What's this? Two chapters in one update?!
yes...
=)
Enjoy!
Chapter 12
Wind tore against Gajeel's clothes and skin, an unrelenting sting of eddies and dry air. He did not plan to stop on his way to Crocus, he had business to take care of and he was already late.
The sun had not yet come up when he reached the main gates of the city. He did not need to hide here for he was expected. Pantherlily continued his cruel bounding pace straight through the empty stone streets. The castle sat at the heart of the void city and Gajeel tightened the reins to slow them, coming to a brisk walk until every lock and bolt was removed to allow them entry to the main hall.
It was a cold and abysmal place, with nothing but hard rock to keep the sunlight from revealing the dark secrets within. He remained mounted as the guards escorted him to the Steward's throne room. A single, red carpet lined the length of the hall, and upon a glance behind him, now a soiled carpet.
The throne sat unoccupied, and Gajeel could hear the distinct echo of yelling and complaining from somewhere in the castle. A door swung shut with a loud bang as the reason for Gajeel's visit made himself present. He mounted the steps to the throne in a gaudy, purple night robe having been pulled away from sleep.
He was an ugly man with pointed features and thinning hair. In truth, Gajeel found him odious. The man had a neurotic presence as he twitched and fidgeted in the wooden seat at the top of the steps. It was a temporary placement for what he expected to be cast.
"The hell you want, Kurogane!?"
Gajeel said nothing, simply scowling at the agitated steward, waiting until said neurotic remembered what he had summoned Gajeel for.
He dismissed his guards with a wave of his hand, encouraging Gajeel to dismount, which he did.
"Why do you insist on riding that fleabag in here?"
Gajeel obliviously stroked his horse's broad neck. There was no need for the raider to answer to nonessential commentary. He wasn't there to waste time on conversation.
The man gave an irritated sigh.
"Your manners are a bit lacking, your highness," he sneered.
The mocking tone made Gajeel grit his teeth. He eyed the man cooly and spoke.
"Alkane Beach and Hargeon."
The purple man peaked in interest, "Gone?"
Gajeel nodded. His orders were to remove the lesser towns known to contain the more outspoken citizens and merge them with the bigger cities, like Magnolia. Higher populations meant a larger recruitment pool. With more recruits to his law enforcements, the citizens tended not to complain as much.
"Good," he bubbled, "And Fairy Tail?"
Gajeel fiddled with the bridle over Pantherlily's nose, knowing what was coming next.
"Not on the coast," he answered. Though he had not confirmed it yet, he knew it was his watchman's town. Although, he felt it to be too small to pose any sort of threat that the steward seemed to think it possessed.
The man grumbled to himself, becoming increasingly vocal with this misinformation. He paused and physically wriggled with his thoughts, planting his chin in his hand propped against the arm rest.
"Our agreement?"
Gajeel wished to leave as quickly possible. He had an eerie feeling that something bad was headed in his direction. The steward eyed him with cruel intent.
"Our agreement was Fairy Tail, Kurogane."
"They do not exist," he insisted.
"Your men seem to disagree," he countered. He stepped down off the platform and circled the prince, separating him from his horse.
"They say there was a third town. Care to elaborate?"
Of course he would interrogate his men.
"Inconsequential. They pose no threat."
The steward was thin compared to Gajeel and only a few inches shorter. But while a snake could be crushed under his boot, this snake could not. Gajeel turned to face the man now at his back.
"Your men tell me you kept a little souvenir. Another seashell for your collection, perhaps? You seem fond of the ones with blue hair."
Gajeel bristled at the mention of his watchman, clenching his hands into fists.
"Also of no consequence," he defended.
The purple robed man cackled, "Of course! A man of your stature would require a harem."
Gajeel suppressed the urge to move away as he crept closer and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Did she scream when you raped her?"
Gajeel hid his disgust well as the man crowed with laughter at the expense of himself. It was better he assume her role than to actually determine what it was he needed her for.
"She would have to be quite beautiful to tempt a brute like you. Where is she?"
The man wandered around his horse as if he could be hiding her.
"We're getting off the subject, José," he attempted a redirection.
"No," he came full circle and stood in front of the platform, "I'm not. Our agreement was Fairy Tail! And you still return here with reports as if the place never existed. They're. Out. There," he enunciated animatedly.
He mounted the steps tiredly, rubbing bloodshot eyes before flopping into the ornate seat.
"Bring your little harlot here. I will find out for myself what to make of that village."
Gajeel took that as his cue to leave. He pulled the hood to his cloak back over his head and led his horse back the way they came, down the long red carpet. He had only taken a few steps before the steward called out to him.
"Don't go far, Kurogane. You have one week."
Gajeel resumed his stride, now more determined to leave than he had ever been before. He had no intention to return.