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CHAPTER 27: Thugs

The hours passed by so quickly that that sweet afternoon ended so soon. Now, they are already set on their own beds. Tobias glanced at Sol who's sleeping in the other bed. He slowly got down from his own bed and walked towards her. He sat down beside her bed and stared at her. After ruffling her tresses, he walked out from the chambers and went to the comfort room.

After relieving himself, he did not go back to the chambers just yet. He decided to walk around while stealthily avoiding being seen by the golden shielders. After several minutes of walking around, he arrived at a storage room. A storage room that once was his chamber. He hesitated first before opening it. As soon as he finally opened it, he lit one of the lamps there. As soon as he set his gaze on that room, the unfortunate memory started to flash before him.

Mother! Mother! A young boy shouted as he watched his mother being slain by a masked man.

Tobias started to tremble. He put off the lamp and even though he still had a bit of difficulty in moving, he tried to run back to his chambers. Sweat dripped from his forehead. He wrapped himself with his own arms and tried to calm down.

It's alright, Tobias. It's alright.

XXX

Sol was sleeping soundly when she heard a deep voice struggling.

"Mo-ther! M-mother!" he groaned as his tears welled up.

Sol immediately woke up and glanced at the nearby bed.

What should I do? The Captain is having a nightmare again!

Sol held his hand as she tried to wake him up.

"Captain! Captain!"

Tobias continued struggling and kept murmuring as tears streamed from his eyes. Several seconds have passed and Tobias was able to wake up from his nightmare.

"Sol…" a soft deep voice called out to her.

Sol went closer to Tobias and gently wiped his tears from his face.

"Are you okay, Captain?"

Tobias let out a bitter smile, embarrassed.

"I can't believe you've seen me in a not so cool situation. You've also seen me trembling and you also saw my tears… I bet that you've been thinking why an infamous ruthless Captain would crumble like that."

"Well...I've also seen you having a nightmare at Haelas' house."

"Haa?" he can only exclaim as he covered his face with his hands.

"Well…actually, I'm honored to have seen such rare scenes Captain…however, it pains me to see you in such a situation."

"Hm. You haven't asked me about it. Aren't you curious?"

"I am so curious, Captain but I don't want to ask about it. Though, I wouldn't burden you on sharing it to me but it helps to lighten the load when you open it to others. I am always ready to listen when you're ready to share it with me, Captain."

"When I am ready, you are the first one to hear about it."

"Yes, Captain. Also share it to me why you've been turning your cosmos white tresses into raven dark. I want to see you in your cosmos white tresses, Captain."

Tobias froze and then sighed.

"I will try to show you when I'm ready."

"Mm. Then, try going back to sleep, Captain. I will try to ward off those nightmares of yours so you can get a good rest."

Tobias let out a small smile and slowly closed his eyes. Sol caressed his tresses.

Rest well, Captain.

XXX

The next day, Commander Remus and several golden shielders escorted them back to the camp. The Supremo was adamant on giving them escorts.

"Whether they find out that you are my daughter or not, I don't care. You must let them escort you back," he said sternly to his daughter.

Sol knew that his father was just worried about her, that's why she didn't contradict him any longer.

After several hours, they arrived at the camp. Commander Remus and his golden shielders still escorted them inside the camp that made the onlookers gasp in awe.

The power of someone favored by the Supremo. They are even escorted by the Commander of the Golden Shields.

It might be because Captain Karsh is there. I heard that he was escorted to the Capital. The Captain must be a distinguished guest. As you expect from the number one defender.

Well, the aspirants don't really know the reason why Tobias was escorted to the Capital.

As they arrived at the administration building, Commander Remus and his golden shielders took their leave, leaving Tobias and Sol alone.

There was quite an awkward silence between them.

"Well.." Tobias murmured.

"Captain, here," Sol said as she handed the Captain a packet of medicinal herbs that he will add in his bath, "Please heal faster or else I will bathe you again."

