Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

Accepting Ben's hand, Alexander was guided out of the carriage and onto the sidewalk. 

His mother soon joined him after Ben helped guide her out of the carriage as well. 

"You'd you like me to join you inside my lady?" Ben asked, closing the carriage door before turning to face Alexander's mother. 

She shook her head. "We'll be fine." She answered with a smile, then grabbing Alexander's hand, she led him into the bookstore. 

Stepping inside, the smell of fresh paper and ink was palpable and inviting. Rows of shelves containing not just books, but fountain pens and Quills and anything else related to books. The further back you looked, the larger shelves became, and so did the items they contained, such as large maps and posters.

Alexander's mother didn't waste time looking around, however, instead, she headed directly to the shopkeeper. 

Reaching the counter, the duo were greeted by a woman who looked to be in her late forties. 

Her hair was long and luscious, her face was covered in a few wrinkles and her eyes glowed a bright blue. 

Upon seeing Alexander and his mother approaching, the shopkeeper smiled warmly. "Well hello dear." She said with a gentle laugh, "It's been a while."

Alexander's mother smiled in return. "It has Mrs. Dellwich," she said with a nod. She then gestured towards Alexander, "This is my second child, Alexander, he's adorable isn't he?"

The woman- Mrs. Dellwich, chuckled as she looked down at Alexander, studying him with a curious gaze. "Ahh, I see he has your beautiful eyes Mrs. Daname." 

His mother giggled. "I know, I'm glad at least one of my children has them." She said while ruffling her hand in Alexander's hair.

Ugh, even in an entirely different world, I still have to listen to my mother's endless rambling.

Alexander forced a smile as he looked up at Dellwich. "Hey." He said casually, "Looking good girl, not a day over fifty."

Heh, at least I can get some cheap shots off, the joys of being a child!!!

Mrs. Dellwich laughed joyously, grabbing at her side as she leaned forward. "Ha, your son is quite the flirt."

Alexander's mother's cheeks grew red as she looked down at Alexander. She stared at him with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement.

Mrs. Dellwich eventually calmed herself down as she wiped the welling tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Alex, you certainly know the ways to a woman's heart." She then smiled at him. "But unfortunately for you, I'm ninety-six years too old for you."

Alexander's jaw dropped in disbelief, causing Mrs. Dellwich to giggle like a schoolgirl. "Oh stop with your acting, my husband will be furious." She joked.

Alexander genuinely couldn't believe what he had just heard.

There's no fucking way.

He looked to his mother for answers. "Is she being truthful?" He asked, pointing a finger at Mrs. Dellwich.

She shyly nodded. "Mhmm, she's a hundred and two."

Alexander looked back to Mrs. Dellwich, still in disbelief. 

Mrs. Dellwich was as pink as a rose in spring. 

"H-how?" Alexander whispered.

"My flirt of a son aside," his mother said while gently playing with his hair, "you sent a letter saying you had new books in store, I was hoping to take a look at them."

Mrs. Dellwich nodded as she grabbed a box from the shelf behind her. "Yes, I just received the shipment yesterday and I wanted you to have the first pick."

Mrs. Dellwich then placed the box down on the counter and opened it. 

Inside were several thick books with red covers. 

Mrs. Dellwich reached into the box and retrieved one of the books. "If I remember correctly, these are the first books on what was found on the demon continent." She explained, cracking open the book.

She then flipped through the pages, studying them closely. "Hmm, yes that's exactly what these are, see?" She turned the book towards Alexander's mother.

"Ahh, this is a fascinating book." Alexander's mother said in amazement. She began flipping through the pages as Mrs. Dellwich held the book. "These illustrations are magnificent, I assume this was handwritten?"

Mrs. Dellwich nodded. "Yes, they will be sending printed copies soon, but they won't have these illustrations." She then smiled, "But I know you'd prefer these, yes?"

"You know me too well." Alexander's mother said with a chuckle, "So how much?" She asked, reaching for her reticule. 

"Well, I bought them for nine silver Embers." Mrs. Dellwich said thoughtfully, "So I'd say one golden Ember is fair."

Alexander's mother frowned as she raised an eyebrow, "But you'd only profit one silver…" 

"That's fine." Mrs. Dellwich said with a smile, glancing at Alexander, "Your son made me feel a century younger and that was more than enough." She giggled. 

Alexander watched as his mother pulled her lips back. It was evident that she wasn't keen on letting her friend make such a low profit, valuing a fair and honest deal. But she seemed conflicted about appreciating the kindness too.

I'd personally just take the deal, but hey I'm just a stupid six-year-old in a world of centenarians.

"Thank you Mrs. Dellwich." Alexander's mother finally said, retrieving two golden Embers from her purse. "I appreciate your kindness, but you have a business to run and I have money to spend." She then placed the Embers on the counter. "Besides, I'm not just paying for the book, but your connections."

Mrs. Dellwich sighed before smiling. "Very well." She said in a warm tone as she placed the book on the counter. "Would you like a cover?" She asked curiously, reaching for a thin rope and cloth.

"I'll take one." Alexander's mother said with a nod.

Mrs. Dellwich expertly wrapped the book in the cloth before securing it with the rope. She moved with speed and care, a testament to her skill and love for what she did.

