The Shadow - II

Although, everything in her dreams seems unclear, however she distinctly recalled her fiance talked about this guild to her when he was extremely drunk on a certain night. He spoke with extreme frustration and hatred towards the guild, in particular to the leader of the guild called William.

Aelia was apparently dubious, since he was the duke heir, while the other was just the captain of a mercenary guild. Yet the way he spoke appeared to be fearful rather than frustration towards the man name William.

The Shadow is the name of that guild or rather a mercenary guild that her fiance proclaimed them to be. They investigated, kidnapped and killed people for money. They are a professional contracted mercenaries that undoubtedly killed for a living.

Initially, she wanted to find about the mercenary guild more, but when she recalled their avaricious business, she hesitate since she fear them.

"My lady, Is there anything I can help you with?"

A warm and courteous voice greeted her, that it instantly brought Aelia back from her thoughts.

Aelia looks up and realised he was the man at the counter, maybe he was a bartender.

Unknowingly, she seems to have catch his attention, which is definitely not a good thing in this dreadful place.

'Is he a mercenary too?'

Fear started to crept into her, as she realised he might be a mercenary too. In fact, most of the men that are drinking like any normal people do in this tavern might be a mercenaries.

Nonetheless, Aelia gave him a profound smile and concealed her fear, precisely like a customer that didn't seem to be aware of this tavern undercover business.

"Umm, I..... "

Aelia abruptly halted her words and pursed her lips in silence, as she pondered she perhaps should used this chance for her own benefits.

Aelia then turn her gazed back to the man while still smiling at him and in a clear and not so harmless voice she uttered, "Yes, I would like to have an order."

"What kind of order would you like young lady?" The man still spoke politely.

He added, "We have difference kind of drinks here, we.... "

Aelia smile remain as she abruptly cut him, "No I would like to order something else...." Aelia paused, " I suppose a special kind of order," she added.

There was a slight change in his expression, however quickly returns back to the respectful bartender he was earlier and remains courteous and nodded, "Of course."

"Please, follow after me." He added and turn around to walked away.

Aelia heartbeat quickened, as she realised she'd undoubtedly succeed her first attempt in probing the guild.

Aelia stood up from her seat and abruptly paused as she stared at the man back with hesitation.

However, she still followed after him, while she pondered in her thoughts.

Something is definitely not right.

Was it this effortless to accept an orders from the mercenary guild?

Instantaneously, her mind started to calculate every possibility of her current predicament.

'What if he killed me the moment I entered inside?' Aelia thought to herself and instantly shook her head in denial.

'No, I should follow him first to know the consequences.'

Aelia saw the man abruptly halted at the stairs near the counter and then turned around and gazed intently at everyone for a moment and then instantly resumes his walk.

As Aelia walked through the steps, she pondered whether she'd done the right thing. However, she'd no choice.

What if everything in her dreams was just a dream?

No!

She's certain her dreams are real, therefore no matter what happens she shall find everything about the duke heir to grasp his situations and compel him to end the engagement.

"Please enter." Aelia heard the man uttered and realised they had unknowingly reached a room far from the bustling room.

As she entered inside, Aelia realised the room was completely difference from the bar. Its looks cold and spotless, without any single things except the table and chairs in the middle of the room.

While she was observing the room, all of a sudden the man took out a knife and press it to her neck which instantly terrified her.

"Who are you? How did you know about this guild?" the man suddenly hissed at her.

Aelia was about to say something, when all of a sudden the door of the room instantly unbolted.

"Release her." Aelia heard a man in a cold voice uttered.