《Lost Ones - A False King》


 Chapter 1 - The Princess of Rilgohin

    My family lived in Treewich, a small village near the border of Londe. Treewich is surrounded by vast fields, some extending into the interior, while others transition into dense forests marking the edge of our land. Deep within these forests, however, lays an uninhabited area stretching between our land, Londe, and that of our enemy, Rilgohin - the sun-scorched swamps. I remember the parched earth and the shimmering air over the swampy lands from when I was a little boy. But I haven''t been here for many years, as the swamps have been under our enemy''s control for quite some time.


    The Rilgohiners are dissenters from Londe who disagreed with the prevailing principles and structures there. Consequently, they left Londe and founded their own land with values opposed to ours. Initially, the High Council, the highest authority in the world with its seat of government in Londeeyeof, the capital of Londe, paid little attention to these rebels. However, as more and more people left Londe to settle in Rilgohin, the High Council could no longer remain passive, as there was growing fear that the renegades might build their own military force to overthrow the High Council.


    This led to a conflict between the two countries, which reached its climax when Rilgohin occupied the swamps, which had been untouched for decades and were considered neutral and sacred ground. In Treewich, the tension was constantly palpable, and the fear of possible raids by our enemies at night or before dawn was ever-present. It was astonishing when we reached the village. It seemed as if time had stood still in the village, only I had changed. Was it similar around the sun-scorched swamps?


    The glaring sunshine, piercing through leaves and branches and revealing the mists around us, gave the place a mystical quality. Moving in the restricted visibility, soft ground, and damp surroundings was not easy. The oppressive silence made our own breathing and even the falling of a leaf seem unusually loud. It was not the silence of our enemies that troubled me, but our own. No one wanted to speak it out loud, but we all thought the same. It was in the air and in our gut feeling. With every step deeper into the swamps, we looked around more often, our heartbeats accelerated and our hands became increasingly sweaty. The deeper we ventured into the swamps, the closer we came to our death. And yet, far from any common sense, we continued to advance into their territory. What chance did we have against the Rilgohiners or these ''superhumans,'' as they were called by many in these times? Those who were so named were known to us only as the four lords and rulers of Rilgohin - the Lords of House Wynfre.


    But what made them so special? Was it the fact that their country, despite being the smallest of the four countries involved in the war, waged war against the other three countries at the same time and managed to win? Was that why we were here in these swamps? To drive them back? We were a small group. No more than two dozen men. Our general, Akasha, succumbed to his illness a few weeks ago. As a replacement, the High Council assigned us two new generals who brought us here but have yet to speak a word to us... until...


    It rustled in the treetops and in the bushes around us...


    Voices began to whisper... And then... An ambush!''


    "Lina... Lina...", a deep female voice calls. "Aren''t you awake yet? Please open the door! Lina!?"


    Three women stand at the door. Two of them are dressed in black with white aprons and caps. They knock hastily on the door and call for Lina.


    "Where is Cecie?" asks the youngest of them, snappishly, given the time pressure they are under. "She''ll surely be here any moment," replies the third woman, nervously pacing and wringing her hands. This woman is neither dressed like a maid nor like a woman from a middle-class family. Her apricot-colored, form-fitting, floor-length silk dress flatters her appearance. Her red hair is hidden under a large sunhat, which draws attention to her small, upturned nose and narrow lips. Around her neck is a ruby-red necklace with a pendant of small diamonds shaped like a castle turret. A white, light glove covers the skin of her right arm, while a dark stocking wraps around her right leg. This is Lina''s mother - Joane Elmhart - Queen of Rilgohin and the wife of the current king and ruler - Edmur Elmhart.


    As the three women wait for the girl named Cecie, a delicate voice can be heard on the other side of the door. Is she speaking in her sleep? No, quite the opposite. A narrow, long strip of sunlight falls into the dark room, stopping just before her bed curtain. There, Lina Elmhart lies wide awake, but buried deeper in her wool blanket than she was when the loud banging on her door began. In her hand, she holds a book, trying to shut out the outside world. To Lina''s advantage, Cecie had (as agreed) not only lost the key this morning but had also left a matchbox in her room the night before. It contained one last match, which Lina used to light the candle on her bedside table. Its light is enough to read the book in her hand. But judging by the noise, it seems her peaceful morning is about to end...


    Another maid scurries across the freshly cleaned terrazzo floor to the room. "Finally," says the oldest of the three women with relief. She has long, straight hair, brown eyes and a birthmark on her left cheek. She is the housekeeper of the Elmhart household and Joane''s right hand. When Joane is not present, she is responsible for giving instructions to the servants. Regardless, she is primarily a close friend of Joane - Suse Bricton. In her arms, she carries a large package with a silver ribbon.


    Next to Joane and Suse stands the youngest and newest maid of the Elmhart family. Her hair is gleaming white, like her teeth. She has two braided pigtails with a blue bow and blue eyes with symmetrical features. Her name is Sarra.


    "You really have some nerve to lose the key on such an important day," remarks Sarra with her shrill voice.


    Cecie ignores the sneaky Sarra as she approaches the women.


    "Your Highness" Cecie bows quickly but respectfully.


    Like Suse and Sarra, Cecie is dressed in black with a white apron and cap. For her age, she is tall. She has shoulder-length dark brown hair, and her arched eyebrows over her brown eyes are more expressive than some people''s words.


    "I''m sorry, I don''t know what got into me yesterday," she says eagerly but clearly.


    She quickly moves past them without looking them in the eye.


    "Cecie, you know I don''t like being addressed as Your Highness or Majesty."


    "I''m sorry. I must be a bit disoriented."


    "It''s alright," says Joane.


    Cecie, trembling slightly, inserts the key into the lock. Only when the key turns does Lina spring into action. Swiftly, she blows out the burning candle and disappears completely under her blanket with the book. Moments later, the maids burst into the room, followed by Joane.


    Suse hands Joane the beautiful package and then hurries to the window. She pulls aside the dark curtains and opens the window. A gentle summer breeze brushes through her hair as small white clouds drift across the blue sky. A warm, sunny day is ahead. Cecie and Sarra go directly to the four-poster bed and gently pull aside the curtains. Meanwhile, Joane inspects the room after a floral scent has reached her nose.


    Sarra clears a tray from the room, which contains a sugar bowl, a spoon, an empty teacup with a used teabag, and an empty matchbox. Across from the window is a low round table with two white wooden chairs, each with a water dragon engraved on its backrest. In the corner behind it is a makeshift partition of 5 pinewood panels set up by Suse and Cecie next to Lina''s bed. Meanwhile, Joane approaches the bed step by step. Suse and Cecie stand ready beside her.


    ''Oh dear,'' thinks Lina, preparing for the inevitable by burrowing deeper under her blanket. Joane admonishes her, prompting Lina to sit up, stretch, and rub her eyes. Her performance is perfected with an additional yawn.


    Joane sets the tone, saying, "Happy..." which is echoed by Suse and Cecie. Cecie and Suse put their arms around each other and begin to sing and dance - a tap dance performed as a tradition during every birthday song in the royal household. Joane joyfully swings her entire upper body from side to side. The three clap with delight, and Joane almost shouts "Encore."


    Although Lina hopes she will never have to perform this dance herself, she thanks them warmly. "Happy Birthday, my dear," Joane says, handing her the gift. Lina leans forward to receive it, and they embrace tightly before Lina carefully unwraps it.


    "This is from all three of us," Joane says as Cecie and Suse wink at Lina. After Lina removes the wrapping paper, she opens the package and her eyes widen in surprise. Immediately, she jumps over to her mirror and holds it up to her body.


    "It''s the latest trend in Londe, and we thought it would be perfect for your first day in the city," Joane adds.


    "And yours was just a souvenir?" Lina asks with raised eyebrows.


    "Well, it was within the budget. And it''s the latest trend in Londe," Joane smiles.


    Lina returns the smile before explicitly thanking Suse and Cecie. The two brush it off with a slight wave of the hand.


    "What are you waiting for?" Joane asks, "Try it on." She then instructs Suse and Cecie to help her. Excitedly, Lina follows the two maids behind the partition.


    "Make sure to powder her a bit and do her hair before she comes out, please."


    As they prepare Lina for the day, Joane''s eye falls on the book peeking out from under Lina''s blanket.


    "Can I still have breakfast?" Lina asks at the same moment.


    "You''ve been reading that book again, haven''t you?" Joane counters.


    "Yes, last night," Lina quickly replies.


    "Lina, you don''t seriously expect me to believe that you only read the book last night," Joane says.


    "But it''s true," Lina retorts as she squeezes into her dress.


    "The scent of the candle tells me otherwise," Joane responds.


    "The scent lies," Lina replies.


    "Linaa," Joane calls out now, annoyed.


    "What?" Lina asks but can still feel her mother''s serious gaze even through the partition.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Then Lina sighs.


    "I was just reading about the decisive battle in the northern swamps once more."


    "How long have you been awake?" Joane continues sharply.


    "Before the birds started singing," Lina answers, now more submissively.


    Joane rubs her forehead while Suse rolls her eyes. Only Cecie remains uninvolved.


    "But Lina, you know the whole story already," her mother says as she picks up the book.


    The brown book bears the title ''Memoirs of the Four-Crown War'' in silver lettering on the spine. ''Generals, Field Soldiers, and Citizens - Their Stories'' reads Joane from the cover.


    "You know how much I love to read," Lina responds.


    "We can buy you new books if you like," Joane considers, setting the book aside.


    Lina doesn''t respond, while Cecie and Suse are already busy fixing Lina''s hair.


    "Or is it the brave soldiers in the book that you''re interested in?" Joane looks with raised corners of her mouth toward the partition.


    And Suse doesn''t need to see her long-time friend to know where this is headed.


    "I heard the young soldier Enryn Barber is about to join the royal guard soon," she says.


    "Really? Is he the tall one with the brown hair?" Joane asks.


    "No, that''s Gylan," Cecie answers. "She means the blonde, somewhat stocky boy with the tousled hair."


    "Oh yes, right," Joane remembers. "I hope so. Then I might get a closer look at him."


    "Mother, stop, this is embarrassing."


    "Isn''t he the boy you''ve been gushing about?" Cecie asks impulsively.


    Lina turns as red as a tomato. It''s hard to tell if it''s from anger at Cecie for revealing her secret or from embarrassment because it''s true.


    Her mother and Suse can''t help but grin.


    "When you''re old enough, you won''t need to read a book about brave soldiers. Maybe by then, you''ll already have this brave soldier by your side," Joane says.


    "Mother, please!" Lina says, hoping she''ll finally stop.


    "I won''t stop until you tell me why you missed breakfast to read this book," Joane insists. "Definitely not just because of the brave soldiers."


    Lina huffs.


    "Father said I needed to know the book inside and out to understand everything about our country''s history so that I would stand well in society," she reveals.


    "Father?" Joane asks, surprised.


    Lina''s hair is done, and Cecie begins to powder her.


    Suddenly, they hear footsteps in the hall that stop in front of Lina''s door. Four men, two on each side, position themselves before the door.


    These are the royal guards. They wear red capes over their silver-golden armor. The armor bears the symbol of the royal family, the castle battlement, in white. To protect their identity, their faces are obscured by closed helmets. They carry lances.


    More footsteps are heard, and a slender middle-aged man smoothly enters the room through the door. He wears a golden crown adorned with small green emeralds on his thick, dark blonde hair. Furrows mark his forehead, but his tanned cheeks are his most striking facial feature.


    On this special day, he wears a knee-length dark blue tailcoat, with the royal house''s symbol - the castle battlement - prominently displayed on the chest. It is fitted at the waist and can be fastened with three shiny buttons on the chest. His lower legs are covered with silk stockings. White lace cuffs fall from the wide sleeves and cover his hands. If he didn''t have such long fingers, his silver wedding ring and colorful ring of Penatin crystal would not stand out so much.


    This is Lina''s father, her mother''s husband, and the current ruler of Rilgohin - Edmur Elmhart.


    "And? Ready?" Edmur asks excitedly. "It''s already late," he notes.


    "Not yet," Lina replies. "I haven''t even had breakfast."


    "She would have been done a long time ago if you hadn''t been pressuring her to memorize that damned history book. You''re driving her crazy with it," Joane remarks before Edmur kisses her on the cheek.


    "What!?" Edmur asks, stunned.


    "This part of history is an important chapter of our lives-the reason we''re even in this position. I don''t want to..." he tries to explain, but suddenly Suse and Cecie scream.


    "Mister Red! Mister Red!" Lina is heard shouting.


    Edmur and Joane rush around the partition. "What is it? What''s wrong?"


    They can hardly believe their eyes. Suse and Cecie''s hair is completely disheveled, and both are out of breath. Edmur and Joane are somewhat puzzled because Lina stands innocently between them, hiding something behind her back.


    Was it really that exhausting to get Lina ready for the day so quickly?


    But even if it was, the result is impressive. The first word that escapes their lips is simply "Wow."


    Almost as if rehearsed, Lina''s parents say it simultaneously. They are delighted with the sight of their daughter.


    "You look great, dear," Edmur says, hugging his daughter. "Happy Birthday."


    Since Lina didn''t want to just stand there like a statue being hugged, she had no choice. She lets something fall from her hands to the floor to be able to hug her father. Edmur notices nothing. However, her mother''s eyes widen when her gaze meets that of an apparent monster.


    A quick, bushy creature scurries across the floor. Just like Suse and Cecie before, Joane now screams loudly. Her scream frightens the others in the room more than the quick, bushy creature does. Joane now has only one goal: get out!


    She takes off running as fast as she can out of the room.


    The rest look on in bewilderment. The only thing she leaves behind is a cloud of dust and the echo of her screams, which quickly reverberate throughout the entire castle.


    The royal guard comes rushing in. The tips of their weapons are aimed at the brown partition. "Syer, is everything alright?"


    Lina''s father is about to explain, but then he suddenly jolts. The quick, bushy creature is climbing up his leg at a rapid pace.


    He tries in vain to shake it off until it leaps from his leg to Lina''s shoulder, where it finally settles down.


    "Mister Red," Lina initially says with joy, gently stroking the animal''s head with her index finger.


    But her joy quickly fades as she sees her father''s angry expression. Lina swallows hard while Mister Red wrinkles his nose. The next few seconds are tense for both of them.


    Edmur has had more than one outburst of anger because of Mister Red. Like that time Lina smuggled Mister Red into dinner. When the food was served, he jumped right onto the dining table. Lina''s mother, who has a phobia of wild animals, nearly overturned the entire table in fright, breaking two porcelain plates from Lina''s grandmother.


    To this day, Lina admits only partial guilt for that incident. But her father''s subsequent tantrum was so intense that she realized it''s better to keep Mister Red away from the family in the future. When her father is in a bad mood, it''s best not to be the cause. Lina has learned this the hard way more than once. But for today''s occasion, Edmur manages to keep his composure.