She then handed the neatly wrapped book over to Alexander's mother. "Here you are, Mrs. Daname, wrapped and ready to go."

She accepted it with a nod. "Thank you, it'll be a fine addition to my collection."

Alexander fought to hold back a grin. "I understood that reference." He whispered.

"You should visit more often, I'll be receiving an increased number of shipments of exploration missions continuing further south." She then turned towards Alexander. "And be sure to bring your charming son."

"Of course." His mother replied with a smile.

With that, Alexander and his mother turned to leave the store. The cool and busy air of the city greeted them as the duo stepped outside. Waiting for them outside near the carriage was Ben, who looked to be lost in a conversation with a beautiful young woman.

She was dressed in the Pathfinder uniform of the Ambur kingdom, which was peculiar to Alexander, as this was the second time he had seen them. 

Along with her red uniform, she had long white hair and silver eyes. She was tall, well endowed, and armed with a spear and rifle on her back.

That's a ten.

"Ahh come on," Ben said with a grin, running a hand through his blonde hair. "We're both pathfinders, so why can't we find a path to lovers?"

The pathfinder from the Ambur kingdom crossed her arms as she shook her head. "Because I'm on duty, and so are you if I'm not mistaken." She then smirked, "Or should I assume otherwise, since you're not on the front lines."

Ben chuckled for a moment until his gaze wandered from the woman to Alexander and his mother.

As his eyes landed upon them, his face grew pale. "L-Lady Erica!" He stammered, quickly lowering his head. "H-how way your shopping ma'am, er… did you find what you were looking for?"

Alexander chuckled at Ben's actions, while his mother looked at Ben with a curious smile. She then turned her attention to the pathfinder from the Ambur kingdom, who looked back with a respectful glance.

Alexander's mother then turned her attention back to Ben. "Sir Ben, who is this woman you find yourself enamored with."

"She's Dame Antoinette, pathfinder from House Nova, my lady," Ben answered without looking up.

"House Nova?" Alexander's mother said in surprise, "Why is she here?" She asked, hurriedly masking her earlier surprise.

The Ambur pathfinder- Antoinette, spoke up. "The daughter of lord Napoleon, lady Camilla, wished to visit the Fallen kingdom, specifically to see her father ma'am." She explained. "This is our last stop before we reach him on the war front."

Alexander raised an eyebrow in curiosity, yet remained silent.

"I-I see, so where is Lady Camilla now?" Alexander's mother asked. 

"A nearby café ma'am, I'm returning to her with the items she requested," Antoinette answered.

Alexander's mother nodded thoughtfully, "I see, though it's surprising to see such famed war veterans casually walking the streets."

Antoinette smiled as she took a bow. "Your words are too kind Madam Erica, I'm sure your pathfinders are just as capable." She said while side-eying Ben, a playful smile dancing on her lips. 

Alexander's mother chuckled. "If only, my husband has an eye for talent, but only Elise has impressed me." She joked, "Anyway, it was good to meet you, Dame Antoinette, I'm sure Sir Ben hopes to cross paths with you again." She said before heading towards the carriage with a nod. 

"Actually ma'am, would it be too much for me to ask for a ride back to the café?" Antoinette asked, "It's not far."

Ben's eyes widened as he finally looked up, a pleading look in his eyes. Alexander smirked, he honestly couldn't believe it, Ben must've been smoother than a stick of butter.

Alexander's mother gave Antoinette a knowing look, she then shifted her gaze to Ben. "Go ahead and ask properly." She said with a casual tone, "I don't like games."

Ben chuckled nervously before looking at Antoinette. 

"I wish to converse more with Sir Ben." She answered honestly. 

With a knowing chuckle, Alexander's mother gave a nod of approval. "Very well, you may ride with Sir Ben on the driver's bench, and who knows maybe I'll even converse with Lady Camilla."

"Yes," Ben whispered under his breath as he straightened himself up. "My lady, if you'll allow me to help you and the young lord," Ben said, opening the carriage door as he held out his hand.

Congratulations Ben, you've completed the first step of many… 

Alexander couldn't help but inwardly praise Ben, something about him reminded Alexander of himself.

After Ben helped Alexander and his mother into the carriage, he casually made his way to the driver's bench. "You saw that." He whispered to Antoinette, "That's called pathing the way for success." He said with a smirk, before climbing into the driver's seat and grabbing the reins. 

Antoinette rolled her eyes as she followed Ben onto the bench, smacking the back of his head as she reached him. "Don't you dare take the credit, I put my dignity on the line of this." She whispered, sitting beside him.

Ben smiled from pointed ear to pointed ear. "I've lost both my shame and dignity long ago." He joked as he flicked his wrist, allowing Liz to pull away from the corner and back onto the streets.

The journey was calm and peaceful, with Alexander taking a quick Power Nap in his mother's lap, as Ben and Antoinette conversed freely. 

Alexander's mother meanwhile casually lost herself in the passing scenery. She gently ran her fingers through Alexander's hair, massaging his head. 

As the carriage approached the café where Lady Camilla awaited, Alexander's mother woke him with a gentle kiss on the cheek. "We're here my darling."