Silverhart Online 112 Fateful meetings

The uttering of the bard's name was made by none other than Gray Allister as the elf himself, and his companions approached the bard with the sole intent of giving Stephania's letter to him.

Julian's attention turned to the gang, his observant eyes gazing forth while the cat-folk tavern-keeper whose beside him hoped that there won't be an instigation of another tavern brawl again as it's bad for business.

"Yes?" Julian asked the elf, wondering what the unusual company like the gang would want with him. Hopefully, this is not another set of a group who wished to cause him some trouble yet again because he wooed yet another woman that they know of. As a matter of fact, Julian does not like his chances of victory at this particular band of individuals when he peered right each of their status bar above their heads. Call him paranoid, but Julian has a keen knack of sensing peril, as he kind of felt that each of the individuals of the gang screamed danger at its every wake, so he has every right to feel worried.

Thankfully, such is not the case as the elf assumed a polite and welcoming demeanor with a smile on his youthful face. 

Julian also took notice of the rose badge that the elf and a child are currently adorning in their robes, signifying the status of nobility at the high hierarchy of society.

"My name is Gray Allister." Gray began introducing himself first before his friends. "And these are my esteemed companions. My Knight, Isamu Meiyo, my little sister, Selena Allister, and a friend of mine from the Order, Liliane Springflower. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, good Bard."

"So, you're the esteemed Gray Allister who created this 'Gangnam Style'. I've heard about you from my brother." Julian gracefully bowed his body, his right hand touching his own chest elegantly while performing the courteous act. He then turned his head at Gray's companions, especially Lily, as his sights instantly glued upon her. Indeed, Julian was enamored by the beautiful Druid that's indeed the flower of the group as he would now like to call her. Of course, he wouldn't be acting all strange and flirty for now since he still don't know about Lily's relationship status. Who knows, maybe she's involved romantically with the elf, and Julian does not want to initiate yet another troublesome situation right now. Hearing the tavern-keeper's banters once per day at a minimum is already enough as it is. 

Anyways, Julian opted to temporarily push away his libido in favor of conducting himself appropriately in front of the elven Baron. "What can I do for you, my lord?"

"I am here to deliver this letter to you from the good Lady of Einsberg." Gray said as he conjured the said item from his Inventory and handed it to the bard. 

"Ah, you mean from Steph then." Julian grinned cheerfully while receiving the letter. Just thinking about Stephania definitely brought a smile on the bard's face as she's one of the rare women who accepted his personality without any grudges, and for that, he's absolutely grateful to her. Although they're just friends who mingled closely from time to time, and both understood that no significant attachments are going on between them. "Oh, if you're confused about the name, that's definitely Lady Stephania who I'm referring to. As the Lady and I are very close friends, she allowed me to call by her nickname. I thank you for your troubles."

"I see." Gray simply nodded in response. He was perfectly aware of Stephania's shortened name as the elf was also granted that particular privilege reserved for friends. Of course, he wouldn't be telling that to Julian, someone who he had just met. It might lead to a certain secret topic regarding a kidnapping incident that the elf shouldn't disclose to anyone until the culprit was caught. To put it simply, he's here to deliver a letter, and nothing more.

"And to show you my thanks, how about we share some drinks for you and your companions, here, and it will be in the house." Julian offered the kind gesture to the gang. "Einsberg is two days from here, after all, and I would be honored if I get to hear some stories about your adventures outside."

"Drinks, huh." Gray smirked at the bard's tempting proposition. After all, it's not in his nature to say no for some good ole drinking, and not to mention, it's going to be free. Free drinks are always the best, no questions needed to ask. As a matter of fact, he would like to have some friendly chat with a seemingly cool person like Julian, who has displayed exceptional combat mastery in the way of the blade. Gray may as well get some insight out of the bard's outstanding fighting style. But still, the gang has some additional business that they needed to conduct inside, with a certain emissary that is. So perhaps his drinking with Julian would have to wait for the moment. "As much as I would love to take your offer, I'm afraid that the gang and I still have some business that needs to be taken care of. Since you are a Bard, I think we may be able to see each other regularly as my companions and I are staying at the University's dormitories. Perhaps we may postpone it sometime at a later date?"

"That would be acceptable." Julian smiled at Gray's compromising of the offer. "What is the room numbers of your rooms, so I may know where you reside."

"Rooms 30 for me, Isamu, and our carriage-driver, Ivan, while 31 for the ladies." Gray answered.

"Ah, so you are on the first floor then." Julian said, causing Gray to nod in response. "Well, my room number is 104, located on the second floor. If you wish to seek me, then you are welcome to come to my room anytime. Although during the festival, I might be all over the town, conferring my performance and swordplay to the crowd."

"Alright, I'll see you then." Gray said in agreement.

