Talnam was a country neighboring Draconia down south.
Things had always been hostile between them, and border conflicts were frequent.
In fact, if not for the intimidating presence of the Lord of the Southern Woods in Southdam, one could expect more skirmishes and intrusion into the country. After all, he was the most feared Draconese in Talnam.
As such, this kidnapping was utterly bizarre—what could possibly have driven the Talnamese to sneak into Morhen, the very heart of Draconia?
And being the Lord of the Southern Woods’ son, Frank, had no reason to ignore the kidnapping, whether it was for Gina’s sake or his inherited distaste for the Talnamese.
After some thought, he nodded. “In that case, I’m going over. The fact that the Talnamese are showing up in the country means things are probably more complicated than we think.”
Ned nodded in turn. “Then I’m coming with you.”
Frank agreed reluctantly—he would rather not, but he needed directions or he would have trouble finding the right place.
Helen then asked, “What about me…?”
“You stay put,” Frank said and slammed a palm on the table while shouting, “Hux Darman!”
“What?!”
“Did I hear that right?!”
The other guests in the bar were left stunned by Frank’s shout.
After all, they were deep in Sunblazer territory, and Hux had just been appointed boss of the gang.
Everyone would address him as boss and all, and was it not suicidal to call him by name?!
“Who was that? Who has a problem with me?!” Hux was snapping as he strode out of the other end of the bar, a group of Sunblazers in tow.
However, his savage scowl faded as soon as he saw Ned and Frank, and he was suddenly all smiles. “Oh! Welcome, Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Janko! You could have told me you’re coming!”
He then turned and slapped one of his men across the face, snapping, “What the hell are you doing? Why didn’t you tell me they were here? I’ll kill you if they get upset!”
“But you told us to drink with you, Mr. Darman…” The bartender scowled miserably.
“How dare you talk back to me!” Hux slapped him again and pointed at the bar. “Go, fetch the best wine we have. If either Mr. Lawrence or Mr. Janko leaves dissatisfied, this bar is closing down!”
“O-Okay!” The bartender stammered even as he ran off.
“It’s fine, Hux. We just needed a place to talk shop.” Frank waved him off before saying seriously, “I have something serious to do. Could you escort these two ladies to this address? There’s a cottage belonging to a Mr. Nash Yego.”
“Oh, okay.” Hux scratched his head, a little disappointed. “Alright, I’ll get some men right away. By the way, I got my hands on a brand new car. It’s nice, look—”
“It’s alright. You can keep it.” Frank turned him down and glanced at Helen. “That cottage was where I’ve been staying. Mr. Janko and I will look for your mother in the meantime. Stay put, and don’t go anywhere else.”
Helen was left puzzled. “Is this really necessary?”
Talnam was a country neighboring Draconia down south.
Things had always been hostile between them, and border conflicts were frequent.
In fact, if not for the intimidating presence of the Lord of the Southern Woods in Southdam, one could expect more skirmishes and intrusion into the country. After all, he was the most feared Draconese in Talnam.
As such, this kidnapping was utterly bizarre—what could possibly have driven the Talnamese to sneak into Morhen, the very heart of Draconia?
And being the Lord of the Southern Woods’ son, Frank, had no reason to ignore the kidnapping, whether it was for Gina’s sake or his inherited distaste for the Talnamese.
After some thought, he nodded. “In that case, I’m going over. The fact that the Talnamese are showing up in the country means things are probably more complicated than we think.”
Ned nodded in turn. “Then I’m coming with you.”
Frank agreed reluctantly—he would rather not, but he needed directions or he would have trouble finding the right place.
Helen then asked, “What about me…?”
“You stay put,” Frank said and slammed a palm on the table while shouting, “Hux Darman!”
“What?!”
“Did I hear that right?!”
The other guests in the bar were left stunned by Frank’s shout.
After all, they were deep in Sunblazer territory, and Hux had just been appointed boss of the gang.
Everyone would address him as boss and all, and was it not suicidal to call him by name?!
“Who was that? Who has a problem with me?!” Hux was snapping as he strode out of the other end of the bar, a group of Sunblazers in tow.
However, his savage scowl faded as soon as he saw Ned and Frank, and he was suddenly all smiles. “Oh! Welcome, Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Janko! You could have told me you’re coming!”
He then turned and slapped one of his men across the face, snapping, “What the hell are you doing? Why didn’t you tell me they were here? I’ll kill you if they get upset!”
“But you told us to drink with you, Mr. Darman…” The bartender scowled miserably.
“How dare you talk back to me!” Hux slapped him again and pointed at the bar. “Go, fetch the best wine we have. If either Mr. Lawrence or Mr. Janko leaves dissatisfied, this bar is closing down!”
“O-Okay!” The bartender stammered even as he ran off.
“It’s fine, Hux. We just needed a place to talk shop.” Frank waved him off before saying seriously, “I have something serious to do. Could you escort these two ladies to this address? There’s a cottage belonging to a Mr. Nash Yego.”
“Oh, okay.” Hux scratched his head, a little disappointed. “Alright, I’ll get some men right away. By the way, I got my hands on a brand new car. It’s nice, look—”
“It’s alright. You can keep it.” Frank turned him down and glanced at Helen. “That cottage was where I’ve been staying. Mr. Janko and I will look for your mother in the meantime. Stay put, and don’t go anywhere else.”
Helen was left puzzled. “Is this really necessary?”
