Musician's Winter

He can’t believe he’s out here trudging through thick snow for an elf. Once again, the empire sent Akin after another former ‘war hero’. This one earning herself the epithet ‘Blood Meister’ during the war. Something that rubbed him the wrong way. Adjusting his jacket and his staff, he continued along the crunching of snow and his own breathing being the only sounds filling the night. Constantly grumbling under his breath, he still wasn’t sure why he of all people were sent, but then again Arthur had been missing for months. As his former protégé, now junior the task now befalls him no matter how much he wishes it didn’t.

Checking his compass for the umpteenth time he cursed himself for not bringing a steed. He cursed his superiors more loudly for sending him into the cold. Another deep shiver dashing down his spine. Bemoaning the cold and this entire assignment he continued just quickening his pace ever so slightly. After what felt like an eternity he happened upon a small temple. Studying the scant amount of iconography a thoughtful hum slipped past his lip. Pulling out his pocket godopedia he meticulously went through it comparing the temple’s appearance with the many in the book. Spending the better part of ten minutes he frowned, discovering it was dedicated to both Evoted and Omeh. Worshiping more than one god isn’t an issue but worshiping one with the aspects of ferocity, devotion, and kindness while doing the same with one with the aspects of conflict, excitement, and discord is truly cause for concern.

He snapped the book shut and stowing it away he reluctantly approached the door. Bitten by the cold once again, he quickly opened the door briskly walking inside. The agent stopped dead in his tracks, brows knitting in horrified confusion at the mass of pelts and bones littering the walls and ceiling. Shrugging his staff into his hands he slowly stepped forward. Unease started nipping at his nerves the eerie silence deafening. Strumming a happy tune on his modified garaya but it failed to alleviate the unease the nipping shifting into gnawing.

“Hello? Anyone here? Hope you don’t mind me sleeping here for the night!” he called out but was met by more silence.

Seeing a lone door on the far side he shook his head before venturing over. Reaching for the doorknob his hand hovered for a long moment before trying it. Collecting himself for a moment, he slowly pushed open the door to find a small room. Fortunately, and unfortunately for him it was empty, his eyes instantly homing in on the neatly made bed. Approaching he quickly noted the lack of dust which filled him with relief, but it soon shifted back to unease. Despite this he still allowed his curiosity to take the wheel leading him to a rather large alchemy station. Consuming half the room, it silently sat there decorated with a stack of books, a plethora of bottles, and a swarm of spotless equipment. Forcing his curiosity to be sated he quickly left the room moving to the lone altar. Just as he stepped closer the temple’s door open a cloaked woman stepping in followed by the pleasant tune she was humming.

“Well, hello! Wasn’t expecting visitors this time of tonight! Especially one so handsome!” she cheerfully said approaching the agent.

“Just passing through, admittedly a bit underprepared though…” he quietly chuckled watching her sitting a covered basket onto a nearby pew.

“Well, I was just about to make dinner. So, you play a tune for me, and I’ll let you spend the night, deal?” she grinned up at him her bright orange eyes locked onto his.

Adjusting his grip the young man smirked and nodded sitting down while his pleased host scooped up her basket disappearing in her room. Sighing he began plucking a slow yet cheerful tune just as she reappeared sitting down beside him, her tail laying itself in his lap. Faltering for a second he bit back a frown glancing at the woman sitting very close to him. He fought back a flinch as she abruptly turned to him a pleased smile on her caprine muzzle. The sense of unease rushed back in seeing her razor-sharp fangs.

“If you don’t mind me asking but why are you out here? The closets town is an hour away by horse.” She asked leaning closer.

“I’m looking for someone, thought it’ll be quick but clearly I was wrong…” he quietly chuckled.

“Are you looking for an elf? A gorgeous elf?” she snickered a clawed hand landing on his shoulder.

“Well, I am looking for an elf. And if you count how dangerous she is as beauty, then she is extremely gorgeous…” he muttered still playing.

Smile becoming smug, she sniffed the air a pleasant scent floating through the air. Shooting up she swiftly went back to her room leaving the agent alone. Releasing a breath he didn’t know he was holding he shook his head, cursing himself for accepting the invitation and his superiors for sending him in alone. But before he could do anything she reappeared with two steaming bowls in her hands. Reclaiming her spot, she waited until the agent sat his instrument close beside him before handing over his food. Plastering a faux smile on his face eyed the dark red substance inside. Glancing at the shorter woman beside him he waited until she took a few bites before tentatively taking a small sip. A far too rich and disgustingly familiar iron taste coated his tongue. Sitting the spoon inside he tried to smack the taste away but to no avail.

