ROYAL BLOOD

CLUES OR A TRAP?

"Hey buddy, wake up" Jackson whispered while shaking Lore.

Lore reacted instantly and opened his eyes. His eyes met a wall clock and it was 3 am in the morning. He looked towards Wisteria and she was asleep. He looked at Jackson with an irritated look and said, "Why the hell did you disturb my sleep to wake me up at this hour?"

Jackson covered his mouth and whispered,"Shh… Quiet down!"

Lore looked at him in confusion. Jackson continued speaking in a low voice, "come with me."

Lore got up lazily and followed Jackson. Jackson led the way and was walking very slowly making no noise. He stopped a bit far from the main door and hid behind a wall signaling Lore to do the same. Lore looked towards the main door and saw Rufus talking to a middle aged man outside. The man seemed to be annoyed and angry. Lore listened closely and could make out a bit of the conversation.

"Let me see, Rufus." The man said.

"I told you they are nothing." Rufus said.

"I saw them this afternoon. They don't look like our kind."

"They are my far cousins! You mind your own business and don't interfere."

"Interfere? This is for our people. I have doubts, Rufus. You have to tell me."

"Have you ever seen me lying? I would rather kill myself than betray this land. So, you better keep your doubts to yourself and stop disturbing me at this hour."

The man paused and said, "Fine, if you say so but I'll keep an eye on them."

He tried to look inside and walked away. Jackson and Lore looked at each other gulping. Rufus was coming back so they hurriedly got back into their positions. Lore couldn't help but think about what would happen to them if the others found out. He couldn't let this slip easily. He closed his eyes and when he opened them, it was already eight in the morning. He got up and saw Rufus looking out of the window. Lore wanted to thank him for keeping them safe but he possibly couldn't talk about Jackson and him eavesdropping the previous night. He stood beside Rufus and looked out. People were walking here and there, starting a new day.

"Good morning." Rufus greeted.

"Good morning." Lore greeted back. He paused for a while and said, "what if people find out that we're not from here?"

"They won't." Rufus replied still keeping his eyes locked outside.

"I hope we're not putting you in trouble."

Upon hearing this Rufus looked at Lore and said, "No! Of course not. I'm just trying to help you. Doing something good."

"Thank you."

"No you don't have to thank me. It's alright. I'll go prepare breakfast."

Lore smiled and watched him go. He was very thankful towards Rufus because he loved them as his own children and helped them even though they weren't his kind. He thought about how kind hearted people still existed. After about fifteen minutes, everybody was on the sofa drinking tea.

--

They got out of the house in search of Urbane. The sky was still the same and no sign of sunshine. Rufus led the way and the friends followed behind him making sure of no one doubting their whereabouts.

"I will take you to one of my dear friend. He keeps track of any weird sightings or events that happens here. He has vowed to serve this land at protect it any cost. He might have some information about your friend. Hopefully." Rufus said.

Jackson moaned and said, "If he finds out then we're dead."

"No, I'll try to explain it to him. He will keep his mouth shut to save his friendship."

"You heard that, Lore." Jackson teased him.

Suddenly, Lore stopped and looked at a fruit stall a bit far from them and saw the same old man raging at the fruit seller. He was shocked. He didn't want to face him because the old man obviously knows who they are.

"Hey, what's wrong? Wisteria asked.

Rufus and Jackson stopped walking too and came closer to Lore.

Lore pointed at the old man who was now walking away from the stall and asked, "Rufus, Do you know him?"

Rufus turned towards that direction and replied," Ah! He's Gary. Lost his mind after his wife and son died. All alone that poor fellow."

"Lore-" Wisteria asked, "Is he the same man you were talking about?"

Lore nodded. "We can't be seen by him because he knows me and where I'm from."

Jackson agreed, "Yeah."

They continued walking and Lore asked, "How did Gary's wife and son died?"

Rufus replied, "People say he's one of Wyot's blood so he's associated with black magic and there are rumors going around in town saying that he sacrificed them for a ritual or prayer. No one knows where he lives. He usually stays hidden. But be careful because he will not hesitate to kill all of you."

Wisteria and Jackson gulped but Lore didn't care. He just wanted answers to why Gary was everywhere near him. It just didn't make any sense to him.

They came to a halt near a musty old small cottage. Rufus knocked on the door for a few seconds and a burly man answered it with a smile.

"Ho! Mi dear friend." The man hugged Rufus tightly.

Rufus laughed and said, "I've brought some guests."

Jackson smiled nervously and Wisteria was looking away.

The man sneered at them while letting them in.

"What brings ye here?" the man asked.

"My cousins said that they saw a boy come here from the other side and I thought I'd bring them here to tell you about the boy." Rufus replied.

Jackson nodded and laughed nervously. The man looked at them and smiled,"Mi name's Scott Feathers."

The friends introduced themselves and Scott continued, "I don't know if yer talking 'bout the same person but I mighta seen one."

Upon hearing this, Lore looked at Jackson and Wisteria and moved closer to Scott.

Scott continued ,"Yesterday a boy lookin' famished came to mi here askin' for food. I gave 'im an' asked 'im where he came from He said the other side an' I got angry. I picked mi gun to kill 'im but he ran. I re'ckn he ran toward the pub."

"Thank you, buddy. But we have to go." Rufus said.

"wha's the 'urry ? stay fer Lunch."

"No, we have to attend to some work. We'll come back later."

Rufus gathered others and walked out. Lore felt scared. He didn't want to see his best friend dead. He would do everything to protect him. He rushed and asked Rufus, "Where's the pub?"

"Taking you there." Rufus replied.

Lore could see fear in Jackson's eyes. He wants Urbane fit and fine too, thought Lore.

Wisteria sighed, "I hope he's okay."

From a distance, Gary was looking at them run towards the pub. He smiled and told himself," He's doing a great job." And walked away.

The pub was small and old. It used to be a hotel in the past but in present, no one really used the guest rooms so it was converted into a pub but had a few vacant rooms. Inside the pub, men were mumbling and laughing, enjoying their drinks. There weren't many people because it was still early in the morning. Rufus approached the bartender and asked him about Urbane. Lore looked around him. He met eyes with the man who was talking to Rufus the previous night. The man looked at him for a few seconds and proceeded with his drink. The bartender didn't say a single word after hearing Rufus's explanation, he simply handed him a room key. Rufus paused before taking the key. Lore was puzzled because it looked like a planned scene but he thought that Urbane must've left them a clue.

Jackson pulled Lore and Wisteria to the side and stated, "Don't you think everything is weird?"