{I then hunted Haklarans—and supported the hunt for them—even though I created them.}
….
Then next morning, Sharen woke up to Narene staring down at him from the bed where she had slept. He felt his heart pinch within his chest and he felt slightly uncomfortable that she would stare at him even while he slept. It made him begin to doubt his decency during his sleep.
He turned his eyes away, unwilling to let his flaring emotions get the better of him, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I couldn't sleep." Narene stood from the bed, stretching with outspread arms.
Sharen nodded slightly, touching his side to feel that the pain had reduced significantly. Whatever Shar had fed him was proving to be very potent. "What kept you up?"
Narene stopped, turning to face him for a brief second. "Nothing in particular. I just felt slightly enthusiastic about our trip to Shokhi."
Sharen nodded, deciding that it wasn't wise to probe further. He knew—for it was as clear as day—that she was lying about the reason for her sleeplessness. Regardless, Sharen felt that it wasn't his business to ask.
He pushed himself up from the ground but the pain assaulted him again in gentle waves and he grimaced, stumbling slightly. Narene closed the distance between them, holding his arm to steady him. She said, her voice laced with concern, "You should have asked for help."
Sharen chuckled while tactfully pulling his arm free. "I didn't think it would be too hard to get up."
Narene nodded and stepped back, her eyes never leaving him. He saw it—the slight flicker in her eyes that suggested a hint of sadness. Sharen sighed and gripped her shoulder gently. "Thank you, Narene. Without you, I'd be a dead man."
She smiled—her face becoming radiant. "I'm glad I could help."
Fighting with all his might—against the influx of emotions that came at him, urging him to kiss, caress, touch and take Narene—he let go of her shoulder. "I'll talk with Shar for a bit. I still need to find out more about the mission she gave me."
Narene nodded and walked to the door. At the door, she stopped and turned, "I'll try getting some food. Don't stress too much."
Sharen nodded and watched as she left the room. The room was large—larger than the room in his house in Samak—yet it felt like he was squeezed in with her. Shar had only prepared one room for both of them and it would have been nice if he didn't have the cursed spell raking his mind. He sighed, throwing himself on the bed.
An act he soon regretted as the pain in his ribs exploded in fury. He held his side, panting slightly. He felt a slight fear. What would he do if he encountered a Haklaran? He was sure—as much as the pain worked hard to remind him—that he couldn't fight in such a state unless he wanted to court death at its doorstep.
It took a while for the pain subsided and he didn't wait anymore to speak with Shar.
….
Putting everything they had into the bag which Narene threw over her shoulder, Sharen and his apprentice walked to the door of the small house where Shar stayed. He had gotten more information regarding the man they were to meet and even a picture drawn with magic.
All they had to do was find him in Shokhi, beat him up, bring him back all tied up and deliver him to Shar. Sharen cared little about what would become of the man as long as he got his hands on the book and, of course, freedom from the spell that plagued his mind.
"I expect you back here in less than a month." Shar said, sweeping her hair to the side with her ever present seductive smile.
Sharen nodded and was about to say something but was interrupted by the men who were with Shar. They dragged someone over, pushing him hard to the floor. The young boy coughed, wiping his forehead as he knelt before Shar.
"We caught him spying on us," one of the men said.
The boy shook his head profusely, his eyes focused on Sharen. "I wasn't spying. I was only looking around!"
"You know what I do to spies?" Shar bent to his level with an evil smirk on her face. "I kill them off. Do away with this flower."
The men were about to pull the boy away however, Sharen raised his hand, motioning for them to stop. "He's with me."
He felt slightly annoyed to take responsibility for things he knew nothing about yet how could he ignore the boy? He recalled—albeit vaguely—that he was the same boy who had stalked him just to demand for apprenticeship. He believed his name was Fryssel—a merchant's son.
"The boy is yours?" Shar gave Sharen a questioning look. "I thought you were a loner?"
"I am a loner," Sharen shrugged. "However, this one has been undercover for me for a while and must have thought you to be an enemy."
Fryssel nodded vigorously when Sharen's eyes landed on him for confirmation. Sharen pulled him up and pushed him towards Narene. He smiled at Shar. "I'll take him along to Shokhi."
Shar nodded. "I don't care how you get Goramel. Just get the job done."
Sharen nodded, leading Narene and Fryssel out. They were given two horses. Sharen looked at the horses for a bit then said, "I'll take one then you take the other."
Narene frowned. "You can't ride alone. You're injured."
She was right yet there was no way Sharen would allow her ride with him and end up getting his mind tortured throughout the entire journey. "Then I'll ride with Fryssel."
Fryssel didn't look like he had any complaints but Narene's eyes became darkened but she nodded, mounting one of the horses. Sharen—with the help of Fryssel—mounted the other. They drove out and the moment they moved a few paces with the horse, the space around them changed, revealing the outside.
Sharen now understood why the place Shar stayed at had look unfamiliar. It wasn't in the real world. It was probably a cloaked world she created with magic. Despite that, they rode along, setting their course towards Shokhi.