Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 40: Thieves

“Hey. What about that person?” the leader asked when he suddenly remembered someone. “He’s not planning to also break off from our group, right?” he asked. He heard that that person has recently managed to acquire some fortune.

“I don’t think so.” Someone answered. “A family member of his is sick. He is planning to find a doctor from the Capital and the Capital doctors are very expensive. Not to mention the medicine, and their travel expenses… he would need a large sum for these.” He explained. “He’s in dire need of money, so he definitely won’t.” he assured him.

“Good.” The leader’s expression eased while his eyes gleamed. He still needs these people to act as his shield to fend off the knights from his tail.

“Leader. When shall we have our next mission?” he heard someone ask.

“I’m waiting for my relative’s reply.” He answered.

The relative he meant is the one working in the next station, acting as their spy while also reporting them of the merchants and tourists coming to the Rainbow Village for them to ambush and steal from.

“And – “ the leader said as his eyes flashed a vicious glint. “ – we have to beat the knights to it.” he told them. “So, don’t drop the ball when the time comes! We can’t be defeated! We can’t be caught!” he said.

“Yeah!” they answered with loud voices, raising their spirit.

The leader of the thieves smiled in satisfaction. Let’s see, knights, if who will have the last laugh! He thought as he clenched his fists, his chest burning in determination.

…

“Take care, dear!” the wagon driver’s wife said and waved at him.

“See you later, father!” the wagon driver’s children said as they ran after their father.

The wagon driver smiled before he whipped the horse. “Hup!” he yelled, and the wagon then moved.

The wagon driver’s wife smiled before her smile disappeared when she saw her husband had disappeared in the distance.

“What’s wrong?” Mhir asked her while Leui lied on the bench, both his hands are on the back of his hand acting as his pillow while he gazed at the floating clouds in the sky.

“It’s nothing. It’s just…” the wagon driver’s wife hesitated. But, before she could continue, they heard some coughs inside.

They immediately went and opened the door to see the wagon driver’s daughter has sat up on her bed and is clutching her chest while her other hand is covering her mouth to muffle the sound of her coughing.

Suddenly, there was a faint smell of blood when she coughed again.

“Analiese!” Marie, the wagon driver’s wife, cried as she ran towards their daughter. She immediately reached for a handkerchief on the bedside table and wiped her daughter’s lips that were stained with blood. She felt her heart ache and her hand holding the handkerchief trembled when she looked at the stains of blood.

Fortunately, her two other children stayed outside, or else they would be frightened when they saw their elder sister like this.

“Oh, no!” Mhir gasped and immediately took out a bottle of medicines from her backpack and then gave it to Marie for her to have her daughter drink it.

Marie’s tears fell in heartbreak.

“This is an elixir to make the body healthier.” Mhir said. “Leui and I won’t be needing it. I’m tough, as well as Leui…” she said and then paused. “Though he is a human. He’s already an adult, anyway.” She shrugged and placed the bottle to Marie.

Marie’s eyes were filled with gratitude and didn’t refuse anymore. She turned to her daughter and her daughter knew what to do, so she didn’t hesitate and drank the elixir in one gulp. Then, she let out a breath. In just a matter of seconds, her sickly color became rosy.

Marie let out a sigh of relief and held her daughter’s hand tight. “Thank you…” she told Mhir.

Mhir smiled and patted her back to encourage her. “Although her body looks healthy for the moment, it doesn’t solve the core of the problem.” She told her. She doesn’t dare give her hope, as the medicines she has are limited, and she also knows that these medicines are just supplements.

Marie nodded in understanding. “I know…” she said. Her voice is nasally. “You’ve done so much for our family.” She bowed to Mhir. “Thank you very much!” she told her.

Analiese also bowed. “Thank you…” she said. Her voice is hoarse because of her illness.

Mhir immediately became flustered. “I… you don’t need to thank me!” she said and coughed. “I – I’ll ask Leui when I will be leaving for the Capital!” she said and hurried outside.

