The Maynhard Twins

Seventeen

Arka stopped his work from hitting the metal when he heard horses were coming closer.
He predicted there were about three or four horses on the way.
Another workers hold their activities as well as the noises were getting louder and the ground felt like it's moving beneath their feet.

Yatha himself was getting out from his cottage and he walked to the path.
He reached out his neck to see better and Arka noticed the old man suddenly tensed.
Yatha suddenly snapped his head at Arka and he knew who's coming.

The Veron.

His heart was stammering, beat so fast inside his chest.
Were they here to arrest him or something?

All the workers were murmuring things but Arka ignored them.
He was focusing his mind to not let his fear popped out.

The horses arrived and Arka counted them. It's five. Not three or four like his prediction.
The first thing Arka noticed from them was their eyes. All of them had blue eyes but Arnev had the brightest one, made all of the attention were poured at him.
Arka watched Arnev's companion one by one.
The one on his right must be his trusted man. He has spike hair and that was the strangest hair Arka ever seen.
He wondered if the man ever hurt someone with his head.
The others were not as attractive as the first one. Well, except maybe the one who's getting down from his horse.
Arka snorted a bit seeing the fat man was trying to feel the ground with his toe.

Yatha moved closer to them and he bowed a bit.
"Your Majesties. It's a pleasure to have you here." He said but his face showed otherwise.
"How can I help you, Sire??"

Arnev let one of his man took the lace of his horse then he looked at Yatha.
"I bet you're the owner of this place, My Kind Sir." Arnev said.

Yatha nodded his head. "Yes, Sire. My name is Yatha. Is there any problem?"

Arnev smirked a bit. "No. There's no problem at all. But..." He paused a bit, looking around him. "if you may, I'd like to have a conversation with you. Just you."

Yatha sighed a bit responding Arnev's word. "Sire, I'm just an old man and this is my way to make a living. If you close it, these man and I probably won't eat today."

Arnev rolled his eyes a bit. He waved his hand and Okan moved toward him, gave him a full leather bag of coins.
"Your loss will be paid, Mr. Yatha. I'll pay your worker as much as they get every day. As for you, I'll give you thirty coins of gold for your cooperation. How's that sound?"

Yatha knew he couldn't argue with Arnev. He stared at the bag of coins sharply, like the bag had done something wrong.
Yatha slowly made a small smile in the corner of his lips. "Then I will take your kindness, My Lord. Please, give me a moment."

Arnev nodded while Yatha announced to his workers that the workshop had to be closed that day.
Groans and grumpiness were echoed in the air but when Yatha said they would be paid for this inconvenience, they shut their mouth.

Arka saw Yatha wiggled a finger at him and he snorted a bit before walking toward him.

"What?" Arka snapped at him lowly.

Yatha sighed. "Temper, Arka!" He warned. "They're here to investigate me."

"That's bad." Arka murmured.

"No, that's good. That means you're still safe." Yatha quickly replied.

"For now, Yatha. We don't know what will they do next." Arka said, now he sounded worried.

Yatha nodded. He glanced at Arnev and saw the man was staring at them suspiciously.
"Come here tonight. I have something in my mind. For now, just go."