“I was doing my job, nothing personal,” came a man’s voice. “It is how I earn a living, Lady Nyssa. My mistake was that the person who hired me told you. Had I known that wasn’t the case, I would have handled things differently.” He then paused, “Poison is an assassin’s err choice often.”
Eliad blinked as he stopped to see the commotion as Iriul stood by the post.
“What. In the world. Are you talking about?!” demanded Nyssalvia, wrinkling her nose and furrowing her brow. “No one has told me that you were spying! You told me you were spying, but heed me now, Demlemoth, you will tell me everything I need to know about this, or you will never be capable of being hired to even shovel horse shit. Do I make myself understood?”
Demlemoth slowly stood, turning to Nyssalvia. To Eliad’s surprise, Demlemoth was taller than Eliad had anticipated though not as tall perhaps compared to Aleixo. Though, it did have him to think of an idea. However, he played on with his timid act for now.
“M-Miss Nyssa is scary when she’s mad,” muttered Eliad.
Nyssalvia kept her stance, glaring at him, not moving. Iriul kept one foot in front of the other, watching the scene in front of him.
“I was not spying,” said Demlemoth, shrugging. “Call it that if it makes you feel better. What I can tell you is something you might not wish told publicly.”
Nyssalvia snatched the letter and pointed at his very words of “I was hired to spy on you.” She even read them aloud.
“Speak whatever it is you need to because I am about one hair away from snapping necks about this crap,” said Nyssalvia.
“I-Is she always like this when angered..?” asked Eliad.
“My common is poor,” said Demlemoth, shrugging again. “I received information that several assassins have been hired to kill you. I was paid to make sure they didn’t. I imagine the person who paid me has hired someone else. And they are most likely around you in some way.” He shrugged once again, “But… You should know this…”
“Quit beating around the bush and speak, damn it!” interrupted Nyssalvia.
“Who ever hired me, and it I don’t know who it was, claims to be your sponsor,” finished Demlemoth.
Eliad moved to place his hand on his hip casually, wincing now. Nyssalvia made a very, very calm face. She slowly let go of the note, and it flailed to the floor. She then picked up her foot and drove it straight into Demlemoth’s groin. Eliad took a step back from the sudden action as he watched her. Iriul kept a close eye, no less with a sigh. Demlemoth grunted and, in a quick movement, wrapped his arms around Nyssa, pulling her tight against him. Iriul kept a tense rear foot as he watched it transpire. His hands clutched tight when the grab was made, and stayed that way.
“If what I did was personal, I would call you out on the kick,” snarled Demlemoth. “But you are a lady, so I will forgive you. May the gods protect you.”
He released Nyssalvia and casually laid his left hand on his sword hilt. He did not seem to be in pain from the kick. Eliad frowned as he looked towards the two, staying still.
“Then know that your services were hereby wasted, and as soon as I get each piece of this information I need, it is you that will need to hire protection,” snarled Nyssalvia.
She slung away from him, storming back off to the back.
“I have told you what I know,” said Demlemoth. “I am sorry it is not what you think I should know.”
Iriul shook his hands loosely before he followed. Eliad moved to follow but stopped as he saw Cassiah’s figure. He said nothing before making his way towards the back.
“Assassins?” asked Nyssalvia.
“Go on, further, further…,” said Iriul, putting a palm on her shoulder before gesturing further to the back.
The three had gone back to the room they were in, Eliad closing the door behind him.
“Will…you be alright, Miss Nyssa..?” asked Eliad, looking at Nyssalvia.
“Well, that could have been done more calmly and collectively, no?” asked Iriul, folding his arms over the back of a chair.
“Nyssa, Eliad,” corrected Nyssalvia, rubbing her forehead before clenching her jaw while enunciating, seething a bit. “Nyssa. Do you know anything about this?” She looked at hi, her hip cocked. She then looked to Iriul. “No. It couldn’t have.”
“About… the note and assassins and such?” asked Eliad, blinking.
Nyssalvia nodded.
“You honestly say it couldn’t..?” asked Iriul, arcing a brow. “I know your temper.”
