The village people crowd around Nai and this traumatized woman cradling her dead child. They watch in silence, drinking in the scene before them, mesmerized by their hero.
Nai waits until the woman's wailing dies down a bit before walking away, tired of hearing her cries. The crowd shuffles behind him in silence, tripping over each other in attempts to get closer to the stunning man. Nai sighs as he reaches the tree he had left Noah under. The child had awakened and looks up at Nai with large, round eyes full of wonder.
Smiling, Nai bends over, kneeling on the ground before the child. He reaches out, giving one of Noah's squishy cheeks a tiny squeeze. The boys cheeks flush and a small crease appears between his brows.
"You can rest a bit more if you want," Nai tilts his head to the side. "I won't be staying in this village, but you're welcome to come along with me. And if you want more sleep, I am always willing to carry you."
Noah is silent for a few moments, his eyes drifting to over Nai's shoulder, eyeing off the villagers crowding them. Before he has any time to speak, a young village woman speaks up, her voice high and trembling.
"Young Master 'Blessing of the Moon'," she say, "do stay the night. Our town inn burned down, but you are more than welcome to stay in any house you please."
Nai turns his torso toward the crowd, still kneeling. "Oh no, I could never impose on you like that. Thank you for your generosity, but you have all been through so much tonight. All of you should get some rest immediately before fatigue hits. I will probably be up most of the night anyway."
Nai's eyes shift toward the dozens of dead bodies strewn across the ground, his brows furrowing.
"Oh no, my Lord, you are not imposing on anyone," the young woman squeaks, "it is our pleasure-"
"I really am alright," Nai cuts her off and sighs. "But I would love to ask you all a few questions if you could please answer."
The crowd nods in agreement, eager to help their savior in any way possible.
"Those bodies," Nai starts, "they have not burned, so they didn't die in the fire. They have numerous fatal wounds all over their bodies, indicating a fight occurred. Does anyone see a familiar face? Or perhaps know how they happened to die?"
The crowd stares in the direction of the bodies, murmuring to each other. A few faces are confused, and others look like they definitely know at least some information.
A skinny man steps forward from the gathering, tugging at his torn and slightly charred coat. "At the town pub, a few mercenary-looking fellows waltzed in and ordered a lot of wine. I overheard them talking about a bounty they couldn't wait to collect."
"Just before the inn was set on fire, there was a large group of people from all different races crowded around one of the windows," another stout man adds. "I thought it seemed odd, so I stepped outside to take a look, but when I looked a second time they were all lying on the ground and weren't moving."
"There was a man!" A pretty woman in her older years shouts over the top of agreeing voices. "He was dressed in all black, very very tall and had long bushy hair … He was also very handsome."
There was a groan among the crowd.
"Leave it to the women to record how handsome a murderer is." Someone from the crowd jeers.
There are many agreeing voices.
"It's important to know one's looks!" Another woman shouts to assist the first woman.
"And who said he killed all those people?! Just look out there. How many dead bodies do you see?!"
The villagers begin to bicker among themselves, yelling wild claims and making fun of others for voicing their opinions.
Nai sighs and turns his back on the villagers, lifting Noah in his arms and holding him close to his body. It seems like there was some kind of fight … Bounty-hunters looking for their bounty. And this black-clad person seemed to handle all of those people by themself. Perhaps the fire started during the battle? Nai shakes his head as he begins walking down the village's main street, leaving the bickering crowd to themselves. They don't even notice their savior left.
"Oh." Nai stops and looks down at the child in his arms. He had forgotten to see whether Noah even wanted to leave with him or not. "Noah, do you want to come with me? Is that okay?"
Noah nods tentatively, clutching at the jacket wrapped around his body. "Where?"
"The city of Marici," Nai says, his voice hesitating slightly. "I have an audience with the Crown Prince. If everything goes my way, then I will be exempt from the army for at least a year and enjoy a nice, much needed vacation. You're welcome to come with me. Is that what you want?"
The small child blinks. On the inside, Luan Akay is screaming. 'The Crown Prince?! That bastard?! He could see straight through my disguise! I can't risk it!' Luan thinks this, but he is caught in the spiderweb that is Nai Soari's face. Nai's angelic smile tips Luan over the edge and the latter whimpers softly before nodding, burying his bright red face into the Blessing of the Sun's chest. Seriously this man-
Nai chuckles lightly, and Luan blushes harder. Such a nice sound ... Surely this man is not human, but actually a god?!