亚洲综合中美

“Look at me,” said Igna in the lost tongue, “-the lass on thy shoulder is my close companion,” the darkened sky didn’t make the atmosphere any better.

“You speak our mother tongue,” said the lass, “-my name’s Rachel, and this here is my brother, Rahe. We’re not of this world,” she said, “-dimension travelers have a unique scent to them,” her almond-shaped sockets tightly examined Igna, “-you have the scent of many worlds attached.”

“I appreciate not being malicious,” he nodded, “-my name’s Igna Haggard. Now,” he looked to the lad, “-if you’d please, Rahe, I’d like to take my companion back.”

“Not possible my friend,” he stepped forward, taking care in placing the unconscious Kul on a patch of weed, “-we’ve taken her for a reason. Her scent is the same as our dungeon, no way we’re returning home empty-handed.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Igna rose his palm in a stopping gesture, “-I’d rather not fight, I’m not in the mood. I’d like to do things differently,” the open palm turned invitation, “-travelers from another world, would it be possible for I, a native of this world, to become thy host for the night?”

The lad seemed hesitant, he forced gestures to be cut by the lass, “-if you’re inviting us, I will not turn down the offer,” she looked at Kul, “-I see she means a lot to you, Mister Haggard. You dropped your guard knowing full well we were belligerent.”

.....

“Sister, he’s just foolish.”

“Brother, don’t. We’ve hidden in the forest for far too long, I want to experience this world’s cooking and what it has. Let me, please,” she grabbed his collar, “-please, brother, I want to relax for once, forget about our world’s trouble... do it for me?”

“Puppy dog eyes sure work,” commented Igna instantly teleporting to Kul’s side,”-don’t mind if I carry her,” he hoisted her arms around his shoulder and pulled her into piggyback, “-we can walk and talk.”

“Did you see that?” whispered the lad.

“Yeah, he’s strong,” commented the sister, “-if he got serious, we’d have a hard fight, possibly the hardest fight to date.”

“You don’t say, come on sister, we both know you earned the title of Godslayer. A mere dimension traveler won’t dare lay a hand on you.”

“And you’ve killed angels, I’m not the only one who’s strong,” the intonation heightened.

“If you’re going to talk behind my back, at least keep it relatively secretive. I’ve overheard the conversation,” he threw a smile backward, “-question, do you understand the native language?”

“No,” said the sister, “-too primitive and I don’t care for it.”

“Sure seems like a hard choice. Imagine looking down so hard it forces one to sleep in the forest. Pardon my saying, stupidity ought to be called out, and this here, my friend, is the definition of stupid.”

“Would you get off my sister’s case?” Rahe hurried to walk shoulder to shoulder with Igna, “-she’s not stupid, just eccentric, I think?” he leaned forth and winked, the sister took the comment well by flipping him the middle finger.

Sooner said night, the party gathered at the manor on Eldow’s high. Winding roads wrapped their poisonous body around the hillside forestry, the poison, the built of muscle fatigue. It was three hours later, Rahe had his face doused in sweat – summer nights cared not for the chill breeze.

“I accepted the offer,” cringed Rachel, “-please don’t make me regret it,” she whispered.

“Afraid to look bad before your younger brother?”

“How did you know?” they led the way.

“Simple matter of authority, pretty obvious actually. Don’t worry, where we’re headed is my manor,” after which, the vampiric castle rose into view. In the years spent in Hidros, the trees grew taller and sharper, ‘-damn Starix, I’m sure they made the décor Victorian just to spite me.’

“Impressive,” said the brother, “-where are we, this place looks abandoned. Are we going to fight?”

“Keep the imagination level, would you?”

“Sister...”

“No more fighting,” interjected Igna. A press of his card against the lock blinked, the gates opened to a magnificent interior. The expensive pathway led forth accompanied by jewel-like lights dug into the soil part of the yard. In the middle of the cross-shaped division laid a hovering golden globe, floodlights blasted said sphere.

“Holy mother of wealth...”

“Don’t drop your jaw yet,” winked Igna, “-welcome to my home.’

“Home, this is bigger than the orphanage.”

‘By the look, she’s giving him, Rahe slipped up. These two have forgotten I have Kul and walked into a transient portal between the Shadow Realm and the overworld. Drawing power from the latter should be simple; we have a god and angel slayer. They speak the old tongue; I’d love for them to be part of the Aapith nation. Guess my desire to visit that place holds, Alfred... why, just why.’

“Something the matter, mister Haggard, or should I call you my liege?” jested Rahe.

“Well, seems to me we’re on the same page,” winked Igna, the gallant Rahe’s confidence walked to a stop, he nervously turned to Rachel, ‘-sister,’ ended at the pressed lips.

“Stupid,” she said silently.

In a matter of minutes, Kul was taken to her bedchambers, the dining hall was readied with food by Midne’s foresight. “Master.”

“Midne, there’s no need to ambush me whilst I freshen up,” a few splashes and he looked into the mirror, warm water wasted down the sink, “-what’s the matter?” he reached to his right, she handed a towel.

“Been a while since we spoke,” she smiled, “-I’m glad you’re back.”

“How were the holidays with Brvya and the others?”

“Fun, like super fun,” her fingers excitedly shook, “-the people downstairs, who are they?”