“I certainly did not know of any notes,” answered Eliad, crossing his arms but winced. “And the only assassin that I possibly could have known was the one that I have fought after Aeru was shot. The one…hired by someone I know.”
“You have not yet seen what I am fully capable of,” said Nyssalvia, looking back at Iriul. “Hired assassins to kill me? Let them try.” She turned to Eliad, “Who?”
“That kind of talk doesn’t suit you or anyone else,” said Iriul sucking his lip. “It always ends up being someone’s famous last words.”
“I didn’t get the assassin’s name,” replied Eliad. “He was just clothed in black. He wears this black hauberk and a hooded cloak. And… Well, the assassin has a fake hand now.”
“Anger does what it wants, and I don’t have to justify that,” said Nyssalvia, chewing on her lip. “My words will go—”
Nyssalvia looked at Eliad, before looking at Iriul.
“Sort of cut off his hand,” continued Eliad, clearing his throat. “Though… I will do my best to find out what the man’s name is. He wants me as well.”
“Doraku,” said Nyssalvia.
“That’s his name..?” asked Eliad, raising a brow.
Nyssalvia nodded her head, before simply opening the door. She spotted Cassiah sitting down afterwards. With a deep sigh, she opened her palm.
“Come inside, Cassiah,” said Nyssalvia.
Iriul peered over her shoulder. Eliad cast his gaze over towards Cassiah pass Nyssalvia’s shoulder before glancing away. Cassiah sighed and nodded, knowing that Nyssalvia knew her too well. The cloak practically falling off her tiny shoulders, the young woman sheepishly taking a step forward and removing her hood once in the room. Nyssalvia closed the door back.
“Eliad, Gamber, you know Cassi,” said Nyssalvia. “If you don’t, now you do. Where has Aeru been?”
Eliad moved over to lean against the wall, crossing his arms, letting them speak. Cassia frowned deeply at the mention of Aeru but remained silent.
“Cassi, now is not the time for emotion,” said Nyssalvia. “Where is he?”
Eliad cast his gaze over towards Cassiah, raising a brow.
“I have not the slightest idea,” answered Cassiah lowly but loud enough to be heard, shaking her head. “I thought I’d find him here in town. He wasn’t at camp.”
“He’s gone?” asked Eliad.
“Aye…,” answered Cassiah. “No note, no nothing. I asked around camp and the others wouldn’t tell me.”
Iriul reached in over the table, grabbing an apple and proceeding to take a big bite of it while walking over to the fire, slumping down in a chair and putting his feet on the table. Eliad gritted his teeth before relaxing his jaw, letting out a soft sigh. Nyssalvia placed her hands on the table, her jaw flexed a few more times.
“That’s just perfect,” said Nyssalvia.
“It would only be us here then, no doubt,” said Eliad, glancing towards Nyssalvia.
“Come on,” said Nyssalvia, grabbing her bags. “All of you. We have to go find someone. Bran. Aeru. Someone.”
Eliad raised a brow before moving to follow Nyssalvia out the door. Cassiah sighed and followed, putting her hood back on. Iriul gave a loud whistle as he followed. The four stopped in the kitchen.
“Go on,” said Iriul. “I’ll hear around here.”
“I need you for this,” said Nyssalvia.
Eliad and Cassiah walked out of the Pony.
“To think that this would happen…,” said Eliad.
“I’m so confused…,” said Cassiah lowly. “Are you?”
“I’m not sure,” answered Eliad, glancing at Cassiah as he shrugged. “Everything…is such a blur to me recently.”
“I don’t even know what is happening,” snorted Cassiah, mumbling. “I’ve been at camp these past few days.”
Eliad watched as Nyssalvia and Iriul walk outside, moving to join them. He then saw Nyssalvia mounting her horse, Iriul following suit. He whistled sharply for his horse before mounting himself.
“I suppose we’re going by horse…,” said Elaid.
Cassiah mounted her horse. As soon as everyone was ready, they rode to the Chetwood. Eliad was too worried that even he prayed that Aeru would be well.
