The group of five sat around a round wooden table in an inn. This was the only inn in miles around and was owned by a young and enthusiastic couple. In front of each of them was a plate of warm food and a glass of cold ale. As a precaution, Kian, Malak and Ezrel used their magic to change their appearances, particularly the colour of their eyes and hair, to avoid suspicion.
Mizuki played with her soup as she was lost in her thoughts. Malak noticed it and offered a reassuring smile.
“Saori is in good hands and most importantly, safe.”
Her ears dropped. “I know that, but I’m worried. We have never been apart ever since…”
“You’ll be reunited soon.”
“If she doesn’t get killed first,” Ezrel interjects in between mouthfuls of his stew.
Mizuki glared at him. “I can defend myself!” she half whispered, half shouted.
“Wrong,” he pierced her with his now copper eyes. Even with the enchantment, fire flicked dangerously. “Protect your master and yourself. Can you do it?”
Malak glared at Ezrel before scolding him. He insisted he didn’t need protection and could perfectly protect himself. Also, Mizuki was his friend and he shouldn’t talk to her like that. Kian never interjected as he silently listened to the both of them argue.
She bit her tongue with her hands clenched on her lap. She was confident in her skills, but she couldn’t fail. To be free from her debt to the King and his saviour, she had to help them regain their thrones. It would be soon. Both sisters will finally earn their freedom.
“I can and will,” she finally answered, hoping her voice didn’t waver with doubt.
Ezrel shrugged, unimpressed, before fishing out enough money to pay for everyone. Soon after, they all retired for the night.
The next morning, they rose with the sun. Still sleepy-eyed, Kian led Malak by the hand to the dining room, where everyone else was already waiting. Malak yawned as he sat down. Food was already served. They quickly ate before leaving the inn toward the capital on horseback. A few days ago, they passed the border shared by Bamunz and Narakzir. They expected it to be protected by imperial guards but found the place empty instead.
Today at noon, Ezrel received a note from a messenger bird. In a flash, he retrieved the small bundle of paper attached to the bird's leg. The bird flew away back to its owner. With one hand holding the reins, he read the note. He ordered the horse to slow down, so Kian could catch up to him.
“Those idiots,” Ezrel smiled as he handed the note to his boss.
Kian read the note, and a rare smile also stretched to his lips. He passed it to Malak. “Can there be any satisfaction when leading mindless pigs to the butcher?”
“Does it mean the capital’s security will be loosened?” Malak asked with excitement. Their schemes impressed him.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“The city, maybe,” Ezrel shrugged. “But not the palace. Albimbert can never win against His Highness.”
Malak pouted. “Then… How did he become King? He doesn’t have any brain or skills. Money can only bring you so far…”
“It is the man by his side, Azeth, that we have to be wary about. He’s the brain,” Kian answered.
“But, he was sent toward Nulundarar to stop the construction of the boats. I smell discord in their friendship,” Ezrel added as his eyes twinkled mischievously.
“It’s not necessarily true?” Malak tilted his head. “Can’t he be sending his most trusted man for this task? The boats and the armies, the capital would truly be surrounded.”
“But bringing an army with him and leaving other key places without defence?” Ezrel questioned Malak’s reasoning.
“Azeth indeed is suspicious,” Malak finally agreed. “But who cares? This will make it easier for us.”
As the sun started to set, the group finally reached Zararukth, a port city near the capital Narakzir. They unmounted their horses and walked past the walls protecting Zararukth. During the slow fade of the sun on the horizon, the merchants were closing up shop while the group searched for an inn.
Malak tried to keep his composure as his nerves were eating him alive. Everything felt more real as they got closer to their target. Kian who noticed it, intertwined their fingers together. The younger demon looked up at his husband. Instead of the beautiful ruby red eyes, his eyes met dull brown eyes. He swallowed his dissatisfaction and smiled instead. Eventually, his nerves settled and breathing became much easier. But before long, his body tensed up once more when a group of guards walked straight to them. “Halt! Why are you still on the streets? State your purpose,” the leader ordered as the others kept a hand on the hilt of their swords.
Ezrel smiled innocently as he curved his back to look smaller. “We are travellers. We’re looking for an inn… Is there something wrong?”
The guards scanned Ezrel up and down before doing the same to the others. Malak clung to Kian as he tried his best to not reveal any fear. He did his best to mirror the expression of his friends.
“Is he sick?” a guard pointed his chin toward Malak.
Cold sweat dripped down his back as he did his best to smile. But he could only manage a grimace.
“We were on the road for a very long time. At some point, we struggled with food and water. He must have gotten indigestion,” Ezrel quickly explained.
Malak quickly nodded with an awkward smile. “T-there were some bright blue mushrooms near a river… I couldn’t resist… I was so… Hungry.”
The guards gave an incredulous look at Malak. They all assumed he had a problem in his head. In other words, they thought he was an idiot.
“The city is under curfew. We will escort you to the closest inn. Follow us!”
Once they reached the intended destination, the guards warned them to not repeat the same mistake, or they’d be detained for it. Afterwards, the guards left.
A short, fat lady with half a horn missing approached them. She smiled at them, but wariness clouded her eyes. “New in town?”
Ezrel smiled, and a blush crept to the innkeeper’s cheeks.
“Yes, we just arrived in this beautiful city, unknowing of the curfew. Are there perhaps a few rooms left?” Ezrel asked politely with a tilt of his head.
The curvy female cleared her throat in embarrassment. “H-how many do you need?”
“Three,” Ezrel answered with three fingers lifted.
“Unfortunately, one room only has one large bed. Will this be alright?”
“It’s perfect. We will leave tomorrow,” he answered as he fished out a leather pouch and handed it to the innkeeper. “A little bonus,” Ezrel winked before whispering sweet promises in her ears.
Mizuki and the maid watched the both of them interact intimately, while Kian and Malak went to sit down at a table. While both girls kept their emotions to their hearts, they held opposite opinions on the male charming the innkeeper.
Mizuki felt a mix of fascination and disgust. She appreciated how he could put on a false persona to get what he wanted. But she couldn’t help but doubt if the persona she knew him under was real, or also another one of his manipulative creations.
As for the maid, she felt a little pinch of jealousy. She wanted to be the only one that could be of use to him. At first, being by his side was enough, but as time passed, she felt greed overcoming her heart. She stared at her feet and felt depressed, knowing she could never chain this man to her desires.
Her cheeks and ears burnt with heat. “T-thank you, if you need anything… Please let me know,” she mumbled shyly. “Keys, to your rooms.”
“Thank you, I’ll see you later in my room,” he whispered the last part.