Warm Ink

‘No matter how painful our past was, we will still move forward. Forever together.’

‘A new chapter, no more rain and no more despair.’

***

A lone carriage pulled by two large horned rams moved through the vast rocky grasslands under clear blue skies and a sweltering hot sun. The large rotted wooden wheels trudged through the dry dirt road kicking up dust across a canvas of stained white leather.

The back of the carriage was filled with random odds and bits of crates, boxes and barrels; useless junk and trinkets.

*Cling*

A barrel in the left corner suddenly wobbled back and forth.

“Too close… Your… Your face Lim!”

“I didn’t mean to be there… I can’t move!”

“Don’t move.”

“Ow! Stop that….”

“I can’t move… Shhhh!”

“Don’t tell me to shhh.”

Estra and Lim huddled together in a close and intimate embrace as they felt each other’s warm breaths in the pitch darkness of the oak scented container. A pair of yellow glowing eyes leered down towards Lim.

“Time for punishment!”

“Whaaa… Wait!”

Estra pushed Lim’s head and held him tightly in her chest.

“Estra! I can’t breathe!”

“SHHHH!!!”

In front of the beaten dirt path was a city over in the distance. It was a vast and ancient structure of gleaming white marble that had long lost its sheen; an old and wise warrior that still stood strong.

This was the city of Kaimhuyt of the holy kingdom of Aliissia.

***

“Like I said, everything should be on the cargo manifest. I really don’t know why it's missing!”

The carriage driver scratched his head with eyes that squinted in confusion. He was an old scruffy man with a light scattered beard who wore a sweat ridden woolen shirt.

“Hey… What's this doing here?”

A skinny shrewd man to his side stepped inside for a closer glance. He saw the words on a barrel in the corner of the carriage that read: “Love Potion - Extreme strength XXX”

“Love potion? The hell are you into—”

*Woosh*

The back of the carriage unexpectedly burst out in an explosion of white dust, wood and worthless bits of antiques that littered the landscape with fools glitter.

Out of the dust leapt forth a Lim and Estra in white cloaks of two differing designs. A hood with fabric that shaped like pointy cat-like ears and a hood that had an indentation of a large horn.

The carriage driver and his friend simply stood with their mouths wide open dumbfounded to what had just happened.

***

Estra and Lim laughed in sheer ecstasy cackling like giddy children. They ran through the busy streets with fleeting dancing feets that twirled in and out of the crowds.

Lim stopped with starry eyes that flashed with excitement.

“Haha… I can’t believe that worked! Estra!... That was awesome, you went Bwham Boom. The look on their faces….”

“I told you, didn't I? Hehe… Praise me more Mwhahaha!”

“Tsk… No.”

“Huh! What's with the change of heart Lim!”

“Never mind that. Where the hell are we?”

“Hmmm. Must be the grand market of Kaimhuyt… HEY… Don’t change the subject on me Lim!”

“Ahem. I'm hungry let's explore”

The pair looked around and saw nothing but pale white stone and an endless array of markets. Tarps hung across the rood with lanterns all over as the scent of cooked food wafted through the air.

“Actually, let's find somewhere to rest first. It shouldn’t be too hard with this much—”

***

*THUD*

“....Inns available.”

“GO AWAY!”

*THUD*

“NO DEMONS!”

“Wai– !”

*THUD*

“PISS OFF!”

One after another each inn they visited shut their doors or simply kicked the pair out. Estra grinded her teeth with golden eyes fired up with rage.

“DAMND MONGREL HUMANS. I'LL BURN YOU ALL FOR THAT!!!”

“The adventurer’s guild has an inn. We can use that.”

“The guild? We are not even registered and that cost money and I don’t–-”

***

A woman sat in front of the reception with a gentle smile on her face. She held in her hand an opened book.

“Welcome to the Adventurer’s guild thank you for registering.”

“Lim, dearest… can we talk privately for a moment?”

Lim blankly smiled as Estra dragged him out of the building.

“THAT'S ALL OUR MONEY! I TOLD YOU THE GUILD WAS A SCAM!”

“Well since we’re now officially members it wouldn't hurt to do some quests. Make back our money.”

