They rode for almost an hour in silence at a moderate pace. The young man already taller than anyone there was riding one of the tallest horses they had ever seen, looking like a King. Even his aura was calm and majestic.
"Where are you from? What is your background, Alan?" Gregory asked curiously.
"Well, I am a traveller from a far away land. As I told you yesterday, I am travelling to learn new things and improve my understanding of the world and gain as much knowledge as possible."
"What about your background? Your family?"
"My family is a complex matter. To simplify, I was adopted as an infant by my grandmother. And since then her family is my own family."
"What about you? What house or family does this crest belongs to?"
"This is the crest of Ravenshield family. Duke Ravenshield to be precise. The lady inside the carriage is his only daughter, Kristina."
"What happened to her mother? Can you atleast let me know about her symptoms?"
After contemplating for a few seconds, Gregory started to talk about the matter.....
" Lady Dyna all of a sudden started coughing after getting up in the morning around 5 years ago. She then started getting fever every alternative day for almost a month. And all of a sudden she fell into coma and was in the same state untill a couple of months back, when she suddenly started to cough blood. The healers informed that her internal organs had started to get weeker and if we didn't find this rare hurb, her chances of surving even a couple of more weeks are slim. Even now, this hurb....." His sentence was cut short by Alan by completing his sentence.
" It can only provide a temporary respite and can prolong her life for an year at the most."
"How do you know that!?"
"As I said, I have a bit of knowledge about healing. And the symptoms you just described matches the condition of brain inactivity and long term coma. And generally in those condition, due to malnutrition the body starts to degrade and organs starts to break down one by one, causing the failure of multiple internal organs."
Gregory was shocked by the accurate description and explanation given by this young man. He had heard the same from many expert healers who had visited to check the condition of the Duke's wife. "He might be a decent healer, if not how can he provide details about lady Dyna's condition so precisely. Let me speak to The Duke once we reach the city about this." Gregory thought in his mind.
"Halt.... "
Alan's sudden and sharp word made them stop in their tracks. When Gregory looked at the young man, he noticed that Alan was looking around sternly with a serious gaze.
"Captain, an ambush is setup ahead. There might be around sixty mercenaries."
"What!!!! How did you ...!?"
Alan smiled, "Let's just say that, I have pretty good hearing."
" Come out of your hiding. I know where you are." Alan shouted out.
After almost a minute, they started to hear footsteps. A man walked forward, followed by a group of people.
"Is it..., Sword Master Gavin!? Why are you here? Why do you want to stop us?" Gregory asked in disbelief when he saw a man around 50 moved a few step forward.
"Ah Captain Gregory, How unfortunate that I have to kill you today. It's nothing personal. You see, I had accepted a job where I had to Kill a few people and take a rare hurb to my client."
By this time, Lady Kristina got out of the carriage and walked towards the Captain. "Master Gavin, please let us pass through, I will double the amount of your contract value.I have to reach home with this herb urgently. "
"Ha ha ha... Kristina, the gold is not the only thing I accepted for this job. It's to get you. I can have you for myself. The most beautiful women in the Delta city, day and night. Image how we can enjoy the time in a cozy bed." The old man almost drooled at this thought.
Disgust in her face, tears in her eyes Kristina begged again. "Master Gavin, I beg you. Please let us go. My mother is in a critical condition. If we don't get the herb to her soon, she will die."
"Girl, spend tonight with me and I will make sure, you get the herb in your hand in the morning. And there will be no blood shed. Do you agree?" Gavin said with a malicious smile.
"No..... My lady, we will fight to our death and will give you time to eacape from here. Don't worry about us, save yourself and get the herb to your mother." Captain Gregory said steeling himself and drawing his sword.
"Ha ha ha... What a bold statement! Do you think, you can escape me! The best Swordmaster of Delta region." Gavin laughed like a maniac.