She stood before them, her face holding an eager smile.

Vestin sighed and covered his face with his hands as he hung his head in defeat.

The men all went to stand and bow when the tall one next to Loraz motioned his hand for them to stop.

"I don't think formalities are necessary now. We are not trying to be recognized by too many people." He said.

Vestin chuckled and nodded his head.

"For once I have to agree with you there, Robbie."

"I've asked you not to call me that, my name is Robert," Robert said.

Loraz stepped between them holding her hands up to Robert and Vestin then said,

"Will the two of you cut it out," then looked over at Gotte, "Now, what is this friend of yours suffering from?"

"He was attacked by a Hitcher. A poison called Death's Doorbell. I cleaned the wounds and gave him an antidote, but his condition...it may not be enough." Gotte replied.

"Say no more...," Loraz said then turned back to face Robert, "Robert, do you know where we can find the herbs for that tonic that I made for father?"

"The one you had him drink after that scare with the poisoned wine from my farewell banquet," Robert replied.

"Yes. Do you think the market here will have any of them?"

"Yes, the ingredients can be brought from the market here in the Inner City."

"Good, I will also need the ingredients for the paste that I used when I was fifteen. Do you remember what they were?"

"The one that you made from scraps. Didn't you say that one makes you vomit from the smell?"

"The smell of it is not a pleasant one, but it worked for skin injuries and helped leave little to no scars."

"Well, I guess the lad should be lucky he doesn't have to eat it."

"Oh, that reminds me, I have to remember the recipe for the powder that helped with internal wounds. We can't ever be too careful when it comes to Hitchers."

The men watched the two go back and forth with their conversation.

Gotte stood up out of his chair and walked over to her and sighed. He cleared his throat and Loraz looked at him.

"Young...miss...if I may have a word with you." He asked.

Loraz bowed her head slightly and smiled. Upon looking at him he must have been the one that Vestin spoke of the most, the one who took the place of his father after the village was destroyed. Vestin was right; he held a gentleness to him that just radiated from him like the warmth of a hot beverage.

"You must be one of the men that raised Vestin. I must thank you for the kindness you showed my village and its people."

Gotte raised his hand and stopped her from lowering her head to him.

"You needn't lower your head to me or any of us for that matter, Miss. I only wish to ask, what more can you do for the boy that I haven't already done?"

Loraz turned to face him completely. Her face held no emotion as she stared him down and then she spoke,

"Tell me, sir, have you ever been poisoned before?"

Gotte shook his head and made a few gestures with his hands and answered,

"While I have had my share of close encounters, the Ancestors watch over me because the poison has yet to be one of them. Although I know my way with tonics and potions."

Loraz nodded her head and sighed. Reading a book on how to cure a poison was far from acceptable as knowing one's way around potions and tonics. She had read every book she could get her hands on about poisons, but it was only when she had experienced being poisoned that she truly understood what worked and what didn't. It was these experiences that gave her the knowledge to keep her alive until she left Mossca.

"I see, the antidote and treatment you gave was most likely a tonic made mostly of gig tree bark, and the paste to heal the wounds was of gibbles and haystash. Those won't work on Death's Doorbell. That information was false. Faked to give people hope when the Hitchers attacked random villages. Have you ever heard of a victim living after receiving this treatment?"

"Well, no, but if this is true why would it still be known as the method of treatment."

"That tonic and paste were only to prolong the inevitable..." She looked over at Vestin, "Your friend will die in three days if you don't take me to him."

Just then Jensek shot up from his seat and slammed his hand on the table then scoffed,

"What gives you the right to place a number on his life?"

Loraz walked over to him, her smile gone and her blood boiling. She slammed her hand on the table next to his and their faces were close enough for them to have kissed. Locked in a stare he could see the unexpected energy coming from them.

"Because I am one of the five people who has survived such a poison. Plus, I have been poisoned multiple times since I was twelve. My knowledge of poisons and their antidotes is great enough to write my book series. Now either you lead the way to help your friend, or he dies three days from now in the most pain he's ever been in while choking on his blood."

Vestin shot a look over at Robert who avoided eye contact with him.

"Did you know about that?" Vestin whispered.

"I only found out a few years ago how cruel my siblings were to her; I have been blaming myself ever since. Loraz doesn't know I know what happened to her," Robert whispered back.

"Your siblings must have a death wish of their own."

Robert looked over at Vestin and smiled,

"Worry not, they will all be thoroughly punished for the crimes they have committed. I will see to it myself. They won't be causing problems like this in the future."

Vestin looked at Robert's face and saw the flame of vengeance in his eyes.

Back over at the table Jensek stepped back from her a little and bit his bottom lip.

"If he dies his blood is on your hands and your blood will be on mine."

Loraz inhales deeply and then releases it slowly. She smiled and said,

"Your threats don't scare me. Now if you are done asserting your masculinity, lead the way to your friend."

Jensek looked over to Vestin who nodded his head towards the door.

"Would you cut the dramatics? If the young miss can help, then take her to where he is. The worst-case scenario is that she puts the kid out of his misery." Sav said.

He threw down his cig chop and hopped out of his seat then motioned for Loraz to follow him as he wiped his hands on his shirt.

She turned over to Robert and said,

"The herbs quickly..."

He walked up to her and said,

"Please be careful while I'm gone."

He then placed a hand on the side of her face and kissed her forehead. Her face glowing red she nodded and walked towards Sav to be led to her patient. He watched her walk off with the man and whispered a silent prayer for her safety.

"That was bold of you," Vestin said.

Robert turned around to face him and saw the look of hatred he held in his eyes.

"Glaring at me will not undo what I did. Let's just get what she needs to save your comrade's life." Robert replied.

He went to walk past and was stopped by Vestin placing a hand on his chest.

"I may have concluded that my heart may never receive what it desired most, but I also don't intend to give up either."

Robert removed Vestin's hand from him and looked at him with a smile.

"Then I guess you are smart enough to understand that we are rivals," He looked back at where the other gentlemen sat, "Gentlemen enjoy the rest of your meal."

Robert walked out of the restaurant and towards the marketplace a list of medical herbs running through his mind.

Gotte walked over to Vestin and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"My boy, I know your heart is aching to hold her, but don't forget the mission. She is of royal blood and must take her rightful place. She has a duty to her people. That young man understands what lies on her shoulders, but do you?"

Vestin pulled away from him and walked towards the market after Robert. There was a lot more they had to discuss.

"Poor, stubborn, fool..." Gotte whispered.

He watched as Vestinhurried off towards Robert, his shoulder hanging as if he knew his love wouldforever hang in a love triangle.