章 10: Stole from the Dead
**************
CHAPTER 10
A few days passed and Pearl did not see Zale.
On the other hand, he focused more on his search but each time he asked, most gave the same answer, they did not know nor had they seen such a shining pearl.
By this time, he had successfully spent three nights at the innkeeper's shop but he got no helpful lead.
'Sigh! I never expected for this to take me time.' Zale complained internally.
He was truly getting tired. Without a question, he decided to leave the inn that morning and take a stroll in the village to ease his mind.
To him, the innkeeper had cheated him with the information given, seeing as anyone he went to had no news of his pearl.
While he wandered about, Zale soon found himself heading in the direction of the forest and stopped.
He had been so deep in his thoughts about his mother that he forgot where he was heading to.
'You need more control, Zale.' He reprimanded himself. He could not afford such things always to repeat themselves.
Getting himself back, he turned on his heels, ready to head back to the village and continue his search when his eyes met a beautiful maiden standing with crossed hands at the side of the path and staring at him.
"Pearl."
"Morning, Zale."
"Morning."
Although his face held a shine that warmed hearts, she could tell as soon as he walked up to her, from the wrinkles around his eyes, that he was stressed and all wasn't well.
"What have you troubled now?"
"Me?"
"Yes. You."
"Nothing."
"You sure?"
"Definitely."
"Hmm, if you say so. I won't pry further but I know, you are not okay or happy."
To prove her words, she walked past him. This time she was determined to mind her business. The less contact she had with him, the better for all.
"Wait, where are you going?" Zale called out and rushed after her.
"Where you first met me."
"Can I come along?"
She lifted a brow at his question. No one had ever asked her that. But then again, he was not just anyone.
Letting a small smile, she decided to test him out.
"Are you that bored that you would want to spend time with me rather than doing your trade?"
"Right back at you. Are you that eager to see me leave, Noterra?"
She halted suddenly and turned swiftly to her right side.
She scans him from head to toe with her sharp gaze, her brain taking note of things before she dropped her bomb.
"Yes. Besides, the earlier you leave, the better I can rest assured that you won't spill a word."
"Ouch, that hurt my feelings," he said and rubbed his chest, signalling to her where he was hurt.
"I didn't know you had one."
"What's with this, Pearl? What wrong did I do to you?"
"Nothing. On the contrary, you adapt pretty fast. Nice outfit," she complimented.
For a moment, Zale forgot himself and smiled, looking down at himself to appreciate his choice in human clothing.
When he looked up once more, she was more than twenty steps ahead of him.
'Not again.'
"Wait up! I mean it. I want to go with you."
"Then catch up, slow poke."
"Slow poke? Tsk, in the water you wouldn't be uttering those words I bet you," he muttered before running after her.
******
Seated in a fairly dark room, a middle-aged man is seen tossing a coin in his hand as his dark gaze looked ahead, seemingly lost in thoughts.
"The witch…"
Suddenly, a knock came on the door to the room he was in and it pushed open before he could give his verdict.
Following that, bright sunlight seeped into the room, illuminating it further as a burly-looking man dressed in no more than a grey shirt and a pair of black trousers, walked in.
"Korad, you're here, good," the man's deep voice resonated loudly in the room as he walked in further and stood before the man.
"Hmm," he breathed out.
As much as he was lost in thought, the last thing he needed was some new disturbance.
A few seconds flew by quickly and he caught the coin in his left hand before placing both hands on the table, uncrossed his legs and leaned in close.
"What news have you, ey? New merchandise or a profitable buyer for the gem I showed you?"
"Neither."
"Then I am not interested, Chase. Come back when you have something profitable for me."
"Oh, I think the news I have, though may not be the first, it's linked to your second question and by that, it is very profitable to you."
His eyes snapped wide open with shock, leaving him wondering what exactly Chase meant.
"What do you mean?"
"You have a buyer so to seem, but I doubt."
"Explain."
"Someone is busy seeking out the very pearl you showed me."
"What?"
"Aye mate, it is as I said. Believe me or not, you need to check it out."
His widened eyes darkened as he took deep breaths, exhaling slowly.
'Hmm. Who could it be? Did the witch send someone after me or could it be…?'
Watching him closely, Chase took a step to the side when the sun rays flashed in, shining on the necklace hanging around Korad's neck.
"Hey, you seem to have gotten quite the collection on you, Korad. Where did you get this necklace this time? Or should I say, who did you rub for it?"
His thoughts trailed off instantly as he subconsciously reached up to touch the necklace.
**Flashback**
"Aaahh!" she cried out and pulled the dagger out of her chest quickly, hoping to save herself.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said as the corners of his lips curled into a smirk. "The moment I stabbed you with the poisonous dagger, you were done for."
Just like he said, her vision began to blur as her body fell backwards and straight to the ground.
He waited for some time making sure she was dead before going to her.
"I'll be taking that, too," he added and yanked off her diamond locket-like necklace and swam away.
**Flashback Ends**
A low smile worked its way across his lips and into his eyes as he gazed up at his friend.
"I stole from the dead. Now, it belongs to me."
"You never cease to amaze me, Korad."
"I live to please."
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