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They rode in silence.Lady luck didn’t forsake them entirely… they ran into Bari and his men, a few towns away from the capital.“Young---” Bari started, then stopped. He cleared his throat. “Nephew… what are you doing here? So far from home.”“We…” Jack hesitated, pursing his lips, but Mira smiled, naturally calling out, “Uncle Bari!”“Aaiii... little Mira...” He greeted heartily, his attention immediately shifting to the little pearl his friends held at the tip of their hearts.He guided them to a hidden chamber, one that he often used when he travelled. He was no fool… he could see through Jack’s hesitation to speak and Mira hoodwinking them.“Uncle Bari, do you know this place well?” Mira asked, without explaining, “We are looking for apothecaries… ones that carry exotic potions.”“I know this place…” he paused, “well enough. But what are you looking for?”A mysterious grin tugged at his lips. “I know places that aren’t apothecaries, and yet you can get almost anything.”“I want…”
Jerome went still. Completely still.Beside him, Lazarus froze.How had he failed to notice that his Lord was not with them? Was he worthy of his Lord’s trust?But unlike Lazarus, Jerome didn’t stay that way for long. He snapped out of his inner chaos, analysing every eventuality as he slowly lifted his head and looked at the bewildered faces before him. His gaze settled on Thomas.The young man had a tight, guilty expression, one that was anything but innocent.“Speak.” Jerome narrowed his eyes. That expression seemed to scream… ‘I am an equal partner in crime’. He knew it well… not on Thomas, but on his brother’s accomplice. Jerome shook his head as the thought came unbidden.Like father, like son.Thomas exhaled, defeat already written across his face, silently apologizing to Jack.“They wanted to ride to Stranton’s place to seek the healer, so we wouldn’t waste time fetching her once we reach Southamberston.” He shrugged lightly. “What we don’t have right now is the luxury of time
By dawn the next day, Jack and his entourage had arrived at the ice cave. This time, there were no surprises… they knew the drill.Zelda was at her last straw when Jack arrived.She had forgotten just how insufferable those two could be… or rather, how insufferable they became when their sworn brother was hurt. Any longer, and she might have ended up blowing the two of them…and this entire place apart…“Do you have a plan?” Zelda asked, her expression midway between enthusiasm and exasperation. She had never felt so desperate as in these 24 hours… even the decade long frustration of not being to find a cure couldn’t compare…Jack cocked an eyebrow towards Thomas, taking in Zelda’s state.“That’s my father for you…” Thomas muttered. He leaned forward and whispered, “Add godfather Cornelius into the mix… I am honestly impressed this place is still standing.”“The children have a plan.” Jerome shrugged; he wasn’t convinced but there wasn’t anything much he do either.Zelda turned her att
Back in the privacy of their room, Jack had just finished taking a bath when Mira began her negotiations.“Husband, can you listen to me?” she asked, slipping into his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. Her eyes blinked up at him expectantly, “I have worked out a way, without getting into trouble.”“My dear wife, I know what you want to do…” he paused. “Or at least I think I do… and that’s dangerous. We are no longer on our own. There are people all around us.”“I know… I know…” Mira covered his mouth “Just listen to me first.”Jack sighed helplessly, gently pulling her hands away and pressing a kiss to them. “Alright. I will listen… but you have to listen to me if I feel it’s dangerous.”Mira pouted as she looked at him. Her gaze slowly turned sly. Behind her back, she made a small gesture, as if nullifying whatever promise she had just made, before nodding obediently.“Alright.”She explained her plan to Jack in detail, carefully leaving out one critical detail- the cost. Th
Jack couldn’t bear to stay angry with his beloved wife.But anger didn’t simply disappear. It lingered, coiling tighter, sharper, demanding release. And he knew what awaited him when he returned… the conversation would continue.So, he went to the one place where he could vent without guilt- the training field.At first, the soldiers were thrilled.Training with their lord- sparring, no less, in one-on-one combat. They rushed forward, eager to prove themselves, competing for the honour.Then the first man hit the ground. Hard.The second lasted longer, just long enough to realise his mistake.By the third, the mood shifted.They realized that this wasn’t a simple training session.This was a storm wearing a man’s skin. And they were standing in its path.Their lord was venting his anger, and they, the little shrimps, were no match for the lion.The clever ones began to disappear, quietly, quickly, remembering urgent duties elsewhere.The slower ones learned the hard way.Jack spent th
“Enough about me…Tell me what’s got my pretty ward worried?”Mira told Eldora about Jack’s parents and her dilemma. She sighed heavily as she finished “I know… I know… no pain, no gain… that’s heaven’s will.”“Yes… but…” Eldora’s lips curled slyly “there are always exceptions.”“Huh?” Mira lifted her eyes towards Eldora, within them, confusion slowly giving way to hope.“You have used heaven’s gift or rather second chance wisely.” Eldora explained. “You’ve earned a few merits.”She paused, then added, “Merits help you cheat heaven’s will… without the consequence.”“Me???” Mira shook her head, guilt creeping into her voice. “I haven’t done anything other than help myself.”“And in doing so, you have also changed the lives of many, in a good way for the deserving.” Eldora answered softly.Mira blinked… once… twice…However, Eldora didn’t explain further. Instead, she feigned ignorance under Mira’s curious gaze. “So,” she asked lightly, “What were you planning?”“Well…” Mira hesitated, t
Bari didn’t ask any further questions and led the group towards the tavern that was written on the scroll ‘Green Serpent Tavern’.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 perform
“Take him and go home…” Cornelius advised John in a whispered, putting on a show of staggering and maintaining balance while he laughed loudly “I am not carrying this bore….. take him to the tavern…. Throw him there …. Then we will drink till the morning bird calls.”“Let’s send him to the tavern an
‘Duk’ ‘Duk’ ‘Duk’The knock on the door came in a timely manner interrupting the staring match between Cornelius, Thomas and Orseus.“Your Grace, Carl is here.” Lazarus announced after answering the door.“Bring him in.” Jack waved his hand, gesturing Lazarus to bring him in, his lips curling in a s
“Let’s head downstairs??” Baldwin hooked his eyebrows as he looked at Jack before shifting his gaze towards Cornelius.“Does it matter…” Thomas hooked his eyebrows challengingly “I mean now that we have stocked up our arsenal and are ready to battle?”Orseus had an expression of agreement; he didn’t







