The sun settled in the horizon as its ray of light touches the ground – a flock of birds landed at the rooftop of the building, squawking. Just, as usual, looking down at the casual scenery at the ground, Ken leans his back against the wall. The entirety of his body is hurting, his eyes narrowed as the ray of light from the sun-centered to his vision.

He decided to close the curtain, deciding to go back in slumber, but his mind wouldn’t let him, his conscience is bugging him. He knows that going outside with an important asset who is Sherry, is a compromising thing to do, yet he still did it and now they’re messed up.

His stomach and his arm are wrapped in white cloth, bruises and few cuts and stitches were on his neck. When he heard the tilting doorknob, he turns his back against it facing his face to the wall.

Linda, bringing a tray, soup, and water with medicines accidentally slams the door inward. The smell lingers in the air, reaching the nose of the young man, his stomach began to growl. She noticed the man pretending to be asleep “You know you, moping around isn’t gonna help. You need to eat something.”

“I’m not moping.” Ken tiredly said. Linda raised her brow as she sat down.

“Then what do you call all of that… pretending to be…?”

“I’m not pretending. I’m resting. Those guys beat the crap out of me.”

“If you weren’t such a brat then it wouldn’t go down like this,” She sighed “There’s no use of blaming right now. Look, all I asked is for you to recover just please, eat something, while I and Tim will go out and find out something about these guys.”

Ɵ

The sharp wind touching his wound makes it much worse than he could even imagine, still, his eyes don’t seem to care at all. His wound is not gonna heal soon, as he could tell the non-stop bleeding on his forearm, the lashes on his torso. The only light that provides his cold sight is the cracks of bricks at his back, proving the strong ray of light means it is a day.

How many days have passed since he got here, three, seven, two whole weeks perhaps? He couldn’t recall, as the only thing that keeps revolving in his mind is when he’s going to escape. No matter simulation he does, none would’ve worked, he has no way untying the chains without breaking a part of his arms or his legs, and even if he does, he might face up against the whole gang waiting outside, he will be in a disadvantage.

He was unsure when his team would be able to daringly save him, but it is unlikely that anytime soon they will be found him, he will consider himself lucky if they would be still saved him at the right time, but those scenarios are currently impossible to happen. Judging by the exterior of this place, the enemy made sure that they’re in an isolated place, suggesting that people couldn’t easily reach for communication, particularly mobile connections, but there’s one thing that might use to communicate, a walky-talky for it uses radio-wave that doesn’t require such satellite, it only needed an antenna to send a voice message. Still, it would be hard to reach on them as they don’t use this kind of technology.

The door, creakingly open, what lies behind is an astonishing individual that could be considering rarely to see, an elf. Elf is one of the rarest creatures that could be hardly seen in the woods, as they close the window of their kingdom to the world of humans, hidden in the woods. He bet that she is much older than what beauty could be seen.

Considering her clothes, he already knew why she’s here, a slave for sale. She wears such ragged clothes, that it could only hide its precious parts. She brought a beaker that is inside is water and a towel hanging on her shoulder, with the bandages hold by her fellow slaves.

“I thought elves were not supposed to stray out in the forest.”

The elf didn’t reply, her face shows no indication of any kind of emotion, nothing at all.

“Not talkative, eh?” said Al, "Hm. Let me guess. You were captured astray from your home or there's some cunning man bested out of you?"

Still, no response but only the pulping wet cloth met his wounds, and the dirt cleansed off. The other slaves began to put bandages. He flinched as the wounds sting caused by the covering of wound.

"You mind being careful?" said Alastor. Just like her, the boy didn't respond. Suggesting their attitude there's no way he could be sure that they will help him. He didn't realize the reason behind the callous act, until now. He observed their faces, no trace of hope nor any kind of volition to fight back, their soulless eyes tell it all. Still, he hasn't lost hope yet. "If you release me from these chains, I will help you and free the other slaves."

"It's no use. The Hoarder would kill them if we ran out." The boy said pulling a stool then step on top of it to reach and clean his face.

