Uzmaen’s House,
"You are lucky I found you." Uzmaen said.
"Still unfortunate." Saer said.
Uzmaen took Saer's remark with a laugh.
"Maybe you don’t know but there are some people in Winstrova with terrible intentions." Uzmaen took out a big mug.
He removed lid from the steel jug infront of Saer then proceeded to place two glasses on the table with soft taps. Uzmaen tilted the jug, filling one glass at a time. Bubbles rose to the rim of glass but he did not stop pouring it till every drop of wine had left the jug.
“For you.” Uzmaen pushed one glass to Saer.
“I don’t drink.” Saer refused.
Uzmaen dragged the glass in his direction, which made some of it spill on his fingers. He licked it from his fingers and said, “So, you are not with a man I found few days ago?"
"I told you already."
"Don’t mind." Uzmaen shrugged, "I was just verifying."
"And what conclusion have you come to?"
Uzmaen gazed at the door, scratching his chin in dead silence.
"You are a cut-throat." His eyes fell back on him.
"But I am not with them." Saer raised his voice.
"You are a cut-throat?"
Saer took a deep breath, "Yes."
"From Winstrova. Hmm…Do you know the place you come from is renowned for cut-throats?"
"Despised for cut-throats." Saer leaned forward.
"We don’t despise you people here since you work for a different purpose."
"I have left killing."
"What?" Uzmaen laughed lightly.
"Yes. After the burns I bore."
"Sounds justifiable." Uzmaen squinted down at his feet, "Why did you come here?"
"A lord, I used to work for, in North has kept my wife and children as hostages."
"Why?"
"Because I couldn’t pay his hefty debt. I tried to flee with them, but he got us. He has given me six months to clear the debt or he will kill my wife and sell my children in brothels."
"And?"
"I thought I would squire for the king here and earn some coins."
Uzmaen didn’t look convinced. The story he had told lead into the palace. The man Uzmaen was looking for also wanted to be in the royal palace. Saer could see through Uzmaen's thought process.
And what he saw unsettling. A feeling hit him that Uzmaen was trying to make the best use out of him because he had already come in a conlusion on what he thought of Saer.
A man whom Uzmaen was searching for.
"I can refer you as a squire in the palace. You can work there and free your family." Uzmaen broke the silence.
“Can you do it?” asked Saer.
“I can but it’s about whether I will or won’t.”
“Tell me the condition where you will.”
“Are you fine with hurting people?” Uzmaen asked.
“Yes.”
“What about killing them?”
“Maybe.”
“What if I tell you you may need to do both?”
“Give me a sharp sword and I will do more than those.”
Uzmaen leaned on the chair back. He did not stay there for long and came forward, pressing his chest against the table, “Some bandits are going to Southend Territory. They are bound to stay in Solk village. Maybe they already are there at this time. Your job is to steal the vessel they have.”
“Vessel?” asked Saer, “What does it look like?”
“Like a normal one with a handle.” Uzmaen pulled his shirt, exposing the wound, “Tried to steal it few days ago.”
“What is in the vessel?”
“Might be anything. But whatever there is, is precious.” Uzmaen grinned, “The vessel can swallow a lot of just objects when its lid is removed. This is why thieves use it.”
Uzmaen left his chair and circled the room twice. He stopped to open a cupboard. When he turned at Saer, he had a sword wrapped by patterns embroiled on sheath. He did not contemplate further and passed it over to Saer.
"Be a cut-throat again for me and I will be your savior." Uzmaen said.
Saer held its reflective shield with soft hands, then took the sword out. He still missed the sweet sound. The sheath’s elegance was no competition for the blade. Saer pressed his finger on its edge lightly.
“Where is my horse?” Saer said.