11 An olive branch

Rotnam returned to the bar area after resting in his room for a short period. When he returned to the bar of the Inn he noticed not a single person was present. That included the bartender and front counter clerk. Unsure of what to do he merely sat down at the bar where he had earlier.

'This man is making my head hurt.' Rotnam was thinking to himself. He didn't mind sitting around and waiting, that's what he did most days by the King's side anyway. What made his head hurt was the man was far more moody, the King was required to some degree to control himself and his emotions, Mikax on the other hand was not.

As Rotnam sat in silence at the bar he heard footsteps coming down the stairs and into the room. He could tell they were feminine and from one of the young ladies he was escorting here.

"Has he not come down yet?" It was Princess Hesa who had made her appearance first.

Without even turning towards her he simply shook his head. 'Not that he couldn't just escape again and this whole trip would have been for nothing.'

The two sat in silence together waiting for someone to appear from either upstairs or someone who worked there. After another 30 minutes, Hesa had enough and went back to her room.

The moment she was completely out of sight Rotnam felt something hard pressed against the back of his head. He immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He could list the people he suspected could sneak up on him this closely on a single finger.

"So why shouldn't I turn you into a vegetable?" Mikax's voice sounded ice cold in Rotnam's ears, it was as if the God of Death was asking him for his last words. Rotnam gulped hard, if what he thought was pressed against his head was the same tool from that day then his answer to Mikax needed to be something extraordinary.

"If I'm being honest, I don't think I can give you a good reason." Unfortunately, Rotnam drew a blank, he wasn't going to come up with some grand excuse on how he was needed because he seriously doubted he was.

Removing the barrel of his gun from the back of Rotnam's head Mikax chuckled. He liked how Rotnam didn't mince his words or try and bullshit him. People with straightforward personalities like this reminded him of his brother. "Well, at least you're still honest." Was all Mikax said to him before walking around the bar and pouring himself and Rotnam a drink.

After returning to his seat from earlier Mikax waited for Rotnam to try what he had poured him. He was happy to see the surprised look on his face as he seemed to enjoy the taste of the drink as much as Mikax did.

"So Rotnam, tell me the real reason you personally are here. You said to be my shadow, but let's be serious, is that what you really want?" Mikax was trying to figure out the man beside him more so he decided to lead him into a conversation that would benefit the both of them.

Rotnam didn't answer immediately. Of course the answer was 'No', why would he want to follow this man around when he could use his strength to help people. Since Mikax had given him the shield he had actually broken thru a bottle neck and had reached level 113. What Rotnam hoped to really gain from being around Mikax was more of these unexpected benefits.

"I want to gain more power. For me I am at the top of the humans of the Azran Kingdom. It's hard to grow when I have no knowledge of what's next." Rotnam finally had answered his question after giving it some thought. He had other things he would like to gain but that was the one he wanted most. If Mikax wouldn't save the Kingdom than someone needed to and he didn't have the strength to do it currently.

Of course Mikax had noticed the strength increase in Rotnam. It wasn't much but as you got higher in levels every little bit mattered. He could tell that Rotnam had a very high potential to be where he was currently at his young age. This, combined with his personality, is why Mikax was interested in him.

"So what are you willing to do to gain that power? Would you betray your morals? Would you forsake humans to do it?" Mikax was poking fun at him right now. He knew how to lead Rotnam to the desired outcome he wanted, this was a perk of his personality.

"I won't betray the Kingdom or my morals. I also, won't give up my humanity. Why does it seem you are asking questions you know the answers to?" Rotnam was agitated by this feeling, he didn't like being manipulated and being around nobles for so long this started to feel like one of their recruitment pitches.

Smiling Mikax knew he had found someone interesting, "that's because I am, what I want you to do is open your mind. If you want to get strong enough to reach your goals you can't live in a bubble. I may not look it Rotnam but I have been alive for twice as long as you have now. I don't much care if you believe me or not, but I have also died about a thousand times."

Rotnam was taking what Mikax was telling him very serious. He could sense that Mikax wasn't pulling his leg or spinning tall tales, hell if Mikax told him that he was a squirrel right now he would believe him, the conviction that he was using demanded that type of belief.

