When night came, the two of them found an inn.
Kenji talked to the innkeeper while Raven just stood a small distance away from them, scrutinizing the inn.
Her eyes widened as she caught sight of her own portrait. Subconsciously, she adjusted the scarf that covered the lower part of her face.
Her eyes remained fixed on that portrait.
Smooth lines and shades; the artist was so talented that the portrait looked exactly like her.
' If I actually look like this, then... " She touched her face. ' Haha I'm really pretty. I bet I'll have to buy the artist a jar of good wine when we meet.'
She let out a breath.
Her portraits were almost everywhere.
Her popularity as a dancer wasn't that high. But now that she was a murderer, she really thought her popularity was rather excessive.
When Kenji finished talking to the innkeeper, he turned, tossed the pouch in the air, and caught it.
He gave Raven a look and saw what she was looking at.
Her own portrait.
He stood beside her and gave it a good look.
" I didn't know I was this pretty."
Kenji glanced at her and then at the portrait.
" Don't flatter yourself."
" Ugh. Don't be jealous." She gave a pat to his shoulder.
" We can find the artist, tell him to make your portrait. Can that make you happy?"
Kenji brushed Raven's hand off his shoulder. He then brushed the strand of his hair off his face. " Please do that."
They were led to their respective rooms.
" Good night." Raven didn't look at Kenji.
Kenji glanced at her, " Don't sleep too tight to get caught by guards."
Raven gave him a frown and entered her room. After a small nod, Kenji entered his own.
The first thing he did was unwrap the bandages on his arms. His injuries were still raw despite being there for a long time. He hissed in pain as he removed the bloodstained cloth.
After applying the medicine, he started wrapping the wounds in new bandages.
A faint cracking sound came from the window. Cold air rushed in, softly stirring his hair. He stopped his movement. Slowly, he turned to the window, his eyes extremely calm but every muscle on his body ready to fight.
Someone actually crawled inside. He let out a sigh of relief as he recognized who it was.
The person dusted off his palms and walked over. He tossed a box at him. Without saying anything, he sat opposite him.
Kenji opened the box. There were a number of herbs there. He nodded in gratitude, closed it and gently pushed it to the side.
Kenji stared at the person. " Where is your 'friend' ?"
He meant Jaden.
Will smiled, " Busy. Things at the pavilion are pretty chaotic right now."
There was a moment of silence.
" I see you look worser than I remember ."
Will said walking to him. He slapped Kenji's hands off the bandages and helped him.
Will sat again.
" I still haven't found the cure." Will announced his eyes lingering on the bandages.
Kenji only nodded.
" Maybe it's in Huntherb village. "
Kenji gave him a look. " You actually want me to die."
Will seemed indifferent but his heart felt unbearable heavy. " You're already dying. You are going to die in a few days if you don't find the cure."
Kenji showed no expression. " Then let me die."
Will frowned. He raised his hand to slap Kenji's arm but instead gave him a gentle pat.
" You... I'm speechless. Can't you just explain the whole situation? "
" It is not that simple. They couldn't trust Raven. Am I the one they can trust?"
Will shook his head. He stood up.
" Fine. Then, I am going to find flowers to put on your coffin. "
Kenji nodded. " Find those that smell good."
Will looked at Kenji for a moment and then looked away with a smile- not-a-smile.
" How is her?"
He meant Raven.
" Go and ask her."
" Ahh... She is fine."
He reached for the window.
" Lance that guy... "
Will turned.
" There is someone else. Don't know him yet."
Kenji sighed.
Will shook his head and jumped out of the window.
The deaths of those villagers were still embedded in the deepest part of his memory. Melgold village was a great village. All of the villagers knew each other. The kids in the village liked playing around stealing mangoes from other people's trees and only to get hit when they were caught. He was usually the leader of such kids. And of course received a stricter punishment. But that didn't stop him from being the most troublesome.
And now he didn't even know what things were like in the village anymore.
Seven years was really a long time.
He stopped walking and stared in the sky for a long time.
The night was calm yet not quiet. Crickets chirping, owls howling, leaves rustling, it felt somehow comforting.
He slowly lowered his head, and walked home.
Jaden was waiting for him.
Will gave him a lazy look.
" Ha, you missed me? "
Jaden gave a frown. " Who misses what?"
" You are who..." Will pointed at him.
He then pointed to himself. " I am what."
He laughed at his own joke.
Jaden didn't smile.
" Lance has been here."
Will's smile disappeared. " What did he want?"
" You."
Will gave a sigh. He covered his mouth with the back of his hand as he yawned.
" I'm going to sleep."
Jaden stepped aside. Will patted his shoulder before slouching away.