Lucas was pissed by the time that elf had finally let him gofrom the infirmary. Hannah was gone. He assumed she had hightailed it back to her home after she found out not only he had he survived the dungeon but he had also saved the prisoners.
"I just don't understand her motives did she really think those goblins would be able to kill me? " he spoke half to himself and half to his friends.
Sasha was the first to speak "Does it matter why she did it Lucas. The fact is that she tried to kill you albeit it failed but it doesn't change the fact of what she did."
"I just never expected for it to be someone our age I guess I mean I'm not dumb I always knew assassination or abduction was a thing even more so among the Noble Blooded, but I don't know guess I just thought it would be older folks not our age. I guess I'll just have to be more on guard from now on." Troy spoke up a troubled look on his face
"You know Lucas you're still too trusting of everyone around you. I'm a perfect world I would envy you but it's not and you're gonna learn that people always only show you what they want to. Be it who they truly are or just the mask they're wearing to get what they want."
Lucas sighed calming his troubles "it's not that I don't know that it's that I choose to believe that everyone is good until they give me reason to doubt it."
Troy no longer looked concerned but angry and it showed in his tone "Lucas you see how that's gonna end surely. Yes there are some nice people but if you keep down this path you're gonna end up hurt or worse simply by trusting others until they give you a reason not too."
"Because Troy if I treat everyone like they're out to get me then I won't be able to give the people the hero and symbol of hope and awe that's needed. I will not rule through fear. I don't want to be worshipped I just want them to trust in me when the time comes and be able to believe that no matter what I do it is for the good of the people."
"The good of the people won't matter if you're dead Lucas I mean like seriously come on. Wake up from this delusional world you've built for yourself in your head. There are no hero's Lucas and the only people who stay good and true to themselves are extremely lucky or don't live long." Troy stormed off and walked towards the market are down the road
Sasha grabbed Luca's arm and looked up at him worriedly "Lucas he's just angry because we've all grown so close together he sees you as a brother and he's no good with words. Just don't be angry with him and try to understand where he's coming from he's not necessarily wrong."
"Sasha I know this "I know he's not wrong but it also doesn't mean he's right. My duty is to the people of my father's territory and our kingdom. No matter how that may put me at risk. I'm gonna be someone these people can rely on someone who even through the bad they'll have be able to have hope and know that I'll do everything I can. I'm no fool like Hannah's proven even my own people will try to get for me. Which is why I'm also gonna show them what happens to traitors. Now go find Troy and get him calmed down."
With Sasha gone Lucas finally had some time to think about his next steps. Hannah is a noble but by trying to kill Lucas and failing it made her an easy target. Strength and battle prowess is what matters most to his people. What is a court of nobles if not another battlefield albeit one of the mind. By failing she's opened not just her but her family to the mercy of other nobles. Had he died he doubted that anything would of been able to happen to Hannah such was the way of his people.
Hannah had a dew days head start no doubt by now she would be well protected in her family home. Lucas couldn't help but let out a sigh
"Would you care for a story from other lands perhaps to ease your burdens young man?"
Lucas looked up and saw a bard sitting on a barrel. He looked around and realized he had wandered down the road and was just outside a pub.
"Erm sure who are you anyways?"
"Ah where's my manners the names Ralic" the stranger held out his hand in greeting and Lucas shook the man's hand
"My name is Lucas White. You were named after the messenger god?" It's odd for someone to be named after a god Lucas couldn't help but take a better look at the man he was older than Lucas but not much but his eyes were gold and looked like they had seen many things and were full of wisdom.
"I guess you could say that but enough about me would you care to hear a story? Even better I'll tell you 2 stories! All I require is a favor in return."
Lucas immediately became suspicious "what type of favor?"
"Do not fret sir wolf the favor will benefit you in the end I swear it by my namesake." Lucas felt the worlds energy flare briefly at the statement. It meant he really had promised by the god Ralic." Eased by the promise to the God Lucas couldn't see any harm in hearing the two stories he definitely could use a distraction. "Well let's hear it?"
"Come now Lucas the alleyway isn't the proper place for a story let's go in the pub and fill our bellies with Meas first."
"I suppose you're right after you"