Tobias looked shocked and just glared at Sol. Embarrassed, he walked faster towards the stable to secure his steed.

Sol just grinned as she watched the Captain's retreating back.

XXX

Sol then entered the dining hall to have her lunch. She then swooped the area with her eagle eyes to find if her quarter mates were still having their lunch.

And there they are!

Sol approached them immediately.

"Oh, you have arrived!" Reicha said as she gave Sol a tap on her back.

"Yes."

"So, where did you go? You were in a rush when you left."

"Well, I had urgent business at the Capital."

"Oh, what urgent business do you have there? You really looked determined."

"I'm afraid I can't disclose it to you."

"Oh, Right. My bad."

XXX

It's early morning of the weekend when Tobias found himself in front of Sol's quarters. He contemplated many times if he would knock on the door or not.

Then, the door suddenly opened. Creak!

Serga popped from the ajar door.

"Oh, Captain?!" she exclaimed, quite shocked, "Good morning, Captain! What can we do for you, Captain?"

"Is Aspirant Moraii there?" he asked indifferently.

"Oh. She went out earlier, Captain. I thought she just went to the comfort room but she hasn't come back yet."

"Okay, then," Tobias said and went on his way.

He waited for some time and sent for her; but the staff said that she had gone to the Capital.

Tobias harshly sighed and went to get his steed.

Maybe, I'll meet her there.

But where could she have gone so early? Did she go to the Manse?

Tobias just galloped away towards the Capital and he found himself at the Bloody Cloaks headquarters. He had no choice but to go and bother his friends.

"Oh, you're here, Captain," Dorn greeted him.

"Mm. Where's Ka-el?"

"He's away for some errands, Captain."

Tobias sneakily closed the door and went to take a seat.

"That's perfect. I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Do you think it is better to let go of someone you want to be close to just because you want to protect him or her?"

"Captain, don't you think that you should keep her closer instead in order to protect her more effectively?"

"What if getting her closer would hurt her more in the end?"

"Where did you get the conclusion that she will be hurt in the end? Don't you think that you should talk to the person involved? You know, sometimes worrying about the future will bring you regrets. As the future is so uncertain, I think you should have her close."

"What if I already let her go?"

"Then, how did you feel?"

"I thought that I would be alright. But as the days went by, I felt unwell…and I felt guilty."

"So, you still want her to be close to you?"

"Mm."

"Then, get her close before she gets hurt even more."

"Do you think so?"

"You should ask yourself about it, Captain."

"Mmmm. But why do you keep referring to the person as 'her', it could be 'him'?"

"Well..that person is a 'she' right?" he asked, teasing him.

Tobias just shook his head, defeated. Then, he remembered something.

"Dorn... do you have something to say to me?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Dorn asked, puzzled.

"Nothing, I just thought that maybe you have. And if you have, if you have anything to talk about. You can count on me," he said meaningfully.

Dorn felt something cold crept up his spine.

What does he mean by it?

"Mm," Dorn replied as he calmed himself.

"So, when will Ka-el be back?"

"I think he'll be back the next day."

"Then, let's have our lunch."

"Mm."

Dorn and Tobias went to the Capital Market where they could find a lot of restaurants that offer various food choices. Dorn and Tobias passed by the expensive restaurant where Tobias and Sol had dined before.

Tobias threw a glance at the restaurant.

"Captain, do you want to dine there?" Dorn asked when he noticed the Captain staring at the expensive restaurant.

"No. It's expensive there," he said and walked faster.

Not knowing that in that same room of the restaurant, Sol is having a hearty meal with Karisha. When she left her camp, she went to get Karisha.

"Have you been here before?" Karisha asked when the restaurant manager greeted her as if he had seen Sol before.

"Mm."

"With whom?"

"Captain Karsh."

Karisha grinned.

"Then, is it going well?"

"Well…it didn't go the way I hoped it would."

"Oh," Karisha uttered and she immediately walked towards her and hugged her tightly.

"I'm doing fine. When I started this, I already prepared myself that it might be like this in the end."

