Chapter 9: Tangled webs

As Kate left the room, the door clicking shut behind her, Kael was about to turn and leave when the Duke's voice stopped him.

"One last thing, Kael." The Duke's tone had shifted, no trace of his earlier politeness remaining. His words were measured, serious. "You'll want to be careful with my daughter. She's... a challenge, to put it mildly. She's not used to being told 'no.'"

Kael met the Duke's gaze, doing his best to keep his frustration in check. "I understand, Your Grace."

The Duke gave a small nod, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Good. But remember, I've invested a lot in this. I'll be watching."

Kael didn't know whether that meant the Duke was watching his performance as a bodyguard-or whether it had more to do with how he handled Kate. Either way, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more at stake here than just keeping someone safe.

Before Kael could fully process the weight of the Duke's words, Orin spoke up from where he stood near the door, his casual stance a sharp contrast to the heavy atmosphere in the room.

"You know, Kael," Orin said, his lips curling into a smirk, "the Duke's not wrong about Kate. She's... special in her own way."

Kael shot him a questioning glance. "Special how?"

Orin chuckled, pushing himself off the doorframe, his manner easy and relaxed despite the tension in the air. He gave Kael a reassuring pat on the back. "Let's just say she's got a way of making people feel like they need to please her. And trust me, that need can turn into a dangerous game real quick."

Kael's stomach tightened. "I'm supposed to protect her from a stalker, not get caught in her games."

Orin's grin widened, eyes gleaming with something Kael couldn't quite place. "Oh, it's never that simple. You'll be doing both. And you'll need to keep your wits about you, especially around her. But hey," he added with a wink, "you've got this. You're not a rookie anymore."

Kael swallowed his unease, nodding, but the Duke's words echoed in his mind. "I've invested a lot in this." That wasn't just about the job. It was about power, control... and something deeper Kael didn't yet understand. He realized just how deep he was in now, whether he liked it or not.

The Duke's gaze softened for just a moment, as if sensing Kael's internal conflict. "I trust you'll rise to the challenge. Both of you," he said, nodding toward Orin.

With that, the room seemed to grow quieter, the weight of the moment settling on Kael's shoulders. Whatever game the Duke was playing, Kael knew one thing for certain: he wasn't just a bodyguard in this situation. He was part of something much bigger than he'd signed up for.

...

Outside the Duke's castle, Kael and Orin began the walk back toward the city. Kael's mind was still racing, trying to make sense of everything.

"See? I told ya they weren't the easiest people to deal with. Especially his daughter," Orin sighed, shaking his head.

"You weren't kidding... Kate…" Kael muttered under his breath, still feeling the weight of their conversation.

"What was that?" Orin asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you've already fallen for her charms?"

Kael shot him a sharp glance, but Orin's tone was teasing, almost nervous. That didn't escape Kael's notice.

"What do you mean?" Kael asked, his voice flat. "You said she's a challenge, not…"

Orin chuckled, though it lacked its usual confidence. "Ah, don't worry about it. She's got a way with people, that's all. Just... keep your head on straight. You'll see."

Kael wasn't sure what to make of Orin's strange tone, but the unease gnawing at him only deepened. Whatever Orin had meant by that comment, Kael had the distinct feeling it wasn't just about playing nice with the Duke's daughter. There was something more going on here.

And the longer Kael spent in this world, the less certain he was about where he stood.

"Wanna go grab a bite before we return to the guild, just to get our minds of those 2 calculating annoyances?" Orin suddenly suggested.

"Yes please, that's the best idea you've ever had" Kael nodded like there was no tomorrow.

...

As Kael and Orin walked through the bustling streets, the weight of the conversation with the Duke and Kate still hung heavily on his shoulders. The city was alive around them, with vendors shouting about their wares, the clinking of coins, and the distant hum of laughter from a tavern down the street. But Kael barely noticed any of it.

