Madam Rose!
"Hey, do you want to eat something?" Zed whispered to Joker…
"What do you think?"
"How would I know?!.... If a card can talk, it could probably eat too…..."
"Nah!... I don't eat your basic human food! I get recharged with magic!"
"I don't know any kind of magic. You have to starve for some days…. I'll learn some magic; once we find the manual."
"It's ok, I know you love me! But I'm not gonna die!" Joker said jokingly.
"W-Who said I loved you?! Oohh... I'm getting goosebumps!.." Zed shivered.
Zed ate his breakfast and set on his journey again to search for Eros...
-- --
"Hey, I think someone is following us…" Mr. Joker got alarmed.
Zed replied, "How can you tell, do you have eyes on your back?",
"No! I'm serious! I can sense it with my magic."
"Huh… for real, though! Ughh…. Let's hurry and mix in the crowd."
"Hurry! He's going to catch up soon."
Zed blends in with the crowd quickly; so that he could escape from the stalker. He then tried to observe the stalker's moves. The stalker was nowhere to be seen….
(I think he is gone…)
Zed said to Mr. Joker, "Let's get going. I think he is no longer following us."
"Yep! Let's get going…"
"But, GO where?!!" Zed exclaimed.
"Umm…. I think we should first try to find some trails of your dad's friend who gave him this box."
"Yes, let's go to the Knights' ground for Sir Eros! Uh!.. But before that let me take a bath and change into something representable first…."
"I'm fine with anything. But we should hurry and set out for his search before it gets dark."
"Okay... Let's find a cheap place to stay first because I don't have enough money with me."
-- --
Zed found an inn to stay in. He then took a bath and wore clean clothes, which he bought from the market. After that, he kept some money and Mr. Joker in his pocket and went downstairs. He reached the ground floor of the inn.…
"I'm feeling hungry after all that running…. Let me grab something to eat from here."
Joker replied, "Are you really a kid? You eat more than an adult would eat!"
"Hey, zip it! You piece of paper! I'm in the stage of my growth! I need to eat more, otherwise, I'll be a shortie for the rest of my life…"
"Huh! Who are you calling a piece of paper?!!" Joker shouted.
"You are!"
"Oh, come on! I'm not just an ordinary piece of paper! I can do magic!"
"Well, all you know is some basic magic tricks!"
"That's better than you! You don't know any survival skills."
"Ughh!….. Fine! Just, ZIP IT!"
*Sigh...*
(Let's grab some bread and set out otherwise he won't stop bickering….)
Zed went out on the streets; in the search for the Knights' ground…...
-- --
"Sir, do you know where the Knights' ground is located?" Zed asked a passerby on the street.
"Yes, there's only a Knights' ground here. You just have to turn left from here and then turn right and walk straight and then again take a left; walk for a few minutes and you will reach your destination."
"Thank you for your precious time; Sir!"
"HAHAHAHA…. That was not a big deal!"
Zed followed the path instructed by the passerby and reached the Knights' ground.
*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLASH*
(Woahh...)
The knights were practicing sword fighting… When he saw the sword fighting; his eyes became bright and were beaming with joy. After that his mind was filled with the memories of his father, his mind flashed back to the days; when he used to get lessons of sword fighting from his father. He can feel a throbbing pain deep inside his heart; but he didn't waver from his goal, he didn't forget that he wanted to 'Revive his Parents'. He went inside the Knights' ground and sat on a bench. He looked around for Sir Eros but he couldn't find him….
-- --
After their practice, one knight approached him... Zed saw him approaching, so he stood up.
"Are you here for someone?" the knight asked.
"Umm... I was looking for Sir Eros but I think he is not present here right now…." he replied.
"Ohh… if you are looking for Sir Eros; you are at the wrong destination…."
"What?! But he is a knight, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is, but you'll find him in the capital. He only comes here sometimes to supervise the things…."
"Eh-… do you know how much time will it take for me to reach the capital ??"
"It depends on your mode of transportation... If you are going in a carriage; you will most probably reach within 7 days. If you have a horse, then it'll take less time and you'll reach within 6 days and if you are going by walk, it'll take around 10 days or more... I'll suggest that you join a mercenary group on your way to the capital because you'll have to pass through the jungle and it is full of dangers."
"Ohh.. I see. Thanks for the information Sir knight! Have a good day!"
Zed departed from the Knights' ground and was going back to the inn where he kept his belongings.
"Hey, I'm going to take a power nap. Don't you dare fool around when I'm not awake!" Joker exclaimed.
"Power nap?! Why do you need a power nap?!" Zed was bewildered.
"Because there is no energy left in me. I have to recover my energy either by magic or by sleeping."
"For how long are you going to take a nap?"
" The duration of my nap depends on the amount of magic I use."
"Sigh… Okay, then you should take a rest."
-- --
It was getting dark… Zed was walking on a silent street... Suddenly, a hand came from the back and covered his mouth, and dragged him into the alley…
"Ummm... Ummm…." Zed was struggling… that person quickly poured some chloroform on his handkerchief and covered Zed's nose with that it. Zed inhaled some chloroform and lost his consciousness.
The kidnapper took him to a dungeon inside the city grounds.
-- --
"Madam Rose, this is the finest product I found today.", the kidnapper said to a lady.
The lady replied, "Well done Henrich!... Give him 50 gold coins..."
A servant of the lady; gave Henrich 50 gold coins….
"Thank you, Madam!". He bowed down and thanked her.
"You can go now!" she ordered.
-- --
Madam Rose gave her demonic laughter and said sarcastically, "HAHAHAHA…. This beauty for 50 gold coins?!!!. HAHAHAHA…... I think he is the finest product we've ever had. We are going to make a fortune out of him!"
-- --
[What is the purpose of Madam Rose??...]