"I don't understand why you're even bothering to keep a human girl around all this time." Yajel started hammering home the point that Freida's presence within Winona's group was a grave offense.
Hrod rushed forward quickly and defended his side by grabbing Yajel's collar with both hands as he responded, "Hey! Don't make it sound like we're outlaws who took this human girl in as our hostage. It wasn't like that to begin with!"
Before Yajel could come up with a response, he reacted quickly and smacked Hrod's hand away from him in order to get himself free. Soon after, he asked him, "If it wasn't like that, then how would you explain her presence here? There was no way for a mortal to enter Paradexia without first receiving an invitation. Which indicates, without a doubt, that the two of you were the ones responsible for this."
Hrod's nose was emitting a mist, which was a clear sign that he was becoming increasingly agitated. Not with himself, but rather with the circumstances that he found himself in. He was dismayed by the fact that Yajel did not appear to be open to the idea of first listening to him explain his reasoning before leaping to a conclusion. The years had a surprising impact on Yajel, and his attitude had evolved in a way that was not for the better..
Hrod was dismayed to observe that Yajel's demeanor was becoming even more negative than it had been in the past. He was afraid that the day would come when he would have to face opposition not only from Winona but also from himself.
But Hrod knew Yajel so well that he still wanted to put his faith in the possibility that he would listen to him in some way. For Yajel to have a better understanding of what he was trying to explain, all that he needed to do was exercise more patience.
"Before I go any further with this explanation, I need to get certain about one thing from you first." Hrod told him instead.
'What is it?"
"If you're going to hear me out, I'd appreciate it if you'd do so with some degree of seriousness rather than just to keep me babbling into thin air."
"I'll try,"
Hrod was underwhelmed by Yajel's response, which was not what he had hoped to hear and therefore did not live up to his expectations. But for the time being, it was preferable to that than to know that he wouldn't be interested in listening to him at all..
Before beginning to explain, Hrod began by moving himself backward a little bit. "We weren't the ones who were responsible for bringing Freida all the way to Paradexia, so don't blame us. Someone else was responsible for bringing her here. And unfortunately, she wasn't able to find out who was behind it."
"What a pathetic fool." Yajel reacted right away, and immediately after, he cast a sinister glance in Freida's direction.
After saying "But," Hrod immediately prevented Yajel from continuing whatever it was he was supposed to do with Freida. Then he continued by saying, "–there was something that Freida remembered during the time that that being was carrying her into the portal of Paradexia."
"What was it?"
"A crest."
"A crest?"
"Yes. According to Freida, the item that was fastened to his chest was a crest that had an odd appearance to it. It has a strange and beastly appearance, with serpentine scales and flaming wings."
Hrod noticed that Yajel's eyes briefly widened in a manner that was so subtle that it was almost impossible to notice.. At that point, he was certain that Yajel could possibly have an idea regarding who the crest could possibly belong to.
"Yajel."
Hrod yelled Yajel's name several times, but all he did was remain silent..
Yajel exhibited behavior that was out of character for him for a brief moment before he was able to regain his composure and respond, "I am not aware of such a thing." right before he turned his back on them and was about to start making his way into his cabin.
"Hold on a moment, Yajel." Hrod called for him once more.
Yajel, who was in a position where he had no choice but to look back over his shoulder, did so in order to determine what Hrod might be up to at this moment.
Hrod moved his feet forward a sufficient distance to get closer to where Yajel was standing. And just as he was about to get close to him, he murmured to him, "I saw that faint reaction you had back there. You may assert with conviction that you do not know in front of them, but you could never lie to me."
Following his statement, Yajel turned around to face him once more. He moved forward one step and then bent over to whisper in his left ear, "You are just wasting your time because I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Well, what about a deal of some sort? In exchange for the information that we require, you tell me what it is that you want." Hrod suddenly came up with a bargain.
However, it did not immediately convince Yajel to bite on it. Instead, he raised his chin and looked up at the bright blue sky above him. However, it does leave me wondering. Why are you so obsessed with trying to help a simple human being like her? What would you possibly gain from assisting her in any case?"