"I promise you; I will save them."

"No point of struggling young man." Finally, the elf responds.

"I hate to break it to you but, I'm a mercenary, I can help you even without paying me. Free of charge.”

"You have no idea who are you dealing with."

"A band of cock head?"

"You may jest but sooner or later you won't be seeing the daylight anymore."

When the elf and the other slaves finish doing their job, they began to depart reaching the wooden door. "What do you mean by that?" Al asked. The elf-shot him with a blank look. "What will they do to me?"

There's no response as the guard called them out.

"Bloody hell."

Ɵ

On a hill, staring afar bottom where a small village settles, Lance stops from trekking, gasping for air. Overlooking at the village a few miles away from Kayon City, five people came out from the semi-trailer truck, parked in front of the inn, they go in the back unlocking it. They joked and laugh then heaved the boxes, carrying it inside the inn.

Though the village would be considered small – the way houses spread would be considered likewise to be considered as a big one, it was more like a clustered disconsolate shack where houses spread out away from the muddy square where the last time, he alone went, it was a dusty and annoying place.

Now, the highway is much more unlikely desirable to travel as the rain causes it to become muddy. Even though the rain already halts, its wind had not eased, a fierce, bone-chilling wind had blown to his face.

He heard the shivering Gary sneezes, wrapped himself with his maroon scarf and sneezes. His squared shoulders tightened as another chilling blow of wind-blasted washing on their faces. Ina, on the other hand, is unaffected, she is somewhat amused by the change of their attires because normally Lance wouldn't allow it to not wear their proud uniforms as a member of the Canary.

She gazes at his back, wearing an unbuttoned black jacket, with brown pants and black boots, "So, what could the KelbyHives doing in this place?" She asked.

Likewise, his tireless eyes unfazed, "If the Hoarder is correct, this is where the KelbyHives hide temporarily their shipment and then spread out across the region.

"Dude, do you think this is a good idea to go operate without the mayor's permission. I mean he's going to kill us if he knows about this." Gary said.

Lance took a deep breath. Unknown to Gary, Lance already told the mayor about their knowledge of KelbyHives' illegal activities, instead, he reprimands, reasoning that the reason KelbyHives has a base on that village is that they also transport goods, obviously that's a lie. Why would a multi-billionaire like Theo waste his time on trivial business? There must be something up to this place. The mayor even crosses more said that they shouldn't meddle with it, that we should rest assured that everything is fine, adding that Theo provides military strength to the city. To hell with that pig, corrupted by Theo's sweet talks. The officials are corrupted, even the citizens didn't realize what's going on in the city anymore.

"The city is rotten at its core. We must act on our own with or without their assist. After all, they're not our superiors. So, there's no need to worry about it." Said Lance through his gritted teeth.

Gary sighed, "I hope you are right."

They looked up the sky and for a second there was a drop, a small raindrop wet Lance faces then there came another until it falls hard onto the field.

It was into this pub they came, escaping the biting and cold wind as they heaved shutting close the door. Inside the pub, the smell of ale seemed to hang in the air like mist. Bloody drunk bastards on the far corner arguing but to them it's all rubbish and insensible to think.

Other people mind their own business, hunches over their tankards, some talking in low voices whiling the cold evening away with whispers and gossips. Others were in groups where they played cards, rattling the dices with cups, or laughing and joking.

They banged their tankards demanding for more ale, the barmaid came out of the room bringing more bottles of ale, serving them. Lance's eyes lay to the far corner where he heard the arguing and already know who they are as he familiarizes their faces.

All were minding their own business until they were bug by Gary who is stomping on the ground trying to get rid of the mud in his boots. The loud chatter in the pub suddenly hushed turning into a low murmur. Ina shot him a look.

"What?" he asked. Since they’re on an undercover mission, the best way to maintain their identity secret is to not attract any kind of attention and Gary just blew it.