    Once the doubt about what caused his wife''s scream is cleared, he calms down.


    "You still have that..."


    "Squirrel," Lina quickly adds.


    "Why?" he asks, bewildered.


    "Because I''m not allowed to have a dog."


    "But why on earth a squirrel as a substitute?!"


    "He''s my most loyal friend and protector," Lina explains.


    She refers to an incident where Lina was attacked by foxes in the forest.


    "You mean the incident where you separated from the group and tried to take one of the baby foxes from the nest?" Edmur recalls.


    "Exactly," Lina confirms enthusiastically, but then she backpedals as she realizes how selfish and unethical her actions were.


    "The foxes attacked me, but Mister Red jumped in and distracted them so I could escape," she recounts. "Even though my mistake at the time put him in danger, he has followed me everywhere since and always stands by my side."


    This led to an unusual friendship between Lina and Mister Red.


    Meanwhile, Edmur scratches his head, unimpressed by the story.


    He realizes that there is no point in arguing with her or getting further upset, especially not with so many witnesses in the room and not on Lina''s special day.


    "And Vyncent isn''t allergic to him," she adds.


    As a result, Edmur wipes his face with his hand, from top to bottom.


    This clears his face of disapproval and contemplation.


    "Oh, child, you''ll be the death of me," he groans.


    "Finish your hair," he says directly to the maidservants. "I''ll see you downstairs."


    Lina begins hopefully, "With..."


    "Without the squirrel!" her father interjects quickly.


    Already, he sounds noticeably more determined.


    He then sets off with the royal guard to search for his beloved wife. Fortunately, it shouldn''t be too hard to find her, as the echo of her screams still fills the halls of the castle.


    In the room remain the distressed maidservants, the disappointed Lina, and a reddish-brown squirrel with a long, bushy tail, short front legs, and toes that resemble human fingers.


    "I''m sorry," Lina says. "That wasn''t my intention."


    Her father''s last words were not directed at her, but at Suse and Cecie, whose hair the squirrel had completely messed up.


    "It''s alright," Cecie says. "I should have left the hazelnuts in my pocket."


    However, Suse is quite upset.


    "Yes, you should have," she adds loudly.


    She takes Lina''s brush, positions herself in front of the tall mirror propped up against the wall, and begins to untangle Lina''s hair.


    "I know it''s irrelevant to you, Cecie, but some people at least make an effort to look good," Suse says. "Just because you don''t, doesn''t mean others should follow your example."


    "But I didn''t..." Cecie tries to explain at first, but stops when Lina grabs her arm. Their eyes meet. They understand each other wordlessly. Then they turn their gazes to Suse, who is untangling the last knots in Lina''s hair. From her posture, they recognize that any attempt to talk with her would be blocked.


    An uncomfortable silence fills the room until Suse has restored her hair to a reasonable state. She heads for the door.


    An uncomfortable silence fills the room until Suse has restored Lina''s hair to a reasonable state. She heads for the door.


    "Are you coming, Lina?" she asks.


    "Can you give me two minutes?" Lina replies.


    "I''ll wait in the hallway," Suse responds.


    "I''ll clean the room right away," Cecie adds before Suse closes the door behind her.


    "That''s the least you could do," Lina and Cecie can hear Suse murmur.


    As the squeaking door closes, Cecie sighs.


    "She always thinks she''s so special. Thinks she''s above all the maids just because she''s such good friends with your mother."


    "You know she didn''t mean it like that," Lina tries to justify Suse''s behavior, "I think you look great."


    "It''s easy for you to say," Cecie says, collapsing onto Lina''s bed. "You get ten helping hands to make sure you always look great."


    Only after she says this does she realize what she''s actually said.


    "Sorry, I didn''t mean it like that," she says apologetically.


    "It''s alright," Lina says understandingly, smiling.


    Cecie looks at Mister Red, who is relaxed on Lina''s shoulder and nibbling on a hazelnut.


    "Maybe he can help me with his duster," Cecie says, changing the subject.


    Mister Red looks up in confusion before returning to his hazelnut. Lina can''t help but laugh as she sets Mister Red down on the windowsill.


    Lina beams at the sun.


    "What a great weather," she says. "I''d love to take him with me."


    "You know that''s not possible," Cecie, who is now standing next to Lina, says. "When the castle is emptier today, I''ll let him have some free time."


    "Thank you, Cecie."


    For a moment, they enjoy the wide view before them, seeing a large part of the forests to the east and a piece of the mountains to the southeast.


    "Was it expensive?" Lina asks then.


    "What?" Cecie asks, puzzled. "Oh, the dress? Not a big deal, especially when you have the Queen of Rilgohin by your side."


    They laugh together, and Lina breathes a sigh of relief.


    "Well then," she says determinedly. "What do you think, how do I look?"


    Cecie examines her from head to toe.


    Lina has long light red hair that has been styled up by her and Suse, making her slightly protruding, small ears stand out. She wears a silver chain with the royal emblem that covers her high forehead. Lina received it from her father for her tenth birthday. Her eyes shine blue beneath it. She has light freckles and a sensitive mouth. Additionally, she wears the same dress as her mother, but in turquoise.


    Cecie has a fitting word to sum up her appearance.


    "Absolutely adorable."


    With that, it can officially start.


    Lina''s 14th birthday - Lina''s first day outside the castle walls.

 Chapter 2 - The Crimson Crusaders

    "Are you alright? You look so pale," Suse remarks after Lina has exited the room and closed the door.


    "I could say the same about you," Lina replies. "Your reaction seemed a bit exaggerated."


    "Well, today isn''t an ordinary day, is it?" Suse says, sighing. "But I admit, my reaction might have been a bit over the top. I''ll apologize to her later."


    "Thank you," Lina continues.


    But Suse isn''t wrong. Lina''s hands are starting to shake, and her heartbeat is accelerating.


    Accompanied by Suse, who has been waiting outside Lina''s room, they head towards the breakfast room.


    Lina''s room is at the end of a wide corridor, which, like the other corridors in the castle, is illuminated by lamps at night or on dark days.


    The corridor walls are freshly painted. The red carpet is wrinkle-free.


    Floor vases in the shape of a female body adorn every corridor in the castle. These vases, filled with water and flowers, give Lina a sense of freshness, fertility, and liveliness amid the otherwise old-fashioned castle.


    To Lina''s surprise, even the paintings with bright frames are cleaned to the smallest detail.


    The paintings on this floor depict Lina''s entire family, including the colorful painting at the end of the corridor that shows her family in the magnificent garden behind the castle.


    The higher up in the castle you go, the more familial the paintings become. Paintings of the castle are on the second floor, of the entire city on the first floor, and paintings from around the world on the ground floor.


    In front of her room is her brother''s room.


    In the front part of the corridor are two additional rooms.


    One of them is empty and belonged to Lina''s grandparents during their lifetimes. The other room is occupied by her personal butler.


    Had Lina and Suse gone to the right, they would have stood before a massive double door leading to the royal chambers and the bedroom of Lina''s parents.


    Instead, they head left and descend a wide staircase to the lower floors.


    The stairwell is designed very intricately. This was done to protect the privacy of the royal family. While the third floor is only accessible by stairs, multiple staircases descend from the second floor to the lower levels.


    On the second floor of the castle, the guest rooms are located. Additionally, Suse and the household cook each have a room in a corridor. Next to their rooms is another one¡ªthe Mask Room¡ªand right next to this door, inconspicuously behind a curtain in the same color as the walls, is a spiral staircase leading to the lower floors.


    Lina feels particularly aware of the significance of this day here.


    King''s advisors hurry up a narrow staircase to his office, and maidservants offer Lina their congratulations. She gratefully accepts the first compliments, but the maidservants have no time for longer conversations, especially with Suse admonishingly standing beside Lina. They rush through the corridors or into the rooms to attend to their tasks.


    The maidservants'' and coachman''s rooms are on the first floor.


    From here, Lina can see several generals gathered at the edge of the corridor, discussing matters. Their soldiers are also stationed on the ground floor, waiting for instructions.


    All these soldiers are originally from Londe. They are either freshly trained, past their prime, or have volunteered to be transferred to Rilgohin.


    They are inexperienced, old, and lazy.


    To get into the dining room unnoticed, they use the spiral staircase, and the cool air as they descend gives Lina goosebumps.


    The staircase leads Lina and Suse into a corridor on the ground floor, where they are immediately greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread and roasted wild boar, which noticeably lifts their spirits.


    At the end of the corridor stands a man, invitingly, in front of the dining room.


    He wears a white long chef''s jacket and toque.


    Lina would have recognized him even without his work clothes, as his distinctive mustache immediately catches the eye. This man is the happiest person Lina knows, as he is always smiling.


    He is the royal chef¡ªRecaprio.


    He congratulates her on her birthday and praises her beautiful turquoise dress.


    In the hierarchy of the servants, Recaprio stands directly behind the butler and the housekeeper Suse, in third place. Lina thanks him.


    "You seem downcast," Suse notices.


    "Is it that obvious?" Recaprio asks.


    "Oh no, not you¡ªLina!" Suse means.


    "I don''t like being the center of attention," Lina responds.


    "That''s something you can''t avoid today, it''s your birthday after all," Suse says.


    "I''m serious, Suse," Lina mentions dejectedly. "I already feel queasy."


    "Don''t worry. It''s not common for your parents to be outside the castle walls. The same goes for your brother. This means that just as much attention will be focused on them," Suse reassures her, sinking briefly into her thoughts.


    "You seem thoughtful," Lina observes.


    "Do I?" Recaprio asks.


    "NOT YOU, RECAPRIO!" both emphasize and laugh.


    "Isn''t it a good thing that people from all over the country finally have the chance to see the entire royal family?" Lina asks as Recaprio discreetly moves away.


    "Maybe not everyone..." Suse replies, lost in thought.


    A shadow falls across the corridor, and a clearing of the throat interrupts their conversation.


    "I''ll take over now, Suse," says a pleasantly light and warm voice.


    Just like Recaprio before him, Suse quickly takes her leave.


    "Miss Elmhart¡ªanother year older. My congratulations are in order," he says, bowing with a smiling face.


    Lina instinctively ducks to avoid a collision of their heads and thanks the tall, older gentleman.


    The man has a wrinkled face, gray bushy eyebrows, and a bald patch.


    Although his best years are behind him, his clothes are as immaculate as on his first day at work.


    He is the royal butler. His name is Stewart.


    And like no other, he is a man who must be reliable. Stewart must maintain silence about everything that happens within the family, taking on the role of confidant, and act morally and ethically. His top priority is to preserve the good reputation of the family he serves, and thus his own reputation as well.


    Because: A butler with a bad reputation can only be the butler of a family with a bad reputation¡ªso goes the common belief.


    "How was your morning?" Stewart asks as he guides Lina into the spacious dining room.


    "Too short," Lina replies. "Suse and Cecie performed that endlessly long tap dance."


    "I hope you enjoyed it¡ªwe practiced it diligently yesterday."


    "We?" Lina smirks, and her excitement wanes a bit as she imagines Stewart doing the tap dance and shifts her thoughts elsewhere.


    "Ah, Lina, there you are," her mother says, visibly relieved after recovering from the fright of Mister Red.


    She sits with her legs crossed at the dining table, savoring her wine spritzer from a crystal-clear, tulip-shaped glass with a long stem.


    Behind her, the doors to the wide veranda are open, inviting a variety of activities, especially in the summer.


    Stewart adjusts one of the gray velvet armchairs for Lina. After she sits down, he pours orange juice into her glass. "Thank you, Stewart."


    The dishes are made of fine Wedgwood porcelain, and the cutlery gleams so much that Lina can see her reflection clearly.


    In fact, the mirror hanging on the opposite wall seems almost redundant.


    Below the mirror is a gray bench with a high backrest, adorned with quilted seams and decorative buttons, matching the dining chairs.


    The walls are painted in a coral hue, and the table is lavishly set.


    Fresh fruit is available, ranging from apples and bananas to plums, peaches, cherries, and strawberries. There is also dark rye bread with homemade rosehip jam and boiled eggs. In honor of Lina''s birthday, her favorite dish¡ªpear pudding¡ªis also on the table.


    This is all that her mother, father, and brother have left from breakfast this morning, except for the remnants of the pink roast wild boar on a platter. This dish is a favorite of her father and brother. It is the only thing they consume morning, noon, and night. Lina is sure of that.


    Meanwhile, Stewart stands next to Joane, his age not evident given his speed.


    His left arm is primarily behind his back, while he holds a tray in his right hand, which bears a bottle of wine and a large water jug.


    Joane finishes her glass in one go, grimaces briefly, shakes her head like a wet dog, sets the glass on the tray, and claps her hands.


    "Let''s hurry," she says. "Otherwise, we won''t make it to the city today."


    "You''re just adding to my stress," murmurs Lina, prompting Joane to lean back.


    Meanwhile, Stewart is already refilling Joane''s glass.


    "Have you had one too many already?" Lina asks wearily.


    "Maybe three or four," her mother laughs, "But it serves as a tranquilizer," she adds. "The squirrel is to blame."


    Then Joane takes another sip.


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    "Stewart," she begins, "The wine is exquisite. Have I mentioned that already?"


    "Four times, Your Highness," Stewart responds kindly as he refills her glass.


    In contrast, Lina pokes listlessly at her pudding.


    Her stomach is in knots, she is restless, and she shakes all over.


    "Are you not feeling well, dear?" Joane asks with concern.


    "What if the people don''t accept or like me?" Lina muses.


    Joane thinks for a moment.


    "Lina, not everyone in this country supports our family," she replies gently. "Some may not like us¡ªthey might even hate us. But that''s unavoidable. It''s human nature.


    No matter what position you hold or what you do¡ªwhether you''re kind to people, help them, or act morally¡ªthere will always be some who don''t like you.


    What''s important is that you feel comfortable with your decisions and actions, as long as you make them with the intention of doing good. It doesn''t matter what they think of you, even if they disapprove. Live your life in a way that you believe is right, not as others think it should be."


    Lina occasionally forgets how wise her mother is.


    "Have a little something to eat. It will do you as much good as the wine does for me," Joane chuckles with pleasure, trying to mask her own worries about the public''s reaction to their family.


    Lina doubts that the breakfast will have the same effect on her as the wine does on her mother.


    But why did everyone go through all that trouble if she doesn''t even take a bite?


    "Where are Father and Vynce, anyway?" she asks, taking a bite of bread with rosehip jam.


    "They''ve already eaten," Joane replies. "Vyncent wanted to work on his close combat training, and your father is discussing something with Albes. We''ll meet them in the entrance hall."


    After a few minutes, Lina is finished. Or rather, she''s full. She managed to eat no more than two slices of bread. Left behind are the crust and half of her uneaten pear pudding.


