The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 270: Red Hare Castle (2)

Chapter 270: Red Hare Castle (2)

The moment Hex stepped through the gates, the word seemed to have changed.

Where the outside seemed desolate and depressing, color and cheers filled the castle ground. Right from the gates, two rows of stalls lined up. The sound of people shouting, cheering, and haggling, all mixed in the air. Hex could hear music being played in the hubbub.

Their arrival drew some attention. People studied them, perhaps to determine where they came from. And more important than that, what they brought with them. Hex believed this based on observation. Almost everyone studied their sacks, satchels, and bags more than they looked at their faces. Even beauties like Dollaires and Rublena drew less attention than the mare carrying a few bags and boxes.

As Hex moved through the crowd his enhanced olfactory senses faced the assault of a mix of different odors. The smell of sweat, roasted meat, and spices was a bit too much. Even for someone like him who lived years in cold and clammy places with rotting cadavers.

He diverted his mind by inspecting the goods displayed in the stalls. The first few stalls offered fruits, vegetables, and meat. Then came the stalls offering clothes and wear. Followed by the stalls with weapons and tools. Through the gaps in the stalls, he saw small corals. There were different ones for sheep, goats, and dune horses. One offered for exotic animals. He heard shouts offering Sandsnares, Dessert Eaglets, and Quagmire Worms.

The stall owners tried to entice their group. Their large group was a perfect target for their sales pitch. But they never stopped them or obstructed their path.

"Please, this Lord needs to rest before his people do business here."

Bashar shouted at the stall owners. Hex believed he amplified his voice with some technique as it rang loud and clear in the busy market.

As soon as his voice fell, the crowd fell silent. They hurried to the sides. Hex also saw the stall owners bow and retreat without lifting their heads. He started to understand what Sterling meant when he said the people of Edune adhered strictly to their culture.

They respected his identity as Lord. His name, character, and appearance didn’t matter to these people. He could be dark as the night or pale as the snow, he could be a saint or a crazy killer. None of it would matter, it seemed. He was a Lord. That’s all that mattered.

"Sorry, Lord. But I had to do it so we could reach the Chambers of Rejunivation as soon as possible. Plus, the servants should have heard me too. They will notify the Groundkeeper. He will ensure you receive the best service. Else it might hurt the reputation of the Castle Lord."

Hex nodded. He didn’t mind either way. The castle was large but not so much that he would tire from walking through the crowd for some time.

"It doesn’t go with the image of a Lord. No Lord mingles with regulars," he heard Sterling whisper from behind.

’It’s tiring.’ Hex nodded but he almost sighed too. He missed being the cursed child. He knew how to deal with people cursing him. Now he had to consider his image. What the fuck.

With the crowd parted, they reached the inner keep in less than a minute.

’I saved...one minute. One fucking minute.’ He wanted to roll his eyes and make a face at the crowd around him but he held it in.

The inner keep was circular and a short stair higher than the plaza. Instead of loose sand, he stepped on hardened sand tiles. The tiles were a darker shade of red with the figure of hares engraved in them.

"Welcome to the Castle. It’s been a while since another Lord paid a visit. I am Nashar Baaz, the Groundkeeper. How could I be of service, Lord?"

’This man is close to reaching the Refined Stage.’ Hex sensed the man’s energy. He looked straight into the man’s eyes and didn’t reply. His face was devoid of emotions. He lacked experience being a member of the high society, so he copied the baron.

Nashar’s smile wavered. His eyes darted from Hex to Bashar and then to Sterling. His demeanor seemed to beg for a reply.

"Ahum." After letting the man sweat for a short period, Sterling scraped his throat and stepped forward. Nashar’s smile broadened again as he looked at Sterling. "We require lodging for the Lord and our people. Give us ten of your best rooms. Others will have to do with the common rooms."

"Ten?" Hex noticed Nashar glance at him but he didn’t move. Hex had an idea why he looked at him. He wondered how many Lords allowed their servants in rooms as good as theirs. Probably none. None Nashar had met, at the very least.

"Sure," Nashar continued. His smile broadened even more. "The rooms at the Hare are a two gold coin per night. You can pay another two for all the common rooms together."

’Gold coin?’ Hex wondered whether Edune’s coins were the same as the coins they used. Probably not. If a room only cost one coin, the people in Asterella could just immigrate to Edune. Or...were the people in Edune just too poor? Nah, it was known as the land of merchants. There was no way it would be poor.

"We lack gold coins at the moment," Sterling continued. "Would it be possible to pay for our lodging with crystals?"

"Of course," Nashar said. His smile touched his ears almost. He preferred crystals it seemed. "That would be four crystals."

’Four?’ Hex peered toward Sterling. ’What grade though?’

Hex didn’t what he expected but when he saw Sterling pull four Disaster crystals from his pouch, he nearly lost his composure.

"Here you go."

Sterling tossed the crystals. Hex stood still but his eyes followed the arch the crystals traveled to reach the Groundkeeper. He gulped. ’What the fuck is this place?’

Nashar barked orders at a few servants standing at the stairs. They led the others to the common room. He would lead Hex and the others to their rooms.

"Oh. Before I forget. My Lord invited you and your trusted aid to dinner."

"It would be our honor," Sterling replied on behalf of them. Nashar beamed.

"Please forgive me, but can I get the Lord’s name? I am sure my Lord would love to speak with him using his proper name."

"Sure," Sterling said. Hex looked at him, signaling him to call and give a proper name and title. Sterling might have missed his signal.

"My Lord is called the Fateless. Fateless Hex."

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