Chapter 5 - Much Needed Company

“You never bring me anywhere.” Aurora piped up as the crowd moved around them and they moved through it. Abdo ignored it and pushed forward dragging her along with him. He held her hand to prevent them from getting separated. “YOU NEV-” Abdo quickly covered her mouth.

“I heard you the first time, I’ll simply answer later. Silence for now, sister.” His swift reply was met with annoyance from Aurora. How was she supposed to know that? The two kept moving through the crowd.

Despite the sheer number of people, they kept their chats between themselves. Though, it would be interrupted by someone spewing some nonsense. Well, it’s nonsense to Aurora.

“Sars and Sais the Grand Accord is ending in a short week! Cast your votes! Vote Cien!” “It appears that Cien will ascend to be the next Khaga Tajir!” “The sudden withdraw from Luden is too suspicious! Is he working with Cien? Help us stop the underlying corruption in the Alliance!”

Abdo’s grip tightened and she tightened her grip in response. They continued to move in silence. “Here.” Abdo motioned to a tavern, “A tavern!” She narrated happily. Abdo pushed against the door, pulling himself and her into it. “A quiet one, but still a nice one.” She added. Though after a while, she realised how dim it was. She moved around, inspecting various interesting things such as the wall. Apparently, her scant observation was unappreciated. Serious, stone cold faces all turned towards her. She flashed a quick smile, hoping to appease them and it did not. They were too tired from working. The only reason they even looked at her was because when Abdo entered light poured in, irritating them.

Abdo quickly chatted up a secretary at the counter, asking about something. Aurora continued to glance here and there, and appreciated the fine woodwork. The intricate lines all convening at the center of the ceiling forming a serpent, with golden eyes and a silver tongue. “Excuse me.” She took a step back as a waiter passed by, the same serpent woven into the back of their uniform. Their insignia, their brand. It made sense now. The entrance had scales embedded into it, and an obsidian window, not that it was practical. Anyone who decided to peek into the tavern through it would see nothing but black. She continued to observe the tavern, trying not to be drawn by the eye-catching serpent. The rest of the decor matched the serpent’s color. Silver tables, obsidian chairs, golden utensils. “I don’t like it.” She said aloud.

“Mind your tongue.” Abdo snapped back. “Come.” He grabbed her by the wrist and led her into a room.

Aurora placed herself against a wall and observed what Abdo was doing. It felt like an eternity. He went through tablet after tablet, file after file, ledger after ledger. To be precise, he placed a stack of tablets, files and ledgers and only read the first sentence of a ledger. “Why am I here? You seem to be doing whatever it is pretty well.”

“I’m doing more than ‘pretty well’, sister. I simply need your company.” A surprisingly honest answer from him.

“Curious.” She said aloud. “Well, I’ll take it.” A smile formed, grateful to be able to spend time with him. “By any chance did you make Lucien angry?”

“No, why?” Abdo answered while he continued to read through a ledger.

“That’s awfully dismissive. I assumed you’d be friends. My question could’ve warranted a pause at the very least.” Now that warranted a pause from him.

“Aurora. Lucien and I work together. There is no friendship between us, we are together for our own benefit.” Abdo continued going through the ledger, “Like you and Elaria hunting together. We are simply at a stage where we no longer mutually benefit each other.” He added.

“Well, I asked because of a message I received from one of your friends.” Aurora explained.

“I told you, those are for me.” Abdo answered.

“I can’t help it!” She cried out. “These weren’t covered like they usually are.” Abdo’s head rose, his interest was captured. “Refrain from your current activities, and apply yourself in a less obstructive manner.” She reiterated the contents of the letter. “No signature, just a message.”

“Did anyone come by? Any of my friends?” Abdo asked, and he received an affirmative grunt. He was relieved, that she couldn’t piece it together. Not that there was enough information to do so. He wasn’t sure he should be relieved. His arm hovered over the right side of his waist, and he gently lowered it, applying small amounts of pressure.

“These friends of yours sure are persistent.” She scoffed, and started poking around the room, and fiddled with the various ornaments and seeing if they did anything. Abdo winced in pain, cursing himself for applying too much pressure, It hurt less than last time. “I turned them away each time, and they returned every few days. They haven’t showed up this week, thankfully.” Aurora had her back turned and did not see this, which saved him from needing to explain himself, overprotective as she is.

“That’s because they caught me at home a few days ago. While you were out with Klaus.” He answered.

“You let them in?” She glanced at him with an expression of disapproval.

“What’s with that look? They’re my friends.” He justified his actions.

“They’re from the Alliance then?” Abdo nodded at her question. She moved behind him, and looked over his shoulder attempting to read the tablet’s contents. She gave up immediately, “It’s hard to believe that they are. The way they carry themselves is quite foreign for merchants.” She added.

“I invited them in because they’re my friends.” Abdo repeated. “Did they push your around? They’re quite persistent.”

“Aww,” She smiled. “Worried about me are you? Isn’t that sweet.”

“Shush!” He immediately spat back. Turning around, “I’m not like that anymore.” He answered.

“The past week sure felt like it.” There was no reply from Abdo. “Your silence is also an answer.” Recalling the past made her smile, “Sometimes you’d ruin a big hunt in the Wilds, got a huge earful from Dad. You’d sulk in your room for a week.” She sighed, “You’d act all normal but I could always tell you weren’t feeling all right.”

“That didn’t change about me? After all these years?” Aurora shook her head. Abdo returned to his work.

“It hasn’t no. Still, quite generous of you to call them friends. Whatever they said must’ve cut quite deep. Though, one thing has changed.” This, again, peaked his interest. “You handle yourself better now, even if you do sulk. I’m not needed as much anymore. Though, I stayed just in case.”

“You didn’t leave the house for a week?” Aurora shook her head. “Klaus isn’t as incapable as you think he is. The food we’ve been eating this past week was hunted and cooked by him. You better thank him properly. He even picked up new tricks.” Aurora answered.

Abdo gave no reply, instead he simply grunted. “I’ll be fine now.” Abdo thanked in a hushed voice. Aurora in return granted him a soft smile.