Bab 20: John The Toothless
Hours had passed since that fateful incident, casting a somber hue over the land. The sun, now positioned high in the expansive sky, illuminated the path of the three valiant Heroes as they steadfastly pressed on, their unwavering determination leading them westward. Their primary objective was clear: to distance themselves as far as possible from the imposing walls of the Capital, where danger lurked at every turn.
Jasem and Adam, leading the way with unwavering resolve, spared no mercy for the bandits they had apprehended. Despite their own exhaustion, they valiantly towed the captives behind them, their steps heavy with determination. Meanwhile, trailing behind, Dean carefully watched over Luna, her injured leg causing her to limp in pain. Though some of her wounds had yet to fully heal, Luna pushed through her weariness, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fatigue and tenacity.
Dean's gaze shifted towards his two steadfast companions leading the way, a flicker of concern etched on his face. Recognizing the toll the journey had taken on Luna, he raised his voice, urgency lacing his words, as he called out to Jasem and Adam.
"Can we rest under a tree or something?" Dean's tone was urgent, his eyes filled with worry. "Luna can't keep walking with her injuries. She needs a moment to recover."
Adam hesitated, his gaze fixed upon her, until Jasem's voice abruptly shattered the silence. "We can't stop here, If she can't walk anymore than carry her or leave her here, she's your responsibility after all."
Dean and Adam were taken aback, their expressions betraying their astonishment upon hearing Jasem's words. Jasem, who seemed unreasonably stubborn in that moment, appeared as immovable as a brick wall.
"Dude, if we continue like this, her wounds might worsen," Dean voiced his concerns to Jasem, hoping for a response. However, Jasem remained silent, his gaze fixed ahead as he continued walking without acknowledging Dean's words.
Adam glanced back at Dean, noticing his furious gaze fixed upon Jasem. He understood Dean's frustration and attempted to calm him down. "Sorry but we can't stop here as we need to get as far away from the capital as we can, try and help her out for now until we stop somewhere."
As Adam shifted his attention forward again, he remained unaware of Dean's angry expression or the subtle gesture of disdain as Dean spat on the ground.
Dean turned abruptly, his gaze landing upon Luna who struggled to walk. Clicking his tongue in frustration, he swiftly made his way towards her and took a seat, signaling for her to climb onto his back.
"I can't let you continue like this, hop on."
"No master I can't..." She tried to refuse before Dean looked back at her as heinterrupted her, his eyes reflecting a sense of urgency and determination. "Hop on, or I will leave you here."
Though his words may have seemed harsh, Dean was bluffing. The thought of abandoning this beautiful lady to her demise here, alone and suffering, was inconceivable to him. He would rather face death himself than forsake her.
Luna couldn't help but flinch upon hearing Dean's words, her heart filled with uncertainty. After a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly made her way towards Dean and climbed onto his back. As he rose to his feet, carrying her weight, a mix of gratitude and vulnerability washed over her.
Luna stayed silent, tears streaming down her face as Dean carried her on his back. In that moment, she realized he was the most noble man she had ever known, doing things for her that her previous masters never did.
Dean not only fed her and tended to her wounds but also shielded her from any potential harm. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Luna opened her mouth and expressed her heartfelt appreciation, promising to protect him and remain by his side no matter where their journey led them.
"Thank you, Master," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity as she rested her head on his back, her exhaustion finally catching up with her.
In the other hand, Dean heart was pounding so fast, and his nose was bleeding as her soft breasts were pressing on his back, while he had his hands wrapped around her thighs as he carried her.
He didn't even hear her when she thanked him just now, he was focusing all of his senses toward his back. He enjoyed every moment of this extra wight he was carrying.
Adam's worry for Luna grew as he saw her exhausted state, but flinched when he noticed Dean smiling widely while carrying her. Sighing, he looked away, feeling a mix of concern and frustration.