    "Stewart, please pack us some food for the road."


    It''s not the best start to her 14th year. But on the bright side, things can only improve from here.


    Joane hands Lina a small sun hat before they head to the entrance hall together. On the red carpet, Lina truly feels like a fairy-tale princess in her unique turquoise dress.


    If it weren''t for one thing.


    It''s remarkable that her mother can still walk somewhat reasonably, let alone stand upright, after all she has drunk.


    Because now Joane is more than tipsy, and Lina struggles to keep an eye on her mother while not tripping over her own dress.


    ...and it happens. Joane stumbles, but Lina saves her from disaster. She manages to prevent the fall just before impact and pulls her mother back up.


    With wide eyes and open mouths, everyone in the entrance hall shows their surprise at Lina''s strength.


    Normally, such a situation would have overwhelmed any 14-year-old girl, but Lina appears unaffected. Her mother thanks her excessively, which makes Lina quite uncomfortable.


    "Hurry up, my dears, everyone is just waiting for you," Edmur calls to them with open arms.


    The entrance hall is decorated with statues of Lina''s parents, positioned on either side of the main staircase, creating a strong contrast. Joane''s statue, holding an olive branch, symbolizes harmony and peace. In contrast, Edmur''s bronze statue embodies power and authority, evoking respect, admiration, and fear in viewers.


    Both statues are illuminated by gilded floor lamps, which are also scattered throughout the foyer.


    To their left is the throne room, flanked by two natural stone figures. These represent the royal guards in full armor, their lances crossed over the entrance door.


    Above them, the emblem of the royal house is carved into the stone wall, symbolizing that the royal guard protects the royal family from evil.


    The entrance hall, with its stone walls and antique but impressive chandeliers, is part of the old section of the castle.


    Under the chandelier, Edmur is waiting, with the royal guard in the background. Next to him is his son¡ªVyncent Elmhart, Lina''s older brother.


    Vyncent wears a finely stitched velvet doublet with subtle gold accents and a black cloak with with a silver-embroidered battlement symbol on the left side. His shoulder-length, dark blonde curls are styled so they don''t fall into his face, thereby not obscuring his small, brown eyes.


    He has a broad, square face and, at 16, is already as tall as his father standing beside him.


    "You look great, little sister."


    "Shush."


    As Vyncent greets his sister and offers his congratulations, Joane stumbles into Edmur''s arms. "Oops."


    She tries to cover her drunken state with laughter, but it only makes it worse. She stubbornly tries to stand upright without any help¡ªunsuccessfully. She clings to Edmur so tightly that she nearly tears his clothes.


    "So, are you excited?" Vyncent asks his little sister, trying to defuse the drama.


    "A bit. Aren''t you?" Lina asks.


    "I might as well continue training," he replies.


    "Don''t you want to know how people will react to us?" she asks excitedly.


    "You don''t need to be a fortune teller. You can guess," he says.


    "What do you mean?" she asks, puzzled.


    "You''ll see soon enough," he says.


    Meanwhile, Edmur is supporting his wife.


    "So, can we go?" he asks, annoyed with her.


    His children could have asked him this question.


    With a squeak, the front door opens. The royal guards step out first, followed by Edmur and Joane, arm in arm. Their children follow behind them.


    A gravel and sand path, lined with a red carpet, leads to the center of the courtyard, where a carriage is ready and waiting. Four horses are harnessed to the carriage.


    A passage on the left side leads through the left wing of the building to the back garden. Lina catches sight of Cecie standing by a castle window and waves briefly before getting into the carriage.


    The carriage then begins to move in the opposite direction, guided by the royal guards. Tulips, crocuses, and daffodils bloom on either side of the path, which Lina finds pleasing. This is in contrast to the ancient, gnarled tree standing to the right of the passage through which they are now driving.


    Shortly after the passage, a winding path descends and blends harmoniously into the landscape. At the end of the path, they reach a gate set into the wall, which is opened and closed by stationed soldiers. This ensures that uninvited guests cannot enter the grounds, as soldiers also patrol the walls. These walls extend into the eastern woods, visible from Lina''s room, allowing her to enjoy a glimpse of nature if she wishes.


    In front of the gate is a small guardhouse where visitors must register and check out. The wheels roll over the cobblestones as they pass through the gate.


    But Lina is unprepared for what follows. The noise level has increased dramatically, and suddenly a massive crowd surrounds their carriage. Lina''s eyes sparkle with delight at the cheers of the masses.


    ''S-M-A-S-H''.


    A rotten apple is thrown against the carriage window, shattering into a hundred pieces.


    Only then does Lina realize that they are not only being cheered. Instead, they are also being booed by just as many people. Many of the onlookers shout vulgar words and make derogatory gestures, while others are completely ecstatic with joy.


    The people scream, behave like wild animals, and try by all means to get closer to the carriage. The soldiers keep them at bay by positioning themselves on the left and right, pushing the crowd back to create a passage for the royal guard and the carriage.


    Even on balconies, at windows, and on rooftops, spectators have gathered to watch the scene unfold, while some individuals try to breach the soldiers'' line.


    Finally, a woman manages to push through the ranks of soldiers. She steps into the path of the carriage and holds up a sign that reads: "You are not worthy!"


    A soldier throws himself at her, and the carriage can proceed without delay.


    The soldiers are more forceful with these individuals. Despite their best efforts, no one could have prepared them for such an overwhelming crowd. It seems as though the entire population of the country has gathered just to see the royal family.


    Lina feels suffocated. Even though people are several meters away, it feels as if their faces are pressed directly against the window panes.


    It''s different for her family. Her father is visibly tense during the ride, worried about the safety of the family, while her mother is too drunk to notice anything. Only her brother is enjoying the chaotic crowd. He is the only one actively and joyfully interacting with the people from within the carriage.


    Lina watches the people on the rooftops.


    "Don''t worry," Vyncent reassures her, "From this height, they''ll never risk a jump..."


    ''K-L-A-N-K''


    The roof of the carriage buckles inward, and a man falls behind the carriage onto the ground.


    "Is he alive?" Lina asks in shock, turning to Vyncent.


    Vyncent seems to be having a great time.


    "Nikolas!" Edmur calls to the driver, "If we don''t speed up, the next one will throw you off the box!" he urges him.


    A royal guard prods the man with his lance to check if he''s still alive. The man twitches. That''s enough for the royal guard, who then instructs two soldiers to quickly remove the man from the road.


    He cannot stand up on his own, as his legs are broken. Even with the soldiers'' help, he struggles, so they drag the injured man off the road behind them.


    Lina''s eyes widen, and she listens intently.


    ''What is going on here?!,'' she thinks.


    The commotion and the large crowd make it difficult for Lina to focus on her surroundings. At least her mother seems to be doing well, as she is now deeply asleep.


    Lina had truly imagined this day differently. On the other hand, her brother''s expectations have been far exceeded.


    "They love me," Vyncent waves enthusiastically at a group of women calling his name, already half out of the carriage window.


    "Lina, there are some boys your age. Maybe they''ll turn as red as the girls do for me."


    "Shut up, Vynce!" Lina says irritably, and her father also seems to have had enough of him.


    He quickly pulls him back inside and closes the carriage window.


    "Oh, Father, let me have my fun," Vyncent says, "When else do you get the chance to be cheered like this?"


    A shoe hits the carriage door.


    "Is this what you call cheering?" Lina asks.


    "It''s clear that not everyone likes us," her brother replies, "You know the history."


    "But shouldn''t we, through history, do everything we can to change that in the future? - Father?" she asks, tapping her father, who is lost in thought.


    "Vyncent," he begins, "You made a good impression on your 14th birthday two years ago and will, at best, be appointed as the new king after me. People will treat you differently than they treat me. So, behave appropriately for your position," he admonishes him.


    "Lina," he says then, "No one has any expectations of you yet. The citizens are seeing you for the first time, so just put on a simple smile and make a good impression. You''re worrying more than necessary. We discussed this yesterday."


    He then draws the curtains to block out the events outside the carriage.


    "No one has any prejudices against you yet. How you behave from here on out will determine whether people view you positively or negatively."


    "But Father, why do people call you the False King?" Lina asks. "It was written on many signs."


    Edmur snorts.


    "You know... Before I was appointed king, the Four Princes of Rilgohin ruled," he begins. "For centuries, the Wynfres bloodline was uncontested in power until the war was decided and the last four Wynfres¡ªthe Four Princes¡ªwere defeated. As a result, Londe gained complete control over Rilgohin and heralded a change in the country with the death of the princes. However, to ensure control in Rilgohin, a new king had to be placed on the throne. I was fortunate enough to be that king. To this day, many citizens are against this decision. Their customs state¡ª''If the Wynfres bloodline ends and its last legitimate ruler has not appointed a successor to the throne, the citizens of this land shall choose a new ruler.'' An abstract method, in my opinion. But not too abstract for some, it seems. For these individuals, it''s reason enough to label me as the false king," he explains. "Despite our efforts to pull this country from the ashes and rebuild it, many still do not view me as a worthy king."


    "But if that is all there is to it, why do we show ourselves to the public so rarely? Why don''t we prove them wrong?" Lina presses.


    "Because it''s too dangerous," Vyncent quickly responds.


    Her father nods in agreement.


    "Your mother and I have tried to protect you from this, but I think you''re old enough now," he says "It''s important that you are confronted with this now - Lina - What do you know about the Crimson Crusaders?"


    "Correct. But there''s more to it," says Edmur. "They were the closest confidants and, to this day, the most loyal followers of the princes. However, the actions of their foolish masters led to their lives being dragged down with them when Rilgohin lost the war," he explains. "The High Council wanted to take a new direction. Enough suffering had been endured under the Four Princes, and they did not want to impose further suffering on the Crimson Crusaders and their families. They sought to show mercy if they peacefully submitted to the new rule. Many of the knights agreed to this to avert their immediate fate," he recounts. "But over the years, their true motives and their true goal have become apparent."


    "A revolution!" Edmur exclaims. "To seize state power. And to achieve their goal, they use every conceivable technique, every means at their disposal, no matter how cruel," he says hastily, before pausing to catch his breath.


    "They have already tried more than once to kidnap you to use you as leverage against me and your mother. They have even resorted to assassination attempts in the past."


    "How did they manage that? The castle is surrounded by walls," Lina wonders.


    "That wasn''t always the case," her father replies. "When the princes ruled, there were no castle walls," he explains. "We only built the walls after the war, after several years. Until then, the crusaders occasionally exploited gaps for their attacks," he says. "But all that is behind us now," Edmur adds with a smile.


    "How so?"


    "The High Council could no longer tolerate these revolutionaries, so they left the task of dealing with them to me," he explains. "Thanks to our swift successes, their activity has greatly diminished in recent years," he says with a touch of self-satisfaction.


    "What matters is that their groups have been dismantled and their numbers drastically reduced. Only a few enthusiasts remain, but not enough to pose a serious threat. Like the woman who just stood in our way or the man who jumped on the roof. Did you notice anything special about them, Lina?" her father asks.


    Lina ponders for a moment but cannot come up with anything.


    "Purplish-red clothing," Vyncent answers impatiently. "The woman wore a purplish-red scarf, and the man had purplish-red trousers."


    ''He''s right,'' Lina thinks.


    Edmur nods in agreement.


    "They are not shy about showing what they stand for and who they are. I respect that," he says. "The easier it is for us, and the harsher their punishment will be when they are caught," he continues. "Lina, the Crimson Crusaders are the reason your mother and I rarely present you to the public," he reveals to his now astonished daughter. "Perhaps you understand now our reasons, which were not to confine you but to protect you."


    While Lina is comforted that the situation is under control, she is also deeply affected.


    She has done nothing to the world. She isn''t even known to the world, and yet there are already people who want to harm her.


    Is this a world she wants to live in?

 Chapter 3 - A Strange Connection

    Lina had some time to think about it as the streets grew quieter.


    And there''s a good reason for that. They have now reached the first stop on their daily schedule - the Park of Rilgohin.


    They cross a narrow alley formed by two closely standing houses, and although they are still in the city, Lina feels as if she has arrived in a different place at the end of the alley.


    Her face lights up as she begins to smile involuntarily.


    In her excitement, she tries to wake her mother, who only mumbles and turns over. Joane may have had one too many drinks, but it seems unlikely that she could have fallen into a coma as a result. Known to occasionally indulge in an extra glass within the castle walls to cope with the monotonous political life, it is unusual even for her family members that it has gotten so out of hand so early today.


    ''Never mind,'' Lina thinks and tries not to dwell on it.


    They cross the Jade River over the arched bridge.


    Like all other access points in the park, this one is guarded by soldiers.


    The paths in the park are well-maintained and much smoother than the cobblestone streets of the city.


    The Jade River meanders through and around the entire park.


    It is a harmonious blend of water and land, creating the feeling of a green oasis.


    Due to the variety of plants, this place has become a large playground for smaller animals.


    After the war, it served as a place of relaxation and retreat for the people, as the city was nearly completely destroyed at that time. This purpose has not changed to this day. For the stressful everyday life, the park serves the same purpose now as it did 15 years ago.


    Sunlight filters through the bright green of the young leaves and the dense treetops. In the tree canopies, Lina spots a mother bird feeding a worm to her newly hatched chicks. Other birds chirp and fly joyfully through the park.


    The variously designed meadows of different sizes and shapes invite picnics, although one must be careful not to have one of the friendly moles create a hill under the picnic blanket.


    On the meadows, one can relax, listen to and observe the animals, and ideally enjoy the sunshine at the same time. If a cooling down is needed, there are plenty of opportunities to sit by the Jade River, dangle your legs in the water, or even wade up to your hips.


    The source of the Jade River is located in the center of the park.


    Along the paths leading to the source, many seating areas have been set up.


    There is also a small playground for children.


    However, despite the beautiful weather, no one is visible in the park today, as access is denied to the citizens.


    The carriage stops at a water basin for a first short break.


    Edmur and Vyncent get out and stretch.


    Edmur takes a bit longer, while Vyncent is already waving to the people outside the park who have followed them.


    Lina follows them outside, leaving her sleeping mother alone in the carriage, and finds herself a few meters away from the carriage, in the shadow of a natural stone statue. It is an upright woman gently holding a dove in her open hands.


    "Is that..." Lina begins, her face lighting up, "... Mother?"


    Her father approaches her.


    "She bears a certain resemblance, that''s true," he says with a smile, "But please don''t mention that I said that," he whispers afterward.


    "This is the co-founder and wife of the first ruler of Rilgohin¡ªMathilde Wynfre."


    "Wynfre?!" Lina asks, visibly shocked, "W-why is she here?"


