AN: After a million years, I've updated. Yay~

No edit so thank you for any corrections.

*****

The early morning sun greeted Xander as he blearily opened his eyes.

Finely tiled ceilings, ornate carvings on the walls, and silk sheets tangled around his legs. The faint scent of citrus in the air, exciting his heart with its sweetness. He could even faintly hear the sounds of servants milling about, ready to follow whatever command he gave.

It was hell.

He was back in the palace.

Xander let out a breath, wishing he could go back to sleep. While he was in the lap of luxury, he was surrounded by vultures. He’d rather return to his dingy tents, sleeping on hay-filled mattresses with the scent of grime and blood in the air as long as he was surrounded by people he could trust.

Better yet, he’d prefer anywhere with anyone if his fae was with him.

He looked at the untouched pillow beside his. He imagined sky-blue locks and pale skin resting there. Sunny gold eyes would blink open and Qin Rong would smile. A sleepy greeting that would make his heart heat up.

Ah, I have to stop getting ahead of myself. He thought, patting his chest to calm himself down. I have to be patient.

Such a day will come.

In the meantime, he had things to do first.

“Your highness!” A voice called out from outside the door. “It is time to get up for breakfast.

Without waiting for a response, a servant came in. While they feared him for his exploits, they were assured he wouldn’t spill blood within the palace.

This was the treatment Xander was used to, as the only people who knew just how dangerous he truly was were his own men. The palace and by extension, the staff, saw him as a pet hound, something to be sent out to fight but meekly eat out of the hands of its master.

It was an image he’d made for himself in the few days he’d been here. His father was no longer as wary as he was when Xander first returned home. His siblings, however…

“You are Golidan’s servant, right?” Xander noted as he sat on the couch. He’d been dressed for over an hour before his arrival. In fact, he was waiting for someone to ‘wake’ him. “Why are you here?”

The man flinched, not expecting the prince who had only been in the palace for a few days to recognize him.

“I-I am a servant of the kingdom. My tasks take me wherever I’m needed, your highness.”

“So my brother needs me this morning then.” Xander guessed, getting up from his seat.

He knew someone would eventually notice his actions and confront him. His actions had been less than subtle as of later. Even outside his sudden disappearance on the night of the banquet, he’d been watched since he arrived back in the capital.

He just hoped his observers would keep their filthy fingers away from Qin Rong.

“Take me to him.” He ordered, walking past the servant. Faintly, he could hear the man move away from him but he paid it no mind. He had more pressing matters to attend to.

Namely, his older brother, Golidan.

Out of all his siblings, he was the one Xander was most wary of. While he wasn’t crown prince due to his weak constitution, he was capable enough to have been, had fate allowed him.

He was also the only ‘neutral’ prince among his siblings. He never affirmed or denied any affiliation so many saw him as neutral.

But Xander knew better.

Not picking a side doesn’t mean you don’t have one.

He arrived in a greenhouse, the thick scent of nature taking hold Of Xander’s senses as he was led deeper in. The plants were ones he’d seen before though considering their natural environment, it was a bit surprising to see them here.

His network had spread further over the years he’s been gone.

“Ah, you really came. And so early as well.” He noted with a chuckle. “How courteous.”

“How could I dare to reject your invitation, brother? To be invited by the first prince is an honor.”

While the area looked to be empty, Xander knew his brother was around. His instincts honed from battle gave a general sense of where the prince was. But Golidan had the advantage so he didn't dare to make any sudden moves.

“You flatter me.” A voice chuckled from above his head.

Far above him, he saw a figure sitting on a thick vine as it lowered him down. The man was pale as snow and looked like he would fade away if one blinks too fast. His long hair hung over his shoulder and his robes were loose as he was gently placed onto a wheelchair.

This was the First Prince, Golidan.

He was the picture of vulnerability. Even his hair, which should have matched his mother's vibrant violet, was as pale as his skin. His legs were skinny and emaciated, too weak to carry him anymore.

They were like night and day when compared to each other. Xander with his dark features and strong body and Golidan’s pale complexion and weak body, it was clear who would win if they came to blows.