At least I know that he also likes me. He just doesn't want me to get hurt. I think I'll just wait a little longer until he doesn't worry anymore about hurting me.

"It's alright. It's gonna be alright," Karisha comforted her with her arms still wrapped around her.

"Karisha, it's fine. Go back to your seat now, you are spreading oil on my robes."

"Ha, ha. Sorry," Karisha said and released Sol. She then went back to her seat.

"Hey, seriously, I'm always here for you…" she said.

"I already know that, my dearest friend."

"Mm," she responded and let out a sweet smile.

XXX

Tobias and Dorn just finished their lunch and Tobias decided to drop his friend at the headquarters before wandering around the market. They passed by the jewelry shop where Sol ordered a necklace for him.

Tobias smiled bitterly.

I think I might not no longer receive that star necklace from her.

XXX

Several minutes after Tobias and Dorn passed by the jewelry shop, Sol and Karisha arrived there.

"Are you into jewelry?" Karisha asked when she saw Sol entering the shop.

"Mm. Not really. I just want to get something that I ordered."

Karisha didn't respond and just grinned as Sol went to inquire with the manager. After a while, the manager gave her a necklace with stars as its concept.

"It's beautiful," Karisha commented.

"You think so?"

"Mm."

Sol smiled and secured the necklace contained in a wooden box inside her pockets.

"Well, do you want anything from the displayed jewelry?"

"I'm not really into jewelry. Just buy me food."

Sol grinned, "Right."

XXX

After roaming around the market the whole afternoon, Sol and Karisha visited a nearby tavern. After which, they retired to a nearby inn. Several hours passed by, but sleep wouldn't visit Sol. She then decided to get some fresh air.

While gazing at the stars, she didn't realize that she was being surrounded by a group of thugs.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" a husky voice stated.

"A f*cking wishbone boss," another one replied.

Sol immediately looked behind her and she saw several thugs armed with bolos (single edge sword/large knife).

"What do you want? If you want money, I can give it to you," Sol said, trying to calm her racing heart as she rummaged through her pockets for the money.

"Well, we also like that. But, we love your blood dripping from our bolos," the leader said as he gripped his bolo, preparing to attack Sol.

"Can't you see my purple tresses? I might end you in seconds. Also, there are a lot of defenders at the taverns. Have you heard the name 'Captain Tobias Karsh'?"

Sol can see the fear seeping on their body.

"Ca-Captain Karsh is h-here?" one of the lackeys murmured to the boss, almost questioning.

Sol saw a glimpse of fear in the boss' eyes but he seemed unaffected.

"Captain Karsh, well, I don't see him around," the boss said and signaled one of his lackeys who immediately lounged at Sol. Luckily Sol was able to dodge it. However, she was already surrounded.

"All I see is a filthy Wishbone claiming to be saviours of this land when they are really the oppressors!" the boss said with a darkened expression. He then ordered, "Get her!"

Sol has no weapon, she could only rely on her fighting skills as she looks for an opening to get away.

As the thugs attacked her, she only kept dodging them; and when she got the chance, she would try to knock them down in one try by giving a blow on their nose, a kick on their knee or a strike on their neck.

The fight was going on for several minutes and the boss noticed something from the skills of Sol.

"Hmm, what is this? Are you really a Wishbone or you're pretending to be one? I thought you would be stronger than this?!" the boss taunted Sol and said, "Nevertheless, it would be easier for us to kill -"

Just before the boss could finish his words, the last one of his lackeys fell down.

"You might be weaker than those Wishbones I've met, but you can still fight! Nice, I want a good fight before I end your life!!" the boss shouted as he lashed out at Sol.

Feeling a bit worn out with her slashed robes and several cuts , Sol decided to run for her life now that she has taken down the last one of the boss' lackeys. However, the boss was able to block her from running away. Still, she looked for an opening and tried to run away…until she was cornered in a dimly lit alley.

"Well, why are you trying to run away when you have nowhere to go?" the boss taunted her as he readied his bolo.

