The celebration bells rang through the Streets of Cold Home as people excitedly ran to the gate. The sounds of feet rushing on stone echoed everywhere despite the snow that normally dampened them. The smell of iron and gunpowder that normally filled the air was replaced by the smells of freshly baked Dragon Bread with its herby and peppery ingredients and various smoked meats as the townsfolk prepared for the returning army.
As the children ran full speed through the alleyways trying to get closer, a noble human girl broke off from the group and stopped in front of a bakery's window, staring at the intricately braided and designed breads. Her eyes were wide as she scanned the special creations, and was so focused on them she barely realized the baker had come outside.
He had an imposing stature, his large hands stained with flour, and a dark red beard speckled with stray seeds. His eyes, however, weren’t solely on his creations but darted occasionally to unfamiliar or out-of-place faces in the crowd. There was a faint tightness around his eyes and lips, betraying a hint of distrust.
"G'mornin Miss Eloise," the Baker said with a sigh. "Y'know my mother, whose spirit now melds with the ore, taught me how to make these breads. They were reserved for when miners returned from only the deepest parts of the underground."
"Then why'd ya make them today?" Eloise asked, looking at him through the reflection. "I didn't think they were mining."
The baker laughed, his deep and hearty voice booming over the sounds of celebration going on streets over.
"The Plane Wars are over, Miss Eloise!" the baker said. "I would've liked to be there fightin' again but unfortunately my body ain't what it used to be. You youngin's are lucky ya didn't have to witness a lot o' the things that have gone on."
"The things that have gone on?" Eloise asked while still eyeing the breads, never turning her head fully to look at the Baker. "Like what?"
"Oh, nevermind my ramblin'! It's all over with anyway," the Baker replied hurriedly. "Yer lookin' at the breads pretty intently miss! Listen, why don't I grab ya a snack on the house alright? Yer family has always been good customers of mine so I feel like I owe it to ya anyway."
"I would love that, sir!" Eloise said with excitement. "I'm so hungry and they look so good!"
The baker laughed again before heading into his shop. Eloise watched through the windows as he walked to the fresh breads that had just finished cooling. He grabbed one in the shape of a Dragon with peppers baked into the top that looked like scales. As he was placing it in a bag, Eloise heard some approaching footsteps. She turned her head slightly to see who it was, only to lock eyes with the Vein Lord of House Stenvar, his black beard speckled with gray. At his side was his daughter: Miss Eloise Stenvar.
Lord Stenvar's gray eyes looked at both Eloises sternly before seeing the unnatural features of the Eloise standing in front of the bakery. Her skin was smooth, and features were vague, almost as if someone were asked to paint a portrait of Eloise from several hundred yards away with only the light of a candle.
At this moment the baker walked out and looked at Lord Stenvar and smiled. As he was about to speak he spotted Eloise at his side then turned around to see the one he'd been speaking to.
The baker, looking at the two Eloises with confusion, soon focused on the unusual features. Gone was the genuine warmth from earlier, replaced with an unsettling mix of surprise and anger.
"You deceiving Shiftskin," the Baker spat, hand balling into a fist. "Thinking you could just waltz in here and—"
His hand swung, hitting Eloise(?) and sent her stumbling back to the ground.
As he took another aggressive step forward, a commanding voice rang out, halting him in his tracks. "Enough."
Everyone turned to see the source of the interruption. The Shadow Lord stood imposingly, a few steps behind, surrounded by his entourage of Shadowkin and Southron Barbarians. His presence seemed to mute the sounds of the street as all eyes were on him.
The Baker, filled with rage, tried to justify himself, "M’lord, this Changeling tried to impersonate Miss Eloise and—"
The Shadow Lord, holding up a hand to silence him, shifted his gaze to the shaken Eloise(?). "Are you alright?" he asked, genuine concern in his eyes.
She hesitated, then nodded. "Just... hungry." She looked up, trying to read his intent. "Thank you. You some kind of soldier or something?"
The Shadow Lord smiled.
"Kinda," he said with a laugh. "And by the looks of it, I'd say you're a Changeling?"
Eloise(?) nodded slowly trying to judge his reaction.
"Ah then we both change our appearance for the benefit of others," he said as he removed a gauntlet. "It can be a little tiring looking like someone else."
His fingers were covered in rings of varying designs and colors. He grabbed one and slid it off his finger, and as he did his skin darkened to a stormy color, scars began to form on his face and his eyes lost their light. His chest stopped moving as The Ring of the Past Life began to stop affecting him.
Eloise(?) looked him over in amazement as they dropped their guise, and stood there as their true self. Their fluid features and pale gray skin were now revealed. Their white hair was still braided as Eloise braided hers, but their eyes were now as silver as the design on the Shadow Lord's armor.
"And your parents?" the Shadow Lord asked, only to be met by lowered eyes. "Ah, I see...."
He nodded, then turned to the Baker with a stern face. "You'd raise your hand against a child? Hungry and in need?"
The Baker tried to retort, but his voice wavered, the weight of his actions becoming apparent.
The Shadow Lord stepped closer to him, lowering his voice, "Your actions today will have consequences, Baker."
Then, looking at the Vein Lord, he continued, "Lord Stenvar, remind me, what is Cold Home's punishment for such a crime?"
Lord Stenvar hesitated but responded, "Assignment to the deep demolition team."
A moment of tension hung in the air before the Shadow Lord nodded slowly, turning his attention back to Eloise(?). Offering a kind smile, he said, "Come, let’s get you something to eat."