"Let's go here," Orin said, leading Kael into a small, unassuming restaurant nestled between two tall buildings. The wooden sign above the door read, "The Steaming Stone", and from the smell wafting out, it seemed to live up to its name.

Inside, the low hum of conversation and the clatter of dishes filled the air. It was warm, cozy, with soft light spilling from hanging lanterns, creating a comfortable atmosphere. Orin led Kael to a table by the window, overlooking the city's streets.

Kael slid into the seat with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure I can shake the feeling that I'm caught up in something bigger than I bargained for…"

Orin flopped into his seat across from him, a carefree grin on his face. "Ah, that's the fun part, isn't it? You don't always know what's coming, but you've got to roll with it."

Kael leaned back, staring at the menu on the table without really seeing it. His mind kept wandering back to Kate-the way she looked at him, how she spoke. Calculating. Cold. Yet somehow, he couldn't deny the nagging pull in his chest, as if he was caught in her web in away.

"She's dangerous," Kael muttered, mostly to himself, but Orin heard him anyway, he didn't speak, he waited for Kael to continue.

Kael raised an eyebrow, his unease growing. "What's her game, Orin?"

Orin leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. "Well, that's the thing. I'm not entirely sure myself. I just know that it's better to keep my distance from both of them." He lowered his arms and gave Kael a sharp look. "But you're in deeper now. And the Duke... he's not just about power. He's about control. And Kate? Well, she's been groomed for it, she definitely isn't just about sunshines and rainbows."

Kael's stomach tightened. The conversation was starting to feel like a warning, but he wasn't sure what he should be watching out for.

Just then, a waitress arrived at their table, interrupting the conversation. "What can I get you two?"

Kael quickly glanced over the menu and ordered something simple-something that would let him clear his head. Orin, on the other hand, ordered with his usual enthusiasm, as if the conversation they were having hadn't been heavy at all.

As the waitress walked away, Kael rubbed the back of his neck, "Things just keep getting more and more difficult".

Orin chuckled, taking a long sip from his mug. "Yeah, but I'm sure you'll find a way through it".

Kael stared out the window, the city stretching out before him, and for a brief moment, the weight of the world felt like it was bearing down on him. There was a lot more to this mission than just protecting Kate, tracking down the infamous Leon, dealing with the stalker, and trying to make sense of that strange, magnetic pull Kate seems to have

"Jeez, I sure hope you're right." Kael sighed heavily.

"Oh, Boss and Pyro, what brings you here?" Davit said, looking very sluggish, probably from his nasty hangover.

"Pyro? That's quite the upgrade from Fire boy" Kael chuckled in his head.

"Ah, guess I owe Liana a week's worth of snacks, I bet that you'd be laying in bed for 2 days" Orin sighed

Davit groaned in response, rubbing his temples. "Don't remind me. And next time, Boss, maybe lay off the betting, huh? My head feels like it's been hit by a herd of stampeding bulls."

Orin smirked but didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took a sip from his drink, clearly enjoying the moment.

Kael turned his attention back to the window. It was a beautiful day outside, yet the weight of his thoughts made everything feel so much heavier. The city looked busy, alive, but Kael couldn't shake the sense of being trapped in a puzzle that was quickly growing more complex than he was prepared for.

Davit took a seat and joined Kael and Orin, trying to get his thoughts together

"Forget about Kate and the Duke for now, you'll only give yourself a headache for no reason" Orin shrugged

Davit, finally able to focus on the conversation, perked up. "You talking about the Duke's daughter? That girl's trouble with a capital T."

"What do you mean?" Kael wondered.

"Call this hangover insight, but she got those crazy eyes, like everyone is a pawn to her." Davit groaned, his head hurt a lot.

Just as the conversation started to grow more tense, the waitress returned, balancing three plates of food on her arms with practiced ease. She placed them gently in front of each of them.

"Here you go," she said with a polite smile. "One roasted chicken for our young friend, a hearty stew for the mister," she noticed Davit, "Can i get you anything sir?"

