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Bari didnât ask any further questions and led the group towards the tavern that was written on the scroll âGreen Serpent Tavernâ.Unlike the taverns in the other parts of the kingdom, this one reflected the true lifestyle of the gipsy where drinking was only one of the activities. There were performers, gamblers and even sporting events like blind-folded archery with live targets.âDo we have a name for the one you want to meet?â Bari asked in a low voice as they neared the tavern.âThey will find us.â Cornelius answered, âWe just need to sit somewhere conspicuous.âBari nodded and was about to head to the stone gambling section which was the area that attracted the most attention when they were approached by a gipsy woman who was dressed in the attire of a dancer âAre you here for gems?âCornelius nodded.She smiled and flirted with them as she led them slyly to a hidden area and whispered, âBehind the painted wall is the room where you will find what you are looking for.â As she spok
âTake him and go homeâŠâ Cornelius advised John in a whispered, putting on a show of staggering and maintaining balance while he laughed loudly âI am not carrying this boreâŠ.. take him to the tavernâŠ. Throw him there âŠ. Then we will drink till the morning bird calls.ââLetâs send him to the tavern and we will go together.â John whispered back even though he kept the act of being drunk.âTake you???â Cornelius had an expression of horror âAlex will skin me aliveâŠgoâŠgo⊠donât make trouble for me.â He pushed John away laughing loudly âGoâŠgoâŠ. go to the tavernâŠ. Get a bed and a wife ⊠drink till the morning bird calls⊠drink till all our toils are forgottenâŠ. DrinkâŠ. DrinkâŠ.âJohn had no choice but to keep up the act and with the assistance of Amice, head back with Martin. He thought that his opportunity for adventure had finally come but looks like that was still a pipe dream; when he was younger, his brother-in-law protected him, allowing him to taste measured risks under his watchful eye
âDukâ âDukâ âDukâThe knock on the door came in a timely manner interrupting the staring match between Cornelius, Thomas and Orseus.âYour Grace, Carl is here.â Lazarus announced after answering the door.âBring him in.â Jack waved his hand, gesturing Lazarus to bring him in, his lips curling in a smile as he pulled his chair to place it exactly before Jerome, hiding him behind him.Martin and Oden snickered as they saw Jackâs actions; Thomas and Orseus joined in once Oden whispered the gist behind Jackâs actions.âYour grace.â Carl greeted him with his usual amiable smile as soon as he entered but his smile soon froze on his lips as he saw the room full of heavy weights.Although he was visibly frozen for a few seconds, as the man of business of the most prestigious duchy, he quickly regained his composure and greeted every single person in the room with the same charm, making everyone forget that he had lost his composure.However, today was one day that his duke decided to test his
âLetâs head downstairs??â Baldwin hooked his eyebrows as he looked at Jack before shifting his gaze towards Cornelius.âDoes it matterâŠâ Thomas hooked his eyebrows challengingly âI mean now that we have stocked up our arsenal and are ready to battle?âOrseus had an expression of agreement; he didnât think that there was a need for secrecy anymore. They were ready to strike.Corenlius knitted his brows unable to make up his mind one way or the other when Jack opened his mouth âLetâs head downstairs. We are not ready; we still have loose ends.âAlthough both Orseus and Thomas looked unconvinced, they still headed downstairs towards the study without arguing verbally. Everyone, including John and Beth, followed.âSummon Carl.â Jack instructed Harrison on his way downstairs âI have something I need to discuss with him.âHarrison nodded and went to deliver the message.Lazarus left his right-handed man outside the study to bring Carl inside when he arrived, before heading inside, to follow
Everyone waited outside the room while Leal, Cornelius, Baldwin and Caleb entered the room along with Emeralda and Jerome.âLie down.â Esmeralda had a faint smile as she requested. It had been more than a decade since she saw their young master; even though he didnât remember them, her inner world was peaceful. They had found each other, they were halfwayâŠ. It wouldnât be long.She sat by his side, concentrating on the examination once she was able to quieten the noises from her inner excitement. She frowned as she realized that although he appeared to be fit from his physical appearance, the information she gathered from his examination was not so promising.Her brows knitted further as the examination continued, raising the anxiety of the men who were standing in the room observing Esmeralda. While Leal and Caleb stood still like pillars, regardless of their clenched fists and knitted brows, both Corenlius and Baldwin started pacing in the room unable to stand still.âHow is it?â The
Caleb wasnât far off with his prediction although the healer's arrival had nothing to do with his message. The healer and a hooded man arrived at Southamberston Duchy late evening of the same day. Everyone was resting in their rooms when Harrison announced their arrival to Jack; Jack asked Harrison to clear the hall of everyone and to inform the others as he went down to the lounge area to greet his old friends. âVenerable oneâŠâ Jack greeted as he always did, without the airs of his newly found status. The healer narrowed her eyes as looked at Jack; she didnât have her usual airy, fairy daze but this time, her gaze was sharp, like that of an eagle, before her lips slowly curled up and she knelt on one knee âEsmeralda greets the young marquess.â She had noted the Butler clearing everyone away from this area and the young commander circling with his men, she knew that there were no more prying eyes around them. The only thing she didnât anticipate was the audience that was coming dow