"We're here."
Azren stopped walking and lifted his head. For a moment he didn't understand what Dezork meant, but then his eyes landed on the house standing a few steps ahead of them.
It was a two floor house built entirely from old, dark wood, wood so aged it almost looked black in some places, yet the structure stood firm and straight, as if someone have been taking care of it. The corners were sharp, the frame solid, and even the second floor didn't sag the way most old houses in the area.
Hanging from the left side of the doorway was a old dirty glass bottle tied with rough rope. Inside it floated a strange, water like liquid that glowed a soft white. It wasn't bright, but bright enough to light the small area around the house with a gentle halo, giving the dark wood a pale shine and the air a quiet stillness. Azren couldn't tell what kind of liquid it was, he had never seen anything like it in his entire seventeen years.
His eyes slowly widened.
'How is a house like this here…?'
He didn't say that out loud, but the shock still slipped from his mouth.
"…What is this…" he whispered, his voice trembling just a little.
Dezork didn't stop. He started walking straight toward the door and answered calmly.
"This is where Lady Fateli lives. Come."
Azren followed behind him, slower, still staring at the glowing bottle in curiosity.
Dezork stepped in front of the door, raised his hand, and knocked exactly three times.
Then he clapped twice.
Then he coughed once, short and clear.
Azren blinked, confused by the strange pattern. He opened his mouth to ask, but before he could, a voice came from inside came, it was soft but strong at the same time.
"Come in."
Dezork pushed the door gently. The hinges creaked a little as the door opened, and he walked in without hesitation.
Azren swallowed, then stepped inside as well.
The moment he crossed the threshold, a smell hit him, clean, sharp, and a little bitter. It reminded him of herbs, medicine, smoke from dried plants, and something else he couldn't place. The scent was strong but not unpleasant.
He looked around slowly.
At the center of the room stood a wide wooden desk, scratched and stained. Papers, bottles, and tools like spoon, knife and a sharp metal stick were scattered across it in a messy but strangely organized way.
Behind the desk sat a woman.
She wore full purple clothing, it looked something like a coat and a robe. The sleeves were wide, but the rest of the outfit was fitted neatly to her body, covered with small pockets, straps, and cloth loops that held all kinds of tools, feathers, needles, folded dark herbs unknown to Azren, and thin glass vials.
Her hair was short and blue, sticking out in soft spikes that almost looked fluffy at the ends. She sat on a wooden chair with her legs crossed, her posture relaxed, her chin slightly lifted. Her eyes were closed, but she didn't look like she was sleeping, more like she was waiting.
Azren's gaze wandered around the room again.
The floor was made of packed dirt, smooth from being walked on. The walls were lined with wooden shelves holding small pots, jars, and bundles of dried plants with twisted spikes on them. At the back corner, a clay pot sat over a tiny stove, and next to it was another bottle filled with the same glowing liquid as the one outside, white and calm, shining softly in the dim room.
Everything felt strange… yet strangely clean.
Old… but kept with care.
Azren stood there quietly, unsure if he should speak or stay silent.
"Dez, why are you so late today…"
The women spoke softly as she slowly opened her purple eyes. Her gaze lifted, calm but sharp, and then she looked directly at the two standing in front of her.
Her eyes paused when she noticed Azren beside Dezork.
"And who is this young man with you?"
Dezork lowered the sack he was carrying and placed it gently on the ground before answering.
"Lady Fateli, this is Azren. He told me he was sent here by someone to meet you."
Fateli's eyes widened just a little, her expression becoming more focused.
"Azren… I think I've heard that name somewhere before…"
Azren stepped forward slowly, rubbing the side of his palm unconsciously.
"Probably from Mr. Moltur."
The moment he spoke that name, Fateli blinked in recognition. She pushed her chair back and stood up.
"Oh, right! You're the good, honest, hardworking, and handsome boy that old man kept talking about."
Azren froze. Dezork also stopped moving for a moment. The room went quiet until Dezork let out a small breath and said,
"Looks like you know him."
Fateli crossed her arms lightly and closed her eyes.
"Yes, of course I do… Moltur always talks about him like he's his son whenever we meet outside for trading."
A small smile formed on Azren's face as he heard that.
'He… thinks about me like that…?' he thought.
Dezork casually walked further into the room and sat at the edge of the long desk.
"Well, I only know a little about that Moltur guy since I barely talked to him," Dezork said.
"But Azren and I know each other pretty well, and he's pretty clever and smart."
Fateli tilted her head and looked at Dezork.
"Oh?"
Dezork nodded with a small grin.
"Yes. He even started a serious conversation just so he could focus on talking and not fall asleep."
Azren turned his head sharply, his white eyes widening.
'He… knew…?'
Fateli looked at Azren with a bit of confusion.
"What is he saying?"
Dezork answered before Azren could.
"Looks like he's not well, from what I can see."
Azren's breath caught in his throat as something came back to his mind.
He stepped toward Fateli and reached into his pocket.
"Mr. Moltur told me to give you this," he said quietly.
He took out the letter, the one written with Moltur's own blood and held it out for her. Fateli's expression softened with curiosity as she took it.
"Oh? I wonder what it is," she said, her tone light.
But once she opened it, her face changed almost instantly.
"Huh… why is this written in blood…"
She continued reading.
And then her expression froze.
Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears. As she reached the last line, her eyes grew wide. A thin line of sweat slid down her forehead and along her temple.
She folded the letter slowly, her fingers trembling just a little and with a forced smile she looked at Azren and said.
"…Can you come with me for a moment…"
She asked, trying to keep her voice calm even though Azren and Dezork could hear something shaking underneath it.