"Are they asleep?", Julius asked as he entered. Cale immediately signaled him to be quiet, but Jonat woke up immediately. "Ah, sorry."
"I wasn't really asleep", Jonat announced quietly, looking over at Loys.
"Were you able to sort everything out?", Cale asked.
"Yes. I wanted to ask if you would like something to eat. If you can stomach anything..."
"I am actually a little hungry", Cale confirmed. "What about you?"
"Not really", Jonat replied quietly. "But I don't have a choice, do I?"
Cale shrugged as Julius spoke.
"And Loys?"
"Let him sleep."
Cale stood up and followed Julius out of the tent, with Jonat following close behind. Once outside, he was greeted by a cold breeze he hadn't expected. A glance at the sky told him that a storm was brewing.
"The soldiers have started making a list of the children's names. When we get to Bellator, we'll have to take care of notifying the parents."
"What about the deceased?", Cale interjected.
"That's going to be difficult. Do you remember the carriage that started it all?"
"Yes."
"That was just a group of seven smuggling children to Mornet. But others are responsible for the kidnappings."
"So it's a whole network. Yes, this could get interesting. Any news from the royal house?"
"Not yet, but I just sent a report to inform King Leonhardt. I hope he can manage without us."
"We shouldn't stay here too long."
"I agree. King Leonhardt won't be able to withstand the pressure alone in the next few days, and Loy's..."
"Give him a night to process it all. Don't forget that he has a child of the same age himself."
"You do as well", Julius countered in surprise.
"You have a child?", Jonat interjected, pricking up his ears.
"A daughter. Her name is Ahri", Cale explained as he caught the smell of food and his stomach began to growl.
"Compared to the others, you reacted really calmly to the sight", Julius interjected. Unbeknownst to everyone, Julius had been the first to vomit when they entered the mine and discovered the first corpses.
"Your reaction is completely normal."
"And yours isn't?"
"Julius...", Cale began, looking him in the eyes. "I've seen... worse."
"Worse than THAT?"
"Yes", Cale confirmed, causing Julius to fall silent. Jonat also said nothing, so Cale turned away and didn't pursue the matter further.
The three of them silently got their late dinner and sat down on a bench in front of the tent. They were one of four groups still eating at this hour, which is why it was relatively quiet.
Just as he was about to tuck into his vegetables, however, Cale noticed Julius staring at him.
"Don't look so gloomy, you'll get wrinkles."
"Was... a dragon responsible for that?"
"No", Cale replied immediately. "They had nothing to do with it."
"Then who? What happened?"
"You know I spent many years of my life with creatures", Cale explained, taking a small bite, but Julius didn't seem satisfied with the answer. "My group... the Anuxers I was traveling with back then... they all died. It was... brutal."
Julius couldn't say a word.
"It's been a while and... it was hard. But I shouldn't have... compared it to the situation here, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, you don't have to apologize for that", Julius replied without once turning his attention to the meal. Master Paseru, on the other hand, was really enjoying it, listening very attentively to the conversation. Even though he was the one who didn't want to eat at first. "I'm just trying to understand what kind of..."
"... danger I am to Sylve?"
"... kind of person you are", Julius corrects immediately. "If you were a danger to Sylve, we would know."
"You must have traveled a lot", Jonat Paseru interjects. "I've witnessed a few fights, but the last really... bloody one was during my father's lifetime."
"When he created the crater in the real north. I know the story", Cale replied, grateful for the change of subject. "I've seen the extent of it - he seems to have been a very impressive man."
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"You can only say that because you didn't see the fight with your own eyes."
"Did you?", Cale asked in surprise. This was the first time Jonat had said anything about his father - the previous owner of Zurakekama.
"From a distance. I was much younger then, and there were... disputes in Frignez."
"I thought healers were a peace-loving people?", Julius interjected, irritated.
"Nowadays, yes. But that wasn't always the case. There are always problems, but the three chiefs have them under control", Jonat Paseru explained, gesturing with his fork to indicate that the food was waiting for them. "Now that you mention it... how do you know how to heal, Sir Adenia?"
"Nine... Chief Merensen taught me", Cale quickly explained. "When I was visiting Frignez a while ago."
"When? I haven't been in Mornet that long."
Cale didn't answer, but stuffed a mouthful into his mouth instead.
"You... never... I've never seen anyone learn our healing magic so... quickly..."
"Ninett said the same thing", Cale replied with his mouth full, but covered it with his hand. "I'm a quick learner."
"When did you visit Frignez?", Julius asked in surprise.
"Don't you want to eat something?", Cale replied instead, pointing to the full plate. "Otherwise, I'll take it."
"Sir Adenia", Master Paseru interjected. "Has anyone ever told you... how... frightening you are? To be able to wield Karekama at your age and... to learn healing magic within a few weeks... is not normal. Absolutely not."
"Didn't you become a swordmaster yourself when you were... like what... 22?"
"I was 21", Jonat corrected Paseru. "Which family are you from?"
"I'm not from Frignez."
"You already said that, but...", Master Paseru replied in surprise. "...the healers would never teach healing magic to an outsider. Especially not Ninett."
"I asked politely", Cale countered.
"Zod...", Julius interjected. "The other day, you told me that you don't really know the chiefs. And besides, I seem to remember you saying that the Frignezers are afraid of strangers."
"We are not afraid of strangers", Jonat corrected the statement.
"Then what?"
"Be careful. It has often happened that our knowledge has been used against us. That's one of the main reasons why many people don't leave the cities."
"I guess that's understandable in a way. Sylve and Altona don't have a particularly peaceful past either."
"Frignez was similar, if not worse."
