3 The Meeting (2/2)
I shrugged, ”Hades if I know. He just taught it to me and didn't explain how it worked. He just said it was a spell that only put people to sleep.” I hope.
”I would like to meet this man. There is something I would like to ask him. Very irresponsible of him, not providing adequate instruction.”
”Suit yourself. I have no clue were he is. I am going to the Capital, he might be there.”
Solskin
I watched the exchange from the side. I was especially interested in Xavier. He was completely composed despite the tense conversation.Something about his nature seemedoff to me. His eyes suggested calm but his clenched fist screamed ”guarded”. As I studied him closer, I saw scars running down the left side of his face. They seemed eerily familiar.
”Y-you are in the arm-my. How can I best get a position ta serve the king?”
I sensed a certain sadness from him, similar to my own. His eyes became unfocused and he seemed stuck in a certain memory. I sheathed my sword, and reflected upon myself. He is just like me.
Xavier
”Simply put, you gain the king's attention. Why such interest in protecting the king?” I answered vaguely. I was still stuck in my past. I felt the urge for my eyes to well up with tears from remembering those scenes. They were scorched into my mind with its sheer brutality and horror. Bodies were drained of their very life force and withered. I forced those memories back into the depths of my mind and steeled myself. I locked eyes with Solskin with a reinforced guardedness and prompted him to elaborate.
”I'vve al-always look-ed up to the soldiers. Alsoo, I was in Solaire du-during the attack.”
”You were there? Do you know about the Bloody First?”
”Já. M-m-my father was first to find them. Never got the exact de-details. Th-then my v-village was attacked by I-I-It. It killed Erik. I want to protect others from that same experience..”
The remnants of alcohol loosened his lips and he began to overshare. Tears began to form in the corner of his eyes as obviously painful memories came to the forefront. I stared at him blankly.
”It has been awhile since I have traveled with others. I don't really care, but you can come along if you are going to the Capital.”
”The magic you used was very intriguing, it's… familiar. I want to meet your friend and ask him about it. If it isn't a bother, I would like to accompany you on this fine little adventure.”
”Alright, shall we meet in the marketplace tomorrow morning?”
Persephone
Hidden in the nearby alleyway, I watched the exchange, listening in on their conversation. The man who fought the entire tavern, now known to me as Xavier, seemed to be a skilled fighter. Yet, when it came to the more social situations, his wit was not as sharp as his blade, as if he hasn't been around people in a while. I pulled out my pocket watch and checked each one of them.
It was odd, my watch had never failed before, and yet, whenever it was anywhere near Xavier, the hands suddenly stopped. What the watch was supposed to do was tell me when humans near me are close to death. But the watch didn't just behave oddly around Xavier, Lord Mordred as well. The pocket watch hands whizzed around faster and faster the more he talked to Xavier. I do not know what is happening to those two, but I intend to find out.
I tuned in to the conversation again.
”It's settled. I am heading back to the tavern to get some rest.”
”I-I'm going to sleeep.”
”Farewell. I must return to my manor, there is business I must attend to. Good night, gentleman.”
With that, I watched the group break up and walk their separate ways. To the Capital, at least it won't draw me away from my duties too much. Maybe I should meet them face to face. Deliberating the entire way, I ambled my way back to the church of death.