Harem Tournament of Champions

"He betrayed our tribe and needs to face justice." He answers coldly.

Siadra nods, understanding completely.

'That's it, believe just that and I'd do my part to make sure you never know.' He thinks.

The hooded female gives a bow, announcing her departure and hoping she could excuse herself to carry out the task given to her and the rest.

Nodding his head, he waves his hand in dismissal.

Whoosh!

Letting out a sigh, Vanas looks down at Siadra, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

'It will be hard though... so very difficult if I don't get him before lord Hisha does! I need answers!!' He screams inwardly.

Siadra smiles as she pulls him towards their arranged chambers. "Let's go inside for now, we've had enough trouble for one night, dear."

'My troubles have just begun.' Vanas corrects in his thoughts, reluctantly going along.

*****

In Straton,

Standing in front of a draper's stall, Amon stares intently at several pieces hanging behind glass windows. Each piece has intricate designs woven throughout its fabric making each unique. Some are simple while others take hours upon days to complete.

His eyes cautiously rove across every single item displayed within the shop window. Finally settling on something, he reaches inside grabbing hold of the cloth. Pulling it outside, he holds it up admiring the design and carefully inspecting all sides.

'This would be good for a disguise.' He thought about looking at the pattern. It had many colors which made it easy to hide among other people wearing similar clothing.

"This would suit you perfectly," A voice of the merchant says coming closer.

Amon glances up noticing the man approaching. Smirking lightly, he responds, "thank you sir but I can only pay half price since these aren't exactly new."

Looking disappointed, the merchant frowns deeply. "Half?! That's outrageous! These items should cost three times that much or even four depending on condition!"

Flinching, Amon pleads in a whisper for the man not to shout out loud about this matter as there were soldiers from the citadel patrolling nearby who could hear them talking. The last thing he needed was someone else to know about his presence.

The merchant sighs heavily, shaking his head sadly. Looking around nervously, he whispers back quietly, still staring at Amon. "I'm sorry lad; we have no choice because these clothes had taken quite some time to create by hand. We're lucky enough to sell any at such prices considering how these garments were recently open for sale..."

Shaking his head slightly, Amon replies softly, too afraid to speak loudly lest one of the soldiers passing by notice what is going on between himself and the seller.

After hearing everything said thus far, however, he decides on buying two sets of outfits instead of just one. One set consists of pants along with shirts matching those worn during summer, whereas another consists of long-sleeved tunics like winter wear. Both pairs also come equipped with boots designed specifically for walking over rough terrain.

As soon as payment arrangements are settled, Amon gives a slight bow towards the vendor thanking him profusely then leaves heading straight toward where he had been directed to Miss Zin.

Once arriving at his destination, he knocks gently once more waiting patiently until she opens the door allowing him entry without question.

Walking past her desk, he sits down taking off both shoes and placing them neatly beside hers. Then sitting cross-legged facing forward resting against the wall next to the doorway.

"Miss Zin, I am... here to see Lord Hisha's representative?" He asks politely awaiting an answer.

Zin smiles warmly, nodding slowly. She stands moving into the room, closing the doors after entering, leaving him alone again.

Returning, she sits on an empty chair opposite Amon smiling brightly. Her smile quickly fades when seeing the look of concern etched onto his features.

She leans forwards speaking in a low yet audible voice despite being quiet. "You feel nervous and terrified about what awaits you?"

Amon slaps his hand on the table and leans forward, whispering harshly. "...yes miss, but how do you know?!"

Her expression softens somewhat watching him closely. After a moment, she speaks calmly trying to reassure him.

"...because your fear shows through in the way you sit hunched over right now. You've got goosebumps running up and down your arms and legs. Your breathing seems shallow and rapid. And most importantly, you keep glancing left and right constantly fearing someone might overhear us talk."

Nodding silently, Amon exhales sharply feeling relieved that it had nothing to do with what he had thought.

He had wondered why the mysterious lady that had rescued him seconds before he could be captured had told him to meet Zin.

But regardless of whatever reasons may exist, he knew he couldn't let go of the opportunity presented to him.

If things went well, perhaps he could find answers regarding why he was forced to be on the run.

Either way, he felt compelled to follow orders given to him to meet a woman known simply as Miss Zin.

"You're thinking about your safety, am I right?" Zin asked curiously, eyeing him.

Smiling faintly, Amon nods briefly replying, "Yes miss, I don't want anyone looking for me if they happen to stumble upon my location so easily. So yes, please forgive the inconvenience caused due to having to wait till nightfall."

Zin nods her head in understanding, but that didn't stop her from questioning further. "As a vampire, do you think it's wise to remain indoors throughout the day? Wouldn't that be the same for the rest after you?"

Hearing this, Amon furrows his brows wondering whether the others really did sleep all day while everyone else remained awake.

His head whips up in shock, realizing something he had missed, "how did you know they are after me?"

Seeing his reaction, Zin chuckles amused saying, "it wasn't hard to figure out actually, my master has told me all about you and your woes."

'He has told me a lot more than you could ever imagine, it's only natural to wait it out and see how well you can be useful to him.' She thinks with a smirk playing on her lips.

Leaning closer, Amon questions her on who her master is, needing to know if it was the same master that the hooded female had spoken of. But before he can ask anything else, she clicks her tongue and gets to her feet.

Looking back, she winks teasingly causing him to blush, slightly embarrassed.

"You should follow the directions without so many questions, it's for the best if you would like to seek solace with the supreme overlord." She warns him sternly, making sure not to reveal herself completely.

Then turning away, she walks briskly across the floor disappearing behind the closed double doors leading outside.

Sighing tiredly, Amon looks away knowing there isn't much point asking anymore since she wouldn't tell him anyway.

Instead, he follows behind her obediently following instructions provided to him earlier. The sun setting rapidly casting shadows around him as he makes his way deeper inside the city walls.

The streets were busy even though dusk approached fast. People hurried home or headed somewhere to meet important deadlines. Some walked aimlessly lost in their thoughts whilst some looked bored staring blankly ahead.

Pulling him into an alleyway, Zin stops abruptly forcing him to halt too. Looking around cautiously, she turns to face him standing close enough for him to smell her sweet scent.

Reaching out, she places one finger under his chin lifting his gaze upwards, and gazing deeply into his eyes. His heart beats faster than normal hearing her voice whisper softly.

'What's going on?' Amon wonders, his mind racing at the sudden change in events. 'Does she have a strong attraction towards me?! Is this some sort of trap?!'

Shaking his head slightly, he tries to clear his confusion by focusing instead on what she wants to say next.

"I'm going to give you a gift tonight..."

'Gift? Is it what I think it is? Is she offering...me...? No! That doesn't make sense!' He thinks frantically shaking off any such notions.

However, he soon finds himself nodding along agreeing to everything she might want to do.

Zin says quietly, taking another step backward and pulling her cloak tightly against her body. Then reaching beneath the folds of fabric covering her chest.

Amon's eyes bulge in eager expectation, 'am I really going to do this here while I'm meant to be on the run?'