"Why have you stopped?" Hanon turned to ask the merchant who stood glancing around as though expecting someone.
Though the sun had yet to rise, the street was already busy with life. People moved about, preparing for the long day ahead.
"Honestly, why do I even put these up for trade when I hardly get any buyers. When would the Ruler of the third sky look my way?" A man with a gloomy expression passed by, pushing a barrow filled with vegetables.
"There's someone I want to introduce to you." Krazel turned to face the pair as he spoke.
"You mean they'll be joining us?" Hanon asked with a disappointed look.
"I'm sorry that such a change had to occur. It is not that I doubt your skills, but rather, because I could not just leave him behind. You see, my youngest mistress sent him to watch over me out of concern for my safety. I hope you would understand my situation." Krazel explained, pleading with the two.
'A mistress? Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. Most men had several wives and mistresses, it's near impossible to find a man committed to one woman.' Aeloria looked at Hanon for a heartbeat as an expression of worry flashed across her face.
"It's fine, as long as you trust them, then we'll do same." Hanon had a suspicious look on his face as he watched a figure approached them with confident steps.
"My apologies if I kept you waiting, Lord Krazel."
The man wore dark robes and had a black cloth tied to his forehead.
Looking in the direction of the man, Krazel turned to Aeloria and Hanon.
"Please allow me to introduce Zilel, one of the guards assigned to my youngest mistress."
"It's an honor to meet you, I'm Hanon." Hanon stared at the man intensely, trying to find out anything of suspicion. After all, he had to make sure the man was trustworthy.
"The honor is mine." Zilel replied with a smile.
"My name is Irene, I'm glad we have a talented guard accompanying us." Zilel watched the woman in stunned silence, struck by the sheer smoothness of her skin and the smile that could melt steel.
The man averted his gaze in an attempt not to offend her by staring too long.
"I'm glad you think highly of me, but I am undeserving of such praise."
'Smooth skin, purple eyes with slit pupils, I've heard of this description from somewhere. Oh, I remember now. They are the distinct traits of the Cannibal. But her name was said to be Aeloria and a Head Captain in Runevale. This maiden claims her name is Irene. Is it a coincidence? If not, then forget the Thornsleeper, the entirety of Norco might be in danger.' Zilel had thought after thought swirling in his mind after he set his gaze on Aeloria.
'How can you tell he's talented when you don't even know him?' Meanwhile, Hanon stared at the guard with weary eyes.
"Seems like you'll be joining us, walk with me and I'll bring you to the same page." Hanon stepped between Zilel and Aeloria, feeling uncomfortable by how the guard stared at his companion.
"That is a wonderful idea." Krazel added as he fell in step beside the guard.
'No, this is an opportunity to find out if she's the Cannibal disguising herself as a traveler or if I'm just mistaken. There aren't many people with purple eyes and slit pupils after all.'
"Forgive me if this may come out as rude, but I would like to hear the plan from the fair maiden. I feel like we've met before, and I want to confirm my suspicion through a short conversation…."
Zilel did not have the time to finish when the merchant's cold voice interrupted him.
"Zilel, why do I feel like you're crossing a line? Know your duty, I will not repeat myself."
Krazel remembered clearly how Hanon had reacted when he requested a time alone with Aeloria. He didn't want a repeat of that scene on such an important occasion.
'That's right, you tell him, Krazel. Men should stick with men and leave the women alone.' A small smile played on Hanon's lips and disappeared just as quickly when he heard Aeloria speak.
"Forgive me, madam Aeloria. I was rude in my request…"
"I really don't mind, since you think I look familiar, I'm willing to answer any question you may have."
'Such a gentle voice, I almost feel bad for comparing her to the hideous cannibal from the rumors. There's no way such a gentle person is capable of taking a bite of another person.' Zilel looked at Krazel, awaiting his approval.
The merchant gave him a nod. 'So far as Irene said it was okay, it would be meaningless if I pushed the matter any further.'
Zilel then walked beside Aeloria.
Hanon walked behind them, as close as he could get, trying to listen in on their conversation. With how Hanon stared at the guard, if looks could kill, Zilel would've died more than once.
"Many fail to cherish the flower in their own garden but yerns for a single rose in another's. This leads to unwanted desires, creating a flaw in one's own judgement of needs and wants. However, most often than not, the flower we desire so deeply is right in our own garden and not a single pace away. Maybe walking ahead of us, or talking to a guard." Krazel whispered in a tone only Hanon could hear.
"What does that mean?"Hanon was confused by the merchant's sudden parabolic words. He turned his head slightly, giving the merchant a suspicious look.
"Oh, sorry, I was just reciting a poem I used to read as a child out of boredom. Please, pay me no heed." Hanon continued to stared at the merchant for a while longer before averting his gaze. He had a feeling the words were meant for him, but he could not decipher its full meaning.
Meanwhile, Zilel spoke to Aeloria in a stoic expression, the standard expression required of a guard.
"That seems like a solid plan, however, we must not let our guard down. The only thing you can be certain of In this world is that nothing will go according to one's will. There's always bound to be a variable. But there's nothing to worry about. Though I'm not an actual soldier, I know how to handle an unexpected situation." Zilel said after Aeloria had explained the plan to him.
"I'm glad you think that way." They left the entrance of Norco and headed up the hill.
"I've been meaning to ask, why are you going on such a dangerous journey, are you not afraid."
Aeloria looked at him and smiled.
"Are you not going to protect me when danger arrives?" Aeloria asked instead.
"I would, if this was a different case. However, I'm sorry to say that sir Krazel's life takes presidence over yours. My task is to ensure his safety, and I will not stray. However, I hope a situation where I would have to make a choice does not arrive." The expression on the guard's face remained unchanged as he spoke.
"It's rare to see someone so honest." 'I agreed to speak with him because he has the same presence as the one I felt yesterday. It was like we were being watched. I wanted to know what he was after, but I didn't think he would be so bold about it. He has made it clear that he would trade our life for the merchant's if the situation demanded it.' Aeloria offered a smile, then as if on instincts, she turned to look at Hanon walking behind them.
Hanon's expression was sour, staring daggers into the guard who didn't seem to care. The moment he felt Aeloria turned her head, his expression changed into a forced smile. Meanwhile, Krazel walked right beside him.
He wore a calm expression, but his mind was full of horrifying thought, replaying what his version of the worst case scenarios were.