Imast refused the wine. “No thank you. It dulls the senses.” He said with a soft smile. “I’ll cut straight to the question.” He then said. Imast wasn’t a man of words. He wasn’t trained to use his mouth. But in sword fighting he was one of the very best. He could even defeat his own brother, as was shown in the annual tournaments. But it did not matter. His brother held the Masters’ Seat because he was older. But also because he was more capable in management. “The shrine. What could you tell me about those dragons?” he asked.
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Anita followed Lara into the streets. Close behind her trotted her 2 maiden and behind that, the bastard-sword wielding Templar in full armor. Anita noticed the city was still alive. Archus itself was lively enough. But only in the afternoon and near the trade markets. Around Dusk the traders would retreat to their taverns and workers to their pubs. She was also amazed by the children playing on the street. Unheard of in Archus. Children inside the city were mostly members of some lesser, yet still important families. That meant that most of them were supposed to join a house. A house often chosen by their parents. From the age of 7 a boy could join the Templars or one of the 4 other houses. Girls had to wait till they were 8. They could also join all the houses. But not the Templar Order. A point Anita and her mother fiercely fought in the Council. Children growing up outside the city were mostly farmers’ children. They would often share the same fate as their parents. Unless an extraordinary talent was discovered by the right person. She gave a gentle smile towards the child Lara called a ‘wolfchild’.

As soon as they reached the building, Anita entered. The Templar knew his place and waited outside. He planted the bastards-sword’s point into the ground in front of him and held the hilt with both hands. Luckily the blade itself was still in its scabbard. So he stood as a sentinel next to the door that seemed to be for women only.

Anita in the meantime changed. Her maiden also changed and all went towards the baths. Slowly Anita descended into the warm, steaming water. Feeling the warm touch of it. She always loved water. “What do you want us to do, my Lady?” one of her maiden asked. Inia, she was called. A fair girl. Just turned 19. Sadly the birthday was during the trip on the ship so they never got a chance to celebrate. Anita stood close to her maiden. They were like the sisters she never had. “Let’s soak for the time being. I want to get the salt of the sea out of my skin.” She said with a smile. “My Lady. If I may ask a question.” Inia said. “Of course you can.” Anita answered. “My Lady…what is a wolf child?” she asked. A good question, Anita thought. She knew very little this nation. “I do not know. I am sorry.” She replied. Then she added. “But I’ll make sure to ask Lady Lara or Lord Sarin first thing I see them.” She promised.