Chapter 5: The Wanted And The Admired

“I will send you with a small squadron of the most talented men I have. You will lead them to find this X. I do not care how he is brought back. I only care that his body and his Transcending Ice Crystal blade reaches this estate.  Among the men that I have gathered, all are very exceptional. Any incompetence exhibited is certain death. Except for you, Israel. You will have a slow excruciating death for even you soul will be sent to hell in pieces! I will not repeat myself.” Lord Henderson looked at Israel as if he was already dead. The malice that lived in his eyes was that of a devil!

“YOU COME HERE!” Lord Henderson’s voice boomed as he pointed to one his retainers, Jeramy. The retainer rushed so fast that he tripped over his feet and landed in front of Lord Henderson. Jeramy wasted no time in bowing, while he was still on the floor. Jeramy was hasty in saying “Yes, my lord?”Jeramy knew that any moment would be his last if he added any more displeasure to Lord Henderson’s day.

“Assemble the Retributioner’s. Tell everyone, to come hither. There is lucrative opportunity that has arisen for them, in regards to Samuel’s death. To who ever succeeds in subjugating X will be given a piece of the Eternal Depth’s Sapphire. On the contrary, advise them that I will not tolerate any acts of negligence.” Lord Henderson glared at Jeramy.

He did not know why his retainer was so uncoordinated. Maybe it was because he was rather lanky, and looked malnourished. Lord Henderson had come to terms, that all men were not created equal. His retainer was no exception. All he knew is that Jeramy was known to get excited and topple over himself. It was as if he was a baby giraffe that was in the earliest stages of walking. No matter how ungraceful Jeramy was, he would complete any task that was giving to him.

“Yes my lord!” Jeramy was trembling, as he replied quickly. With in a blink of an eye, in one continuous motion, he had picked himself up and started

running as fast as his legs allowed him too. He dashed towards the back of the estate. Jeramy took a series of left’s and right’s before coming to a door. He promptly opened the door to the outside. He wasted no time continuing to the barracks.

As he arrived at the barracks, he busted through the door and shouted, “Quickly you must assemble in the court yard!” Jeramy was panting as his hands were on his knees. “Look, the baby giraffe has stumbled upon us once again!” A sudden bust of laughter erupted from the barrack. “Why you!” Shouted Jeramy as he stepped forward only to trip over his tired feet. The men bursted into laughter again, calling him names that further shamed Jeramy.

He did not bother to pick himself up but shouted, “Samuel has been slain! Lord Henderson is in a foul mood. Unless you wish to greet Samuel in the after life head to the courtyard at once!” As he laid there on the floor attempting to catch his breath, the barracks fell ghostly quiet. Only the sound of Jeramy’s panting was audio. All the men looked at each other in contempt. Everyone knew the magnitude of this event. Each man was worried as Jeramy words echoed in their heads.

One man stood up and ran towards Jeramy and quickly helped him to his feet. His name was Hezi. Hezi and Jeramy were not exactly friends; but due to the nature of their relationship with Lord Henderson, they were both very familiar with each other. They were what one would call an acquaintance. Hezi was the only one out of the group that had some form of respect for Jeramy. The rest of the men only saw Jeramy as someone who did not belong in the position that he was in. Jeramy was always glad for Hezi, for if it was not for him he would only be ridiculed further.

“When did this happen?” Asked Hezi bitterly.  As Jeramy got back on his feet his face was still maroon from his entrance. Attempting to recover his breath he gasped,  “Earlier today, Israel just came to deliver the news, and Lord Henderson is one action shy of beheading the entire estate, Hezi.” Hezi’s expression grew dark. He had witnessed many victims of Lord Henderson’s wrath. He turned around quickly and took a deep breath. “You herd the man! Get on your feet and make your way to the court yard! If lack in quickness, you shall find yourself headless.  I will see to that personally!” Hezi roared these words as he exhaled.

Every man in the barracks was tougher than a coffin nail. However, Hezi was the hammer that was used to drive those nails. Out of the entire group he was the most feared. Amongst Lord Henderson’s subjects and townspeople, he was also the most respected. The rumor was that he was recruited by Lord Henderson personally. He had been in a fight at a tavern and slayed everyone with his bare hands! As he exited Lord Henderson was waiting for him, giving him the position as leader of the Retributioner’s.

Not a moment later every one was assembled in the courtyard anxiously waiting. Suddenly Israel appeared before them and began talking. “The man we are looking for goes by the name of X. He is average in size but has grey hair as well as eyes. He dresses as if he lived with our ancestors. There is a sapphire pendant that hangs from his neck. That pendant is made from the Eternal Depths Sapphire. He must be brought back at all cost. Lord Henderson will not tolerate any failure, neither will I!” Exclaimed Israel as looked at the warriors that stood before him. The men who stood before him had all pledged their loyalty to Lord Henderson. Some were true warriors as others were henchmen.

