In the last hours before an early dawn, Zared and Secessus make their way out of the Yeorough via the northern gate. The shade demon using his wings made of darkness to fly whilst he carries Zared with one hand.
"Aren't they supposed to be in the city?" Secessus asks, trying to see if Zared is pulling any tricks.
"No rumor is ever completely true or stays the same forever. I know that Aya is busy with a very important client and that it primarily contains protection. Knowing her, she wouldn't risk a busy city with a bunch of close quarters and dark alleys." Zared explains his opinion, he seems pretty convinced of himself.
"So you think she went outside the city?"
"She has a small vessel on the lake of stillness. One she uses for practically everything she smuggles."
"Even to protect a human?"
"I wouldn't see why not. The lake is deep and is a source of fresh water and even if someone were to give chase, one of the 2 rivers connected with the lake flows to the sea. So if someone were to find them or give chase, they could simply escape to the sea for a while.
"Why wouldn't she already be at sea?"
"Aya is…. Religious? In a way."
"That sounds suspicious."
"She doesn't like hanging around the barrier of light." Zared says curtly, getting annoyed about seemingly having to tell every detail of his companion's life.
"Barrier of Light?"
"Yeah, the barrier."
"What is the Barrier of Light?" Secessus asks in a confused tone as he slowly tilts his head sideways. Zared first laughs it off, thinking it's a funny joke. However, Secessus's confusion seems real, which makes Zared also confused about how he doesn't know.
"How don't you know?"
"Let's just say I'm pretty sheltered."
"Well, when the twin goddesses of Light settled down, they decided to protect their continent in Genesias by sealing away all the darkness outside. It's said that past the Barrier of Light, only death and darkness looms, waiting to devour Asarius." Zared explains the best he can, it seems he himself also isn't that familiar with the topic.
"What's Asarius?"
"The continent we live on?" Zared replies flabbergasted.
"Wait? So what's Genesias then?"
"The name of the realm in its entirety."
"But if this is the only continent, why are the names different?"
"I don't really know, but if I had to guess…. Then I would guess that there are different continents. Just all devoured…. Like before we knew them." Zared tries to explain, hesitating quite often when he explains.
"How far is it, now?" Secessus asks, changing the subject.
"At this pace, ten minutes." Zared replies, swaying with his feet a little. It seems he's getting bored. Seeing this, Secessus flies up and drops him.
"WWHAAAAYYYYY!" Zared yells his why, mixing with an unexpected high-pitched scream. Before he hits the ground Secessus sweeps in grabbing him again.
"What the fuck?" Zared asks, holding his two hands over his heart.
"You looked bored." Secessu responds with a mischievous smirk.
"You're a monster."
"I'm still trying to figure that part out."
"AND WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Zared asks very loudly, the adrenaline and frustration practically forming a mind of his own as he screams his emotions out.
As the ten minutes pass by unhindered, the lake of Stillness now lies below Secessus and Zared.
The lake is a beautiful see through blue, which is beautiful. However, it is also slightly scary as the lake is deeper than Secessus thought it would be. You can't see the end of it, resembling a pocket of the ocean. Different vessels are in this lake, it seems to also be a popular fishing spot and even a trade route.
"So, where's her ship?" The shade demon asks Zared, their end destination normally in sight.
"There, it's the cog on the right side. You're lucky, it seems they haven't left yet." Zared says whilst pointing toward the general direction.
"Can I go, now?" He decides to ask, hoping that this experience is over. Secessus flies down and drops off Zared. Without saying goodbye or farewell, he flies off toward the ship.
He lands on the ship, suspiciously enough, no one seems to be on the deck. The stillness of the lake carrying a heavy silence. Secessus walks around and investigates, looking for either Aya or the grand duke.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" A female voice calls out from above.
Secessus looks up toward the source and sees a woman climbing down from the crow's nest. The quick pace at which she does make her look more like a feline than a human.
"Are you, Aya?" Secessus asks, cutting to the chase.
"That depends on whom I'm speaking with." The woman replies, having just reached the deck. Taking a closer look, the woman looks more like a pirate than she does a smuggler. Her outfit and looks are everything except inconspicuous. Aya wears breeches of black leather that are ripped just below the knee caps. It's hardly noticeable as the long boots she wears almost cover her legs until her kneecap. She also wears a long red coat mixed with yellow marking resembling various treasures. On her forehead she wears a bandana sharing almost the exact same coloring patron of the coat except for the coral blue surrounding the yellow markings. Whilst the bandana is large, it doesn't completely manage the tattoo on her forehead. The underside of something circular peeking out. And if that wasn't enough to attract attention, then the abundance of accessories and the cutlass she has in her sheath would be.
"I am Sol, I'm looking for the grand duke. I heard you knew where he was."
"Why would I know this?" She replies, circling around Sol, whilst keeping her distance.
"Because your nephew is a loudmouthed brat and was discovered." At this strong reply, Aya stays silent, her copper eyes scanning the man on her ship.
"How is he?" She decides to ask about her nephew's well-being first.
"He's in shock, but fine. The assassin seemed to have done quite the number on his mental wellbeing." Secessus responds, trying to stay as truthful as possible without incriminating himself.
"And what are you supposed to be?"
"I'm hired by the adventuring guild to kill the assassin."
"The adventuring guild doesn't mix itself in political matters."
"That's why it's a secret. Besides, who sponsors the adventuring guild, do you think?" Secessus responds back, again trying to stay truthful.
Aya plays around with one of her earring as she continues to circle around Secessus. She seems to be evaluating the situation.
"That could be possible, the earl of Durden has quite the heavy pockets and hasn't hidden his support, and it would be strange for an assassin to not sneak onboard instead of just casually landing." Aya mumbles, trying to make the best decision.
Aya draws her cutlass as she stands behind Secessus and points it at the back of his neck.
"Go downstairs. We will discuss the validity of your story there." She commands the sword's tip now touching the back of the shade demon's neck.