Taking a defensive stance, slowly raising his hands toward Arien, Ty states, "So, what exactly do you want from us?"
Arien said, "I want to learn why I can’t kill you, but Master Dagon believes you can help us deal with the traitor and find the person who attempted to assassinate the house heads 2 months ago."
"Two months ago?! It was that long? Has there been any sightings of this man since then?"
"I will say this now: he and I go way back, and if he shows up, I get the first swing at him," a newfound anger welling up inside Ty as they both look on in shock.
"You have a history with the man?" No one in the entire kingdom can account for seeing him before and only rumored pictures of him have surfaced to keep the minds at bay.
"His name is Erebos, and he’s a powerful vampire from another land. He uses coins to fight and is insanely strong and fast."
"Let him monologue about himself to find an opening or recover if you end up facing him."
"I’m only telling you this also because I expect you to do me the favor of letting me fight him if he shows up. He stole something from me and is the..." Ty stopped himself as Todd put a hand on his shoulder.
"It’s okay. Take a deep breath," as he could tell the moment was getting to Ty. Todd, with a refreshing smile, though still nervous, continued.
"Well, that is a well of fresh information, if I say so myself. It’s only fair I introduce myself as Master Dagon, Leader of the Sub Division houses, and I report directly to the King on all matters that are below the 5 houses or too far above them."
"My loyalty will always lie with the King, and I won’t hesitate to kill any house member to protect the King’s Order."
"Is there anything we can do to help you get into the capital?"
Ty states, "We already have signed papers from the King."
Another flash of surprise crosses Dagon’s face. "How is that possible?"
Ty replies, "I can’t reveal all my secrets."
"You are free to inspect it."
Master Dagon, taking his time inspecting the paper, finds it’s authentic down to the wrist stroke of the pen and appears to have been made recently due to the style of pen ink they use.
"Though, outside this signature, I don’t see where else to go from here. My starting point was the church right outside the walls."
"The religious church that delivers weapons."
"In all honesty, I came to this land to attempt to recover a blade that might be able to beat the Vampire."
Master Dagon gives a light chuckle.
"While it is true the Monastery outside the capital walls is one of the five churches that bestows a weapon upon a user based on an unknown ruleset, it’s only done once a year."
Walking over to a calendar, he states, "The New Year’s Solstice. This is when the youth come to gather their weapon, if they get any at all."
"We’re still about two weeks away. I am also unsure whether the monastery bestows weapons on people from outside our lands, or on a creature from another race," he says, looking Todd up and down.
"You look way more composed than the Ogres we have running amok in the swamp lands, by the way."
Ty, pondering for a long moment, decided to ask, "So, do you know of a blade called the ’Cross Link Sword’?"
Master Dagon, taking a moment to ponder, replies, "I think so," as he digs through a file on his desk.
"Yes, that is House 5, Crim Cal, who retired many years ago’s blade."
"Though I can’t remember much about it. Why does this sword interest you?"
"Among the researched blades, this is one that was thought to be able to handle Erebos, or at least be a key to bringing him down."
"I guess the final thing is my friend Nana, who is still passed out, sleeping on top of Todd."
"Ah, I missed your friend there."
Ty nodded toward Nana. "When we first got here, she told someone she belonged to the Third House. I can’t imagine that lie staying quiet for long."
Master Dagon frowned. "If you have a signed document from the King, why even lie about..."
He pauses, thinking over what he said, then pushes back his black hair with white edges as his eyes glint with a blue marble effect.
"Right, you aren’t from here," he states. "You’ll have to show me how you forged that so well in the future then."
"But why show me, as I could just have you arrested?"
Ty smirks a little. "Oh, I think I could fight my way out of here if needed, is all."
"You seem like a trusting person, so I have chosen to divulge information to you that will benefit us both."
Dagon, taking a moment to ponder, states, "I suppose that makes sense."
"Well, in any order, you’re free to continue on to the capital, and I will have a letter sent straight to the third house announcing Lady Nana’s arrival and have something unique in store."
"So please do try to get there as soon as possible."
"I can’t stress this enough, though. Try not to pick any fights in the capital. I know you trust your strength, but some of the abilities bestowed upon this kingdom can seem unfair to those who like a fair fight."
Ty, giving a slight bow, states, "Of course. The least amount of fighting would be to everyone’s benefit," as Master Dagon pulls out his sword and snaps his fingers, summoning a talisman with an array of symbols and a speck of sand laced around it.
Moments flash as they appear back on the beach, as if nothing had happened, except the cold winds of the restless night had come back. Nana jolted awake, stating, "Why did it get so cold?"