"Well, with the commotion that I have caused, I better take my leave for now." Julian chuckled at his recent actions that garnered the undivided attention of the patrons. "One troublesome predicament involving a fair maiden is enough for a single day, haha. I'll be in my room if you wish to find me."

And with that said, Julian left the gang to their own devices, going back to the University for some rest after having to deal with the troubles of being a womanizer yet again. Such is the life of one Julian Kallistus, younger brother of the Headmaster, esteemed Bard, and practitioner of the Kallistus swordplay. 

While Gray was staring at Julian's retreating form, Isamu made his comment from the elf's side. "Well, he seemed like a fine individual to get along with. I can't wait to see a man like him turned drunk if we are going to have some drinks with him."

"Yep." Gray simply nodded with a passive expression, neither happy nor sad, much to Isamu and the ladies' bewilderment.

"Is something wrong, Baron Gray?" Lily asked out of concern.

"Maybe." Gray answered and faced the whole gang. "You all did receive the quest of u003cA Musical Mayhemu003e when the Lady instructed us to give the letter to Julian, correct? If so, did your own Systems notify you of the quest's completion? Because mine didn't."

'Now that you mention it, no.' Selena responded with her usual telepathic way while the others shook their head in disagreement. 'Perhaps it has something to do with the Quest Bonus?"

"Maybe." Gray replied with a frown. "Hopefully it won't be something hard. Maybe it has got to do something with us drinking with Julian?"

"It's plausible, yes." Lily stroked her chin in thinking. "The System can be quite flexible in these kinds of matters, after all. 

"Then we just have to wait, then." Isamu remarked with assurance. "There's no point in dwelling too much regarding the matter."

"Very well." Gray agreed with Isamu. "For now, I supposed we can postpone that quest in favor of our next agenda that we are going to partake, namely, the quest from an entity from my dream."

"Yeah." Isamu nodded, this time with a whispering tone as only he and his companions can hear this conversation of theirs. "If this emissary is here, how can we know that it's truly him or her? We can't just go around and casually ask each patron here in the tavern if he or she is an emissary sent by someone from your dreams. People will certainly think that we are deranged. Worst-case scenario, some righteous Paladin might hear about us and will not hesitate to accuse us of being demon worshipers, thus giving some sort of excuse for our execution."

While the gang is consulting with one another on how they are going to delicately proceed with their course of action, Gray slightly flinched when someone tapped right at his shoulder. Turning around to look behind, Gray saw that it was none other than the cat-folk tavern-keeper himself, making his presence known.

"Excuse, my lord." The cat-folk inquired Gray. "I can't help but overhear your conversation with Julian a short while ago. You are Gray Allister, I believe."

"That's my name." Gray confirmed with a nod. 

"Splendid, my master, the owner of this tavern, has been expecting your arrival. He is the emissary of our mighty Lordship that you are looking for." The cat-folk bared his sharp fangs in a mischievous smirk. "By the way, my name is Kesosh Domo, the humble tavern-keeper of the Musican's Pub. It's a privilege to finally meet you."

Kesosh Domo

Level 15

Health: 815 / 815

Stamina: 2,157 / 2,157

Mana: 370 / 370

"Well, I guess that saves us the trouble." Gray smiled in relief now that the answer to their latest predicament has presented right before them in the form of a cat-folk. "So, where is he then?"

"I will call for him in his personal quarters upstairs." Kesosh answered. "In the meantime, why don't you wait at the chairs right over the counter?"

"Very well." Gray agreed with the Kesosh's suggestion. He and his companions proceeded to take their sits at the area that was said to him by the tavern-keeper. 

After five minutes of waiting, a young nobleman emerged from upstairs in an upright position as fitting to his status. He then went behind the counter nonchalantly like he owned the very place. 

Nobleman

Level 25

Health: 1,757 / 1,757

Stamina: 3,271 / 2,271

Mana: 380 / 380

As the gang took a closer look at his features, the man is quite good-looking. He has a slightly messy black hair and wore a long blue hooded leather overcoat with yellow buttons. His lower garments consisted of black trousers with a pair of boots of the same color. The gang also thought that the nobleman resonated with a cheerful vibe who anyone can easily befriend. Based on the man's stats and outfit, the gang assumed that he is also a Rogue like Julian, due to his high Stamina that mostly constituted to a high Dexterity as well.

"Greetings, fellow noblemen and ladies. Kesosh has told me of your arrival." The man grinned in a friendly way to ease up the gang in their social interaction while resting both arms at the counter in a leaning manner. His next words though, are about to entirely shock the gang in a sudden unexpected revelation.

"I am Stephen Walcot, second son of Baron Stan Walcot of Einsberg. I believe you have met and saved my dear sister in the village."

Upon hearing the nobleman's self-introduction, one thing came in mind to Gray in his surprised state... 

It appears that the elf's involvement with the Walcot family still has not come to an end.

Chapter end