The hooded figure huddled over his pint in a corner of the dingy pub, his ears pricked to catch the conversations around him. He had been coming to the pub every night for the better part of three weeks, and so far he had not heard anything except lewd comments and drunken revelry. He was beginning to think he read the signs wrong. But no, that did not make any sense. He had confirmed it three separate times. He knew it was right. He would simply have to wait.
A noise at the bar directed his attention to a young nobleman who had obviously seen better days. His face was streaked with dirt and blood, and he was sporting a black eye. He was muttering though the hooded figure was not sure to whom, for the bartender was nowhere nearby and other patrons had given him a wide berth, likely believing him mad. Something gave the figure pause, however, and he turned his attention to the man, his keen ears picking up the muttering. "The king, huh. No wonder she did not accept you, Alton. She had her sights set higher. And to think you thought she scorned the nobility." He gave a self-deprecating laugh, taking another large drought of his drink. "Still, that's no excuse. Can't believe I almost. . . no, it wasn't me. It was that thing. That thing inside me. It's responsible for all of this. Probably came back with me from the wall. The wall where the king ordered me, probably to keep me away from her. So it's all his fault really."
The man tipped back the remainder of his drink and held up a hand for another one. The bartender walked over, shaking his head, obviously cutting the inebriated young man off for the night. He cursed but did not argue. Instead, he threw some coins on the bar and stumbled off the stool, turning to the door. "Karigan G'ladheon and the king," he muttered as he shuffled forward. "Who'd have thought?"
The shadow figure watched him go, sitting back in his chair and folding his hands across his chest in thought. The signs had not lied. He recognized the name G'ladheon. It was an old name, its history likely long forgotten by all but a few. And it seemed she and the king were growing closer. Three of the elements combined. The elders had said it would come to pass, but he doubted even they knew how quickly the future sped towards them.
He sighed, setting enough money on the table to pay his tab. Dark plans set in motion long before were coming to fruition. Even the elders, with all their vast knowledge, could not see past the waves caused by those plans, and that worried him more than anything. It appeared that perhaps it was time to help shape the future instead of simply observing it.
"Haverlyn, help us all," he muttered to himself before pulling his cloak over his head and stepping out into the cold night. He had only walked a couple steps when he nearly tripped over someone else. He opened his mouth to apologize, but he stopped suddenly. The woman smiled from beneath the hood of her cloak.
"I thought I might find you here."
"I do not understand what you mean," he said, starting to turn. A hand on his arm stopped him, the grip surprisingly strong given the apparent age of the woman.
"Of course you do. You understand more than anyone else in this kingdom."
He turned, realizing he would not be rid of her so easily. "You may have a lot of light for a human, but you are still human," he said, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Have you forgotten the ways of old?"
"It was not us who forgot them first."
"You know why I'm here."
"Mornhavon is a human and therefore a human matter."
"Mornhavon is not the only threat. You've seen the magic taking over the land. You know the signs. I can only assume that is why you are here."
"Why I am here is none of your concern."
She peered closer at him, and he stepped back slightly. He was right in his earlier assessment—she had a lot of light, more than he would have ever expected for a human. It made her powerful but also dangerous. It was humans trying to gain too much light that had caused problems in the first place. "You need us. More specifically, you need them."
"We need nothing." He turned, pulling away from her hand
"Humans will not be the only ones affected," she remarked to his retreating back. He ignored her despite the fact that he knew she was absolutely right.