"Looking for love? When did that part come up?" Arya was taken aback by this revelation.
Ana and River sighed, looking disappointed in their eyes like some parents. While Reva was looking a little excited.
"Well, Arya. Mercy took you in from the capital, but you weren't the only part of his trip to Horizon. Some connections of mine told me that there was a bounty on a warlord." Reva explained.
"Mercy was originally going to the capital for two reasons, first was to investigate about and recruit the warlord into the group if he cooperates, that was you. The second reason he wanted to find himself a woman."
Arya was flabbergasted, " So if my ears don't deceive me, Mercy went to the royal capital in the middle of the enemy's central control point to find himself a woman. Why?"
"Because he is childish, no wonder where his niece got that mischievous attitude from her. He wants to live on the edge. Inside the enemy camp, each step is watched, you need to be careful, wait and scheme before playing a single move. Doesn't it feel thrilling and adventurous from the outside, like a book?" Ana gave her opinions.
"But, has he found anyone yet? I don't think, how does he plan to meet and greet women? Like will he walk into a brothel or tavern or worship place and find the women of his dreams."
"I think there was a feast for victory over the wind serpent attack. Men and women from across the world were invited. Although no warlord of the Dynasty came, people were still flocking to the capital. I think you can find one there, he has the good looks and a good body for an attractive man." Ana argued.
"...I didn't know there was a feast. I hid in the stinky sewers with all my money the day I was thrown out of the royal court. I heard noises, but I knew the guards were ready to hunt me at any moment. So, I hid in the sewers until I found a way out of the city."
"Arya… Arya, are you okay?"
"What?... Anything happened?" Arya came back to reality realising he never said any of that.
"You were lost in your thoughts. Remember something worth telling?" Ana asked him.
"No... I was just thinking that if Mercy finds the love of his life, What will be the next step? Bring a simple lady into the centre of the enemy camp here and show him that he is the greatest illusion wizard ever, he plans to throw the kingdom."
"Well seeing how he decided to recruit an exiled warlord without considering it a trap at all, he might just do exactly that. He likes to pull the situation that makes people scared and despair because he knows he will find his way out." Arya couldn't disagree with that.
The exiled plot could have been used to send a spy into an enemy field, as one could use a warlord for his help. Best way to sneak in a spy to the enemy ranks of those who try to contact the exile.
"Still, Reva, does he already have a woman contracted or he is funnelling out for one?"
"I don't know. Above all, I don't believe him. He is definitely trying to hide his plans. He has other matters inside the capitol, I believe he wants to put himself into the royal court, to find out something." Reva explained her point.
"Talking about hiding things, you are in the same boat, Reva. Could you perhaps give us more content on your conversation? Considering you told me about one thing, you probably have more to say?" River tugged at the flow towards Reva.
Reva thought back for a second, all eyes on the tables towards her asking for more.
"When Mercy and I went out, first he explained his plans for the group and himself. The team will be separating after these two weeks' end. The four of us on one side, travelling some hidden quest into the world while Mercy finds an aunt of Sera." Reva explained while caving into the pressure.
"He means to send us somewhere? Quite expected why he is teaching us to do all these special things in just two weeks."
"Can't we refuse to go?" River asked.
"I don't think Mercy will like a no after all he is done. He gave me knowledge about many things I wanted to know about, you and Ana have more resources and security for things than ever, and for Arya-"
"He saved him from assassins, took me in, gave me an orb of power as a gift and basically gave me another life from zero."
" Why are you talking about the He gave the things we wanted to use to us later, he wanted to use us and control our lives the way he wanted. I don't know, he might send us to die for his plan."
"His presence is the only thing keeping you alive right now." A kid with pale white skin came walking from the door, wearing a small black shirt and pants. His eyebrows were as sharp as his voice.
"And who is he?" Arya, Ana and Reva all turned towards River, "River, who is this kid?"
"Don't put even a single allegation on me, Mercy brought him here, and I am just following orders." River backed up, already knowing the claims the group was about to set on him.
"Mercy turned to kidnapping? Hey kid… your skin..are you a" Reva sturred in these words.
"Yes, no need to say it. I am what you people are thinking, but I will correct your thoughts about the place in society. I am Alexander den Wettin, son of Albert Edward Wettin. The prince of vampires, and the only heir to the ruler of the Forest of Forsaken." Alexander spoke politely, but just like Mercy, he had a sense of control over the situation.
"The bloody prince of vampires? Your Majesty." Arya got up from his seat and held one knee down on the floor. "Arya, what the hell are you doing? He is our hostage." River got from his seat to stop Arya from kneeling.
"Why do that Sir River? I suppose it is an act of well-bred royalty to bow to a prince. While the idea of him being a hostage is too far-fetched. I can escape anytime, if I want or maybe…" The sharp ivory claws came tearing from Alexander's skin and his black eyes turned to blue.
"Try me." Reva was still sitting in the room on her sofa, smirking to her fullest with a glass of wine in her hand.
"I know, Mercy will come flying to protect you. Your confidence is built on his presence, where is he? Perhaps I can see him for once." The claws receded and the eyes were black once again.
"Prince Alexander, what are you doing here? Maybe not a hostage, but… Is yours the blood we drank today? Mercy wasn't joking, he actually got the blood of a vampire lord." Ana stood up from her seat in realisation.
"What did you think? He was making us drink some random strong vampire blood?" Reva asked and received three nods in reply.
"Well, that's surprising. I think we really have different thoughts about that guy. And price vampire, I don't need Mercy to stop you from killing me, try-"
"?!"
Arya felt the wind around him become heavier with blood lust, something had passed him, and he was standing right beside him. His fangs bared an inch away from his throat, and the blood was definitely coming out.
"I told you, I can kill everyone. You might be fast, but you lack the strength to stop my attack." Reva started into those blue eyes filled with bloodlust, hungering to be filled with red.
Ana looked in horror, as Reva had one hand on Arya's back and the other holding the prince's fangs. It had been, the magic was in her hand.
"You too, Madam. I think you need to start releasing some spells, the magic is useless if all your friends die." Alexander with his joyful smile looked towards Ana.
"You're still a little kid trying to think you have power." River got up from his seat, confidence shining through him. "The wine we drank had the potions of vampire protection Ana took once before she entered the mansion, that's why you could only attack Arya."
"Did I strike a nerve?" River smirked at the vampire boy's annoyed face," Can kill us, but will your mother like that her kid died from the smell of human blood? A mother doesn't deserve such a poor fate. So, be a good hostage, do as I say and you will be treated well."
"Tch.. leave my hand." Reva let go of Alexander's hand and when he pushed back his claws. Arya finally began breathing and gasping for air, his heart pounding from the experience.
"Can somebody just tell me if I am the most fortunate or unfortunate person in this mortal realm? Nothing is giving me a bloody rest, I have nearly died too many times in the past three weeks, feels like… I am the scapegoat for every problem… and Reva, you owe me two times." Arya ranted while clutching his pillow from the sofa.
Reva looked saddened and disappointed herself, " I am sorry, my mistake. My bloody…"
"I am sorry, Arya. You should've started drinking wine when you were at the palace, the smallest things happen to save lives."
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