    Roygon Imperus Wynfre, the first ruler of Rilgohin, and his wife, Mathilde Wynfre, had a deep desire for peace and freedom when they decided to leave Londe. Some people who also left Londe very early and were instrumental in building Rilgohin had different ideas. They wanted to take more radical action against Londe. As a result, Roygon was pressured to overthrow the High Council by any means necessary. He understood that a war with Londe was, sooner or later, inevitable. However, at this early stage of his country''s development, it was simply not feasible.


    This stance quickly led to mistrust among the insurgents and doubts about the Wynfres'' resolve. A civil war threatened, which Roygon tried to avert in the Rilgohin park when he confronted the insurgents there. Mathilde then realized that even Roygon had been driven by hatred. The fresh wounds caused by Londe''s injustices, including severe discrimination and inequalities, had only deepened the hatred in people where love should have been. So, on that day, Mathilde became the voice of reason when she appealed that Rilgohin would be doomed if it fought against itself before the land could reach its full potential. To achieve her goal, action was needed, not haste. Peace had to be made with oneself before it could be spread to the world. But her words fell on deaf ears¡ªan act was needed. In an act of conviction, she pierced herself with a dagger.


    "I am finally free," she said in her husband''s arms, "As free as our land will be from Londe. I hope that you will find the right path."


    With Mathilde''s ultimate sacrifice to achieve inner peace, she ultimately brought peace to Rilgohin. She died from her injuries in Roygon''s arms, whose mourning echoed throughout the city. This incident made Roygon''s determination and vision of making Rilgohin a promised land unassailable. Furthermore, they erected a statue in memory of Mathilde to preserve her hope for peace and freedom forever.


    "This is a cherished place, and it does no harm to anyone," says Edmur. "Do you see the dove in her hands?" he asks, and Lina nods.


    "It''s a peace dove and represents the desire and hope for peace and freedom. That''s something everyone longs for," he explains. "We couldn''t take that away from the people."


    For the first time, Lina recognizes the significance of their roles in this divided land. She looks around and notices the many people on the other side of the river. They press against the iron railings that surround the park, and many others stare at them from the windows of the buildings across the way.


    Lina feels as though she and her family are the exhibits in a zoo. It''s as if the visitors are waiting for someone to throw something edible into the enclosure to make the animals move.


    It doesn''t take long for something to happen, as a half-eaten piece of bread lands not far from her. Her father and brother are oblivious, but Lina picks up the piece of bread. The people who were making a fuss earlier are now completely silent. They never would have expected what was happening right in front of their eyes.


    Lina walks over to the pond, takes off her shoes, and steps into the cold water up to her ankles. The little refreshment feels good.


    After Edmur has shown Vyncent how to orient themselves in the entire park with respect to the eastern castle walls, he notices that the attention of their spectators has shifted to someone else. He looks in the same direction and sees Lina standing in the water. Shocked, he scolds her, but she points out the citizens who are watching her intently. She is very aware of the impact she is having, and Edmur realizes that the calls, whether positive or negative, have stopped.


    This is one of the few moments Lina has had the chance to make a positive impression on the citizens. Like her audience, Edmur now watches every step his daughter takes very closely.


    "Your dress," Edmur remarks angrily."It''s just water," Lina comforts him "It''s gonna dry sooner than later."


    "Where did you get the bread?" he asks suspiciously.


    "From Mama''s bag," Lina quickly lies. "It was left over from the breakfast she had packed."


    Fortunately for Lina, her father did not see that the bread was from a different source or that it was already bitten. And to her further luck, her mother does indeed have bread in her bag that she had packed earlier, as her father immediately checks.


    The family of ducks near Lina wants to escape, and their quacking drowns out the entire park. But Lina tries to show gently that she poses no threat by approaching slowly, tearing the bread into pieces, and tossing it to the ducks.


    Immediately, Lina is surrounded by ducks that devour the bread in no time. Many spectators are impressed by Lina''s openness towards the animals. A small portion even sees it as a symbolic gesture of hope and peace, indicating positive change¡ªespecially near Mathilde''s statue. Others remain skeptical, viewing Lina''s actions as naive or mere show, a reflection of the distant and reserved royal family.


    Overall, the expressions of the bystanders show that they are giving Lina their respect, which also satisfies Edmur.


    ''That should leave a good impression,'' Lina thinks to herself and smiles a little.


    "What''s up, little sister? Don''t you want to interact with the people here?" Vyncent asks as he approaches.


    "Yes, but not like this," Lina murmurs as she puts her shoes back on and continues to look around the park.


    "I''d like to do it this way," she says, pointing to a group of children in ragged, dirty clothes. They are playing a ball game on a distant grassy area.


    Her father and brother have to look very closely to spot the children, who are so far away that their voices can''t even be heard. Lina feels a deep desire to join them.


    She sighs.


    The playing children embody the opposite of her¡ªcarefree, happy, and free. Almost ironically.


    ''S-P-L-A-S-H.''


    A citizen overcomes the security measures and jumps into the Jade River to reach the royal family. The soldiers are determined to prevent this and manage to stop the man''s desperate attempt before he reaches the shore.


    "Look, Lina, you already have an admirer," Vyncent laughs.


    "Maybe he just wanted to go for a swim in these temperatures," Edmur adds with a laugh.


    The royal guard instructs the family to get back into the carriage. They drive along a narrow path with no room for oncoming vehicles. Animals keep their distance from the carriage, and her father talks nonstop. As Lina looks outside, she lets her thoughts wander.


    She walks through a forest that bears no resemblance to the pleasant atmosphere of the park. The ground is soggy, it''s misty and cold. The only sound is the wind gently moving the leaves and branches. No living creature is in sight.


    Suddenly, something moves in the dense underbrush beside her. She approaches cautiously.


    ''C-R-A-C-K.''


    She flinches as she steps on a twig. Hesitantly, she pushes the underbrush aside before she is ruthlessly attacked. She falls backward before she can break free from her attacker.


    A squirrel, looking suspiciously like Mr. Red, scolds her before scampering away.


    "W-wait," Lina calls and chases after it.


    At times, she loses sight of it, but its sounds lead her back on the right track.


    The squirrel reaches a clearing. Lina stretches out her arm, but as she arrives at the clearing, the squirrel seems to have vanished into thin air.


    She looks around and spots something in the middle of the clearing. She is too far away...


    Wait a moment.


    Is that... a gravestone?!


    "Lina."


    Lina startles awake.


    "Did I fall asleep?" she asks, confused.


    "Your eyes weren''t closed, at least," her brother replies. "If you were asleep, not like Mother."


    Edmur immediately checks if his wife still has a pulse after the sudden scream from their daughter didn''t wake her.


    ''Was that a dream?'' Lina wonders to herself. ''But it felt so real,'' she thinks, unsettled.


    It was a daydream that Lina experienced while fully awake¡ªnothing ordinary, neither for her nor for anyone else in the world.


    Before Lina''s inner eye unfolded a kind of premonition.


    How these events are connected and why she was confronted with them today will soon be revealed to her.


    Slowly regaining her senses, Lina spots an arch bridge.


    "Are we back already?" she asks.


    Her father looks outside and notices the bridge in the distance.


    "Yes and no. They look similar, but it''s not the same one," he says. "Do you notice anything about this bridge?" Edmur asks his daughter as they approach it.


    Lina can''t see any difference.


    "Look at the railing," he suggests.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Merchant District," Lina reads aloud and Edmur nods.


    There are four bridges in total and each of them leads to a different area of the city. The park can be reached from any zone by using these bridges. An officer is also assigned to each city area: The bridge they are currently on leads to the Merchant''s District, which is under the responsibility of Riffin Champell. Previously they had come from the Royal District, which is under the command of Albes Maxwiff, who is Vyncent''s combat trainer at the same time. There is also the Whitepool District, the largest in the city, which is overseen by Annet Walurg, and the Shinemore District, which is overseen by Barder Echothed.


    ¡°Are we going to make it to the Rogue District today too?¡± asks Vyncent with interest, ¡±I heard some soldiers talking about it.¡±


    Edmur scoffs.


    ¡°That''s not where we''re heading today,¡± he continues. "We''ve completed our first stop and are now on our way to the marketplace. After that, we''ll head to the sea. And finally, we''ll make a stop at the magnificent Sacred Green Tree."


    Lina can hardly wait, even though she would prefer to skip the marketplace and go straight to the sea. Her home is situated at the highest point of the city, giving her a view over great distances, but you usually can''t see the sea from there. She only knows it from books.


    The carriage stops just a few meters after they cross the arch bridge.


    They are now in a narrow alley, where three men are waiting for them.


    "Ahh, there he is," Edmur says with pleasure.


    He gets out and greets a tall, slender man of middle age. He is accompanied by two young soldiers.


    "I thought I''d take the liberty of greeting you here," the man says.


    "Thank you, my friend," says Edmur.


    "Mr. Champell," Vyncent exclaims with enthusiasm.


    Mr. Champell always reminds Lina of a giraffe¡ªprobably because of his long neck, pointed chin, and distinctive nose. But that doesn''t mean she respects him any less. Riffin Champell is the officer of the Merchant District and thus plays a central role in Rilgohin. Any questions, problems, or disputes are reported to the officer, Mr. Champell. He is responsible for resolving and addressing these matters. Those who don''t adhere to his regulations can expect to face punishments. There is an ordinance, created by Mr. Champell himself, that dictates what is allowed and what is not on the marketplace.


    "Oh, the little prince has grown up," Riffin Champell says, shaking Vyncent''s hand.


    "The last time I saw you, you only reached up to my chest."


    "Soon, I''ll be able to say the same about you," Vyncent responds playfully. "Albes has taught me a lot. I can''t wait to show you."


    "Is that so? Well then, let''s see a sample," Riffin laughs.


    A clearing of the throat interrupts their banter.


    "Well, well," Riffin says.


    Lina thinks the same.


    Riffin helps the awake Joane out of the carriage with grace.


    "You can save your nonsense for another day," she says with sluggish movements.


    "You had to say that," Edmur hisses at her and pulls her aside. "What happened?!"


    "I don''t know. Probably the weather," she says, adjusting her sun hat. "Did I miss something?"


    Edmur bites his tongue to hold back his frustration.


    "We were at the park," he says finally. "Your daughter fed ducks and was like you in a dreamland the rest of the time. Are you really okay?"


    "Just a bit dizzy," Joane replies. "But I should be fine."


    "So, shall we?" she asks the group, catching Riffin amusing Lina and Vyncent with his playful faces.


    Riffin Champell wears a black robe made of coarse fabric. Unlike their subordinate soldiers, officers do not wear shimmering armor. This can easily lead to Riffin being mistaken for a teacher or cleric. To avoid such potential confusion, officers usually wear badges and medals on their clothing.


    So, why doesn''t Riffin wear any? Lina wonders to herself.


    Meanwhile, he discusses the measures taken with her father.


    There are only three entrances, at which the controls for today have been quadrupled. Soldiers are stationed at each market stand, and some are patrolling the marketplace. And not just on the ground.


    On the roofs of the buildings facing the marketplace, archers are stationed.


    The number of people allowed in the marketplace is also limited. This is to ensure that the soldiers have a good overview of the events.


    At the end of the alley leading into the marketplace, soldiers are stationed, and suddenly one of them comes running directly toward them.


    "Mr. Champell, sir. There is a problem."


    "Jeffreys," Mr. Champell says warmly, "What sort of behavior is this? Don''t you see we have special guests today?"


    The young soldier immediately realizes his brusque behavior. He salutes, bows with practiced grace, and apologizes for his hasty actions.


    "Well, Mr. Champell, there is a problem¡ªMrs. Felling has just discovered that a large portion of her fireworks was stolen overnight."


    "Well, it looks like her fireworks are off this year," Edmur responds sarcastically.


    Mr. Champell also takes the incident calmly.


    "It''s not a big deal," he says. "If someone unauthorized tries to set off fireworks, we have our thieves. Jeffreys, please inform the other officers to keep their eyes open and their ears sharp." He clarifies, "A large number of fireworks is hard to hide, and it''s even harder to get them out of the city in such a short time. We''ll get to the bottom of this."


    Jeffreys nods, salutes again, bows, and then moves away.


    Meanwhile, Riffin pulls out a small Florentine notebook with a plastic cover from his pocket, which he always carries with him. He makes a brief note in it before slipping it back into his pocket.


    Lina has wondered before what secrets it might hold but quickly dismisses the thought, as Mr. Champell surely doesn''t use it as a diary.


    As they pass the soldiers, their attention is immediately drawn to a beautifully designed fountain made of marble.


    "Wow," Lina marvels.


    In the center of the square basin stands a statue on a pedestal. The statue depicts four figures in bronze, each standing with one foot on the back of a turtle. In their hands, they hold an eagle made of stone that spews water into a slightly lower basin. The symmetry of the pose symbolizes the equality of the people.


    "An impressive fountain, isn''t it?" Edmur says, joining his daughter.


    "What does it mean?"


    "Well, it represents our four officers. The turtles represent the four city districts assigned to them, which they protect. The marble basin represents Rilgohin. And the water spewing from the turtles symbolizes their contribution to making Rilgohin what it is."


    "But can Mr. Champell even swim?" Lina thought she was saying in her mind but spoke aloud instead.


    Her father bursts into loud laughter.


    "You should have seen him in his prime," he says, patting Mr. Champell on the shoulder, who puts on a crooked smile.


    Meanwhile, Joane holds her head.


    "Are you really okay?" Edmur asks.


    "Just a bit of a headache," Joane replies.


    "If that''s all," Mr. Champell says, "there''s a pharmacy next to my office. We''ll surely find something to help with your pain."


    "But I''ve already missed a lot. Maybe I should..." Joane says uncertainly, especially regarding Lina.


    "But it doesn''t make sense to torture yourself all day," Lina interrupts, "It''s fine. We still have a lot ahead of us."


    Her parents are not surprised, as Lina is not the type to hold grudges against others.


    "I''ll be right back," Joane promises.


    "Then I can also speak with the owner of the stolen fireworks," Lina hears Mr. Champell say as he and Joane head off.


    Lina is surprised to see that her family is getting almost no attention in the marketplace. Her father shakes hands with several people and has brief conversations with merchants.


    In the meantime, Lina and Vyncent stroll past the various stands and look at the goods on offer. The royal guard follows the members of the royal family every step of the way.


    At a stand selling shoes, Lina''s gaze lingers longer.


    In contrast, Vyncent is more interested in the stand next door, which sells all sorts of masks, including theatrical masks, masks for masquerade balls, protective masks, and even shame masks.


    "Father has better ones," Vyncent says, slightly disappointed, and moves on.


    The entire marketplace is paved, except for where the pens for sheep, chickens, geese, and pigs are located. The buildings around the marketplace are occupied by the owners of the shops inside. The balconies on the upper floors are made of fine natural stone and are intricately designed. They indicate that, besides the Royal District, this area is also home to wealthier people.


    There is a lot of activity. Lina can hardly imagine what it would be like if the number of people allowed in the marketplace was not restricted.