As soon as the Retributioner’s herd the phrase Eternal Depth's Sapphire, they started talking amongst themselves. “What is that?” One had asked. For most of them did not know the significance of the gem was. “I heard that it is a super valuable sapphire that is worth one million gold coins!” Another exclaimed. “Let it be known who ever brings this man to us will be able to keep a piece, of the Eternal Depths Sapphire!” Shouted Israel. He was very anxious to get his hands on it! For it meant that he could redeem his chance of survival. Israel knew that he was walking on thin ice and Lord Henderson was the shark that would drag him to the bottom of abyss.

“Ishmael, had already been sent out to track down X. Be cautions for we do not know if he is by himself or if he went to seek help. Do not be benevolent towards this man, for he will kill you and watch you as you wither.” Said Israel solemnly, thinking about Samuels death. “Last we knew he was headed north from the tavern, that is where our journey begins. We will chase this man in to the depths of hell and drag him back if we must!” Yelled Israel.

He wasted no more time on words for every second passed was a second further away they were from X. All of Lord Henderson’s men went to mount their steeds and departed in a cloud of dust. For they were all set on the capture of this man named X.

….

X woke up to an unfamiliar sensation. There was a pair of arms that were wrapped around him gently hugging him. X had a chance to register what had happened before there was a knock on the door. Not a moment later the door flew open. X quickly jumped out of bed and the sheets had gone with him. The translucent blade give shivering shimmer as pointed it towards the door.

“It’s awe fully rude to point that at your mother-in-law and expose your wife. I am here to bring food and drinks for the day.” It was Alyisha that had opened the door. X herd what she had said and jump back around to stare at the bed. There was Ka-Rin sprawled out on the bed, with only a gown on. The gown hugged he body tightly as if it were afraid to let her go. Ka-Rin’s curvature was similar to a hour glass.  Her salt and pepper hair had ran down her back as it was a river. Her pale complexion made her look as if she was crafted out of porcelain. Her lips were red, as if made of wine. He could not help but to admire her beauty. “I will be back later.” Alyshia smirked said as she walked out.

Ka-Rin began to wake up. She slowly stretched out her arms and yawned. She did not realize that X had been woken up already and was staring at her. She slowly sat up and grabbed the sheets to cover herself but she realized that they no longer in reach. She immediately blushed and became flustered. Even though she had put her head down in embarrassment; she could feel X slowly eyeing her from top to bottom and back to the top. Ka-Rin did not miss an opportunity to tease him. She spoke softly and alluringly, “I feel we have already consummated the marriage by just by your gaze now.” X snapped back to reality and spoke, “Mistress, it is a misunderstanding I was only admiring your beauty.” She was moved at his response.

Of all her peers she was considered an angel. There was never a moment that a pair of eyes were not following her. Between constant harassment and being fondled by looks she grew tire of it. One day, during the midst of a fierce battle she had received this hideous scar. Since she had received her scar, everyone treated her differently. It was as if she became unworthy to engage in any activity, and was shunned often. She was not sure how she felt about it, but she was pleased that the harassment had stopped. Only Alyisha her mother had

remained the same.

X was hesitant, “Are you really to be my wife?”. Ka-Rin laughed and said nothing but held her hand up in the air. It was clear that the blue jade ring on her hand matched the jade frog buttons.

He became more relaxed and sat back down on the bed with her. She was hesitant, as she had never once touched a man in way that did not slay. She slowly got up and gave a him a light kiss. “Good morning Master Han” she said before laying back down.

He too also laid back down after grabbing the sheets. It could not be helped but the beating of his heart could be herd by Ka-Rin! She let out a soft chuckle and said, “Do not worry and think too much of it. From today on forward we are one. I am yours as for you are mine. We should rest as much as we can for when we leave here the true journey will begin.” Both X and Ka-Rin went back to sleep.

Long after, Ka-Rin had awakened. She turned over and smiled at X. She decided to get the bath ready. As she rose to her feet, her eyes could not stray far from X as he only wore his undergarment. His thick grey hair was a lion’s mane. From what was exposed,

resembled the chiseled statues of war heroes. It was as if his body had been cast of bronze and his muscles of steel. It was evident that had been training since the womb.

Ka-Rin found herself tracing his muscles as if the statue before her was a master piece. She gently bit her bottom lip as her mind raced profusely with lewd thoughts. She could not stop! As one hand stopped the other picked up from where the previous left off. She felt herself getting uncomfortable as she grew more familiar with his outlines. Once more she attempted to stop but instead let out a soft moan. She was stumped, for she never knew that she could make such a sound! Instantly she felt all the blood in her body rush to her face. She was ashamed as the lustful thoughts made her feel like a loose woman. Ka-Rin had never once indulged in any pleasures of the flesh.