~Chapter 12- Ailment~

Aingr and Norton strode to a building on the outskirts of the city - one often reserved by paying tourists. A staircase led up to a porch at the front of the home. Aingr pulled the reins on his horse as he stopped in front of it.

As they dismounted the horse, a doctor stepped out of the building with a defeated look on his face. He barely noticed Aingr as he sauntered away from the building.

"This is the place?"

"It's where Deporah said she was staying."

Aingr walked towards the residence, with Norton standing behind him. He rapped on the door with a hand on the hilt of his sword. The door parted, and he was met by a brown-haired young woman. She had a soft and inquisitive expression. At her hip was a rapier that she kept a single hand hovering over.

"Deporah!" Norton greeted.

"Hello." Deporah replied. She smiled, but Aingr could see an underlying sadness behind her eyes. She hadn't forgotten that terrible night long ago. How could she?

"Would you like to take a walk with me?" Norton asked in the most proper way.

Deporah nodded, "I could use the air."

"What're you doing in the city, little one?" Aingr asked.

"We're here for a doctor for my grandmother."

"Ceptance? Are she and Lumb here?"

"They're inside. You could see them if you like."

Deporah stepped past with Norton. Aingr hollered, "Stay close by! You know the city isn't safe!"

"We'll stay close!" Norton assured him.

Aingr stepped inside the abode. It was a relatively empty building. A few bags that Deporah and her family must have brought with them were set out around the home. But he couldn't see anyone.

"Lumb? Are you here?"

"Aingr?" A confused voice sounded.

Aingr walked to the back of the house to a bedroom, opened the door, and found them. A grey-haired Ceptance with a few strands of brown hair remaining under the covers in bed. She looked pale and seemed weak. A bucket sat on the table beside her bed. Lumb sat on a chair beside her with a lazy stubble on his chin. He looked like he was devoid of sleep.

"What're you doing here?" Lumb snapped at him.

"Just visiting," Aingr replied, "I heard you're sick. How're you feeling?"

Ceptance waved her hand, "Pfft, it's nothin-"

Ceptance began to cough dryly mid-sentence. As Lumb rubbed her back to try and soothe her, she gripped the bucket next to her with one hand. Aingr swore he saw her cough blood into the bucket. Once she worked the cough out, she uttered, "I suppose I'm a little sick."

"The doctors in this city are useless," Lumb added.

"It's good to see you," Ceptance smiled weakly.

"Great to see the both of you as well!" Aingr replied. His eyes transitioned to Lumb, "Could I speak to you outside for a moment?"

"I really need to stay with my mother."

Ceptance slapped his arm, "Don't be silly. I'll be fine for a few moments."

Lumb grimaced. He clearly didn't want to leave his mother's side even for an instant. But he stood promptly and left the room with Aingr.

Lumb pointedly asked, "What is it?"

Brazen as ever.

Aingr didn't waste time. "I need your help. There've been disappearances in the city lately, and I can't investigate it further. You helped me with your sister's case, so I figured you could help me with this one."

Lumb raised an eyebrow, "Why not have one of your soldiers do it?"

"The new King doesn't want us wasting our time on it."

Lumb sighed, "I wish you luck with your missing people, but I have more important things to contend with."

"I'll pay you."

"We have plenty of money. Not really a concern."

"What about better doctors?" Aingr asked. Lumb's disposition became much more open after that. "The doctors you've seen have been terrible, right? If you help me with this, I can have some of the royal family's personal doctors help your mother."

"Are you serious?"

"I wouldn't lie to you."

Lumb leaned against the wall and thought for a moment. He breathed out and spoke, "No."

"No?"

"If I'm off investigating your missing people, I'll be away from my mother. I can't afford that. Thanks for the offer though," Lumb answered. He turned towards his mother's room, "It was ... good seeing you again."

Lumb entered Ceptance's room and closed the door behind him.

Aingr stepped outside the house feeling lost. He was counting on Lumb's help. Without him...

"People have been going missing?"

Aingr saw Deporah looking back at him from the edge of the porch with Norton.

"Were you listening in?"

"Why doesn't my father want you looking into those disappearances?" Norton asked.

"I- That's none of your concern. I'll handle it."

Deporah hopped to her feet, "I could help you look into it."

"No, we can't have that. It's not safe."

"I suppose you're right," Deporah fashioned a dagger from her pocket, "I think you'll be needing this back then."

Aingr eyed the dagger... it was his! It had been hoisted within his chest plate, but when he checked, it was missing. He snatched the dagger from her.

"When did you take this!?"

Deporah gave a devious smile. It seemed she'd become more troublesome now that she was older. "You said you could get my grandma better doctors, didn't you?"

"...Yes."

"If I helped you, would you help my grandma?"

"You're serious about this, aren't you?" Aingr ran a hand across his bald head, "I don't want anything happening to you."

Deporah placed a hand on the rapier at her hip, "I'll be alright."

Aingr shrugged, "Alright... Mind taking a walk with me?"

"Lead the way."