A Deal (1)

A Deal (1)


Aerila's POV

I barely managed to get off the ship before more people climbed down behind me, carrying their goods with them. My hands flew to my mouth as a wave of nausea rose in my stomach, the urge to puke making my head spin.

“Where am I?”

My eyes swept across the unfamiliar place. Merchants guided their bulls that pulled heavy carts filled with goods. Children ran around with their friends, laughing loudly despite the bruises and small injuries scattered across their bodies.

I had thought the ship was sailing straight to Talon's territory. But midway through the journey, it stopped at this port, and I was forced to sell my footwear just to afford the next ship.

“It would have been too suspicious if Vaelora knew this place.”

That was what I had thought from the beginning. Apart from working for my uncle, I had always suspected she had some deeper connection with Talon.

Where should I go from here?

Right now, I am no different from a homeless person.

I took out my small bag of coins and shook it lightly. The dull clinking sound disappointed me immediately.

“Excuse me, my lady.”

A male voice suddenly sounded beside me and I lifted my head toward the direction of the voice.

A tall lanky man was approaching with a warm smile on his face.

“Do you need a carriage?” he asked politely. “You don't seem to be from this place.”

I glanced at him cautiously before looking behind him for the so-called carriage, but there was nothing there.

“Oh?” He chuckled lightly. “It's right over there.”

He pointed in another direction.

I followed his gaze and spotted a horse tied to a wooden carriage a short distance away. I would have been able to afford something like that if I had come prepared.

“How far can you travel?” I asked, turning back to face him.

“Mm…” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It all falls on the amount paid.”

He smiled widely.

I rolled my eyes at him and tossed the bag of coins toward him.

His hands quickly caught it against his chest. He squeezed the bag slightly, feeling the weight inside.

A much wider smile spread across his lips as excitement flickered in his eyes.

“Where are we going?” he asked eagerly.

I looked at him briefly before answering.

“Alpha Talon's palace.”

“That's easy. We just have to pass through the—” He suddenly stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened in shock. “Wait… what?”

“What's wrong?” I frowned. “You can't travel that far?”

He immediately shook his head profusely.

“It's not about that,” he said quickly. “It's just that the place is a warzone. Alpha Talon is currently at war with another pack Alpha. We'll be lucky if we even make it there safely.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Is it Nyxion?

Did he ride with his men to attack Talon's territory?

I shook my head slightly and glanced back at the man.

“We'll worry about that later,” I said firmly. “Let's go.”

.

.

.

I stared out from inside the carriage as the mountains rolled past us. The wind brushed against the curtains as the carriage rattled along the uneven road.

My attention drifted back to the man driving outside and I sighed softly, pressing a hand against my stomach.

Was I doing the right thing?

“Doesn't this make me a traitor?” I murmured quietly, biting my lower lip.

Right then, a deafening boom exploded through the air.

My head snapped up instantly as panic surged through my chest.

The carriage rattled violently, swaying sideways. My hand shot up, grabbing onto the wooden frame to keep myself from being thrown out.

“What's happening?!” I screamed.

“Hold on!” the man shouted from outside. “We'll get out of here soon! We're at the warzone! It might hurt a little but I will—”

His words faded from my ears as my eyes moved toward the opening of the carriage again.

What could cause such a disturbance?

There was no way Nyxion was the one fighting here.

The carriage suddenly burst past the mountains that had been blocking my view.

My eyes widened in terror when I saw hundreds of ant-like figures clashing violently in the open field ahead.

I squinted, trying to see more clearly.

Then a gasp escaped my lips.

I saw Verek…

My brows furrowed.

No.

“Aeron?”

My breath caught in my throat.

What was he doing here?

He stood at the front of the battlefield, leading the men behind him as they slaughtered the warriors opposing them. From their clothing, I could tell they were Talon's men.

Aeron suddenly dashed forward.

He slid across the dirt, grabbing one of the enemy warriors by the leg and violently dragging him down. Before the man could react, Aeron's blade came down mercilessly.

His men rushed after him, finishing off the soldiers he had already wounded.

My chest tightened.

“He's ruthless…”

I had never once imagined Aeron to have such a terrifying side to him.

“Ouch.”

A quiet hiss escaped my lips as a memory suddenly flashed through my mind.

My gaze slowly dropped to my hand and I saw the severed finger.

My jaw clenched tightly.

How could I have forgotten?

I had been running away from him ever since that day.

I slumped back inside the carriage, forcing my eyes shut as I tried to erase the horrifying sight from my mind.

From the look of the battle, it seemed like reaching Talon might take Aeron some time.

Or perhaps he wouldn't be so lucky.

I need to get to Talon before he does.

“We're out!” the man suddenly exclaimed.

My eyes opened towards him a sigh of relief escaped my lips.

Finally.

The rest of the journey was smooth and quiet. Soon, the carriage arrived in front of the towering gates of Talon's main territory.

I stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the large entrance where two guards stood watch, their cold eyes immediately locking onto me.

I stopped a few steps away from them.

“I am here to visit your Alpha,” I said calmly. “Tell him Aerila Ashwyn is here.”

“The Alpha is not expecting any visitors,” one of them said coldly. “Leave.”

I knew it wouldn't be this easy.

“Please, just tell him I'm here. Aerila Ashwyn—”

I took a step forward.

Immediately their hands moved, drawing the swords at their sides.

My feet froze instantly as cold sweat spread across my back.

“Leave now,” the second guard spat coldly. “Or you will be branded as a spy from the enemy!”

My lips parted in shock.

But before I could speak again, a calm voice suddenly echoed from behind the closed gate.

“Enough.”

The guards immediately stiffened.

“Let her in,” the voice continued. “This is no way to treat my visitor, Lucas.”

My head turned toward the large gate, though the speaker remained hidden behind it.

One of the guards lowered his head slightly before stepping aside.

“Good,” the voice said again, calm yet commanding.

“You may come in, Aerila.” A brief pause followed.

“I've been waiting for you.”