"Hey bro! I'm so glad to see you glowing!" Asher run towards Liam and embraces him as soon as he came down to the kitchen.
"Go away. You're creeping me out." Liam weakly pushed the man away and sat on his chair. "Where are the others?"
"They went to the training sites. And don't worry, David and Gideon are overseeing the training." Asher furthered upon seeing how Liam looked at him murderously.
"And what are you doing here? Do you think you're exempted just because I'm not supervising the drill?"
"Do you think I like to stay and watch over you the whole day? tsk! I prefer training myself too!" he scoffed.
"Y-you-----''
"Liam! you're awake!" he was about to stand and strangle the man when he heard Grace' voice.
"Grace? What are you still doing here? I told you to go home last night…"
"I couldn't leave you, not after I see that you're in good health." The woman is smiling. "Wait, I prepared a special meal just for you." then she run to the kitchen. After a few minutes, she came with a bowl of porridge but the aroma definitely captured Liam's smell.
Grace slowly placed the bowl in front of him and without any delays, he finished it in just a few minutes.
"It's delicious… thank you." Liam sincerely smiled at the woman who's been watching all this time.
"Are you that hungry? How could you finish your food in just a minute? Unbelievable!" Asher bawled mockingly while Liam hissed. Meanwhile, Grace couldn't contain the joy she was feeling knowing that Liam enjoyed the food she prepared. It's too overwhelming to hear Liam's compliment---that's one main reason why she loves him. Yes, she loved him since they first met. Since the day Liam saved her from the bandits who wanted to sell her as an entertainer. If it is not because of him, who knows what she's doing now.
"You should go back to the lodge now. the kids must have been anxiously waiting for you." Liam admonished the woman. "Asher, send her home."
"Not a problem." Asher jumped to his feet and went outside to prepare his horse. However, to his surprise, he saw something in the trash bin. He took the plastic bag out and found a warm bowl of mushroom soup. Good thing it didn't spill.
Who threw this out? the bowl is still warm so he's sure it was cooked just now. he was looking everywhere trying to see anybody outside.
"Looking for someone?" Asher jolted in surprise upon hearing Liam. "Tsk, scaredy-cat!" Liam continued upon seeing Asher's reaction.
"What is that your holding?" Liam asked again while Asher was caressing his chest. he was obviously trying to get back up.
"A mushroom soup. Someone threw it in the trashbin but I'm not sure if it was intentional. But it's still warm." He gave it to Liam.
"Leon!" Asher saw the young man passing through so he called his attention. "Have you seen anyone here earlier?"
"Earlier?" Leon was somewhat thinking. "Ah yes, I remember seeing the young miss carrying a plastic bag earlier. I thought she came to see you."
"Young miss? You mean Diana?" Asher confirmed before glancing at Liam in wonder.
"Do we have any other Young Miss aside from her?" Leon jeered at them.
"This child! Who taught you to speak that way, huh?!" Asher tried to catch the young man but he was swift to run for his life. "Don't ever show yourself again, young lad!" Asher cried jokingly.
The Young Miss? Diana? but why didn't she entered if she came all the way here? Liam seems to be in deep thought so Asher nudged him.
"I think that soup is for you but I don't know how it ended up in the trash bin. Do you still want to eat that?" Asher was taunting him when Grace appeared behind them.
"I'm ready. Sorry that I kept you waiting." She kowtowed but she got a glimpse of the bowl Liam was holding. "What's that?"
"Ah, nothing. Just a dog food." Liam answered before getting back inside. Asher and Grace looked at each other confused at Liam's sudden change of mood.
Guess sick people are quite moody. They reasoned.
***
Liam went back to the kitchen and placed the bowl on the dining table. He sat down and leaned backwards while his right index finger was tapping mindlessly. He's been staring at the bowl for quite a few minutes' now. Unknown to him, Rika, Sheena and Leon has been watching him but he didn't even notice them.
"tsk, tsk…" Rika is biting his lips while thinking. "I thought I have mastered all of his mood, but this specific one is unidentified. I couldn't figure it out."
"I agree." Sheena taps her sister's shoulder, still observing Liam in a distant.
"It couldn't be heartbreak either since he doesn't have a lover." Leon spouted jokingly.
Unknown to the three watchers, someone who had just arrived heard all their words.
"Do you think you'll live once Liam hears you?" They jerked in surprise upon hearing a very familiar voice.
"Cole!" they cried in unison. Their eyes widened in shock.
Liam suddenly look at their direction since they were loud enough to catch his attention.
"What do you think you're doi------ Cole?" he couldn't believe his eyes. "Cole! how are you?" he went to where they are and tap the man's shoulder.
"Ahhhh!" he yelped painfully. Liam removed his hand promptly as soon as the young man yelp in pain. That very moment, he ordered the ladies to bring the medicine kit quickly.
"What happened to you?" Liam asked while he and Leon helped him sit on the long wooden chair. Then Liam pulled the man's shirt and a fresh sword wound was revealed before their eyes.
"Was it difficult?" Liam was asking about the mission that Cole accepted a few weeks ago.
"It was supposed to be a peaceful mission but I met some unexpected circumstances along the way." He's trying to fight off the pain while Liam was cleaning his wounds. As soon as Liam was done applying the first aid, he commanded Leon to call a physician at the infirmary. His wounds need to be treated professionally to avoid any complications in the future.
"Lay down and rest while waiting for the physician." Liam ordered the young man. On the other hand, Rika and Sheena left to prepare a meal for their wounded comrade.
"I came back to take a few of our men with me. We will be travelling to Marseille three days from now." Cole informed.
"How many do you need?"
"twelve will do."
"Notify Gideon about it later so he can choose among our men. And take him and Leon with you as well."
"I'll tell them later." Cole spoke with his eyes closed. After a few minutes, Cole seemingly remembered something so he woke up and faced Liam.
"Remember the young miss when she first arrived here? With those weird stuffs along with her?" he suddenly asked.
"What about her?" he impassively responded.
"I think I saw some merchants in Rouen selling some stuffs similar to what she has."
"In Rouen?" he confirmed.
"Yes. though I didn't had the chance to ask them about those cool stuffs since I am in a mission." He released a heavy sigh.
Once again, Liam got lost in his own world. Rouen… he has a lot of experiences in that region when he was young and it was one of the Region he dislikes most. As much as possible, he wanted to avoid that region for the rest of his life. But fate seems to have another plan for him. But why?
"Hey, Liam… are you okay?" Cole elbowed the man's side when he saw him spaced-out.
"I'm good." he yelped. Well, they already have solution for Diana's problem. He's thinking whether to entrust the woman to Cole along with others. Anyway, his only role was to find a repair shop, nothing more, nothing less. Whatever her future plan for her life is not his business anymore.
Yes, that's it. The woman can travel along with his men. As for Liam, well… let's see. ^_^