The Sword and Heir of Shadows

Chapter 17: Facade and Innocence

At the Village, Neena, with a facade of warmth, moved around the cozy little house, pretending to organize the scattered utensils and clean the surfaces that didn\'t need cleaning. Kael and William, Hecor\'s two boys, looked up at her with curiosity, eager to assist in any way they could. She was very attentive to carrying out the responsibility Hector had given to her.

Kael, the elder of the two, spoke with innocence, "Mrs. Neena, what can we help with? We want to be useful."

William, who always followed his older brother, nodded in agreement, his bright eyes filled with genuine eagerness.

Neena turned to face them, her lips forming an insincere smile. "Oh, how sweet of you both. Well, how about you help me with these dishes?" She handed them a few plates to wash in the basin, making sure her nails didn\'t get wet.

Kael and William eagerly took the plates and began washing them with a sense of responsibility. Kael spoke up again, "Do you know, Mrs. Neena, we have our garden back home? Daddy says we need to take care of it."

"That\'s lovely, Kael," Neena replied without much interest. "Gardens are so delightful."

Kael continued, "And we help Daddy take care of Ustas too. He\'s our horse. We feed him and brush his mane."

Neena, still wearing her fa?ade of concern, responded, "That\'s very nice, dear. Horses need good care."

As the children carried on with their chores, Neena\'s thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn\'t help but imagine how impressed Hector would be by her actions, believing she was providing a loving environment for his sons. She saw this as her chance to win Hector\'s heart and be more than just a bed-mate to him and elevate her status in the village.

Kael, who was observant for his age, felt something was amiss in the way Neena behaved. He leaned over to William and whispered, "Do you think Mrs. Neena likes us, Will?"

William looked at Kael with a puzzled expression. "I\'m not suire, big bruder. But she\'s nice to us, isn\'t she?"

Kael nodded. "Yes, but it feels like she\'s pretending like she\'s acting".

Meanwhile, Neena\'s mind was distracted with thoughts of how she would approach Hector, convincing him that her intentions were genuine. She was determined to make her relationship with him official, hoping that he would see her as the loving stepmother his children needed.

As the day went on, Neena continued her act, and Kael and William sensed something was not quite right about her behavior. But, in their youthful innocence, they couldn\'t quite put their fingers on it. Despite the awkwardness, they genuinely believed that everything would turn out just fine.

...........

As the night skies embraced the dimly lit village, Hector and his crew began their journey back home from their escapade. Hector, the quiet and stalwart leader, gave each of his crew members specific tasks, ensuring a seamless departure.

"Remember, everyone," Hector spoke in hushed tones to the crew gathered around him, "bring what we\'ve found in there. We\'ll share the spoils when we return."

The crew members nodded in agreement, their faces hidden beneath hooded cloaks, their hands gripping whatever treasures they had managed to retrieve during their night\'s adventure. With a shared understanding, they dispersed, each man disappearing into the village\'s darkened streets.

Among the crew, Jack held a distinct role – that of the master of coin. It was his task to distribute the money from their illicit gains to the villagers. The discreet and cunning Jack was known for his ability to navigate the complex dynamics of their tight-knit community. Hector, trusting his friend, handed over the bag filled with coins. "Be discreet, Jack, and ensure it reaches those who need it most," Hector whispered, patting his shoulder.

Jack nodded, acknowledging the responsibility placed upon him. "You can count on me, Brother. This will be done as smoothly as a silk ribbon through a thief\'s fingers."

With their respective tasks assigned, the crew slipped away into the darkness, moving with the stealth and precision they had honed over years of clandestine operations. Hector, however, had a different destination in mind – his humble home, where his beloved children awaited his return.

As Hector approached his home, he was welcomed by the sounds of laughter and excitement, a stark difference from the covert world he had just left behind. Kael and William, the two young souls, Apple of his eyes, who filled his life with joy and responsibility, came rushing to the door.

"Daddy! You\'re home!" Kael exclaimed, his eyes wide with delight.

William, always a step behind his brother, echoed the sentiment. "Dadda! We missed eu."

Hector knelt to embrace his boys, his heart swelling with love for the two children who made his life worth living. "Come here my warriors, I missed you both as well," he said, his deep voice filled with warmth as he showered his sons with kisses.

Kael and William chattered excitedly, eager to share the adventures they had embarked on with Mrs. Neena during Hector\'s absence. They spoke of the chores they had completed, the tasks they had undertaken, and the stories they had heard from their make-believe journey.

Hector couldn\'t help but smile as he listened to their animated tales, grateful for the moments of innocence and joy his children brought to his life. His life was a delicate balance between the shadows of his covert activities and the light and love that radiated from Kael and William.

With a father\'s love, he listened to their stories, his heart heavy with the secrets he couldn\'t share, but his spirit lightened by the simple presence of his two precious sons.