image [https://i.imgur.com/ovrMoSn.png]

Vanessa

“Two skewered meat, please.”

In the middle of a bustling night market with exotic food from faraway lands, the Black Shade stall owner answered the request with a stare.

“What the hell is wrong with ‘em? I said: Two. Skewered. Meat.” Tarion pointed at the sizzling meat. “Please.”

“Tarion,” I called for him.

“I was taught to be polite to all service workers.”

“Tarion. Look at what we are wearing.”

By the second, a crowd grew, trying to catch a glimpse of the war hero. He seemed unperturbed by the masses chanting his name in awe of him. It is expected, for he is Tarion Greystone.

“I know. We look fucking great. Bossman, I asked for my food. I am getting impatient.”

“Bossman? Y-yes Duke!”

His aloofness always made me smile, even though it could be a pain sometimes.

“Your Grace!” A soft erotic voice that could turn any man on their heel beckoned Tarion from the crowd. Beiye pushed a man aside. “Your grace!” She huffed as if she ran a marathon. But her eyes brightened. Her gaze was different at the sight of my husband.

But it was not love but respect. Reverence. It was the same eyes all of Tarion's servants and his brother soon gained.

“The Ring?” Beiye asked.

“Yup. Wanted to show Vanessa the sights.”

Beiye held out two packages. “Change of clothes.”

I squinted as it slowly made sense. “You stood here because you knew she would run to us.”

Tarion handed me the meat. “It's good to have belief in your servants. And I was hungry. Beiye, please show us a quiet place to change.”

***

“A mask?” I held up a brown leather mask to the light. “I have heard of nobles and their… kinks from my mother, but masks?”

Slipping on a peasant tunic, Tarion clasped on a leather armour. “It's not that kind of fun. Unless-”

I frowned at my husband.

“Haha, I jest, I jest. By the way, speaking of your mother, how is she? Is she enjoying her work at the orphanage?”

The thought of my mother happy with those rowdy children gave me a warmth I could not describe. “Much so.”

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Seeing my smile, an expression of accomplishment flashed on his face. Tying his hair back, he slipped on his mask. White and smooth. Completely covering his entire head. It was totally featureless, with no hole to breathe, speak or see out of. It looked like a method of torture.

“Training.”

“What?”

“Why it looks strange,” Tarion responded. “It was Master Zhi's idea. Block out senses and solely rely on the mana that flows around inside us.”

“LifeSight?”

Tarion nodded. “Was annoying to learn, but I have not regretted it.”

I looked back at my mask. Looked normal with eye sockets to see. “But mine-”

“Zhi will teach when you are ready. For now, you just need a disguise. Here. Let me help you put it on.”

With the mask on my head, Tarion went behind me to tie the laces.

“Zhi. She left quite an impression on you. I remember you being quite harsh in tone with her.”

“Mm. You can't help but respect the truly strong. But her… it's more than strength.”

Tarion pulled, and the mask felt tight. “Ok. Ready?”

“For what!? Just tell me!”

Tarion grinned. “Follow her.”

A tether of mana sought out for the door handle. At the open door stood a Liuen about to knock.

“The crowd roars your name. The opponents await you.” Beiye led the way out of the dressing room and into a strange room of trophies, gold or furry. I was told to house became Beiye’s after the battle with the horn.

Taking his place figuratively and literally.

In the corner of the room, blood tainted the stone floor.

Must have been a right bastard.

Beiye's lady ravens pulled up the trapdoor leading underground.

The tunnels go on and on until a large metal gate guarded by two tall fighters that wouldn't look short next to my husband.

“The ghost!” They whispered together while they hurried to open the door to the celebrity. Applause and cheer explode through the door like a gale.

“Um…Ta-”

“Ghost. Cheesy, I know. I am pale, so the name fits, I guess.

“Ghost.” Walking down to the rinky dink fighting area, the cheers weighed heavy on me.”

“Since when?”

“Since I started training with master. I told you. Many times, in fact. But with your eyes deep in records, books and maps, you only replied, ‘Um, yeah, okay.’

“That bullshit! You told me when you knew I would be busy!”

Even with his mask, I knew he smiled devilishly. “Yeah.”

“Tar-”

“What do we have?” Tarion interrupted his hand on his waist, observing in the fighting pit as we stood by the last gate with loud audiences at our sides.

“Twenty. Experienced. Hungry for the reward.”

“Which is?”

“Five thousand gold coins.”

“Cheeky lady. This is going to be fun.” Beiye smiled. “Welcome back, Your Grace,” she bowed subtly before scurrying off with her attendants.

Tarion kicked metal doors wide open, and the crowd went crazy.

“Come on, my love, don't be scared.” He waved me in.

“I ain't scared... Swords. They have swords and we have-”

“Nothing!! Isn't that exciting!?”

“GHOST!! GHOST!! GHOST!! GHOST!!”

Twenty ugly but battle-hardened warriors encroached slowly with judging eyes. And yet my husband was aloof as always. His stance widened; he faced his palms out.

How many times has he faced these crowds?

After checking my leather armour, I did the same. Circles spun in my chest. My heart beating uncontrollably, and my body trembles.

A bell rang, and the mercs ran like devils.

At me.