Chapter 84: The flickering flame (1/2)

While Lily was busy with the Guild-organized event, at the other side of the town, in The Slums, close to a particular section of the walls stood a small run-down shack. While the building itself was nothing that could catch the attention, the 2 sturdy, mountain-like men that stood guard in front of it, would.

Their wear consisted of black leather armor and black padded leggings. Both had a short sword attached to their hips. Below the leather chest, they were wearing black sleeveless t-shirts that gave way for everyone to look at their incredible physique. On their right arms, both of them were wearing the tattoo of a white snake that was in the process of devouring a human skull.

While it only had 1 single white color with a black contour, it was still an incredibly detailed tattoo. Both of them stood tall and motionless. While none of the citizens knew the name of this group that took residence in that shack, they knew what they dwelled in. They had a wide range of services, one of them was transportation.

As the shack's door squeakily opened, the figure of a man shrouded in a brown tattered cloak stepped out. His shoulder-length silver hair fluttered in the wind. His aquamarine eyes scanned his surroundings for a few seconds until it rested on the 2 gorilla's standing guard at the door.

Sighing, he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and turned around looking at the man with similar scars that he had seen on his counterpart in the capital. Although the hood was hiding the scorn on his face, it couldn't hide the disgust visible in his tone as he spoke to this frog.

”What do you want?”

The scar-faced man that looked more like a frog than a man bowed courteously and as he looked back up to the young man, he gave a very polite smile as he replied.

”Excuse my rudeness… young prince, but may I know what business you have in this little town? It would be our pleasure to assist the crown prince in his endeavors whatever they may be.”

The disgust and disdain he felt for this toad increased by the minute. Not wanting to spend any more time in his company, he took a step back, and with the same tone as before he replied.

”Nothing that your group can help me with. In case I need your… services… I will contact you.”

As he finished what he wanted to say, he turned around and started to leave, however his steps quickly halted when the toad spoke once again.

”Are the prince perhaps looking for his… little sister?” the scar-faced man asked with a knowing and satisfied smile plastered on his face, seeing the effect his words.

The prince gripped the handle of his beautifully decorated sword and turned around. Fighting to control the urge to slice this disgusting figure and controlling the rage and fury that started to overwhelm him, he spoke with much difficulty.

”What do you know… about her?!”

The man courteously bowed once again as he respectfully spoke.

”We know that she is currently in the city. She is a slave fighter and goes by the name of ”Wild Tigress”. She has regular fights every week in the Pit, my prince.”

Hearing the news that a princess of this kingdom and his precious little sister was forced to live as a slave, a gladiator because of the choices of his father, he could barely contain himself to not go on a rampage right here and now.

Exhaling and taking in a breath of new although not so fresh air, he forcefully calmed himself down, and looked at this man once again.

”What help can you offer me? And more importantly, what do you want in return for the information and assistance that you could provide?” he asked, this time hiding the disdain in his voice.

The change of tone was a pleasant surprise for the scar-faced man. Keeping his face respectfully on the ground he answered.

”We can help the prince locate her, and even assist in breaking her free. We want nothing but to make sure the Young Prince will continue being our ally, and good friend in the future.”

”Tsk! What you want is to make sure I continue to support and be your benefactor in the future. With my backing, you would be unstoppable in the entire kingdom…” the prince muttered mostly himself, but it was still audible enough for the scarred man to hear causing his smile to become a wide grin instead. He kept his face plastered to the ground to avoid the prince seeing his face.

”Fine! I can agree to that, but only if your group will not have anything to do with Slave Trading in the future. If I catch wind that you guys are trafficking slaves in the Kingdom, I will use everything I have to crush you. You got that?!”