Chapter 14: The Second Visit
It had been a day since Ian's training with Veyra.
As he helped Charlotte unpack some medicine, he couldn't help but notice the slight shake in her hands as she moved potions and what not.
His own wounds had healed a bit. Only mere scratches left on his cheek and palms. The knee hadn't changed much though, except for a scab that now covered it.
"Hey." Ian tried getting her attention.
Charlotte looked up from what she was doing, quickly glancing at Ian before her eyes trailed to the floor.
"Hey, I'm talking with you." Ian tried again.
Charlotte just stood there, eyes dark. Like she had lost all meaning.
"Charlotte!" Ian called out, firmer tone.
Charlotte snapped back from dreamland."W'whuh? Don't shout like that, dumbass!"
Ian was a little less worried as he heard her comment. But, she didn't have any eye contact.
"Are you alright?" Ian followed up. Genuine concern in his voice.
He could tell Charlotte wasn't very happy. But hearing her state it herself somehow felt more right.
"Yeah...no. I'm nervous. It's tomorrow..." Charlotte looked out the window, into small backyard right outside. One Ian had never even been in.
"I know. I get that you're nervous. But, I promise you. I'll do anything in my power to help. I'm sure Ryn would do the same." The words flew out of his mouth, like a waterfall.
Charlotte looked a little shocked by his big words. But, she didn't reply.
The edges of her mouth curved up. Which was enough fot him.
They then returned to unloading potions.
The silence wasn't awkward as they did.it was comfortable. Reassuring even.
Ian didn't know what he really said. All he knew was that it made her happier.
The last thing he'd want was for Charlotte to feel bad.
She thought of him bring here as a return favor for protecting her that one time. Which Ian couldn't really understand since she was most likely capable herself.
The truth was, Ian felt guilty for staying in her clinic for so long.
He suddenly remembered she mentioned her friends called her "Lotte" when she introduced herself.
Yet, he had never heard anyone call her that under all this time.
Was she...was she really that lonely? Passing time through working?
And, did she keep him around to fill in the void?
And there wasn't anyone who watched the fight between Ian and the masked man. So, did she report him for honor so he wouldn't have a safety reason to leave?
Ian's usual overthinking filled his mind. And it didn't slow down.
It was more like it was postponed for later.
One look at Charlotte made him remember he had to ask her something.
"Hey...Charlotte?" Ian asked, his tone wary, as if he was treading into a potentially sensitive topic.
"Yes, what is it?" She responded instantly. No comment. But clearly happier than five minutes ago.
Ian scratched his neck, trying to formulate his words. Charlotte was looking at him expectingly, waiting for him to continue.
"Well, Mara mentioned something of being the "eldest of the three' or something like that." Ian finally responded.
Charlotte's previous smile had now stabilised into a more neutral expression.
His wariness was confirmed. It was most definitely, a sensitive topic.
"I'm the youngest of my siblings. Mara is the oldest. But, I also probably have another sister. The middle child." Charlotte thought, most likely careful with how much she would reveal.
"Probably? What do you mean with that?" Ian asked again.
Charlotte sighed. "Well, it was quite obvious our mother didn't really favor her. Since she was forgotten the most of the times. So, she ran away from home at fourteen years old."
This time, her eyes connected with his. It was clear it was a heavy topic he had chosen. But also that Charlotte wasn't about to back out of it.
"I'm not sure she's alive. But, I hope so. I wish the best for her no matter where she is. The same could be said for Mara. I just wish she would do the same for me." Charlotte let out a false chuckle, trying to lighten the mood Ian had just brought.
Ian thought to himself. 'So they were all sisters... if we go by the most common thing, then the youngest, or Charlotte was the one getting spoiled the most...'
"May I ask her name? Ian suddenly thought. He didn't know what reason to use it in, but a name is always a name.
Charlotte nodded. "Sure, her name is Marie. She's also the only redhaired sibling. Getting it from our father."
More questions appeared in Ian's head as she mentioned her dad. She had only mentioned her mother before after all.
Though, Ian knew his limits. Also that he would probably need the rank of "real friend" to go deeper into the Charlotte questline.
They had now finished their potion stacking. The silence humming loud like a cicada in summer.
Yet, it wasn't awkward. Even after the sudden deep talk, it felt comfortable.
Charlotte then broke the silence. "So, do you have any siblings?" She asked.
Ian's attention shifted from the newly filled shelves to Charlotte. "Well, I have a brother and a sister. But, I probably won't meet them in a long time."
Charlotte looked confused, before understanding. Or, thinking she understands.
"I see, that makes sense. Since you said you were from the northern parts of the world, then the path up and down would be quite treacherous." Charlotte spoke confidently, like she had to be right.
Ian wasn't ready for that. He had told her he was from up north. But he didn't expect her to remember it.
"Yeah...something like that." He responded nonchalantly, hiding his shock successfully under his nearly as confident expression.
14.2 Surprise
The day after was quiet. Quiet until there was a knock on the front door.
Normally, patients would just walk in. But, this time someone was knocking instead.