"Because if she stays with us and the rest of them find us, it could get Winona and I into some trouble. You are completely aware of the repercussions, are you not? It's very similar to the consequences of your crime, which is why you're still hiding from them until now. And I can't let Winona and I continue living that life. You are fully aware that she had enough."
"There is no need to bring that subject up again." Hrod was about to bring up the history between Yajel and Trauss when Yajel quickly interjected and put a stop to that. It was a terrifying memory from his past that he had worked very hard to put behind him over the years.
"So, would you be willing to work with us?"
"To be completely honest with you, I really don't know. I mean, you barely know anything about this mortal woman. What evidence do you have that refutes the possibility that she is a spy working with the commandos? Why don't you just let her be the way that she is?"
"It can't be possible, Winona has grown fond of Freida. Unfortunately, I was unable to easily persuade Winona to leave the human girl behind. In addition, it may have been ludicrous to believe, but if she really was a spy working for the commandos, then there is no way that we could still be in this area at this point in time. Right?"
Hrod exerted a lot of effort to make each of his statements come across in a positive light. He took great care in selecting cautious words that were sufficient to convince Yajel. In the end, he was still of the opinion that Yajel would help them out by cooperating with them. On the other hand, at least he was aware that he exerted every effort to persuade him.
Yajel let out a long, drawn-out sigh. And it was a heavy one. The type of which indicates that he was forced to the point where he had no other option but to give in. especially when Yajel responded and confirmed it with his own words. "Fine. Follow me inside the cabin."
After what Yajel had said, Hrod was too excited to turn his gaze towards Winona and Freida, so he signaled for them to follow Yajel at the cabin as well. Winona and Freida did as they were told.
But just as the three of hem were trying to follow behind Yajel, a faint echo of roaring sound was promptly being heard by the rest of them. It was seemingly headed towards the ship. The loud sound was becoming even louder and this time, it was replaced by bellowing and yelling sounds of voices that were coming from men.
Their suspicion was only confirmed when a cannon ball hit the rear of the ship. It caused a commotion with everyone. Hrod immediately pulled Winona to the side to cover her up.
Out of rush, Yajel then drew Freida close to him. Freida didn't expect Yajel to be suddenly concerned about her safety. She instantly felt a rush of blood coming across her face as Yajel was looking directly at her face while his hands were holding both her arms.
"Are you…alright?" Yajel asked her while he instantly lure his sight away from her direction.
Freida's chest was throbbing hard as she mustered her courage to answer him, "Yes…I am."
As the atmosphere between the two of them was already growing more awkward, Yajel eventually pushed Freida behind him and dragged her by holding her hands towards Hrod and Winona to keep her safe there. After that, he then walk out and check on the damaged rear of the ship.
Yajel immediately run towards the men who just went out down from the crow's nest to find their captain.
"What was going on?" Yagel asked his crewmen.
"Captain, we've been followed by the commando soldiers. The flag of commandos were sailing behind us."
"Shit! Take cover for their next assault. Fill in the cannons and prepare to fire."
After leaving a quick command to his men, Yajel went back to pick up Freida on the ground.
"I knew it! I knew you were a spy of the commandos!" Yajel told Freida, who was shocked by Yajel's sudden reaction. It was just a while ago that Freida thought Yajel could be kind when he took her to safety but that all changed now when he came to her and blabber about false accusations on her.
"Just what are you talking about, Yajel?" Winona interfered as she took Freida away from him.
"It was thanks to that woman, we are not being followed by the commandos soldiers." Yajel answered. He was furious and it was very visible through his fierce eyes that he was serious about hurting Freida.
"How could you be certain it was them?"
"My men saw the red and yellow flag with the crow sigil atop the ship who fired that cannon ball earlier."
"What do we do now?" Hrod came to ask.
"Well, why don't we ask this spy over here? Perhaps she has some good answer to share?" Yajel referred to Freida.
"Freida is innocent! She couldn't possibly be a spy!" Winona protested while her arms are circled around Freida.
"Then why won't she prove it to us then?" Yajel's expression suddenly changed to one of those sinister mask he earlier projects.
"How?" Freida tried strongly to answer as she carefully pulled away from Winona to walk closer towards Yajel, "Tell me how can I prove my innocence to you?"
Yajel just smirk before he swiftly answered, "I want you to jump off my ship."