I am Reborn through Revenge

I met him

Three days had passed already since I last saw Norman and it was the fourth day after my near execution and trial— but I haven’t been lazy. I had already set up a meeting with Brady’s brother and he had agreed to show up. He had chosen a destination for us to meet. He said it should be at a tavern in the middle of the town. I didn’t know why he choose such an open place as the best place to talk about things that concerned the royal family. It was an incalculable risk and I wouldn’t have chosen to be there in the first place if I did not see him as an invaluable asset. Something always told me that I could use his help and I believe it was my instincts— my instincts rarely lied to me. So, I was convinced that Brady’s brother would be instrumental to my success story. I didn’t know how but I was sure he would have a big role he would play for me. He needed revenge at all cost, and I knew he was also willing to work with me since I was the one that had a direct link to the royal family, I thought. Not only that, but he and I also shared the same sentiment.

I traced the tavern, it was somewhere in the middle of the city. It was close to some residential areas. Though some houses like small stores, vegetable shops, etcetera surrounded it and they were very close too. I went inside the tavern. I walked in as though I have been coming to the tavern before but in reality, I had no idea who I had come to find or even the face of the person I had come to see. Brady had tried to describe his brother's facial makeup to me. But it was close to impossible for me to point him out from the crowd that had gathered at the tavern. Most men in there sat in groups of twos' and fours'. Meanwhile, a few seats were empty in some corners of the room. I made myself comfortable in one of the chairs. I beckoned at one of the male servants to come to my side. I needed to be busy with something while waiting for who I would meet, and starting with a cup of drink won't be a bad idea, I thought. I called for the servant's attention again but he was still busy attending to some customers, I used the opportunity to take a look around the whole place. Most men in the tavern were gamblers, some were busy playing cards. I could hear some men shouting when they win a game and some even went as far as crying when they lose. Laughs came from all corners of the tavern. Everywhere was bubbling with lots of positive energy. I saw some old men; old enough to be my father lose their houses to their fellow gambler right in front of me when they lost a game. I knew that from their faces, it was funny to them but to me it was stupid. While I was feeding my eyes, I noticed something. Someone moved past me in a slow but gracious motion— his movement sparked some hectic reaction inside of me. I looked up and I saw the back of a man wearing a long black cloak over his shoulders. His head was covered with a long hat. I watched him as he made himself comfortable in a chair, at the far end of the tavern. The good news was, he was opposite me— I could watch him from where I was sitting without turning around every time or encountering any obstruction. But the bad news was, I couldn’t see his face. His hat was covered with a black light veil with beautiful patterns and designs embedded in it.

“Sir, what do you want?” a voice distracted me. I squinted up my eyes, I saw the server. He was beside me.

Finally.

“Oh!” I said. I didn’t feel like drinking again. I think there was no time for it. “Thanks. I won’t be needing anything for now.” I shifted my gaze back to the veil-man. He was still there and had not made a move.

“Sure?” he asked boringly.

“Yes,” I answered immediately. I thought it would make him leave.

“But you gestured at me to come here, didn’t you?” the server asked again.

I glanced back at him and then frowned. “I did. But not anymore.”

“But. . .”

“No buts for goodness sake," I said. "Just go. Please.”

I was busy watching the veil-man when the servant bent down to my level. What was he planning to do? I looked at him worriedly.

“Since you don’t want anything,” he whispered to my ear. “I think you might want him.” He gestured with his head to the direction of the veil-man. I glanced back at the veiled man, but he was already standing and was making a walk deep into the tavern.

What was happening? I looked back at the server, he gave me a horrible smile and left. I stood up immediately and followed the direction the veil-man followed. He must be who I was looking for, I thought. He might be Brady’s brother or maybe one of his associates.

I opened a door, it was made of very light wood. It led to a cubicle. I entered the cubicle, it was at the corner of the tavern. I saw the veil-man sitting right opposite in the cubicle with a small table crossing the distance between us. I gently shut the door behind me and I leaned closer.

“Are you. . . are you who I was supposed to meet?” I asked him. My voice was without fear.

“Sit down,” he instructed. His voice, I think I have heard it before.

I obeyed him and sat on a small stool just opposite him.

“Okay. Now what?” I said.

“I thought you were a formidable opponent. You were almost killed just a few days ago by your brother. That was a disgrace, Prince Anon,” he said. “How am I sure I will be able to work with you? How am I sure that you worth the risk?” he asked.

First, I had confirmed that I was at least talking to the right person. The question he had asked me had made me verify that salient point. But on the other hand, I didn’t know exactly what to say to him or how I would reply to the question he had asked me. If I had said that I was worth the risk then I wouldn’t have been under Nightwinder's hook.

“If I didn’t worth the risk, then why did you choose to come here? Why have you agreed to meet me? You would have just stayed behind.”

I heard him laugh, a very short laugh. “Are you trying to be smart here?” he asked.

“Oh please. Don’t pretend like you didn’t understand me,” I said. I was trying to be brave here. “If you think that working with me would yield no positive effort, then I guess you should tell me to leave now. Just say the word and I will vanish. I promise you, I will never contact you again.” I stared at him for a while or was it the veil? None of us said a word for what seemed like a minute. I guessed he was probably thinking about what I had told him.

“Okay, Prince. You got me there. What are your plans?” He asked.

“I think we should start making introductions first. Why don’t we start with your name and. . . your face” I demanded.

“You want to know my name?”

No, I want to bless it. I would have answered him

“Y-yes. Of course, yes. And see your face too.” I added.

“I don’t think that would be necessary, Prince.”

“Why?” I asked. “You know me, you know my name but I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you. I don’t know even your face. It doesn’t make sense that I know nothing about my new friend while he knows everything about me.”

“A new friend?” he tilted his head. “I like how that sounds.”

“So?” I said.

He removed the hat from his head then said, “My name is Oliver Stone. Happy now?” He raised his brow at me. Now he had removed his veil, I had to take a little description of how he looked. Stone had a round face. His brows aligned with each other naturally and it gave him a notorious look. He had a paper-thin lip and his cheek shared a slight resemblance with Brady’s. I think that was the only physical features in his body that revealed that he was related to him.

“I guess so.” I sounded as though nothing happened. “I think this is a good point to start with.”