Chapter 80: Zephyr Appears (1/2)

After Kadyn sent Khrom with Elder Jyn while dragging Mayor with him, he turned towards Hot Rod with a grinning face and said. ”Let's sign the Spirit Contract that you will work in my shop for two years...for free. What would I do if you ran away in the middle? Where would I find free labour like you, hmm?”

”Spirit Contract?” Artisan Hot Rod almost screamed, looking at Kadyn with tearful eyes, almost pleading. Leader Barret and Potioneer Yel exchanged glances, the duo could see a pleasant expression in the eyes of each other. As the saying goes, hardship comes and goes with time but it could be a lot easier if someone could share that hardship with you. Now they had gotten someone to share it with them so obviously they would feel pleasant. The duo stared at Hot Rod with a grinning expression.

Hot Rod looked at their faces and didn't know why he felt a chill on his back. He glanced at Kadyn with his pitiful eyes that were completely ignored by the latter. ”Don't worry, it's your honour to work in Sir Kadyn's shop.” Barret said as he gave Hot Rod a reassuring smile. However, it only made Hot Rod's expression ever so worse. ”If you don't believe me you can ask Potioneer Yel.” He added.

Potioneer Yel was lost in thought when Barret's question jolted him awake. He looked at Barret and saw him winking at him. Then, ”Ah, yes, yes, what Leader Barret said is true. You don't need to doubt him.”

Hot Rod rolled his eyes at them. Even a blind man could tell that they were quite happy at his misfortune. These bastards! He cursed inside his mind. Then turned towards Kadyn. ”Alright, I'm ready to sign the contract.” After all, he wasn't stupid. He had seen the miserable condition of Mayor Palius. Though he was Artisan and Rank 1 Magus he knew that he wasn't as strong as Mayor Palius therefore he could only give in to the situation, or consequences won't be in his favour. Struggling was futile.

”Ahhhh!!!”

At this moment a heart-wrenching screech sounded. However, it seemed that the man was quite a distance away. The voice had almost faded when it reached the shop. Though it was enough to send a child through Hot Rod's spine. Any reluctance or objection that was inside his heart crumbled like a house of cards.

....

The screams reverberated throughout the night. If Kadyn hadn't sent Khrom away to do his torturing the squeals had woken everyone in the shop. Just like that the darkness of night faded and the new day begun. The sunrays scattered around and fell over the Divine Lion Magic Shop.

Kadyn sat on his chair comfortably as he sipped the tea through the rim of the cup that Rayna had made for him.

”Wow, so beautiful!” a peal of laughter sounded from the distance. Kadyn smiled as he looked at Kove and Melvona running behind butterflies, trying to catch them and exclaiming again and again after seeing their beauty. Running this and that way, chuckling pleasantly.

Kadyn smiled and scooted backward on his chair. Suddenly his gaze turned towards a certain spot. Khrom and Elder Jyn walked towards him with tired expressions. Khrom's hands were filled with blood. His clothes also had red smudges all over, while his eyes had turned red and hair messy, body covered in sweat and dirt.

The two children saw his appearance and stopped playing. They looked at each other and whispered something that no one could understand other than them. Kadyn peered at Khrom and then Elder Jyn. ”Go take a bath.”

Khrom nodded without any hesitation while Elder Jyn said. ”I'll go to the Association.”

Kadyn didn't have any opinion about that so he nodded. After Elder Jyn went, Elora walked out of the Potion Hall with Rayna. She eyed Kadyn and narrowed her eyes and walked towards him. ”I heard some noise in the middle of the night. Was it your doing?” she asked.

”What are you talking about? What noise? I didn't hear anything. I was sleeping like a dead dog last night.” Kadyn said and smiled at his sister. ”Did you have a nightmare or something?”

”Don't play with me. I know you very well.”

Kadyn gave a hollow laugh but didn't comment on this. Elora looked at him and said. ”Next time if you do something like this please do it outside the shop. Children are living here now.”

At this moment a boy entered the shop so Elora stopped bugging him and went away with Rayna following her. It seemed that she had gotten a sidekick. Kadyn chuckled at the thought. ”What would you like to buy, Sir?” he said to the kid in front of him.

”Meditation Room,” the kid said. ”Four hours.”