Kai exited the house with the keys, he was wearing a new shirt that was black in color and 3 sizes too big for him. He tucked it into his pants that were clean of blood unlike his old shirt. He looked at his hands and back at the door before walking away.
He walked back to the shops where he had come from before he got distracted. He eyed the steamed buns and walked forward. "How much?" he asked.
The owner gave him a friendly smile, "2 coppers each." pointing 2 fingers upwards just in case the kid didn't understand.
Kai slipped in 4 copper coins and grabbed 2 steam buns from the seller and walked off. He had no idea what he should do while he waited for nighttime. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a large notice board with an abundant amount of posters. He went ahead and took a look.
There were missing posters, recruitment posters for the adventure guilds, adventurer's application form, and newspaper filled with controversy and gossip. But what caught his attention was a symbol. 2 Griffins intercrossed with each other, holding a blade of gold in between their bloody teeth. The Whitlock Symbol.
Kai traced his hands across the poster and made an attempt to read the words that were soiled with water.
'Arnold Whitlock 6th Birthday made public. The pride of the Whitlock family has chosen to reveal himself and make his first public appearance at his 6th Birthday. Every noble across the continent has been invited to attend. The royal family were also confirmed to be present at the young Whitlock's birthday.'
After reading it, he looked for the writer's name and saw a name he couldn't recognise. This poster must've been written by a commoner around here then. He reread it and could feel his chest tightening.
'Am I invited too, father?' Kai wondered while looking at the direction of the Bellaire estate which was not visible to the eye at this far distance.
The first thing Kai noticed when he saw Janice was the small insignia hung on one of her corset strings along with other designs. He was baffled to see the sign of rescue. He wanted it so bad for the last few years, why did it come so late?
It came far too late. If he had stayed behind and waited for rescue, what then? Was his father capable of rescuing him? No. No, he wasn't. Seeing as how he was still hellbound to that witch.
Kai expected his father to grieve a little due to his disappearance.
But it turns out, father already had another child the moment he disappeared. Kai gritted his teeth and tore the poster off the board and crumpled it. He ripped it and dropped the fragments of paper and watched it mesh with the dirt.
Some things are meant to be forgotten. And it would be best for father to erase him from his mind. Knowing he is alive and breathing is just a hindrance. To them both. Kai figured.
Kai decided to head to rest for a while before heading to the ship and write down his name before all spots got taken. He spotted the same man he had bothered earlier. "Sir, I got 2 silvers." he simply said.
The man had finally finished packing all the cargo and was about to take another break before he spotted the kid closing in on him. "Right... where are your parents?"
"Traveling alone with a pet." Kai said.
"Alone? Uh right. Okay, write down your name here and give me the 2 silvers." The man instructed, taking a clipboard from the top of the boxes. "And 20 copper for your pet."
Kai froze and held the pen in his hands.
"Do you not know how to write?" The man asked casually, he knew that commoners usually don't attend school and learn the language but the way the kid carried himself felt elegant.
Kai shook his head and started scribbling down a name. After he had finished, he passed back the clipboard along with the pen. He then passed the money.
The man frowned and looked at the kid. "Come back here before the clock hits 8 or else we'll leave without you." he warned.
Kai nodded and walked away, looking around for activities to do. He had time and money but no purpose. He suddenly felt something cold drop on his neck. He looked up and saw snow. People around him erupted in sounds of awe.
He closed his eyes and felt the snow dropping on his face. He looked down and decided to look for a shop that sold coats and maybe a blanket for his companion.
Once he found a boutique, he went inside and looked for the kid's section and nabbed the cheapest coat he could see and paid for it along with a bag he managed to grab at the sales section. The total amounted to 1 silver and 50 coppers.
Kai walked out of the shop, satisfied and warm when he saw snow slowly pilling up in the short moment he was in the shop. He then saw a bakery and rushed towards it. He brought an item that was their best seller. Cat biscuits. He wondered if Luar would eat it. Just when he was about to stuff the item into his bag, a hand tugged at his pants.
He looked down slightly and saw a thin kid shivering with a dirty stained face. "Money to spare?" the kid asked.
The two then stood there for a long awkward moment before Kai made up his mind. He stuffed copper coins into the kid's hands and walked away.
From one of the alleyways, Kai spotted a familiar face. He was puzzled as to why they were here. Then he took a closer look around. He could see people wearing silver armor with the exact same insignia Janice had, printed onto their armor. How were they so fast and determined?
Kai's hands got sweaty despite the cold that was raining down on him. He grabbed the hood of his coat and covered his face and hair. He hid under the shelters and amongst other people. If he were spotted, it'd be the end. He saw the clock about to strike 8 and he headed towards the ship and waited.
Without him knowing, Kai was shivering and sweating profusely. To the point he wasn't aware of the new presence that poached itself beside his leg.
"Why are you acting so nervous?" Luar asked, talking in his mind and meowing. It saw a weird amount of people entering the village before finding Kai. Were they related to the boy?
"Those knights are my father's." Kai admitted, watching the clock and waiting for his name to be called. He could already see people boarding the ship when their names were called. All he had to do was just wait for his. Easier said than done.
"Kayden." A man called out.
Kai glanced at Luar and picked it up without a word and quickly boarded the ship. He could feel eyes staring at him. A name started with the letter 'K' definitely set their senses on fire.
He felt a sense of relief when he made it in. He held onto Luar in his arms, the talking cat was now silent and watchful. Apparently, he was the last person boarding the ship that night as the ship started to move after he settled down near the window.
Kai calmed himself down while he unconsciously petted the soft fur of the cat on his lap. He gathered up all his wits and looked outside the window. Then his heart stopped. His eyes met those familiar green gems that were filled with worry.
"Father.."