    But despite her concerns, she feels more comfortable here than she feared.


    The siblings now find themselves in a huge fruit and vegetable store.


    Greynyx, one of the royal guards, waits for them outside the store. He does not envy his comrade, Stiham, who follows Lina and Vyncent into the store and must keep them in sight. Lina has never seen so much fruit and vegetables at once, but she would prefer it if the store dealt in sweets.


    Outside the store, things are getting rough. There is another entrance to the marketplace here.


    The soldiers on duty are being cursed at or begged by citizens to let them onto the marketplace. But the soldiers remain firm, regardless of how much the people push and shout.


    ''B-O-O-M.''


    A noise, as loud as a thunderclap, shakes the square, followed by dead silence.


    Lina and Vyncent rush outside.


    The people look around in confusion. Everyone heard the explosion, but no one knows where it came from.


    Edmur is urged by the royal guard accompanying him to seek refuge in Officer Champell''s building. He ignores the request. After a brief moment, the busy activity resumes.


    ''B-O-O-M.''


    Another explosion is heard, and once again, everyone in the marketplace listens intently.


    This time, the noise is not as loud, but it is clear where it is coming from.


    Everyone now looks towards the west. No one moves, except for Lina and Vyncent, who, as if hypnotized, walk towards the western access point through the crowd of citizens and soldiers. The people there have their backs to them.


    Even the soldiers who had previously prevented people from entering the marketplace are now staring into the distance.


    A massive cloud of smoke is rising above the city''s rooftops.


    Birds scatter in a panic, and then ''B-O-O-M, B-O-O-M, B-O-O-M.''


    Explosions follow one after another, and they are getting closer.


    Chaos begins to spread across the square. Edmur is immediately pushed into Mr. Champell''s building by the royal guard, who is already waiting for them.


    "Where are my children and wife?" Edmur asks instinctively.


    "I''m here," Joane says, joining them. "Where are the children?" she asks in turn.


    The men shrug their shoulders. Joane''s stomach tightens. She wants to go back outside, but Edmur holds her back.


    "We need to get them!" Joane shouts at him.


    "Calm down! Greynyx and Stiham are with them," Edmur says soothingly. "They know what to do in an emergency."


    Joane listens to him.


    "Riffin," she calls out nonetheless, "do your men know as well?"


    "Of course," Mr. Champell responds conscientiously.


    Meanwhile, things are becoming hectic on the western side of the marketplace.


    Lina and Vyncent are forced to temporarily seek refuge next to the entrance.


    "We can''t stay here," Vyncent says, "Where are Greynyx and Stiham?!" he exclaims in frustration.


    "Vynce," Lina says unsteadily, tugging at his cloak.


    "STIHAM!" Vyncent shouts as he spots him in the middle of the marketplace.


    Stiham notices them and starts to move towards them, but suddenly he is attacked by two citizens.


    "What the..." Vyncent wonders, but at the same moment, Lina grabs his arm.


    She points towards the entrance.


    The people are now practically fighting to get onto the square.


    The soldiers have lost control.


    The closer the explosions get, the more disorganized they become.


    The first of them start to flee.


    Vyncent senses the danger.


    "We need to leave! NOW!"


    The crowd overruns the remaining soldiers.


    Vyncent grabs his little sister by the hand and runs with her.


    "We need to get to Mr. Champell''s precinct!" Lina shouts.


    The precinct is on the opposite side of the marketplace.


    But Vyncent isn''t heading there. Holding Lina''s hand, he makes his way to Stiham.


    One of the attacking men has Stiham in a chokehold, while the second has already stabbed him multiple times with a knife. Only then is the attacker overpowered by another soldier. With his last bit of strength, Stiham skillfully frees himself from the chokehold and brings his attacker down.


    Due to the knife wounds, Stiham has lost a lot of blood, leaving him too weak to kill the man.


    And the man is now trying to get up again.


    "Scum!" Vyncent says as he kicks the man back to the ground.


    "Stiham. Where is Greynyx?"


    Vyncent supports him, but at the same moment, he notices the blood on his hand, coming from Stiham''s wounds.


    Lina, Vyncent, and Stiham are swept along by the crowd, trying to escape the explosions. They all head towards the southern entrance to reach the Royal District.


    Fights are breaking out all over the marketplace between citizens and soldiers.


    ''B-O-O-M, B-O-O-M, B-O-O-M''


    Explosions in the Royal District!


    For the people, there are only two options left: either seek refuge in the marketplace or flee through the narrow alley to the park.


    It''s a hopeless situation, and the already overcrowded marketplace continues to fill up.


    "We need to get out of here!" Vyncent realizes and grabs Lina.


    "Run to the pharmacy. It''s next to Mr. Champell''s business," he says.


    "What??" Lina replies, perplexed. "No, I''m not leaving you alone."


    "Listen," he says, pulling Lina closer, "The situation is out of control. We''re not safe here!"


    "What about you?!"


    "I''m not leaving without Stiham," Vyncent replies. "Now go! I''ll be right behind you."


    Within seconds, she makes her decision.


    Lina makes her way through the chaotic crowd, which engulfs her like a sandstorm and darkens the world around her. She constantly collides with women, men, and children, all trying to find safety. She loses sight of her brother after only a few meters. Her sole aim is to reach the pharmacy to get help for Stiham.


    She is only a few meters away when two shabby-looking men block her path.


    Lina notices that the two men are wearing purplish-red garments, similar to Stiham''s attackers. They grin maliciously and reach out their hands toward her.


    Lina senses danger and flees.


    She runs around the goose enclosure to reach the northern side of the marketplace.


    There are only two market stalls left between her and the pharmacy.


    But before she can move, she is suddenly yanked behind a stall.


    "Greynyx!!?" Lina jolts. "Where have you been??"


    "Something required my attention," Greynyx replies, wiping blood from his nose.


    Two motionless bodies lie on the ground beside him.


    "Are they..."


    Greynyx sniffles.


    "They attacked me and dragged me away," he explains. "Where is your brother?"


    "He''s with Stiham," Lina says, shocked. "The people who attacked the soldiers and you... they''ve all..."


    "Wearing purplish-red garments," Greynyx finishes her sentence. "We underestimated our enemies."


    Then Lina remembers again.


    "Stiham was attacked and is injured. We need to help him!" Lina insists.


    "Alright," Greynyx says. "You stay here. I''ll be back soon."


    Greynyx disappears into the crowd.


    Lina stays hidden and tries to process what has happened in the last few minutes.


    She seems least concerned about the two corpses beside her, as too many panicked people are running around.


    She can''t stay here!


    She''s not far from the pharmacy. So she steels herself and starts running.


    But she doesn''t get far.


    She collides with a boy who is running around the corner at the same moment.


    The impact causes Lina''s forehead chain to fall to the ground.


    Both clutch their aching heads, and Lina notices that her forehead chain is missing.


    The boy, who is a little younger than Lina, sees the chain lying on the ground in front of him.


    She follows his gaze.


    They both reach for it, and their fingers touch.


    Instinctively, they look into each other''s eyes, shutting out everything around them.


    They hear neither the screaming nor see the commotion.


    They are no longer on the chaotic marketplace but in a dark void.


    Like in a mirror, they see a reflection of themselves in each other, which then swirls together like a whirlpool.


    Lina and the boy breathe heavily, but at this moment, it feels as light and carefree as a butterfly just lifting off from a plant.


    A warm bundle of energy, originating from their stomach region, flows through their bodies down to their fingertips.


    A connection forms between them - a connection that feels familiar to both.


    But where from?


    They are in a trance until a new, nearby explosion jolts them back to reality.


    They stare at each other in silence for several seconds.


    "D-do we know each other?" the boy stammers, breaking their silence.


    "What? No!" Lina responds quickly, dismissing the thought.


    "Or?" she stammers questioningly.


    "Miss Elmhart!" a soldier shouts.


    Before the soldier can reach the children, a hand grabs the boy by the collar and pulls him away.


    "Are you alright?" the soldier asks, slightly out of breath.


    Lina, still not fully aware, nods.


    The soldier looks for the boy but cannot find him among the many people. He then turns to the princess, who is panicking and searching the dirty ground for her chain.


    "Where is it? Where is it?!"


    The soldier spots the lifeless bodies not far from Lina and gasps.


    "Miss Elmhart," he says, "I''m taking you to safety."


    Then he throws her over his shoulder, like a farmer with a sack of potatoes, but Lina has only one thought at that moment.


    "My chain!" she calls out sadly as the soldier rushes through the chaos towards Riffin Champell''s building.

 Chapter 4 - The Brymbach Brothers

    Just before the explosions, a boy runs across a lawn towards a house.


    He emerges from a nearby forest. In his hand, he carries an overflowing basket of hazelnuts and walnuts, some of which fall to the ground due to his speed.


    He wears an olive-green T-shirt, dark pants, and a red-and-black patterned bandana on his head.


    The house he''s running toward is located on the outskirts of the Whitepool District, at the edge of Rilgohin.


    It is dark red, with white windows and doors, and has a gabled roof covered with tiles, similar to the other houses in the neighborhood.


    When the boy reaches the front, he quickly runs up the three narrow steps and opens the front door.


    "Mother, I''m back!" he calls loudly.


    He carelessly places the basket of nuts on a round table in the entryway and rushes back to the door.


    "I''m off again," he shouts.


    "Emmod, wait a moment," he hears a woman''s voice from the kitchen.


    Emmod Brymbach stops in the doorway.


    He wipes the sweat from his bushy eyebrows with his arm, which rest above his brown eyes, broad nose, and full lips.


    He then looks out onto the street, where two children are running towards the city center.


    Impatiently, he glances back into the house, where a medium-height, slender woman with dark, sparkling eyes stands before him. Her hair is long and tied into a braid on the left side.


    She wears a cream-colored short-sleeved blouse with ruffles and a high collar, a long skirt, and brown boots.


    This is his mother¡ªEmina Brymbach.


    "Please bring back two watermelons from Mr. Hershay on your way home," she says, drying her hands on a kitchen towel.


    "What about Novel?" Emmod asks, annoyed. "Where is he, anyway?"


    "He snuck out before sunrise today," Emina replies.


    "Typical."


    "And be back on time for dinner tonight."


    Emmod sighs.


    "If I find him," he replies, and heads off towards the Royal District to see the royal family.


    ''I hope they don''t get into trouble,'' Emina worries to herself as she watches her son run off.


    He still had tasks to finish for his mother, which is why he is late and in a hurry.


    The two children Emmod had just seen are already overtaken by him a few moments later.


    The farther he follows the street towards the city center, the more two-story brick buildings appear on either side, and the busier the street becomes. He constantly has to dodge people, only to immediately slow down for the next group.


    So Emmod decides to take a shortcut through the Park of Rilgohin to reach the Royal District.


    However, before the arched bridge leading into the park, a small crowd of citizens is gathered, loudly arguing.


    Emmod is forced to stop.


    He notices that the citizens are agitated, but their anger is not directed at each other. Instead, it is aimed at the soldiers, who are blocking their access to the park.


    "We have the most beautiful day of the year," says a middle-aged woman to the soldiers.


    "Exactly, how can you deny my pregnant wife and me a walk in the park on a day like this?!" her husband adds, his voice booming.


    "We''re sorry ourselves...," says one of the younger soldiers.


    He is the only one trying to calm the agitated citizens, unlike his comrades, who are passing the time with a dice game and alcohol.


    This makes the citizens'' anger boil over.


    "You can''t be serious!" the man now shouts, puffing up, "I haven''t seen anything like this in years!"


    Many of them are frustrated and feel unfairly treated, especially since they are being denied access to the park on such a beautiful day.


    "You will calm down now!" bellows one of the older soldiers after taking a few gulps from his bottle.


    "Either you wait patiently or leave," he says. "Almost ruined my win with all your shouting," he mutters before crouching down and shaking the dice in his hand.


    "What are we supposed to wait for, and how long? Until you finish your game??"


    "We can''t say, because we don''t know ourselves," the young soldier replies on behalf of the older one. "But you''ll surely be able to take your walk later in the day."


    "Later in the day? As if we have nothing better to do... How dare you ¨C what an outrage..."


    But the soldiers remain unmoved.


    "Perhaps today is my last day," a woman speaks up, stepping forward from the crowd.


    Being the smallest of the group, she has to crane her neck to look her opponents in the eye.


    "Can you really deny me this gift, to fully enjoy what could be my last day on this fine earth?" she says in a thin voice.


    ''She''s just playing them,'' the others think with raised eyebrows. ''Her voice is stronger than mine.''


    Only Emmod has a slightly different thought.


    ''This is pointless. These guys are stubborn.''


    "Now listen here...," the older soldier begins, unwilling to be fooled, as he''s been unable to quietly play his dice due to the constant interruptions.


    Even though some of them feel sympathy for the citizens and are uncomfortable turning them away, the soldiers still have their orders to follow.


    Emmod sees no end to the situation and internally fumes about having to take the long way around.


    "What about those cheeky brats over there?!" the man beside him suddenly yells.


    Like everyone else, Emmod turns in the direction the man is pointing.


    On a small patch of grass, four children are playing carefree with a ball.


    And, unsurprisingly to Emmod, one of them is his younger brother¡ªNovel Brymbach.


    Novel is wearing a torn gray-brown T-shirt and dark pants, both of which have seen better days. He''s a skinny boy with large brown eyes and slightly protruding ears. He''s also half a head shorter than Emmod. But he makes up for the height difference with his long, curly hair.


    Sweat begins to form on the soldiers'' foreheads, and it''s certainly not from the hot weather.


    "Get those kids off the lawn before anyone sees them!" the old soldier commands.


    Three soldiers quickly rush off.


    "NOVEL!!!" Emmod shouts, making himself noticed.


    "EMMOD!!" Novel calls back excitedly, waving wildly.


    The children Novel is playing with are startled.


    They are thin, with short black hair and broad noses.


    "Are you crazy?" hisses the oldest one, Ginrin Cotte.


    "If you keep shouting like that, the soldiers will notice us, and we''ll be in a heap of...," trembles the youngest, Geoff Cotte.


    But it''s already too late. The three soldiers are almost upon them.


    "Great."


    Novel doesn''t seem to care.


    "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" he shouts even louder.


    "I WAS HEADED TO THE ROYAL DISTRICT. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Emmod yells back just as loudly.


    "Stop shouting, kid!" the old soldier tries to pull Emmod away from the railing.


    "GINRIN AND THE OTHERS NEEDED A FOURTH PLAYER!"


    "Don''t say my name, you idiot!" Ginrin scolds.


    Quickly and without resistance, the children are led out of the park until only the arched bridge separates Emma and Novel.


    "You''re pretty bold..." Emmod acknowledges the three and Novel, and they puff up with pride.


    "...or just plain naive," he adds, which makes them look bewildered. "It was obvious this wouldn''t end well."


