Chapter 26 - Aola (2)

Ahron takes his time to savour each bite of his meal and the bread he successfully obtained from Crion. He finds it amusing that the eyes of his informant are filled with rage directed at the table separating both of them.

A sparkle of mirth flashed across his vision though it disappeared within seconds. Gulping down the last bite of his expensive meal, Ahron burped and licked his fingers clean.

Crion finds the gesture revolting, but he tries hard to hide the expression from showing through his face.

"Pardon me," he reached for a teal silky clean handkerchief from his chest pocket, Crion could've sworn it gives out a unique fruity scent.

Its extravagance and intricate pattern clearly doesn't suit this rundown. Wiping around his lips in slow motion, it only gives off a conceited appearance instead of refined.

He licked his lips, continuing, "It's the first meat I've had since a while, I never know why they never sell meat inside Ertellib," he said, straightening his body and facing the informant in front of him with a serious gaze.

Crion nod nonchalantly, but finds his word quite surprising.

Ertellib?

He came from that far?

Crion finds it both astonished and suspicious to actually meet with the Royal Prince of Sutten within Wasteland territory. As a place for runaways and the abandoned creatures, there never occur any mishaps between the land and another country. Especially Suttern.

As a werewolves centred kingdom holds highly upon its military strength and glory. Suttern is ought to bring fear upon other creatures. If the guy called Yonvatir this royal bastard searches for, had done some unthinkable business that could cause a royal to personally send a Prince as part of the search party to Wasteland. It is no simple matter.

Wasteland safety and existence will someday receive a huge storm of danger.

Crion gulps, starting to fear the possible outcomes if Yonvatir couldn't be found. However, he should focus upon finding Raiene firsthand.

The royal placed his gaze upon Crion and stated "so, where were we?"

Crion rolled his eyes, disbelief painted on his face. He had rambled off before the dish arrived and met with silence when the royal began to eat.

But not a single thing he informed had managed to stay within his head?

Crion takes a deep breath for the nth time and begins his explanation.

"Yonvatir, the guy you're looking for is most likely stay within the west part of Wasteland," he explained after chewing some bits of the bread his mother had stored for him.

"Words spread, he loves to travel within this land. It's hard to determine whether he is still in the west or gone off somewhere else," Crion wiped away crumbles that stubbornly stuck near his mouth while staring at the royal opposite of him.

"He is quite famous with merchants and port servants, they always come to him whenever they have injuries which require further inspection. You can take a carriage from here to the west, I've already written down his address," Crion finalised, as he tidied up his bag and leaned closer to the table, "now I need that ship."

Time is ticking away, each second he delayed will be torturous for Raiene's mother. If somehow he did manage to bring back Raiene only to be met with a corpse, Crion will blame himself continuously from that day onwards. Let's not talk about still being her friends, it would be miraculous if she didn't turn him into her enemies.

The royal before him deliberately took his time glancing around the place, looking distracted, "It'll be nice if you show me the way, as you can see my knowledge of this land isn't quite broad, I'll surely pay your service upon immediate conclusion of this mission of mine," he said. Eyes turning crescent from smiling, but his smile contains humour and mischief rather than gratitude.

Crion closed his eyes, feeling uncontrolled throbbing make its way around his forehead, as smoke could perhaps visibly be seen coming out of both his ears.

This bastard.

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

"Soryen Port!"

The rough shout from the ship's personnel startled her, but her strong gaze still occupied her two different coloured eyes. Straightening her back, she pulled her cloak further down her face, covering her head perfectly.

The ship swayed for a few more minutes, before allowing its passengers to the edge of the ship. Lightly stepping her feet to the wooden board that bridges the ground and the ship compartment. A familiar feeling of home came rushing within her mind, the taste of the beach and its rustling sound of creatures surrounding her.

But her purpose for coming to Ertellib is not indulging in nostalgia.

She needs her son.

Waiting ahead, her step faltered. A familiar aura and the same burst of colour appeared before her. She knew it before the person in front of her spoke.

The Queen had expected her arrival.

"Welcome."

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

The bustling road filled with various kinds of herbs and strange things merchants from other countries had come to offer. The place is always full with a crowd almost every single day.

Aola's Market catered to almost every creature's need and a central place for merchants, traders and visitors. Aola's Market was named after the main street inside Qye. If you've somehow ended up lost inside the maze-like residence, asking for the way to Aola's road will help in locating your original spot.

Raiene couldn't hide her excitement and no words were able to describe what she felt at the moment. Despite standing amidst the bustling sound of chatters and constant skin contact with other creatures, she still feels elated inside.

She seems lost within the flowing current of vibrant and various combination shades of blue and ivory, adorned almost at every crevice of the street. Light tunes marking the approaching Lantern Festival and the scent of warmth bread and sweets filled up her nose, teasing and enticing along the way.

It was a huge disparity when compared to the market inside Arrenquile. Inside Arrenquile, shops are scarce and the variety of things that could be offered is very limited. Besides the crucial everyday necessities, most of the luxurious goods are only offered to the nobles because of their price.

Raiene finds all of this new and mesmerising. Her face lights up as her head darts between one corner to another in a split second, feet feel so light she unconsciously skips far away within five steps.

Raiene was about to turn around to face Artha, when suddenly a warm hand engulfed her cold one, firm and tight, for a second immediately put her in place. Surprised by the contact, she looked up to find Artha face so close upon her.

"Don't run around."