Yet Xander knew better than to assume his brother was weak.

He wouldn’t have lived this long in such a cutthroat society if he was as weak as he appeared. While Xander had no idea how much strength Golidan had, it was definitely not a little.

Golidan smiled, looking happy to see Xander.

“I see you’ve gotten used to living here again.” He noted, looking Xander over with a seemingly friendly eye. “I was worried you might be mistreated.”

“I have fought for the kingdom for almost a decade. Why would I be mistreated?”

“We both know why.”

Indeed they did. Xander had caused a lot of trouble upon his return from exile. To those on the outside, the heirs to the kingdom were close as siblings should be but only those within knew how much backbiting took place. His sudden deployment was probably due to one of his siblings seeing how much power he had been accumulating back then and seeking to ‘honorably’ sort it out.

They wanted him to die on the battlefield.

Thinking back, Xander knew he’d been reckless. He knew he was surrounded by malicious actors yet acted brazenly. It was no wonder he'd been kicked to the frontlines so young.

His desire to find his fae had clouded his judgment.

This time, he’d not let anything get in his way.

To do that, he needed more allies. Hence his visit this morning to Golidan’s greenhouse. While he wasn’t sure why he’d been invited, the opportunity was vital for his endeavors.

“About your letter…” He pressed, watching Golidan move forward. While there was no one to push it, it moved smoothly across the grass. “You said something about a task you want me to perform?”

Golidan chuckled, probably amused by how impatient he was being. A proper royal would exchange pleasantries before getting down to business but Xander could only follow protocol for so long.

That and being surrounded by the first prince’s element was uncomfortable.

Just as he was thinking that, he saw a vine rise out of the ground, revealing a large flower bud. Within the flower that bloomed was a tiny roll of paper that was presented to Xander. He took it casually, despite the fact he knew that this seemingly harmless bud could easily bite down on his hand and swallow it whole.

He’d seen it quite a few times and knew there were a lot of supposed meetings that ended with only Golidan leaving this greenhouse.

Knowing your enemy was the best way to survive any encounter, so he never underestimated a foe.

Unraveling the scroll, he saw that it was just a time and date. An event perhaps?

“I would like you to pick up something for me.” Golidan informed, reaching the small table where they could sit and talk. “Just a little thing.”

Ah, so he was becoming an errand boy then.

Curious about the wording, he couldn’t help but ask. “Pick up?”

“Well, it technically does need to be purchased first but I won’t saddle you with the cost.” He assured, taking up a cup of tea. Who had served it? Who knows! This greenhouse was under Golidan’s control so it was probably him.

“So you want me to just take this thing?”

The elder prince choked on his drink, shocked. “…You are very straightforward, it seems. How novel.”

Right. The environment within the palace was entirely different from his time on the frontlines. There, people didn’t have time to clean up their words and speak around their intentions. It was straightforward.

It was why Xander hated this place of luxury and comfort.

Then again, he was willing to use such double-speak to achieve his goals so perhaps he was being a bit hypocritical.

“What do I get in exchange for this favor?” He replied, making it clear he wanted something outside his reward in exchange. He was about to get something but he was not making himself out to be an errand boy for this dangerous person.

“Ah, my baby brother truly has learned to speak.” Golidan chuckled. “As for your reward, I’ll give you an invite.”

“An invite?” He echoed, his heart jumping in his chest. He recalled the scroll he’d been given. “You mean…”

“It's not a simple place to enter. Without resources, could you even get to the gate let alone inside?”

It seemed Golidan knew more than he had anticipated.

“Thank you for your kindness, big brother.” Xander bowed, showing his respect. “I am grateful.”

“I just wish to see how things will play out. It has been dreadfully dull as of late.”

It would be for Golidan, a genius trapped in a weakened body. It was why Xander was wary of him. While he was kind and smiled gently, he was very much like a fox. Flitting about in the periphery, tipping things over to favor one side or the other but showing no clear preference.

This was his neutrality.

It was also his cunning nature.

“The item you want is being sold at that place, isn’t it?” He asked, needing more information. Gaining a favor from Golidan would be priceless for his endeavors.

