Chapter 31

  Drakkel's eyes widened as his heart began to beat faster. He didn't want to tell Rillian Adore, but he knew it wouldn't be fair. If he waited, then the water would no longer be hot by the time Rillian Adore came in. The very thought of telling him caused a shiver to go down his spine, even when his body was perspiring from the heat.

  But Rillian Adore had paid for the room after all and hadn't had a proper bath in a while as well. Wouldn't it be shameless to take advantage of his kindness?

  After sitting for a moment, he finally decided.

  He took a deep breath and called, “Rillian.”

  He didn't say it too loudly so as not to alert the other guests. It was only loud enough for Rillian Adore to hear it. The planks on the floor creaked as the sound of footsteps drew closer and closer. A squeaking sound signified the door opening.

  In response, Drakkel instinctively turned around so his back was facing the door and his front faced the fence.

  “What is it?” Rillian Adore asked.

  “The spring water won't stay hot for long. I think you should come bathe as well.” Drakkel replied.

  Rillian Adore didn't answer nor make a movement, so Drakkel pointed to the sign.

  “Oh.” He said

  The floorboards creaked again as he walked over to the Hot Springs accessories closet.

  Drakkel heard the sound of his robes dropping to the floor and his items getting thrown into the hamper. From behind him, he heard the splash of the water as someone got in. He moved his body closer to the edge and further away from the person behind him.

  An awkward silence fell between them.

  Because they were already together, Drakkel thought it would be best to discuss what happened before.

  “Rillian. Why did you hide from the Golden Peak Swords Clan?”

  A short silence followed his question until Rillian Adore finally answered, “You.”

  I what? Drakkel thought. What exactly was he trying to say?

  “What do you me...” Then Drakkel’s eyes widened.

  Could it have been that his reasoning from earlier was correct?

  Drakkel's eyebrows knitted together as his mouth closed shut. Had Rillian Adore really thought that far and all because of him?

  He crossed his arms and cleared his throat, deciding to change the subject.

  Discussing their moves going forward would be more ideal, especially due to what happened the day before. “Rillian, It seems like word of us traveling together has spread. The man named Tifon purposefully waited for me to separate from you before attacking and he said he would bring others with him. What if this isn't the only occurrence? What if we are attacked again? Can you handle it if multiple people come after you?”

  Another splash of water sounded from behind him, but gentler this time. “We’ll be fine. I’m not new to being challenged.”

  There was a twinge of something in his voice as he said, but Drakkel couldn't quite decipher it. However, his words weren't unfounded. As he had earned another name along with ‘The Merciless Golden Blade’ when he was said to have beaten 51 Sword Fighters in a row without losing once. He was also known as ‘The Undefeated Golden Blade.”

  Rillian Adore continued, “Besides, the Forging Rivers Swords Clan is located near Joyous Encounters. Tifon was probably walking around the area when he saw us. He heard the stories and thought he could gain quick fame by apprehending you since you're close to me. He doesn't actually know who you are and so, can't prove anything. The occurrences you speak of aren't likely to happen.”

  After thinking for a moment, Drakkel knew Rillian Adore was right. Because he wore a veiled bamboo hat to cover his face, no one could attest to his identity. So, they could only follow rumors hoping to gain fame. No high level sword fighter would bother to act on this as they had most likely achieved their own fame and would think twice before challenging the Golden Blade in order not to ruin their hard-earned reputation, though some low level ones might try it, lacking both fame and reputation.

  But Rillian Adore could be ruthless as well and some of those who challenged him had their arms or legs broken during the fight. He even gained a reputation as the “Merciless Golden Blade during this time. So even most low level ones wouldn't dare go against him for fear of what might happen. Tifon was most likely one of a few outliers. If he didn't fear any of this, he was either stupid or well-connected. Or perhaps, maybe both.

  Drakkel nodded.

  There was another long bout of silence. He continued to observe the flowers in the small garden near the hot spring when Rillian Adore suddenly said, “Your skin. It's been getting redder since I got here. Are you ok?”

  The comment startled Drakkel. He had felt his body temperature increasing for every moment Rillian Adore was there, but he didn't think anything of it. Now that Rillian Adore mentioned it, it only made him feel hotter.

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  “I’m fine.” He said. “I’m just not used to the heat.”

  Then Rillian Adore said something else, “After we get out, I can apply some medicine…”

  With the thought of Rillian Adore applying a salve to Drakkel's naked physique, the heat rising to his face had heightened, making him dizzy.

  Drakkel didn't let him finish. He shot up from the water and turned to look back at Rillian Adore.

  Though he was out of the water, his body wouldn't cool down.

  The water of Joyous Encounters was said to have been one of the cleanest around, being sourced from a natural reservoir near the town. This was facilitated by Swordsmith Villa which wasn’t only powerful, but rich in funds as well. The funds trickled down to the townspeople who didn't have to worry about dirty water due to the clan. So, even though the water was hot, it was also extremely clear.