“No idea,” he stepped onto a wooden floor, “-and I don’t care. They’re my guest for tonight, have the retainers prepare beds, put the best bartender on duty, and ready the grill outside. I like that you’ve prepared dinner, I’m grateful for it.”

“No need to sugarcoat, master. The food won’t be wasted, we’ll send the remainder to the shelter.”

“Thank you,” he glided to the duo, attending maids waited in the corridor, passed comments on the visitor’s language, “-ladies,” thundered Midne, “-we have preparations to make. Master, please, the kitchen’s ready with all ingredients, I’ll open the door to the backyard.”

“You’re awesome,” he blew a kiss, “-call Asmodeus and Mammon, relay the news, we’re having a party tonight.”

“Sister, I think we’re at a king’s house.”

“Brother, stop gawking... the furniture looks expensive, they feel awesome. Finally, we get to enjoy real food... not the fish and fruit you so haphazardly forage.”

“Stop it, my mushrooms are always delicious.”

“And toxic,” she gritted.

Warm footsteps shuffled into the dining hall, “-change of plans,” he said with a bottle of beer and drafty shirt with shorts, “-we’re going to celebrate.”

“Celebrate?”

“Yeah, I want to have a barbecue. Consider it a gesture in good faith.”

“Good faith sounds like bribing to me.”

“Lad, I said it before, the comments are too cynical. These lovely maids will guide thee to the showers, fresh clothes have been fixed. Don’t take too long.”

Thus, the outside, a stone oven, a barbecue, and an adorable campfire, logs-shaped seats were arranged before the warm fire. The starry night perfectly added to the feel of elation.

Apron around the waist and alcohol in hand, Igna dowsed the grill in impressive flames, “-Master,” the earring vibrated, “-Midne reported of otherworldly beings at the manor, and you’re treating them to a barbecue. What’s going on?”

“Not only a barbecue, Midne’s handling the drinks. Let me assure you, tonight’s going to be a fun night. Join us for once.”

“Master...”

“There’s hesitation in the voice, is there something I should know?”

“Yeah, Aceline’s staying at the manor...” a sharp dagger froze his back.

“She’s here?” he turned to the backdoor and there she was, dressed in a lovely dress with her hair tied by sparkling gems. A mixture of emotions whelmed her movements, shakes to nods, the lips tightened and relaxed, “-doesn’t matter,” he nodded and refocused on the meat, “-have Asmodeus and Mammon make it here. Whilst you’re at it, get you and Starix’s asses over, I’m using my authority to call a meeting.”

“Master, are you drunk?”

“Not drunk, a little out of character. Just get here, I don’t want to hear the end of it.”

*Tap, tap,* “-how’s it going, grill master.”

“Johna, what a pleasant surprise. You’re going out or returning from a date?”

“Returning,” he said, “-a little bird told me his majesty was in Alphia, I figured you’d be at the manor.”

“Well, it sure was a quick ride here,” they stood opposite one another, “-grab the drinks and let’s chat,” the caps buckled and they tapped bottles.

“Fizzy,” said Johna, “-a little chat will be hard,” he whispered, “-Aceline’s still in the doorway. Either she’s petrified or someone cast an immobility spell.”

“Right,” he flipped the grilling slabs of meat, the aroma drew in attention from all over the house, “-Midne,” he called, “-tell the retainers to drop their duties, tis for everyone, wouldn’t be fair otherwise.”

“On it, master,” she cheered with a mug twice the size of her head.

“Now she’s a drinker,” commented Johna, “-she’ll empty the cases before we get a chance.”

“Yeah, it’s no problem,” he handed the utensils, “-her glare’s grown sharper.”

“By all means, enjoy.”

The stunningly beautiful Aceline waited patiently, opposed to in the way, she side-stepped to rest against the wall, “-the dress’ going to get dirty,” said Igna.

“Noticed me at last?” her shoulders slumped and carried a handbag, “-congratulations on the marriage, majesty.”

“Don’t hide the passive aggressivity,” he stood at her side and handed a drink, “-I’m sorry”

“You’re a selfish ass,” she accepted and gulped half the bottle, “-how have you been?”

“Busy,” he said, “-I saw the news, you were cast as the heroine of a new movie, congratulations. Johna and you make a great couple on screen,” the pupils emptily stared the night, “-if only things had been different.”

“Igna,” she moved into a tight embrace, “-I still love you,” she tiptoed to his nose, “-and I’m sure your feelings are just as strong as mind. Look at me, dolled up for what, a date with someone who I don’t love. I’d rather be in a simple hoodie without makeup and chat to the one I care about. Igna, are you sure there’s no way...”

“I’m sorry,” he matched her affectionate gaze, “-I ripped my heart and broke the one you loved,” he stepped from her warm embrace, “-I’m sorry, I truly am. Words won’t atone my betrayal, tis why I said I’d never give my affection to another, believe me, you’re the last person I ever open my heart to,” an empty smile cordially invited her to the impromptu party.

“I-I...” she shook her head, “-can’t,” her heels stormed inside and hit Rachel’s shoulder, to which she yelled in the unintelligible string of words.

.....

“Handle that like a champ,” chastised Johna.

“Don’t say a word,” he returned to the grill, “-things are the way they are because of me. I don’t want to jeopardize her position and mine.”

“I won’t say anything,” he handed another drink, “-what is done is done, I hope she understands.”

Igna took a sip, “-she will.”