Edward grabs a lantern sitting on one of the shelves and light it. “Well, this forest used to be the battle grounds between beings of light and darkness and also mortals got caught in the crossfire. Their blood helped to give birth to special species of flora and fauna and even mutate certain species that have already exists, like screeching oak or the blood whispering roses. It’s why this place is considered dangerous to many and a good place to hide noble families who don’t want to be found. It’s also a great training ground for those who want to be monster hunters or those who want to become alchemist due to the rare species found here.”

Beist stopped his lecture on tomatoes as Sarris asked about the forest. That was an interesting question that he'd also like the answer to. He listened closely to Edward's answer.

He was a little surprised by it. He didn't know about a battle between beings of light and darkness. It wasn't in any of the books he had read. Did those beings of darkness include Were-beasts? Maybe the ingredients here could help him with his research even more than he had anticipated.

"Do you happen to know what types of beings were involved in the battle? Beings of light and darkness is rather vague. Perhaps Vampires or, possibly, Were-beasts may have been on the side of darkness? Maybe Fairies on the side of light? I've heard tales of a part of the Kingswood that seems closely connected to the world of Fairies. Do you know of it? I believe it is called Sunshade Glade." He asked Edward.

Sarris listened then added in, "I would suspect that there were Fae on both sides of the fight. They tend to like fighting against each other."

What sparked in Sarris' imagination was that there might still be artifacts or very strong leylines and ley nodes in the woods, places that sparked of magic. She would have to ask Sir Edward at some point. Lay nodes were places that she could cross into the other world, the land of the Fae.

These were also places where someone learning magic could practice and stretch her abilities drawing power outside of herself. This was a helpful thing for rituals and would be for enchanting. The problem was Sarris just about needed to be in a nexus point to even feel that magic and then she as just about tripping over into the realm of the Fae.

Edward turns to Beist, “Yes, I heard of Sunshade Glade. Yes, the Fae probably fought in the war but my father mostly focused on teaching me the history on battles that involves the Angels and Demons. He often tells me that the Fae didn’t really matter in the war, saying that they aren’t important enough for me to learn. Most of the books back home are on the history of angels and demons, gods and devils. There’s not really anything about the Fae in the books back home except on how to kill, contain, or ward them off.”

Beist was a little disappointed that there was nothing to do with Werebeasts from Edward's answer, but he was also interested in the angels and demons that had been involved. He had never met either before and he was intrigued. As a researches, he was always curious about new things and wanted to learn. He was also curious about Edward's family. They sounded like a family that was very focused on killing from what he'd said about their teachings on Fae. It sounded like what a hunter would learn about animals.

"Interesting. So it's the blood of celestials and fiends that make this place so different. I've never seen an Angel or a Demon before or read anything on their history. I'd love to see your family's library, but I suppose that's not exactly an option at the moment what with you on the run, now is it? Oh well. Still, that really makes me wonder why there might be an entrance to the Fae realm in this forest if they weren't part of the war. Perhaps there's something missing in those historical texts. Well, history isn't my area of expertise anyways. I'm much more focused on alchemical texts, plants, animals, and whatnot. I would be interested in what you know about Faeries though."

A chill ran down Sarris' back and she physically shuttered at that information. Being an elf and the connection she had with the Fae made her worry that Sir Edward might use some of that knowledge on her. To his family, she was pray.

"Most Fae will try to stay away from the consecrated places. Angels and Demons are dangerous beings to Fae folk," she said looking at Sir Edward gauging how welcome she was here.

"I know at some places, I am able to cross over to the Otherworld and find my way to the Fae Court," she said.
"It takes a place of power for me to do it and I can not do it at will," she added.

Learning what his family knew would be helpful knowledge, if not dangerious.

Edward looks at Beist, “Sorry friend, I can’t go back home or I would’ve taken you there. Not like they would allow any outsiders inside the family compound, though. My father might kill if I ever returned back there anyways. And we don’t hunt Fae as often as we hunt demons. It just isn’t feasible due to the tricky nature of the Fae and my family doesn’t have a blood feud with the Fair Ones anyways. We just have those texts just in case the Fae decides to mess with the family.”

Beist looked at Sarris, his head tilted slightly. He reached a hand up to pull his claws through his beard as he thought about what she had said.

"Hm, I hadn't thought much on the relationship between Angels and Demons and the Fae. Why are they particularly dangerous to the Fae? They must be on bad terms with each other if that's the case. And why avoid consecrated places? Are Fae unholy? But then wouldn't they be similar to demons? I'd like to hear more about how you cross into the Fae realm. If you can't do it at will, what are the requirements to do so? It sounds quite interesting." he said to Sarris.

He looked at Edward and gave a small wave of his hand at his statement.

"Oh, that's quite alright. I understand. I wouldn't want to bring you harm just for some books! Consider it a bad joke."

Sarris looked at Sir Edward and asked, "So, let me see if I have all this straight. Your family now wants to kill you and you are showing us around in the woods that they are patrolling?"

Sarris shook her head in disbelief.

"If you need a place to stay, you would fit in well with my family. They are witch hunters and do not like the Fae too. I think I am going to marry a Fae Prince from the fall court," she said in a slightly dreamy tone.
"They are not bad, but they do not always approve of some of my friends and where I go," she said.

