Capítulo 122: - A Bickering Between Killers
The Master sat down, swiftly taking his pipe to his mouth, taking in a long breath full of smoke, the tobacco turning to ash. Lia sat contemplating deeply on the words of the aster, her own mind troubled on the monsters these farmers and merchants have been reporting.
Twelve men. Twelve men were now dead, slaughtered and eaten - if for worse. Lia didn't know what to say on the matter, only that the situation was all too oddly placed.
First they arrive back into town after days on the road, the days prior filled with blood, fire and gore, but the minute they set foot in the town, they're summoned swiftly to the Master's chambers to complete this odd arrangement of tasks.
Lia was fed up with mysteries, and quite frankly, she didn't want to delve deep into another one.
"With all due respect sir, I must ask that you allow my friends and I some rest. I know time wasted is for only the foolish, but after days on the road I'd like the time to get a few hours of shut eye."
The Master didn't bother to argue, he could see the weary look in their eyes, knowing that they must have been on the road from dawn to dusk traveling from wherever they had been. But, though it wasn't the Master who raised quarrel against this, the knight didn't bother to hold his tongue.
"With all due respect to your lordship, we're on a tight schedule right now. If monsters are plaguing the woods and surrounding areas, we need to act now. Pardon my tongue, but my party and I can set off immediately. We don't need this group, Endless."
Lia stiffened as her friends did. He was directly insulting their need for sleep, warm food and drink as if they're presence next to him didn't even matter.
"My party will start immediately sir. We don't need them for they lack experience."
As Lia was about to raise a word against this, the Master raised a hand, stopping her from speaking before his own words were said.
"Now isn't that interesting? You believe yourself to be better than them?"
"I don't humble myself with such words. I only say what the people say, as well as what clients have told us."
"Hm…as I have heard much from you past clients, I won't complain. However, allow me to tell you how foolish you sound."
"I'm sorry?"
The knight seemed a bit surprised that the Master was defending this group of Hunters, Hunters of which he had never heard of.
"Now, I don't deny that your team has accomplished many great things, defeating many monsters, beasts and men alike. Your feats are legendary."
The knight perked up at this, as did his friends and at last Lia was able to get a clear look at them, counting off their classes just by their appearance.
'Knight, Mage, Archer, and a…Cain, who is that other one?'
'That's a sword dancer. They're proud of the fact that they are the swiftest and most difficult sword fighters you can fight against.'
The woman didn't look anything like what Cain was describing, In fact her loose fitted clothing as well as her beautiful and majestic appearance made her look less like a fighter and more like a dancer. But Lia knew better than to be fooled. Not everyone was as they appeared.
Taking a long pull of his pipe, the Master began speaking again, blowing out a long and large cloud of smoke as the ashes of his pipe fell to the floor.
"However, despite your obvious feats, I know more about these three than you might imagine. Just this past month I have received and written more letters on their actions than I have heard of your achievements in the past year! Even Neverdark's new mayor speaks highly of them, and Randolph is a personal friend. I trust both their words better than I do my own."
The knights silently glared at Lia from the side, his suspicion clear on his face, though Lia made sure to keep her eyes set on the Master, unless she wanted to go and start a fight. She knew that if she ever laid eyes on his face, she would end up punching him before her expression could turn to anger or disgust.
"Might I ask what their 'great' achievements are. To me they look like normal Hunters, fresh out of their towns with little to no experience."
The Master jutted his pipe in the knight's direction, his face twisting in a smile.
"And that is how so many have fallen to their hands. From Neverdark I have heard tales of their great battle against an army of Silver Tailed Spiders - enough to call it a sea that would flood the cities of Neverdark in an instant, killing everything in sight. However, that wasn't the last I heard of them…"
The Master leaned back smoking on his pipe as he watched the clouds of tobacco smoke tail into the air toward the roof, dissipating into the clean air around him.
"...I heard next from the city's sheriff about how they took down a group of bandits who followed after them - and not a single one lived, might I tell you. To not only take on a sea of these nasty spiders, but to have the strength in defeating a bandit group, well I've heard little of the sort. Next came the tales of merchants and wear buyers, who spoke of the destruction of the Outpost just outside Neverdark."
The Master glanced silently at the knight, whose eyes were still burning deeply into the side of Lia's face, though what the man found funny about it was that Lia seemed to care little for this, acting as though the man did not exist.
"I'm well aware of what suspicions you might have of her come later, seeing as that three of your own have died there, but I can attest; if Randolph vouches for them, then I can vouch for them. So let's not have any accusations flying around."
The knight shook his head, paying it off as just a simple stare.
"I thought nothing of the sort your lordship. Besides, one of our own is admitted to the deaths."
'Then you best remember that when you both are out in the field. This group here dealt a major blow in Kara's backwater plans to use a herd of Grockoils and lived to tell the tale. So you see, great knight, I have it under my own impression that these Hunters you see before you are simply that. Hunters. Nothing more, nothing less. And as such, you will treat them as my guest, as I ask them to treat you the same."
