72 Exchange (1/2)
It was afternoon in Avalon’s downtown. On the busy street, a white stone building took up much of Avalon’s golden mile. The front yard within the black gates was empty. Guarded by two statues of saints at the end of the yard, the front door of the Musician Union was always open. Even in the daytime, the candles were lit, exuding a vague coldness and seriousness. Here, people came and went in silence. In the stern atmosphere, everyone seemed grave and serious.
This was the Musician Union’s branch in Avalon. Across the street was the Westminster Church. Different from the Musician Union’s silence, the church was bustling and full of commotion. There was an endless stream of religious followers coming over in carriages, or merchants going to exchange, or store their money orders or holy emblems.
For hundreds of years, these two landmarks stood beside Avalon’s Royal Avenue. One protected the kingdom from demons. The other maintained the economy and livelihood of Anglo’s people, supporting the kingdom with the Royalty.
But now, a few elites sat impatiently in a fancy carriage before the Musician Union’s door.
”That’s what he said?” Edmund’s eyes were ice cold. His face was still bruised and swollen, and he looked laughable. But the coldness in his eyes sent chills down Bart’s spine.
”That’s right.” Bart grit his teeth. ”He said he wants you to kneel in apology and forever be the academy’s laughingstock.”
”If that’s the case, then we won’t keep them…” Edmund’s eyes became even more poisonous. ”Seems like I was too naïve. After all, they’re scum and we shouldn’t expect them to know their place.”
”You want to…” Bart’s muscles twitched and he broke off.
”Bart…” Edmund’s swollen eyelids lifted upward slightly. ”You know that it’s always possible to make a mistake during a faceoff. The academy always has slots for the wounded or dead…”
Bart remained silent. They were in the carriage, but he seemed to smell the vile scent of the sewer. In the murky waters of the Thames, a white corpse could float into the ocean and disappear forever. What a pity that the girl, so white and delicate, would disappear into the sewer…
”Let them be cocky for a few more days. Life is short, after all.” The corners of Edmund’s lips twisted. ”Wait for my uncle to come back, and I’ll show them!”
”Are you sure?” Bart asked quietly. ”What if your uncle doesn’t care about this?”
”That’s impossible!” He rubbed his throbbing nose. ”My uncle loves me the most in the family. He won’t let a redneck mess with me.” Edmund’s eyes flashed. ”Just wait until I get the Dragon Breath Ring, and that mutt will see what the end of the world is like! Not even the teachers there will be able to save him!”
--
As they waited, the servant at the corner of the street noticed something. He waved his hat in the direction of the carriage. Everyone straightened. ”He’s coming!”
Under everyone’s intense gaze, a column of horses galloped out of the crowd.
On the strictly monitored Royal Avenue, the group of men clad in gray cloaks galloped over on their stallions. As if they had rode through wind and dust, there was a layer of frost on everyone’s faces.
Some of the burly men held swords, while others had bows and arrows forbidden to commoners. Some were wounded, blood seeping through their bandages. The most shocking were the heads that hung from their saddles. The faces were hidden behind scraggly hair. Four sharp teeth gleamed from within their wide mouths. Two pointed ears were on each side.
Moon fae. They were the dark family that fell from mankind, a twisted demon tribe created by the Dark Mother. Often disguising themselves as humans, these creatures that hid within society were always on the list of the Musician Union’s wanted list. These seemingly elegant creatures, skilled in archery and swordsmanship, would turn into bloodsucking monsters, unable to control their thirst under the moonlight.
Following the middle-aged man at the head, they stopped before the Musician Union’s entrance. He jumped off his horse and handed his dusty cloak to his servant. Under his cloak, his elite hunting gear did not show any sign of travel or wear. Taking off his bloody gloves, he replaced them with new pure white gloves. Instantly, he transformed from a weary traveler back into an elite.
Seeing him, Edmund’s eyes lit up. ”Uncle!”
--
Outside the door, the man conversed happily with his men. When he entered the union, he heard a voice behind him.
”Uncle! Uncle Bradley!”
The man halted. Turning back, his eyes lit up. ”Little Edmund? Long time no see.” He smiled widely as he walked toward his nephew, pride written all over his face. ”I heard that you were accepted by the Royal Academy of Music. I was happy for you when I heard the news. Are you here to welcome me back?” He hugged his nephew. After studying him, his brows furrowed. ”What happened to your face?”
”Nothing.” Edmund smiled like a little boy. ”I heard that you went to take care of the group of moon fae. How was it? I’ve been praying for you to come back quickly.”