“God we are going to be indebted for life now….”

***

“Welcome back to the Adventurer’s guild are you ready to finalise the registration?”

“Yes!”

“Sign here and here and here and lastly here. Now write down your party’s name here.”

Estra sat back, arms crossed as Lim cheerfully filled in the book.

“Is a name really necessary? What are you gonna call us?”

“The Fools.”

“The what now?”

***

They exited the guild’s building with Lim skipping with elated happiness while Estra dragged her foot not far behind.

“Lim, seriously how will we afford food or a night at the inn with no money. The guild is nice and all but we have to pay them off monthly to even stay.”

“Tada!”

Lim held up a stone plaque with full confidence in his voice.

“With this! Remember what I said earlier? We will do the hardest quests and rake in all the rewards.”

“But that means that I’ll be doing all the work.”

“Exactly that's why I love you.. hehe….”

Estra blushed red, stunned and frozen by his words.

‘Why does he make me feel this way? How can your words make me feel so warm inside?’’

“Hey, that's dirty! That's unfair!”

***

Estra and Lim entered into a lively tavern filled with merry drunkards and adventurers of all forms. They drowned in an endless amount of booze that frothed with heavenly clouds and ample meat dripping with honey that coated the hot meal with a succulent glossy sheen.

*Clank*

Estra slammed her hand down onto the counter of the bar. She had placed down a series of silver coins on the table. Her face locked towards the bartender’s absent state as he cleaned his cups without a care to the surroundings.

“You… Human… Room NOW!”

Estra’s eyes glowed as an intense aura permeated. Her unblinking gaze slowly caught his attention as he slowly darted his eyes back and forth.

*Clank*

“De…M….”

The bartender startled, dropped his cup and rags with panicked eyes that saw Estra’s large horns.

“DAMN DEMON! YOU AGAIN! DIDN’T I TELL YOU TO PISS OFF!”

“Yes it is I Estra the demon… who's also a member of the guild. Hmph read em and weep fool!”

Estra slammed down a golden badge representing their membership with the adventurer’s guild.

“HAH!... The guild don’t got no sway on my business. Read that sign right there it says no to demons scum like you.”

Lim jumped out of Estra’s shadows and placed himself on top of the counter. He placed his finger on his lips creating a cute innocent look.

“Uhhmm… We’re sorry for scaring you mister but we really need a room. My sister had been cursed by an evil demon. Please don’t be afraid. We have been journeying out in the wilderness for almost 3 weeks with no real bed… Please mister….”

Estra slid her eyes towards Lim with an annoyed face.

‘Tsch… Stop it Estra! Control yourself. Don’t tear that poor man’s face off… BUT MY LIM! … I'm calm, I'm calm.’

Unexpectedly the bartender calmed down. He is more confused than afraid at this moment.

“Apologies truly… These demons know no bounds. For your sisters and all our sakes I hope we will finally wipe out the demon scourge.”

Estra clenched her fist together with her claws digging into her hands. She had bit her lip with her sharp fangs in frustration.

‘You know nothing human!’

Lim touched Estra seeing her distraught demeanor. He had calmed her down as she smiled with yearning soft eyes.

“Here's a single room for two. Please enjoy your stay at the Himli’s Inn.”

Lim jumped down from the counter as he clasped the bartender's hands under his.

“Thank you! Truly, Thank you!”

Lim walked away as he blew a kiss with a wink. The man was instantly stunned and was charmed into a drunken stupor.

“Ahhh pretty… hhehe….”

As the two walked upstairs Estra looked back at the bartender one more time with sharp eyes that stared at him like daggers.

‘Lucky I don’t burn those hands of yours… Did I get Ntred? Damn you Lim you seductress you were so cute and innocent back then… NO MY LIM IS FAITHFULL!!! SHUT UP!’

Lim stopped walking as he saw Estra slapping her own face.

“Ah… Estra what are you doing?”

“NOTHING! ROOM! NOW!”

“Wait… What! Ahhh….”

Estra angrily dragged Lim by the hand.

*Thwoom*

She threw him inside and slammed the door shut.