Manhunt

Common enemy

“His brother?” Ryiah repeated, staring at  Charon who merely nodded.

“Valentianus Tharron has a brother?” Ryiah repeated her question, almost to make sure they were actually talking about the same person. Charon tilted his head slightly, there was no amusement in his eyes. 

He was not joking. He was dead serious.

“Yes. He has a younger brother named Riss Tharron. He is responsible for slaughtering an entire shrine of priestesses for one jewel they guarded there. Only one survived and she hired me to hunt down the killer.”

Charon's grave voice echoed in Ryiah´s ears. This family seemed to be full of psychopaths.

“Then why haven’t the papers talked about it yet?? Or on social media? Has no one mentioned anything??” Ryiah tried to grasp for any kind of answer as to why she and most likely no one, knew about this.

Charon grunted as if it was obvious. 

“There were some mentions about it on Ciacro before it swiftly disappeared, I believe that almost no one saw it. It is evident that Tharron has a monopoly on the news and social media. But it isn’t a shock. The family of Tharron are, after all, one of the oldest founding families of the House of Valor. Too bad they misuse and take that power to their advantage.  ” Charon said, shrugging slightly as if it was easy to see. 

A yelp escaped Charon’s lips when Theia appeared again in front of him, eyes wide open.

“Would you stop doing that?!” Charon growled while glaring at Theia, completely forgetting his gentleman act.

“Couldn't help but hear a snippet of your conversation. And I want to add that although you weren’t far off with your theory, Valentianus has much more power than you could ever comprehend...” Theia said lowering her voice so nearby customers wouldn´t hear her while flopping down on the free chair.

“Excuse me, I don´t recall permitting you to sit down with us,” Charon stated, sending daggers at her with his intense glare, but Ryiah was more interested in how Theia knew the head of the Tharron family.

“How do you know Valentianus?” Ryiah asked, completely ignoring the fuming glare Charon was now sending her way across the table.

“Why, he is my husband.”

Charon and Ryiah stared at Theia as the words sank in. 

Valentianus Tharron was her husband?

“God Cian sure has his ways to surprise…” Charon mumbled darkly, but then his face turned confused.

“If you're married, why on earth did you try to flirt with me?”

Theia gave Charon a look of utter frustration and sighed heavily. She glanced at her friends who were standing outside the tearoom, waiting for her.

“Because I hate him. Our marriage was arranged thanks to my father. At first, I tried to make his life miserable, flirting with every available man that got my attention, hoping he would tire of it and divorce me, but it would seem that plan isn´t working.”

Ryiah had been quiet as a clam, pondering on Theia´s words. Maybe there was a way to get past Valentianus. Ryiah was about to voice her thoughts when she happened to notice a familiar-looking man at the other end of the room, glancing now and then at Theia. The man seemed to have decent looking clothes, but that face Ryiah would recognize anywhere.

“s**t!”

Ryiah cursed under her breath, making both Charon and Theia look at her.

“What?” Charon asked.

“Father Silverius's henchman is here.” she snarled, pulling her fedora deeper over her head while Theia glanced around the room.

“That son of a b***h! He made Bernand spy on me!” She hissed, anger bubbling in her chest.

Charon looked completely lost at the two women's cursing at some random man who kept glancing at the group now that Charon looked at him more carefully.

“How do you know that guy again?”

“He is the guy who captured me and took my weapons,” Ryiah whispered, making sure Theia didn´t hear her.

“He is one of Valentianus´s servants he uses when something needs to be done subtly,” Theia muttered, closing her eyes. 

No doubt Bernand was going to report Valentianus she had been spotted with the same man as earlier. 

Theia cursed her stupidity. This would cost her the little freedom she had left in this God-forsaken marriage.

Charon glanced at the women, seeing they both looked anxious. Leaning back on his chair, Charon crossed his arms thinking about the options. Usually, he wasn´t the type of guy who would help a damsel in distress out of the goodness of his heart, but he figured he could make an exception. Besides, this time it would benefit him too.

“Riona, play along.” Charon then suddenly spoke, catching Ryiah off guard and before she could ask what he meant Charon reached for her hand, taking it while rubbing gently at the back with his thumb, Ryiah narrowed her eyes, glaring fiercely at him.

“What. Do. You think. You're doing!?” Ryiah hissed, trying to pull her hand away but Charon didn´t let go.