“It is.”

Ah, there it was.

“So my ‘reward’ is more of a means to complete my task than anything truly useful to me.”

“Did you not also need access?”

“I do but if my task is to enter that place, to begin with, it can’t really be counted as a reward.”

“So you want something separate?”

Xander smiled calmly. “If it isn’t too much.”

Golidan narrowed his eyes, looking mildly annoyed at the request.

“Getting an invite was not an easy task.” He argued, giving Xander a pointed look.

“But it was within your interests to retrieve it.”

“Are you accusing me of trying to swindle you?”

“I’ve learned to speak but I’m not so daring as to attempt such a thing.” He replied with a smile. “I just know that my eldest brother is not one to hurt himself to help himself.”

“…Ah, you really have gotten just a bit smarter.” The man chuckled, looking proud of his younger half-brother. “Who knew going to war would make you so observant?”

It was more than just that but he understood why the man was so surprised. When he’d first come back to the palace, he was a lot more reckless. He gathered power too quickly and was soon ‘volunteered’ to the army.

He regretted his actions, which forced him to leave his little brother behind as he fought.

He wouldn’t be reckless this time around.

“We all learn the rules of the game at our own pace.”

Golidan smiled, nodding in agreement. He knew just how bad things could be for those who don’t learn. Many had fallen in this chess game they were born into.

***

Elsewhere, far from the palace and its machinations, a chase was underway. The participants were swift, their movements were easily mistaken for the wind by any who noticed the disturbance.

On the ground were a trio of men, their clothes filthy with grime and old blood. Usually, that blood would be that of their victims who fell under their blade but not today.

Today, it was the blood of the other dozen men who had been in their gang just hours prior.

“Shit, where is-”

“There!” The other man cried out, pointing to a nearby branch. It was empty but shaking which meant their pursuer was still close by.

“Damn it, I-” His words was cut off by a heavy thud beside him. He spun around to see his companion lying on the ground, an arrow going straight through his neck. His gurgling final breath sent chills through the hardened men.

“You bastard! Stop hiding like a coward.” He shouted to the surrounding forest. The echo only made him warier.

Their band had been traveling back to the base when the first man disappeared. It was subtle. One moment he was there, the next he wasn't.

By the time the first was noticed, they’d lost three more men. The only evidence they had even been there was a messy splatter of blood where they had been sleeping before.

At this point, the gang was alert and ready to fight but nothing else came. They remained awake throughout the night, not wanting to lose any more men in case they were ambushed.

Yet no ambush came.

No, it was worse than an ambush. It was like they were being picked off.

It was a harrowing ordeal, quickly reducing the band of 15 to 3.

No, it was two now, as the man who’d been shot had finally stopped gurgling.

The last two stood back to back, their eyes darting about manically, hoping to catch sight of their pursuers.

The trees were silent, only the light wind and birds giving the illusion that nothing was happening at all. As if they were alone.

But corpse cooling beside them made it clear they weren’t alone.

Even though they couldn’t see them, they could feel eyes on them. Dozens of them, watching and waiting to see what they’d do next.

They couldn’t run.

They couldn’t hide.

They couldn’t fight.

What could they do?

Just as the man was wrestling up the courage to shout again, a voice called out to him.

“Ah, you guys are done scampering around?” It mocked, making the trees sing around it. “Good, then we can talk.”

From the tree tops, a figure stepped forward, letting the noon sun illuminate his features. At least, they assumed it was a man, as his voice was deep and soothing like an evening pond.

Yet he was the most beautiful person either had ever seen.

Sky blue hair that brushed his shoulders and ran down his back. Skin-like immaculate marble and eyes so golden it made the sun pale in comparison. There was only one thought that rang through their mind.

Faery.

One man, the taller of the two, swallowed harshly, fear immobilizing him as his companion stared at Qin Rong with blatant lust. Of the two, only one of them saw the being before them as a threat.

“I have some questions for you two.” He continued, unphased by their perusal. “As older members, you should know a bit more than the others so-”

“Are you trying to claim you took out the others?” the other man challenged, stepping forward. He was older but not because he was smart but because he was wily. He’d survived by throwing others into the fray. As he had lived this long, he was arrogant in his demeanor and saw the smaller male as no threat.

