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A Boy Called Bait
Chapter 51: Taking Responisibility

Chapter 51: Taking Responisibility

After changing clothes and further making up with Rin, the couple traveled to the River’s Arms inn to sort out the future for the remaining former slaves of Axis. Zell had set the dozen humans up with accounts at the Vinia City Bank with enough money to live comfortably for a year, and had paid for each to become registered as a full citizen of the kingdom. They were stunned by the generosity of the young man that by all rights owned them. After the humans retired to their rooms, the three elf sisters were all that remained.

They sat next to each other on the luxurious couch of the inn’s lobby across from Zell and Rin. Their ages would equate to human women in their forties, which meant four hundred to five hundred as their actual ages. In spite of their age, they were all beautiful women with matching strawberry blonde hair streaked with a few grays mixed in. They were slim with elegant poise and large blue eyes.

“Ms. Sira, Ms. Elin, and Ms. Turya.” Zell addressed them with respect. “You are free to accept the same offer I gave everyone else, but I have another special proposal for you if you’d like to hear it.”

“How could we refuse after all the kindness you've shown to us?” The youngest of the three named Turya asked with reverence.

“Thank you.” Zell said. “I would like you all to come work for me at my family’s home. I can promise you a good salary as well as a room for each of you to stay in along with a signing bonus to furnish it as you please.”

All three of the elf women looked to each other with shocked faces, and simultaneously burst into happy tears hugging each other.

“Such a life is more than we ever could have hoped for, nay ever fantasized about.” Sira said through her tears. “Of course we accept!”

“W-We’ll work our hardest for you and your children’s children as well!” The shy middle child of the three named Elin said fervently, dropping to her knees and bowing her head.

“Your rooms here are paid through the week, so take your time picking out your furnishings. The River’s Arms offers escorts for its guests, make sure you arrange for one before you go do your shopping.” Zell advised the ecstatic elf sisters.

A few minutes later, Zell and Rin were again walking back to Kel’s Place. It was evening now, and the sun would soon be chased away by another chill night.

Rin was strangely quiet on the walk back. Zell was worried she hadn’t fully forgiven him for sending her away while he dealt with the traffickers. That feeling was incredibly stressful for Zell and his imagination ran wild. He thought she would surely stay angry at him for a long time, maybe even break up with him! His anxiety was reaching a crescendo as they walked up to the door of the bustling inn. He turned with a desperate apology on his lips. Rin’s expression stopped him. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were sparkling. Before Zell could even speak, she was kissing him with more passion and intensity than she ever had before.

“So awesome! You’re so damn awesome!” She breathed, still just a few inches from him.

“I-I just did what any decent person would though.” Zell stammered, blushing fiercely as relief flooded his body.

“If that were true, this world would be a paradise.” Rin retorted.

They shared one more happy kiss and entered Kel’s place arm in arm. Inside, the dinner rush was in full swing. Nin flew from table to table in full battle mode, balancing an overloaded tray of dishes with sweat beading on her brow. Birna’s voice called out completed orders and Kel was pouring drinks rapidly. Rin and Zell looked to each other and smiled knowingly. It was time to be heroes.

Zell glanced behind the bar, determining that a new keg of mead needed brought up from the cellar immediately. Rin began rushing food from the kitchen and bought her sister a much needed moment to breathe. With the added help, service stabilized and all of the customers had the wonderful experience they had come to expect from the best place in town.

After dinner and cleanup was completed, Zell reluctantly excused himself.

“My sister’s home alone so I better get going.” He said to the gathered Corso family.

“Thanks for the assist and tell Cora hi for us.” Nin said. “Also I want to have some sparring sessions before school starts next week if you have time.”

“Sure thing Coach. Once I get my friend set up tomorrow I should have some free time.” Zell answered as he opened the front door.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Scary parts aside, that was the best date ever.” Rin said after she walked him outside. “I work tomorrow but maybe you can bring your sister for lunch or something?” She added hopefully.

“How could I refuse?” Zell answered, rising up on his toes to give her a goodnight kiss.

Zell left Kel’s then, walking slowly and turning his mind inward. Something about his feelings was gnawing at him. He was in some ways happier than he had ever been. Reunited with his mother, and with loving support coming from so many precious people he was emotionally fulfilled beyond his wildest dreams.

Lurking below that, something was very wrong. He had killed many men just hours ago, and yet he couldn’t even recall their faces. There was a dark and cruel piece of him that was gaining more and more influence within. Zell felt like he should feel some remorse, but try as he might none would come. He resolved to discuss it with Agitha as soon as possible.

Later, as Zell was walking up the long manicured path to his front door a sudden feeling of danger caused him to spin at the ready. Nothing was there, yet the tingling sensation remained in his stomach. It was dark now, and try as he might there was nothing to be seen. If something was watching him it was very well hidden.

The feeling slowly eased, and he shook it off as his imagination. He unlocked the door and announced himself.

“I’m home Cora!” He said cheerfully.

There was no answer, and the nagging sensation from earlier returned suddenly. He quickly ascended the stairs and ran down the hall. He knocked on Cora’s door urgently and breathed a sigh of relief when her sleepy voice answered.