It seems I have no choice but to fight him. But how can I do that? I'm already drained from taking down 15 of his men. He also seemed so strong and skilled that he doesn't care if I'm a Wishbone. If I could just be…just be a real one. I could have taken down all of them in a minute. But, what can I do when my strength is that of an average individual?

Forget it. First, we need to survive this. Think, think about your training. What would Captain Karsh do in this kind of situation?

While thinking of what she would do, she suddenly started taking off her clothes. The boss was caught off guard. 

Suddenly, Sol threw her robes towards the boss, covering his vision. At that moment, Sol ran past him but the boss was able to grab her hand, turning her around to face his incoming bolo strike.

Heavens! Will I really die like this?

Sol tried to avoid the strike by pulling herself away from the boss' grip and threw herself on the ground. The ground hurt her barely clothed back. She immediately opened her eyes to prepare for the boss.

But at that time, all she could see was a man watching another man fall with a bolo rammed right into his chest.

Her gaze went from the falling man towards the newly arrived person. His raven tresses flowed with the night breeze along with his midnight blue robes. The man slowly turned towards her. Though he looks indifferent, Sol was able to catch a glimpse of worry from his silver eyes.

As Sol stared at the one who slayed the man who attacked her earlier, she started to recognize him.

"Captain?"

Tobias immediately rushed towards Sol' side after he had slain that man. He was staying at the nearby inn and when he couldn't sleep, he started to walk around. There he saw the bruised men who were acting suspiciously. He forced them to spill what happened, that's why he was able to track them. He was very much surprised when he saw that Sol was the one being attacked. He didn't spare any second and he unsheathed his sword.

Tobias looked grim and he didn't even utter any word as he continued checking on Sol' bruised body.

"I am fine, Captain."

Tobias harshly sighed as he stared at Sol. His grim look softened with concern. And then he carefully hugged Sol.

"If I…If I came any second late, I might have lost you. And if that would have happened, I cannot forgive myself," he gently said in his deep voice.

"The heavens were kind to me. You are here just in time, Captain."

"Mm."

Tobias then released Sol from his arms.

"Can you move?...or if not, get on my back," he said as he crouched in front of Sol.

"Of course, I can Captain," she said as she tried to stand up with her trembling feet.

"Wait for me here," Tobias said as he went to pick Sol's torn clothes. He then returned to Sol and lent his arm for Sol to hold on.

"Captain, please help me keep the investigation under wraps. If my father hears about this, he might bring me back to the Manse."

"Mm."

After informing the patrolling Amethysts regarding the incident, Tobias then brought Sol to the nearest Healer's Center to get her wounds treated.

After watching Sol catch her sleep, Tobias left and went back to the office of the patrolling Amethyts. They were able to catch 5 thugs but they weren't able to find the leader's body. Since the attack is done against an aspirant, the thugs will be transferred to the Investigation Bureau this coming morning.

Before going back to the Healer's Center, Tobias ordered the case in-charge to transfer the Investigation to Sir Allegros and Sir Braegen of the Investigation Bureau.

It was mid-morning when Karisha arrived at the Healer's Center. Earlier, she was shocked and puzzled to find Sol's room empty. She then went to ask the innkeeper about it and they found out that she went out last night and she never came back. Karisha was even more puzzled, Sol is not the type to just disappear without any word.

She decided to go out and ask around when she overheard about the incident last night. Then, she had a huge suspicion that it might be her friend , so she tracked her down until she found them at the Healer's Center.

Sol was still asleep when she arrived. She was rather shocked to see Captain Karsh by her side.

"Good morning, Captain Karsh!" she greeted the Captain and rushed towards Sol as she gasped when she saw the bruises and wounds on Sol' body.

She gently held Sol's hand as she sat on her bedside. She then turned towards the Captain.

"Captain, how is she doing?" she asked the half-awake Captain.

"Fortunately, there are no big wounds nor fractures on her body. She will be fine."

