Naya the witch hunter

True Purpose

The man, Matthew, looked disappointed as his hands dropped to his side. "Go on, Lyra."

Lyra stepped forward and delivered a graceful bow, one that pleased Naya, "And I am Lyra Hale, only daughter to Lord Hale."

Naya much preferred hearing her speak; she liked the gentle voice. It again reminded her of the noble daughters she met in Aleria. Ah, so these two are the human version of nobility?

Nobility isn't just an Elven concept, you know. Every race has nobles, though they may call them differently.

Naya nodded; she figured the other races must have taken the concept from the Elves.

I don't think...you know what, never mind.

Lyra smiled after seeing Naya nod, then stepped back into the group.

That man, Matthew, seemed displeased.

Naya saw the odd look in Matthew's eyes when Lyra smiled at her, but she couldn't understand it at all. Why?

How would I know? Lia snickered.

So she did know, Naya figured but just didn't want to tell her. Naya waited for Lia to pick up her thoughts and respond, but she didn't.

The next one to step forward was the Dwarf. He looked directly into Naya's eyes, and this stare was perhaps the most uncomfortable for her. It was one uncaring as if he wasn't seeing Naya, and she didn't even register in his mind.

Naya expected it to annoy her, but it didn't. In fact, it only intrigued her. Weird...

He's the only one you've ever met who didn't have some sort of respect or admiration for you or your station. Well, he is a Dwarf; they typically don't care about anything. They're my favorite!

"Hello, Elf, my name is Thrain Deepstone, the greatest smith in Rella."

Hale, Deepstone, Albion, Rella... I don't know of of these.

Surnames and land names... You really weren't taught anything in Aleria. The country we're in right now is Rella, and Albion is likely a province.

Elves don't use these so-called surnames.

Well, you'll get used to it.

The Dwarf, Thrain, stepped back into line without saying anything else. His decree as being the greatest smith might have meant something if Naya had any idea what that entailed.

"Alyssa, introduce yourself - now," Matthew ordered after seeing that Alyssa showed no signs of stepping forward.

Naya heard her click her tongue silently.

But Alyssa still stepped forward, and Matthew ordered, "Pull the hood off, do not be disrespectful to Madam Elf."

Being referred to as Madam Elf by the man started to grate her, but Naya didn't want to give out her name.

Alyssa reluctantly brought her hand to her hood and slowly pulled it back.

Naya was taken aback for a moment. Wolf? She almost reflexively pulled on the Arcana in her core. What is this?

Calm down; she's a beastkin.

Alyssa had fiery red hair reaching down to her waist, along with fierce, bright red eyes and a pair of fluffy ears atop her head. Her face was twisted into a scowl, and she glared at Naya.

"You mutt."

Had Naya not been enhanced with Arcana, she wouldn't have picked up Matthews's purposefully low whisper. That told her her position in the group.

Naya was again intrigued, she had never heard of beastkin before, and the one before her now seemed perfectly intelligent. That, and Alyssa evidently didn't care for Naya's heritage.

I actually just don't think she realizes what it means to see you here.

She doesn't know what an Elf is?

Or perhaps she has a lot more problems to deal with. Doesn't seem to be on good terms with the rest of them.

I noticed.

Even Lyra appeared to disregard Alyssa; she didn't glance her way even once during the discourse.

Alyssa stepped back, and Matthew glared at her before standing at the front of his group again.

"I hope you forgive her rudeness. I'll be sure to... educate Alyssa later."

"It's not a concern."

Matthew said nothing else, again waiting for Naya to say more. Yet silence reigned in the clearing for an awkward amount of time.

Ask them what they're doing here; gods, you have no social awareness.

Naya's ears twitched, "What are you doing here?"

Matthew's face instantly lit up, "Madam Elf-"

"I would rather she tell me." Naya motioned toward Lyra, to which she appeared shocked.

He was stunned, "But..." Matthew looked at Naya's unamused eyes and defeatedly sighed, "...If you wish, Madam Elf. Go on... Lyra."

He stepped back, and his face appeared as if he was trying to control his anger, twisted into a deep frown with his eyebrows furrowed as he looked down, evidently trying to hide it from Naya.

Lyra stepped up, excitedly smiling, "Thank you, brother." She must have picked up on Naya's appreciation for class because she tried to keep her tone level, "I'd be happy to, Miss."

This is indeed much better, but she is just as annoying.

I like the sound of her voice.

Well, you'll see. Lia spoke cryptically, and Naya had no idea what that meant.

Lyra gently cleared her throat, "We're here to hunt a witch.