“Zell?” She asked.

“Aye. Just making sure you’re here.” He answered. “Go back to sleep.”

“Wait.” She said from within, sounding more awake.

A second later the door opened, and Zell immediately noted her eyes were bloodshot with dark circles under them.

“What’s wrong?” Zell asked gently.

“I’ve been having bad dreams.” She answered in a weak and defeated tone. “I can’t remember them but it’s every time I fall asleep and it’s making me crazy.”

“It’s probably this big empty house.” Zell said, squeezing her shoulder. “Maybe it would help if I camped out in your room to keep watch like you used to do for me when we were little.”

“Probably just made it more convenient for the monster back then.” Cora said with a dark humored smile. “Still, that sounds good.”

“Alright just let me check on Goggles and grab my blanket.” He said, walking to his room next door.

“The spider has been here all day!?” Cora exclaimed with wide eyes.

“I never even knew you were scared of spiders.” Zell said.

“I’m not exactly proud of it but I can’t help it.” She pouted back.

“Come see him, It’ll help.” Zell promised. “He’s just a big puppy with some extra legs.”

“Eww...” Cora groaned but reluctantly followed.

Zell opened his bedroom door and let out a small surprised noise.

“He must have been bored.” Sighed Zell. Most of the bedroom was covered in thick doppelganger spider webs.

Zell spoke the word of magic to communicate with the spider and his face screwed up with sudden worry.

“Goggles has been sensing something dangerous nearby, that’s why he was weaving webs.” Zell told Cora. “I felt something when I was walking up to the house as well.”

Zell beckoned Goggles to the door, and the huge furry blue spider came into view. Cora sucked in a breath as her lifelong phobia threatened to overwhelm her. She observed the long furry legs, bulbous body, large reflective multitude of eyes, and finally the shiny black fangs as long as meat hooks.

“Ok I met the spider. Now I shouldn’t have to worry about nightmares... because I am never going to sleep again.” She said, taking one slow backwards step at a time down the hallway.

“You’ll love him someday.” Zell assured her with confidence. “We’re much safer with him here as well. His senses are on a whole different level. Can you be brave enough to allow him to guard the house while we sleep?”

“If I have to pee you’re getting up and walking with me.” She answered.

“That’s fine.” He agreed. After that Zell gathered his bedding and laid it out next to Cora’s bed.

“This giant house and we’re hunkered down in one room.” He mused with a sigh.

While they rested that night, Goggles patrolled the mansion. The intelligent spider was certain that some dangerous foe was nearby. Whatever it was, it never attempted to enter the house and the feeling faded as the morning dawned crisp and chill.

In spite of Cora’s claims, she slept a little better with Zell in the room.

“You tossed and turned most of the night and mumbled alot.” Zell noted as he returned to the bedroom after letting Goggles out to the rear courtyard.

“I can’t remember any of it but I don’t feel as bad this morning.” She replied.

“What do you want for breakfast?” He asked, sitting on the edge of her bed.

“I think just some tea. I haven’t had much appetite lately.” She said, propping herself up on one elbow as she rubbed her eyes with her other hand.

“That’s not like you at all.” Zell said, growing more worried about her. “You’re getting thin now that I look closer at you.”

“I’m fine, it’s just a hard adjustment with all the crazy stuff happening.” She assured him. “Make a little extra of whatever you eat and I’ll have some if that will make you feel better.”

“Deal.” Zell said with a smile but he remained concerned. The remembered feeling of danger from the night before, Goggles’ behavior, and his sister’s persistent nightmares all felt connected somehow. Were some allies of those men he killed seeking revenge? Was some new monster like the mana lamprey targeting them again?

“Will you come to Kel’s with me for lunch today? Rin asked me to invite you as well.” Zell asked a while later as they munched biscuits and bacon in the cozy study; the dining room was too big and cold for just the two of them.

“I can’t. Karakis is finally teaching me some new spells today.” She answered in apology.

“Ah I’m so jealous that you get to use real magic.” Zell replied jokingly. He wasn’t prepared for Cora’s sudden indignant reply.

“How can you say that?” She asked, seeming very hurt.

“What?” Zell asked, concerned.

“You’re jealous?” Her face was dark with frustration. “After the grand tales and everything that you’ve done, I feel like a flea struggling to cling to you!” Her eyes were beginning to well and Zell saw some of the emotion she had been hiding.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were feeling that way.” Zell said seriously. “I’ve spent so long looking up to you that I never imagined you could feel like that.”

“Everyone seems so far away, and I’m falling behind more every day. You and the twins are all younger than me, and I can’t measure up at all.” She sighed deeply then and looked up suddenly realizing that she was venting more than she intended. She expected Zell to be upset, or worse piteous. He instead studied her with total respect.

“You got stuck on a farm helping to raise an ungrateful brother who selfishly struck out on his own. It’s your turn. Go find my sister. She’ll kick the hell out of the defeatist girl I’m looking at now.” Zell said with a warm smile.