"Why do you hate her? Did she do something wrong when we weren't looking?" Adam asked Jasem, who was harsh on Luna a few minutes ago, Jasem looked at adam and answered immediately, with a serious look on his face.
"She just killed three men without even flinching, she is really dangerous and that idiot isn't seeing it, she is a time bomb waiting to explode in his face at any moment"
Adam listened to Jasem's explanation, understanding the concerns raised about Luna's actions. However, he couldn't fully agree with Jasem's assessment of her being a threat to Dean. Despite everything, Adam had seen the way Dean treated Luna, and he believed in her loyalty and gratitude towards him.
He was on the brink of responding to Jasem when a peculiar sight caught his attention, causing him to halt abruptly.
Observing Adam's sudden halt, Jasem swiftly chimed in, beginning to speak. "What is-"
"Shushhh," Jasem's query was swiftly cut off by Adam, who gestured slowly towards the front, urging him to remain silent.
"Guards," Adam whispered, causing Jasem to swiftly duck down upon spotting them. The guards were unmistakable, adorned with the unmistakable crest of the Rawan Kingdom that Haland was wearing.
Dean, who had fallen slightly behind and was unaware of the situation, became perplexed when he noticed Adam and Jasem crouched behind a bush. Curiosity piqued, he hastened closer to them, eager to unravel the mystery.
"What's going on?" Dean inquired as he joined them and settled beside them. However, before anyone could respond, Jasem swiftly pressed his finger against his lips, signaling for silence. With a subtle gesture of his hand, he directed their attention to the guards who were patrolling just ahead of them.
Dean's eyes widened in alarm as he caught sight of the guards, his heart pounding with anxiety. He glanced urgently at his two companions before speaking in a hushed tone to avoid alerting the guards. "Shit!, What should we do?"
Adam maintained his gaze on the guards for a few more moments, assessing the situation carefully. Afterward, he turned his attention back to the bandits, who shook their heads disapprovingly upon noticing a faint smile forming on Adam's face.
"You two stay here for now," Adam instructed Dean and Jasem, his voice low and determined. He rose to his feet, firmly gripping the arms of the three bandits and pulling them along as he advanced towards the approaching guards.
As one of the guards caught the sound of approaching footsteps, he swiftly pivoted, his spear instinctively raised towards Adam, who stood before him, hands raised in surrender.
"Identify yourself!" The other guards, alerted by their comrade's reaction, swiftly turned and aimed their weapons at Adam, creating a tense standoff. However, undeterred by the threatening display, Adam spoke with a calm and steady voice, while slowly waving his hand at them.
"Hello, good sirs. I am but a humble traveler in need of your assistance," Adam greeted the guards warmly, maintaining his composure despite their vigilant silence. Their unwavering gazes conveyed their readiness for any situation. Finally, the guard who appeared to be their leader stepped forward, his voice firm yet curious.
"Who are these men you have behind you?" Asked the leader. Adam dragged the Bandits who were tied up with their dead friends clothes, and they fell before him as he answered.
"These miscreants dared to threaten the safety of myself and my companions during our nighttime camp," Adam explained, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and relief. "We managed to overpower three of them in the skirmish and subsequently subdued these remaining three. I have been searching for guards to deliver them to for proper justice, but it seems fortuitous that we have crossed paths with your vigilant presence."
The leader, upon hearing Adam's account, let out a sharp whistle, summoning one of his men. With a commanding gesture, he directed the guard to approach the bound bandits. The guard swiftly retrieved a set of wanted posters from his bag and began scrutinizing the faces of the captured individuals, comparing them to the depicted outlaws.
While the guard scrutinized the wanted posters, the leader, maintaining a defensive stance with his sword directed at Adam, expressed his doubts once more. "Your story seems to have inconsistencies. Explain further, for these bandits may not be whom you claim them to be. Moreover, where are your companions who witnessed this encounter?"
