Trust

"Tear of Oizys? What's that?" Theodore asked him. "There's a tale that's been told by the elders in my old village. 'When the earth exploded and threw up all the malice when the sky cracked and abyss fell, a legend was born from the tears of gods. All life was saved at the cost of the legend. It broke in 12', something like this. As far as I know, there are 12 shards like this, and they are called tears of Oizys." Listening to this everyone was baffled. "So you know where they are? Other 11 shards?" Aeneas asked to which he nodded, "It's not that easy. I know a two or three but the rest is unclear. And hey! I'm not going there again, those places are not for the faint-hearted. I'm still a young man!" Listening to this Theodore sank in thoughts for a while and then replied, "I thought you were strong, you are just a coward. Huh!" Listening to him mocking, Nuae threw a glare at him, "Hey! Take it back, your words. I may not look like it, but I was part of the deadliest faction of the Lamorra kingdom, and can still give a hell of a fight. But I lost everything while exploring in one of those dungeons." His tone was serious yet a bit sad, "What did you lose? And what are you running from?" he took a sip from his beer and replied with a serious tone, "Some local folks reported that they've found a strange place, a place where people were going missing. A party of a few soldiers went to look into it but they never came back. Our leader, Markus accepted the quest from the guild-house. I and my dear friends were tasked to look into it, along with him. We all went there only to come across a dungeon. It had a crazy aura. The walls were twisted and overall the dungeon looked shabby. We still went, after all, we were the best the Empire had at the time. Who knew that it was a trap by Underdark creatures? In that dark dungeon, we were underpowered in front of the dark creatures. They killed everyone, I somehow managed to escape using a portal. I can't go back to such a place, there's nothing but death." Hearing his story everyone turned silent. "I don't know if I'm being reasonable here, but what is she doing here? And is it safe to discuss it all in front of her?" Vivian asked Theodore while pointing at the female Paladin. She got shocked by her sudden call. "Umm, I… I am Naomi, the princess of Etherblade. I was searching for you all over the place. Ever since I heard that you fled from Arboria, I was looking for you. I couldn't enter Ephesus because of my father's doings so I waited here." Hearing this Both Vivian and Catherine stood up with a shock. "No way! Are you joking?" They both shouted in sync. "I have fled from my homeland in search of your people. I don't want a part in his doings. I tried to stop him but he won't listen and my brother locked me afterward to ensure I didn't interfere with their plan." This was news to all. They never ever expected to come across the daughter of the very enemy who tried to wipe them off. "Don't worry! I'm not here to help you or to get in your way. I heard you were traveling north. There's something that I need the most. It's a Quinx gem." "Quinx Gem? Why do you need that?" Catherine seemed to get it as others were still thinking about what she said. "My mother is dying and I want to save her. My father is trying to save her by sacrificing his sanity to the demons. I can't just sit and watch while it goes on. Just let me tag along until I get that gem, in return, I'll help you all on the way as well. Once I get the gem, I'll go my way." She put forth her proposal. "Are you crazy? You think we'll believe all that you have to say just like that. Theodore, her father literally killed us, who knows if she's just acting as a spy? I don't think we should trust her." Vivian's anger was clearly visible. It was indeed true that they couldn't just trust her right away. It could be a trap as well. "I understand how you feel. I really have no other reason, I can't prove my innocence right now, but I'm not lying." She pleaded to everyone. "She isn't lying." Aeneas said looking at Theodore from a corner of his eye. "How can you be so sure?" Catherine, who was sitting quietly, asked him right away. "Missy, I've seen many eyes, these are not liar's is what I can be so sure about." His reply was direct.

After a few minutes, and a few dishes-full of food, the environment got a bit calm. "Okay. I'll let her tag along, but I won't trust her." Vivian said with a pout to which Catherine nodded in agreement. "Okay. Okay. Why so dramatic. Besides, you are coming with us and that's decided." Aeneas said looking at Nuae who was enjoying his drink. Hearing this he spat it out and began coughing. "Did you not hear me? I am not going! And you can't make me come with you against my will." Nuae replied out loud. Hearing this Theodore felt a bit sad, he had to rely on only information he had gotten from him and continue. All the hopes for a quick trip to the dungeon were lost. He was about to get up from his table when Aeneas put a bag full of coins on the table making a cling! "Too bad, we could have shared it. Anyways, we'll pay Noore from this for her hospitality rather than paying for information." Aeneas was about to get up with the bag. "Two if you please, I'm sure I have not offended you in any way. Please, let's make a deal." The way he looked at Aeneas, anyone could have figured out this bribe. "Okay, but when you finish the job." Aeneas put away the bag causing his mood to sink. "Fine, whatever, just pay for my drinks and that'll be the interest on my money?" He demanded to which Aeneas looked at Theodore. He was still in a bit of shock as he didn't remember Aeneas carrying any money, ever. "Agreed!" he replied after hesitating a bit.

"You said I had to pay for your drink right? Why the hell did she snatch all my money then?" Theodore shouted at Nuae after they left the tavern. Before leaving, as per promised Theodore went to pay for his drinks, only to find out that he had been drinking there for over a month with no money and had an astonishingly huge bill, which he paid with all his money. "You keep your promise, now I keep mine." His drunk reply didn't satisfy anyone as they looked at him doubtfully. "We are not wasting our time and money, right Aeneas?" Theodore asked him with concern. "I guarantee he is the one. If what they say is true he has traveled almost all of them off the map locations due to his work. And after he was dismissed, he was the lone survivor of his regiment, the killer troops of Lamorra kingdom. He'll do the job, just chill." Aeneas replied but he regretted saying it the very next moment. That drunk man fell on the ground and fell asleep for heaven's sake. "This guy?" Catherine, Vivian, and Naomi all let out a sigh saying so in sync. Next moment Aeneas took his sword and clashed it in a rock beside his head causing him to wake up. "Oye punk! Lead the way or I'll make your deadhead do so." Looking at his intimidating looks, he stood up instantly and started walking with a shiver. "Get the horses first…" As he said so they saw their horse cart being stolen by a bunch of thieves. "Not again," Vivian complained to which Aeneas and Naomi nodded and in a split second they pounced on the cart to get it back.