velsper, and Mandy. “You three wait here. You,” he motioned to Maxwell, “follow me.” He led her into the back room.

“Well, I guess we wait until they get back.” Pierce spoke up. Velsper just nodded before he looked over to their “tour guide”. He grinned and then took a step to stand next to her.

“So, what exactly was Jealana so worried about? She seemed pretty concerned.” He asked. Testing her boundaries on the subject.

“It’s none of your concern.” Mandy replied, rather stiffly. She was looking anywhere but at the two hanyous with her.

Velsper paused for a moment, deciding to push the subject. “It didn’t sound like nothing to me. From what I heard, you aren’t normally like this. I think…active and happy where the words she used. She’s right. This whole mild manner thing doesn’t suit you at all.”

Mandy now looked at him, he eyes betraying no emotion. “It’s none of your concern, now please drop it.” While saying this, something caught his attention. On her left ear, was a stone the color of the darkest shadows. Below that was a sliver moon that hung and stopped about an inch down. The stone, though black, seemed to shine with its own light. Velsper frowned. ‘That’s weird. I’ve never seen such a stone before. It’s almost as if it has a life of its own.’ Before he could comment about it, Maxwell reappeared.

“Alright, I’m done. We can leave now.” She made her way to and out the door. Mandy followed a step behind her. Pierce just shook his head before following the two. Velsper filed away his observations to be brought up at a later time. “Hey! Wait up.” He ran to catch up with them.

He found them just as they were entering a store across the circle. He scowled at them. “Thanks for waiting.” He grumbled.

“You’re just slow.” Maxwell said from where she was looking as a pendant.

Velsper rolled his eyes before something shiny caught his attention. He walked over to find a crystal ball, but it was an odd shade of light blue. “That’s a dark magic detector.” A voice from beside him said. Velsper jumped up and spun around to find a child of about 7 looking at him with a smile on her face.

“What the hell is it and people sneaking up on me and scaring me?! Do I have a sign on my back that sys “Scare me”?” He asked irritably.

“No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just thought that you might like to know what you where looking at.” She said.

“Are you yelling at children now?” Maxwell came up and glared at him. Pierce followed along with Mandy.

“No! I’m just talking with her is all.” He growled back.

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but I actually came here to tell you that we are closing up shop. My sister has to get home and plan some things for the upcoming festival.” The girl said to them. “Well be open again tomorrow if you really want to look around.”

“It’s alright. I think that we have to get going anyway to a meeting our selves.” Pierce told the girl. She nodded and they made their way out of the store.

As the girl went about tiding up the place she saw the dark magic detector that the four before were near. The crystal shone with a dark pulsating light. The girl gasped before running out to try and look for the strangers. They were already gone. She went back inside and the crystal was still glowing.

“What ever it was that was here was very powerful.” She said to herself as she covered the crystal, there was no use in alarming her sister.

Mandy lead the way to the council chamber where the meeting would take place. The trip back was uneventful, and boring. They stopped as the door to the chamber opened and two men and a woman stepped out, laughing and smiling. As soon as they saw the four their expressions turned to that of malice and distain.

“Well, what do we have here? Four hanyous walking around.” The woman sneered. She sized them up before her eyes finished on Mandy. The woman smirked. “Well, how are you enjoying the adjustment we’ve maid for you? It took us a while to come up with the idea, but it sure has kept you inline.”

Confusion ran through the three as they looked between the woman and Mandy. Before anything more could happen Bou and Damien came around the corner. Bou looked at the situation before turning a cold gaze to the two men and woman.

“It’s there a problem here council members?”

The three council members shook their heads before they made a hasty exit. Bou shook his head in disgust before turning to his own group. “Well, I trust that you had a good time.” He noticed Velsper’s new weapons. “Good, you found some things you like. The meeting will start in about 10 minutes. We can wait here for everyone to show up.”

Mandy bowed to Bou and turned around to make her way out of the hallway, but Bou caught her before she left. “Why are you in such a hurry little sister? You are hardly ever around anymore.”

The wide eyes that looked at the two were comical. “Little sister?”

Bou smiled and nodded. “Yes, Mandy is my half sister, but is still my little sister none the less.” He hugged her to prove his point but then quickly pulled away, frowning. He then pushed back the bangs that usually covered her left ear and saw the dark stone glinting. Bou growled before he quickly muttered something under his breath. Mandy seemed to stiffen before going limp. Bou then turned to Damien.

“The meeting is canceled. Take those three to West wing and give them quarters there.” He then scooped Mandy up and walked away quickly.

Damien let out a couple of curses before motion for them to follow. “What the hell just happened?” Questioned Maxwell.

“That black stone. It was weird. I saw it back at the weapons shop. I asked her about it cause it rubbed off o me wrong, but she got really defensive about it and when Jealana questioned her about her sudden behavior changes.” Velsper spoke up.

“Well, we’ll find out what is going on later. Now I must show you to your rooms. Follow me.” He led them down a maze of hallways before they came to some door. “You may pick any room you wish to stay in. Some one will come get you for dinner.” With that said he took off.

“Well that was fun.” Pierce said sarcastically.

End…For Now.

Kitsune: That was rushed and pretty crappy I know, but I wanted to get this out. I have to get all of the crap that they call schoolwork done now. Hope you can enjoy this as much as you can.