The Eyes Of 'Rah

A Trip Down The Argonark Woods II

Buried in the heart of an old village is the inn where Lord Richard and the Demon King agreed to meet. The inn had been the most appropriate place to have their discussion, away from prying eyes. They had secured the most secluded space available.

Lord Richard had insisted on the place because of its lively atmosphere, filled with the sound of merry laughter, clinking tankards and the bubbly tune from the local minstrel, it will make listening in to their conversation by unwanted ears quite difficult.

The wooden floor creaked as Nickolai, accompanied by Henry  entered the inn in the middle of the boisterous activities, thrived as a spirited gathering place for villagers and travelers. They had both taken the measure to blend in as travellers. Nickolai darted his eyes around in search of  the two conspirators.

"Are you sure they are here?"

"Aye. One of our men saw them go in"

The loud noise coming from all angles made it impossible for him to listen for the familiar voice of his brother or his heartbeat.

His eyes finally settled on the curious pair of eyes which had been discreetly following him ever since they stepped in.

Striding towards the counter, he leaned against it as he faced the innkeeper, "care to ask the question you've been dying to know?" Nickolai raised his brows, " because I can't help but feel your eyes trailing me"

The innkeeper shrugged, "nah" waving him off, "I'm just trying to catch your eyes so I can ask if you were staying or would like a drink"

Nickolai didn't need to use his ability to know he was lying, to test his words, he pulled his cloak halfway back to allow the old man see him clearly. Not surprised when his eyes widened which meant he must have come across someone with the same face.

The man cleared his throat, busying his hands with filling more ale into the tankards. Without wasting time, he asked him, "where is the person with a similar face as mine and his companion staying?"

"I dddont know what you're talking about" stammering, the man replied. He had been compensated with a large amount of money to keep his mouth shut, he turned to escape the scrutinising eyes of his questioner and his partner.

He gasped when he suddenly found himself, upside-down outside the inn.

Dangling the innkeeper on one hand, Nickolai asked again, "where are they?"

The innkeeper regretted receiving money from the men, he had known they were trouble when they paid a month's worth of money just for some hours in the most secluded room in the inn.

He had guessed they weren't human, when they came in, the more reason he ought to have been cautious about dealing with them. But when his eyes landed on the money, he had thrown his sense out the window. He swore to never have any dealings with other creatures again as soon as he rid himself of his current misfortune...like he would be given a choice to decline their offer.

The quick shake of his body as blood rushed through his head reminded him about the trouble at hand.

"I'll tell, please let me up" he cried.

Feeling the sharp breeze on his face, he found himself back behind the counter, his eyes went wild, the only evidence to show that he had been outside some seconds ago was the snorts trickling down his nose and the slight pain he felt in his ankle where the man had gripped him.

"Now. Where were we?" Nickolai leaned against the counter again.

The innkeeper described the location where they would find them, deciding it was best to tell them than to show them. Humans has less chance of escaping unscathed when caught in the middle of a brawl between other creatures.