Lia nodded, grateful to the Master for having stuck up for her and her team. Though she could feel Rian stiffening up at her side, similar to Lukali who was glaring daggers at the other party, she knew they agreed with her.
"I understand sir, I just have questions as to why you have asked someone of us to assist you with someone of their stature?"
"You think of yourself so highly that I cannot call upon the both of your teams to fight alongside one another?"
The knight was about to answer, however, Abigail, who had silently been listening to the knight's little rant about Lia, elbowed him in the side, causing him to draw in a deep and hasty breath as she spoke in a hushed tone.
"Be quiet you d*ck!"
Though it was hardly a whisper, Lia could hear it clear as day, smiling at the fact that Abigail had done that. Even Lia was nearing the end of her patience, and was clearly ready to draw back her own fist and reap the repercussions if it meant she could slam it into the knight's face.
The Master didn't say much more on the matter, seeing as the knight was too busy drawing in air whilst clutching his stomach to say anything against him. As such, he turned his focus to Lia.
"You and your party may rest. I have waited nearly a week for this day, and so I can wait a day longer. So long as these beasts are eradicated from my lands, I will pay you the price of whatever you name."
"Thank you kindly sir, but for now warm food and a bed shall do just fine. I have to ask it of you, but I don't feel that We will get much of any sleep tonight if we stayed at an inn."
"Hahaha! Yes, I know quite well the efforts you would have to go through to get some sleep. Gods know I have to deal with it every night when my son has a nightmare."
Lia chuckled, her friends smiling at the comment as the Master began to feel more so that he could trust these three, even if they were only just laughing at his jokes .
"You need not ask Lia of Endless. I have plenty of rooms and plenty of warm food for your bellies. Tonight I shall have a feast in my halls, all those here are welcome as I will be bridging may who might assist you in your Hunts."
With that, the Master bid them a fond farewell, leaving through the same door he had come from, mumbling to himself about not being able to smoke his pipe any longer. Bellous came to fetch them and show them to their rooms, words already having gotten around even though those words were only said mere moments ago.
As they left, a second man led the knight and his party out the front door and Lia could catch a glance at the knight's scornful face. He wasn't happy, but he knew there was little he could do about it in the end.
Even as they left being led to their rooms, Lia could not help but question the things she had heard, as well as the thoughts she left unsaid.
'Why would monsters come back here? They've been gone for centuries, it's so unlike them.'
Though Lia did not know much about monsters, it could be assumed that it was common knowledge amongst people. Like knowing when a deer would be around the woods in season, the people of this world know more of monsters than they knew of themselves.
At least they thought as such.
'Monsters are like parasites in the world. They will march wherever and whenever they please.'
It was some time before Lia could find the words to the questions she had, thinking deeply on the possibility that arose inside her mind.
'Do you think that there is someone involved in this?'
'I know little about the minds of man and beast alike. Separately I can read them like a book, but together they avoid my grasp.'
'Your suspicions then?'
It was a while before Cain spoke again, Lia and her friends having already been led to their rooms, as she took a seat at the edge of the bed, he finally spoke again.
'All I know is this Lia; keep a watchful eye on the mountains.'
***
The feast was as grand as the Master had promised, taking place late into the night, the streets filled with joy and laughing men and women. Children ran around together, tossing toys to one another, climbing trees, hiding from their parents when they got in trouble for climbing trees.
The night seemed full of the smell of good foods, ale, and happy towns folk who marched down the streets lit by bright colored golden lamps that lined the streets.
The night was as fresh as the air of the day but much cooler, making the world around them seem merry and full of cheers as all people had to do was look up at the night filled with stars that twinkled like fairy lights.
Though most of the townsfolk did not enter the Great House, nor did they join Lia by her seat at the long and hard wooden table filled with candles and foods of all types and from all places, they were still full of joy, running the streets with a passion.
But Lia was not among them in their happiness. Within the great hall of the Great House, Lia was seated across from the second group of Hunters, the knight which glared daggers at her, the giddy and overly excited Abigail, and much more of their team who Lia did not know.
The great hall was filled with nobles and merchants, captains of guards and garrisons from neighboring towns and cities, some of the villages surrounding Kokono had sent their chiefs and their top fighters to the town to feast at the Master's table.
All night Lia had found more than one tankard of ale and plates filled with meats and fruits shoved into her hands and arms, people begging her to tell them of her mighty tale in Neverdark.
'I don't think much of that time. They all think that we were against dragons and demons.'
'Tales and rumors do travel fast each ear, always hearing something different than the last.'
Lia took a sip of ale, a group of merchants and warrior folk cheering loudly for one another, talking amongst themselves about the many roads and travels they had all been on. None of which concerned Lia, so she mostly kept quiet while the halls continued to fill with more and more people, the Master welcoming them all with promises of good food and a wonderful time.