“I said to play along. You are my girlfriend and Theia is one of your childhood friends you haven't seen in years. If this guy is what you say he is, it would do some good to make sure he doesn´t report back to your husband you have been flirting with me.” Charon whispered glancing at Theia who placed her arms on the table wetting her lips.

Ryiah glanced at Theia and Charon before sighing. Guess she didn´t have a choice but to play along.

Mustering her most adorable smiles, Ryiah gazed at Charon who returned the smile carefully. He could still feel Ryiah´s hand stiff like a board.

“Relax.” He whispered.

“Oh, you two little lovebirds!” Theia giggled.

Glancing discreetly at the other end of the room Charon saw that Bernand looked a little confused but as Theia kept interacting with Ryiah more than Charon, while Ryiah played with Charon's hand adoringly, Bernand seemed to settle on his seat. He seemed to be now more interested in the woman sitting next to Theia. But Bernand´s attention was pulled away when his phone started ringing.

Charon chucked at something Ryiah said but kept an eye on the man who talked to the phone and whoever it had been, Bernand didn´t look too happy as he ended the call.

Taking the hat hanging on the chair next to him, Bernand placed it on his head and stood up leaving with haste.

~~~

On the way out, Bernand bumped into a group of ladies standing near the door.

“Oh sorry ladies,” Bernand apologized while continuing to head toward the major building of House of Valor when one of the women stopped him. Bernand recognized the woman to be Ahanna, one of Theia´s best friends.

“Can you go tell our friend Theia we need to go? We are late for yoga lessons,” she asked pleadingly, making Bernand quirk a brow.

“I don´t have time. Besides, what makes you think I know this Theia person?”

“Oh, come on, we saw the long glances you have been making the entire time we were in. Are you smitten?” Ahanna giggled, much to Bernand´s irritation.

“Shut your mouth this instant! What do you think her husband would do if false rumours like that one would reach his ears?” Bernand growled making the women frown.

“So you do know her?” another woman next to Ahanna chirped.

“It was a joke,” Ahanna muttered, taking a step back.

“It is not a joke for Valentianus. Yes, I do know her, her husband is my employer. And he will carve my heart out because that´s the kind of man he is, he understands nothing of jokes or humour so zip it. Go tell her yourself. I´m busy.” Bernand snarled, glaring at all three women.

The ladies looked at each other and Bernand took the chance to jog across the street, disappearing around the corner.

“What was that about?” Nelenna asked confused, getting uninterested shrugs from Cecilia and Ahanna.

“I don´t know. I don´t care. But we need to get Theia if we want to make it to the class.” Ahanna sighed, turning on her heels and heading back inside.

~~~

“So why are you so interested in Valentianus?” Theia asked when they saw Bernand was gone. The minute she had seen Bernand exiting the tearoom, she had snatched her hand free from Charon's grip.

“I´m not, it's his brother that interest me,” Charon noted, earning Theia to raise her brows and glance at Ryiah.

“I´m not either, a man I need to see is Father Silverius,”

It baffled Theia.

“Why would someone be interested in Riss Tharron? The guy's a playboy. And a jerk.” Theia huffed, not liking the turn of this conversation.

“Better if you don´t know that,” Charon muttered, glancing around if there was a free waiter who would finally take their order. But much to his dismay, all the waiters were busy so he would have to wait a little longer.

“And Father Silverius?” Theia glanced at Ryiah under her lashes while biting her lower lip.

“I have some issues to discuss with him.” Ryiah flashed a charming smile, not willing to elaborate.

“But to get to them you need to go past Valentianus…” Theia murmured, leaning back on her seat.

“Yes, unfortunately.” Ryiah nodded.

“Can I help?” Theia suddenly asked, throwing both Charon and Ryiah off guard. Staring at Theia, they had to bite their tongues not to shout no in unison and draw attention.

“Out of the question!” Charon snarled quietly leaning forward giving her a warning glare.

“Then there's no way you are going to get what you want. Valentianus and Riss are thick as thieves, the bond of brotherhood is strong. And Father Silverius is heavily guarded by Valentianus´s finest security guards. Without me, you're stuck.” 

Theia deadpanned.

Ryiah sighed and rubbed her face trying to think of any alternatives but she hated to admit, Theia was right. They needed her. But working with a person she didn´t know made her nervous. Theia seemed friendly enough but Ryiah didn´t trust her.