  He hadn't looked before, so he didn't know. But now, instinctively looking at Rillian Adore in an attempt to speak, his gaze drifted down and before he could even get a word out, he noticed that the other person with him was not wearing a towel.

  His entire face blushing bright red, he turned back around and quickly said, “I don't think I can handle the heat anymore. I’ll get ready for bed.”

  Rillian Adore nodded, not even questioning his reason for leaving.

  Drakkel gathered his robes from the hamper and calmly walked back into the room, his outer appearance not fitting the turmoil he felt inside.

  After changing in the lavatory and placing the wet towel in a hamper for dirty clothing, he realized that his hair was still wet, so he quickly walked back to the springs, avoiding looking at Rillian Adore.

  He then grabbed a towel from the hot spring accessories closet and used it to dry his hair as he hurried back to the room.

  Once his hair was dry enough, he placed the used towel in the hamper in the Lavatory and laid down on the far corner of the bed near his items.

  He sighed.

  He didn't understand what had just happened. Why had such a comment made him so nervous? After thinking for a moment, he figured that perhaps it was because he wasn't used to hearing such kind words without ulterior motives that the one comment Rillian Adore made, caused him to be so flustered.

  He wanted to cultivate, but with the heat and stresses of the day catching up to him, he involuntarily closed his eyes and went to sleep.

  When Drakkel again opened eyes, he was so close to Rillian Adore's face that their noses were nearly touching.

  How dare he? He thought. Again?

  Once was a coincidence! Twice was a Pattern!

  Maybe Rillian Adore wasn’t moving around in his sleep, but doing so purposefully?

  He was a troublemaker after all! Maybe he liked to tease people!

  It was only when Drakkel tried to feel the edge of his bed and his hand landed on the soft mattress did his mind begin to change.

  He carefully shimmied sideways until he reached the end of the bed where his items laid and the bed quietly creaked as he got off.

  His face reddening, a single thought came to mind, He was the one who had rolled over to Rillian Adore's side!

  He mentally kicked himself.

  It had been a long time since he had moved around so much in bed. He remembered the time when he was around five years old and slept with his master. He would sleep on the pillow next to him only to wake up in odd positions in the morning.

  Sometimes he would have a foot near his master's stomach or an arm on his face. His master couldn't tolerate it after a year and asked him to move to his own space. But the rooms were too large for his small body, so he ended up sleeping with his senior brother until he grew enough to handle having his own room.

  His senior brother seemed to have a way to make him stop moving, for after staying with him, he never moved around again- until today at least.

  He looked over at Rillian Adore whose sleeping figure was still unmoving and sighed.

  At this time, it was best to cultivate.

  He located an empty spot on the ground and got into a lotus position. His mind calmed and he found himself on top of a clear body of water that reflected the endless blue sky above it. There was only water and sky around him, nothing else. Not even a sound.

  When he unsheathed his sword, small ripples traveled out from under his feet. He struck forward, gliding over the water’s surface. Waves of water accompanied his movement flying up in arches around him.

  He practiced the 12 forms of the Sword Moon technique, splashes of water soaring into the air wherever he slashed. He was not yet willing to unleash his sword energy. Only after he had completed the 12th and last form, did he try to extend it. He stood in place, making his body straight and held his sword to his side. He closed his eyes and allowed his sword energy to travel outside him.

  Like the wind, it influenced everything. The gentle ripples of waves from underneath his feet grew larger. Like the soft breeze from the sea, spreading throughout the land, Drakkel’s sword energy permeated the air. The quiet and still waters began to gently move, swaying back and forth.

  Just as Drakkel thought he was about to make a breakthrough, his sword energy began to run rampant. The calm space became disordered. The waves flowed about without direction.

  Drakkel coughed and was taken out of the space.

  When he felt another cough come, he covered his mouth. As he pulled his hand away, he noticed a stain of blood. He quickly got up and went to wash it away in the lavatory.

  As he left, he heard Rillian Adore ask from outside, “Is something wrong?”

  Drakkel dried off his hands and made his way back to the room. When he saw Rillian Adore’s figure sitting up on the bed, he responded, “Nothing is wrong, I was just cleaning my hands.”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  As he stretched his upper body, he said, “I was thinking, we could try to pay for a carriage to take us back to Towering Heights.”

  Drakkel agreed. It wasn’t a bad idea.

  “Alright.” He said. “I’ll let you handle it.”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  After the two gathered up their items and ate at the main lobby, they left the inn.

  As Rillian Adore suggested, they searched for someone to take them to Towering Heights. But Joyous Encounters was a busy place. All the carriages had already been rented out or were already in use to transport other things. After a few hours, they decided to give up.

  Drakkel said, “It’s a little over a day’s travel on foot to Towering Heights. We might as well try to make it. I think we can camp out for a night.”