Aaron stayed up the entire night thinking of what had just happened. He had questions and he had to find the answers to them at all cost. He felt asking the old man would cause unnecessary suspicion and he had to act carefully.
He didn't see need of sharing it with Sean, since he hadn't any clear explanation yet. He had just one thing to do and it was to find the woman in question. Whether she was hiding or not.
Putting thoughts of the mysterious lady aside, he started thinking of how he could get a great army for the coming battle. He had some troops in the north he fought with in one of his old battles and he had already sent word to them. However, that was not going to be enough as his brothers were not to be underestimated.
What bothered him most was the troop of supernatural beings his father had kept for one of the sons. He had no idea on the number and type so he had to be well armed against them. It was still too early to send a spy but he planned on doing so as soon as he deemed fit.
He had some good connections too in Vakar and he planned to go there as soon as possible to see if he could gather some men.
What he needed above all, where some supernatural beings. However, finding them was one thing and controlling them was another. However, he had someone to meet in case it came to that.
Thousands of battle possibilities filled his mind throughout the night as he couldn't fall asleep.
The next day.
Aaron had been strolling around the compound after taking the medicinal tea made by the old man. He didn't ask any questions so as not to raise any suspicion. However, his eyes scanned every single angle he passed through.
Whoever she was, she was extremely skilled at hiding and Aaron began to doubt he will find her before the night fall. He went back to his room after turning around a few times and was surprised to meet Sean fixing up stuff.
"You're in such a hurry to leave suddenly?" joked Aaron as he sat at the edge of the tiny bed.
"I am simply putting things in order, Sire. However I am surprised you suddenly decided to stay the night."
"You don't expect an explanation for every single one of my actions, do you?" Aaron scoffed as he got up. "I think these bandages have served their purpose already, it is quite bothersome. Help me get rid of them"
"Yes, Sire" said Sean as he went to his master's side and carefully undid the bandages around his torso. Surprisingly, the wound had healed up quite well. Well, Sean was surprised, but Aaron was not. He knew what took place the night before was not natural and he was even more determined to find that woman at all costs.
Once Sean was done, Aaron went out to get some air and that was when, to his greatest surprise, he spotted her.
Keira's POV.
I haven't closed an eye since yesterday. I have been wondering if the young man had left. I knew going back was too risky so I decided to stay in my hut.
It had been a very long while since I last used a healing spell and that without any of the required ingredients. Father wouldn't even tell me anything about it. He suspects I had something to do with him.
I had no idea when the next ill person will come. I struggled to ask some gossip from the servants but nothing good. They weren't telling me if he was well or not. They just said they hadn't left yet. My curiosity was already killing me and I had to do something about it.
Finally I gave in. I was hiding by the bushes of the health hall and struggled to see if I could get in and just then I saw father walk towards where I stood.
"They will soon be leaving. They payed generously so ensure you escort them out properly" I heard father say to one of the servants and my worry was lifted. Luckily, he walked into the hall without noticing me.
However, after getting the news, I didn't want to leave without seeing him for myself. Even one last time.
I blushed hard at my own thoughts. What was I thinking, he was a stranger after all, no matter how good he looked.
After thinking for a while, I decided to go back without causing any troubles.
Aaron's POV.
I couldn't help but find it funny. I thought her smatter than this.
Sneaking around? Well maybe she wasn't even hiding in the first place. However, I had to find out who she was as my time there was almost over.
Seeing as she turned around to leave, I left the corner I was in and silently followed her. She crossed the paths I had been on before going behind a building on the west. I noticed a hut and she walked into it. All the people I had seen around during the day where all gone by then.
After observing for a while, I pushed the door open and got in.
What I saw left me completely speechless. Plants scattered around, books lay open here and there, strange insects flying around. It was like a different world on its own. Seemingly sensing a presence, she got of where she was and that was when I came face to face with the woman I had so desperately been trying to find since the morning.
We stood for a while, none of us saying a word. I took in her appearance. She had her hair let down and it was unbelievably long and had a luscious golden color. The inner robe she had on left most of her skin bare and she looked as pale as the night. Her gaze was otherworldly as she stared into my eyes in utter shock. The aura exuding from her and that entire environment had my mind in a daze. It was a total contrast from how delicate she looked.
"What. Are you..?" I suddenly heard her say and I snapped out from my trance.
"Who are you?" I said as I went towards her. But she quickly stepped back as she held out her hand to keep me away. Confusion and fear evident on her face as she looked around on the books on the ground and that was when I bent to pick one up.
Suddenly, I felt my hand couldn't move anymore.
"Don't" she said softly, "I..I do not want to hurt you" she added. I couldn't believe what just happened. I wasn't dreaming she just stopped my arm from moving.
She then started pacing around the room.
However, I had no time to just watch her.
"Considering all I have witnessed I guess there is no need for all the interrogation. It is as clear as day." I said as she stopped in her tracks.
"What do you want from me?" She suddenly asked.
"I have no idea for now, but my instincts tell me if I leave today without you. I could as well consider myself dead." It was clear and obvious. Supernatural beings had no psychic powers, they didn't chant and surround people with fields of energy to heal their wounds.
Supernatural beings weren't as pretty as she was and so it was clear as day. That this woman before me was a witch. The supposedly extinct race.
I slowly began to match her appearance with the description from father's letter. Given how accurate his description was, I felt he had seen one before. I slowly began to understand the fear of the ancient rulers. If one person could control another's will then the latter was as good as dead.
However, I had to show no fear before this dangerous creature and instead find a way to have her with me the moment I leave Nactar.
"I can not and will not go anywhere with you" she said firmly as I noticed her struggle to sneak away.
Keira's POV.
I had to run away. As fast as possible. If he spread word of me, father would have been in great danger. As I looked for the easiest way out, he got close and pulled me by the arm. I stumbled back and hit the wall.
"I believe it is no secret to you what happens to a witch and her guardian. I advise you to not do anything stupid." He said firmly as I looked up to face him.
"What do you want" I insisted and he got closer to me pinning me against the wall. "It's getting a little hard to answer that properly given how tempting you look right now." He said and I realized I had just my inner robe on and the majority of my skin was bare.
"Pervert" I said as I looked away very embarrassed. How could he say such vulgar words to a woman he just met with such a straight face.
" Like I said, I need you in ways I don't even know for now." He placed an arm on my chin and gently lifted it so I will face him. "I had always believed the existence of your kind a myth, however with this opportunity presented to me, I plan to do anything I can to seize it."
"So, you should know your way around town." He stated as he got away and picked a paper piece that was lying around. "We will meet tomorrow at this same time. You write the where on that piece."
I didn't know what to do at that point and all I needed was time to figure out a plan. So I scribbled down the only other place I knew and handed it over to him. He looked at me in awe before seizing it from my grasp.
I then realized I had scribbled it down with magic without realizing.
Without saying another word, he stormed out in a hurry.
They were certainly to leave right away.
For a while after he left, I remained rooted in the spot I was in. I did want to see him again. However, I didn't consider the implications at that time. I had little to no interactions with the other servants around here but I did not want to put any of them or father in trouble. So I prepared my mind to leave the next day and if he didn't want something reasonable I could comply with, I will just kill him and run away in case he had already spread word.
Maybe I just wanted to see him again.
This man made me feel things I never did in my life in just a few seconds of interactions and here I was yearning for his touch. I couldn't believe myself.