Then again, Ryiah didn´t need to trust her. They could always use her.

“She's right….we need her help.” Ryiah finally whispered, much to Charon's disappointment.

“Of all the people I thought you had some reason in your head.” Charon huffed, but Ryiah merely grinned at him.

“You know me better.”

“I thought I did. You just proved me wrong.”

Theia couldn't help but giggle at their exchange. This was the first time when she felt at ease and needed. Sure, her friends were there to talk with her, but they weren't the kind of people that she could really be herself. As a wife of Valentianus Tharron, there were expectations of how to behave, how to talk and what to talk about. Theia was so sick of it.

And she had a feeling these two people might be the ones who would help her to get rid of this wretched marriage.

“Alright, so it is decided. I'll help you to get past Valentianus but…” Theia started, directing attention back to her. Charon and Ryiah tensed up slightly at the mention of a “but”.

“I knew it would be too easy,” Charon growled.

Ryiah tapped her index finger against the table's surface, giving Charon a look which was enough to stop him from standing up and walking away.

“It doesn´t hurt to hear her out.” Ryiah simply said, shifting her gaze to Theia.

Charon didn´t respond, merely rolled his eyes but settled to watch Theia who was fidgeting with her gloves. She didn´t look like the confident woman he had seen earlier and it felt a little odd to him.

“I need a favour from you. We seem to have a common goal from what I understand.” Theia wetted her lips while Ryiah nodded her to continue.

“I want to get out of this marriage. Can you help me with that?” Theia asked, nervously watching as Charon's eyes widened.

Ryiah let out a strangled groan, hiding her face into her hands. Anything but that. Going after Valentianus still wasn´t on her to-do list because she knew it would be a suicide mission. Although she had been on a suicide mission ever since she killed father Aelric. 

Dropping her hands onto the table, Ryiah looked at Charon who wore a frown so deep it was an unsettling sight to see.

“How exactly do you  think we can help you with that?” Charon scoffed, making  Theia shrink under his stern gaze.

“I don´t know. But can you at least think about it?”

Ryiah and Charon exchanged looks. Ryiah could see Charon wasn´t enthusiastic about it. Hell, she wasn´t either.

“Fine, we'll think about it.” Charon finally heaved a sigh, already regretting his decision as he heard Theia clapping her hands with joy.

“Theia!”

Ahanna´s voice made all three to snap their gazes toward the door and Theia gasped.

“Oh dear, I almost forgot!” She gathered her purse and scarf while standing up in haste, Charon and Ryiah stared at her with a stunned expression.

“Coming!” Theia waved at Ahanna who was tapping her foot looking beyond irritated.

“Here, this is my cell phone number. Call me when you have a plan.” Theia quickly wrote her number on a piece of paper she fished out of her purse, handing it to Charon.

He merely stared at the piece of paper while Ryiah sniggered.

“He will.” Ryiah chuckled and watched as Theia practically ran out the tearoom with hundreds of apologies directed at her friends.

Turning to look at Charon Ryiah leaned back and watched as Charon pocketed the paper seemingly unimpressed.

“You like her,” Ryiah stated smugly and grinned when Charon shot a lethal glare her way.

“No, I don´t.”

“Don´t lie to me. The Charon I remember wouldn´t budge no matter how hard a woman tries to pat their lashes at you if whatever they ask wasn´t part of your job. She didn´t even have to do that and you agreed to think about helping her.”

“Don´t even think about starting to play a matchmaker….I know that look and I´m warning you…”

“You're warning me? Oh come on, we both know how I feel about your warnings. Even Griffin didn´t take you seriously back then.” Ryiah hummed.

“Well, Griffin was an i***t even back then.” He scowled, making Ryiah tense up slightly. Charon either ignored it or didn’t see her reaction, continued. “Thinking he would have a shot of beating me in a training yard when he only had a couple of months behind him while I had been training five years.” 

Charon argued, Ryiah let the tension waft away before chuckling. “Yes...  Griffin was a bit hot-headed but he refused to give up and you admired him for that. You were like his big brother he tried so hard to impress.”

Charon didn´t say anything. Somewhere deep down he always knew that and that was why he kept pushing Griffin to his limits because he knew Griffin had what it took to be an assassin.

With more training, Griffin would’ve become a great assassin.

