Prologue
“Itracked your murderer near the Westhaven village,” Kai said. “I have delivered you the man, but I couldn’t find the artifact you asked me to find. In fact, I could find no trace of it.”
“Well, I thank you for all you have done for this village,” Mayor Bradly said. “That murderer has been terrorizing this village by killing one girl after another. So many families suffered because of what that man did. I am glad that you finally tracked him down.”
“It was my pleasure,” Kai said, shaking the Mayor’s hand. “I will be returning to the clan tomorrow. I will leave early in the morning so I will just be needing a place to sleep for tonight."
"Of course," the Mayor said. “We will provide you anything you want. It’s the least we can do after all you have done for us. Please, give my regards to your leader, Jake. I am very glad that he agreed to loan one of his best trackers to help us track down the murderer.”
“I will convey your message to him,” Kai said. “Now, let’s put these formalities away and talk like old friends.”
The Mayor laughed before slapping his hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Come, my friend. Let me take you for a drink and a meal at the finest pub this village has.”
“I will take you up on your offer for a drink, but I would prefer not to eat,” Kai said, walking through the town square as the mayor walked with him.
“Ae you sure?” the Mayor asked. “We have delicious roasted pork on the menu at our pub tonight.”
“Alright,” Kai said, smiling. “If you insist.”
The Mayor laughed, lightly patting him on the back. “Good man,” he said, leading Kai towards the pub. The Mayor opened the door and Kai was instantly greeted by the sound of people laughing and talking. The pub was already filled with many villagers who were drinking and eating after a long day at work.
“Come. Sit here,” the Mayor said, pointing towards a small table.
“We will have a meal of the roasted pork and some of the milk bread with cheese. Also, give us your best beer!” the mayor shouted to the owner.
“Aye,” the owner shouted back. “I will have it with you in a few minutes.”
“Times are tough in our village. The harvest has gone bad this year and we don’t know how we will survive winters. I am very worried that we will have to face even harsher times if things do not improve,” the mayor said. “In such conditions, the villagers take whatever comfort they can. That’s why the pub is so full and merry.”
“Times are difficult on all of us,” Kai said. “Even the Akai clan has had a few problems. Our foundry is thriving but because of the ever-increasing costs of all the raw materials, we are now having to reconsider alternatives.”
“Aye,” the mayor said. “This world is a hard and cruel place. Mother nature shows no sympathy for the poor and the sick.”
“Your dinner.” The conversation was interrupted by the most melodious voice Kai had ever heard. He instantly looked up and saw the waitress put the food down on the table. She was beautiful, with her beautiful hazel eyes and olive complexion. Her long dress showed off the curves of her tapering waist and thick hips. Her blonde hair was tied up in a braided bun on the back of her head. She turned to look at him and Kai felt the bear inside him thrill with excitement. She threw him a smile before turning around and walking away, her hips swaying as she did.
“Dig in,” the Mayor said, pushing a plate towards him. Kai returned his attention back to the topic and smiled before taking a bite of the meat. As delicious as the meal was, he couldn’t stop thinking about the girl he had just met. There was something about her that made Kai gravitate towards her.
The girl returned with their drinks and she once again flashed Kai a smile. He clenched his hands as his eyes hungrily devoured her face and body, almost as if etching them to memory. She turned around and walked away, and Kai couldn’t stop himself from staring after her.
“Aye, she is a pretty one,” the mayor said, noticing. “Her name is Lilly. Works as a bartender at the pub, but she has been serving as well because they are short-staffed.”
Kai cleared his throat, sitting up in his chair. He felt embarrassed that he had been caught staring so blatantly. He smiled at the mayor and nodded before returning his attention to the meal.
Almost an hour later, with a full stomach and slightly drunk, Kai got up from the table. The mayor shook his hand as Kai bid him good night and thanked him for the meal.
“The owner has agreed to give you the upper rooms for the night,” the mayor said. “I will see you off in the morning.”
“It was nice meeting you,” Kai said. They shook hands one last time and the mayor walked away. Kai sat back down, stretching his shoulders slightly. He had a long and tiring day, chasing after the murderer throughout the land.
“Anything else I can get you?” the melodious voice said, and Kai opened his eyes to see Lilly standing there. She balanced a tray against her hips, a coy smile on her lips.
“Yes,” Kai said, sitting up straight. “You can get me a date with this beautiful girl that I have had my eye on all night.”
“Oh, really?” she asked, a mischievous smile on her face. Kai’s heart started to race as she moved closer to him. He caught a whiff of her smell and was instantly mesmerized. “Which one is she?”
“Which one do you think?” Kai asked.
“Hmmm-,” Lilly said, looking around with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Is it that old woman over there in the black robe?”