“You’re too good for my stew?” she huffed scarfing down her own bowl before snatching his, “then I’ll eat it!” she spat giving it the same treatment.

“Well, I thought it would be something…’normal’…not, is that just warmed blood?” he inquired hand reaching for the staff beside him.

“Obviously not! There’re herbs and spices and cream inside! I’m not some bloodthirsty beast for Omeh’s sake!” she growled a serpentine tongue dart out to lap up the remnants in the bowls.

Getting up Akin quickly picked up his staff, marching towards the door. plucking a few strings a tiny wave of amber light washed over the lock. A mass of roots and vines emerging from the metal zealously entwining creating a large knot. Silently testing the door, he nodded, discovering that it refused to budge. Turning back to the woman he tipped his hat seeing her standing at the alter with a smile that can only be described as devious. Twirling around she held her hands together, closing her eyes and grinning.

“I knew the empire would send someone at some point! But can’t you turn a blind eye just this once? I’ve turned over a new leaf. I’m a healer now I help people!” she plead but her grin still tugged on her lips.

“Sorry ma’am but it’s my job to hunt down potential war assets that denounced their alliance to the empire.” He calmly stated, quickly tuning his staff.

“Do you really want me to slip back into my Blood Meister days? I’ve bled scores of men dry, you wanna be one of them?” she asked but a few experimental plucks were her only answer.

Grinning from ear to ear she turned to face the agent who only continued to tune his instrument. Quirking a brow, she shrugged her grimoire drifting into sight. As it leisurely flipped through the pages, she used her fangs to slit her wrist blood slowly trickling out. Pooling them in her palms she became a blur. Reappearing in front of Akin a crimson dagger lightly pressed into his neck. Unphased he merely continued tuning and plucked his strings until it sounded just right. Flashing her a smirk, he casually pushed the dagger away playing a somber tone. Stepping forward he snickered as she stepped back her brows smacking together in confusion.

“If you knew why I was here then you really shouldn’t have asked me to play…” trailing off he continued to step forward causing the thoroughly perplexed woman to retreat with each step, “you know the beauty of music? It’s also a language that…with enough practice can be used to cast spells for you.” Smiling he sat down forcing her to do the same.

Falling to the ground she could only glare at the poorly lit ceiling as the somber music continued to invader her ears and poison her mind. Growling she spat something in elvish which only got a small chuckle from the human. Watching her struggle, he nodded instantly changing to a much happier tone, her body immediately rising. The whole process was made worse by her constant fighting for control. Walking to the alter the same hand holding the dagger sharply ran behind her knees. Barking in pain she crumbled to the ground, the rebelling hand rising and falling onto her shoulder. Ignoring her screams he continued playing forcing her to stab her shoulder again and again until he was sure her arm was ruined. Making her hold her arm out he strolled over casually using his foot to adjust it. In the blink of an eye, he slammed his foot forward crashing into her arm a stomach-turning snap creeping into their ears.

“Welp, think that’s enough. You’ll bleed out in a few minutes…” he trailed off. Sitting his garaya down he fished out a ration bar unhappily munching on it, “you know, all you had to do was not kill our messengers and just lie then leave the empire, but it’s too late now…” he said waving the nutrient rich bar at the pained woman.

“You know I’m going to kill you if I survive this…” she groaned glowering at the nonchalant human.

Shrugging he went over to her picking up her grimoire heavily inspecting it. Both covers were split, one side being a rich purple while the other side being a vibrant red while a white hand clutching a black knife sat in the center. Opening it he flipped through the pages the many glyphs and runes unknown to him but he’s sure it’ll make a good trophy. Putting it away, he went to the door the knot of foliage wilting away. Opening the door and propping it open he went to her room. Pulling out a large scroll he unraveled it, revealing a large neatly drawn magic circle. Gingerly placing the tomes and bottles inside he sent them away before stepping inside and disappearing.

Already cold from blood loss and growing colder by the second she stared into the darkness outside the door. She could puppeteer herself but without her grimoire it’d be a fruitless endeavor. Huffing a chuckle, she looked at the ceiling she rolled her eyes knowing what she has to do. Already having Omeh’s boon and still working on her relationship with Evoted she knew only the Defilers would answer. Biting the bullet, she called out to the one she knew who would answer instantly, Haras.

Walking outside the now healed Eva possessed a circle of runes in the middle of her forehead. Shivering at the nagging feeling pointing her westward she took a moment to bask in the peaceful silence. Accepting the serenity she watched the snow fall.