Hazel's eyes were as cold as ice as she glared at George who was shivering at the coldness of the blade pressed on his neck.
"Who did you sell it to?" Hazel asked, a variety of emotions raging in her amber eyes. She was still wearing her eye patch but she was tempted to remove it because then she would appear scarier.
"Ha! Do you really think you can threaten me like this?" George stammered in response, trying to regain his composure.
As a well-known businessman in Hawksley, he wasn't afraid of Hazel at all. First of all, people here were quick to pass judgement based on mere accusations and he could just call for help and Hazel would be dealt with. Secondly, it was broad daylight and who in their right mind would stab someone at such a busy street?
Hazel's eyes narrowed at him and she pressed the small knife harder.
"You better start talking mister. I made it clear when I left that I would be back for my dagger," Hazel threatened in a dangerously low voice.
George sneered, his hands moving to hold Hazel's. "Listen to me young lady, if you don't release me then I'm going to call those men you saw earlier and you won't know what even happened to you," he retaliated with a threat of his own, his voice now showing more confidence than earlier.
"You better go buy another knife."
The man expected Hazel to retreat, but a cold smile slowly curved her lips. Even though he was a head taller than her, her eyes now seemed to be staring down at him.
They had a stare off for a few seconds, the man confident enough with the people he had hired for his own security and Hazel turning his words inside her own head. She wanted nothing more than to drive the knife through his skin, but she hesitated because she realized since she was released, she always had this urge to hurt people who wronged her even a little bit.
Stepping back, she continued glaring at the man. "Give my money back then."
George straightened his clothes, his eyes never leaving Hazel's incase she did a surprise attack on him.
He dipped his hand inside his pocket, took out the money and gave her two silver coins.
Cold laughter escaped Hazel's lips as she stared at the two coins on the palm of her hand. Her laughter subsided and she gave George one last taunting look before walking away. George breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her retreating back.
Hazel walked across the street and leaned against a wall, watching the pawnshop from a distance. Many things were running across her mind, but what she was sure of was getting her uncle's dagger back. She only left because she knew threats wouldn't work on the man in such a situation, but she would definitely go back.
The other thing bugging her was the realization that her temper was getting worse. She was still acting like a barbarian in the no-name prison and she knew she needed to tame her anger. It had already cost her a lot within a day and she didn't want any more problems. She had to remind herself that her aim was to find her uncle's killer and the man behind her arrest, take revenge then live a peaceful life like the one she had before. Things wouldn't be the same without her uncle, but all she could do was try.
***
After Leo and Sebastian left the pawnshop, the two headed to a cottage in the outskirts of Hawksley where a friend of their father lived.
The man, according to King Tobias, was a man with plenty of information and information meant power. It was hard to find him at first but as soon as they revealed their identities, they were let into the house.
"Prince Leocade, prince Sebastian," the man named Cobby greeted with a respectful bow. "It is an honour to have you here. Please," he stretched his hand and they both joined him in the living area.
Cobby summoned his wife to bring refreshments for the guests but Leo quickly waved him off. "We won't be taking long."
Cobby whispered something in the woman's ear and she left. He turned his attention to the two Princes, his expression taking a more serious turn.
"How may I be of help, your highnesses?"
"My father said we could rely on you for your discretion," begun Leo and Cobby nodded in agreement. "I need you to help me identify something."
Leo retrieved a piece of cloth and unwrapped the dagger he had bought from the pawnshop. Sebastian was sitting quietly beside his brother but his brows furrowed when he saw the dagger. Weren't they there to enquire about the man's security services?
Leo watched Cobby's expression carefully as he handed the knife, but the man's face remained stoic, as if he didn't recognise the knife at all.
After turning the dagger in his hands, Cobby looked up with a confused look. "Pardon me, I don't understand your request. Am I supposed to recognise this knife?"
Leo detected the loss in his voice and he became a bit skeptical. "Do you not? I thought the symbol was something you would easily recognise and I just needed your confirmation."
As a last attempt, Cobby examined the carving of the eagle, but still, his mind couldn't register anything. He inwardly admitted that this kinds of daggers were rare these days, more so with the antique carving of an eagle, but it didn't ring a bell at all.
"Apologies your majesty, I don't recognise anything. Perhaps you could enlighten me more and I'll see if I can remember anything," he suggested but Leo had already decided not to push it any further.
"There'll be no need for that. Perhaps I was just overthinking it," he took the knife back and stood up. "Thank you for lending us your time sir Cobby. We'll be leaving now," he announced and Sebastian stood up as well.
"Give my regards to your father, his majesty," Cobby responded, walking them to the door.
When they returned to the separate room the inn owner had lent them, Sebastian observed that his brother's thoughts were elsewhere. He wanted to ask about the dagger and why he was strangely interested, but he refrained from it because he wanted to sleep.
They parted ways at the corridor and they entered their respective rooms.
As soon as Leo locked the door behind him, he felt another presence inside the room and his senses became alert. He had left his sword belt earlier so the only weapon on him was the dagger. Without thinking twice, he retrieved the dagger and his eyes started searching around the room. There was nothing in sight.
Following his strong intuition, he stalked closer to the window, surmising that it was the most possible hideout. Apart from the bed, there was only a small desk and a wardrobe inside the room. If the invader was clever, he would hide behind the curtains for an easier escape.
Leo tried making his steps as light as possible, but before he could grab the curtains, a shadow appeared in front of him and swung a fist at him as fast as lighting. Leo dodged the attack but the other person was quicker than him and grabbed both his legs, making him fall on his back.
The person was covered from head to toe and the only thing visible was the eyes, which Leo didn't get a proper look at because the person was already on top of him, a punch aimed at his neck.
Recollecting his thoughts quickly, Leo grabbed the fist and grabbed the person's shoulder, using his strength to flung him on the floor. The next minute Leo was the one on top and the first thing on his mind was to uncover the face, but the person struggled under him furtively.
Leo had an advantage of strength from what he observed and he used his body to press down on the invader, one hand of his holding the person's hands down. His free hand reached out to uncover the face and he instantly froze when the face of the woman was revealed.
Her chest heaved up and down against his and her bright amber eyes glared at him. At that moment Leo couldn't process anything and he blurted out subconsciously,
"You?"