"I heard that you are the one who saved her, Captain. Thank you so much. May the heavens continually shine upon you, Captain."

"Mm. Though, it was a coincidence. I'm still glad that I took a walk last night."

Karisha glanced again at the Captain and she noticed that he seemed drained.

Maybe, is it because he worried too much about Sol?

She let out a smile and then she became serious.

Karisha, now is not the time to be smiling.

"Captain, why don't you take a rest first? Since I am here, I can take care of Sol for you."

"No. I'm alright."

"If Sol finds out that you didn't take a rest. I bet she will not like it, Captain."

Tobias stared at Karisha then to Sol.

"Mm. Okay then," he said after being contained in his own thoughts for several minutes.

Tobias then threw one last glance at Sol before he left. He then sent a messenger to the Investigation Bureau to request the presence of either Sir Allegros or Sir Braegen to look after Sol.

About an hour after the Captain left, Sol slowly woke up. She immediately looked around the room but she couldn't find Tobias, instead she saw a woman who's stunned as she stared at her.

"Sol! You're awake! How are you feeling? What really happened last night? Why did they attack you?! And how did the Captain save you?!" Karisha continually asked her in a rather excited, curious and concerned loud voice.

"Karisha…" she stated in her lower than usual voice.

"Mm?"

"Calm down. I will answer all the things you wanted to know."

"Of course you will."

"Bring me water first, I'm kind of thirsty."

"Alright."

Karisha immediately went to get a cup of lukewarm water and she also picked the platter of fruits that she was slicing earlier. She then helped Sol drink that water.

Sol then patiently and elaborately answered all of Karisha's questions as she fed her with the fruits that she prepared.

Just as Sol finished telling what happened last night, the door opened. It showed a bloody cloaks defender with sharp monolid eyes.

"Si-Sir Allegros?" Karisha gasped as she stood up and walked towards Dorn.

Dorn gave Karisha a nervous smile as she walked towards her.

"What brought you here, Sir? Is it because of the case of Sol?" she asked as if nothing happened between them.

"Mm. And also, Captain Karsh sternly ordered me to come and watch over his aspirant."

Karisha glanced at Sol who is currently watching them. She gave a teasing smile.

"Right. Then, please do take a seat sir."

"Thank you."

Karisha then led Dorn to his seat and then she went back towards her seat.

"I'm so sorry to have bothered you, Sir Allegros," Sol said.

"It's alright. It's still part of our job to protect the victims of our cases. We are glad that you were able to make out alive and quite well after that attack. We already formed a team to focus on your case and the related cases that happened in the different places. It seems that this isn't their first attack. Remember what Captain Himenes told us earlier? It seems that those who attacked you are the same as what she told us."

"By the way, if I may ask Sir, is the investigation still kept under wraps?"

"Yes. Captain Karsh repeatedly stated it in the letter he sent us. Don't worry."

Sol let out a smile, "Thank you and I apologize for the inconvenience."

"It's alright."

Several minutes passed and the conversation became silent. Sol glanced at Karisha who's pretending to sleep at the nearby chair.

As the awkwardness is unbearable, Sol decided to ask a favor from Dorn.

"Sir Allegros, by chance, did you bring your lyre harp?"

"Mm. Do you want me to play a piece?"

"Uh, That would be lovely Sir; but I guess, let's save that for another time. Why don't you teach my friend, Karisha, here. It has been her goal to master playing the lyre harp so that she could play it beautifully in front of the one who she cherished."

"Huh?!" Karisha suddenly exclaimed upon hearing what her friend had said, "We don't wanna bother Sir Allegros."

"It's fine," Dorn said as he gazed warmly and apologetically at Karisha.

"But, I didn't bring my lyre harp, sir," Karisha said, as she averted her gaze towards Sol.

"We can use mine."

Karisha didn't have a choice but to share Dorn's harp as he meticulously taught her.

Sol couldn't help but notice how the eyes of Dorn were glued on her friend.

I hope that it will work out for them.