Chapter 2: Black Hare

The sun was starting to sink low, its light coming in only patches as the shadows of homes and other buildings slowly stretched over Olbrin. Such was doubly true in the lower bergs where any path off the main thoroughfares would be lucky to fit the average cart. Not that the crowds seemed to care as most shops closed for the night and taverns opened their doors wide as the last echoes of final bell faded.   Despite its stone walls, hints of bardic songs and drunken shouts drifted their way into the St. Anne’s church. Ryu tried to distract himself with what little he could hear from outside as Zach tied off the last strip of bandages around his shoulders.   For someone fresh from a near-mauling, the he was in surprisingly good shape. The cuts Ryu had suffered from the lindrake’s claws looked more serious than they actually were. By the time they had made it through the evening crowd to the church, Ryu’s wounds had stopped bleeding. The bandages as well as the salve beneath them were to prevent infection more than anything else.   Sadly, the same could not be said for what remained of his shirt. The garment laid discarded on the floor, looking not unlike a butcher’s rag. Much the same could be said for the towel and clay bowl sitting on the table beside them. Ryu winced as Zach secured the last knot. “Too tight?” the latter asked.   “Just sore,” Ryu replied, gingerly rubbing the dressing on his arm.   “You are lucky to feel anything at all,” an acolyte said as she straightened the supplies back onto the tray they had been given.   She wasn’t much younger than either of the boys. It was easy to tell that she was new to the chapel by how warmly she had received them when they had arrived. Ryu hoped she wouldn’t lose that attitude too quickly. There were plenty in the southern district who could use seeing a kind face like that.   Observing her, Ryu had to suppress a chuckle as the girl kept her arm fully extended, pinching the sole spot of his ruined shirt not marred in dirt and blood before depositing it on the tray.   “I’ve seen him survive worse,” Zach remarked as he placed the roll of bandages on the acolyte’s tray. “Thanks for helping us.”   “It is no bother,” she replied as she looked up from the soiled shirt, somehow looking even more flustered over his gratitude. “I was only showing the kindness the goddess would have asked of me.”   “Still, we appreciate it,” Ryu said, wincing as he rolled his shoulder.   Sora glided down from her perch in the church rafters and rested herself on her master’s knee. She rubbed her head against his bandaged chest with a chirp.   “Thanks, girl,” Ryu chuckled, petting her feathered head. “Um… don’t suppose the goddess would happen to have a shirt she could spare as well.”   The acolyte tapped her chin in thought. “I will see what I can find among the donations we received.” Picking up the tray, careful not to let its contents spill or touch her robe, she scurried out of the room.   Left to their devices, Ryu fished a pouch out of his pack and gave a short whistle. Sora stopped brushing against his chest and looked expectantly at the bag in his hand. Ryu produced a piece of jerky from the pouch and offered it to the bird. Happy to claim her reward, Sora gave a squawk and snapped up the treat as Ryu kept his fingers from her hungry beak while giving light pets to her back with his other hand.   The acolyte returned as Sora finished the last nibbles of jerky. She produced a decent looking tunic for Ryu. It was difficult to tell what color the garment was supposed to be, the fabric long since faded to where only the faintest shade of dye was left. Ryu guessed that it was once blue. Or… perhaps green. It was difficult to tell.   Whatever the case, Ryu bowed in thanks and stiffly pulled the shirt over his head, the excess material hanging loose on his thin frame.   “Thanks,” he said. “What do I owe you?”   “Owe?” the acolyte parroted, confused. “I was extending the goddess’s charity. Why would you owe anything to me?”   Ryu paused. Yep, definitely new.   “Sorry,” he said after a beat. “Force of habit.”   “That is alright. Do either of you need anything else?”   “No,” Zach replied, picking up his bag as got to his feet. “Unless you have any scratches I might have missed, Ryu.”   Ryu shook his head as he put his headband back on, brushing strands of long black hair out of the way as he tied it. “Believe me,” he remarked. “I’m covered.”   “I am glad to hear that,” the acolyte said. “May the goddess bless you both.”   “And you,” Zach returned. “Er… I’m not sure I caught your name earlier, sister.”   The acolyte bowed her head. “My apologies for not introducing myself,” she said, clearly flustered by the oversight. “I am…”   “Evelyn?” came a voice. “Are you in here?”   The three of them looked up to see an elderly man in priest garb walk into the small infirmary. The chapel’s lamplight reflected off the bald spot on top of his head, highlighting the ring of white hair that remained. His lips turned up into a smile when he saw them, not quite reaching his eyes.   “Ah, there you are,” he said as he walked towards them. He quirked an eyebrow when he saw the Ryu’s bandages peek out from beneath his borrowed shirt. “Might I ask what happened?”   “Greetings, Father Reinhart,” Evelyn said, giving another bow. “These boys were attacked while outside the city. I believe they said it was a mana beast.”   “A mana beast?” Reinhart said, narrowing his eyes as he looked Zach and Ryu over.   Ryu clenched his hand under the old man’s scrutiny, eager to leave the church.   “Did you check for any signs of infection?” Reinhart asked, glancing at Evelyn.   “N… no, Father,” Evelyn stammered. “I was not present, so I was not able to…”   “I treated Ryu’s injuries,” Zach cut in, sparing the girl from any further distress. “He received a few claw marks on his shoulders and arm, but the beast never bit him. No chance of infection.”   Reinhart nodded at Zach’s recount. “Good,” he said. “I fear we are ill-equipped to treat infections here. You boys are quite fortunate.” He glanced down at Sora, who had taken a seat on one of the nearby pillows as though it was a plush nest. “Though I do ask that you refrain from bringing your… pets… into the church in the future. The chapel is hardly a place for beasts.”   “Yeah, sure,” Ryu replied, his voice clipped. “Well, we’d better be off. Thanks again for the help, Evelyn.” Grabbing his bag, he made for the door without another word. Sora followed close behind, taking up her usual perch on his shoulder as they left St. Anne’s for the evening bustle of the southern district.   “So what do you want to do now?” Ryu asked, not needing to look to know Zach had caught up with him.   Zach scratched his head. “I should probably head home. I want to take a look at what we found before showing it to Abby. Not to mention, I still have to go over my…” His evening plans were interrupted by a counterargument from his growling stomach.   Ryu chuckled. “Tavern for dinner, then?” he asked.   “Fine,” Zach sighed. “Stopping by the Hare okay? I think Cassandra’s got a show tonight, doesn’t she?”   He received no argument from Ryu. Visiting the Burrow sounded just right to him, even if it meant an extra coin or two.   The boys and their bird began walking, meeting minimal resistance as they navigated the crowded streets. That was one thing you could trust about evening crowds: they inevitably flowed to the taverns at some point. Sometimes more than once.   It didn’t take long for Zach and Ryu to leave the southern district behind and find a tavern sign hanging over a door with a familiar sable rabbit emblazoned on it. They passed by the Black Hare's  door, and it looked to be the wise choice. Looking through the tavern’s window, the main floor looked to be packed with patrons.   Good. That meant less chance of running into Arthur. While neither Ryu nor Zach had told him where they would be today, the former had long since learned to err on the side of caution when it came to what the information broker may or may not be aware of.   The boys turned down an alley beside the Hare and took a set of stairs down to the cellar door. Ryu knocked on the door and the narrow window set in it slid open within a second.   “Ah, Kosaka,” the pair of eyes on the other side of the door greeted. “Good to see you and Blackwater.”   “Same to you, Devon,” Ryu remarked. “Mind letting us in?”   The door opened as a reply and the boys were greeted by a tall, lanky young man with his sleeves rolled up and his blonde hair combed back. Devon flashed his usual easy smile as he ushered Ryu and Zach into the cellar.   Sora flapped her wings and flew off Ryu’s shoulder and perched herself atop the tavern’s roof. She cawed, glaring down at the boys as they walked beneath ground for the second time that day. Once had been enough for her.   Once inside, the sounds from the taproom above drifted more clearly through the floorboards. Someone was plucking notes away on a mandolin while others sung along. There were those that swore that alcohol improved one’s artistic ability. Perhaps in moderation, but whoever first came up with that sentiment hadn’t likely been listening to a half-dozen men trying to harmonize while three drinks in.   Combined with the smell of barley and oak that filled the air, it was a far cry from the musty cave Ryu and Zach had been exploring in the woods.   “You’re lucky,” Devon remarked as he lead the boys along a set of shelves lined with bottles of wine and cider. “Cassandra should be just about halfway through her first set.”   Devon stopped in front of a shelf identical to the others beside it. He gripped the frame and pulled, sliding the shelf aside with ease and revealing a narrow passage illuminated by small lanterns hanging from the ceiling.   “Enjoy the show,” Devon said as he ushered the boys through.   Zach and Ryu made their way through the passage. Devon closed the secret door behind them, cutting off the raucous singing from the tavern and allowing them to hear music drift up from the other end of the tunnel. They quickened their steps, not wanting to miss the show.   