Prolouge
I sat down on a stool in the HogsHead Inn bar. It was a late friday night, perhaps nearing ten o'clock. The bar was mainly empty, with the exception of the usual group of college aged students in the corner of the room. Although the bar was fairly empty, it wasn't quiet. The students were acting like immauture teenagers, and were very loud and disorderly.
The bar wasn't exactly in the best condition. Yet I thought that was a huge understatement. The only two windows on the east and west walls, were broken and rotting. Thus making the bar cold and damp. The bar itself was quite large and painted jet black. Well, it had been painted black at one point. The paint was peeling to reveal an ugly cream colored wall paper. Most of the furniture looked as if it had been made out of scrap wood, and thrown together, and called a stool or a table.The stairs leading up to the inn rooms were worn and battered. The main door to the bar was nearly off his hinges and had many dents and scatches, from obvious bar fights. The place was sad, infact all of the coast towns were worn, due to the war.
"Can I get you the usual?", asked Fred. I replied, "Make it a double, I'm expecting my brother and his girlfriend." Fred looked puzzled, so I answered te question I thought he was on his mind, "Kasey, she doesn't drink." The old bartender just laughed. It was now my turn to look puzzled. In return, he answered the question on my mind, "I was actually going to ask, why you were expecting company?" I casually took a sip of the red cherry drink. Naturally it tasted bad, but tonight it was down right awful. My face shrivled up and, I nearly choked. I blamed the horrible tasting drink on my mood. It would have been unfair to blame Fred, even though he does make them. I responded quickly, so as to avoid one of Fred's wild mood swings, "Ah, it's Bo's birthday, and he thought he might drop by for a drink." Fred, leaning quite relaxed in his old rocker, just nodded his head. I went back to staring at my drink, pondering if I should take another sip. I lifted the mug to my lips, and was about to tip the mug, when Fred spoke. It gave me an excuse to put my mug down, and listen. After all, I didn't want to be rude. "Oh, excuse my manners, I never asked how old he will be", Fred began. I paused to think about how old he would be turning, then replied, "Twenty." Fred looked amazed, then he spoke, "Wow! Fourty-Three years younger than me!" I didn't reply. I just blinked and tried really hard to supress my laughter. I muttered, "Haha, only seven years younger than me, old man." "What?!?", Fred exclaimed. "Great ale!", I said. I instantly hung my head. I could imagine Fred's dark blue eyes glaring down at me, and his face all shriviled up in digust. I just kept my eyes focused on the ale, I heard Fred get up from his rocker and stomp away, like a four year old having a tempertantrum.
I decided to get up, and stretch. My long arms extended, almost reaching to a small chandler suspended from the bar's low ceeling. I straightened, then gave out a long dramatic yawn. I bent my head to look at my timepiece. The time read, twenty after. I muttered to myself , "Twenty minutes late, as usual." I closed the time piece and stared blankly at it's gold cover. I re-pocketed the time piece, and let loose a sigh of worriement. I didn't know if Bo would show up. Yet as soon as these desperate thoughts entered into my head, someone came into the bar. I could tell by the loud screeching noise the door made, whenever it was used. They steped closer into the light, and I knew it was Bo.
Bo and Kasey entered the room casually, and Bo bumped his head on the door's frame. Standing at six feet, six inches was quite tall. Bo, was one of the people of this age to actually reach that height. I wasn't to far behind him, standing at six feet, four inches. After Bo made his dainty entrance, I laughed loudly. Bo adjusted his gaze to meet mine, and I tried to look him in the eyes, but failed. He kept his long black hair swept infront of his eyes, sweeping towards the left side of his face. All of his forehead, and eyes were covered. I was amazed that he could see anything. Maybe that is why he bumbed his head. My thoughts were yet again interupted as one of the college aged students shouted, "Get a haircut!" Bo's gaze instantally was torn off of mine and connected with the students gaze. I assumed he was glarring, though I couldn't see. I let Bo, stand there and stare down the other guy, becuase I couldn't care less what happened to the other guy.
Kasey walked over to me and sat down. I gave her a proper Coast Town Greeting. She was very attractive. Long blonde hair stretched out over her eyes, and down to her sholders. She had sky blue eyes that were as calm as a cloudless summer day. Soft, red lips concealed a set of perfect pearly whites. She was short and thin. According to Bo, she was also very smart. She and Bo, were both enrolled at the Brightwood Academy for special teens(+). I graduated from there, seven years ago. I am now a level seven, class three Shade. Bo, by graduation will be within two classes of my power. He was not gifted at anything, previously, until now. He was the Top of his graduating class, and made me very, very proud. Kasey apparently was ranked number nine of three hundred. By graduation she would be entering the first stages of becoming a Shade, at a mere level of one, class five. That was still no small accomplishment.
After warmly greeting Kasey, my gaze returned to Bo. He was still looking at the other guy. I wistled to get his attention, I then further embarresed him by hollering, "Hey birthday boy, come get your drink!" He turned his gaze to mine again, and reluctantly walked over to us, glancing over his sholder once or twice.
"I'm really getting tired of the annoying regulars", Bo exclaimed. "I am too", Fred exclaimed. I had wondered when Fred came back. He came in so quietly. I assumed he was done raging, but he still had a bit of edge on his voice. To try and ease the tension, Kasey spoke, "So, my little Bo is turning twenty today." Bo's cheecks turned beet red, but he managed a smile. "Drinks on me tonight!, Courtisy of the HHIB, and my self." Fred said. Turning to me, Bo looked slightly uspet, but he managed to speak clearly, "So, Nate, how have you been?" I made a sad pathetic noise, then looked up. Bo looked furious. I had been realy bad about keeping in contact with Bo, and he knew something was up.
I looked down at my drink again, then took another swig. Bo, still waiting for a reply, wrapped his knuckles against the bar counder, impatiently. So I replied, "Come, lets go upstairs, we have lots to talk about."
