The Gods' Decree 212 Happy Nightmares

Having no intention of once more walking Taf called forth upon the services of Hammerhead. Then when certain no one was looking he launched himself into the sky and onto its back.

Seeing the red-feathered eagle it became apparent that its breakthrough was at its latter stages.

"A bit longer than I expected. still, I see there is hope for you yet, Hammerhead.

Hopefully, when we are finally able to converse you won't hold my prior acts against me. Inside I have been so aggrieved these past months.

How about it? let's make bygone be begone, huh?"

Taf patted Hammerhead on its back in a bid to make some peace. It was quite clear he had bullied the eagle for a prolonged period. So much so that it was extremely fearful of him.

With it being his and May's mount perhaps there was a need to change this outlook.

If eagles could roll their eyes Hammerhead would be doing just that. It knew this fellow was no kind soul and could tell this perhaps was an idea encouraged by May.

May it liked undoubtedly with her always being so kindhearted towards it. Regularly ensuring it was properly tended to at all times, unlike Taf who just saw it as a mule and only instilled fear.

Yet Taf's talent and strength garnered respected no doubt. In truth, Hammerhead knew it was not a necessity to the two.

Having been an eyewitness to their prior feats. Perhaps the only reason it was still around was due to May's attachment.

So this half-arsed apology by Taf it would gladly accept. Noting that a half a year ago it could have died by this lunatic's hands things hadn't turned out too bad after all. 

The red-feathered eagle then nodded its head indicating it too agreed to let the past be left alone.

"Good, very good pal." Taf once more patted the red-feathered eagle as they soured through the skies which transformed from day to night.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Plop!

Taf landed right outside the door of his neighboring manor. After brushing himself off a bit the doors ere then opened where he was greeted by the smell of sauteed spices.

As Taf entered he saw a blonde girl with freckled hurrying to the door having heard someone enter.

"Oh it's you Taf. Why didn't you ring the bell? I would have welcomed you." Lisa greeted having noticed the familiar visitor.

"That's too much of a bother Lisa. Is it you or May that's cooking?"

Taf questioned to which Lisa embarrassingly blushed. She wasn't the best cook so from time to time May would give her some pointers.

While as a mortal she was pampered so things like cooking were an afterthought.

"Just the sauce for the moment." She uttered growing further out of her shell than two months prior.

Taf nodded his head as it seems some strides had been made in her cooking. Sure it was just the making of the sauce.

Yet after what his stomach experience previously this was truly a huge leap.

Soon other footsteps could be heard and the two were joined by May who wore a white dress with spatterings of yellow sunflowers.

"So Mr. Charmer finally arrived huh?" She smiled dragging Taf's hands as Lisa awkwardly stood by,

"You should be famished." 

"Yes, I am actually. Are you trying to fatten me up before the tournament so I might lose in the final when we meet.' Taf snickered as May poked him in his gut.

"This lady needs no such tricks to win, Sir,"

May smirked as Lisa still awkwardly stood wondering how these two always seemed excited seeing each other when spending so much time together.

Soon they were around a table with Lisa feeling like a third wheel the more they engaged in conversation. Soon she heard Taf say,

"Remind me to warn the others to be extra vigilant while participating in the tournament."

"Why is that? Has someone threatened them?" May stopped eating for a second as she enquired.

"Some idiot tried to poison me today. The same fellow from training grounds." Taf responded while dabbing some chicken meat in gravy.

"What!?"

May's smile slowly faded. She was not blinded and knew Taf sometimes went overboard with his actions, but truthfully he would never kill unless pushed.

For a fellow disciple to try killing over a mere altercation was simply crossing the line.

Taf then went over the detail of his ordeal at the library, but what Lisa found mindboggling was his reaction came off as telling a funny tale.

He could have died yet Taf made it sound like an ordinary day.

He spoke of Laura and her attempts of blindsiding him with her charm not leaving anything out.

When May heard this it could be said she wouldn't mind meeting this Laura in person.

At that moment she ensured to make a mental note of the name as this Laura was no more innocent than Darwin.

Soon Taf wrapped up his tale, but when he uttered his last statement Lisa suddenly froze which the two notice.

"Did you say perfume?" She questioned out loud.

"Ah, Yeah..." Taf responded wondering what that had to do with anything.

"What did it smell like?" Lisa once more inquired. With her questions May realized what Lisa might be insinuating.

Taf on the other Still didn't quite understand but provided a response anyway,

"It was lavender. Sweet yet not too overbearing."

With his confirmation, Lisa's eyes became slightly listless as May ensured to hold her hands somewhat as a means to provide comfort.

"It's him!"

Lisa shivered as she uttered the words which brought her back to a few months prior where she felt unsafe and subhuman. Her skin crawled and the contents of a letter echoed in her mind. 

May remained silent as she took Taf aside.

Sigh!

She then went in detail about Lisa's previous encounter while in the swamps. Previously in a bid not to embarrass Lisa she had kept the matter between the two and not even Taf was told.

Now it was clear why he was ushered out that day.No wonder Lisa was so shaken up at the time.

"Deflowering Prince[1], huh?" Taf uttered having heard the title Darwin gave himself.

"Yes that's what the pervert calls himself." A fuming May responded while inside she couldn't wait to meet this self-titled prince.

"I did sense something off about him when he mentioned Selena being tainted, but nothing like this came to mind."

He then signalled May with the tilting of his head to join him for a private conversation away from the shivering Lisa.

They then made their way out to the courtyard where they had some privacy.

"Interesting, this does bring up a dilemma. I had plans of killing this fellow after today but now who will get the honours?" Taf questioned May.

"I will, I promised Lisa I would end it on her behalf," May stated outright.

Taf then cautioned remembering their discussions a few nights prior, "You do know that means another corpse keeping you up at night, right?"

"His I will look forward to adding." May coldly responded while Taf rubbed his chin pondering,

"Very well, but of course this needs to be done cleanly. At this point it makes no sense drawing the hatred of the sect."

He then continued as May nodded her head indicating this was true and would indeed cause a stir,

"This is someone ranked fifty-first. So even the grand elder won't be able to brush it under the rug."

May wasn't worried however and knew that Taf had some plans of his own having already marked Darwin for dead, "What do you suggest?"

"Hmm, we'll ensure there are many witnesses to our innocence," Taf spoke vaguely yet by the confidence he displayed May could only smile. She then pulled his hands playfully dragging him back towards the dining area.

"Brute, you're so bad.' She uttered which made Taf snicker....

To be continued..

Unedited version.

[1] Chapter 131 - The deflowering Prince

Chapter end