12h30
Diésir and Crécio, accompanied by the daughter of the duke were walking in the streets of the city of Jébaru. As usual it was animated and noisy but it was still a satisfying experience for Laéla. It was as if she was breathing a new kind of air.
-Thank you very much. You do not realize how much it means to me to be outside.
-That's why i insisted to Régidal to let you come with us. I remembered what you told me yesterday. Said Diésir to the lady.
-Oh really ? She asked surprised.
He nodded. Crécio was looking at him a bit suspiciou of them.
They were now passing in front of a shop, a jewelry shop and immediately, the attention of the lady was taken by it.
-Oh, it's so pretty !
She didn't even bother to asked them if she could go, she just walked towards the entry of the shop.
The two men were surprised, the looked at each other.
-Huh, lady Laéla, we don't have the time for this. Said Diésir, still confused.
-I know, i will be quick i promise.
She entered. Both of the warriors stayed outside waiting for her to come out. They were not happy.
-I hope she will not do that every time she will see something she like. Commented nonchalantly Crécio
-I am sure not. She doesn't go outside very much so she is just enjoying the moment. Defended Diésir.
-Yeah, i hope you are right.
The woman finally appeared with a bag from the jewelry store.
-Sorry for making you wait. I saw this shining necklace and i couldn't resist. We can go now.
-Let's go then. Said Crécio.
-I am glad that you are able to enjoy that moment.
-Thank you. Take a look at what i bought.
She showed him the necklace, it was a saphire surrounded by silver and smaller jewel like green emerald.
-Isn't it pretty ?
-Yes, indeed.
-I knew you would like it.
Then they continued to advance throught the streets. Once again, Laéla found another store she wanted to enter. This it was for shoes.
-I will be quicker this time i promise. She said confidently.
Crécio was this time shocked and Diésir embarrassed with his smile trying to hidding that emotion.
She came back with at least three other bags.
Again, another store, this time it was perfume.
-You won't even see that i am gone. She said.
She came back with another bag.
The next one was a clothing store. The disbelief on their faces was not hidden anymore.
-One last time i promise.
Then she went inside and came back with more bags. During the entire walk, she stoped at least 7 times. Both Crécio and Diésir were now annoyed and jaded.
-It's your fault. Accused Crécio.
-How ?
-You insisted for her to come and now we are forced to hold her stuffs.
Indeed the two lf them were holding for her what she had bought during the march.
-It's worse when it's Aesta. Remarked Diésir.
-What does Aesta have to do with that right now ?
-You are complaining about Laéla althought Aesta is more annoying when she is shopping but you don't complain for that.
-Firstly, Aesta know when the moment is appropriate or not, secondly, what happen between her and me is private.
-Yeah yeah.
-Oh i think we bave arrived. Said Laéla.
In front of them was a building, made out of wood and stone. The sign was a duck pierced by an arrow.
-I would have never guess it was the one of the gathering place of the black hand. Commented Diésir.
-Of course, they are secret, it's normal.
-Okay, but what do we do about your acquisition of today mu lady.
-Oh right, leave them here i will ask some guards to go to the castle with that.
-As you wish.
-I will stay here for them, you can enter, my lords.
-Very well.
The Stars entered without worrying much about the lady, seeing that the guards were not that far from here.
-I feel relieve to be with you and not her.
-Are you not being exagerating, Crécio ? Replied Diésir annoyed.
-You seem to have a soft spot for her. It's unusual of you.
-I can say the same with Aesta.
-Why every time i talk about her throw Aesta at my face. I am not insulting lady Laéla or you.
-You know what, Crécio. I have nothing to say.
-As you wish.
Both of them reached the counter, there a bartender greeted them.
-Hello sirs. What can i do for you ?
-We want to talk contact the "black hand".
Simply said Crécio. The bartender and even the men present in the place were shocked.
-Huh, who are you ?
-You don't need to know our names, we just want to talk with a represent or your chief for a important matter. Is it possible ? Asked again Crécio.
-You will have to wait. It's not that easy to do that, you look suspicious too.
-And ?
-Wait here, i will come back.
The man left and went in back of the building, in the kitchen more precisely.
-Well, i hope it will not take too long. Said Diésir.
They silently stood there, waiting. it was possible to hear the flies or the footstep of people walking outside. After one minutes or two something bothered Diésir.
-Why is lady Laéla taking so much time ?
-I don't know, maybe she found a new store to visit.
-Maybe but i have a bad feeling. I will go see her. If the man comeback before me, do not wait for me and don't get into trouble.
-You too.
Diésir walked outside but he did not see Laéla there, he started to be quite worried about her now.
-Where did she go ? He whispered to himself.
He started walking on the left street, looking around him to find her. Her bags were not here anymore. Suddenly, after passing at least four or five houses, he heard her voice calling him.
-Lord Diésir !
He turned his face to see her between two buildings, she was in alleyway. She made him a sign to come near her. he did.
-What are you doing here ?
-Shh. Here look.
They peeked behind the wall.
There was a man, shouting with rage against someone else, other men were restreining him to prevent this person to fight.
-You bastard ! You will pay i promise you ! I will make you beg me for what you did !
