The One after my Heart

It was silent within the large hall that was within the old broken down fort apart from the sounds of the flickering flame from the wall torches on the wall and the quickened breathing of two people among the three who stood there.

Zohar Klinestone remained stunned, rooted to the spot as he heard Aiden's request. He'd expected the Young Lord in front of him to question and maybe even take away his family heirloom eventually.

Yet, this handsome young man with blue eyes never mentioned anything about it and only requested him to accompany and assist the young women and children, though he wasn't from this domain.

How noble! And that demeanour! How imposing! He couldn't help but think of the rumours of the royalty from those of the third domain. Was this young man from the royal family? Although the mention of two 'puppies' instead of two boys did put a wry expression on old Zohar's face. 'Why wouldn't they ever get along after so many years!?'

But Zohar knew very well that the attitude of the people from his domain towards the people of the third domain from where this young noble came from would just the same. They just couldn't get along peacefully with each other.

Zohar chose to ignore that last sardonic part of Aiden's statement.

"Of-of course, it goes without saying, young lord. I was just headed that way myself after all on regular business. I'd be more than happy to help and accompany the young ones." The old man nodded as he agreed sincerely and flattered him," I'm grateful for your kind and magnanimous thoughts. The young sir is truly impressive and admirable."

On the other hand, Bree let out a sigh and immediately had a relieved smile on her impassive cold face.

The old man continued as he turned towards Brianna and said, "I also thank this young lady here for freeing everyone here. May I have your name, benefactor?" He gave her a small bow of gratitude.

Brianna immediately went forward to stop the old man from bowing to her. "No,please. You don't have to. It was what anyone would've done. I'm Brianna Vandermire."

The old man was startled as he heard the name. 'Vandermire! Wait! Don't tell me she's---Is that why he's here?!'' He controlled his chaotic emotions and controlled himself.

Excusing herself, Brianna ran out to give out the news in excitement and pacify the worrying crowd waiting outside.

Aiden had a wry smile on his face as he saw the brown-skinned witch sprint out like a fox. He had heard her sigh of relief earlier on. He couldn't help but be amused as he had kind of guessed what she had probably assumed earlier on.

Aiden turned towards Zohar, who was looking at him with eyes of appreciation. "Alright then,Zohar, I'll thank you for your help. I could speed up in helping you heal your injuries if you'd like." Aiden offered as he lifted his right hand.

The old merchant immediately took a step back as he refused,"Oh no please. You don't have to, young lord. It'l heal up soon enough and you know how tough an earth element users are. Besides, it's a good reminder for this rusty old man not to let my guard down, like the last time when I was captured." Zohar spoke as a ruthless glint flashed across his eyes.

Aiden nodded and put his hand down. After a moment of pause between them, he spoke out to the thin merchant in front of him. "A base such as this should definitely have its treasures or at least some gold or something valuable."

Zohar looked at Aiden, wondering what he was getting at.

Aiden continued in a carefree lazy voice," You should know I hate owing favours to another."

Old Zohar couldn't help but have his eyes slowly wondering where this was going. His thin stick like figure turned wary and cautious.

Aiden ignored the old man and continued, "Earlier on, I saw a treasury room on my way here that's just a few rooms down the hall from here, though I didn't get the chance to take a good look around. But I can assume there's definitely some good stuff in there. You are free to take a quick look around before you leave. You are bound to find a treasure or two apart from the gold lying around."

The lean old merchant's eyes lit up when treasures and gold were mentioned.

A small smile appeared on Aiden's noble face, and he said," I can tell you're a brilliant merchant and a smart one at that. So as for you not to incur any loss or seem disadvantaged by my recent request, if you do find anything worthwhile, consider it your fee as your payment or reward in advance for escorting everyone to the capital. We'll consider it as even between us. As for how you'll go about the route and journey to the Spratian capital, I'll leave it all to you. I trust you won't disappoint me."

"Of course, of course. You owe me nothing, if anything, I owe the young lord. This old man thanks the lord in advance and even promises to share the treasure appropriately amongst the others present."

Zohar patted his chest as he said with a sly grin and rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Of course, he never mentioned how much was to be 'appropriately' shared. Neither did Aiden prod any further, which satisfied the short cunning old merchant thoroughly.

Zohar paused briefly and then spoke with a serious tone, "I will do my best to keep them safe and not abandon them, but these elemental marks sure are bothersome. I can sense it's strong dark magic which requires no less than a bunch of rank 2 witches or warlocks or a Rank 1 to deal with.I trust the lord won't blame me and hold me accountable if we do get ambushed in our journey to the capital. Though some do have the potential to be a witch in the group they're hardly still qualified or knowledgeable to even protect themselves."

Aiden nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, I was getting to that. You don't have to worry about that." He put his right hand into his pocket and then held his hand out, with a spherical shaped black token appearing on his palm.

"Here take this. It's been charmed by my own blood. This should help shield you temporarily from those trying to track you, until you reach the capital. You should be alright for twenty four days at least.", he said.

Zohar couldn't help get curious and leaned over to look at it as he took it. There were two faint red slits or narrow lines imprinted on the pitch-black token as though pupils of a beast opening in the darkness.

'A blood token!'

He had finally recognized the identity of the man before him. He was right on his assumptions! He couldn't help but shiver in excitement as he couldn't wait to go back home and boast about this to his peers and family. To be saved by royalty and even requested to do something as a favour wasn't something ordinary. Hah!

Zohar graciously accepted as he took the blood token. He gave out his thanks repeatedly and sighed inwardly to himself. If only the young lord was from his domain, and if he, Zohar, had a few daughters of his own, how great would it be?

He would've definitely asked his daughters to seduce this prince and steal away his heart. Though it was unlikely, it didn't stop one from hoping, right? You couldn't blame an old man like him.

Unfortunately, he only had two sons who didn't even have half of his ambitions or tenacity in them, much to his disappointment.

Aiden stood in the hall all alone as he waited for Bree to finish up and come back so they could leave.

A beaming Zohar came back into the dim lit hall soon, holding onto a small gunny sack that made chinking sounds. The old merchant sure looked spirited as he seemed to have reaped something good.

Aiden nodded at him and said nothing more as he looked towards the hall's exit from where a person's footsteps approaching them were heard.