Sean noticed his master was out of it the entire trip to the inn. However, he decided not to pry too much.
Aaron on the other hand was replaying the recent events in utter disbelief. He had never taken interest in the possibility of the existence of a witch, so, every of that woman's actions of magic where like a show to him.
He wanted to see for himself the full extent of her abilities even if it meant risking his life to meet her the next day.
He didn't want to alarm Sean so he kept it for himself. If he could have her on his army
then gathering and controlling the supernatural beings was going to be a piece of cake however, he wasn't certain but her existence made him consider the tiniest possibility of one of his brother's having
one too. Even if that was not likely.
He had to consider all the possibilities.
Soon, they arrived at the inn and Sean set up the necessary things for his master as they would be there for a few nights before taking the road again
"You should get something to eat and rest up. I won't be having anything" Aaron said and Sean left to his room which was next door
Aaron noticed Sean looked a bit worn out from their stressful trip and decided not to bother him with
anything else.
Over working Sean would have only led to him being less efficient and that was not good.
With thoughts of his meeting the next day, Aaron once more couldn't find rest the entire night.
The next day.
"You are awfully quiet today Sean" Aaron suddenly said as they took a corner.
"No, Sire. It's just I have been observing the town. It is my first time around hear." As a knight, Sean didn't have the privilege to travel around except in case of a battle and he had never been to this area before. So he was amazed by the different architectures and the strange meals. However, he quickly snapped out of it as tourism was not their job there.
"We have nothing doing later. You can take a stroll around town" Aaron suggested which surprised Sean. "Sire...Thank you"
Aaron saw no need for them to be so tense. There was high chance of them losing their lives anytime soon, so he wished they could spend their days there freely, while putting things together for the battle.
They suddenly halted before a tiny corridor. Reeking of alcohol and filled with strange looking people at the entrance. They looked suspiciously at the two men before them. Aaron then showed them a card and then the men reluctantly let them in.
"Who are those, sire" asked Sean as he kept looking around the strange environment.
"Guards. I have a friend here, who could hopefully help us with some men". Aaron explained and Sean wondered when his master was able to meet and befriend someone from the far land of Nactar.
At the end of the path, there was a huge door and more men in the way. They opened the door and let them in.
Sean was speechless at the sight before him. Never in his entire existence had he thought such a place would exist but there he was standing in the midst of creatures whom majority at first glance weren't human and what he found even more uncomfortable was the controversy in the environment.
Barely dressed woman on table tops, dancing and entertaining the lusty men who looked hungrily at them.
There was tons of alcohol and everyone seemed out of it.
Some were making out in corners and he turned his face in embarrassment.
He then glanced over at Aaron who didn't seem bothered by anything and just led him through the crowd to a fancy looking entrance.
'VIP' written on the door.
Aaron once again showed his card and they were let in. Another long corridor with several doors.
"Sire these doors...?" Sean wondered and Aaron just laughed.
"Interested? Ha I cannot believe your reaction"
They then got into the room at the end of the corridor and it looked quite a contrast to the rest of the environment.
There was someone inside. A woman.
"Now, who do we have here. " She scoffed as she sized up Aaron and his companion.
"Welcome?" He laughed in response as he sat on the chair opposite her desk and had Sean sit beside him.
"You always are, Aaron" she smiled.
"This is Sean". He gestured towards Sean.
"Melissa, I need your help" he added and then the woman rose from her seat and leaned on the desk before them.
"I figured. You wouldn't come here otherwise." She scoffed as she turned and looked towards the window.
"What is it this time?" she said as she glanced between him and Sean.
"There's a battle not long from now. I'm a target. I need men. You know the type I mean" Aaron said.
"Ha. Bad timing Pearson had some of mine killed just last week. You would have to be patient while I gather some more"
" How long will that be?"
"Considering how pressing your case seems, I'd say a week at most. However I'm certain you're well aware that my services are not cheap" she was playing with the fingers as she smirked.
"I know that more than anyone one else, dear. I will have what you require delivered to you as soon as I receive what I need" he reassured her.
"Business with you is always a pleasure, sweetheart " she smiled seductively as she returned to her seat.
" Your guy is mute?" She looked at Sean and Aaron just smiled.
"He's just smart. Doesn't speak unnecessarily." He said as he rose from his seat and Sean followed him.
"No room today?" Melissa said loudly as he pulled open the door.
"Sadly, no. Another time perhaps" he said.
"I'll be looking forward to it" she said as the two men walked out.
Once they were a few miles away from the bar, Sean couldn't hold his questions back anymore.
"Special men, sire? Is it the supernatural beings you mean?" Sean asked
"Sadly we can have just the weaker ones. We will not be able those strong enough." He then remembered he had something important to attend to at that time.
"I think I have a plan though".
"I had never imagined you in such a scene, sure" Sean joked about their previous encounter.
"Life takes us to doors Sean" Aaron said seriously "and I pry them open for my benefit" he added.
They strolled to the market while in conversation.
"If we gather a good army then I guess we can start having hopes of making it alive." Aaron said.
"The more troops we have the better"
"Sire, do you think the princes are already in a fight with each other?" Sean asked as he recalled they hadn't sent a spy yet.
"I have had on my mind to send a spy but I feel now is the right time, but we should do that soon enough. However, I doubt there's been any fight for now. They should still be suing my absence as excuse to delay things and get gather more power, and that is a problem." Aaron knew his brothers were not stupid and rushing into war without confirmation of his dead was something he doubted they would result to.
"What if we send word of your death? To rile them up" Sean suggested.
Aaron liked the idea. "That will speed things up and reduce their number of men." He added as he considered the idea.
"We shall do that, we need a good plan though, so as not to raise suspicion."
When they reached the market, Aaron suddenly halted. "I will be equally taking a stroll so you go on that walk we talked about"
"Yes, Sire."
****
Aaron asked directives to the location written on the tiny piece he had in his hands and when he got there, there was the woman sitting on the bench at the center of the farm, right next to the flowers.
He laughed, "Ha, what a romantic setting for the serious business we have to discuss". He calmly walked towards her without making his presence obvious. However the moment he had gotten into the farm, Keira had felt his presence and was ready to attack him if it came to that.