Adam's smile widened as he nodded, acknowledging the leader's inquiry. With confidence, he turned his gaze towards the spot where Dean and Jasem had been hiding. Raising his voice, he called out to them, "Hatem, Sean, come out from there! It's safe to join us now."
Dean and Jasem exchanged glances before cautiously emerging from their hiding spot behind the bushes. As they made their way towards Adam, Luna, who had been sitting on the ground after being set down by Dean, was about to join them. However, in that moment, the voice of her Master resounded in her mind, catching her attention abruptly.
{Stay right there for now, it's not safe for you.}
Luna, recognizing the concern in her Master's voice, halted abruptly and made the decision to remain hidden behind the bush. She knew that venturing into the potentially dangerous situation wouldn't be safe for her. Instead, she watched over Dean from a distance, ensuring his well being as he continued walking alongside Jasem.
"Lower your weapons." Said the leader After seeing the other two come out from behind the bush.
The guards lowered their weapons at their leader command and looked at their colleague who were looking through the wanted posters, before he stopped when he identified one of them, as he looked back at his squad leader as he spoke.
"This is John The toothless, he is one of the lower commanders of the Zamely Family." the guard said to his leader.
"Very well," the squad leader responded, his tone decisive. He gestured to his guards, signaling them to apprehend the bandits. "Capture them all and bring them back to the city. We shall extract every bit of information we can gather about the Zamely Family." The guards swiftly moved into action, securing the bandits and preparing for their return to the city for thorough interrogation.
"Thank you for your assistance in capturing these criminals," the squad leader expressed his gratitude, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. "Your actions shall not go unrecognized. Come with me to Keegan, where you shall be rewarded handsomely for capturing this man with a significant bounty on his head." The leader's words resonated with appreciation as he motioned for Adam, Dean, Jasem, to follow him on the journey to Keegan.
"I apologize, but we are in a hurry as we have other pressing matters to attend to," Adam replied respectfully, declining the man's offer. His refusal to accept the reward showcased his true character, emphasizing his altruistic nature. "You may consider donating the reward to a worthy cause, such as an orphanage, or keep it for yourself. We are driven by the desire to do good deeds, not solely for personal gain." Adam's words resonated with integrity and a sense of purpose, leaving the squad leader with a newfound appreciation for his noble intentions.
The man persisted in his insistence, unwilling to let Adam and his companions leave without proper recognition for their deeds. "I understand your humility," he said earnestly, "but I cannot let you depart without offering something in return for your remarkable actions. Please, I implore you, ask for anything you desire, and I will make sure it is provided to you." The man's determination to express his gratitude was evident in his sincere tone.
When Dean and Jasem caught wind of the news, their eyes lit up with excitement as they locked their gaze upon Adam.
Dean, who had been disconnected from his phone for several days now, yearned for Adam to inquire about a source of power, regardless of its nature. The anticipation radiated from Dean's every pore, as he craved a solution to his power-related woes.
Meanwhile, Jasem, whose stomach growled with hunger, longed for Adam to plead for a succulent piece of meat. It had been days since Jasem had savored the taste of meat, and the mere thought of it made his mouth water. He eagerly awaited Adam's request, hoping to satisfy his ravenous appetite.
Adam gazed at the weary man before releasing a heavy sigh, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "Regrettably, it appears that I am powerless in this situation. To be completely honest with you, we are in desperate need of a map. Our previous one fell victim to the ruthless bandits who crossed our path. If, by any chance, you happen to possess a map at this very moment, it would be an absolute lifeline for us."
Dean and Jasem glared at Adam, their anger palpable. A shiver ran down Adam's spine as he felt the intensity of their fury knowing that they need more than a map from this man.
The man's smile widened as he reached into his bag and pulled out a map. He handed it to Adam, fulfilling their request with a sense of satisfaction.
"I won't keep you any longer. Safe travels, young men," the man bid farewell with a bow. He and his men left for the city, leaving the three heroes standing there. Adam tightly gripped the map, their key to escape from the kingdom's grasp.
Hadiah
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