Death Defying Book: The Devil Watches

The door closed gently, and the man walked swiftly towards their table.

Darius couldn't help but scan him as he approached. The man was tall—taller than him, at least—and carried something wrapped on his back.

A sword? No, too long. A spear perhaps? Darius thought. Definitely a fearsome warrior.

Willen, however, looked annoyed, visibly tired of all the attention their table was drawing.

"May I please have a seat?" the man asked. His voice was kind and polite, catching Darius off guard.

"Sure," Darius replied, nodding.

The man sat, and as he did, Darius caught a metallic glint from the wrapped object on his back.

"Thank you for your kindness," the man said earnestly.

Darius nodded again, offering a small smile. "Treating guests with honor is a value I hold dearly."

"A noble heart," the man remarked, lowering his cowl.

As his face came into view, Darius noted his striking features: a well-defined jawline, deep golden eyes, and short black hair that fell to one side, barely covering a scar on his right cheek.

"I'm Darius," he introduced himself, gesturing toward his companion. "And this is my friend, Willen."

The man returned a warm smile. "I'm Kael. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

While Darius smiled in return, Willen merely sighed. "Another outsider," he muttered, his voice hoarse.

Kael shrugged. "I heeded the call of Sir Cedric, requesting aid—from Paladins and religious forces, specifically."

At the mention of his father, Darius perked up, but Willen spoke first.

"A Paladin? You? You're barely older than us," he said, his tone skeptical.

Darius shot him a questioning glance, but Willen seemed unbothered.

Kael, to his credit, didn't seem offended. "I'm newly trained," he admitted. "I was passing through a nearby village when I heard Sir Cedric's summons. He's a good man. I decided to lend a hand."

Willen nodded, though his expression remained unconvinced. Before anyone could say more, a booming voice interrupted.

"Do you think yourself a man of God or something?" A tall man with a short black beard stood up, his tone loud and challenging.

Kael offered a faint smile. "Yes, that I am," he said calmly.

The bearded man snorted. "Shameless," he muttered under his breath. His table companion—a man in his late twenties—grabbed his arm.

"Enough, Korin," the companion said. "Sit down."

Korin shook him off. "Let me speak, Harn," he said, glaring at Kael. "A child like this dares to lie in front of elders?"

Tension thickened in the air as murmurs spread through the room. Darius felt the weight of the crowd's eyes and stood despite his growing anxiety. "Sir, please don't mind my friend," he said hesitantly. "He's new to town—"

"I wasn't talking to you, boy," Korin snapped, shoving Darius back toward the table.

"Easy now," Kael said, steadying Darius with a firm grip.

Korin sneered. "What are you, then? Some hero sent by Arkyn himself? Where were you when—"

"I'm not here for Arkyn," Kael interrupted, his smile finally fading.

"Finally admitting it, huh? So what kind of Paladin are you?" Korin demanded, his grin smug.

The murmurs intensified, and Darius wished he could disappear under the weight of so many stares.

Kael straightened. "I'm a Paladin of Discipline, Justice, and Order," he said firmly.

Korin laughed, a mocking sound. "Hear that? 'Discipline and Order.' You think every knight with a sword is a Paladin too?"

The crowd chuckled, and Darius flushed with embarrassment, though Kael bore the brunt of their mockery.

Kael sighed. "I am Kaelin Duskvane of the Iron Veil Order, here to protect the people of Kragnir."

The laughter ceased, replaced by shocked whispers. Some gazes turned wary, others hateful.

Darius's stomach churned as he glanced at Willen. "The Iron Veil?" he whispered, his throat tight. He remembered the stories, none of them pleasant.

Willen's expression darkened. "The Iron Veil Order isn't welcome here," he muttered. "Nor anywhere else."

Harn glanced at the wrapped object on Kael's back, then tugged at Korin's arm again. "Let's go," he said urgently. "It's not worth it."

Korin resisted for a moment before relenting. Harn turned back to Darius's group, bowing slightly. "Apologies for my friend. He's had too much to drink."

Kael gave him a kind smile. "No harm done. I understand his anger."

With that, the two men left, leaving a tense silence behind.

Darius slumped into his chair, exhaling a shaky breath. His racing heart finally began to settle.

Elaina chose that moment to return, carrying drinks and wearing a peculiar expression.

"Took you long enough," Darius said, trying to mask his nerves with a playful grin.

"It's not my fault you switched tables," she huffed, setting the drinks down.

Darius inhaled her faint, pleasant fragrance and marveled once again at how striking she was. Kragnir seemed blessed with beautiful women.

Fishing out a golden coin, he handed it to her. "Spiced mutton stew for three, and Winterwine for us—" He turned to Kael. "You drink?"

Kael shook his head. "No wine for me."

"Then a standard drink for our Paladin friend," Darius finished with a nod.

Elaina took the coin but hesitated when Darius stopped her again. "A moment?" he asked, flashing a sheepish grin.

She arched a brow as he flicked her a second coin. "What's this for?"

"May I have the honor of a smile from such a beautiful face?" he teased.

Caught off guard, her cheeks turned rosy, and an involuntary smile tugged at her lips. "You—" Her eyes wide as she stared at him, their table the focus of attention once more.

"It's a pleasure to see you smile," Says Darius Yet she is still speechless, "Am I that handsome?" Darius interrupted with a wink.

"Shameless!" Says Elaina, she harrumphed, her face still warm, and hurried away. Darius smirked to himself. 'Blushing more. Definitely.'

He turned back to his group, only to catch a couple of peculiar stares being thrown his way.

Willen's smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, the faint amusement in his expression betraying his usual stoicism. Meanwhile, Kael regarded him with a knowing look, his golden eyes twinkling ever so slightly, as though silently commending Darius for his boldness.