-She is lying to you because she feel guilty. She was not saying anything when we fucked her. I think she was enjoying it even.
-She did nothing ! She was terrified and in pain because of you !
The man who was accusing the other was more enraged by the words he just heard.
-Fuck you ! I hope you die in agony !
-I heard you enough, beat him up, teach him a lesson.
Laéla gasp and immediately asked Diésir to intervene.
-Please do something, they are going to harm him.
She stared at him in hope he would act.
The man was pinned down but still screaming with anger.
-You can beat me all you want but i promise you that i will come back until i die !
-That can be arranged. Said the man with a evil smile on his face.
-Stop ! Yelled Diésir.
Every single one of those men stoped and looked at him, they clearly saw that he was a warrior thanks to his sword and his outfit, which was ressembling more a uniform than a noble clothe.
-It's none of your business !
-You have no idea how much it is.
-Well, if you want to play the hero, i won't stop you. guys.
8 of the 10 men gathered to face Diésir, armed with knives or daggers, one of them even had a hachet. He stared them down, analyzing and preparing to fight. He took his sword out his scabbard and stood ready for action.
-Kill him ! Ordered the chief.
The bandits charged at him under the concerned eyes of Laéla and the victim.
Diésir waited for the first opponant to attack, he deflected the knife and punched him in the face, right on the nose before cutting his neck with the edge of his blade. The man fell down while holding his neck.
The other enemy dive at him but the Star dogded by moving on the left, he held his arm and hit him in the back of his head with a fist infused with magic. That was enough to knocked him out.
Two other bandits threw themselves at him, he parried one and dodged again the second. In the meantime, he tripped the latter and before injuring his feet. The other trew his knife to the face of the knight but missed him, Diésir once again, dived to transpierce him with the tip of his sword.
Four eliminated, four remained. The others bandits started to fear a little, the chief was alot less confident now.
This time Diésir acted first, with his hand he launched a air punch toward the first enemy, making him back up before lauching another wave of magic compressed air at him. It was enought to injured the belly and made him bled.
The warrior followed this action by blocking the arm of the next attacker and punching in the face, followed by a kick in the leg and the finish with the blade cutting his face in half. The last ran away immediately leaving their weapons behind. The chief was now alone because those holding the poor man left too.
He tried to run away too but the man they beat up few moments earlier held his legs, making him fall face first. He was a bit unconscious but the angered man started immediately beatinh him. Again and again his fist were cashing on the face of the bandit.
Laéla had came closer to Diésir so he put his hand before her eyes to not see that display of pure rage.
-This for Liara ! This for what you did asshole !
He punched, he punched so hard blood was being thrown all around the head of the chief.
Then he stopped. Breathing heavily with bloody and a face marked by the atrocity of his action. He got off the body and stayed on his knees next ot it.
Diésir and Laéla approached him slowly to not scare him. The warrior placed himself in front of the man.
-I...i had to do it. he said with a trembling voice. He...raped my wife with his men and...she tried to took her own life because of him. I was...i was too weak to protect her.
-I am deeply sorry for you, i know it is horrible to live this, to feel powerless and lost, to see the one you love suffering so much they want to leave this world. However...
-You can't understand ! Yelled the man out of despair, making them startled. You are not in my place !
The look in his eyes was hard, angered and sad.
Diésir pulled out a tissue from his coat and cleaned as best he could the hands of the husband. It was not much but it was sincere. The man was surprised by this kind act, he was looking at the man doing this, with his eyes wide opened.
When he finished, Diésir looked at him with sadness. He then held the hands of this damaged soul, dirtying his own hands with the blood, and with a shared melancholy, he smiled at him with compassion.
After that he got up on his feet and walked without saying anything, Laéla after looking at the man, followed Diésir.
The man realized that the heart of this knight perfectly understood his, it was the same sensations and the same vibrations. He started to cry, breathing heavily.
-I...i am sorry.
He could only speak loud enough for himself. The tissu Diésir used for him was still in his hand, he raised it to his face and cried more.
Laéla and Diésir were still silent, the shock of this situation was impacting their mind and spirit, it was not easy to witness such things every time.
-Thank you, lord Diésir. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.
-It's nothing. it was a a bit selfish from me.
-I don't think saving a man is selfish. She replied.
-It is for me when i do it for vengeance and not justice. He said with a heavy voice, almost sad.
-I don't understand.
-The woman i loved, the one i talked you about, she was raped the day we got attacked. In front of me, i couldn't do nothing, i was powerless. I wish i could have killed thos man that day the same way i killed them today, if only i could go to the past.
Tears were running down his cheeks, he clenched his fist and the memories of this painful day were burning his mind. It was devouring suffering.
Laéla hugged him, this single act of kindness was enough to chased away the dark filling the head of Diésir. He looked at her, surprised. She was hugging tightly, he could feel her heartbeat and her soft hand on his clothe, her perfume and the compassion.
-You are strong, Diésir. Strong and caring. Don't forget that.
The only reaction he was able to have was more tears falling down his face. He held her back in his arms. he did not know why he did that but it was comforting, reassuring and warm.
This sweet moment between them was suddenly interrupted when a roar resounded across the city. They opened their eyes and let go of each other, looking around for clues.
The city was under attack.