Chapter 47 – Half-brother

Aile had heard the gist of their plan, so he was not worried. Although he was curious about the identity of the young master and what sort of grievance he had with him that forced him to plan his murder.

He has never gotten out of the house for the past 10 years, and he did not understand why someone would want to cause him trouble.

He was thinking about the possible reasons when he saw Sara gave him a displeased look a couple of times.

So he put the thoughts in the back of his head and went closer to Sara.

"What is wrong, Sara? Did you not like it?" said Aile as he pointed at the sweet bread in Sara's hand.

She shook her head.

Aile was confused and asked her, "Are you angry at me?"

Sara nodded.

"Why?"

"Why did you not take me with you? You do not go to the shops with me in Port Kiar, and you did not take me to the shops here too."

Aile understood where she was coming from.

"I wanted to surprise you ... How about we go to the next shop together, and I will buy you something."

"Really?"

Aile nodded.

"You have money? Where did you get it from?"

"That is a secret," Aile smiled wryly.

"Humph," Sara snorted and continued to talk in a low tone, "Wait and see, I will buy the most expensive thing."

Aile smiled back at her.

Soon they were passing a small stall that sold beautiful jewellery pieces. It sold a special kind of shell.

Inside the shell grew small pearls, and if one moved it, it would produce a soothing jingling sound.

Sara dragged Aile to the stall and asked him to pick one for her.

Aile looked at the beautiful shells that had turned to necklaces, hand and feet bands and earrings.

Aile examined a few and found the jingling to be too loud or unpleasant. He kept on listening to the different unique sounds from the shells until he found a perfect one.

It was a red hand band made from a beautiful red tree root and at the top was a red and blue shell that had a low toned soothing jingle.

Aile bought it for Sara, and the shop keeper quickly sold it. Most people prefer the louder jingles, but it was the first time someone like the mute one so he hurried the sale and even gave him a discount.

Sara too liked the design, her favourite colour was red. However, she still wanted to know why Aile picked this one from all the other ones.

"Hey, why did you buy me the quiet one?"

"Because it is beautiful and red just like you like it, and it is dangerous to have aloud jingle when we are outside. Especially if we end up in a situation where we have to fight or run away."

Sara gave him a quick hug.

"Thank you!"

She then fiddled with the hand band and very gently wore it. They looked around and did not see Hazel and the guards. Aile then quickly amplified his sense of hearing and found them not too far away.

He held her hand and walked to their directions. After a single turn, they found Hazel and the guards looking around.

"Where did you guys go?" asked Hazel.

Sara went to her and showed her new hand-band to her.

"Look it is so nice, Aile bought it for me!"

Hazel curiously examined it and sighed. Then she said in a stern tone, "Make sure to tell us if you guys want to buy something. Do not leave without letting us know."

Hazel could use to spirit sense to examine the surrounding as she is above 6th level in cultivation.

However, other practitioners do not like to be examined by an unknown person. Therefore unless it is absolutely necessary people do not tend to use the spiritual sense.

Sara and Aile nodded.

After a few minutes, Sara then went and showed her new bracelet to everyone. Hazel showed everyone a few more places, and then they went to have food.

During lunch, Hazel said that the princess will be coming tomorrow and the birthday is the day after tomorrow. She also mentioned that they will be meeting the princess tomorrow for dinner.

She then looked at Sara and said that Duke White's second's son would be coming. She told Sara that she will meet her half-brother.

Sara was not sure how to act, so she just shrugged it off.

After having lunch, they return to the tavern.

Aile went to his room and tried to locate the assassin. However, he could not find him.

Then he was planning to start his training with the blade, his senses, memories and combat. However, before he could get into it, he heard his door being knocked.

Knock,

Knock,

Knock,

He went towards it and opened the door.

"Hey, Aile," Sara just walked in after greeting Aile. He looked at her and noticed she was distressed.

"Hey Sara, Are you ok?"

He could see her expression was unusual, so he wanted to help her. But without knowing the problem, he did not know where to begin.

"So I was talking to my mother, and she said that I should be worried about my half-brother. He might do something to me. I am scared and wanted to know if what she says is true. You know Ellie and Danny, they like each other why can I not have a similar brother?"

Aile sighed at her question. He had enough experience from his inherited memories to know the politics of a family, so he remained silent, gathering his thought on how to reply to her. Eventually, he sighed and said, "You have grown up and seen many things. You know that there are many different kinds of people?"

Sara nodded.

Aile then said, "Some people can be selfish and try to take advantage of people, especially if they have never met them. So it would be best if you are careful and you do not do anything that would be dangerous.

Especially leaving alone or going somewhere with them, without someone keeping an eye on you."

Sara nodded, then shook her head, and she said, "Maybe they are nice!"

Aile sighed. He had guessed the relationship between Duke White and Hazel was shaky. It did not even seem real.

The chances are that this behaviour has translated to his wives, and they would not make their kids have a good impression of Hazel and Sara. Therefore, he did not want to get Sara's hope high.

Aile then said, "Well then, in that case, there is no reason to take a risk. You should just observe them and be a bit distant from them in the beginning, and we can see if they are kind. If it was true that they were nice, then it would be great. But if they were not kind, then you will not be in danger."

Sara nodded and was clearly happier about this arrangement.

Aile then mentioned, "You know I heard the princess is really nice. Maybe she can become like your sister."

Sara was a bit surprised and nodded, "Really, but she is the princess."

"If two people like each other, then they can become sisters or brothers."

"Does this mean if I do not like my brother I can find another?"

Aile nodded.

Sara then cheered up. They talked a bit more, and she left.

Aile then meditated and started to train his senses.

When he started training his senses, he heard an interesting conversation just a few doors down.

"Boss, have you rented a place to 2 kids; one boy and a girl about 10 years old with a woman and 5 guards?"

"I have not!"

"Are you sure you will have a lot of trouble if you lie to us."

"Why would I lie?"

"Ok, let's go to the next one."

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

"My tavern is doing bad recently, maybe if I get something... I can point you in the right direction." came the undecisive sound of the tavern owner.

"Are you sure you have the correct information."

"Guaranteed I saw them myself."

"Here is a silver coin! If you lie to me, your tavern will do badly for a long time."

"Siren's Song."

"What?"

"They are at Siren's Song down the street. If you are troubling them, destroy that tavern too. That bastard has been stealing my customers."

"Let's go!"

Aile then heard the footsteps approach their tavern. After bribing the tavern owner, the group of people confirmed his location.

Then, he heard them say, "Go and report to the young master that we found him at Siren's Song. I will stay here to keep an eye on the gate and will be waiting, if they to get out."

"Yes."

Aile then used his hearing to trace the person to the rough location of the young master. He was closer than Aile expected only about 10 minutes away from Siren's Song. There he also located the assassin. So he had no problem listen to their conversation now.

"Young master, young master we got good news!"

"What is it?"

"We found them."

"What?"

"We found the 2 kids, lady and guards that you were looking for."

"Really?"