Chapter 159: Broke an Oath

"How was Twali?" Ned asked. Turning his head to the clothes he wore. Soft and clean, the white clothes felt comfortable to Ned. He raised his left hand and heaved a soft breath after seeing the ring clipped to his ring finger. Master. Ned thought. Before Sasani could reply, he tried to raise his right hand. But he couldn't, his right arm felt heavy that he couldn't move an inch. It was from the recoil. The recoil of the massive fire spell.

"He was fine," Sasani said. Looking at Ned's right arm. Ned tried to hide his shaking hand by tucking it under his waist. But he couldn't. "He woke up a day before you."

"A day before?" Ned said, turning his head to Sasani. Ned wasn't sure, but Sasani looked more of a lady this time than the Swift hiding under the mask. "How long was I out?"

"Two days," Sasani replied. Then to her right, she reached for a bell that was placed atop the side table. With a flick of her wrist, she rang the bell. It chimed quickly.

Two ladies in the same uniform hurried through the door behind Sasani. They wore the same set of clothing: an apron in black, and hair clipped neatly to the sides. They bowed at the same time like they were rehearsed for a hundred times. "Lady," the two said in unison.

"You need to eat, Ned," Sasani said smiling.

She heard the growl, of course. Ned sighed. "Just meat. Roasted if possible."

"Possible of course," Sasani said. She turned to the two servants and nodded. They then retracted bowing and left.

After a click from the door. Ned forced himself to rise, this time he did. With his left supporting his upper body. With the help of Sasani holding under his arm, Ned successfully rose and leaned his back against the intricate carvings of the bed.

"Why am I here?" Ned said. "And how about... Rickart. Rickart the hunter I carried. What happened to him?"

"I... Don't know, Ned," Sasani said, shaking her head. She bit the bottom of her lips, pink lips turned pale from the bite. "They—the hunters, only took him and not you, Ned. Before you ask, I was there inside the forest as a Companion. I was L—I was their runner under the disguise of Swift. One of their party went missing, so as a runner I had to help the scout look for him. And the rest... they just turned against us, Ned. Those things turned them against us!"

Ned didn't respond. They both knew what had happened inside the settlement. The blood, the flesh, Keesha, Malik, Sidric. Ned didn't feel anything that had happened to his former party. Yet, the life, the life that was wasted. If only I was stronger. Ned thought. I am not enough. The protocol changed me, but only to survive. I was stronger before the old me. But—someone, somewhere, there will be much stronger than me. I need to surpass this 'much stronger than me' if I intend to rescue Master.

"It's fine," Ned said, trying to console Sasani. "It will be fine. You survived and let's keep it that way." Ned forced a smile and leaned his head back to the wall. "Why did they take Rickart?"

Sasani coughed, unclogging the sorrow stuck between her throat. "He was a Hunter, Ned. And we were Companion. Only Hunters were eligible to use their healers and infirmary. Us Companions were only given a mere amount of potions to help us heal wounds. No matter how big or small, they won't help us. So... "

"So?"

"So Twali had to break an oath and carry you back here."

"Why is that? An oath?"

Sasani nodded. She seemed hesitant at first. But looking at Ned with determination, she continued. "Twali wasn't allowed to enter any Hunter's Guild Association building, he was not allowed to become a Hunter, not even Companion. Yet, he carried you. After you... Took down that beasts, he carried you back to safety. And Du'kki's Hunter's Guild was the fastest and shortest path back to here."

"Here is where?" Ned said, looking outside the rose window. Aside from the soft breeze of air, there wasn't any. No flying creatures, just a soft murmur coming from below. Must be two to three stories high. Ned thought.

"You're still in Sudden Plate," Sasani said. Looking at the window and back to Ned. "This here is our manor, where we do some of our business regarding trade, and where we train our Hunters. This is an extension of House Tarragon."

Ned nodded, and breath long. "Does your father knew?"

Sasani nodded. "At first," she said. "I thought he didn't know. But... " She paused and stared at the bottom of her feet.

"It's fine, you don't need to," Ned said.

A knock then came in through. "My lady?" The voice behind the door said. The wooden door made the voice hollow. It was Twali the servant.

Sasani stood and hurriedly walked to open the door, a gesture a noble shouldn't have done.

"You don't need to, my lady," Twali said, then bowed. He entered with a small cart, he pushed and the wheel made a screeching sound against the wooden floor. Sasani trailed along.

"Ned," Twali said and bowed. Still wearing his black to black suit, and still standing high. He smiled. The line of cut from his left cheek down to his neck was visible but manageable. Above the cart was a tiny dome of plate. With the handle above the plate, Twali pulled it up. A pile of roasted meat welcomed Ned with a great aroma running under his nose. The room was silent and was broke by a quick growl.

Ned closed his eyes and sighed. Sasani and Twali smiled.

"You may eat, Ned," Twali said, waving his hand elegantly toward the roasted meat.

I will, Ned thought. But before that—"Twali," Ned said, opening his eye and turned to see the servant. "You're there not for Sasani, yes? Say, why follow me?"