Darkness Inside The Light 8 Helena And The Old Merchan

The following morning the three travelers decided to go to the dining room for breakfast. Because the sun had just risen, there weren't many people inside the room. A young girl approached the old man and the two youths upon they sat in a table, with a bright smile. She had orange hair arranged as pigtails. Her simple clothes and demeanor were revealing her common birth but her cute face as well as her ample bosom with the combination of her aura that radiated warmth and friendliness could captivate any young man regardless of his status.

"Good morning Sirs, I hope you had a good rest. " The girl said with a sweet voice. Her eyes were widened when they caught a glimpse of Vladimir who was looking to be full of vitality while a faint blush appeared on her face

" We have for breakfast fried eggs, bacon and cheese, as well as ham sandwiches" she said professionally but her gaze didn't leave the silver-haired youth.

" Some cheese and bread for me young miss as well as a cup of coffee" said the old priest "As for the the rest.." before he could finish, a young voice interrupted him" two fried eggs for me as well as a gla.s.s of milk. Some sandwiches are also good if they are prepared personally from your two beautiful hands, miss?" Vadimir asked while his face revealed an innocent expression but the slyness in his eyes could not be hidden from neither John nor Jonas

" Helena" answered hurriedly the young girl while continuing with a quieter voice" 15 years old, unmarried" until her voice became as silent as the buzzing of a mosquito.

" My name is Vladimir and I come from the Moon Village. I am just a pa.s.serby that will leave today. Miss Helena, would you like to accompany me for a walk after the breakfast? Unfortunately I can't prolong my stay here for another day, so I would be thrilled if you could give me the chance to know each other better in the limited time I have". Vladimir's straightforward words made Helena's face to become totally red, but despite her embarra.s.sment she still managed to give a reply shyly." As long as we return before noon. I can't leave my parents working without me for too long". As she answered she turned around to leave quickly but an unexpexted voice suddenly stopped her almost causing her a heart attack

" Wait miss Helena!Don't you forget someone here? I haven't ordered yet. I exist! Don't treat me like air!" John who was still lolling on his chair until now shouted dumbfounded.

* * * * *

John, Vladimir and Father Jonas decided to seperate and meet at the harbor in the noon. Vladimir went on a date with Helena while Father Jonas decided to visit the church of St.Nicolas. As for John..

' Seems like Vladimir caught some interest in this girl. Is it because of her magic power? Well it's not my business anyway' the brown haired youth was thinking about his brother's att.i.tude towards that orange-haired girl while he was walking around the marketplace of the port-town. In the four years that he knew him it was the first time he saw him to actively chase a girl. Suddenly, as he was pa.s.sing several stalls, an item caught his eye. He started to approach a stall that was displaying weapons.

The stall had many kind of weapons like swords, bows etc but the item that attracted John was a rusty black dagger that was catching dust in the corner. Searching for the merchant, he saw an old man nodding while sitting on his stool

"Hey old man, are you awake? I want to ask about the prices of your items" John shouted. The merchant opened slowly his eyes but upon seeing John he decided to close them again. When he saw that he was ignored, the youth became enraged.

"Hey b.a.s.t.a.r.d, do you hear me? Hey! I am a customer for G.o.d's sake. A CUSTOMER! Open your eyes!" The old merchant opened again his eyes, but this time with puzzlement. Looking around he murmured some strange words.

" Strange, I keep hearing voices in my head. Has someone cursed me? Forget it, I'll just ignore it for now and give some money later to the Church of Light to use purification" while having these idle thoughts, suddenly a sense of danger filled him. Searching around frantically he finally found in front of himself(!) a man staring him with a chilly smile

* * * * *

"May I help you young master ?" The merchant asked cautioutly

" So you finally saw me. Among the people that I have met in my life you are probably the one that I want to kill the most!"

" You have some dangerous thoughts young man. It is not good to be ruthless in your age" The old man answered as he stood up slowly and approached carefully his weapons.

" Don't worry old man, if I wanted to kill you I would have done it while you were asleep. And I am not crazy enough to attack you when I am not sure about the chances to succeed"

" As expected, you are not normal. An a.s.sa.s.sin I think? In addition, a naturally gifted one". The man answered without lowering his guard in the slightest