In fact, such a lovely specimen was sure to sell for a high price.

“How about we drop the games and you tell us where your partners are?” He offered, walking over. As he got closer, he realized just how lovely the man was.

Perhaps he didn’t need to sell him immediately.

“I promise to be gentle if you tell me now.” He said, licking his lips.

The thought of having this person, despite being male, to himself had him burning with desire.

Such naked lust would usually unsettle anyone but the fae didn’t even flinch. In fact, he looked annoyed.

“And here I thought we could skip this part of the conversation.” He sighed, closing his eyes. “Then again, what else should I expect from filthy human traffickers.”

Their band, when it had still been whole, had been kidnapping and selling people throughout the region. As they were nomadic, it was hard for anyone to capture them. By the time the report reaches anyone capable of capturing them, they will have long moved on.

Yet today, they had the bad luck of being taken out within the day.

“You call us filthy but give me some of your body and-”

Whatever vulgar thing he was going to say was drowned out by a loud bang. It was like gunfire but quieter.

The scream that followed, however, was not.

“Gyahhhhh!” The lustful survivor collapsed to the ground, clutching at his leg. There was no blood but the familiar scent of burnt flesh hit the other man’s senses quickly.

“Shut up, already.” The fae sighed, looking down at the man coldly. He put away his weapon, the one that neither man had even noticed was on him. “I made sure to avoid your femoral artery, so you won’t die. Now stop bitching and answer my questions.”

Every word was cold and direct, making the man even more terrified. He’d heard of the fae from his childhood. The stories of their kind were far and few between since they rarely interacted with mortals. Only a few legends made it back.

However, one consistent point in all the legends was the fae's cruelty.

They were beautiful beyond comparison but with hearts as black as coal. Their ‘fun’ was the stuff of nightmares.

The fact his companion got off with only that much for daring to touch a fae was merciful indeed, despite his barely suppressed whimpering.

“Now,” The fae looked up, pressing down on the injured man’s leg with his heel. His cries were high and echoed throughout the forest but the male’s words were clear. “Are you going to answer my questions?”

***

“Agh-h-h!!”

The scream of agony petered out slowly, as it had every time before. Yet the forest accepted its echo without response. Just another dying cry was taken in by the leaves and branches.

The cabin in which the scream originated was nothing special. Crude but strong. Within… Well, it didn't need to be said what was going on inside, right?

After some time, the sun fell and the air cooled. The man sitting outside the crude cabin paid no mind to this. Instead, he was keeping watch, making sure no one got close.

He was bored, the screams of pleading coming from within not entering his mind at all. It was no more interesting than a pigeon fart.

As if summoned by his vulgar thought, a tiny chirp sprang from the branches nearby. Such a soft sound should have been nothing but all the animals in the area had been keeping a distance from the cabin since his boss’s ‘interrogation’ began.

Yet this tiny yellow bird flew down, a larger ash-gray one following its lead.

So it was the boss’s bird.

The man, James, walked over and knocked, the sound within stifled with a muffled groan. The person was probably being gagged.

“You got a call, boss!”

The door opened, revealing the half-masked face of Qin Rong. What little of his skin that was exposed was splashed with blood. His eyes were cold and distant, briefly scaring his subordinate into standing at attention.

Then the smell hit him.

The thick smell of blood, urine, and sweat permeated the room. It was to be expected considering what was happening but it still made James grimace.

Yet his boss didn’t look bothered at all. Like it was just another day.

Ah, the boss can be so scary sometimes~ He thought, shutting the door so the smell wouldn’t seep into his nostrils.

Without a word, another subordinate ran over to hand him a basin of water and a rag. As he cleaned himself up, James couldn’t help but speak up.

“Boss, why didn’t you let me interrogate those guys?”

“If I left it to you, we’d get nothing from them but blood and piss.”

“Eh?”

