章 2: attempted abduction
His first day in the west started early and just like in his kingdom, this place was covered with snow but that did not stop him from taking his strolls.
Unlike his home area, the people here were busy with their tasks and the small town was lively but he could sense gazes that were directed on him which did not faze him at all. "I have never seen him before. He's probably one of the king's guests." He heard a man say and as he continued to take his walk, as he walked past two women and he also did not miss their small talk.
"Did you see the way he was looking at me? If I had courage, I would have talked to him." This was the type of attention he had received ever since he was young and growing up receiving compliments, he had gotten used to it.
Not interested in the activities happening in the town, he took a path that led to the forest and with the trees that had shed all their leaves, it was easy for light to flood the area which made it much safer as compared to the time of spring and summer whereby the forest was thick and dark.
With every step he took, a bold footprint was left behind due to the snow that covered the forest floor.
He had not walked to the deeper side of the forest when he heard voices and suddenly, he stopped walking while trying to pick what was being said. It was as if someone was begging the other person(s) to spare his life and following the direction from which he had heard the voices, he spotted a carriage that was not too far away from where he was.
It was not usual for him to meddle in something that did not concern him but at a closer look, it was apparent that the carriage belonged to the royal family and having worked in the general council for decades, this was not something he could just ignore.
As he got much closer, he removed his hands that were in his coat pockets and retrieve his gun that was securely tucked on his waist.
"Hey, don't you take a step closer." One of the men ordered while pointing a sword towards him without realizing that Richard was holding a gan. Choosing to ignore the man, Richard took a few more steps until he came to stand right in front of the man who tried to attack him but he swiftly dodged his attacks and his with quick reflex,he held the man by the hand that was holding the sword and twisted it making the man groan. With little to no effort, Richard choked him until he fell unconscious on the snow covered ground.
Moving to the other side of the carriege,his brow raised with surprise by the sight that came into his view. The king of Eaghslia was kneeling on the white ground with fear enveloped oh his old face. Due to his stealth movements,the three men who tried to capture the king had not noticed him and within a span of seconds, he had shot two of the men who instantly fell on the cold ground and when the third man came at him, he shot him right on his forehead before he could reach him.
His calm expression had not faltered even as he did all that but before he could help the king up, his line of sight landed on two knights who lay lifeless on the white ground as blood continued to spill from their throats
"One of them is still alive, you should take him with you so that he can cough up the information that you might need." Richard said without bothering to acknowledge his status and the king who was filled with fear a few minutes ago had schooled his expressions into calm and collected one.
He had seen death in front of him and if this young man had not arrived in time to save him, he would have been abducted and he was sure that all this would end with him losing his throne. "This is something that I thought that I would never say but...I owe you my life. I'm really greatful for what you did and I will reward you accordingly for this."
The king thanked him and before Richard could say anything, the king added
"Young man, mention any amount and you will be rewarded."
This was where most people went wrong. Some people could not be repayed with money because they already had that. Richard thought internally. Working at the general council, money was not a problem for him and this was one of the rare occasions where he thought that a simple thank you would suffice.
"There is no need for that you highness. I already have all the money that I may need." He did not bother to try to impress the man he had just saved just because he was the king.
"What would you like then?" The king asked, not satisfied that he could live the rest of his life indebted to someone and Richard gave it a thought before looking at the king in the eye as if weighing the words that he wanted to say. "I don't think that there might be something I would like but I will give it a thought."
With a nod, the king averted his gaze which fell on those people who had tried to attack him and asked, "Which one of them is alive?"
"He is on the other side of the carriage. I should help with him so that I can make sure that you get to the palace." Richard said thoughtfully.
"You have not told me your name son. And if you don't mind, I would like all this to stay between us." Richard heard the king say and after an inaudible sigh, he replied,
"My name is Richard Conley. I will not mention this to anyone." He assured the king and once he had successfully dragged the unconscious man to the carriage, he took the coachman's seat when the king entered into the carriage.
"Tomorrow is my son's engagement. You are invited." On hearing the king's invitation, Richard thanked him without saying whether he would attend.
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