Chapter 83 – Destination 

Hazel's surprised voice came, "You fought them yesterday?"

Aile did not respond.

Leia came close and said as she looked down, "Sorry, I did not know you were so injured yesterday, I would have stayed up and let you sleep."

Aile gave her a quick hug, "It is fine, it does not hurt that much."

Aile then went to Sara, who was awake now and said, "How are you feeling?"

Sara's weak voice came, "I am hungry?"

Aile chuckled from the response and ruffled her hair as he went hunting for breakfast. While Aile was going for a swim in the morning, he had seen some animals. He was going after them to hunt.

Laila was sitting next to Sara, and they started to chat. While Hazel asked about what happened to Aile yesterday, as she had fallen asleep after they left the town. She then heard the whole story of how seven people followed them shortly after, and how Aile jumped down from the mount to protect them. How Leia was scared that Aile would not be able to come back and how one of them followed their them for a long time. Then Leia explained how he came all bloodied, which scared her a little.

Soon Aile returned with breakfast, and everyone quickly had a bite, and then Aile started to pack again. Then, they all journeyed. This time Hazel sat behind Aile as she could control her body better and hold on to him. She hugged him tightly, and she apologized to him, as she was the cause of his wounds. Aile told him that he did not mind and that she should not blame herself.

A similar schedule continued as they headed towards Port Kiar. Only it kept on getting easier as Hazel and Sara healed and were no longer in need of constant support. A few days passed, and soon they saw the walls of Port Kiar. Aile guided everyone to a higher vantage point and told them to rest. He did not want everyone to be seen by the guards. Using his sense, Aile sneaked underneath a carriage and entered the town.

He headed towards Hazel's place to get Fiona's help to sneak everyone in. However, when he reached the location of Hazel's house, nothing was there apart from the rubble. The once magnificent house close to the beach was gone, and so were the people. It looked like a collapsed abandoned lot.

Most of the structure was fallen. Aile was a bit worried and headed towards his mansion. He reached there to see many guards securing the estate very firmly. Aile went close to the entrance when a guard shouted, "Halt."

Aile had already checked with his senses if he can infiltrate. He found out it would be impossible during the day without being caught, but possible at night. He then showed a special medallion that Fiona made for him and told the guards that he needs to see Fiona.

After seeing the medallion, they were very respectful and even offered their post, which had shade, to Aile. Soon Fiona arrived and invited him inside. Once they were inside, she hugged him and welcomed him back. Then, Fiona started to explain what happened. She told Aile that after they were gone for two days, the pirates invaded and only destroyed Hazel's house and took a few slaves. They claimed that they were only here against Hazel, and anyone that works for her would be their enemy.

She then said how a mysterious person arrived and made sure that they were all safe and brought them here. Of course, this was Emily in disguise.

She asked Aile "What happened to him?"

Aile told her that he will explain later, but for now, he needed someone to bring people sneakily to town. She nodded and using Jack Oxe's carriage, Fiona along with Aile left to pick them up. Fiona said, "It would be better for themselves to go, decreasing the chances of their news getting out. This would be the best way to prevent people from knowing them."

One hour later, the carriage arrived back to the town and stopped in front of Hazel's previous resident. Sara cried that their home was destroyed and she was more worried about Sophie. She looked at Aile in an annoyed fashion and told him that he should have listened to her, and they should have come back to inform Sophie to leave the house.

Aile quickly told her that Sophie was ok. After that, she considerably calmed down, it seemed she did not really care too much about the house, and Hazel sighed, seeing the destroyed building.

Aile looked at Hazel and asked if she is ok. After all, her grandfather offered this town to her. Hazel snorted and said she no longer cares about anyone from Nala clan and will no longer take responsibility for them. She also said she will be fulfilling her promise with Aile, and that he needs to provide them with shelter.

Aile, along with everyone left to his new estate, on the way Aile calmed down Sara and told her that she will have a better room in the new house, and she can pick any room herself. Sara nodded and calmed down, Aile had never lied to her, so she was anticipating. Hazel thought he was joking.

Soon they arrived in front of the gate of his mansion, and they entered.

In front of them was a beautiful villa looking better than Hazel's old house. Every one of them was surprised. It looked much better now that Fiona has employed people to take care of it. The little clear streams that trickled around the house, neatly cut grass, flowers and beautiful trees brought the house's aesthetics to a new level.

Sara asked if she could pick any room in the mansion, and Aile nodded. Soon everyone went around to explore after Fiona gave them a token of identity. The people remaining in the carriage was Hazel, Fiona and Aile.

Hazel had a confused look at Aile and then at Fiona asking, "Can we really stay here? What if someone recognizes us?"

Fiona replied "Most of the people in the house are people that we trust, the few that we have doubts about are not at the mansion at the moment. We will take care of them soon."

Hazel then tried to get some more information, but Aile did not answer or danced around the answer, making her frustrated. Hazel then entered the mansion, leaving Fiona and Aile in the carriage.

Aile gave a recount of what happened and how people were after them.

He also mentioned the identity of Laila and Leia, hearing it Fiona was not happy. However, she did not voice her opinions out. He also told Fiona that no one should know that they are here in the town.

She nodded and told Aile, that they had already made sure that only maids that they trust were inside the mansion, and they were checked by the mysterious person that saved them. As for the ones working in the garden and outside, they are not tested yet. Aile had already planned to check their loyalty.

Aile also explained the trading deal that he had organized with Oxe Merchant guild. Fiona was surprised, and a happy smile crept on her face. He likewise explained about the healing cream and told her that she can keep all the profit from it.

Fiona shook her head and thanked Aile and just responded with a short hug, and she told him that others will probably be looking for him and he should go and meet them they can talk more later. Aile nodded at her and, he went inside and saw Sophie looking around everywhere. Aile sighed another hard conversation up ahead.

She soon saw Aile and came for a hug. After a long hug, she started talking with him and guided him to the main room of the house.

It seemed that Emily transferred everything he owned from his old room before it was destroyed. She then gave a quick recap of what happened, with much less detail on their loss compared to Fiona. However, she explained more about the tactic of the pirates and how they attacked the town. It seems that Emily's teaching is coming to fruition.

She then asked about Laila and Leia. Aile told her the truth, she gritted her teeth and nodded then they continued to talk.

After a while, Diana came, and Sophie left to get to know Laila, Leia and show the house to Sara. The first thing Diana did was thank him for saving her from the attack. She knew if the pirates got to her, then she would have a terrible end in their ships.

Aile told her that she is his maid, of course, he will take care of her. A beautiful smile appeared on her face as she offered to make Aile a bath. He nodded, after all, he had been waiting for some time to relax. He had been in high alert for a long time, now it was about time to have a break.