He brushed his brown hair plastered caused by the rain. The entire gang looked wet, but the men's eyes didn't stare at Gary long enough as they saw the redheaded Ina. They moved across the room, their boots clicking on the woods. A man whistled, but Ina didn't mind it. She must have realized right now that even if Gary didn't do that, she will somehow attract attention specifically to men. Her hand reflexively shoves the hand of a man aiming to touch her buttocks.

Considering that some men are pervert, her eyes carefully observed around the pub, letting them know that she's not intimidated by the surrounding. Some lick their lips; others didn't bother anymore to study the woman, though some watchful eyes still want to regard her, amused by her bewitching beauty.

She took all of it in then continues to move on the counter where people make way to then as they sat at the wooden stool, arms rested on the serving board. The barmaid goes to the counter, her lips pursed; her hands reflexively went to her hips, her chest wiggled as she looks at Lance. Ina's brows arched.

"Good evening." She greeted, "What can I do for you?"

"You have anything warm for us to eat?"

"Lucky you, there is, we already started to cook, though it would take some time to prepare."

"We can wait. Could you get me some ale?"

"Me too," Ina added. Lance looked at her, she nodded, her eyes telling her that she wouldn't drink too much. Gary sneezes for the second time.

It took three minutes when the barmaid returns with soup and a lump of fried meat sizzling hot with its chili toppings. The three started to eat. Ina was enjoying the moment of silence of eating when a man shoves the guy sits beside her, "Good evening mam. I believe you're not here as a tourist, do you? Well, if you're then I assure you would find yourself carved in my heart." his breath stinks of ale. Ina didn't mind the man sits at her right.

"I see." Ina's voice was steely.

"May I know your name?" He asked again.

She didn't respond this time. "Did my charm bested you that even a single word won't come out caused by an uncontrollable throbbing heart?"

"No." she coldly said.

"C'mon. I'm sure it caught your heart” he said. "Look, you have to consider it. I'm handsome; you’re beautiful, think of the possibilities."

Finally, she looks at him and smiled. In his eyes, those were a smile of an angel not until she said, "I have a hand, you have a face, think of the possibilities." Hearing those, he couldn't help but frown, "You must consider it."

Gary almost choked, bursting to laugh helped by Lance making him drink the ale and for a moment he nearly pukes it but stopped regaining his breath. The men behind laugh harder, she can hear them saying that his pick-up lines are off the charts for the redheaded gal. He was oblivious at the surrounding not knowing the shift of atmosphere as a man step and sitting alongside him, it seems that it's his boss, "I'm very sorry if this guy interrupts your evening." The man who's bugging received a hard slap. He falls asleep. His men laugh louder.

Lance looks at them, seeing the familiar face of the man. He hit Ina's knee with his leg. She saw it and Lance shot her a look. She knew what it means.

"It's alright. I'm kind of used to it. He's drunk, so I forgive him for forgetting his manners."

"This bloody bastard is hitting' every woman he bumped into. I'm glad you didn't let yourself got into the world of trouble."

"Yeah, that’s right."

"So, what business you guys have here? I saw it the first time you enter here that you're not from here. Are you a traveler perhaps?"

"Well, yes."

Lance added, "We're actually come from a far place and kinda want to be independent of our parents. So, we aim to find a job at Kayon City."

"Really? What are you guys good at?"

"Well, I and this girl are exceptionally good at computers and this guy knows auto-mechanics."

"Oh, I see. But I'm afraid you guys might be having a hard time finding a job."

"Why is that?"

"Companies or any other work you can think of have low demands on having employees.

"Is that so?"

"Crap. Then how the hell we would be able to make some money? I mean we can't go back, now that we spend most of our money." Gary murmured.

The man fell in silence, thinking and took a deep breath - his mind telling him that he might regret this decision.

"Well, I know other jobs. I can recommend you if you want. This job is not normal like the others."

"And I supposed this is illegal?" Gary said.

"No, no. This is completely legal. It's safe. Just don't tell others about our job. It's quite confidential."

"Well, if that's the case then we're in," Ina said.

"Alright, by the way, my name is Port."