JP - The Keep - A former Black Raven Employee

Alex locked the door to his room before letting out a sigh "just like every other place" he whispered moving further into his room, stepping over the countless piles of books and scrolls littering the place. He knew far too well how people really felt around mages. Laying down in his bed he closed his eyes trying to ignore the memories of fires and angry mobs. Raising his hand to his door he casted an illusion to make it appear as another part of the wall. Once he was sure he was alone he reached under his bed and pulled out a black box. Hands shaking he opened it revealing several vials containing a mysterious black liquid. "Damn it running low again" he whispered as he held one of the vials in his hands. He wanted to quit using the drug, he knew it was killing him but it was the only thing that quelled the memories and after this incident with Miyuki he needed it. Downing the contents he hid the box again before laying down and feeling the effects.

Hours later Alex woke up feeling sick due to the side effects of the concoction. Wiping the blood and bile from his mouth he looked down into the bucket before muttering a spell causing the bucket to vanish. Looking around his room he debated on getting some fresh air but the memories of this morning quickly dissuaded him. Moving to his desk he grabbed a book and continued looking into the mysterious tavern.

“Dammit!” Bai could be heard cursing when he finally woke up- having slept in much later than he intended to after Balle left the room. He had meant to get a lot more done this morning… but had wasted hours. He got dressed and rubbed his forehead, debating what to do first since he had already ruined his schedule for the day. He decided to check in with Alex, maybe the mage had found something. He had heard that he had gotten his hands on some bricks from the Black Raven. He headed to Alex’s room and knocked on his door.

Alex sighed and grabbed his cup full of water. Using it as a makeshift scrying spell he saw that it was just Bai outside his room. Standing up He navigated the maze of books and scrolls littering his room and opened the door.

“Hello Alex. Find anything interesting with those bricks?” Bai asked brusquely.

"Yeah" Alex replied trying to ignore the growing headache "The bricks definitely retain some sort of magical property but are definitely not the source of it if we want to find out what's going on we're going to have to venture into the tavern. My guess is it'll be within the basement, there's got to be some sort of source that keeps whatever spell or curse powered."

“I was hoping we could just burn and tear the damned place down from the outside.” Bai muttered. He did not want to go in there.

Alex shook his head "whatever this magic is it's ancient we have to discover the core of it first otherwise it'll just keep coming back or worse."

“Yeah.” Bai sighed. He had talked to villagers who had stories going back generations about this tavern. He knew it would take more than a simple fix like burning the place down, but he was hoping Alex would have something more convenient than going inside. “Have you tried talking to Xo? I heard she used to work there about twenty years ago.” Xo was kind of intimidating, Bai was afraid to bring up the Black Raven to her.

Alex shook his head "I didn't even know she used to work there besides not many people are willing to converse with me" he replied thinking of Miyuki, although it was clear many people felt uneasy around him then they did Bai.

Bai happened to be distantly related to Brighid’s beloved first husband who died too soon. It put him on good terms with the Buckleys, opened doors that would have been locked to most newcomers. “Yeah, she used to work there. Shawn told me once… It’s not something she likes to talk about. Most people know she used to work there, but of course it was so long ago and obviously not something brought up in casual conversation.”

"I'll try to talk to her then" he replied moving around him and walking through the hallway as he pulled the hood of his robe up. Looking at his hand he noticed the shakes returning. It seemed like time he could go without the concoction was getting shorter and shorter. Trying to compose himself he resumed his place.

“And get sober, a drunk mage is more trouble than they’re worth.” Bai said, noticing the tremors. He headed for the main hall for some food.

Alex ignored him as he continued to walk through the halls. It was better that Bai thought he was drunk then discover what he really was addicted to. Memories of witch hunters and what they did to him flashing through his mind.

The woman in question, Xo, had already been to the Main Hall. But instead of sitting at a table to eat, she had taken her plate outside to the gardens. It was too early to feel like she was being looked down on.

Alex cautiously approached Xo, being mindful not to scare her like he did Miyuki. The last thing he wanted was another needless reputation. "Excuse me, sorry to disturb you" he said softly "I'm investigating the tavern and Bai said you used to work there."

Xo stiffened. “You mean the Black Raven? What is there to investigate?”

"I'm trying to find the source of its magic so it can be dispelled" Alex replied "whatever's magic is holding this building in our realm is ancient."

“So it’s true that it’s back, again?” Xo’s eyes flashed angrily. Why the hell could it never just be over?

"The guards monitoring it not allowing anyone in" Alex replied "My hypothesis is there's some sort of magic that's keeping it tied to this realm no matter how many times it's destroyed. However if we can find the source of this magic and destroy it then the building will cease to repair itself."

Xo hugged her arms over her chest. “Who rebuilt it?” She asked. She refused to believe that the Black Raven rebuilt itself. She had seen that there was nothing left of it the last time it was destroyed.

"No one did unless you count whoever imbued it with magic" Alex answered leaning against his staff "I've taken samples from the brick and mortar of the building definitely traces of magical properties."

Xo cursed under her breath. “What am I supposed to know about it then?”

"Bai said you used to work there. Ever noticed anything supernatural or magical" Alex replied "I'm trying to convince him to let me explore the building."

“Yeah…” Xo admitted, her shoulders hunching tightly. She had worked hard to not remember what she had seen in that place.

"You don't have to remember them if you don't want to" he said with a sympathetic look on his face. "Just tell Bai that The building needs to be investigated."

Xo nodded, feeling sick. Alex had managed to bring up things she had buried deep a long time ago.

"I'll get out of your hair I appreciate the help" Alex said before turning and walking away.

Xo looked at her plate. Her appetite was completely gone.