The next day dawns bright and early after an uneventful night. As expected, everyone woke up earlier than usual given the circumstances. Most importantly, however, Hisha made sure to inform Rin & Karin beforehand via telepathy.
Yawning, Rin slowly opens her eyes and looks over to Karin who had her eyes narrowed tightly closed. She then turns to look at Hisha who appears equally exhausted but otherwise fine.
They both appear ready to go even though neither of them looked like they'd gotten much rest the previous night.
"Gathering information is exhausting." Rin yawns again, stretching herself awake fully whilst trying hard to suppress another wave of drowsiness.
She notices that Hisha's expression remained unchanged throughout the entire process. Perhaps he too wasn't getting proper sleep due to what happened in the library.
Knock!
Knock!
Kritz waits patiently until Hisha finally answers the door.
Karin and Rin bow their heads and vanish in the meantime.
"Kritz?" Hisha calls out, slightly confused as to the reason for such urgency.
Upon opening the doors wide open, he finds an unfamiliar face waiting behind Kritz. The male bows respectfully toward Hisha before retreating behind Kritz.
Raising a brow at Kritz, he needed some sort of answer as to why he would bring a stranger without asking for permission.
However, upon closer inspection, he realized that the young lad was someone he had known but couldn't quite place when.
'Those green eyes…that long black hair!' His memory clicks into action, reminding him of one particular person whom he had seen through the eyes of Melody, a few months ago.
Testing out his theory, he calls out the name he could recall, "Thel? Is that right?'
Thel blinks rapidly once hearing his name spoken aloud. 'Yes my lord,' he responds nervously, bowing low.
'How does he know my name? Could it have been sister Kenna?' A thought crosses his mind wondering just how many people might know of his identity.
Kritz who was equally just as stunned as Thel clears his throat loudly interrupting whatever conversation may be taking place between them.
Afterward, Thel straightens back up only to find Hisha's gaze fixed firmly on him.
Gulp!
Stepping out of his room, Hisha stops in front of him, poking at his head curiously.
"What do you seek?" He inquires politely.
Hearing these words from Hisha's lips causes Thel to freeze momentarily, unable to come up with the right words to say. After all, he hadn't anticipated meeting Hisha himself so soon. Not to mention having to explain everything to him personally instead of simply sending word across through Kritz.
He could recall how he had begged for the assistance of the overlord as the journey he was to embark on in a few days wasn't something he could do alone. However, now that he stood here facing Hisha, he felt somewhat intimidated despite being grateful for the privilege thus far.
Taking a deep breath, he begins telling his story starting with where he came from and ending with his current predicament.
'They share a connection.' Hisha silently observes every detail within Thel's body language.
As he listens intently, he can sense the fear emanating from the lad which was fairly natural, considering the situation.
When he finishes recounting his tale, Hisha's furrowed eyebrows deepen further causing Thel to feel uncomfortable under their scrutiny.
'He's the clue I need, yet he doesn't know where they are except what he saw through the mark.'
A moment later, Hisha's voice cuts through the air making Thel jump back involuntarily.
"So you have a friend named Ni–who was abducted by the hobgoblins just like the rest?" Hisha asks calmly, looking down at Thel.
His question makes Thel nod his head vigorously.
"And you and your friend share some sort of jade-like tattoo or mark?" Hisha continues probing gently.
At this point, Thel feels relieved knowing that he has found somebody else who knows more details about the jade pendant. It also helps that there seems to be no hostility coming from Hisha whatsoever unlike his tribe he encountered previously.
Looking down at his bathrobe, Hisha grimaces realizing that he should probably change first if he were going to discuss anything important today.
Turning around quickly, he heads inside his bedroom, slamming the door shut in their faces.
Leaving Thel standing awkwardly outside, unsure whether he ought to wait any longer.
He looks over to Kritz, who appears rather amused watching him fidget uncomfortably while awaiting instructions.
"As long as our lord has chosen to spare you," Kritz says chuckling lightly, "I don't see much harm done in letting you stay awhile."
Thel looks at the Vandrik, seeing it as a privilege to watch such a rare sight of him laughing openly. For the most part, though, he is usually very serious whenever dealing with matters concerning the tribes, on behalf of the supreme overlord.
With a smile plastered on his face, he nods gratefully accepting Kritz assuring words.
*****
It takes nearly thirty minutes for Hisha to finish changing clothes after which he returns wearing an outfit much different from his usual outlook. This includes a pair of trousers made of thick leather along with a sleeveless shirt decorated with intricate patterns embroidered on its surface. On top of that, he wears a vest adorned with several pockets sewn together using fine thread.
Walking towards Thel, he extends both hands offering him a handshake.
"Welcome to my citadel!" Hisha responds, shaking Thel's hand.
Thel stares at his hand in awe feeling the strength behind each finger gripping tightly into his palm.
'What a strong grip!' He marvels inwardly admiring the man's physique.
Seeing Hisha dressed differently than normal, Thel notices how well-built he looked compared to when last seen during his speech to all in the land of Kurg.
His muscles bulged prominently beneath his skin giving him quite a menacing appearance especially since he stands tall towering above everyone present.
Noticing his stare, Hisha smiles wryly noticing how impressed Thel appeared upon witnessing his physical prowess.
Releasing his hold on Thel's hand, he turns away towards the hallway. "Let's head to somewhere quiet shall we?"
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