    "And what do you want in the Royal District?" Novel replies. "The royal family already left," he says cheerfully.


    "How do you know that?" Emmod asks, suspicious.


    "From the crowd back there," Novel answers.


    Suddenly, everyone turns in the direction Novel is pointing.


    "They''re probably nearby. Somewhere in the park," he says casually, almost uninterested.


    "Well then," Emmod dashes off, "Whoever gets there first!"


    "I gotta go," says Novel. "Sorry, and thanks for the game, Ginrin!"


    Before Ginrin and his brothers can even react, Novel is running after his big brother, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of dust.


    The soldiers have no time to respond, which Ginrin and his younger brothers take advantage of by sneaking away¡ªthough not without taking something with them.


    Suddenly, the man next to his wife starts frantically patting himself down.


    "Where... where''s my wallet?!" he asks in distress.


    But the soldiers can do nothing more, as they have to stay at their posts.


    "THAT''S NOT FAIR! YOU HAD A HEAD START!" Novel shouts to Emmod as they run along the railing of the park and dive into the crowd in the Whitepool District.


    The streets are now overflowing. Everyone has the same destination in mind¡ªthe marketplace.


    The marketplace is particularly attractive for residents of the Whitepool District and the Shinemore District, as you can get almost anything there for a low price.


    The fact that the royal family will be there today is the cherry on top.


    Meanwhile, Novel tries to keep up with Emmod. For his age, he''s one of the fastest, but in a race against Emmod, he always comes up short.


    But that doesn''t mean it''s going to happen again today.


    Novel takes a shortcut through a narrow alley that branches off from the main street.


    Here, he only needs to be careful not to step in any trash. Other than that, he''s got a clear path.


    The stench is unbearable until he makes a sharp left turn at the end of the alley.


    But he''s actually managed to overtake his brother.


    Emmod, slowed down by the crowd, only reaches the spot where Novel rejoined the main street a few seconds later.


    But instead of taking advantage of the lead he worked so hard for, Novel starts fooling around.


    He keeps turning back to look at Emmod, gesturing wildly or throwing cheeky looks. Not paying attention to what''s in front of him, he''s forced to dodge an elderly couple at the last moment.


    Had he been more careful, he wouldn''t have crashed right into old Mr. Hershay''s fruit stand.


    A few watermelons roll off the table, but Novel catches them just in time before they hit the ground.


    Even though this is the first stand, they''re not quite at the marketplace yet. Instead, this spot marks the transition from the Whitepool District to the Merchant District.


    Across from the stand is a bakery.


    ''You''d think he was in the circus, the way he''s balancing those,'' Emmod thinks amused, watching his little brother.


    "Not again," mutters the old man, who had been peacefully reading his newspaper moments ago.


    But he''s not surprised.


    This happens at least once a week¡ªalways when Emmod and Novel are supposed to be running errands for their mother at the marketplace.


    Now, the frail-looking man stands before the young Brymbachs.


    But appearances can be deceiving, as Mr. Hershay always saves his strength for giving the boys a smack on the head after their mishaps.


    "Sorry, Mr. Hershay," Novel says glumly, placing the watermelons back on the table.


    Emmod stands beside him. Instead of helping, he lectures him.


    "You never learn," he says smugly. "Celebrate after you cross the finish line."


    "He''s right," says Mr. Hershay, grabbing Novel by the collar. "And don''t celebrate until you''ve passed my stand."


    Out of nowhere, two more people come barreling through with a cart, pushing it ahead of them. They have cloths covering the lower halves of their faces.


    Recklessly, they plow through the crowd toward the marketplace, leaving stunned people in their wake.


    "They''re in even more of a hurry than we are," Novel notes before noticing that his brother is already several meters ahead of him again.


    "EMMOD, THAT''S NOT FAIR!" Novel yells and quickly takes off after him.


    They take advantage of Mr. Hershay''s distraction.


    "HOOLIGANS! What about my stand?!" Mr. Hershay shouts angrily after them.


    "Sorry, Mr. Hershay! We''ll help you later!" Emmod calls back.


    Mr. Hershay can only shake his head as he begins to clean up.


    A round woman in a white baker''s hat and a red-and-white dress steps out of the bakery across the street and greets him.


    "The Brymbach brothers," she says in a raspy voice. "Don''t be too hard on them, Hershy."


    "Stop calling me Hershy, Roswilda," Mr. Hershay snaps. "Either call me Phil or don''t call me at all," he says, grumpily.


    "My nephews ran off too, to see the royal family," she says.


    "But they don''t knock over my stand every time," Mr. Hershay grumbles. "If they''d only put their talent to good use, they could go far," he says, lost in thought.


    "My nephews?" Roswilda asks brightly.


    Mr. Hershay sighs.


    "Them too," he says.


    Deeper into the Merchant District, Emmod slows down to let his little brother catch up.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "We''re close," says Emmod.


    "How do you know?" asks Novel.


    "By the loud shouting and yelling," Emmod replies.


    They are now in a narrow alley that leads straight to the main street.


    Just past a turn leading to a dead end, and they''re almost there.


    As they pass the dead-end alley, everything suddenly moves in slow motion for Emmod.


    He recognizes the two masked individuals who had behaved recklessly earlier at Mr. Hershay''s stand.


    They are now with three men, helping them carry crates into a house.


    On each crate are two words: ''Caution Explosive.''


    Even though it seems suspicious to him, Emmod decides not to get involved for now.


    Instead, he and his brother reach the main street.


    Countless people are gathered in front of the entrance to the marketplace.


    The excitement is high, as word has spread that the royal family is now at the marketplace.


    At the same time, however, the soldiers are blocking access, as only a limited number of citizens are allowed in.


    Emmod and Novel''s chance of seeing the royal family has just gotten much worse.


    "What do we do now?" asks Novel.


    It seems like he''s talking to himself because Emmod has disappeared again.


    Confused, Novel looks around until he spots his brother at the corner of the alley.


    Emmod waves to him, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.


    "What is it?" asks Novel when he reaches him. "Did you figure out how we can get onto the marketplace without being seen?"


    "No," Emmod replies. "I figured out how we can get into that house over there without being seen."


    He points to a house located at the corner near the dead-end alley they had passed earlier.


    "Some shady figures just went in there. I think they''re up to something," Emmod continues.


    "That''s not our problem," Novel dismisses with a wave.


    "When we walked by, the crates said ''Caution Explosive,'' and those guys with the cart were in quite a hurry, weren''t they? Plus, they were hiding their faces with those cloths. This could become our problem!" Emmod explains.


    "Nothing seemed suspicious to me," Novel shrugs.


    "Because your eyes are only useful at night," Emmod replies. "Now come on. We can get in through that window."


    Easier said than done, Emmod helps Novel up by giving him a boost, and Novel tumbles headfirst through a half-open window.


    Silently, like a master thief, his big brother follows him in just seconds later.


    Inside the room, there are several people, but they can''t tell how many as they keep their heads down to avoid being seen.


    The many crates and barrels scattered throughout the room give them more than enough cover.


    "There, that''s the last one," they hear someone grunt.


    "Finally," says another person. "You''re late."


    "They''re not the only ones who need this merchandise, mister," one of them explains.


    "Then you''d better hurry. Your other customers won''t be so patient," says a sharp voice, clapping their hands.


    The door slams shut.


    "In this town, you can''t tell friend from foe," someone says, right near where they''re hiding.


    B-O-O-M.


    Emmod and Novel flinch nervously.


    Dust falls from the ceiling, and the overhead lights flicker briefly.


    Did lightning strike?


    "That''s the signal," they hear someone say. "Now, quickly!"


    "What was that?!" Novel whispers anxiously.


    Emmod thinks, while carefully observing the stacked crates scattered around the room.


    His eyes accidentally fall on some barrels placed between the crates.


    The slow realization of what''s happening here and where they are begins to dawn in his eyes.


    ''Caution Explosive'' ''Highly Flammable.''


    A cold shiver runs down his spine.


    "When I say go, we''re getting out of here," Emmod says to his brother.


    "Why? What''s happening?"


    They hear another explosion, this time much closer than before.


    "What are you waiting for?" one of the people in the room asks excitedly.


    "Not yet," another replies.


    For a few seconds, complete silence falls.


    "Five ¨C four ¨C three ¨C two, one. Go."


    Suddenly, Emmod and Novel hear a loud hissing noise, and the three men bolt out of the house.


    "Out! Go!" Emmod urges his brother.


    They dive through the same window they entered from and crash painfully onto the ground. After helping each other to their feet, they see the three men running toward the main street and the marketplace.


    They chase after them.


    "Great idea," Novel remarks sarcastically.


    But there''s no time for teasing.


    One explosion after another shakes the Merchant District, and they''re getting closer to the marketplace.


    People are fleeing.


    They have to escape through the marketplace to reach the Royal District or the Park of Rilgohin, as all the routes back to Whitepool District are cut off by the explosions. But this plan seems doomed at the entrance to the marketplace, where soldiers are still holding their ground despite the explosions. Things are getting dangerous for Emmod and Novel.


    "What do we do?" Novel asks desperately. "How do we get past all these people?"


    Emmod tries to stay calm, so as not to unsettle his brother further.


    He spots a nearly two-meter-high pavilion behind the line of soldiers, with a sturdy roof. Next to the line of soldiers, some crates are stacked, but Emmod sees more than just crates. He sees a staircase that could get him and his brother onto the pavilion.


    "Improvise!" he answers Novel''s question.


    Emmod runs toward the crates and climbs up. Novel is right behind him.


    But Emmod moves too hastily, and as he jumps off the last crate, he slips.


    The crate falls onto the soldiers, and Emmod bruises his ribs.


    Luckily, he lands on the roof of the pavilion and not on the cobblestones.


    But what about Novel?


    The fall of the crate triggers a chain reaction. Novel loses his balance and slips. He reaches out his hand to grab onto the pavilion, but instead, he moves further away from it.


    However, he doesn''t hit the ground because Emmod grabs Novel''s outstretched hand and, with a powerful yank, pulls him towards himself.


    At the same time, the falling crates have caused the line of soldiers to break, allowing the crowd to storm onto the marketplace.


    The two catch their breath briefly before they begin to swing from the roof of the pavilion to the nearest balcony above them.


    Cautiously but swiftly, they move along the balconies and outer window ledges until they are positioned over a stand selling spices.


    For now, they are safe, and the explosions have stopped.


    But who can assure them these were the last?


    They observe the situation and notice many fights breaking out between citizens and soldiers in the chaos.


    Emmod and Novel were born shortly after the end of the Four-Crown War.


    They know stories from tales and books.


    But they have never seen a fight nor felt what it''s like to be in one.


    They only know one thing.


    "We have to do something," Novel says.


    Emmod begins to laugh.


    "What do you think you can do?" he asks. "Just stay out of the way."


    "We can''t just watch and do nothing," Novel says passionately.


    "Don''t get involved in things you can''t control!" Emmod replies firmly.


    Novel pauses for a moment.


    "If I don''t get involved, I''ll never be able to control those things," he murmurs.


    From the balcony railing, where he''s holding on, Novel jumps down to the next outer window ledge beneath him. From there, he climbs further down and, in no time, reaches the ground.


    "Novel, wait," Emmod tries to stop him.


    But words aren''t enough. Novel has already landed on the cobblestones.


    ''B-O-O-M'' ''B-O-O-M'' ''B-O-O-M''


    Frozen, Emmod clings to the balcony railing as explosions erupt in the Royal District.


    He can''t see what''s happening there, so he listens carefully and focuses on the entrance to the marketplace, which leads to the district.


    The people who had just been seeking refuge in the Royal District now surge back onto the marketplace.


    The chaos is complete.


    And what about Novel?


    Emmod looks toward the spot where he had just seen Novel, but he''s no longer there.


    Panicked, he scans the marketplace, but finding him in this confusion would be a miracle.


    Emmod can only hope that Novel has found safety or will return to him.


    ''That would be the smartest thing,'' Emmod thinks. ''Waiting here. I don''t know where Novel is, but Novel knows where I am. If I can''t find him, he''ll find me.''


    Meanwhile, Novel feels as if he''s trapped in a carousel.


    He''s being tossed back and forth uncontrollably, crushed and pushed away.


    His ride comes to a stop against a strong, hairy leg.


    When Novel looks up, he sees the outline of a triangular-shaped face.


    He recognizes a man with light brown hair streaked with gray.


    His unkempt beard half-covers a war scar that runs across the right side of his face.


    "Uncle Ko," Novel says, relieved.


    Ko hadn''t noticed the young Brymbach at all.


    "Novel," he replies, surprised, helping him to his feet.


    It seems like his uncle has an invisible shield that keeps the crowd away from them.


    "Where''s your brother?" he asks tensely.


    His face is like stone, with only his blue eyes showing some sign of life.


    "Hanging over the spice stand," Novel answers in his casual way.


    "Good," Ko says and pushes Novel forward until he finally deposits him at the fish and meat stand.


    "Wait here," he instructs, "I''ll get your brother."


    Without arguing, Novel nods obediently.


    The spice stand, where Emmod continues to search for his brother, is only a few meters away from the fish and meat stand. But he doesn''t have to search much longer, as something pulls on his pants and tickles his leg. Reflexively, he shakes it off without paying attention to who or what it is.


    "Novel?" he hopes.


    It wasn''t. It was the next best thing.


    "Get down from there," his uncle hisses.


    "I lost Novel," Emmod shouts back twice as loudly, "He''s somewhere..."


    "I have your brother. He''s with me," Ko reassures him. "Now come."


    After Emmod climbs down, he immediately gets a smack on the head.


    "How could you lose your brother?"


    "He just ran off," Emmod explains. "No idea what got into him."


    "You need to be more careful before the wrong people notice you," Ko warns, just before he notices a royal guard only a few meters away.


    Instinctively, he turns away, ducks down toward Emmod, and brushes the dust off his clothes.


    Meanwhile, his eyes track every movement of the royal guard as they hurry away.


    "What''s that about?" Emmod asks, annoyed.


    "There was... dust," his uncle replies flatly, still half-lost in thought.


    "Should be gone now," Emmod says, pushing his hands away.


    "Let''s go," his uncle orders.


    Emmod doesn''t know what annoys him more¡ªhis uncle treating him like a child or using him as a personal anti-anger outlet.


    Ko then grabs Novel and leads his nephews away from the marketplace, back into the Whitepool District.


    They turn into an alley away from the chaos, where, aside from a few people walking by, there''s no one else.


    They lean against the walls, breathing heavily.


    "What just happened?" asks Emmod, still in shock.


    "I don''t know," Ko replies, still trying to process the events himself. "Are you both alright?" he asks.


    Emmod and Novel nod.


    "I need to show you something," says Novel, rummaging through his pocket and pulling out a silver, shimmering forehead chain.