“You’re too emotionally involved to know who to interrogate people like this properly.” Qin Rong explained, looking James up and down. Noting the look of undisguised disdain on the young man’s face as he glanced at the closed door. He sighed. “They will lie and jeer just so they can get the last laugh. When you can keep yourself from killing too many targets, I’ll let you get close.”

James wilted, showing remorse for his previous actions. Originally, they had planned to interrogate three members of the gang but he got infuriated that one of them was a well-known predator known for targeting children.

The arrow through the neck and him choking on his own blood was just a small dose of vengeance.

While Qin Rong understood and took some pleasure in making men like this suffer in their last moments, there were things to handle first. Namely, the information they had. He had no issue with killing, as that was his bread and butter but he couldn’t help but be mad at the possible insight that man could have had.

If they had more than just the two of them, they could have rounded up more than just three but this was Qin Rong’s personal matter, so he’d rather keep it under wraps.

“What did you find out?” James asked, handing the shorter man a soaked rag. It couldn’t clean off all the blood but at least enough not to startle the horses.

“Not much.”

In all honesty, he couldn’t have learned less if he picked up some random bum off the roadside. The two were older, yes, but not high enough on the totem pole to have any useful info. At most, their group was just transporters for goods. The ones who made contact with clients and set up deals was their leader, who hadn’t come along.

“I doubt they saw us coming so the leader not being around might be just bad luck on our part.” James reasoned, sitting down by the fire. “I did hear about some event going on but they didn’t know what it was or why their leader cared.”

“Event?” The fae echoed, frowning. “The closest large city is Ghule west of here. We can probably get more info if the event is large enough for a nomadic group to take notice.”

“Speaking of Ghule, wasn’t that the place you wanted to check out before?” He noted.

Qin Rong nodded, glad this younger man remembered. Most of his men tended to focus on one thing at a time so it was a hassle when one mission flowed into another.

Maybe I should get a secretary. He briefly pondered, letting out a short whistle. The men who had surrounded that place got to work cleaning up the area. One of the captives was still alive and presentable enough so he was the lucky one who got to be presented to the authorities alive.

The other one?… Well, he can join his brethren in the sack of heads.

Bounties were messy business but if you were quick with it, it's quite a money maker.

Walking through the chaos that was now being cleaned up, Qin Rong walked over and called down Xiao D. The tiny bird was, as usual, followed by a larger bird. It was a common pigeon but one he recognized from the tiny blue ribbon on its leg.

It was one of his relay birds. They were meant to keep watch over his other businesses and report to him when something went wrong.

As for why it had found him personally as opposed to returning to the capitol, it was simple. His men were clearly up to something.

As Qin Rong worked as a mercenary, he came across plenty of towns that needed fighters but were too poor to afford them. What they did have, however, was a lot of people and just as many disappearances.

Putting two and two together, Qin Rong decided to create a few branches of his group in various towns. He’d send one or two of his men to these places to manage the place. While they didn’t get paid a lot, the villagers were willing to support his guild in exchange for protection. He also had them recruit the street kids as messengers and spies.

While Qin Rong wasn’t keen on using kids in such work, it was better for them in the long run. It was harder to snatch up kids that were known by the local guild and would be missed. The disappearances would decrease as the children were more regularly kept track of.

A few even sought to join the guild officially when they got old enough.

Some of his best men were children he’d picked up and trained, though they were young. While most chose to leave and seek other opportunities, using the connections they made acting as errand boys, the few who wanted to give more back to the guild they were saved by were his most loyal.

One such youth was accompanying Qin Rong the next morning, though he refused to shut up.

“Boss?” The young man, Ulemen, stared at his boss with a questioning look. His features were firm and youthful, making him look younger than he was. One wouldn’t think he was a mercenary if they saw him just then.

If anything, he looked the type to have been kidnapped by bandits for his pure appearance.

He’d sent most of his men off to collect the bounty from the bandits. While he’d wanted to check out Ghule on his own, Ulemen, the youngest of the group, chose to follow behind him

“I received a report from one of my sources about the Ghule branch.” He replied, Guiding his horse onto a separate path. As usual, the temperamental beast followed his commands with a chipper whinny.

