The capital was built with three sections having walls separating them, where the first belonged to the common folk, the second to the nobles and the innermost to the royal family and the highest-ranked nobles.
Though it was created as a protective measure, it still upset Hal due to all the security checks one needed to go through just to cross from one sector to the other.
The guards would check for permits and different licenses alongside checking the carriage itself, just for one to be allowed through and with the market area being in the common folk part of the capital, this made the entire trip back more than tiring.
Soon enough, they arrived at the mansion of Harleyclover. The place was filled with glowing crystals that lit up the mansion. Hal was always curious about how they worked, but found himself always being distracted by them.
"I wonder how those crystals work,, He thought. He had been silent with his words until he had Tai answer him.
"Those are the same crystals that are found in the Juzo glowing caverns, just because these are refined so they can retain the light they absorbed during the day and not only are they one of Haverfield's biggest trade items, but the purest of those crystals are used to make the jade coins"
"Oh, thanks for that" The carriage stopped at the mansion's entrance, allowing the three of them to get off the carriage, and in less than a minute, a group of maids had arrived to transport the goods to the kitchen
Hal looked around only to realise that Tai had already left, as he had Mr Faizo say, "He must have gone to see her, you should too, she is the major reason you three came here in the first place"
Hal nodded and bowed as he raced off to catch up to Tai. They both felt guilty for what had happened, but he knew Tai felt worse about everything that had happened to Lyrrah.
There was a silent agreement between them never to bring it up, but they both knew that they couldn't brush it aside.
Hal arrived at a room at the end of the hall on the second floor. He hesitated to knock and decided to just open the door and saw Tai on a chair next to the unconscious Lyrrah, who was lying on the bed as if she had no care in the world.
"I'm such a hypocrite, just a few weeks ago I didn't care what happened to her and yet here I am sitting next to her bed asking her to wake up"
Tai's voice was filled with a deep sadness and guilt that made Hal's heart sink. He wasn't different from Tai either, and in fact, he might have been worse.
His friend was here fighting to wake up, and he was out there chasing mysteries he had no business getting involved in
He moved to Tai and gripped his shoulder "I believe Lyrrah will wake up; there are too many mysteries lurking around for her to just sit idly by"
Tai smiled and let out a forced chuckle "You're right, she did tell us she would solve all the mysteries in Haverfield, and that's why I must become strong enough to help her do it"
Tai gripped Hal's hand and let out a wistful sigh.
"Lady Roxanne was right, I am the weakest link, I'm the one dragging down the silver sword, forcing each of them, including you and Lyrrah, to babysit me, but I won't allow you to carry that burden any longer. I will rise above my weakness and rise as a person you will respect, not look out for"
His voice sounded determined, and it sparked a fire in Hal as well "And I will help her discover all the mysteries of Haverfield, beginning with the disappearances"
Tai turned to him with concern on his face, and Hal knew what he was thinking, "Do not worry for me, it is my job to such things, I'm duty-bound"
Tai patted Hal's hand "That's the life of a scholar after all. What did you say I should call you again?" Hal retracted his hand.
"I told that I thought it wise to keep my identity as a true scholar a mystery, so for now, just call me Hal Leonardo Alternis"
Tai laughed at the name as he turned his gaze back to Lyrrah "I can't wait for Lyrrah to hear it" This situation they found themselves in might have been a little undesirable, but at least he felt like it had strengthened their relationship a little
"I wonder what Lyrrah will think of us once she wakes up. We only bonded with her because she was in a coma" Tai stood up and went to close the curtains in her room.
The crescent moon was visible, and Hal couldn't help but realise it was the normal grey colour. Tai pulled the curtains close as he turned to Hal with a smile on his face.
"I'm sure she'll be thrilled since she knows she can use us to do anything she desires" The boys laughed as Tai soon said ", Remember what Elizabeth told us about her?"
Hal could never forget such a crucial piece of information, as Elizabeth's words soon flowed into his head. It had happened after Lyrrah had been unconscious for more than a day when Elizabeth dropped the bomb shell on them.
"It seems she was able to ignite her soul during the process of healing her, which means her soul is currently undergoing evolution, so when she wakes up, she'll be stronger, with a greater soul flame and vaster soul, so I wonder if you two will be able to catch up"
Hal nodded at Tai, whose face was now turned serious and determined. He covered Lyrrah with her bed sheets and then turned to Hal.
"Tomorrow we face Elizabeth's training, and I heard it's gruesome" Hal scratched the back of his head as a weird laugh left his lips.
"Yeah, Joset told me the same about her" Tai held out his hand to Hal and said, "Let's utilise her then. The harder the training, the sweeter the rewards. I want to reach Lyrrah's level when she wakes up. Are you in?"
Hal gladly took Tai's hand and gripped it with as much strength as he could master "Of course, let's conquer Elizabeth's training, shall we?"
The two boys had made this promise in good faith, but came to regret their confidence the next day when the sun rose.
Hal realised there was a flaming arrow hurling towards him, one he tried to dodge, only to realise Elizabeth had appeared behind him and, without hesitating, impaled him on her blade.