Anything For You
Chapter 172

"Your Highness, are you certain...you don't want any soldiers to accompany you? I mean...there could be any wild animals on the hunt. You could need a helping hand...just...in...case." Trevor insisted Dankein bring along some soldiers, at least two while he was going hunting, but gulped his words when Dankein glared. The man had such a dominating aura that he didn't even need to say any words aloud. Just a glare was sufficient.

"I am sorry for intruding. And Silvan said that he and Lady Nexus are leaving for the human world today. You won't be around that time, so he told me to convey..." Trevor said again helping Dankein tighten the reins of the horse that the man was going to ride over. Dankein just nodded and hummed in response. With a swift leap, he hopped over the horse taking control over the reins, and pushed his legs into the zone saying,

"Tell Silvan that I would like to visit him in the human world someday. He mustn't forget to send me his human address, and not to forget that he should behave. Also, I like that Lady Nexus." Dankein left the castle and disappeared into the wild forests of Siesta Valley soon while Trevor was laughing out tremendously remembering his words 'Lady nexus'

Everyone got busier with their daily chores, while Dankein was not interested in any kinds of hunts. Siesta Valley had its climate. It was usually warm and humid, making it the perfect area for plants and animals to grow and reach their fullest. The animals were healthy and fat when it came to hunting. Except for the King, some royal guards were allowed to hunt, while the commoners were presented with feast only.

Passing through the Valley jungles, Dankein kept on sparing narrowed and observant glances to everything nearly scanning the perimeter not stopping or using any of the hunting weapons. His focus was ahead as if he was looking through the wind and finding his way in that broad hazy day.

The summer had just departed and the days and nights had started to get chilly in the Valley, but it wasn't yet Winter. The whole Valley turned dark for one long month when it was winter getting no amounts of sunlight. Dank had paid much attention to the comforts of his people in recent years bringing in more and more technological materials in the valley. They used to conserve sunlight for crops and lighthouses in the winter. Unlike other days, it was a little hazy with occasional sun and fog. Crossing the forest and meadows, Dank looked over his shoulder to notice that he had stepped out of the valley territory and headed towards the other road that went straight into the Witmourn Raft Kingdom. If Trevor knew this beforehand, he would have assisted him. Dank thought, and then raced ahead showing no signs of stopping in the middle.

It was still the early hours of the day, and he had great chances of crossing the Witmourn Raft Kingdom easily for the haze and fog added to severe difficulties along with the magical barrier there. After an hour or so, Dank was standing at the territory of Witmourn Raft Kingdom looking through the haze that appeared to be much gloomy than he expected. The horse neighed once before taking two steps back letting Dankein know the unknown dangers lurking in the Kingdom.

Helping himself, Dank stepped down the horse and looked here and there only to find a discarded and abandoned barn on the east side. Taking care of the reins of his horse, Dank approached the barn hoping to find some water for his horse. Securing the animal to a nearby sodden log, he found an old well that he probably assumed to be dried out; all thanks to the deserted weather around.

Still, he thought of giving it a try and took slow steps towards that well. Finding no water in the depths of the well, he picked up a stone near his black boots and threw it into the well, only to hear a splashing sound; confirming some water down there. Quickly reaching for the essentials tucked on the back of his horse, he fetched a little container and took out some water. Sniffing the water two times, Dank made sure it wasn't contaminated and offered it to the thirsty animal.

Thinking of a little break, he sat down over the barren ground a little far away from the horse and darted his eyes at the foggy barrier. It was fine for a moment, but suddenly the barrier started to change its color and became blue. Hauling up hastily from his spot, Dank took charge of the reins of the horse patting its back preparing it for the journey ahead, and taking the container along with it.

Hopping over the horse, he marched ahead and pierced through the barrier making his way inside the Kingdom. The horse got injured and was bleeding over his back. Turning his head, Dank found the barrier normal again and heaved a sigh of relief. The barrier changed color once a day which indicated that anyone could enter without getting harmed if they had any supernatural powers. The horse turned out to be a poor thing.

Stepping down, he closed his eyes and moved his hands over the injured and whining horse, and his wounds got healed in a second. The animal looked horrified witnessing these things and peeked at Dankein through the right corner of his eyes finding the man smiling softly and warmly.

"I miss Drampus, Buddy. But you are also a good companion. Now, it is a little secret between us. Don't tell this anyone. Not even your stable friends and I will bring you more food. Okay?" Dankein said patted the back of the horse and the animal just nodded as if he understood everything Dankein said.

Drampus was his royal horse. But due to the abrupt change in the weather of Siesta valley, the horse was not in good health and hence Dankein left him there in Trevor's care and took the other horse instead. Finding a spot nearby, he tied the horse over there and whispered,

"You can rest here for the time being. I will be back after some time. Till then...sleep and recuperate, buddy." The horse took shelter under one of the huge banyan trees that were planted over centuries ago near the inner border of The Witmourn Raft kingdom as an entrance watching Dankein's figure disappearing in the deserted land.

Some moments later, Dankein was standing outside a house that looked desolated and abandoned. The sun was up, yet the house had no signs of any sunlight entering it. The wooden nameplate hanging over one of the huge wooden doors gave off the vibes that it was of high quality and would have been cost the owner a lot in those centuries. But due to the rough surroundings and time-lapse, the names written over it seemed to have been faded leaving nothing but a hanging designer wooden piece.

Pushing the door a bit, Dankein stepped inside only to notice the creaky sounds produced by those old hinges which were out of grease; he presumed. The house was built like a mini castle and everything was of such a high value. Dankein paid a little attention to anything and headed for a particular direction only to step into another room.

Unlike the other parts of that haunted-looking house, this room was neat and clean letting him feel as if somebody lived here. The temperature of his surrounding was cold as if it was a morgue. In one corner, there were kept some old wood pieces, some of them stacked on one side and the rest burning lighting the room.

The fire was enough to warm that place. The man smiled,

"What a warm welcome! I know, I know... that it hasn't been a century and I am early, but I need your help." He talked as if someone was there. Looking here and there, the man found an old chair cast out of a stone and took swat over that leisurely. Soon, he heard the whistling wind blow and in one gust, the burning fire just went off and darkness crept over everything. Dankein took out a cigar from his side pocket. Lighting it carelessly, he puffed in some smoke and then puffed out over the smoldering wood. The fire started burning the half-burnt logs.

"You don't have to be pissed. You help me, I help you. Besides that old lady is of no use to me. She poses only danger and nothing else." Taking another puff of his cigar, he looked in another direction appreciating the wall drawings that also looked ages old. The whistling wind softened and he felt someone whisper in his ears. Smiling softly, he retorted with a smug look,

"Of course. I know that. I will bring her skin for you. And this century will be finished after a few days. So, If you want to live longer...you better decide to help me. This is a fair deal." Dankein behaved as if he already had the ball in his court, and he wasn't here because he needed help, but because the other someone needed him.

The rustling wind started blowing fast with a susurration and suddenly a burning log came flying towards the man's face. But he kept on enjoying his smoke and raised one of his hand's mid-air making the log shatter into pieces over the ground. Chuckling early, he said,

"Don't try to test me. I am no longer the naïve man, I used to be back then. I know you and your ways. So, get off with these little tricks. Nobody can help you except me."

The blowing wind calmed down and Dankein hauled up from his seat smashing the leftover buds of cigar underneath his black boots partially covered with desert sand. Stepping towards the door, he warned a certain someone, "You owe me a lot more. You should not forget the debt. Because I know how to collect it." And the moment he exited the room, there was heard a loud ear-piercing cry of a woman. The man just smiled and headed for his horse.