Cat and Mouse

It was the final day of my third year at Providence. Testing was finally over, and I had once again gained top marks. For once, I was actually enjoying my time. I felt leagues above the people populating my class, which tended to be sons and daughters of nobles. After years of peace, the academy had turned from training the upcoming youth for hardened battles to a networking system for nobles to garner more influence and power. Although the majority of students hadn't tasted actual combat, the silver spoon in their mouths still bought them high-class tutors.

Only eight students out of the entire third-year student body had proper combat skills. Corpus' skill with a blade and shield grew exceedingly quickly. Others that stick out include a red-headed human girl named Marianne Hargrave. She was the daughter of Count Hargrave of Storm-acre. Her family produced countless powerful wizards, making up most of the court wizard's forces. Durzub Urul was another force to be reckoned with, as his ability to manoeuvre a war axe in the heat of battle was unmatched.

The orcs were known as a headstrong, barbaric race, and Burzub fit the stereotype perfectly. His ferocity was akin to the barbarians spoken about in folklore. Although Burzub was only a half-orc, the surrounding humans still only saw him as a filthy half-blood. Our shared spite for these dimwits brought him and me together in the first place.

Kilyn Umeralei was another half-elf, much like me and Corpus. They were an expert tactician and a fantastic inventor, formulating plans and contraptions that could win wars and topple countries. Unfortunately, they never spoke much. I would've loved to be able to form a friendship with someone so capable; alas, the chance never came. And finally, there was my best friend and fellow troublemaker, Vetrix Alwyn.

Unlike the rest of us, Vetrix had no human blood flowing through her veins. She was a foreign race altogether. After the war, the countries exchanged emissaries in a show of peace between my country of Conderith and the tiefling country of Belxis. Many of these tiefling emissaries bred with the natives of Condareth; Vetrix is the result of these cultural exchanges.

She had beautiful pale skin with a blueish tint. Her eyes were round-shaped, with a radiant golden yellow colour. She had copper-toned hair cut just above her shoulder. I remember spending hours staring at the strand of hair that always slipped from her right ear, complimenting her sharp jawline. Two short, slightly curved horns lay perfectly on her forehead, ornamenting her with a somewhat dangerous appearance. Her slender frame was an apparent deception of her powerful strikes and outstanding agility.

I knew no one who was deadlier with a knife than her. Our connection sparked like an explosion. If I am to be honest with myself, I have loved her since I first laid eyes on her. Alas, I fear she does not see me in the same light. As time went on, I convinced myself to be content with the bond we share now instead of taking the chance of ruining our relationship forever. 

After our graduation ceremony, the dean placed the entirety of the student body on a break before either starting our specialisation or enrolling in their chosen guilds. Vetrix convinced me it was a good idea to party the night of graduation. I say she convinced me, but in all actuality, there wasn't much convincing having to be done. I had spent the past few weeks cramming for practicals.

It was finally the time to let loose and live through my younger years. The first place Vetrix and I stopped was a brunch spot in the Upper West District of the city we came across while going on our morning runs. The crepes were delicious, and I highly recommend them. We then, of course, went drinking; Vetrix made me drink so much apple ale even the thought makes me gag to this day. By the night's end, we thought we hit every bar in the capital. But suddenly, Vetrix had the fantastic idea of going to the redlight district. 

The entrance wasn't very cleanly hidden; a single red candlelight on the post of the corner alley was the marker. Vetrix grabbed me and brought me down the dark, decrepit path.

"Okay, okay, you can let go now. Or will you hold my hand for the rest of the night?" I giggled and blushed.

Vetrix stopped and let my hand go shyly.

"I was just having a bit of fun. Is that so bad?"

"No, I wasn't trying to be a killjoy or anything. I felt like a child dragged through the market, is all." I blushed more and rubbed my neck. It took me a while to give up on her. "Why'd you want to come here anyway?" We started down the alley once more, taking in the sights of large buildings that seemed as if they would crumble at any moment.

As we walked further and further into the neighbourhood, we found that we instinctually grabbed at our coin purses anytime we came across locals of the district. Eventually, we came across a curtain disguised as clothes hung to dry in the sun. We moved the curtain aside and stepped into the unknown; the scene before us was spectacular. Coloured lampposts lit the night sky. Markets were set up in every open space. Many of these stalls sold different magical items.

There were people as far as the eye could see. The curtain we walked through must have been some type of magic barrier. It was as if we were in a different city entirely. For the first time, I felt like I was alive. The feeling was addictive; I couldn't get enough of the environment that completely contrasted my sheltered lifestyle. Vetrix and I frequented a multitude of bars and food stands.

Food from all the surrounding countries was present. Many different game stalls were set up as if it were a carnival. At one point, Vetrix and I attended what looked to be a poor man's colosseum. Soon, the night would end after our adventures through the redlight district fizzled out. 

The next day, the only thought flowing through my head was the feeling of being immersed in the city's dumps with the dregs of society. And so I went back, again… and again. One night, when Vetrix and I took the trip together, Vetrix was knocked to the ground by a man who pushed me running through the crowd. After I helped her up, I tried to stop the man for his apology to Vetrix and me, but he continued running.

Being a little pissed off that he made me spill my drink, I made chase. He was exceptionally speedy but not faster than me. He jumped from wall to wall, rooftop to rooftop, overcoming countless obstacles. I had the idea to cut him off, seeing as Vetrix was right on my tail. I looked back and gave her a quick nod before using my powers to blend into the shadows out of his view. Vetrix had fully caught up when I sprang out in front of him. He fell into the trap we laid for him perfectly, like a gift wrapped for Yule. 

He came to a grinding halt as he saw me. "Now look, man, I just wanted an apology."

"You are impeding on…"

"I don't give a fuck who or what I'm impeding on. At first, I just wanted an apology for making me spill my drink, but now you pissed me off, making me chase you down like that. So I'm thinking of having you buy me a new one."

I raised my fists into a guard, expecting to get into a fight. Contrary to my belief, the rude asshole threw a small coin purse on the ground and ran off again. I reached down and picked up the coin purse.

"Fuck that guy!" Vetrix said, waving him away.

"I'm going to track him; he seemed suspicious." My eyes followed his tracks, which seemed to oddly disappear as time passed.

"What!?" Vetrix exclaimed.

I handed Vetrix the coin purse and began my hunt. I rushed farther down the alley after that dickhead, analysing his tracks as I followed after him. He seemed to be between five foot four and six foot even; he wore a size eight boot and carried a sword. I could tell by the way his stride seemed to stray to the left.

I wasn't anticipating a fight but prepared myself in case one broke out. I was finally catching up; his track led to a rundown shack. I slowly crept closer to the edge of the tunnel I tracked him through, analysing my surroundings. Something in my gut felt off as I went through the tunnel. The feeling in my stomach brought me to a stop before exiting. As I neared the tunnel exit, I looked harder at the surrounding environment.