Chapter 87: thank her

The next morning they went down the town, every person they met was gloomy and wave of sadness covered the whole area.

Kids playing around and young girls who were blessed to stay there, were locked inside.

Ellie stopped and saw a little body in a dark cold alley.

It was a little kid with long hair she thought it was a girl, she revealed her cape and approached her, the girl was scared but she smiled warmly at her walking slowly.

"-what are you doing here alone? Don't worry I am here to help."

The child yelled and an iron fishing net was thrown at her; the kid escaped and man surrounded her.

"-we got her!" she tried to escape but it was heavy to lift.

"-you got the wrong person! I'm with you!

-not anymore, you were our trusted huntress but now… you chose yourself as the prince's concubine to protect yourself.

-hell no mate!" Howin screamed and pushed the crowed to stand in front of the man who was talking.

"-she is no concubine and she is your loyal huntress pretty much a serial killer now, but what was that for?

-we want our families back! You promised us protection but we are living in fear, our king is at verge of dying and the prince enjoying his wedding.

-First, the king is not going to die and the prince is getting married tomorrow to take care of his kingdom as fast as possible yet he sent us to keep things under control…" ray explained but the other man snickered:

"-under control! Huh, we don't have food to eat, everyone is jobless and broke, our children and wives are missing and we don't have a king and you call it under control!

-give us a better solution then." Everyone turned and saw Pryor standing with the royal guards behind him and carriages.

"-it's your job to find a solution not me old man!" Howin put the sword on the man's neck and warned:

"-watch who you are talking too." Pryor motioned for him to get over the man so he did.

"-I tried looking for a solution but I didn't find any; they risked their lives for you, lost their family in the worst way. Yet, kept on their promise to protect you and our prince who almost got assassinated twice.

-Do you expect us to clap? It changes nothings and we will keep her a hostage till we get our wives and daughters back or find a solution to our miserable life." The man commented and Ray looked at him dead in the eyes and suggested:

"-what about we give you a free ticket to hell and bring them back. How is that?

-discipline solder." Pryor ordered and walked to stand in front of the man.

"-kids will be taken care of in the castle by the maids we got and with help from the king Verin. They will continue their education and food will provided for everyone so is payment for the hard workers and loyal citizens. Everything will get back to normal.

And an extra gift for the best decorated homes to celebrate the prince wedding. It is not for the royal family but for you to celebrate and welcome new years of prosperity.

-are you going to believe him? He is lying to you!" Every man dropped his weapon and went to the carriages to take their food and money to open again their shops thanking the commander.

"-you shouldn't thank me, you should thank your hostage. She prepared everything for you." They all turned and bowed to her and she bowed back with a little smile.

The child who trapped her gave the food to his father and went to help her take of the fishing net. Ray and Howin helped him smiling.

She smiled him and he hugged her crying:

"-I'm sorry and thank you Miss." She hugged him back smiling and patted his head comforting:

"-you did nothing wrong sweetheart; don't let anyone force you to do anything you don't like and take care of your family. Okay?" the child nodded and she wiped the tears.

"-what's your name?

-Noro

-you are a boy?

-yes, I got to go Miss Ellie and thank you for everything." he run back to eat his food.

The two boys were shocked and jealous as well.

"-so…when did you plan all of…this?" Howin asked pointing at the carriages and Pryor feeding young boys with a weak smile.

"-yesterday after I get back from town." They both nodded and followed her.

"-hey Miss Ellie." A man called and the three turned to him.

"-what's wrong?

-we want you to decorate the house with us." Noro answered with enthusiasm.

She smiled back and answered:

"-I have something to take care of first and once the guards bring the decoration you will find me next to you." He nodded then gave her hug before leaving with his father who thanked her as well.

"-I hate that kid." They both whispered looking at each other; then to Ellie who walked past them with a serious face.

They went to a dark secluded alley.

"-what are we doing her?

-you will know."

She pushed the door open of an empty bar.

"-welcome again our savior.

-you got what you want now what I want.

-you are no fun girl." She glared at the tattooed man whose eyes widened looking at Ray.

They all looked at him and he was shocked.

"-why are you looking at me?" the man rolled his eyes at the stupidity in his voice and bent under the counter to bring some files he pushed to her.

She took them and proceeded to leave.

But he coughed, she threw him a good amount of money and warned:

"-this better keep your mouth shut Cameron.

-it will and…thanks for everything Ellie." She nodded and left. The boys didn't understand what's going on.

"-If you are going to stay you have to pay gentleman." Cameron said and they left glaring at him.

"-he know where our target is but I have to decode the map to find him. In exchange I provided education and protection for his child." She explained and they understood. And Ray asked her:

"-hold on isn't he the famous black market trader?

-yes

-I thought he don't have kids.

-he gave him to someone else to take care of, he didn't want his son to be like him." Ray nodded and they went back to the castle before heading to town before sunset to help with decoration. Everything was going perfectly, people were happy again.