Unfazed

As the wind started to pick up, the leaves ruffled and some of the tents started to break down. Some of the people were already fleeing the area for their safety.

The ones that chose to stay were mostly Sages that has come along with the Nobel. But strangely they didn't stay behind to help the Noble, they were only there to prevent any bystander from getting injured.

Even from a distance, Edward could hear some of the people making negative comments about the nobleman. It was clear they weren't trying to hide their animosity. Edward looked around and couldn't understand what was transpiring infront of him. The people seemed to have a bone to pick with James.

"I will not ask again, who...are you ?". James walked towards the woman calmly until he stood directly infront of her. He was the type of person to always remain calm and collected in almost every situation he found himself in, but for some reason he really didn't trust this person.

What made him more uneasy was the fact that the woman hadn't shown any since of movement or even a change in expression. In most cases when a mage faced someone, unless the person was a mage himself, or a powerful Sage,the person would always display some found of fear and anxiety.

But with this woman, she showed no such signs, and the amused smile on her face was giving James a feeling of unease, a feeling he had felt only a few times before. He felt as though no matter what he did, the woman would defeat him.

'Why do I feel like I'll definitely loose if I face this woman. There is something ominous about her...and she feels empty'.

Taking out something from her pouch, she handed it over to James. It was a palm sized golden coin with a red jem embeded in the center. "I'm glad my nephew has someone to protect him. I guess I wasn't needed after all". She said,  although the last part was muttered to herself, inaudible to james.

'I see, now I understand why I was feeling like that. She a vessel from the King'. James recognized the coin, every Nobel would, it was the something messagers sent by the King used to identify themselves when confronting a Nobel. People with the coin where not to be harmed in anyway or the Noble, no matter their rank would face great retribution. 'That explains why I feel so irritated'.

"As the Lord of this region, I apologize for my actions. After what happened, I can't afford to trust just anyone". James said in a soft tone, handing back the coin. He stood aside and now Edward was in sight of the woman again.

"Hey no harm no fowl." She spoke slowly walking pass James, but then stopped and placed her hand on his shoulder. Leaning in and whispering something into his ear, James face turned pale and was filled with dread, and slowly contorted with rage. He glared at Fayna like a predator about to kill its prey.

Edward had been silent and looking at them the entire time, he had never seen James so angry before. He tried listening in but even from the close distance between them, he couldn't hear what they were saying.

In the end, she pulled away from James and stood beside Edward with a smile on her face. It seemed that James had calmed down, as he was back to his usual expression. In fact, he looked so relaxed that Edward robbed his eyes thinking that he was hallucinating about him being angry, or James was a really good actor.

"Let us go to the manor Edward. There is a lot to discuss. And Lady Fa-".

"Please call me Fayna. Just Fayna". James was interrupted and spoke with a tinge of frustration in his voice. "You may accompany us manor...Fayna" He said stressing the her name, with a vein popping on his forehead.

As they walked through the crowd, heading to the carage.

[You have received a new quest]

Edward suddenly received a message from the system, although he was surprised, he chose to ignore it for now. They were in public and if he was distracted, he could bump into someone injured or something.

Out of the corners of his eyes, Edward could still see people giving them weird glances filled with contempt, while occasionally whispering to each other. He looked at James to catch a glimpse of his emotions, but he just smile back with a neutral expression on his face.

Inside the Carage, the atmosphere was tense as Edward Sat quietly trying to ignore the nobleman and the woman who seemed to be having a staring competition, but it seemed as though James getting more upset as the time passed. "I'm guessing you have a lot of questions on your mind " Fayna asked Edward while still staring at James.

Unlike him, she was not glaring . It was more like she was having a fun, participating in their little starring competition. She even had a small smile on her face.

The truth was Edward didn't really know to say or ask, some part of him was screaming not to trust the woman almost like a six sense. Which was why he still hadn't done anything.

" I know you find it difficult to trust me, seeing as how I just came out of nowhere and claimed to be your relative". she placed her hand on him shoulder trying to calm him down.

"    ", Edward just stared at her blankly, there was something about her voice that seem incredibly familar but he still couldn't put his hand on it.

And although he needed verify her true identity, that could wait , right now what he wanted to know was who were those people that attacked them and why .

" I do have questions, but it will have to wait. There is something I want know first".Edward stared at James causing him to acknowledge his presence.

"I am assuming you have question for me instead, well go, but I will answer only three questions so choose wisely " , James responded staring back with a Smile on his face.

There was something that Edward found strange about James Madric, he always seemed to take everything like a joke.

Like Everything happening, around him has some hidden form of humor in it that only he could see. Even now, in this situation he was trying to have fun.

Now he thought about it, he had never actually seem James frown before, so it made him wonder why he reacted so aggressively when Fayna claimed to be his aunt, even going as far as to prepare an attack. And what she said to make him so enraged.But he assumed he could get those answers from his supposed aunt. After all, he had only three chances to ask his questions he couldn't waste them.

" First off, I want to know who those people that attack the town were ". He asked with a hint of anger and aggression in his voice even though he tried controlling his anger, he felt pure anbridged rage every time he thought of those people. An image of that man appeared in his mind sending a shiver down his spine, causing him to frown unconsciously.

"I people that attacked the town are a mercenary group called The Fang ". James answered, ignoring that rabid look on Edward's face.

With his head held down "The Fang", Edward muttered repeatedly under heavy breaths, almost like he was commiting the name to memory.

"The Fang is one of the low rank mercenary groups in the kingdom. They are a rag tag group of petty criminals that like to cause trouble when they are mostly in need of money. Most of the time, they remain under radar and mind their own business", James continued.

If they are a low rank, rag tag group like you say. Why are they allowed to run a mock?. Why haven't they been caught yet?!!". Edward bellowed, his fingers digging into thighs. He was truly furious, James claimed they were just a rag tag group of petty criminals, but he hadn't caught them yet. Didn't that just mean that he was incompetent.

"Calm down, young Edward". James spoke, staring at Edward like he was a child throwing a tantrum. Under his gazed, Edward held his head down avoiding his gaze.

"To answer both your questions. Well it's quite simple, it's because they are a rag tag group, that's the reason why they haven't been been caught. The members are always dispersed. They are not a proper organization, it makes them difficult to track down". James paused, taking a quick glance at Fayna before continued in a cold tone. "But hear this young Edward...I promise I will hunt them all down...and crush them".