    As much as the chain sparkles, so do the boys'' eyes.


    "It''s probably worth a fortune," Novel remarks. "We could get a lot of money for it."


    "Definitely. Where did you get it?" Emmod asks, curious.


    "I found it on the ground. But what''s this symbol here?" Novel responds.


    "That''s the symbol of the Elmharts," their uncle explains, visibly shaken. "Novel, where the hell did you find that?"


    "I bumped into a girl. I think it belongs to her," Novel replies.


    Ko grabs him by the collar. Many thoughts cross his mind about what he''d like to do to someone acting so recklessly¡ªbut it''s his nephew, whose innocent eyes reveal that he didn''t know any better.


    Ko loosens his grip.


    "What''s going on?!" Novel asks, alarmed.


    "A girl, you say," Ko replies. "How old was she?" he asks.


    "I don''t know. Maybe a year or two older than me," Novel responds.


    Ko wants to scream, a scream that would drown out the explosions, but he bites his tongue.


    "Novel. Emmod," he finally says, "This is no ordinary chain. It belongs to the royal family.


    More specifically, to the king''s daughter. I''m sure that when you bumped into her, the girl lost it," he explains, pulling his nephews even closer.


    "You must keep this to yourselves. It is of utmost importance that no one else finds out about the chain. Do you understand?"


    Emmod and Novel nod.


    "Did anyone else see you with it?" Ko asks, carefully inspecting the chain.


    "Not that I know of," Novel replies, thinking hard.


    Ko hopes that''s true, though the answer doesn''t bring much relief.


    "She probably got dizzy from running into your thick skull," laughs Emmod, playfully knocking on Novel''s head.


    Again, a few people pass by the alley.


    "Put the forehead chain in here," Ko orders, holding out his satchel halfway open, but a loud noise suddenly echoes through the alley.


    Ko jumps in front of Emmod and Novel, ready to face his worst enemy. Instead, he sees a trash can slowly rolling from one wall to the other.


    "It was probably just the wind," Emmod says aloud.


    Neither his brother nor his uncle can argue with that.


    Then Novel remembers something.


    "Damn," he groans. "Didn''t you mention something about watermelons?"


    Now Emmod remembers too.


    "I almost forgot," he says, rubbing his head. "We''ve got to go, Ko. Mom wanted us to bring her two watermelons."


    "Give her my regards," their uncle calls after them, but in the commotion, he didn''t pay enough attention to see if Novel had actually put the forehead chain in his bag or not.


    By the time he realizes, it''s too late¡ªthe brothers are already gone.

 Chapter 5 - Gathering of the Officers

    Late in the evening, after the shocking attacks, the royal family finds themselves back in the castle¡ªexhausted but unharmed. Riffin Champell, the officer from the Merchant District, has accompanied the royal family from the marketplace to the castle. It was the least he could do after the tense situation in the marketplace was finally defused earlier that evening, ensuring the safety of the royal family.


    Butler Stewart and the housekeeper Suse were deeply concerned when they heard the explosions and shocked when they learned about the attacks. They were all the more relieved to greet the family safely back at the castle. Dinner, however, faded into the background, overshadowed by mourning for Stiham, who succumbed to his injuries. Much to the dismay of Chef Recaprio, who, while understanding the family''s lack of appetite, was the only one upset about the events after seeing his efforts once again go unappreciated.


    In Vyncent''s room, the lights were dim. He and his father exchanged serious glances and a few words. Edmur worried about the future of the kingdom, but even more so about the future of his family. Meanwhile, Joane took the lead in talking with their daughter after the maids had prepared Lina for bed. Lina hadn''t yet come to terms with Stiham''s death, but her mind was already overwhelmed with countless other thoughts.


    "I''m so sorry," Lina begins, panicked. "There was this boy. I..."


    But before Joane could respond, she asks Suse and the maids to leave the room so she could speak with her daughter privately. Lina is exhausted, but her mind remained wide awake. Once the door closed, she starts again.


    "The chain... Father''s gift... There was this boy... I ran into him... I think he took it," she says, breathing heavily and gripping her blanket nervously.


    She blames herself for losing such a significant heirloom and fears her father''s disappointment, as well as the potential consequences of the loss. Tears welled in her eyes until Joane wrapped her in a firm embrace, an instinctive gesture that calmed Lina down.


    "What matters to me and your father is that you''re safe," Joane says firmly. "A chain can be replaced, but you cannot."


    Joane''s eyes glistened with tears as well, prompting her to end the embrace before her own tears could spill onto her daughter.


    "Are you hurt?" Joane asks.


    "Besides this bump, I''m fine," Lina sniffled, pointing to a slight swelling on her head.


    Joane brushed Lina''s bright red hair aside to examine the spot. A small smile tugged at her lips.


    "Looks like that boy had a real hard head," Joane says with a grin, which brought a smile to Lina''s face, lightening the mood.


    "He really did," Lina laughs, wiping away the last of her tears.


    But her good mood is short-lived.


    "On the way back, I overheard Father talking," Lina says, worried. "Will I never be allowed to leave these walls again? I just wanted to see the sea and the Sacred Green Tree."


    "We''ll work it out," Joane reassures her daughter. "Trust me, I''ll speak with him. Don''t worry." She kisses Lina''s forehead.


    However, Joane''s words aren''t enough to fully put Lina''s fears to rest.


    "I''ve positioned soldiers in the hallway. They''ll guard your rooms for now. We''ll handle everything else tomorrow. Goodnight, my love."


    And just as Joane is about to leave the room, a familiar face suddenly burst in.


    "I heard what happened, Miss Elmhart. I hope you and your family are well. It must have been terrifying," says the girl with her shoulder-length, dark brown hair and arched eyebrows.


    "You''re late, Cecie," Joane replies. "You two can talk tomorrow. Lina is going to bed now."


    "There''s a reason I''m only here now. Lina¡ªsomething happened."


    "A lot happened today, Cecie," Lina groans.


    "It''s about Mister Red," Cecie says. "Right after I helped tidy up your room with him, I let him out into the back garden. But he hasn''t come back yet. That''s never happened before."


    "Mister Red..." Joane begins, then corrects herself, "That animal is a squirrel, not a dog that comes when called. It''s not a pet."


    Although Lina normally has a completely different opinion, she is too exhausted from today''s events to engage in the discussion.


    She turns onto her side, her back to Cecie.


    "My head is pounding."


    "But Lina¡ª"


    "You can leave!" Lina makes it clear.


    Cecie leaves the room with her head lowered, not needing to be told twice.


    Joane is shocked by her daughter''s brief outburst but understands that this is a difficult time for her. She, too, leaves Lina alone, her mind filled with worry, coupled with thoughts on how to protect her daughter from further dangers. However, Joane knows she cannot afford to show any weakness now. She needs to discuss with her husband how they can give their children a sense of safety and normalcy in a world full of uncertainties.


    Now, only Lina and her thoughts remain in the room. First, the many explosions. Then the attacks on her entire family. The many injured and dead, including Stiham¡ªthe royal guard.


    And all of it because of her family? All of this¡ªbecause of her?


    Then there''s the lost forehead chain, her collision with that boy, and now Mister Red''s disappearance. She just wants this day to be over already¡ªher 14th birthday, which was supposed to be the best day of her life but has instead become the worst. The day that was meant to decide her future¡ªfor better or worse.


    Will it end the same way the next time she leaves the castle? Will there even be a next time?


    The footsteps in the hallway and the voices outside her door fade. Lina closes her eyes and tosses and turns in bed. So many questions swirl through her head, and even more theories.


    "It must have been terrifying," echoes in her thoughts. Why does that particular sentence stick with her so strongly? Because it was terrifying? Or maybe, because it wasn''t?


    What would she say if someone asked her about it? "Yes, it was... at times. But it was also¡ªexciting," if the day hadn''t been overshadowed by Stiham''s death.


    Just before her mind drifts off to sleep, she becomes aware of the door opening slightly and then closing again. Footsteps follow, making no effort to be quiet. They get closer and closer. Is this a dream? A nightmare? Could it be one of the Crimson Crusaders, come to kidnap or even kill her?


    Someone pulls aside the curtain around her bed. If Lina grabs the candlestick beside her and strikes the intruder, she can flee to the hallway where the soldiers are stationed.


    But what if the soldiers have already been overpowered?


    It''s now or never!


    She grabs the candlestick and prepares to strike.


    "Yo," greets the intruder.


    "Vynce?!" she cries out, stopping her strike just in time before she hits him.


    Lina is more startled by the sight of her brother''s face than Vyncent is by her sudden, half-executed attack.


    "I almost hit you. What are you doing here?" she asks, still shaken.


    "As if you could," he replies arrogantly. "I came to ask if you want to join me in my battle plan," he answers her question.


    "Not interested," Lina replies flatly. "I just want to sleep."


    "I can see how well that''s working for you," he remarks, but Lina ignores him expertly.


    "I know you''re having the same thoughts as I am," he continues. "And you definitely want to know what happens next."


    "We''ll find out tomorrow or in the coming days," Lina responds, uninterested.


    "I''m not waiting that long. Father is furious, and he''s shaken by Stiham''s death. Add to that these recurring attacks. Something needs to be done," he explains. "That''s why he''s summoned the four officers for a meeting. They''re bound to arrive any minute now to decide the next steps."


    "Then why are you here?" Lina asks, annoyed.


    "Your bedsheet is longer," he says. "I need a partner for the plan. And someone to watch my back."


    "My bedsheet?"


    "If we climb out of your window, we can sneak into the back garden. From there, we can eavesdrop on the dining room behind the veranda."


    "And what if I stay here?"


    "Well. If I get caught, you''re kind of an accomplice. Your room, your bedsheet, and you didn''t stop me."


    "That''s blackmail!"


    "Do you think so?"


    "Vynce, I don''t want to get in trouble because of you. I''m already concerned about being trapped in these castle walls for the rest of my life," Lina says. "And what if we get caught or the soldiers in the hallway raise the alarm because they can''t find us? Wait, how did you even get past them?"


    "I told them I was going to your room and that they shouldn''t ask questions or come in until I came back out," Vyncent replies as if it''s obvious, and he remains unfazed. During Lina''s brief monologue, he has already started making a solid rope out of her bedsheets. Lina watches her brother.


    ''He''s definitely done this before,'' she thinks.


    "Instead of just standing there looking dumb, you could help me. It''ll go twice as fast."


    Now that Lina is helping, it doesn''t take long. They knot the sheet to the nearest bedpost and throw it out the window to rappel down from the third floor.


    Vyncent, who climbs down first, finds the knotted bedsheet to be stable. After reaching the ground, he quickly checks that the coast is clear and disappears from Lina''s view.


    After a few seconds, he returns and waves Lina down. Lina then skillfully climbs down as well.


    "Do you do this often?" Vyncent asks, astonished, as Lina lands safely on the ground.


    "I should be asking you that!" Lina snaps back.


    "Shh. Not so loud."


    "This is your fault!"


    Vyncent ignores her, noticing something.


    "Damn it," he mutters in frustration, "If someone sees the bedsheet, it''ll be a short outing."


    "What do we do..."


    Before Lina can finish her sentence, Vyncent grabs the bedsheet and pulls on it forcefully.


    "You can''t seriously think that..." Lina begins, but Vyncent takes action. He quickly and energetically rubs the bedsheet against the window frame, making it thinner and thinner until it finally tears with one last effort.


    The bedsheet falls to the ground, with a part remaining in Lina''s room.


    "That was my favorite sheet," Lina says, speechless.


    "I''ll buy you a new one," Vyncent responds cleverly, hiding the torn bedsheet in a bush.


    They then sneak towards their destination, always on the lookout for the guards. It''s not too difficult for them, as they know every possible position of the stationary and patrolling soldiers down to the meter and the time, allowing them to reach the veranda swiftly and unnoticed. The tall evergreen bushes scattered around the castle garden make it easy for them to hide from the guards. They quickly find a spot from where they can observe the veranda very well.


    The dining room is brightly lit amidst the surrounding darkness. There, they see their father alone on the veranda, staring into the distance with a dark expression. The light casts a long shadow into the garden.


    "Why is the garden so sparsely populated today?" Lina asks.


    "Probably because the soldiers still have a lot of work in the city or because Father simply wants it this way today," Vyncent replies. "This makes things a bit easier for us," he adds while surveying the surroundings.


    "It doesn''t seem to have started yet," he whispers.


    The meeting and discussion are taking place on the ground floor of the castle, in the coral-painted dining room.


    Riffin Champell sits visibly tense on one of the gray four-legged chairs at the long dining table, on which various fruits are arranged in bowls. He nervously fiddles with his wedding ring, and the long wait for his fellow officers only heightens his anxiety.


    Standing behind him is Stewart, primarily with one hand behind his back while holding a bottle of wine with the other.


    Joane lies comfortably on the gray single bench, which usually seats two. In her hand, she holds her usual tulip-shaped glass, this time filled with red wine. Next to her is a small round table with a silver platter of orange candies, which she is enjoying.


    Riffin glances briefly over his shoulder. He thinks the same thing as Lina and Vyncent.


    ''For someone who almost lost their children today, she seems remarkably calm.''


    In stark contrast to her husband. He is not only disturbed by the attacks but also visibly angry. He is currently still on the veranda, trying to cool off and waiting for the arrival of the officers.


    The only other people in the room are the two royal guards, Adwar and Piersym. They have been by Edmur''s side since his coronation and are thus considered not only the first but also the most loyal guards of His Majesty.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The room is in complete silence, interrupted only by Joane''s slurping and continuous chewing of the candies.


    Then their attention turns to one person.


    A rather tall, well-dressed woman with short black hair and an oval face enters the room.


    She is the officer from the Whitepool District¡ªAnnet Walurg.


    Despite her entrance, the room remains silent. Without exchanging a word with anyone, she sits down on the nearest chair, directly opposite her colleague Riffin, whom she avoids looking at. Only a friendly nod between Joane and her serves as a greeting to the meeting.


    She crosses her arms in front of her chest and quickly begins to bounce her foot up and down with her legs crossed.


    The already tense atmosphere intensifies when a man with a pronounced double chin and a fat face enters the room with penguin-like steps.


    He wears a large brown coat that cannot be fastened at either the top or bottom button due to his round figure. As he enters, he takes off his gray felt hat.


    This is the officer from the Shinemore District¡ªBarder Echothed.


    Barder scans the room. His labored breathing and heavy footsteps drown out the sounds Joane makes while eating and drinking. He sits down at the dining table and reaches into a bowl of cherries. After grabbing a handful, only three cherries remain at the bottom of the bowl. Only after stuffing his mouth does he notice his colleague sitting hunched across from him.


    "Oh, Riff, my boy! I didn''t recognize you without your badges. Have they taken them all from you after what happened today?" he bellows into the room, hitting Riffin with a mix of spit and cherry bits on the forehead.