“A report?” The young man echoed, confused.

Ah right, this kid wouldn’t know. No one really knew how Qin Rong knew the things he did. This was a world where long-form communication was reserved only for the most affluent. The best anyone else would manage was letters and postmen.

That was about as reliable and speedy as a letter in a bottle.

Qin Rong, on the other hand, had one of the best communication systems. One that was a classic that had given rise to most forms of relay.

Birds.

Xiao Dao, his first Sodalis had a lot of birds under his control and they could relay information surprisingly fast. They were also great since people never paid any mind to birds, even if one followed them about. As such, he had Xiao Dao place a pair of birds at each of his branches to regularly relay updates to him.

When one left, the other stayed to remain up to date.

A few hours ago, he’d received one of these updates and the news had made him furious.

A number of disappearances had occurred at the Station yet his men didn’t seem to be investigating the matter. There were whispers of some noble being involved but there was nothing concrete. As birds, they didn’t understand human culture so the message was a bit scrambled.

He worried things might be out of order in the report.

Hence why he went to check it out himself. Arthdal could manage things in the capital but this matter was of personal importance. He absolutely refused to let someone with his banner do such horrendous things if he could stop it.

It seems I've been too lenient on those who think I can’t see them. I have to set the record straight if so.

Moreover, considering the little information he’d gotten from his interrogation, he felt there should definitely be a connection. Traffickers, missing people, and a possible connection to nobility never had a good outcome.

***

The night had fallen, leaving Qin Rong alone with his thoughts. The ride through town provided a lot of intel, though most of it was whispered in dark alleys. Payment wasn’t needed this time around, as it wasn’t so dangerous to require compensation.

If anything, it was a bit too easy to gain insight into the current situation.

Qin Rong was worried about the possibility that everything was going to end up being a trap so he sent his young companion on a separate mission while he moved forward.

Thus his current situation, in which he sits atop the rooftop of an inn. Across the mount beside it, was his target, the manor of Hegnan. It was the relative of the woman he shamed at the ball yet his home was large and well fortified.

The mount was deep but not wide, so it wasn’t too hard to cross undetected. It's just a hassle to have discovered such a place when he just wanted to do some simple surveillance. If not for its high walls, he’d have just observed from afar.

“Damn.” He whispered under his breath, stretching his lithe body. “I didn’t want to get wet today.”

He dived into the mount soundlessly, none of the guards paying any mind to the water. Why would they? The moat wasn’t just water, after all.

Qin Rong swam for a minute, feeling a set of eyes falling upon him. He slowed down, briefly worried he might have been spotted. Yet no shouts or attacks came his way.

After a moment, he saw them.

Lounging on stones scattered about the water, were some kind of reptile. They looked like alligators but considerably bigger with bone-like protrusions sticking out of them. Glassy dark eyes gleamed in the darkness, just barely visible under the moonlight.

Qin Rong swallowed, cursing himself for missing such huge things. They probably blended into their environment well but it was still an oversight.

So he kept his eyes on them as he trod water, trying to think of a solution. He absolutely wouldn’t be able to outswim them and they probably weigh at least three times his weight so fighting was not going to help.

Moreover, he bled it’d draw more toward him.

Just as he was considering trying to fly, he felt something brush his leg under the water. He looked down even as he realized he wouldn’t see a thing. Something large and scaly swam past him again.

His heart raced but he kept his cool. If it was the bony alligators, then they weren’t attacking him despite the opportunity.

So the next time he felt it brush past him, he moved to grab the nearest horn. Within moments, the creature rose to the surface with the fae sitting on its back. It was… an experience.

The other gators rose, sawing their mouths open and closed at him. He couldn’t be sure but… why did it feel like they were trying to draw his attention?

He stood atop the gator, his weight nothing when compared to its body. The gator didn’t even sink as he stood.

Curiously, Qin Rong came to realize his affinity to animals seemed to affect reptiles too as the gators rose and dove into the water excitedly. Not wanting to waste time, Qin Rong jumped from one gator to another, noting how they seemed to notice his intentions and move to where his feet were landing.

It was like walking across a living bridge. It was weird!

