The following day, Kazi and Adanna continue their journey. Hunger gnawed at their stomachs, and thirst dried their throats, but neither spoke of it. They had endured worse; complaining would change nothing.
Then, fortune smiled upon them. Through the thick trees, they spotted a stream glistening under the sunlight. Without a word, they quickened their pace, making their way toward the cool water. Kazi dropped to his knees, cupped his hands, and drank greedily. Adanna did the same, ignoring the way her reflection trembled in the rippling water. For a moment, neither of them cared for anything else but quenching their thirst.
After drinking their fill, they settled under the shade of a large tree, resting their weary limbs. The silence was peaceful, until it was shattered by a desperate scream.
A woman's voice.
Kazi and Adanna's heads snapped toward the trees. Out of the dense foliage burst a young noblewoman, her long hair whipping behind her, her brown eyes wide with fear. She was dressed in fine silk, dirt staining the hem, her breath coming in quick gasps. Her beauty was undeniable, delicate features, high cheekbones, and an air of nobility despite her current state.
Behind her, several armored men pursued, their faces set in grim determination. Their weapons remained sheathed, their intent was clear, they weren't hunting her to kill. They were dragging her back.
And behind them all, riding leisurely on a dark stallion, was a young nobleman, no older than twenty. His auburn hair was slicked back, his blue eyes filled with amusement as he watched the chase unfold. He wore a fine tunic with gold embroidery, a sign of great wealth, and the smirk on his lips spoke of arrogance and entitlement. When Kazi laid eyes on her, something stirred in the back of her mind and right then, he realizes he had no choice.
"Come now, Lady Evelyn," the nobleman called out smoothly. "You shouldn't be running like some peasants. It's beneath you."
Lady Evelyn spun around, breathless, her hands clenched. "Stay away from me, Edmund!
Edmund sighed, shaking his head. "You wound me, truly. I have treated you with nothing but kindness. Have I not sent gifts? Spoken words of admiration? Yet you kept running." He gestured lazily at his guards. "Bring her back."
Before the men could step forward, a voice cut through the tension.
"Leave the young lady alone."
Everyone froze. All eyes turned toward the speaker. Kazi, standing under the shade of the tree, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
For a brief moment, Evelyn's heart soared. Someone had come to her aid! But when she got a good look at Kazi, his lean frame, his simple clothes, the lack of any noble insignia, her hope wavered. This man… he was no match for Edmund.
Edmund, too, was momentarily caught off guard. Then, a chuckle rumbled from his throat. "And who might you be?"
Kazi didn't answer. He walked majestically towards the scene and simply met Edmund's gaze without flinching.
A flicker of irritation crossed the nobleman's face. "Seems you didn't know I am." He gave a condescending smile. "Edmund of House Regald. Son of Reginald Regald, ruler of the greatest trade empire in the north. Our family's wealth surpasses that of kings." He leaned forward slightly. "It would be wise for you to walk away."
Adanna, hearing the name, stiffened. She had heard of the Regald family, their influence stretched across the land. They supplied weapons, rare goods, even information. Crossing them was no small matter. Her eyes darted to Kazi, wondering if he was oblivious to the danger or simply reckless.
Evelyn, still catching her breath, looked at Kazi with curiosity. Was this man foolish or brave? Was he truly standing against Edmund because he believed in justice, or was he merely trying to impress her? Men had done worse to win a woman's favor.
Edmund sighed dramatically. "Very well. I can see you are ignorant of how things work. I shall be generous." He reached into his coat and pulled out a small pouch, tossing it toward Kazi. The sound of gold coins clinking filled the air. "There. More than enough for a man of your… station to live comfortably for a time. Take it and leave."
Evelyn's heart sank. It's over. No one turned down gold from a noble. It was an unspoken rule. Accept the bribe, walk away, live another day.
But then, Kazi did something unexpected. He kicked the pouch aside.
For the first time, Edmund's smirk vanished. A cold silence stretched between them.
"You should leave," Kazi said, his voice steady. "If you want to walk out of here alive." Kazi didn't even realize when the words slipped from her lips, it was as if something else had taken control.
Adanna nearly groaned. This fool has really fallen in love at first sight. She wanted to grab Kazi and shake him. That gold could have bought them vital information about the ancient turtle they were seeking! And now, instead of playing smart, Kazi had just made an enemy out of one of the most powerful families in the north.
Edmund's face darkened, his grip tightening on the reins of his horse. Then, he smiled. "I gave you a chance, but you refused" he said, voice dripping with menace. He turned to his guards. "Kill him"
Without thinking twice , Four warriors circled Kazi, their weapons gleaming under the waning sunlight. Their eyes, filled with predatory confidence, they scanned him like a pack of wolves measuring their prey.
Kazi's grip on the dagger he has with him tightened, his mind calculating every movement. He knew this aren't ordinary body guard and he couldn't outmatch them in sheer strength, but speed and precision were his allies. His breath steadied.
Then they struck, all four warriors lunged simultaneously. These warriors had been in the North for a long time, and they knew better than to underestimate their opponents.
Kazi leaped back, dodging the first two swings. Steel whistled past his ears. A third warrior lunged low with a sweeping strike; Kazi flipped sideways, narrowly avoiding the blade. The fourth came from behind, aiming to impale him, but Kazi twisted just in time, feeling the wind of the blade grazing past his ribs.
He barely had a moment to react before another sword came slicing downward. He raised his dagger instinctively, parrying the strike, but the force sent him skidding backward. Dust kicked up around him.
Edmund smirked. "What a joke."