'Must be someone new to the city...' Ian thought as he walked to the door.
As he opened it, he was shocked for a few seconds, before a sigh escaped him.
"Hey handsome." The person said.
It was Mara who had stood there. Once again.
Ian's eyes narrowed. His urge to slam the door had already reached it's peak.
So, he did.
With a loud boom and a gust of air, the door was now shut.
But, it opened and Mara took a few steps inside this time with an even more amused glint in her eyes.
It wasn't even the day of the trial, yet Mara came to visit once again.
"So why are you here?" Ian crossed his arms, a fed up tone hiding between his words.
His deadpan look just made Mara smirk wider.
"Oh, trying to be nonchalant? I know you missed me." She mimicked his stance as she tried to provoke him as she beat around the bush.
"No. I'm just not in the mood to see you, like at all." Ian stopped crossing his arms. Mara's provocation had worked already.
"I moved the date." Mara sounded like she was about to laugh.
Ian froze, his eyes widening. "What?" He replied, utterly shocked.
'Why did she move the date? She never even mentioned a date other than three days!' Ian's thoughts scrambled through memories.
The truth was. Ian had thought that she was gonna file a report after three days. So, naturally they wouldn't get a spot instantly.
But, this changes things. Drastically.
Ryn had mentioned in a short conversation that the Zendryan law enforcement was pretty swift. But they probably wouldn't get Mara's request even after a day or so.
Even a day's difference would lower their chance of winning since they werent as prepared as they should.
But, if she had sent in her request even before she visited the first time then...
"It's...it's today isn't it...?" Ian replied, looking down slightly, the dirty floor only mirroring his emotions.
"You're pretty clever I'll give you that." Mara replied, a slight snicker escaping her.
As if perfect timing, both Ryn and Charlotte stood behind him as he turned to call for them.
He assumed they had also heard the knock just like him. But he never heard them.
He also assumed they had heard at least the majority of Mara's words. One look at Charlotte confirmed it. As her eyebrows were slanted downwards along as crossed arms.
"Seems we weren't as prepared as we thought." Ryn replied calmly.
Even under Ryn's calm exterior. Ian could see the uncertainty from the slight shake in his eyes. He looked a little stressed even.
They both approached.
"We'll have to do this the right way. So, Mara. Show the way." Ian said. He knew that making a ruckus wouldn't help them at all. So, cooperating was the best option.
Mara beamed with pride as they willingly followed.
'This is too easy...' Mara thought. Even her inner voice was sly.
14.3 Provocation.
Behind her walked Ian, Ryn and Charlotte, trying to take up as little space as possible on the busy streets.
Even though they were three, they somehow took up less space than Mara.
'This sucks...' Ian thought, glancing at Ryn.
With one look he could tell he thought the same way.
Charlotte was different. She was completely neutral.
Though, a beaming anger emitted from her.
One even Ian could tell was present.
The walk to the guild hall was short but felt endless. Mara led the way, hips swaying like she owned the street.
Every few steps she glanced back at Ian with that same sly smile.
"Still thinking about me, handsome?" she teased.
Ian cringed, his organs screaming at him to tell her to shut up.
He momentarily closed his eyes as he continued walking, trying to avert his thoughts from telling him to get physical.
Charlotte had now started glaring. Her eyes digging into the back of Mara's head.
"I can tell you're glaring, sister." Mara's voice dripped of smugness.
As Mara obviously tried getting her sister to lash out, Charlotte's glare deepened further.
Suddenly, all of the events connected in Ian's head.
Mara didn't have a plan on how to win this.
Instead, she planned to get them do something against her.
That way, she would rely on that while most likely blending her own lies into the mix.
'She's stupid. It would never work anyways. Even if we told her to be quiet she still has no valid reason.' Ian shot a glance at Ryn.
Just as before, Ryn gave off the "this sucks" look.
Ian couldn't help but feel a spark in him from it. He had finally done something Ryn hadn't. He had realised Mara's trump card.
But just as the pieces came together, they crumbled once again.
"You know, isn't it weird how she died while you stayed with her?" Mara spoke as she walked.
Her tone was the same as the last time she had opened her mouth. Smug.
Mara had hinted in saying that Charlotte being the cause of their mothers death.
But since she didn't say it directly, it can't be seen as an insult even though it is.
Charlotte's face darkened.
"I'm glad I moved so early, I couldn't stand that pissy home anyways." Mara continued pressing. Clearly hoping Charlotte would lash out.
'She won't fall for that.' Ian smirked. But his smirk vanished as he saw Charlotte's footsteps getting quicker as she caught up with Mara.
A glance down he could see her fist clenched hard.
"No...wait...Charlotte!" Ian called out instinctively as she approached.
Mara turned around to see Charlotte's fist.
A clean left hook slammed into the side of Mara's face.
Mara fell to the ground, her smile wide as if she was laughing internally.
Charlotte realised to late what Mara had wanted as she looked down at her red knuckles.
And to pour salt into the wounds, it was right in front of the guild hall.
"Shit." Ian exclaimed.
Mara had won.