Sarris looked back at Beist and smiled. She pulled out a coin.
"Let me explain the Fae using this coin," She said.
She showed him the head of the coin.
"Heads is Holy and Tails is demonic," she showed them both.
"It is black and white thinking. You are either one or the other. Only one side can win," she said with a bit of a smile.
She twirled the coin across her knuckles.
"Both sides are rooted in hardcore beliefs, Heads or tails," She said.
She flipped the coin to let it fall to the ground. Using a little of her minor trickery ability to make the coins land on its edge, she said, "This is Fae."
"Good and evil, are much more fluid things to the Fae. They dislike black-and-white thinking and consecrated ground of either side is too restrictive!" she said picking up the coin.
Flipping it again, she made it land on its edge again.
"We, they refuse to believe anything or more to the point, anything can be truly good or evil. Things are just way more complicated than that," she said.

"You fight against a tyrant king to give the people freedom and they become thieves and bandits, was it good? Or you help put someone nice in as a ruler on the throne and they rule with an iron hand?" she said.

Looking back at Sir Edward she said, "Sir, I am serious. If you want a place to call home. Where you can train, fight and explore from. The Grey Citadel would welcome you."

Edward nods, “I can’t really disagree with what Sarris says, Angels and Demons usually fall into good and evil respectively. But each angel and demon has different perspectives on the world. The angel my father has made a pact with views all species that aren’t normally considered good, like vampires and tieflings, as species that should be hunted down and killed. I rescued a vampire from being executed by my father and while my father may not want to kill me, that angel he’s bonded too doesn’t really care about his options. Anyways, thank you for the offer Sarris, I might do that, who knows?”

Beist listened to Sarris with an amused smile. He hadn't gotten involved in romance when he was young. He was always too distracted by either his fear of his werebear form or his alchemist's ambitions. He felt a little regretful for a moment, but he shook it off. He could at least enjoy listening to the romantic daydreams of others even if it was too late for him.

"Oh? A forbidden romance? How exciting! Though you seemed bit young to get married, but I suppose a lot of people seem young in my eyes. Have you met this Fae prince from the Fall court, or is that just a wish of yours?" he teased.

He listened to Edward and felt a little afraid. Does his family also hunt Werebeasts? If they do, would he even be considered one anymore? Still, that would be a danger for his family. But this did confirm his suspicions that they likely hunt Fae and that's why Edward was only taught things a hunter would learn about animals. So his family was a family of monster hunters that considered a lot of sentient races to be monsters. How frightening! He could see why Edward would want to leave.

"I can understand why you would run from your family now. They seem rather frightening. Immoral even, if they're killing innocent people just for being certain races. Your family wouldn't also happen to hunt Werebeasts would they?" he said to Edward with a sympathetic tone.

Sarris blushed and she was glad the room was still a little dark so the extent of her blush was not completely seen.

“For an Elf, I am still a child and in my families eyes that is what I am. On the human side says that I am an adult and getting to be an old maid,” she said.
“My Prince,” she said with a sigh.
“He is handsome, funny, gentle,” she said a bit dreamy.
She left out the part about his hunting and the fact like most Fea could be rather cruel.
To anyone else, this was clearly a one sided love affair. she was in love with the dream of being in love. And she was insignificant and amusing to the

She sat back a bit an relaxed as Sir Edward explained. It was that black and white thinking and part of the reason she was not very religious.

Sarris waited for beast to get done.

“Beist, I think you will find that we are all now on the hunted list. Sir Edward would probably be tortured till he repented and you and I would not be so lucky,” she said.

Edward turns to Beist, “Well yes they do. They aren’t the merciful type when it comes to “Abominations”. Any creature that seems to be creatures of darkness, whatever that is because my Father keeps changing the standard, would be hunted down and destroyed. Werebeasts are considered dark beings due to their uncontrollable nature. I, myself, never had the chance to fall in love. Don’t know how that feels anyways. I’m not sure if Fae nobility can marry mortal beings like you and I. You’re half Fae and mortal, so I’m not sure how that works in the Fae courts.”

Beist put one hand on Edward's shoulder and gave a thumbs up with the other.

"You're still young, don't give up." he said encouragingly, but with a very serious expression on his face.

After a moment, Beist pulled his hand away and cleared his throat. He looked at Sarris with a smile, acting as if that never happened. He was a bit embarrassed by his sudden outburst, but he wanted to at least try a little to make sure Edward didn't make the same mistake he had.

"He sounds like quite a catch. How nice." he said encouragingly, pretending not to notice how one-sided this love affair sounded. Still, he didn't want to burst her bubble.

He let out a sigh. "Yes, I don't doubt I'd be targeted, even if I don't think Werebeast is completely accurate a term for me anymore. I don't believe they'd stop to consider the difference if they saw me. We should probably leave this forest soon. The map and some notes are enough, and I'm not sure if what I really wanted is here anymore from what I've learned from our conversation."

“I agree,” Sarris said boldly.
“You should not give up! If they do not want you, we will help you.” She said the offer was genuine on her part.

“Living in a hole underground is not good, unless you are a Halfling, Dwarf, or Dark Elf,” she added with a humorous voice.
“I am sure that Lord Sarne would be happy to help you too. He is a monster hunter as well and likes to practice his weapon skills with people who like that stuff. It would rather focus on important things like making people laugh and..” she said.
With a few words and a wave of her hand she made some warm berry tarts covered in a cold whip cream topping and a crispy shell crust appear.
“Eating!” She said handing each of them a tart.

“The Dwarven miners always say, ‘ You should start with desert.’”