"Anything with eggs or good for hangovers" Davit groaned.

"Coming right up," The waitress said before going to help another table.

Orin, clearly enjoying his hearty stew, shot him a grin. "You know, if you just put your mind to it, you could probably learn to like veggies. They're good for you."

"Maybe, but I'm more of a meat and rice person" Kael said enjoying his roasted chicken

Davit, still nursing his hangover, took a hesitant sip of his drink before wincing and setting it down. "I swear, next time I'm sticking to water. Not that it'll help much now." He gave Kael a sidelong glance. "But seriously, you're really gonna keep playing nice with that Kate or whatever her name is huh? You sure got a lot of patience, I wouldn't take a job from the Deku even if they were to pay me with a mansion."

Kael didn't answer right away, choosing instead to cut into his chicken with deliberate slowness. He wasn't sure why, but he felt hesitant to answer. He finally said, his voice more flat than he intended "This job is the reason i left the orphanage and met all of you guys at the guild, abandoning it now feels wrong. And Kate-she's different from other people I've met. I can't even figure her out."

Dorian snorted, "She's got a game, and she's probably playing it with you."

"I get that, but..." Kael stopped himself, unsure of how to finish the thought. How could he explain the feeling that was gnawing at him, that strange pull toward her? It was something strange, something that felt like it was tethering him to her. A bond he couldn't break, almost like an invisible chain was tighed around his neck.

"Look, just keep your head on straight," Orin said, looking deeply at Kael.

Kael nodded, "So... anything else going on with the guild while we've been gone?", Kael asked, trying to redirect the conversation, clearly thinking about those two wasn't good for his mental health.

Davit let out a low groan, rubbing his temples again. "Not much. Just the usual, Abel taking care of his gardens, Jesp relaxing at the beach, Liana sleeping, our hide and seek champion, the ghost hermit still isolating herself"

"WAIT SO YOU WEREN'T JOKING ABOUT THE GHOST" Kael exclaimed shocked looking at Orin

Orin, still enjoying his stew, chuckled. "I told you"

"Careful with the noise, you're killing me" Davit grabbed his temples in agony.

"Oh, sorry Davit" Kael said.

...

After finishing their meal, they paid and started heading back to the guild. Davit seemed a little better after his meal, which was a small relief. Kael, however, was still trying to push the thoughts of Kate out of his mind. It was harder than he expected, the weight of the Duke's words lingering in his thoughts. He needed a break, some peace.

As they approached the guild's front yard, Kael spotted Abel working in one of the gardens, watering the plants. The afternoon sun bathed the garden in a warm, golden light, casting soft shadows over the vibrant flowers. The smell of fresh earth and blooming petals filled the air. It was a beautiful sight, almost serene. The somewhat messy rooms, the warm hearth, the laughter of familiar faces, the small oasis of color and life, they all made the guild look like a cozy home.

"Hey, Abel, what's up?" Kael waved, breaking the moment of tranquility.

Abel looked up from his watering can, his usual calm demeanor softening into a smile as he noticed Kael. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand, his fingers stained with soil. "Just tending to the gardens. You know, these roses are particularly stubborn this year. But they'll bloom. They always do."

Kael stepped closer, taking in the vibrant colors of the flowers. "It looks good. Really good. You've got quite the touch, you're always so serious and stoic, but when you deal with plants or land-based stuff, you seem to be full of life."

Abel chuckled, leaning back against the small wooden fence separating the garden from the rest of the guild yard. "Part of my magic, I guess. Seems like it gave me a passion for this."

Kael raised an eyebrow, studying Abel for a moment before speaking again. "Your magic... that's a big deal, isn't it? Earth dragon magic sounds very special."

Abel's smile faded slightly, a hint of something deeper in his eyes. "It was a giant hastle to obtain the magic stone for it and master it. But I did it."

