Chapter 9

Enzo awoke from his slumber when the carriage stopped. He wiped his eyes and tiredly took a peek out the window.

Realizing where they were, he jolted up from his seat and walked outside the carriage. When Drakkel followed him, he was greeted with an irritating sight. He had hoped it wouldn't happen, but of course it did. The man was waiting outside the carriage, offering him a hand off it.

Annoyed, but having to maintain his cover, he turned his attention to the manor while he took Enzo's hand and walked off the carriage.

As Drakkel followed Enzo to the back entrance, the fragrance of peach blossoms assailed his nostrils yet again.

Now that he could see it, he had to admit that the back of the Town Lord's manor looked captivating. Decorated with peach blossom trees, exotic flower arrangements, and jade and marble statues, it held an ethereal air.

He had been blindfolded before so he didn't get to see this sight. If it weren't for the fact that he knew how the Town Lord was able to afford such luxuries, he might have stopped to appreciate the scene.

They reached the door and Enzo knocked on it.

Drakkel expected the servant on the other side to be Rou, but it was actually someone else. After Enzo introduced him, they were quickly let through.

Enzo led Drakkel to a different location than before.

As they stood in front of the large double-doored entrance, he said, “This is our Lord's office. He will see you here.”

After confirming he was ready, Enzo knocked on the door and announced, “Lord Tincaid, the man that you’ve been waiting for has arrived.”

A familiar voice from the other side replied, “Let him in.”

Enzo opened up the double doors and the two walked in. Behind the doors was a large room filled with bookcases.

The bookcases were fitted with parchment, books, and scrolls and in each corner of the room, stood a guard.

The walls of the room were made of dark wood and the floor was lined with a soft red fabric. Dark red designs were carefully embroidered into it, giving the place a simple yet satisfying feel.

On a desk near the window, sat Lord Tincaid.

When he saw Drakkel's face, one corner of his lips curved upward. “I knew the offer I made would be too good to refuse. It's great that you’ve returned. You have to think about your future after all!”

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Drakkel bowed. “Yes. After ruminating on it, the life of a mine worker is too hard on my delicate body. I would prefer to do softer work.”

As he stated this, Drakkel's spine prickled. Saying each word was like slowly picking a needle out from his skin.

The Lord's smile grew wider. “Then we'll have you prepared for the meeting with my associates in two weeks. Until then, you’ll be staying in a room near my ladies so the guards can protect you and the servants can attend to your needs.”

With his head slightly lowered, Drakkel nodded.

He bowed to Lord Tincaid and said, “Thank you.”

Lord Tincaid nodded at Enzo and Enzo gestured for Drakkel to follow him out the door.

Drakkel left, but not before giving one final head bow to Lord Tincaid.

The man was an evil one who took advantage of others to line his own pockets. He would make sure he answered for his crimes.

As Drakkel walked with Enzo to their destination, Enzo stated, “I’ll have some servants clean and wash you. We will also take some of your measurements to tailor new clothes. For now, though, we will have you dress in some of the Lord's old clothes. It's inappropriate to continue displaying your unkempt appearance before him.”

“I understand,” Drakkel answered respectfully.

Enzo walked him towards a different wing of the manor where he was taken by some male servants. They offered to wash him, but he demanded to be left alone to wash himself. Without any of their superiors present, none of them pressed him and they left him to bathe by himself.

Once he got out and put on a robe, they took his measurements. Clothes were then left for him to put on.

Drakkel had thought that they wouldn’t bother him again, but to his dismay, the servants even wanted to help him dress up.

Of course, for that, he also refused, but the servants’ insistence on helping him rubbed him the wrong way.

When he thought of the poor miners and the elderly and the people on the street and compared it to the way he was being treated now, he couldn’t help but be angry.

He could be treated like this now because they saw him as a useful tool, but the people of Shadowy Ridges were either working to death in a mine or starving on the streets.

Later on, after he was cleaned and dressed, an older-looking servant who introduced himself as Ton, came to pick him up. Ton led him to the room where he was meant to stay. This room was about one third the size of Lord Tincaid’s.

As Ton was about to leave after dropping Drakkel off, Drakkel said, “Swaying trees hide many mysteries. Do not ignore the call of the wind, for it may save your life.”

Ton’s figure stiffened.

After a moment, he turned around. “I will follow the wind to heed my calling and listen for the sound of the world falling. For only then will I be prepared.”

Drakkel lowered the volume of his voice as he continued, “You work for a woman here, don't you, Ton?”

Ton nodded. “So you have been acquainted with Ri’en, I assume?”

“I have.” Drakkel answered. “I’m a Sword Fighter like Ri’en. The Golden Blade and I want to bring Lord Tincaid to justice.”

Ton’s voice trembled a bit, “Th…the Golden Blade? He’s here?”

Drakkel nodded.