The Forsaken Hero

Our guards waited for us at the bottom of the stairs. The inn was quiet, the light of the fire gate burned low enough to stream directly into the room, painting the empty common room in crimson light. It was too early for evening patrons, but the innkeeper stood behind the bar, polishing away. Seriously, did they ever do anything else?

Orion and Luxxa wore their enchanted armor and carried long swords, no longer concealed beneath their refugee disguises. Gith looked as he always had, cold and solemn, save for he wore a long bow strung across his back. It was unlike any bow I’d seen before, almost as tall as he was and strengthened with powerful fifth-level enchantments. Jenna leaned against the wall, a faint smile on her lips. Her cloak was gone too, exposing her rather revealing garb for all to see. We were inside, yet her long, flowing hair drifted on an unfelt breeze, her eyes deep and dangerous as they were beautiful.

All four of them turned to look at us, their eyes sweeping over our attire. Orion frowned, lingering on my thin, off-shoulder dress and nearly sheer white cloak.

"Are you sure you don’t have something else you’d rather wear? While beautiful, your clothing is not particularly suited for battle."

I fingered my cloak self-consciously. "My cloak protects me. I’m not strong enough to wear even light armor. It wouldn’t do me any good, either. I can’t use defensive magical techniques to reinforce armor against attacks."

Jenna smirked. "Finally, someone who sees it my way. You could stand to show a little more though. There’s a strange correlation between the amount of skin you cover and how half-hearted men are about attacking you. Besides, you’re already adorable. Just think what a little make-up and a lower neckline would do!"

I turned away with a blush, my tail twitching in embarrassment. Luxxa cuffed Jenna over the head and was about to rebuke her when Orion chuckled, pulling the two apart.

"I’m glad we’re relaxed, but that’s enough foolishness. We have a battle to win, and the longer it takes, the more prepared they are going to be. Let’s go."

The city outside was eerily quiet, swallowed up in the shadow of the demon gate. The gate itself was hidden behind the massive outer walls, yet all eyes were toward it. A solemn hush smothered the bustle of the marketplaces. People scurried to and fro, headed home, occasionally glancing up with fearful eyes at the crimson aurora that stained the sky. It was as though the entire city held its breath, waiting for the inevitable.

"Come on, let’s go!" Orion said, breaking out onto the street.

With determined strides, he led us through the winding streets, each step taking us closer to the looming citadel. The huddled crowds parted to let us through, eyes fixing on mine and Fable’s features, and whispers spread through the streets like wildfire. I shrank back at their hostile stares, each "filthblood" and "demon" making me flinch.