Inside a large rowdy pub sat three men around a round oak table, the sleazy smell of spilled alcohol permeated throughout the room. A handsome man with slick back blonde hair sat gripping his mug of alcohol tightly with a gloomy atmosphere. His two buddies shared a look of concern before attempting to console him.
"Nilen, why do you keep thinking about her? There are many other girls that would strive for your attention..."
His words only deepened the frown upon his face, he was not especially disappointed that he himself could not obtain Celia's affections but the fact that someone else could which truly bruised his ego. The unobtainable is always the most desirable, his face morphed into a vicious expression as he spoke quietly.
"If I can't have her, no-one should."
The two men heard his quiet murmur and shared a look of concern, attempted to persuade their 'friend' from attempting something rash.
"Nilen, surely you know of Celia's background. She has a good relationship with the matriarch of the Daycart family..."
"Shut up! One of you go and inform Macky and tell him I want to talk to him."
Nilen decided to use his acquaintance Macky to deal with that low born scum, just like him Macky had been enamored by Celia's charms and he was sure they'd see eye to eye on how to proceed. A faint smile encroached his lips, a smile filled with cruel intentions.
***
Kailen awoke the next morning and headed out to complete his daily training routine when he met Kenneth outside who promptly waved at him.
"Hey Kailen, I need a massive favor."
"What is it?"
Kailen asked skeptically, the expression on Kenneth's face was sheepish, to say the least.
"Well, I kinda need you to come to our house and have dinner with my family..."
"Hah? Why should I do that?"
"My Mom's been on my case about the relationship between Nana and me, so I thought if you'd come it would distract them from the inevitable lecture"
Kailen eventually agreed as he saw Kenneth about to beg on his knees with tears in his eyes, they agreed to meet in the evening and would head to the house together. Kailen completed the daily routine that he made sure to keep increasing the intensity in order to further push his limits.
The sun was starting to set as Kailen met up with Kenneth outside the inn that he was staying, he was dressed in his smartest shirt that Lana had bought him together with black trousers. Kenneth led the way through the main streets towards a large mansion on the east side of the city, it was surrounded by ten-foot whitewashed walls with a large black gate where two men stood guard outside.
The gardens inside the walls were well kept with beautiful walkways winding through a variety of different flowers and water features, with the setting sun together with the fresh smells from the garden painted a beautiful foreground for the large white mansion before him.
Kenneth led him inside where they were greeted by a middle-aged man with light brown hair stood with a stern expression.
"Good evening father, this is my friend Kailen. Kailen this is my father William."
"Pleasure to meet you, sir."
"Likewise, I hope my son hasn't caused you too much trouble."
Kailen chuckled, William seemed like a stern man but seemed friendly enough by his estimations.
"Not at all, he's helped me quite often."
"Come, we shall sit in the dining room."
William led them through a large door that opened into a wide room with a large thick table that could easily seat ten people. They were soon joined by Kenneth's mother, who was a pleasant-looking woman in her forties her name was Sarah.
"So what is it you're here in Lanza for Kailen?"
Sarah asked with a gentle smile on her face as she elegantly ate her food with her knife and fork, their table manners clearly superior to Kailen's which embarrassed him immensely.
"Actually I'm just passing through before heading on toward the capital."
"He's traveling together with Lady Celia, mother."
Kenneth quickly added in an attempt to keep the topic of conversion off himself Kailen assumed.
"Hoh? Is that so?"
"I'd be careful on your journey, I've heard from a few acquaintances that they've had trouble on the roads recently."
William being a merchant would obviously have connections with others who'd traveled that route so his warnings would most likely be reliable, Kailen noted.
"I appreciate the warning, any idea of what I may expect?"
"The usual bandits from what I gather."
"Hm, and what about the beasts in the Dassar desert?"
The beasts interested Kailen a lot more than some lousy bandits, William laughed at Kailen's response which puzzled him.
"The chances of seeing the beasts are next to none, there have been no sightings in over ten years so you should be good."
Kailen was slightly disappointed by the news, reconsidering it wasn't likely the royal family of Nictra or the other powerful families would allow the beasts to disrupt the trade between them and Cassar.
The meal ended peacefully, Kenneth's plan of distracting his parents seemed to work and he was in a great mood as a result. Kenneth led him out of the mansion with a big smile on his face which immediately vanished as he heard his mother's voice.
"Ken, don't think I've forgotten about you know what! When you get back, you and I will have a long chat."
Kailen laughed in response to Kenneth's crestfallen expression, as they left through the gates they saw a large group of six or seven men standing at a corner nearby. Seemingly minding their own business, Kenneth paid them no head while Kailen kept them insight.
What both Kailen and Kenneth failed to notice was a man wearing a silver mask with a black horizontal line down one side watching them from a nearby rooftop. A smile emerging as he saw the black hair and grey feline eyes below him.