"I'm not saying that you need to go thru what I did to reach your goals, there are tons of paths you could take to get there, some just might be longer or easier than others." Mikax continued to talk to Rotnam trying to lead up to what was next. "If you want to get as strong as me then you will need to suffer, you will have to make choices that lead you into a grey area of your morals, and lastly you will have to open your mind."

Silence hung between the two men. They both knew that speaking now wasn't needed. Rotnam had a lot to think about, he could sense that Mikax was offering him help but it came with stipulations. He wasn't sure what those stipulations were exactly but from the few interactions they had, he knew that they were costly.

After both of their drinks had finished Mikax patted Rotnam on the shoulder. "You don't have to decide now, if you want to have your mind opened tonight then meet me at the Northern gate at 10p.m." With that Mikax reached over the bar to grab a bottle before retiring to his room with his mug.

The rest of the morning and early afternoon were uneventful. The normal patrons of the Valedge Inn were disappointed and worried to see the doors temporarily closed. This hadn't ever happened before and some worried Mikax had gone on a rampage again.

Rotnam spent most of the day sitting at the bar contemplating what to do. All three ladies had made an appearance at some point. This was one of the few times that Rotnam had gotten up since they needed to eat. After finding Lyra, Orion, and Onas as well, Rotnam apologized repeatedly for intruding and causing such a situation to the family. They of course had done the exact same thing for not being better hosts.

While eating with the other members that had joined him, Rotnam retold his conversation with Mikax. They were all surprised to hear that he had extended an olive branch to the man. Although the Princess knew he wasn't all bad since he warned her to stay down before causing mayhem, they were all well aware of how dangerous he could be if he chose it. After speculating for a bit on his meanings and what he intended to do Hesa had urged Rotnam not to go. Following suit Kydorzia was also against it, her father had been injured during the explosion in the throne room but luckily wasn't killed. Arlyne was similar in that regard however she stayed silent on her opinion on what Rotnam should do and simply went to her room.

That night Rotnam went to Mikax's room around 9pm to inform him he wouldn't not be going. He knocked lightly on the door and was surprised to find it swung open gently on its on. Rotnam put his hands on to his head and began rubbing his temples. 'Of course the room is empty' he thought to himself. Mikax wouldn't hole up in his room all day. He probably hasn't been home since he saw him last. So much for being his shadow.

Rotnam decided to find out what Mikax wanted to show him at that moment. He was too far behind the man he was supposed to shadow how was he ever going to do his job this way.

He made it thru town easily enough. At this time of night there was almost no foot traffic. When he got to the gate he saw Mikax talking to the guards. They were clearly asking him questions about who he was since his face was plastered on posters thru town now.

"Excuse me but that man is with me and I would appreciate you leaving him be." Rotnam flashed the royal crest attached to his sword. The guards immediately apologized and walked back to their posts.

"So you decided to come, you even brought your own shadow. This is getting interesting." Mikax had pointed over Rotnam's shoulder while grinning.

Turning his head Rotnam saw Arlyne coming from the shadows wearing clothing similar to that of a rogue. He knew her family specialized in the thief and assassin arts so he wasn't overly surprised.

"So that's why you were so quiet earlier." Rotnam put his hands on his hips like a disapproving parent.

Once Arlyne had arrived in front of him she didn't stop like he expected and only kept walking. It was when Rotnam had turned around to say something that he noticed Mikax had already left thru the gate and was walking up the road to the north.

'Damn I am a terrible shadow' was all Rotnam could think as he jogged to catch up to the two.

After walking for a few more minutes in silence Mikax stopped abruptly and clapped his hands. "This should do. Now please, passengers keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times!" Both Arlyne and Rotnam were completely confused by what Mikax had meant.

A magic circle appeared underneath all of their feet in the next instant. The two riders in almost complete unison asked the same question, "Mikax what is happening?" They had never seen this spell before but could feel how much mana was in the air.

Mikax had a sinister grin on his face as he answered their question, "This lady and gentleman is our field trip to the demon lord himself."