278 Arrival
[Ren Hilton POV.]
"Hmm," I looked outside the window as both moons hung in the sky while everyone inside the carriage was asleep--well, not me or Aron.
The silence was sweet, but once in a while, Aron glanced at me, only to look away immediately.
It's been a day and a half since we left the tavern. We landed once to take a meal and packed one, so we are not going to rest on the land tonight.
After the last talk, I haven't talked to Aron at all after that weird reaction he gave when he heard about the Broker's death, and I don't think he's that useful now.
"You killed the broker, right?" Out of nowhere, he asked me.
I raised my brow a bit, trying to keep my expression the same. He stared at me with a serene gaze for a while, "I just know it....you seem like you'd do it."
"Why's that?" I asked.
"Don't talk to me," and here he goes again, talking about weird.
"....the fuck?" I could feel a vein pop up on my forehead.
"I am talking to myself," saying this, he looked out of the carriage immediately and continued, "The time you fought that first year.....Helga, you seemed like you wanted to kill—it's a familiar look."
"I still don't know why you did it, but you did. You can't convince me otherwise on how a commoner got hold of information about such an infamous trader...or that guy, Alver
—he has a lot of connections...maybe more than me too." He kept on going, digging into Alver's details.
"What'd you find out about Alver?"
"That guy's filthy rich... I told you not to talk to me," he grumpily said.
"Shut the fuck up. I don't want to talk either, but you brought up the topic—now spill the beans," I argued.
"Or what? You gonna fight me too?" He argued back.
"You doubt that I won't?" I questioned.
"Not dumb enough to fight this high in the sky, are you? You don't have a pair of wings to fly," he said.
".....Yeah," I just sighed. Who's gonna tell him I do have wings now?
"Anyways, what about Alver?" I brought back the topic.
"I told—" he was stubborn.
"I'll sleep with Cecelia," I threw in the bait.
The color of his face drained immediately as I said it, only for it to be replaced by anger immediately. He looked like he was about to explode, "WHAT DID YOU SAY!!?"
His voice raged, and Erik jumped out of his slumber, looking for his glasses in his upper pocket.
"Same thing you heard. Tell me the information, and I'll leave your dream girl alone like you want, or I'll really put some effort to mess her up." I know it might sound weird, but it's more likely a shot in the dark. If it hits, then it hits.
"You think I don't know why you hate me... it's all about Cecelia, right? You wouldn't go out of your way to start a weird obsession about me if it didn't concern her." I have noticed that, yes, this guy... I don't know if it's romantic or some kind of his feelings of superiority over the girl, but he doesn't want her to be with anyone else.
"That's why I'll leave her alone as long as you leave me alone and give the answer to whatever question I have." I put it simply.
It's not a bluff. I don't see any benefit through Cecelia, to be honest—at first, I wanted to get to know Vexa through her, but Vexa seems to be distant with everyone.
So why not use her to get—
"What do you want?" He asked.
".... I'll tell you later," I glanced at Erik, who looked at both of us like a confused duck.
"Uhm... should I go back to sleep so you can discuss?" He asked meekly.
I shook my head at Erik's question. "No need, Erik. Go ahead and get some rest. We're just having a chat."
Erik nodded, looking a bit relieved, and settled back into his seat, pulling a blanket over himself.
***
For three days straight, Ren found himself nestled in the unicorn-drawn carriage, traversing through a tapestry of landscapes that seemed to come straight out of a fantasy tale.
The journey was not merely a mundane ride from one point to another; it was an odyssey filled with peculiar encounters and strange sights.
Their first stop was the quaint village of Quillshire, nestled amidst rolling hills and fields of vibrant wildflowers. The villagers greeted them warmly, their attire adorned with colorful patterns and intricate embroidery. Ren couldn't help but marvel at the quaint cottages with thatched roofs and the bustling marketplace where vendors peddled their wares.
As they resumed their journey, the landscape gradually shifted, morphing into a dense forest that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. The trees towered overhead, their branches intertwined to form a verdant canopy that blocked out the sunlight. Ren caught glimpses of mysterious creatures darting among the shadows, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.
The carriage rumbled on, navigating winding paths that seemed to lead nowhere and everywhere at once. They passed through the hamlet of Mistwood, where wisps of fog clung to the ground, lending an eerie atmosphere to the surroundings. Ren couldn't shake the feeling of being watched as they journeyed through the mist-shrouded streets.
Their next destination was the bustling town of Silverbrook, nestled beside a tranquil river that meandered through the countryside. The streets were alive with the sound of laughter and music, and Ren couldn't resist the temptation to explore the local taverns and shops. He sampled delicacies he had never encountered before and listened to tales spun by seasoned storytellers.
As they ventured further, the landscape grew increasingly surreal. They passed through the Enchanted Glen, where the trees seemed to whisper secrets to one another and the air was thick with magic. Strange lights danced among the branches, casting an ethereal glow upon the surroundings.
Finally, after three days of winding through a maze of landscapes, they arrived at their destination—Eshmera.
