SWY 151

While Sharhan was basking in the joy of reuniting with Iris, the sound of soft sobbing reached his ears. It was the nanny. Sharhan stifled a laugh as he watched her dab at her tears with the sleeve of her dress.

“Come here too, Nanny. You’ve been through a lot looking after Iris, haven’t you?”

“It was nothing. But, young master, why are you so thin?”

As she came closer and gently stroked Sharhan’s cheek with a look of concern, he let out a dry chuckle. She looked even more gaunt than he did.

Just then, a suppressed groan came from Rael’s direction. Adam had touched the wound on Rael’s back while examining him, and Rael couldn’t hold back the sound.

“Sir Rael, are you alright?”

Sharhan, Lestel, and the rest of the group rushed over to him. Rael’s body was covered in cuts and punctures, and the wound on his back was particularly severe.

Sharhan frowned as he looked at the injury that was still slowly bleeding.

“That’s a serious wound… Adam, is there anywhere we can get some herbs?”

“Not sure. The villagers probably took anything useful when they left… Unless we go into the mountains…”

Rael shook his head.

“I’m fine.”

“Sir Rael, does it hurt a lot?”

Iris gave him a worried smile, seeing how pale he was. Rael forced a smile in return.

“I’m fine, my lady.”

“You really don’t look fine… You got hurt because of me again. I’m sorry.”

“I only fulfilled my duty as a knight, so please don’t trouble yourself over it.”

“But still…”

“I’m just glad you’re safe.”

Iris’s gaze lingered on Rael’s injured leg. Noticing the guilt in her expression, Rael straightened his posture and silently held out something he had been clutching all along.

“More importantly, take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

It was a torn scrap of cloth, as if ripped from someone’s clothing. Sharhan sighed and focused on the fabric, realizing Rael didn’t want to talk about his injuries.

“I found it snagged at the entrance to the tunnel from the well. I picked it up while you two were busy pulling Adam up. I’m fairly certain someone followed us through the well and entered the castle.”

Sharhan quickly looked over everyone’s clothing. No one in their group wore anything of that color. That meant someone else had used the tunnel. The realization sent a chill down his spine and cold sweat down his back.

Everyone else’s expression darkened. Sharhan ran a hand down his face and muttered,

“Damn it. So cutting the rope didn’t help.”

He felt a shiver run through him at the thought, what if the enemy had come in right after them, while they were still trying to rescue Iris and the nanny?

“Whoever it was, let’s make sure they can’t get back out this way.”

Though the identity of the mysterious pursuer was troubling, Harrel was just as much of a concern. He had seen them escaping through the secret passage, after all.

If he tried to open the passage from the stable, things could get complicated. Granted, they wouldn’t be standing around waiting forever, but still.

“Good idea.”

Rael immediately agreed. The group replaced the well’s cover and searched the area for something heavy. They ended up moving a large boulder onto the lid, one heavy enough that it took Sharhan, Lestel, and Adam all together to lift it.

“Let’s take a short break and talk about our next move.”

They had rescued Iris and the nanny. Now they needed to decide where to go. Rael also needed rest. Though he acted composed, sweat was visibly soaking his brow. The group pretended not to notice as they headed into Adam’s house, shared some water, and began to talk.

“How about the tax storehouse?”

Lestel suggested it, but Sharhan didn’t answer right away. He fell silent, deep in thought. The tax storehouse was certainly a viable option, there would be both people and food.

Not only Rael, but the whole group needed rest. The nanny had injured her leg falling from the window and was still limping. Iris was just a child. Kuph looked worn out. Adam didn’t look much better.

They needed a safe place to rest and heal, and they needed it soon. Harrel had seen the secret passage. Staying here wasn’t safe. The lid and boulder were only temporary measures.

And whoever had followed them through the tunnel was still a mystery.

“What is it? You don’t like the idea?”

Instead of replying, Sharhan stood up and motioned with his eyes to speak outside. Then he said to the group,

“I’ll take a look around outside. Get some rest, Iris. I’ll be back soon.”

“I want to go with you.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Iris looked up at him with anxious eyes, refusing to leave his side. No amount of soothing worked.

“My lady, come here.”

Seeing Sharhan at a loss, the nanny reached out her hand. Iris reluctantly walked over to her, glancing back several times. Sharhan gave her a reassuring smile and stepped outside with Lestel.

They cautiously scanned the area, only stopping once they had moved a good distance from Adam’s house. Though they had come out to talk privately, once alone, they found themselves embracing tightly.

Sharhan’s body tensed the moment Lestel’s hand brushed his back. Sensing it, Lestel pulled away, stepping back with concern.

“You’re hurt?”

“It’s nothing.”

Lestel ran a hand down his back. But when his expression hardened mid-motion, he frowned.

“Nothing? We promised to be honest with each other, didn’t we?”

“…I got hit by some debris earlier.”

“Let me see.”

“It’s really fine.”

“Do I need to undress you myself?”

Judging by Lestel’s expression, if Sharhan didn’t show him, he really would force it. Grumbling, “It’s seriously nothing,” Sharhan took off his robe. He then lifted his shirt to show his back.

“See? It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? This is pretty bad.”

Lestel’s expression grew serious. Sharhan’s back was a mess of abrasions and scrapes, with dried blood crusted over the wounds. By tomorrow, bruises would surely bloom across it.

“It didn’t really hurt, though.”

As soon as Lestel lightly touched one spot, pain jolted down Sharhan’s temple, and he held his breath. Lestel stared at him in disbelief.

“It didn’t hurt?”

Sharhan gave a sheepish laugh and lowered his shirt.

“It must’ve been the adrenaline. I didn’t feel it then. Anyway, come here. I need a hug.”

Sharhan opened his arms wide.

“Trying to dodge the conversation like that?”

Though Lestel squinted at him with disapproval, he stepped into the embrace. Sharhan smiled silently as he felt Lestel’s arms carefully wrap around his waist, avoiding his injured back with gentle care.

They held each other so tightly it was hard to breathe, and only after a long moment did they slowly part, their gazes lingering.

“I want to check the Ice Cave first.”

Lestel nodded, it wasn’t a bad idea. According to Harrel, the ice cave held many relics, which could be useful for their survival.

There was healing stones too, wasn’t there?

Healing stones were magical artifacts created during the monster war, the result of collaboration between mages and priests with healing powers. Records said they were very effective on physical injuries. If one was truly there, it would help not only Sharhan, but the others as well.

The only issue was the journey to the Ice Cave with their injured and exhausted group.

“It might be better to find a safe place for them to rest first, and then you and I can go. But I doubt Iris will want to be apart from me.”

“I’ll convince her. But before that…”

“…”

“Let’s stop by the castle first.”

“Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what the situation might be like there now?!”

Even before the group escaped, the castle was already in chaos. Who knows how much worse it had gotten now. Lestel couldn’t believe Sharhan wanted to go back. But Sharhan wasn’t backing down either.

“I need to see with my own eyes whether Parel and the marquis are alive or dead.”

“Sharhan, revenge is fine and all, but–”

“It’s not just about revenge.”

“…”

“Sure, I’m frustrated and angry that I didn’t kill the marquis. Getting Iris out safely was more important, so I put him off. And yeah, I’m pissed that Parel ruined everything. But more than that, if those two are still alive, do you really think we’ll be safe?”