The Accident

Hayden paused for a moment and laughed at the sight of Hunter opened mouth. With a smile he continued his narration.

"The reason for the different cases of bids is because when the witch is found guilty before the council of elders presided by the Queen, the value of her spouse spikes up and thus is offered to the highest bidder. If the spouse is found guilty, he would be sold to the lowest bidder cause his value has fallen down. And just so you know the former rarely happens. The witches and Vampires loves having humans as their spouse and slaves respectively. And getting married to witches is one of the greatest political pull. Though it's a taboo to hunt a witch or enslave one, but it doesn't mean you can't do it". He finished with a hidden glint in his eyes.

"Slavery is practiced in this continent?" A surprised Hunter asked.

"Yeah, and it's very common. Though not all races have slaves, some abhorr the idea, and some uses other races as their slaves, and not their kind but the worst of all is ...."

"Humans" Hunter interjected smoothly.

Hayden concurred with a slow nod.

"Masters" A butler in white and black outfit, stood by the side as both twins passed.

"Alfred" they both said, to which he nodded and kept on moving. For a second, they stared at each other and said the word jinx before laughing out loud.

"He walks just like Batman" Hayden whispered.

"Sorry what did you say ?". Hunter looked at him warily. 'He said Batman, didn't he ?'.

"why so serious bro, I said like the bat-men, that's the vampires when they transform". he said with a hearty laugh.

"Oh" Hunter replied absentmindedly.

"It seems you still remember Alfred then ?" He asked Hunter.

"No, I just know of one Alfred before " Hunter said nostalgic. This didn't escape Hayden perception as he simply nodded his head while they moved on.

"Now for us Elementals, we have lots of kingdoms. The powerful ones, the medium ones and the average ones. Kingdoms are graded on their military force, economic status and political power within the continent. For us, the Ruby Empire, we are one of the medium ones. A good economic status, a promising military but a low political pull. Like I said earlier, our father is a Count, Count Campbell and our mother Countess Alicia Campbell. We own this mansion, and some estates here and there. And yes, we are a new generation nobles, so our properties aren't that large like other old noble counts".

"So where are they now, I mean our parents ?" Hunter asked as they got closer to a large oak polished door with two brozen handles. Hayden walked up to the front and pushed the left door open. Hunter wheeled himself in. What greeted his sight were large rows of shelves with different colours of books. In the midst of some of the shelves were rows of stairs leading upwards to another floor, presumably filled with more books.

Small cubicles existed besides each shelves, a seat per person, enclosed within a glass unit. There were hanging chandeliers around the first floor giving ample lightining for the readers and large windows by the sides with a clear view of the meadows across the estate.

"There are three floors. Three floors of knowledge my friend, all for you to consume. I hope you are a voracious reader or maybe an Oliver Twist as the case maybe". Hayden smiled as he gripped Hunter shoulder playfully, not exerting a painful pressure. "Amelia said you love spending time reading, that's why you rarely play with her".

Hunter looked at his brother for a second as doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Amelia said so ? Sorry, but isn't that something you should know since like ....."

A look of realisation flashed through his face as Hayden smiled slightly at Hunter facial expressions changing.

"You get it now don't you ?" He asked.

"Yeah" Hunter responded softly.

"How long ?"He continued.

Hayden paused for a moment, sinking into deep thoughts for some few seconds.

"Six months ago" He said. With a personal affirmation nod, he continued.

"Yeah, six months ago. We were all involved in an accident. The Two of us sustained the most grievous injuries. According to the healers reports we were both brain dead. Vegetables that were still alive, hanging by the thread of life because our mana core was still pulsating with life. Amelia and Ophelia were lucky, they experienced no harm while our parents suffered some injuries while fending off the attackers, you see it was an ambush. Six months ago, I woke up from my deep slumber, alive and well. The healers all said it was a miracle and I was more lucky than you since, no one of my body parts were affected apart from my memory. You did so three days ago and you were brought home in a wheel chair, upon waking up we found out you havelost your legs"

"And that made me to fall into coma again right " Hunter asked in a split second.

"Yes, the shock was too great for you to bear. But then here you are all hearty and fine just like before, apart from the legs". Hayden beamed with a smile. A sincere smile that showed he was glad I was alive and well, even if I had no legs.

"Masters".

The door opened slightly as a grey haired old man in a neat and well ironed suit interrupted them and walked in slightly. With a brief bow, he looked up and said.

"Sir, its time for your training".

"Thank you Alfred".

Hayden acknowledged his reminder and focused his attention to his twin

"But like you know, I lost my memories too, but I'm slowly recovering it back by taking my dedicated medications, I mean potions".

"Alright. So how about our parents, where are they now ?".

For a moment there was silence as Hayden stared into the eyes of Hunter as his jovial face gradually turned into that of one lost in his thoughts. With a look of sadness he spoke slowly to Hunter.

"They are paying their debts to the witches, and the people who tried to kill us are still out there".