At the head of the table, two women sat opposite each other, both seated next to the large and wide chair decorated in mahogany wood that shone in the candle light. One was a strewn woman who pulled herself together as if the world was watching her every move, careful to do everything in precise measures. While the girl on the other hand was the exact opposite, laughing with men and women alike, eating what she pleased and drinking what she pleased.
"I guess those are his wife and daughter. How different the two of them look."
"I hear the lord's daughter takes more after her father than she does after her mom. Some daily disputes I think."
Rian commented from the side, his expression grim as he didn't like the merry mood everyone was in, though for what reason Lia could only guess.
'I guess his past experiences still wear him down."
Lukali on the other hand was dead silent, not a single word having been said between them since they began eating. He hadn't one removed his hood nor his mask - to which Lia understood, seeing as though they were in front of his fathers Hunting team, but he was more detached from the feast than he was just on guard.
"So you're the Hunters from Neverdark. Tell me how that went for you?"
Lia looked up from her dish followed by the knight who turned his head to find the owner of the voice to be one of his own. The Sword Dancer.
"I guess you could say that it was difficult. All Hunt normally are."
"Oh? We normally don't have much difficulty in those things. What troubled you?"
Though Lia was on her guard it seemed to only to fuel the dancer's ego as she smiled, flaunting her own achievements before them.
'Is she trying to start a fight?'
Lia wouldn't give in, but it was Rian who spoke next, not her. Seeing as he knew those mines better than she did and having seen many of his own friends killed by the spiders, Lia knew that his temper would only last so long.
"You normally would when fighting against a sea of man eating spiders. No one would have a 'fun and easy' time against them."
The dancer smirked, taking a sip of her wine, careful to edge her tone in as much arrogance as she could muster in an attempt to push Rian and his confidence down.
"We would."
"Be quiet."
Surprisingly it was Abigail who said this, not Rian who was already brimming with anger, her town edged with enough spite and warning that could threaten an army.
"People died on that mission. Many Hunters, minders, mercenaries and healers. You would do well Becka to remember that."
"I didn't mean anything by it."
"I know you didn't, but still, be careful who you speak to about such things. Especially if that someone is one of the survivors of that incident."
Abigail glanced at Rian whose fork was bending with his anger as his eyes glared daggers at Becka. But what was frightening to the people at the table was that Rian's eyes didn't contain any fury or hatred. Just a stone cold warning that could kill alone if it wanted to.
Immediately Becka's tone dropped, realizing how evil her words sounded in front of Rian, though Lia didn't doubt his glare kept her in check.
"...I'm sorry."
Thankfully the mood was eased by the sound of a clinking glass, the Master gathering everyone's attention at the head of the table. With a large goblet in his hands, filled with ale, wine, or whatever drink of poison he had chosen from the many kegs lined against the walls.
"Welcome my friends and allies from both far and neighboring lands.I have much to be thankful for today and on this fine night I give that thanks. I thank you all for joining me at my table, eating my food and drinking my ale and wine. I could not have asked for a better night nor a better feast than to be surrounded by my friends and loved ones!"
The cheers from the table traveled down each end, echoing in the large wall. Some guests lined the walls drinking and chatting amongst one another, calling out above the rest in the Master's name, thanking him for the hospitality.
Raising a hand the Master quieted them down, focusing deeply on his speech.
"I am grateful for the warriors who have traveled far and wide to join my chosen Hunters in their mission tomorrow. Speaking of which, I think the great Hunters of The Endless and the mighty warriors of the Fire Drakes for being here tonight and accepting my request! Let's give them thanks my brothers and sisters!"
The guests cheered loudly, loud enough that Lia flinched at the sound echoing in her ears, bouncing around in her head like a beating drum.
"Tomorrow they will journey far and wide, and find the beasts and monsters that tear at our shared lands. I have much to be grateful for tonight, but even so I must detest my brothers and sisters alike, it will be a difficult Hunt. These lands have been culled on the monsters that once plagued us, but now they return. Because of this, I have long since pondered in my study, wondering, fearing, afraid to face these monsters with my voice."
He raised the goblet higher, looking towards the two groups of his trusted Hunters who sat close by, looking to him with pride in their eyes.
"But thanks to these Hunters here tonight, I finally have found the courage to charge these monsters with my words! And do you know what I will call to them tonight, among my brothers and my sisters, friends and allies?!"
The men and women along the table raised their tankards and glasses high, calling out loud with their voices bellowing deep throughout the halls, echoing with each other as one.
At once, the Master was yelling above his friends and allies among the table, their voices joining him, calling out towards the sky and the stars above them.
"Let them try!! Watch them burn in hell fire!!"
The cheers of the hall blurred into the night as the stars watched on with quiet eyes.
The world around them was as silent as the night sky.
Status de energia semanal
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