Marie chuckled while Analiese smiled. “She’s really kindhearted.” Marie watched Mhir run outside. “She and her friend. It’s our family’s fortune to meet them.” she said.

Outside, Mhir walked towards Leui whose face was covered with his hat as he napped. “Leui. Leui!” she called.

Leui isn’t deeply asleep so he immediately woke up. “What?” he asked.

“When will I be leaving?” She asked.

Leui also heard Analiese’s cough earlier. “I’ll go ask them the details.” He said as he rose. “I heard they have a mission here, aside from the Dream Weaver. I guess they’ll leave when they finished it, and then return to the Capital.” He told her.

“What mission?” she asked. “Maybe we can help?” she tilted her head.

Leui smiled. Although he saved the people from the Dream Weaver, but it was of his own volition. He still owed Fedrich his life, even though Fedrich definitely doesn’t ask for it. If Leui could do something for the knights, then he won’t hesitate to help them. “I’ll ask them.” He said. He wore his hat before he strode outside and left.

Mhir watched Leui left and suddenly, she blushed. She remembered that Marie also sent Dan, her husband, like this earlier. Mhir felt she is like Marie. She immediately slapped her cheeks and shook her head to shake off her indecent thoughts. She knows Leui treats her just like his sister.

“Ah! Look! Her face is red!” one of the twins exclaimed as he pointed at her. “Is she sick?” he asked.

“It’s rude to point at someone!” the elder of the twins said and lowered his brother’s hand. “She’s not sick. Her face isn’t pale like sister’s.” he explained.

“Oh.” The younger one answered.

Hearing their conversation, Mhir’s face turned redder. But, there is a smile on her lips.

…

“When we’ll be leaving? After our mission was finished.” One of the knights answered after Leui asked.

It’s as he guessed. “May I ask what is your mission?” Leui looked at them. “If I can help…” he said.

“It’s not that a secret.” The knight waved his hand. “But, since you’re new, then you must haven’t heard. There is a group of notorious thieves ambushing the tourists and the merchants. We’re going to catch them.” He explained.

Leui was surprised. “Thieves…” he muttered and remembered the thieves in the trolls’ territory in which thievery is a common occurrence.

He once was stolen from, but he immediately chased the offender. Fortunately, the trolls have short legs like the dwarves so he immediately retrieved his goods. Seeing his long legs, they deemed him formidable and they didn’t dare steal from him again.

“Were there any casualties?” he asked when he remembered the broken roofs and smashed windows of the trolls’ homes.

“Fortunately, there wasn’t.” the knight answered. “They only tie their victims up and steal their belongings, particularly their money, and then they leave.” He explained.

Leui sighed in relief. He was so used to the daily scenes in the Other Shore that he has forgotten that humans work differently than the other races. Humans have their principles, so they take others’ lives seriously. They know the concept of sin, unlike the other races who lack morals. Fortunately, over the years, the other races have learned morals from the humans, and everything then became better.

All these are, again, contributed by Loheiruchel. Seriously! Leui thought as he secretly rolled his eyes. Everywhere, there’s a shadow of this man! He sighed. “Then, that’s great.” He smiled as he faced the knight. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked.

“You can tell us if you’ve seen suspicious people or activities and report it to us.” The knight answered.

Leui didn’t insist. He knows that the knights won’t ask help from the ordinary citizen if it isn’t necessary. “Okay. Thank you.” He said and then left.

“What a good guy.” The knights spoke as they watched Leui leave.

“He has this aura… I couldn’t name it…” one of them said.

“Maybe it’s because he lived for a long time on the Other Shore?” someone asked.

“It must be.” they answered.

When Leui returned, he relayed the message to Mhir.

“I understand!” Mhir said. “I’ll tell Marie and tell her to tell Dan. They have to be careful, since Analiese is still sick. And also Dan – “ she said. “ – he’s working outside, who knows if he’ll encounter that vicious bunch!”