"Really?", Julius asked, engaging in a lengthy conversation with Jonat Paseru.
The two talked about Frignez for at least 15 minutes, while Cale refrained from joining in and concentrated on his meal. Since the two were still not finished, he got up with his tray and got a small portion to go at the counter. For Loys - in case he woke up and felt hungry.
When Cale turned around, Julius seemed to be beaming. It was a strange sight, considering that just a few hours ago he had been on the verge of death and now he was talking to his potential killer. It was a welcome turn of events, especially since he himself had been able to escape questions about his past.
What Cale didn't like, however, was the topic the two had shifted to. Although he was standing far away from them, he could still make out their conversation.
"Sir Venlan... forgive me, this question may sound a little strange, but do you know... who taught Sir Adenia how to wield a sword?"
Cale abruptly turned his back on them as his heart began to beat wildly. This was something he had actively tried to avoid. Jonat Paseru was an excellent swordsman who undoubtedly had some unanswered questions about Cale's sword skills. First and foremost was the fact that he had to fight a mirror image of himself - which was impossible.
"You'll probably have to ask Zod yourself", Julius replied calmly, and Cale could literally feel his gaze on him. Cale didn't know if Julius really didn't know or was just keeping it a secret, but at that moment, he was grateful for any help. "All I know is that he had different teachers, but he didn't mention any names. Why do you ask?"
"Curiosity..."
"I have to admit, for a while I thought you two knew each other", Julius interjected quietly, and Cale immediately suspected that Julius was doing his own research.
"No", Jonat repeated in surprise. "I've never met him. That's why I'm so surprised that he wears Karekama and obviously... has the characteristics of a Frignezer."
"Do you perhaps have family you didn't know about?"
At that moment, Cale received the portion he had been waiting for and walked quickly back to the table. Leaving Julius and Jonat alone had been a mistake he shouldn't make again.
"Not as far as I know, no. My family has a tradition of give birth to exactly two children... for almost 100 years, so I know my family tree pretty well."
"Why?", Julius asked as he noticed Cale and sat up.
"Because of the death of... Nakken."
"Are you still not done?", Cale interrupted the conversation and stopped in front of them. "We should slowly make our way back."
"Of course", Julius confirmed and turned his attention to his food, while Jonat gave Cale an irritated look.
"Sir Adenia..."
"Yes?", Cale replied calmly, but with an unintentionally stern undertone. He sat down opposite Jonat Paseru and returned his gaze dryly, hoping that he would drop the subject.
But Jonat Paseru wasn't like that, and Cale knew it.
"How did Karekama really come into your possession?"
"I already told you. From the Eldest of Altona."
"Is... he your father?"
"What?", Cale exclaimed in surprise and began to laugh. "My father? No, he's not. My parents died when I was 5."
Julius suddenly started coughing, causing Cale to lower his voice and turn his attention to Julius, who had choked on his food.
"Not so fast. We're not in that much of a hurry."
"Zod", Julius managed to say before taking a few large gulps of water. "How did your parents die?"
"When the creatures attacked our village", Cale replied truthfully, taking the opportunity to change the subject and simultaneously create a story for his past. "One of the main reasons why I became so fixated on the lives of creatures. I thought you knew that?"
"No, I didn't. Did you stop your research when Ahri was born?"
"I never stopped... just paused", Cale replied with a smile. "Now eat up. I bet Loys is awake again by now."
Loys indeed was. A good two minutes ago, he had sat up and was sitting alone in the tent. For a moment, Cale had hoped that Loys would come out and that his appearance would change the subject, but Julius had managed that all by himself.
When they returned to the tent after a few minutes of silence, they were greeted by a veritable bubble of stifling air. Cale stopped abruptly at the entrance and held the curtain open while Julius appeared beside him.
"Zod", Loys said before noticing his companions. "Where were you three?"
"Getting something to eat", Cale replied, setting the food they had brought aside and fastening the ties on the curtain to keep it open. Julius, on the other hand, sprinted inside and immediately inquired about Loys' well-being, while Jonat Paseru stood quietly beside him.
And sighed.
"Do you miss Frignez?"
"A little, yes", Jonat confirmed. "I left under... less than ideal circumstances."
"Did you have a falling out with Jarsep?", Cale asked in surprise.
"For an outsider, you know far too much about my relationships with the chiefs", Jonat Paseru countered, which immediately put Cale on edge. "Could it be that we know each other?"
"No."
"But you knew that I own Zurakekama."
"That wasn't hard to find out."
"Sir Adenia", Jonat Paseru replied sharply, causing Cale to return his stern gaze.
"Sir Paseru", Cale countered dryly. He was well aware of what was going through his old master's mind. But he had no intention of answering any of his questions. "There are situations in life where it is advantageous to keep your mouth shut."
Jonat's eyes narrowed.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Yes, I am", Cale replied without hesitation, simultaneously activating his Igrikum.
"You're playing with fire, Sir Ad..."
Jonat stopped abruptly when he could no longer feel his mana. Cale could clearly see the old man becoming nervous, without taking his eyes off him. In the current situation, Jonat didn't stand a chance, which he seemed to be well aware of.
"Perhaps. But fire only burns those who come too close", Cale explained, calmly raising his hand and placing it on Jonat's shoulder before leaning forward and whispering softly in his ear. "And you are dangerously close right now, Sir Paseru. So keep your thoughts to yourself. Because even I can lose my patience."
Jonat stood motionless as Cale turned away from him and entered the tent. Halfway there, he raised his hand and returned Jonat Paseru's mana as he came to a stop in front of his colleague.
"Are you hungry, Loys?"