And he did. Griffin became one of the most feared assassins Kyrre had even known and with Charon and Ryiah by his side, they were an invincible trio. If someone ended on their list, they were dead before they even knew it.

But Charon had been worried when he had seen how close Ryiah and Griffin had become during their long hours at the training ring. He had confronted them both about it but they ensured their relationship would not cause problems. So Charon had let it slide and never mentioned it to the guild.

The House of Valor was proud of their assassin trio but then something happened during an important mission.

Griffin made a grave mistake and their target managed to escape and managed to severely wound Charon, nearly killing him and his team. That ignited a fight between them and Charon had called him hurtful words, words that did Griffin no justice. He regretted them deeply, and couldn’t bear to think of it again. Ryiah defended Griffin, of course, stepping between the men but it did little to stop them. Instead in anger, Charon had gripped Ryiah by the collar and slammed her against a wall growling into her ear the reason why relationships were forbidden: It was an unspoken rule every assassin knew of. Unnecessary affairs were undoubtedly gonna cloud the mind. With a clouded mind came little mistakes, with little mistakes came casualties. Unnecessary casualties.  

Griffin had tried to stop them both from breaking this already fragile camaraderie, but it had been futile. Charon was no longer in control of his rage, neither was Ryiah. She had seen red at that point, brandishing her Sai and slashed Charon across the chest. It hadn’t been deep, but Charon still has a thin scar to remind him of that day.

Hateful words have been spoken, and all that left Charon’s lips he had come to regret. 

He remembered the exact words he had spoken that broke the fragile comradeship in a thousand pieces like it was just yesterday that he had uttered them.

“Just because you are so damn c**k sick doesn’t mean our guild should pay the price!”

They left a bitter taste in his mouth even now, what’s worse, Charon had reported Ryiah’s and Griffin’s relationship to the guild, and given them the blame of the failed mission. 

They had been brandished as traitors of the guild and been kicked out forever. 

Left to fend for their own as outcasts. They had been picked up by the House of Valor not that soon after. 

Charon had never been able to forgive himself, the guilt only increasing after the death of Griffin.  

It hurt to look into Ryiah’s eyes when Charon glanced at Ryiah, who looked back at him. Imagining the pain and misery she had to go through thanks to him. 

Charon had a lot to make up for, and which he would try his hardest to fix and put back the salvageable pieces.

Ryiah was just about to speak up when a waiter stopped at their table, paper and pen in hand. 

“Are you ready to order?” The waiter asked politely, looking at them both.

“Yes, I´ll have berry tea and waffles with raspberries, ice cream and caramel sauce.” Ryiah smiled.

“Thank you, and you sir?” The waiter turned to look at Charon.

“I´ll have khyr tea and today´s special.”

The waiter wrote down their orders and with a light bow returned into the kitchen.

“I miss him too...” Charon spoke, seeing Ryiah´s gaze turning a little distant as she averted her gaze from his face, brows furrowed, it made Charon regret his words again. Clearly talking about Griffin was a sensitive topic and spite her friendly attitude shining through occasionally, Ryiah had a deep resentment toward him.

“Yes, well if it wasn´t for you, there would be a good chance he would still be alive,” Ryiah muttered keeping her gaze fixed on the table´s surface but she could hear Charon´s heavy exhale as if he had been holding his breath for some reason.

“There hasn´t been a day that I haven´t regret the words I said to you both or the report I made. But I never thought about coming after you Ryiah, you were never on my hit list and never will be. I am truly sorry for what I did.” Charon tried but he could see Ryiah wasn´t all that moved by his words.

“And before you say anything else, I know that saying this won’t make this okay, nor does it take back what happened. I don’t ask for forgiveness, you can hate and resent me all you want, I don’t blame you if you do. But I do want to salvage the pieces that I’ve broken and repay and rebuild what was lost as best as I can.”

Ryiah was quiet for a moment, clearing her throat slightly, she spoke up. “I don’t want to talk about it… Any ideas about helping Theia?”

Ryiah changed the subject and watched how Charon flinched at her harsh statement.

“I´m already regretting agreeing to help her. I need time to figure this out.”

Ryiah merely hummed and broke into a wide grin when the waiter came back with her order. The hot waffles on the plate made her mouth water.

She decided to let Charon think of the plan while she would enjoy her second breakfast.

If he wanted to fix things, then he had to put in the effort.