Empty hands

"Can I know now where we are going? Your Majesty, we have been travelling aimlessly for God knows how many days."

"It has been a month, now." The king answered, and Hermes cried. " I'll be honest; I have no idea where we are going." The horse stopped in his tracks as Hermes tugged the reins. He couldn't believe he had spent a month wandering aimlessly with the king. Hermes was gazing at the king when the king turned to face him. The monarch responded with a chuckle and dismounted. "Just to be clear, I'm not wandering around aimlessly."

"But to whom? And where?"

"I'm looking for someone who doesn't even have a name, like the individual without a place to call home. I must find the person in order to save my kingdom and my family." He was fighting back tears, but they were shining in his eyes. He inhaled deeply and smiled, a grin of hope that begged for assistance. "Do you believe in me?"

"You Majesty" Hermes approached him and kneeled down after a little distance. "Please accept it as my fault that I had any doubts at all. I will do as you ask. My apologies."

The king gave him a pat on the shoulders and asked him to stand. His joy was evident in his eyes. He was aware that he was not alone on this quest. And he thanked everybody who had suggested he bring someone along. He needed him; he needed someone to lean on; he needed a shoulder to cry on. "Hermes." While softly speaking, he embraced his old friend with his arms. "Hermes, I need you as a friend more than as a guard. Just put your faith in me. I'll tell you the whole truth." He was gripping him so tightly that his voice became choked. Hermes remained silent and allowed the king to cry on his shoulders. The king was vulnerable for the first time in a long time following the death of the queen.

"Anything for my king, my friend, I'm sorry to even have doubts."

"I ought to have told you, though. I believe it is past time for me to inform you."

They had been on the road for a month and were well outside of their Josen Kingdom. They avoided the markets and took the route through the forest, where they eventually came across a small town. Compared to the other countries he had visited; this one had a different atmosphere. The locals dressed differently; they appeared a little too flashy, and the king and Hermes stood out as social misfits.

They almost got stuck with some women who believed they were here to serve them since the folks around them were so open and friendly. Living somewhere other than their own kingdom was challenging, so they prayed that this time would go by fast.

"My freshly made chicken stew is here for you, gentlemen." Hermes received two cups of the stew from the woman. Hermes bowed respectfully to the lady before approaching the king's bench and taking a seat next to him.

"I'm sure the coronation went off without a hitch." King murmured.

"The need for the coronation is still beyond my comprehension. I'm not opposed to it. Ezekiel is a worthy candidate for this role." He drank some of the soup before going on. "But all we have to do is find that individual and return to the kingdom."

"I wish it were that easy, though." The king laughed. "We have no idea how long it will take, and it may cost us our lives as well. I can't leave the kingdom in that state."

"Your Maje-". The king gave him a frown, and he halted. Mikael, I mean."

"It might be dangerous. Are you sure you want to follow me? "The king enquired.

"Well, I wasn't joking when I swore an oath to protect my king and the kingdom." The king laughed at his response as he nodded. There was a little period of silence before Hermes spoke. He gestured to the money sack and asked, "But what about this? If we intend to stay and search for a long time, we cannot continue in this manner."

The king hummed back, "I know, we need to locate a place to stay and some decent work," before continuing.

They didn't know the person they were looking for. Even the gender of the person was unknown to them. They learned about the person from the state healer, who offered no other information save the fact that the person has no boundaries and no name. Everyone in the country heard about the wonders this person performed, but no one knew who they were. The guy who witnessed the incident has no memory of it.

There are some people who use their power for good in a world full of might and magic, but there are also very few people who use their magic to harm others. Additionally, magic and curses can only be broken by a person who is knowledgeable about them. The king began his quest for the greatest warlock ever by visiting as many countries as he could. He was adamant about protecting both his kingdom and the sole piece of his deceased wife. To protect Aura, his only hope for survival, he would do anything.

The king told Hermes of the curse that was affecting the entire realm, the castle, and everything in it. He explained to him that only one person could prevent the destruction of his kingdom, and that it was his duty to do whatever it took to find that person. " He related what the state healer had stated, quoting him, "Only a really determined and defenseless soul can discover that person, but he has to offer a large price for the person to help him." Without hesitation, Hermes stood beside the king and told him, "I'm here no matter what."

Days after days passed, the king and Hermes were able to find a rental property close to some cornfields, some distance from the main town. They had found a decent job that paid well enough to pay the rent and continue searching. Hermes was a butcher employed by two old couples in their barn. The king was in charge of looking after the animals in the barn. The old couple took good care of them and gave them a shed to sleep in at night.

A further month had gone and they were still unable to acquire even a hint of what they were looking for. They looked to be shooting in the dead of night, and their aim was always off. The townspeople were friendly, but they had no idea about some nameless warlock. The king huffed and sat down on what appeared to be a haystack covered in a few blankets after once more returning empty-handed. The elderly couple themselves were quite indigent, therefore the king was glad for this. He murmured loudly as he groaned in pain from his back. It appears that we are merely circling and not even getting close to anything. Hermes, also worn out, hummed in reply and sat down on the ground.

"How are we going to locate this person down?" Hermes moaned and turned to face the ceiling.

"Young man, who are you looking for?" They jumped as they heard a voice coming from the shed door. The elderly woman was holding a basket of food. They inhaled the aroma of freshly baked bread, which made their mouths water. " Maybe I can be of assistance. My spouse and I have lived here for so long that locals refer to us as "ancient." The king and Hermes exchanged glances before turning to face the woman. She offered them both a piece of bread and set the basket on a haystack that had been fashioned into a table. They accepted and thanked the lady with gusto. "What exactly were you speaking of?"

"We learned in our town that there is a warlock that can cast magic. We were seeking for something similar. "Do you happen to know anything, my lady?" Hermes spoke while addressing the woman.

"Oh dear, you both happen to be noble individuals." The woman grinned a little. " The warlock is mysterious, with a hidden truth that only someone who is devoted can discover." Hermes and the king exchanged perplexed looks. The woman got up from her chair and walked over to the door. "Don't you want to know about the warlock?" she asked, turning to face them. Both of them quickly stood up after nodding in response to her question. " It's quite a story. What about a cup of tea?