The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 224: Plans in motion (2)

Chapter 224: Plans in motion (2)

"Do you think that boy will succeed?"

Quid asked as he sipped his tea. The aroma of freshly foraged forest fruits wafted from the cup, calming his nerves.

Sterling sat opposite him, sifting through letters and documents. Quid didn’t envy his cousin.

The title of heir might have a nice ring to it but it came with burden and shackles. Quid preferred his freedom and carefree life above titles and status.

"No," Sterling replied without looking up or stopping to read. "But I do believe he is the only shot we have."

Quid didn’t understand why his cousin believed in the black-haired boy from the mountains. He stopped doubting his younger cousin a few years ago. Sterling proved his genius and business intelligence over the years. He outsmarted many rivals and profited from avenues others considered without prospect.

"Did you hear anything from Ella? She hasn’t contacted me or anyone else since arriving at the ruin." His frown revealed his dislike for the beautiful girl. Her support among the members of the Merchant Council was only second to Sterling’s.

"She kept quiet. I am sure she has her reasons," Sterling replied, handing a letter over to Quid.

Dear sir,

Per your order, we tracked Miss Ella for days. She snuck out of the camp and used the River Serpents to reach the southern banks just outside Notresol.

We haven’t been able to deduce the identities of her followers but the team isn’t large. They packed quite a bit of equipment and tools on the ship though.

We await further instructions on how to proceed.

Quid looked up with a rarely seen solemn expression on his face.

"So, it’s time to wrap things up here?"

Sterling gazed out of the window. "It’s time, yes."

...

"Ahoi!"

"Right this way!"

Elron waved full enthusiasm at the ship sailing up north. The blank sails and lack of flags were agreed signs that it belonged to his partners.

Hidden in the tall grass he waited for their arrival for some time.

Either his voice reached the ship or the person in the nest saw him jump up and down. Elron didn’t care which it was. What mattered was that the ship adjusted its course and moved toward him.

The ship reached him and a few people jumped down. Ella nodded at the Refined Knight and walked behind him. Soon, more people followed.

The last person to jump down was quite beefy and wore a white tunic with a gold-colored rope around his middle.

"Ah. The Stellar Shield. I heard your name and envied your fame. A pleasure to meet you," Elron said jovially, welcoming the Templar with an exaggerated hug.

"I am just a humble servant of the Lord. Your contribution in bringing a new dawn is greater than mine, Sir Elron."

The Templar spoke with a steady and calm voice. He didn’t hug Elron. Instead, he bowed slightly with clasped hands.

"Should we start?" Ella interjected.

"We should," Elron replied, turning his attention to the massive boxes being lowered by Ella’s crew.

...

Hex returned to the infirmary just as Elena started to stir. Using his senses he determined that no one visited or was near the place.

A combination of the bear-handed sword technique and Hex’s experience in scavenging in absolute darkness helped him. He got Elena back in her clothes without even looking. He wanted to. But growing up in a Temple filled his head with moral nonsense.

"Elena?" Hex tapped the girl gently on her arm.

The girl stretched and turned, yawning cutely. Hex called again. She rubbed her eyes and sat up.

It took a few seconds before reality struck here. She dropped her hands and looked panic-stricken around.

Hex saw her check the room and when she realized she wasn’t in hers, she checked her clothes. Seeing her clothes in disarray, she looked at Hex with watery eyes.

"Hey miss," Hex said, doing his best to sound soothing. "You just fell asleep and I placed you on the bed. There is nothing to worry about."

"Really?" Elena asked, looking at him with a hopeful gaze.

"Really. Off you run now and we will see each other tonight."

Elena nodded but then realized something. "I might not be able to come. Father doesn’t allow me to wander outside on a few nights."

"Okay," Hex said, "in that case tomorrow. Don’t worry about me."

Elena bit her lip as if she wished to say something but stopped herself at the last moment. She got out of bed and greeted Hex.

Hex watched her back, sympathizing with her. Everyone manipulated the girl over the years, even him. Once again he wondered whether all this was worth a dream.

’She is a nice girl. Even in this dark and gloomy place, she remained innocent and naive. I don’t like taking advantage of her.’

Hex sat on the bed, thinking about all he observed and learned.

’If I leave things as they are, she will suffer even more. A girl like her should dance in the fields and lay between flowers. I hope my following actions will give her that.’

He spent the rest of the time in bed. He received a last visit from Miss Rosa who was alone. She inspected him and informed him about his departure the next morning. She didn’t talk much in the absence of Elena. It was evident she had nothing to say to a Vice Captain of a logistics team.

Hex waited for her to leave when he snuck out and reached the building with the prisoners. The guards thinned considerably around this place.

He didn’t sense the warden in. Only his two helpers stood inside. They weren’t even paying attention.

Using the cover of darkness, Hex snuck past them and rushed to the cell with the Vice-Captain inside. The man looked haggard. He looked weakly at Hex. Seeing his own face on someone else disturbed him.

"Who are you?"

He grunted and broke in a fit of coughs. Blood spilled from the corners of his mouth.

"I am you."

Hex walked up to the man and knocked him out. He picked him up and placed the Vice-Captain in a different block.

He reverted back to his old self and lay on the floor. Now, he waited.