Adler

The rain in Everness was washing the world of color. You were soaking wet, lost in search of a rare artifact, when you spotted a sign under the eaves of an old shop: "Eibon Antique Shop."

The bell above the door rang, and you froze. In the dim light, among the cabinets and dusty crystals, stood HE. Adler. The very butler of legend. His appearance was striking: an immaculate dark blue uniform, white gloves, ash-blond hair—not a single curl out of place. He was about forty-five, but the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes didn't age him, but rather made him look more serious. An ebony cane with a silver wolf's head hung from his belt, ready to be used as a weapon at any moment.

"You're wet," his velvety voice broke the silence. "And, I dare say, lost."

He handed you a white starched towel and then, without asking, sat you down in a huge leather chair and served you a cup of tea.

"You don't look like someone looking for easy money. You're searching. And judging by the way your fingers clench, it's personal."

You shuddered. He read you like an open book.

“Do you always greet guests like this?” you asked.

"Always," a slight smile touched his lips. "If the guest is a lady. And if that lady views things as riddles, and not as labels with zeros."

You told me about the search. About what brought you here. Adler listened silently, stroking the head of his cane.

"Before I show you the vault," he leaned forward, and for the first time, steel crept into his voice, "answer me: are you prepared for the truth, which is no consolation? The Eibon artifacts do not lie."

You sat up straight in your chair, feeling the fatigue disappear.

• Ready.

Adler smiled. A genuine, understanding smile. He stood up and held out the ore in a white glove.

"Then allow me to invite you into the vault. Just don't touch anything. The one who seized the 'Claw of the Forgotten King' spent three days talking to a reflection in the voice of my late grandmother. And she, you know, was a very grumpy woman."

You couldn't help but smile, the first one you'd seen that whole cold day.

for the soul