Still, Qin Rong had come to accept a lot of the weird things that had come to become facets of his second life.

Within minutes he reached the shore, though the gators still watched him with interested looks. A few even followed him onto the shore. Still wary, Qin Rong moved quickly, taking hold of the wall to find a good foothold.

As expected, there weren’t many but he could make due if he used his wings a bit. It hurt to do but it was the fastest way in. Just as the gators lumbered closer, Qin Rong felt a rush of pain on his leg.

He’d nicked himself on something but that wasn’t what made him move. Instincts built on two lifetimes of experience had him unfurl his wings and shoot upward just as the first set of jaws snapped at the air his leg was just occupying.

He took hold of the wall just as his wings dispersed, leaving him winded. Some distance below him, he saw the gators watching him as their companions snapped at the empty air. Had he been a second slower, he’d have been dragged into their pile and ripped apart.

Ah, that's right. He thought, laughing to himself. They are ambush predators. They wouldn’t attack if they are noticed but wait until their prey lets their guard down.

Glancing down at the wound on his leg, he realizes he must have let his guard down.

Ah, he really hates that he almost let himself get drowned and eaten by spiked gators. But he had a mission to complete and a near-death experience was no reason to not finish it.

Scaling the wall, he came to realize that security was not as tight on the walls as the road leading to the manor. Considering the predators there in the moat, it made sense but was still an oversight.

Turns out all the Hegnan’s family were arrogant assholes.

Despite this, Qin Rong made sure to keep out of sight. He moved quickly and silently, using the ceiling beams to move about the interior to keep from being spotted. Him being wet made this harder but he didn’t have time to worry about that. If he was lucky, he could get a feel for the place and be out before any guards noticed the mysterious puddles of water everywhere.

The house was nothing special. It was large with lots of hallways and doors that lead to who knows where. Yet this was all surface polishing. If this guy was involved in human trafficking, there was no way he was going to have his ‘products’ on the upper floors. But getting below ground was not possible at the moment.

Sitting atop a beam, shrouded by darkness, Qin Rong watched the guards that resided near the basement entrance change shifts. It was a smooth transition, with barely an interval between them. Moreover, the guards here held themselves differently than those he’d spotted before.

These guys were dressed the same but they were not guards belonging to this house.

Most likely, they belonged to whoever was facilitating the selling of people. Smart, considering how lax the security here was. The place was solid but there was not much one could do if they relied solely on the structure to protect them.

Qin Rong doubted he could get through them without alerting the others. Still, it was good to know where his targets were.

Feeling satisfied with what he learned, the fae was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice below.

“-thank you for allowing me a place to rest, Lord Kitum.” The man said, noting the new guards with a quick glance. “I trust that the products are a good batch this time around?”

Lord Kitum, like most nobles Qin Rong had seen, was slimy inside and out, with a grin that sent shivers down one's spine. His smile, this time, was full of flattery.

“Just a few strays we found around the area but they are robust and capable. They should be worth just a bit.” He assured, following behind his guest like a lap dog. As if the previous sentence was disgusting, he continued on. “His highness had mentioned you would be passing through. How could I, a humble servant of the crown, deny you a place to stay?”

“…I will have to let elder brother know about how hospitality then, won’t I?”

“I would never expect anything from either you or his highness. I do all I do to show my dedication to our empire.”

The other person makes a noncommittal sound. Everyone involved knows what this guy was angling for.

But the word salad aside, Qin Rong felt his heart drop as he spotted someone he’d never expected to be anywhere near this. This scumfuck who lead his guest through his castle and casually mentioned his slaves like it was nothing.

By his side was his friend, Xander

*****

AN: One of my biology professors spent a surprising amount of time telling us about gators and their hunting techniques. I don't know why he did but it stuck with me. Gators are ambush predators. Basically, Gators can't chew so what they do is wait by the water's edge until prey comes by. They stay still, so no one notices them until they attack. They then grab prey and drown them by rolling them under them. They then trap the body underwater so it softens and then eats them by tearing them apart.

Again, I don't know why he felt the need to let us know about this but it was very detailed.