A few days later, as Padrin returned to his room in the early afternoon, he wondered when will Amukelo finally arrive. As he reached for the door, he sensed movement behind him. Instinctively, his hand drifted toward the hilt of his sword. A voice, low and familiar, called out from the shadows, "He's there."
Padrin turned and saw the cloaked informer from a week ago. The informer extended his hand expectantly, and Padrin knew what was coming next. With a sigh, he reached into his pouch and produced the gold coins. He handed over the payment, which the informer took with a satisfied smirk, quickly counting the coins before pocketing them.
"You didn't have to wait long, so it's not much," the informer said, flicking the coins into his pouch.
Padrin nodded, grateful that it hadn't taken a month. "Where is he?" Padrin asked, his voice eager.
"He entered through the west gate," the informer replied, his voice as calm and matter-of-fact as always. "He's traveling with a group of women. You'll recognize him; he's wearing a brown cloak, hiding his identity."
Padrin raised an eyebrow at that last part. A group of women? He didn't understand why Amukelo would travel with a group of women when he tried to avenge his friends. But he nodded and decided to not think about it now. "Thanks," he muttered, already turning to leave. He had no time to waste.
As Padrin made his way toward the west gate, his heart quickened with anticipation. Finally, after all this time, he was about to reunite with Amukelo.
---
Earlier that day, as Amukelo's group trudged along the well-worn path, Norton came into view on the horizon, its stone walls towering over the surrounding landscape. The sight of the city caused Amukelo to pause. He stopped in his tracks, looking ahead with a mixture of dread and determination.
"We're almost there," Eliss said, noticing Amukelo's sudden stop. The other women in their group glanced up at the city with tired eyes, eager for the journey to end.
Amukelo didn't respond immediately. Instead, he reached into his pack and pulled out a simple brown cloak, draping it over his shoulders and pulling the hood up to conceal his distinctive white hair and red eyes. He tugged at the edges, making sure his face was hidden in shadow.
Seeing this, Eliss frowned, her curiosity piqued. "Why do you put that on?" she asked, walking closer to him.
Amukelo glanced at her briefly before returning his focus to the city ahead. "Some bad people want to get rid of me," he said in a tone that suggested the conversation was over.
Eliss, however, wasn't satisfied with such a cryptic answer. "What people?" she pressed, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.
Amukelo's face darkened slightly as the memories of his encounters with the Nameless Dynasty resurfaced. His mind flashed back to Pao and her last words, the pain he still carried with him. His jaw tightened, and his voice was tinged with hatred when he finally answered. "Nameless Dynasty."
Eliss paused, her face blank with confusion. "Who are they?" she asked, tilting her head slightly as if trying to recall the name from somewhere.
Amukelo stopped in his tracks, staring at her in disbelief. "You live here, in Norton, and you don't know about Nameless Dynasty?" he asked, incredulous.
Eliss shrugged, her expression completely innocent. "Never heard of them."
Amukelo shook his head in disbelief. How could she not know? Their main base was in Norton. Yet, here was Eliss, acting as though they were just another nameless group of thugs. "How?" he asked again, more to himself than to her.
Then, with a sigh, he waved his hand dismissively. "Whatever," he muttered. "They're basically bad people. That's all you need to know."
Eliss wasn't satisfied with that answer. "Why do they want to get you?" she asked, her tone becoming more serious. "And why are you traveling here if they want to kill you?"
Amukelo stiffened at her question, the weight of his past pressing down on him. For a moment, the faces of his fallen friends flashed in his mind: Bral, Idin, Bao, and Pao. His heart ached at the memory of Pao, and his eyes darkened with sorrow and rage. He didn't want to talk about it, didn't want to drag Eliss or anyone else into the bitter vendetta that had consumed his life.
"It's better if you don't know," Amukelo said quietly, his voice heavy with the burden of his memories.
Eliss frowned, her curiosity now piqued even more. "What? Why not? Come on, tell me!"
But Amukelo was done talking. He pulled the hood of his cloak lower over his eyes and continued walking, ignoring Eliss's protests.
Eliss watched him for a moment, sensing the pain and anger he was trying to hide. She had wanted to understand him better, to learn why he carried such a heavy burden. But it was clear that Amukelo wasn't ready to share that part of himself. Not yet.