Ryu soon emerged out into a second cellar that was vastly different from the one he and Zach had left behind. The floor was lower, creating a less cramped space for patrons as they moved about. Support beams dotted the space, holding up the Black Hare’s brewery above them. Tables filled up the middle of the space, candles seated in glass containers offering a tasteful atmosphere as most of the under-tavern’s remaining lighting illuminated either the bar near its entrance or the stage at the other end of the chamber.   On the stage, a young woman danced as a musician off to the side strummed on his lute at a break-neck pace. As he thundered away, the girl twirled about, spinning the staff in her hand as her bare feet wove a path around the bowls of water positioned around the stage. Where the head of her staff passed, the water below her flowed with it, leaving its bowls and following her in her dance.   The music gained intensity, matching Cassandra’s movements. She never stopped or paused in her movements, each one passing seamlessly into the next. Her staff twirled faster and faster, the stream of water no less graceful through the air as it chased the surging river that was her dance.   Cassandra raised her staff above her head, pirouetting on the spot. The water followed her movements, forming a flowing ring that sparkled like diamonds in the stage lights.   It lasted only a beat before she swung her staff down in time with the final thunderous note from the lute. The water ring broke and followed the direction of its conductor, flowing into a jug placed at the foot of the stage.   The crowd applauded in their seats, Cassandra drinking in their praise as she took a bow. Few clapped more than the chestnut-haired woman seated at the bar.   “Glad to see you could make it, too, Sumire,” Zach chuckled as he and Ryu took the vacant stools next to her.   Sumire turned to them and beamed. “Guys!” she cried. “How have…” Her enthusiasm disappeared as she took in their appearance, particularly Ryu’s arm. “What happened?” she asked in a flat voice.   Ryu held up his arms in the hopes of placating her. “Nothing, Sue,” he assured. “Zach and I were outside the city foraging for herbs. He needed some for a class he’s helping with and asked me to help find samples."   It gave Ryu no pleasure to lie to his sister, but he’d be a fool to say where he and Zach had been all day while inside the Hare of all places. Too much risk of the wrong person overhearing them, let alone said information making its way back to Arthur.   Besides, Ryu’s little story wasn’t even that far from the truth in a way. He had actually been out in the forests foraging when he had fallen into that riverbed and found the tunnel beneath it.   “And your arm?” Sumire asked drily.   “Well, we might have had a run in with a… mana beast on the way back to town,” Ryu replied awkwardly.   Sumire’s eyebrows shot up. “A mana beast?” she said in disbelief. She looked towards Zach. “You really ran into one?” “And managed to outrun the others,” Zach replied, rubbing his head as he was forced to recall the memory. Ryu felt a pang of guilt, but tried to ignore it. It wasn’t like he had planned for them to get attacked.   Sumire could only sigh as she processed what she heard. “Those herbs had better have been worth it,” she groaned. “Oh, I think they were,” Ryu said confidently, earning him a look from his sister.   Before she could say anything, a waitress came by and took his and Zach’s orders. As she walked away, Ryu decided to try and change the subject.   “So, Sue,” he said casually. “How’s the theatre treating you? I thought you were having rehearsals tonight?”   “We wrapped up early,” Sumire said, well aware of what her brother was doing, but decided to allow it. “I thought I’d come by to see how Cassandra’s doing.” She cast a fond look at the stage, where Cassandra finished basking in the audience’s applause and made her way off stage. “She gets better every time I see her.”   “Miss being up there with her?” Zach asked.   “A bit,” Sumire admitted. “Not sure if I miss it enough to put up with what Arthur used to pay us, though.”   The three chatted for a while, pausing only when the waitress returned with the boys’ meal that they happily dug into. When it came time for the bill, Ryu pulled out his purse, feeling the few coins inside through the worn fabric.   “My treat,” Zach chimed before he could open the bag. Ryu shot him a look. “What? You saved our butts from that beast.”   After a moment’s conflict, Ryu stowed his purse back in his bag. “Thanks,” he said, ignoring the look he knew Sumire was giving him from down the bar.   Their meal paid for, Zach and Ryu got up to leave. The latter hadn’t made it a step before he felt a hand wrap around his wrist. Ryu turned to find Sumire giving him an even look.   “Tell me the truth, Ryu,” she whispered. “Was your little herb hunt Zach’s idea or yours?”   “Mine,” Ryu said without hesitation. It was pointless trying to lie when Sumire was like this. She knew his tells better than anyone.   “Goddess, Ryu! It’s bad enough when you get yourself in trouble. What made you drag Zach into it to it, too?”   Because he’s the smartest person I know and I’m not dumb enough to walk into a Dwarven ruin without him, Ryu wanted to say but held his tongue. Telling Sumire that he and Zach had been visiting a place that typically had more traps than a paranoid hunter found sensible was a recipe for disaster.   “I needed his help,” Ryu said instead. “And I didn’t drag him into anything. I asked Zach if he would come along, and he agreed.”   Granted, it hadn’t been as simple as a single ask. It would be more accurate to say he had had to make the most convincing case of his life to get Zach to agree, but those were details Sumire didn’t need to know right now, were they?   Sumire put a hand to her temple. “Fine,” she sighed. “Just promise me that you’ll try and watch out for him.”   “What do you think I was doing today?” Ryu asked, gesturing to his bandages and making his sister grimace. With that, he parted with Sumire and went to join Zach by the door. “Tell Cassandra we said hi,” he remarked over his shoulder.   “I will,” Sumire replied. “And Zach, do me a favor and make sure my brother doesn’t do anything stupid.”   “I’ll do what I can,” Zach replied, leading Ryu away before he could make a rebuttal.   The two made their way back out of the tunnel and Devon saw them the rest of the way out. Sora cawed as she fluttered down from the tavern’s roof and onto Ryu’s shoulder as he and Zach came up the stairs from the cellar.   The evening crowd had petered out to a lull of people milling about in the lamplight and what illumination spilled out from the taverns and shops. It was a pleasant scene, though it also served to remind the boys of the latening hour.   “I should be getting back the guild,” Zach remarked, stifling a yawn. “I need to copy the notes I took and study what we found before I see Abby tomorrow.” He let out a tired sigh. “Crud, I still need to go over my lesson for her, too.”   “Sounds like you’ve got a long night ahead of you,” Ryu chuckled. He grinned as he and Zach walked along the street. “Thanks for coming with me, Zach. I couldn’t have done anything without you.”   “You would have figured something out. You always do.”   “Maybe… still, it was good being out together. It was like old times.”   “Yeah,” Zach said wistfully. “Well, night. I’ll bring you your cut tomorrow, good?”   “Works for me,” Ryu said.   The two parted ways, Zach heading up the street while Ryu made his way back towards the Elven Quarter. It didn’t take him long before he came to what looked closer to a small horse stable than a person’s dwelling. Know what he did about housing in the Quarter, Ryu wouldn’t have been surprised if it originally been the former. Still, it was home.   Ryu eased open the door and slipped inside. The interior was dark except for the candlelight spilling out of one of cramped rooms. Ryu gently wrapped on the stall’s frame before peering in to find his mother sitting up in bed with book in her hand.   “Doing okay, okasan?” he asked.   Aoi's pale lips turned into a smile as she looked up at him. “Yes,” she said softly, placing her book down.   Sora fluttered off Ryu’s shoulder and nestled against Aoi’s lap.   “Had a nice time stretching your wings, did you?” Aoi remarked as she petted the falcon’s head. “I was able to walk some while you…” Her smile fell as Ryu stepped into the candlelight. “Ryu! You’re hurt!”   “It’s okay,” Ryu assured, stopping his mother before she could try and get to her feet. “I already got fixed up at the church. They got a new girl working in the clinic. Didn’t even charge me.”   Aoi sank back down, a frown still painted on her face. “You should have come here,” she said. “I could have treated your wounds myself.”   “I know,” Ryu replied. “At least it was free this time.”   “This time,” Aoi huffed. “Well… besides that, how was your day? You said you were out with Zach, cor – ack!”   Aoi bent forward as coughing fit took her. Sora hopped away, startled. With a practiced hand, Ryu was quick to pour and offer her a glass of water. Aoi drank the water and her coughing subsided.   “Sorry,” Aoi said weakly.   “Don’t be,” Ryu assured. “It’s about time for your medicine, anyway.”   Ryu pulled a small clay jar off the shelf and removed the cork. There was enough to brew a cup of tea, but only just. He’d have to go by the apothecary in the morning. With that thought, Ryu felt the weight of his coin purse or the lack thereof.   “Ryu?” Aoi chimed, stirring the boy from his thoughts.   “Just a minute,” he said, taking the jar and preparing the kettle in what served as their kitchen. He scraped what little medicine there was left out of the jar and let it steep in the water.   Ryu sighed as he poured the tea into a ceramic cup.   Whatever he had earned from those ruins couldn’t come soon enough.