"Finally I am here." Shiv casually lowered his hood and started walking around the market. He entered into an old inn and enquired, "How can I get in contact with "Tails"?"
The owner of that old inn, "Ohh... young man I think you came to the wrong place and don't speak out that name too casually... It's for your own good!"
"Judging from your reaction... I think I am not in the wrong place. Bring my message to them, 'I have a business to deal with. The pay will be handsome. Be sure to inform them and book me a room." Shiv spoke what was on his mind, without giving any time for that old man to react. He threw a pouch of gold coins on the table as a form of payment.
The old man had someone to show him to his room.
'I will have to go into the market to find some information on them.'
...
"That's it for the day! Let's head back."
"Finally... finally its over! Yay!" Ira was overjoyed to hear that.
"Hey... Why are there so many guards here? Did someone important come??" Ira was curious as there were so many guards around.
"Hmmm... Don't know... They are imperial guards. Maybe someone powerful is here or something..." Abhinav was also confused seeing so many imperial soldiers.
'What? They are imperial soldiers? Wait a minute... I think I have seen that uniform before... Oh My God!! Aren't they the one's that kidnapped me?? Why are they here??'
Ira broke into cold sweat, as she came to remember that horrible incident of almost getting rapped. She couldn't help her body from shaking. Seeing her like that, Abhinav went near her, "What happened? Are you alright??"
"Abhi... I think we should leave immediately." As she said, Ira pulled the hem of his cloth and pleaded.
"Wait a minute... Then, are they the one's that kidnapped you? I thought it was those bastards from the woods...."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing... Now, we need to head back immediately! Stay behind me." Abhinav walked in front of Ira. The guards were in front of them. He tried to cover her properly so that they could escape without causing a scene.
'Is that... Shiv? Did I see wrong?'
"Ira, what are you doing? It's already dangerous here." Abhinav pulled Ira's arm and started walking.
"Wait. Wait. I think I saw someone I know. Please give me a 20 minutes. I will come back. If I didn't make it on time, please leave."
"Are you crazy? Have you really gone nuts? Is that due to your injury?? Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?? If you don't leave with me now, you might get caught for good! Shut up and follow me!" Abhinav forcefully pulled Ira and urged her to follow him.
"Abhi... I am sorry and thanks for your help!" Ira kicked him on his leg and ran away.
'Shiv, where are you? Are you really here? What will I do if that was not you? I am.... scared!'
The commotion caused by Ira and Abhinav caught the attention of the few guards and they started chasing Ira openly.
"Damn! That little idiot! Just who in the world is that person she is going in search of?" Abhinav noticed a few guards following Ira.
'I will stall them for the time-being. Don't be too late.'
"My honourable soldiers, I would like to ask you the direction for the best medical store here. Could you please help me find the way?"
"Hey! Are you crazy? Why do you think we will help you?"
"Then how about I offer you something in return?" He showed a pouch full of gold coins to them.
....
Ira started chasing after someone who resembled like Shiv from the back. She was not able to call out to him due to the circumstance. She quietly tailed him from behind.
'I feel like someone is tailing me. Wonder who...' Whoever it was, he had a good intution. He started running into the woods and completely disappeared from Ira's sight.
'Ehh! Where did he go? Did I loose him?? Wait... Shit... when did he get behind me??' Before Ira could move a muscle that guy went behind and trapped her with his big strong arms. He pointed a knife at Ira's neck and muttered, "Who are you? Why are you following me?"
His tone was cold and it had it's usual mesmerizing ring on one's ear's.
Without knowing, Ira bust into tears as she held onto the arm that was pointing a knife on her neck. She felt relieved!