With a quiet sigh, she followed after him, the city of Norton looming ever closer on the horizon.
As the sun began to dip low on the horizon Amukelo and the group finally approached the gates of Norton. The massive city loomed before them, its high stone walls imposing, almost unwelcoming. Amukelo's heart raced as they neared the gate, his nerves on edge. He knew this was the heart of Nameless Dynasty's territory, and every step closer felt like walking into a lion's den.
They approached the gate, and the guards, noticing the approaching group, immediately raised their hands to stop them. One of the guards, his face stern and unyielding, stepped forward and asked, "What is your business here?"
Before Amukelo could say anything, Eliss stepped forward with surprising authority. "My name is Eliss Covingfield," she said, her voice clear and commanding. "Let us in."
The guard's demeanor instantly changed. His eyes widened in recognition, and he stepped back, almost stumbling as he realized who stood before him. "Lady... Lady Covingfield!" he stammered. "You've been missing for so long! We lost contact with our team. What... what happened?"
Eliss's face remained calm, though there was a flicker of emotion in her eyes as she responded coldly, "I will tell everything to my father. You don't need to know."
The guard nodded quickly, his eyes darting between Eliss and the group behind her. He looked uncertain as he noticed Amukelo and the other women. "What about them?" he asked, gesturing toward the group.
"They are with me," Eliss said simply, her tone brooking no argument.
The guard bowed slightly and stepped aside, waving the group through. Amukelo could feel the weight of eyes on him as they entered the city. He kept his head low, pulling the hood of his brown cloak even tighter around his face, doing his best to blend in.
His mind was racing—this was Nameless Dynasty territory, and even though he hadn't been spotted yet, he knew it was only a matter of time. The streets were full of people, and among them, he could see several members of Nameless Dynasty, their insignia barely visible but unmistakable to those who knew what to look for.
As they moved through the bustling streets of Norton, a second guard approached, this one clearly of higher rank, and began to escort them. He walked with authority, leading the group through winding alleys and cobbled roads.
Amukelo stayed near the back, allowing himself to disappear into the group of girls as much as possible. His eyes scanned the streets around him, committing every detail to memory—the narrow alleys, the side streets, the shadows where he could potentially hide if things went wrong. The city was a maze, and he knew he'd have to navigate it carefully if he wanted to survive.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at a large, imposing mansion. The walls of the estate were high, with iron gates at the front, guarded by several men in uniforms that marked them as the household's protectors. Amukelo took note of the layout—the paths leading away from the mansion, the placement of guards, the narrow alleyways that ran alongside the property.
As they approached the gates, one of the guards stationed at the front caught sight of Eliss, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "La.. Lady Eliss!" he exclaimed, his voice full of surprise and relief. "You're safe! I'm so glad!" He quickly turned to the other guard beside him. "I'll inform Lord Roland at once!" he said excitedly before bowing deeply to Eliss. "Please, come in."
The gates were swung open, and the group was ushered into the mansion grounds. Amukelo could feel the tension in the air. It was clear that Eliss was someone of great importance here, and her return was being treated with the utmost gravity.
The grounds of the mansion were expansive, with well-kept gardens and a large, elegant building looming at the center. The architecture was grand but tasteful, a clear sign of wealth and power. Amukelo blended further into the group, his eyes scanning the area. He felt out of place here.
Before long, the doors to the mansion opened, and a man with blonde hair came rushing out. He was dressed in elegant clothes, clearly someone of high standing, though not overly tall—perhaps slightly shorter than Amukelo. He had a powerful build, with broad shoulders and a sturdy frame, but it was clear he had lived a life that kept him away from physical conflict. His skin bore no scars, and his face was sharp and commanding.
"Eliss!" he called out, his voice filled with emotion as he hurried toward her.
Eliss took a step forward, her composure slipping for just a moment as she saw her father approach. The man reached her in a matter of seconds, wrapping her in a tight embrace. His voice was thick with relief as he held her. "Eliss... my dear," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "What happened? Are you hurt? Did anyone do anything bad to you?"
Eliss allowed herself to melt into her father's arms, feeling the warmth and safety of home wash over her. For the first time since Amukelo saved her, she looked vulnerable, like the young girl she truly was beneath the strength and resolve she had shown.