Kael nodded slowly, feeling the weight of Abel's words, then turned the conversation back to safer ground. "How's everything going with you?" Abel asked, crossing his arms and leaning his weight on one leg. "You've been gone all day."

"Uh... It was... interesting, to say the least. Me and Orin went to meet the Duke that gave us that quest about protecting his daughter from a stalker at the academy," Kael replied, his voice trailing off as he tried to push the unease away.

Abel's brow furrowed slightly, and he paused before responding, the tone of his voice shifting slightly. "Ah, those two... Best thing you can do is get the job done as quickly as you can and cut them off. Or don't take the job at all, although that ship has long sailed."

Kael glanced over at Abel, a slight chill running down his spine. "The fact that you're the third person who's told me this is starting to be concerning," Kael thought to himself

Before Kael could respond, Orin sauntered over, clearly in a much better mood after their meal. "Hey, Abel," he said, tossing Kael a grin. "Still watering your babies, huh?"

Abel rolled his eyes good-naturedly but didn't respond, focused on giving the plants one last round of water.

"You coming in soon?" Orin asked, his voice a little more upbeat now.

"Yeah, in a bit," Abel replied. "Just making sure everything's in order."

Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, well, I'm gonna go check in with the others, maybe they feel better now."

As Kael made his way toward the guild hall, to check how Jesp and Dorian are doing, Orin looked at Abel and Davit, all of them had a serious look on their faces

"The Duke and that brat daughter of his are definitely up to something, even if the whole stalker issue is actually legit," Orin began, his usual teasing tone replaced with something more serious. "They're surely scheming something, especially that daughter of his. I say we recommend Kael avoid mentioning his celestial magic."

Abel and Davit nodded simultaneously.

"That would be wise," Abel said slowly, his voice contemplative. "But if it comes to it, Kael will have to find a lie and explain why his fire is black."

Davit scratched his temple, his usual sarcasm muted by the seriousness of the conversation. "Different color fire magic is something you see here and there, but black flames? That's suspicious, even then."

Orin's grin faded into a more calculating expression. "Worst-case scenario... Kael will have to learn a second magic, even if he hasn't completely tapped into the potential of his celestial magic."

"Celestial magic is rare and powerful, even more than most types of contract magic and people like those two would try to take advantage of him, especially that brat, she would treat Kael like she is her favorite toy, a pawn with no free will" Abel said, seemingly annoyed

"I don't like it. But if we have to go that route... We will find him the best book or magic stone we can" Abel rubbed the back of his neck.

...

As Kael made his way toward the guild hall, he couldn't shake the feeling that something didn't seem right. He then spotted Jesp and Dorian relaxing in the common area. Dorian was absorbed in a book, while Jesp, as usual, was entertaining himself with a mini tornado on his index finger, spinning it with ease using his celestial wind magic.

As Kael approached, Jesp glanced up, offering him a smile. "Hey buddy, how are you doing?"

"Doing good, I guess. Mostly tired. Just wanted to check up on you two," Kael said, pulling up a chair nearby.

"Did you do anything fun?" Jesp asked, still toying with the tiny tornado on his finger, now letting it swirl across his palm.

Kael shrugged. "Went to meet the Duke who hired us to protect his daughter at the academy. Yeah, I've already heard that she's sketchy."

Dorian looked up from his book and offered a quiet smile. "My condolences. I hate both of them. I do my best to avoid their events."

Kael chuckled, "Why am I not surprised?"

Jesp grinned and leaned back in his chair. "You don't like most people in general."

Dorian let out a quiet mumble, his gaze flicking back to his book. "I'm quite selective with who I like."

"Picky is more like it," Kael chuckled.

"Last night, you didn't have that issue," Jesp tried to say, but before he could finish, Dorian's foot shot out and stepped on his leg with full force.

"OUCH!"

Kael blinked, looking confused. "What?"

Dorian shrugged casually, keeping his focus on the book. "Nothing important. We just had a visitor yesterday with a new quest. It's right there on the quest board."