Chapter 43: Ch43 – Two Minutes

Ben’s hand grazed his sheath as his eyes stared daggers at Ryan. Other than desperation, there was also seething hate in his eyes, flowing like a tidal wave.

Hate gushed out, targeted at Ryan for preventing him from leaving quietly. And not only that, he felt overwhelming hatred for being forced to confront his actions.

Ryan backed off further, his eyes darting around the room for a solution, a weapon or maybe a window he could fling himself out of.

Do I use a Lux spell? Would that do much to a Human? Would it do anything to a soldier?

Ryan looked at the door behind Ben, is there time for Myna to get here if I shout? No, that is way too risky.

He went for his final and only option. Words.

“Don’t do anything hasty, Ben… If you harm me, you will be hunted for the rest of your life. God knows what they would do to you when they catch you.” Ryan said, his hands raised, half surrendering, half ushering him to let go of his weapon.

Ryan seemingly chose the wrong dialogue option… Ben raised his sword out of his sheath.

“Live, Ben,” Ryan hissed, keeping his voice down. “Don’t let your father’s death be in vain. You could leave the tavern right now, I will not tell a soul. You can still leave.”

Crap!

Ben moved, extremely quickly.

Ryan moved in response. His hands aimed at Ben, channelling everything he had into a Lux spell.

But Ben didn’t go for him, he turned around and went for the door. He twisted the handle, opened it and ran with everything he could.

Ryan could hear his steps as he left the tavern and went into the street.

Ryan stood frozen for a heartbeat, listening to the echo of Ben’s footsteps fade into the street outside.

His hand clasped his chest.

Too many near-death situations…

His heart was pounding violently, each beat sharp and uneven. He dragged in a breath, then another, but they came shallow and refused to settle. His fingers curled into his shirt as if that alone might prevent his heart bursting out of his chest.

Breathe.

He pressed his palm harder against his chest and forced air into his lungs.

Well, that was close.

His legs suddenly felt weak. Ryan turned and sat heavily on the edge of the bed, shoulders slumping forward. The candle on the table flickered.

For a long moment, he just sat there, staring at the floor.

Then, without really thinking anymore about it, he lay back down.

He pulled the blanket over himself and stared at the ceiling, heart still thudding but no longer spiralling. Sleep was the only thing that made sense now. If he stayed awake, he would think.

I can’t believe that the message was fake. And that he left his father to die…

Ryan eventually got to sleep, his snoring filling the room. If anything, it was a good thing that Ben didn’t decide to act that night, or he wouldn’t get a wink of sleep. Not like Ben would get a wink of sleep tonight, anyway.

The sound of banging jolted Ryan from the edges of sleep.

“Ryan! Ben! Get up!” Eleanor’s voice rang out, sharp and teasing. “You’re late! I expect this from you, Ryan, but not you, Ben!” She laughed, loud and clear, echoing in the corridor.

Ryan groaned, burying his face into the pillow. He used his fists to rub his eyes, fighting off the remnants of exhaustion. Then he slowly rolled onto his back, blinking through the early morning light.

For a moment, he just stared at the ceiling, and the memory of last night’s events crashed back in. Ben… his confession… the panic, the weight, the escape. His stomach tightened, and a lump rose in his throat.

“I’m getting up, okay!” Ryan shouted, his voice rough. “And anyway, Ben’s not in here! His stuff isn’t here either. He might be downstairs!”

Eleanor snorted and murmured to herself. “Then let’s check, shall we?”

She hurried down the stairs. Ryan sat up on the bed, still half-dazed, listening to the muffled sound of her footsteps. A couple minutes later, her voice returned, shouting through the door.

“He’s gone,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. “No one in the downstairs area, nothing by the door. I told Captain Myna—Are you certain that of all his stuff is gone?” She questioned.

Ryan swallowed, debating with himself whether to tell the truth about last night, about Ben’s confession and escape.

Definitely not, way too late for that now…

“Well, I’m pretty sure all his stuff’s gone! Can’t see his sword, armour or backpack here. Hasn’t left a note or anything!” Ryan responded.

Ryan got ready, slipping into his snug leather armour. He picked his pack up and approached the door. Which was still unlocked from last night…

When he left the room, he found Myna waiting in the corridor, Gerald and Micah standing at each side, Gerald’s expression neutral, while Micah’s was warm.

Myna’s eyes flicked into the room behind him as he passed, then back to him. When Ryan left the room, she peeked her head inside, checking it fully.

“Did you hear anything?” she asked quietly. “Did Ben say anything?”

Ryan shook his head, keeping his voice light. “Nope. He was as quiet as a mouse all night.”

Myna paused, cocking her head slightly. “A mouse?”

“What’s a mouse?” She pondered, momentarily forgetting about Ryan’s origin.

She blinked, then her lips curved into a small frown. “Well. We aren’t going to wait for him any longer than two minutes more. If he is late to the Capital, that is on him, not us. I would however, expect at the very least, the courtesy to leave a note if he wishes to leave our group so badly.” She bickered, frustrated by Ben’s sudden disappearance.

Ryan nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. Although they were now safe of the Elves and other races, the air felt heavier than before.

The morning sun, visible through the window of the corridor, crept up the horizon, beginning its journey across the sky.

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