Following closely beside Hisha, Thel finds himself walking alongside the strongest men in all of Kurg. He looks over at Kritz, wondering how he had been able to maintain his cool while being around Hisha.
His eyes wander, taking note of various objects scattered throughout the hallways including weapons hanging off walls, and chests filled with bronze coins lying open inviting anyone passing by to take whatever catches their fancy.
Hearing footsteps approaching them from afar, Thel glances up only to find two guards marching past carrying spears slung across their backs. They stop briefly before turning left and heading deeper into one of the corridors leading outwards.
After following suit, they soon arrive at another large room containing numerous tables placed side by side forming rows. Atop these tables rests piles of bookshelves lined neatly against the wall. Several chairs sit atop the floor surrounding the area allowing people seated comfortably enough to read without having to strain themselves too hard.
Upon entering the chamber, Hisha walks straight ahead stopping right next to a wooden desk situated near the center of the space. Sitting down on the chair facing the opposite direction, he motions for Thel to join him.
Taking a seat directly across from him, Thel observes Hisha studying every detail within view. From the way he sits upright, to the position of his legs resting flat on the table; everything about him exudes confidence.
Kritz closes the door behind them and then steps back making sure nobody could hear what transpired between the three of them. After doing so, he places a small bag sitting on the ground nearby.
Hisha nods and thanks Kritz, to which the latter replies with a bow. Then, he disappears leaving Thel alone with Hisha.
Sitting quietly waiting patiently until finally, Hisha speaks again.
"So tell me…why do you seek my help?"
Thel clears his throat nervously trying not to make eye contact with Hisha. Instead, he focuses solely on looking at the bookcase located just beyond Hisha's footrest.
"Well…" He begins hesitantly speaking softly hoping that none would overhear him speak. "My tribe was attacked recently by these hobgoblins..."
Looking up, Hisha raises an eyebrow curiously hearing this news. 'They even went that far deep?'
He had recalled that Thel had his place so far from civilization, yet they had attacked him there?
Shaking his head slightly, Thel continues listening intently. "...and I'm afraid if things continue like this...we might lose more members due to abduction or worse still death."
A frown forms on Hisha's lips as he listens attentively. It seemed strange indeed considering how many times he had heard similar stories coming from other lands, yet none had shared a strong connection that could point him in the right direction.
This time, however, something felt different. Something told him that perhaps Thel knew could lead him to where they are being held.
Thel holds onto his head as he screams in agony, unable to move any part of his body except his mouth.
Hisha watches silently observing the scene unfolding before him. There were no signs whatsoever showing whether it be pain inflicted through magic or some sort of poison used. Yet despite knowing nothing else but suffering, Thel continued screaming.
[Host, are you not going to help him?! You know who did this! Why don't YOU help out instead of watching helplessly!?]
'Since when are you this concerned about others?' Hisha wonders internally staring straight at the user interface.
It wasn't often it showed concern for anything outside its self-interest. Most of the time, he found it acting selfishly whenever someone needed assistance.
Yet now here stood HTC displaying such compassion toward those weaker than itself. This is new territory entirely.
Asking himself why exactly he should care, Hisha decides to ignore the voice inside his mind and wait for the storm to pass.
Thel stops crying after several minutes feeling somewhat relieved. However, he quickly realizes that he has lost track of time completely, losing count of the minutes spent enduring excruciating torture.
With an outstretched hand, he tries reaching forward attempting to touch the surface beneath him. But upon touching the cold stone flooring, he immediately recoils, pulling his arm back.
His vision blurs momentarily before returning clear revealing the figure standing above him and staring down at him.
"What did you see?" Hisha coldly questions while glaring down at Thel.
Seeing the look of anger etched all over Hisha's face, Thel trembles fearing retribution once again. His heart beats rapidly causing sweat to form along his forehead.
However, seeing Hisha's expression soften ever so slightly as he opens his hand towards him, Thel slowly reaches forwards taking hold of Hisha's extended palm.
Gripping tightly around the fingers wrapped firmly around his wrist, Thel squeezes tight, holding onto Hisha's hands desperately wanting to be pulled up.
Getting to his feet, he dusts off his clothes wiping away the dirt clinging to his skin.
Turning his gaze upwards, he looks into Hisha's eyes only to find them filled with sympathy rather than rage.
"My lord, I–I apologize," he stutters apologetically, bowing low.
Hisha shakes his head slightly and smiles gently, "it must be the effects of whatever visions you saw. Don't worry though, I'll get your friend back soon enough."
Recalling what he had seen, Thel shivers remembering everything vividly including every detail regarding Ni's captors.
Afterward, he remembers seeing him lying flat on his stomach facing downwards with his arms behind him, this had also distorted his vision. But he could see a single rope tied securely across his chest forcing him to lie perfectly still without moving much lest he risks breaking free.
Then came the sound of footsteps approaching followed shortly thereafter by another person entering the room.
"My lord, I saw someone Ni in a dungeon, but he wasn't the only one in there."
Hisha's attention was drawn to his words, feeling they might finally have a clue pointing them in the right direction.
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