228 Search For a Stone (1/2)

”Have you seen Jack?” Eliza looked around the breakfast table.

Maura shook her head and frowned. ”No… Mother said he had a guest last night and Jack left immediately after. When she asked if she should wake us up, he said it wasn't worth it and that he would be back in the morning.”

As Eliza's lips twitched downward into a frown she crossed her arms and glared at her food. The site of eggs and bacon and biscuits didn't make her any happier but she ate all the same.

The party enjoyed the breakfast or at least tried to. Rydel and Maynard dug into the meat eagerly without a second thought. They knew Jack would be back and it didn't bother them in the least. Nina didn't pay too much attention, so long as she had the attention of Mara, chatting her ear off. Keela tried to calm down Eliza, gradually succeeding until Eliza agreed to eat without Jack.

It was only a matter of time before there was a knock at the door. Maynard hurried to open the door. Jack entered with a frown on his face. As he sat down Eliza was the first to speak up. ”Where were you? And how come you didn't tell any of us that you left?”

”I didn't see a reason why I should… All I did was go to the marketplace.” Jack sighed as he started to shovel eggs into his mouth.

”So, did you find what you're looking for?” asked Maynard.

Jack swallowed his food before he answered, ”No, I didn't…”

”And what's so hard to find that it wasn't in the federal market?” asked Rydel.

”It's a long story,” mumbled Jack. ”You guys know how I find hidden tombs, right? Well, there is a particular item that's commonly found in ancient hero tombs of the weaker players. I want that item but to do so I need to find an item belonging to now-dead weak players.”

Maynard and Rydel both looked at each other and smiled.

Lina then spoke up, ”What's a hidden tomb?”

”It's a place for fallen heroes. There you can find their past items and their treasures. But the treasure I want isn't valuable in terms of money, yet it's priceless to me. That item can let me speak with Daruun since I'm pledged to him.”

The others around the table stared at each other. They did know what to feel.

”So you had a way to contact the God of Fate and you didn't tell us about it? Not even your wives?” grumbled Eliza.

Jack shook his head. ”Nope.”

Hearing his casual answer Eliza didn't know how to respond. She was fuming yet she didn't know why. Rather than yell back, Eliza stuffed bacon in her mouth and glared at Jack like a wife would before putting her husband in the doghouse.

Maynard laughed, ”That's it? That's all you had to say!” Both he and Rydel ordered another few rounds of brandy, no longer worrying about traveling in the day.

Daliea finally made herself known. ”Is there anything I can do to help?”

”I don't think so, sadly.” A slight smile showed on Jack's face. ”I'm the only one who can recognize items that formally belonged to ancient heroes.”

”Okay. But if you find a way for me to help, then let me know,” insisted Daliea.

”The same goes for me,” added Maura.

”And me too, Big Bro!”

Jack looked around the table, smiling at the girls offering their assistance. He also looked at Keela who nodded, silently adding herself to the list.