Elias shakes his head at me and walks forward to inspect the would be assassin.
His face grimaces as he looks at what I've done to him and I feel my shame burn as he realizes I'm no man, but a beast in human form.
I'm startled when his claps my shoulder.
"Kelric, you just saved my life. You're definitely my best friend now."
"I didn't know we were even friends yet."
Elias laughs loudly, despite the groaning man in front of us.
Kathlyns reaction was more appropriate and she shuddered when she looked from me to the assassin.
Marinah is the greatest surprise as she just rushes up to me, almost stumbling over her extravagant dress.
She reached her hands up to hold my face and turns me from side to side, inspecting it.
Then she pulls my hand up and her eyes go wide at my bloody thumbs.
Or at least that's what I thought at first. She turns to Elias and snaps at him.
"Stop being an idiot and fetch me a bandage, Kelric's hurt because of you jackass!"
Elias looks a little downcast and doesn't resist her order as he sprints away.
Marinah is still holding my hand and I wonder why she's making such a big deal out of a small wound.
"Marinah, I'm fine. You don't have-"
I could've dodged her hand, but I didn't want to injure her. Her fingers grab towards my face and pinch my lips shut.
She turned her eyes up to meet mine and the commanding passion in them makes my heart thunder.
She yanks her hand back like a snake when Kathlyn's voice drifts over.
"You're pretty bold Marinah…"
She was a stuttering mess as she tried to respond.
"I- no! It's just that- arrggh! Shut up Kat!"
Standing so close to Marinah as her face's reddens does something to me. I use all my willpower to shake my meaningless desires clear from my head.
Elias returns a short while later with a retinue of staff and a few soldiers.
Marinah patches my hand and the soldiers take away the assassin as the staff excessively apologizes.
We apparently are all honored guests now and can dine for free. This was a very good trade in my opinion, I only had to get stabbed once for delicious free food.
When we leave and part with the girls, I can't help myself from staring at Marinah as she walks away.
"Ooooo someone's in-"
I punch his gut before he finishes the words that have been stirring inside me.
'I do not have the luxury to afford spending my attention on this. I can't crush the Empire with such a soft heart.'
I sigh and turn to leave.
"All right, I'll see you at the exam tomorrow."
Elias grabs onto me and takes a moment to speak. I might've hit him too hard.
"You should just come with me… I'm sure my accommodations are nicer than whatever inn you're staying in. It's the least I could do to repay you."
His words make me realize something important. I've just gained a debt of gratitude with a noble. I'm another step closer to my goal now.
"Okay, let's go."
Elias was stunned at my readiness to accept his offer.
"Oh, alright then. Follow me."
Then sun had dipped below the city walls now and the street lamps pulsed a soft glow, lighting our path.
Elias looks like he's chewing on something and his face is serious as he speaks to me.
"Kelric, what you did today was impressive and honorable. From today onwards you have earned my everlasting gratitude, I say this on my name as Elias Hayford."
All I could do was nod solemnly at his declaration.
I'm not so sure I agree about the part of what I did being honorable, but his words are a confirmation of my small success in making connections.
We round a corner of the residential district we were walking through and I see the houses become larger and larger.
Elais walks up to one of the biggest ones and turns towards me.
"Come on in brother and let me thank you once more."
"When did we become brothers?"
Elais laughs loudly.
"Just now!"
The interior of the home is something that I can't comprehend. Everything is too pristine and shiny. A butler greets Elias at the door and gives me a decidedly disapproving look.
"We have a guest..?"
"Yeah, this is Kelric. Treat him as you would me, he saved my life half an hour ago from an assassin."
The butlers attitude changed towards me instantly.
"Very well. Master Kelric, please allow me to take your jacket."
His change in opinion creeps me out a little and his eyes go wide as he see my arms.
His eyes snap back up to my face and he stared at me for a long time.
I'm shocked when he mouths a word at me.
"Champion?"
My face apparently gives away the answer and he nods.
Elias doesn't notice our exchange and walks deep into the house, disappearing.
I turn to look at the butler again, he was currently using a knife to delicately scrape the blood of my jacket.
"How do you know who I am?"
He takes a minute to respond as he slowly works.
"The young masters father sends me on various 'missions'. One of them happened to be in Kalabar ohh.. perhaps a year ago.
After completing my assignment, I thought it would be nice to see what those wretched people classify as entertainment. I attended an arena match, since it was the talk of the city at the time.
The champion was to take on two abyss panthers at once. Imagine my surprise when the so called champion was no older than a mere boy. I was even more surprised when he won. I still remember how fanatical the crowd was when they shouted your name, Kelric Bladebane."
His story makes my hand involuntarily move my hand to my chest. That fight had almost cost me my life.
"I see.." was the only response I could muster.
The butler turns toward me now.
"You should go find the young master, it's not good to leave him alone for too long."
I nod and start walking towards the door Elias slipped through, before I enter I call out to the butler one last time.
"Who is Elias? Rather.. who's his father, I know he's a noble but I don't know what rank."
The butler look's bewildered that I don't know.
"Young master Elias is the son of Simon Hayford, Duke of Blackgulch."
My mouth drops open in shock and every time I've hit Elias today flashes through my mind. I could be strung up by a noose for such an offense.