The Innkeeper

Longbeard’s beard began to tingle as Bob announced their arrival, and a deep apprehension gripped him. They were in danger just by being here, and Bob’s announcement had attracted the wrong kind of attention, making the situation worse.

Such a thing should not have happened. They were in the middle of the city, and the Artica race had proven itself when it came to upholding its rules, which meant that there should have been nothing within the city that could endanger them or their lives. Longbeard’s beard tingled still, hinting at something he could not yet grasp.

Tiny-Sparkles, too, suddenly felt an ominous sense of dread. Unicorns were especially in tune with the spiritual energy in the atmosphere, and as an Immortal that sense had translated into sensing the activity of the surrounding laws as well. That is why he could feel like he had stepped into the sight of a behemoth, while he himself was still a tiny pony of a unicorn.

The others, too, felt something amiss. Only Bob remained entirely indifferent, looking down at the masses with dismissive eyes. No matter what happened, it wasn’t as if he could ignore his teammates in danger. That would disappoint the captain.

The whole stadium, which was previously watching the performance in the center of the stadium, turned to look at their group. Only the crystal alligator, who was chained to a pillar and yet had to fight off a small group of ferocious apes, did not divert its attention. It could not afford to.

Predictably, none of the members of the crowd kneeled. Even if troublemakers came, the Artica race would uphold the law. If there was no trouble, then they’d at least see something interesting. Either way, the crew held the stadium’s attention for a brief moment.

Tiny-Sparkles was lamenting Bob’s existence, yet that was not the time to get into such things. He stepped forward as a member of the Jagged Stallions, the race that had been designated as peacekeeper of the realm by the Artica race, stepped forward towards their group.

"Can someone care to elaborate why my friend is chained up to a pillar, and putting on a show for a crowd with his life on the line?" Tiny-Sparkles asked, his deep voice booming and filled with clear aggression.

The stallion, whose frame was not only bigger than Tiny-Sparkles, but more muscular and bore a more daunting presence, approached the unicorn until he was looking down right at him.

"All participants in the stadium activities have signed a disclaimer stating that they volunteer to participate, and they take responsibility for all accidents and injuries. Worry not, we have great health insurance. As long as no one dies, we can help them recover."

Though the stallion was a Celestial Immortal, as was obvious from his aura, none of the crew actually backed off from his intimidating aura. Instead, with stern expressions, they stepped forward, almost to the point of bumping into him.