    "Help yourself, Riff," he says with his mouth full, "A few extra pounds would do you good."


    "And a few less would do you good," Annet retorts, rolling her eyes.


    "I''m also pleased to see you, Anni," Barder says with his cheeks still full.


    Annet takes a sharp breath.


    "Joane, can''t you just tell us why we''re here so I can leave?" she says.


    "Why the hurry? Is it nicer at the other castle? Or is the company there more pleasant?" Edmur calls from the veranda, loud enough for everyone to hear.


    He then enters the room through one of the open, tall veranda doors with a stony expression.


    "This is our chance," Vyncent whispers to his sister.


    They sneak towards the veranda, keeping as concealed as possible.


    In front of the veranda, there are several small shrubbery patches. The space between them provides a good hiding place. However, it''s too tight for two people, so Vyncent takes the spot beside it. Through the open veranda door, Lina and Vyncent can hear everything that is said clearly.


    "You gave me approval for this task, my king," Annet responds modestly, "Do you remember?"


    "And you''re doing a good job," Edmur says, "I''m just ascertaining about your well-being."


    He stands behind Annet and places his hands on the backrests of her chair. Annet shivers as she feels as though Edmur''s hands are directly on her shoulders. She stands up abruptly.


    "You think they have something to do with this, don''t you?" Annet says accusingly.


    "It''s just a guess. They are criminals after all. And THESE were criminal acts," Edmur replies, sitting right next to her at the table, "The Crimson Crusaders are all but wiped out. And the few who remain couldn''t have acted alone."


    "The Alted family is currently in a rather comfortable position. Their interests and ambitions do not lie on a political level," Annet explains.


    "Nevertheless, they could be a great help in solving this mystery," Joane interjects from the background, "I heard rumors about Azandrol''s nephew, who has been seen more frequently in the city lately. Perhaps he has... higher ambitions than his predecessors."


    "I doubt his nephew is in a position to cause a complete upheaval in the family without consulting Azandrol," Annet says, "Even if he wanted to."


    "Perhaps someone specific here could talk to him during a pleasant evening by the fireplace," Joane suggests.


    "It''s really more aesthetic in winter when it''s snowing," Annet adds.


    "That''s enough," Edmur interrupts their private conversation.


    "Just to repeat it for you" he begins, "the agreement made back then is based on mutuality. We provided them with a platform for their activities. In return, we can buy and sell raw materials and goods around the world faster and cheaper with the help of their smuggling routes. If we demand more, they will too."


    "A really sophisticated and profitable business," Stewart notes.


    "Thank you, Stewart," Edmur responds self-assuredly.


    "It is crucial that this relationship continues. Because if the High Council believes that I cannot handle the business..." he begins, but swallows the end of his sentence to avoid invoking any trouble.


    "My King, you were the only one who accused them," Annet says, irritated.


    "As I said," Edmur clears his throat, "I was just ascertaining. But I trust your well-disposed judgment."


    While Edmur was on the veranda, he also considered a measure intended to reach the citizens, something he can no longer withhold from the officers.


    "I would like to inform you that I will be drafting a speech which you will then announce in your districts¡ªinstead of me. You have a closer connection to the citizens than I do at this time."


    The officers are not pleased with this.


    "Wouldn''t it show more strength if you delivered the speech to the citizens yourself?" Annet suggests.


    "Strength is demonstrated through actions, not words," Edmur counters. "The city is in turmoil, so it is of utmost importance that you engage directly with your districts. This way, we reach more people directly, and individuals feel heard," he explains. "I was thinking of leaflets."


    Following this statement, an uncomfortable silence falls over the room. No one wants to speak, and the only one who does is waiting for the last of the four officers.


    In the meantime, Barder''s raspy breathing is comparable to the snoring of a wild beast. Added to this is the gentle rustling of candies as Joane takes another one.


    "Could you stop eating that junk?" Edmur asks after a few minutes, irritated.


    "Why? You know these are my favorite candies," Joane replies. "Have some yourself¡ªgood for the nerves."


    "I''d love to have some," Riffin stammers.


    "No!" Edmur suddenly jumps up as if he''s lost his mind. "I mean..."


    "You have work ahead of you¡ªand a lot of it."


    Eyes and ears turn towards Joane. "Isn''t that right, Ed?"


    "It sounds more like they don''t want to share with us," Barder whispers to Annet, but so loudly that everyone in the room can hear.


    Before Edmur or Joane can respond, the doors are flung open.


    A broad-shouldered man strides in quickly, as if he owns the place, but bows to Edmur and Joane at the end. He is slightly shorter than Edmur but twice as wide. His oval face is covered with a brown full beard. He wears a dark blue coat adorned with many badges and medals.


    He is the officer of the Royal District¡ªAlbes Maxwiff.


    "Apologies for my unpunctuality, my king," Albes says. "The investigations and clarifications took some time."


    "What losses have we sustained?" Edmur asks immediately, and the attendees press their lips together.


    "It''s manageable," Albes replies. "56 people were found dead, including a small boy who apparently fell to the ground in the crowd and was trampled. We identified him and informed his family." Albes says this as the others briefly pause to pay their respects.


    "There are about 200 seriously injured. So far, one to two dozen have not survived. The rest are either out of danger or still at risk. Additionally, there are 300 injured, though these are mostly minor injuries. Many of our citizens and soldiers are still in shock," he explains. "There were individual skirmishes in the Royal District and Whitepool District. The majority of the fighting took place in the Merchant District, where we have the greatest losses," he continues. "The marketplace was bathed in purple, and by the end, dark red blood flowed through the streets."


    Edmur silently agrees.


    "What property damage have we sustained?" he asks next.


    "The explosions occurred in old sheds and smaller warehouses that had been cleared out beforehand," Albes explains. "Fireworks and barrels of oil were their means to the end. The sites were chosen deliberately; they led to the marketplace, precisely at the time when you were there," he elaborates. "The explosive devices in the Royal District were only triggered after people from the Merchant District had sought refuge there."


    "The area was already overcrowded because everyone from the Whitepool District and Shinemore District had come to us," Riffin adds, becoming noticeably more confident.


    "Seems like you were overwhelmed by the situation," Barder remarks condescendingly from a distance.


    If looks could kill, Barder would have already found himself in the afterlife.


    "And it seems you''ve spent the entire day sleeping. If you and Annet had instructed your subordinates to monitor the area transitions, we might have had better control of the situation," Albes defends his colleague from the Merchant District.


    "If Riffin has been nagging you for days about needing more soldiers to protect the marketplace, I''d like to see how you''d manage with minimal resources," Annet retorts.


    Suddenly, Barder leaps up as if he has lost half his body weight and throws his chair to the ground. His finger is pointed firmly at Albes.


    "Sorry I can''t relax every day like you," he says accusingly. "You must have forgotten what it means to work properly."


    "And yet you are the one responsible for the decline in your district," Riffin mutters under his breath.


    "WHAT!?," Barder screams, his veins standing out on his forehead.


    A heated argument ensues. Everyone tries to justify themselves and blame the others. Albes and Barder are on the verge of coming to blows when Piersym from the Royal Guard steps in. Contrary to expectations, he does not intervene but simply stands there to make an announcement. His presence alone is enough to calm the tempers.


    "My King," he says in an unusually deep voice, "The soldier you requested is here."


    "He will have to wait," Edmur says, somewhat perplexed.


    "As you wish."


    After the brief commotion, the officers resume their seats at the table.


    "Did we learn anything from the interrogations?" Edmur asks Albes directly.


    "Not from the interrogations, but during the examination of a corpse, we noticed something strange," Albes replies, making Edmur look up with curiosity.


    "Initials were burned into his left forearm," says Albes. "Given the depth and strong imprint, we believe they were inflicted forcibly. The other corpses of the attackers had identical brands in the same spot."


    "Their loyalty to the princes has always surpassed any form of reason. They demonstrated that with today''s actions," Edmur says, shaking his head.


    "My king," Albes continues, "The forearms of these people were not marked with the initials of any of the Four Princes. The initials were J. S. And with these letters, we only know one person in a high position."


    You don''t mean...?"


    "It wasn''t the Crimson Crusaders who attacked us today," Albes continues. "It was slaves disguised as our enemies. Slaves of the notorious warlord from Saharka¡ªJemose Sabknathu."


    "Wait. Isn''t he a warlord?" Lina whispers to her brother.


    "Yes. He''s the warlord of the Velddragguallis¡ªfrom the Velddragguall Empire. He rules and controls about half of Saharka," her brother explains.


    "This requires a thorough investigation."


    "These monsters!" Joane exclaims, both outraged and shocked. "It''s come to this."


    "It''s spiraling out of control. Perhaps we should consider involving the High Council..."


    "NO!" Edmur interrupts loudly. "The High Council has more important matters to attend to."


    "That the Crusaders are willing to do anything should be no surprise," says Albes. "The questions we should be asking ourselves are¡ªHow did they know our route? And how did they know on which day the royal family would leave the castle?"


    "It is obvious that someone leaked when Your Majesty would be leaving the castle, even though there was never an official announcement or should have been," Albes answers the questions himself.


    "You''re not accusing someone from our house, are you?" Edmur asks, but Albes interrupts him.


    "We must consider all options," says Albes. "For I assert that today''s attacks were not a coincidence but have been planned since our decision. Without wishing to accuse anyone... but this possibility has been on my mind for some time¡ªa troubling thought if it turns out to be true."


    They look at each other thoughtfully but come to the same conclusion.


    "It must have been someone from this house, perhaps even from this room, who provided the Crimson Crusaders with the necessary information," Joane agrees. "A trusted person."


    "Did you hear that?" Vyncent whispers. "Someone is playing a double game."


    "But who?" Lina asks.


    "I''d like to know that too," Vyncent replies, hopping onto the veranda to listen up close. Hesitantly, Lina follows her brother with a leap and hides with him under a long wooden bench.


    "That would explain past attempted attacks, assassinations, and kidnappings," Albes ponders, rubbing his chin.


    "Alright!" says Edmur, slamming his hand on the table. "Everyone, name a suspect you believe could be responsible."


    "Barder," Annet and Riffin say simultaneously.


    "You damned¡ª" Barder begins, but Albes abruptly interrupts him.


    "Barder is not capable of such a thing," Albes says, shaking his head. "Even though his leadership qualities and physical condition leave much to be desired, he will never be in such a comfortable position again," Albes explains.


    Meanwhile, Barder is unsure whether Albes is on his side or against him.


    "He wouldn''t take such a risk," Albes continues. "He may not always be on the same wavelength as us or go with the flow, but he does not swim against it."


    But Albes doesn''t stop there.


    "Let''s move on to you, Riffin," he says, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Let''s be honest, Riffin is the last person who would be capable of this. Your wife and two daughters live in Londeeyeof, don''t they? Thanks to your position as an officer, you have been able to provide them with a prosperous and peaceful life. Even though your own situation is challenging, you only want the best for them. You love them too much to commit a betrayal that would put them in serious danger."


    "If there is someone from our ranks, Albes, then it must be you," Annet says urgently. "You have all the qualities and meet all the requirements to be a great leader. And yet you subordinate yourself." She continues, "Is it your will, or are you pursuing a greater plan? If you are passing information to our enemies, the question remains¡ªwhat exactly is your plan? To help our enemies overthrow the king and then betray them? You reap the rewards and are celebrated as a hero. As a result, the High Council appoints you as the new king."


    "You''ve come up with a splendid theory, Anni," Barder says energetically.


    "But instead of throwing accusations around without basis, you should consider what speaks against him," Edmur adds.


    "According to his explicit statements against Barder and Riffin, he should certainly be able to provide us with as detailed reasons against himself," Annet replies.


    Attention turns to Albes.


    "You''ve said it yourself, Anni," he says calmly. "Will. I may not always agree with our king''s decisions, but I have never considered him less. I trust the decisions of the High Council. And ultimately, it was their will to appoint our lord as king. I submit to that will."


    Annet has no counterargument and crosses her arms over her chest.


    Edmur is satisfied with the answer.


    "Now to you, Annet," he says firmly. "I have the feeling that you have been dissatisfied with your position as an officer for some time. You seem impatient, inattentive, and irritable in our presence. Would things change for the better or worse if I were to be overthrown from the throne?"


    With every word, Edmur steps closer to Annet until he is standing directly opposite her, looking down at her.


    "Neither," Annet replies, standing up so their foreheads nearly touch. "But if you think I''m the wrong player in this game, don''t hesitate."


    Her response sheds no light on the matter. Only Joane seems to have a hint.


    "Maybe she has found so much enjoyment in the underworld that she no longer cares about what happens on the surface," she speculates.


    Edmur has a revelation.


    "Alted," he says, enlightened, and Joane nods to him.


    "Of course," he continues. "You have feelings for him. And don''t deny what I see in your eyes."


    "What do you know?" Annet turns away, embarrassed.


    ''If you want to know what someone is feeling, all you have to do is look them in the eye,'' says Joane coaxingly, ''The gates to the soul - they say so much more than words.''


    "Do you harbor resentment towards me because these feelings were forced upon you or because you cannot resist them?" Edmur asks.


    Annet leaves this question unanswered. Can she even answer it?


    A smile spreads across Edmur''s face.


    "She is not it," he concludes with relief, glad to still trust his four officers. But their search is far from over.


    "Stewart," Joane suddenly says, as if she has hiccups, "Did you betray us?"


    Since the beginning of the meeting, Stewart has stood off to the side like a statue. With his stony face and small eyes, one might almost think he had fallen asleep.


    "Have the candies already taken effect on you?" Edmur interjects, "Stewart is my best man. I trust him with my life."


    Edmur is more certain of Stewart''s intentions than almost anyone else''s. For Edmur, and for his family, Stewart is a cornerstone of their lives. He looks around the room until his gaze settles on the royal guards, Adwar and Piersym. They are staring straight ahead with their heads held high. Edmur shakes off the thought. After all, the two of them had more than enough opportunities today. Instead, they defended his family with their lives. That leaves only Greynyx, the third royal guard, and Stiham.


    Edmur then slaps his fist into his other palm.


    "I had completely forgotten about him," he realizes, regaining his composure and temporarily setting aside his remaining suspicions.


    "Bring him in," he calls out, and just a few seconds later, the door opens.


    "I will inform you about the next steps in the coming days. But for now, I have an announcement to make."


    Lina and Vyncent press their heads against the window glass. A young man enters the room, and the attendees look up at him with anticipation. Although he is unfamiliar to most, he is wearing a very recognizable uniform as he steps before the king with a puffed-out chest.


    He is a sturdy fellow with blue eyes and blonde hair that he wears tousled and spiked up. He is dressed similarly to Adwar and Piersym¡ªan open red cloak over his silver-gold armor. The royal family''s emblem adorns the cloak. He carries a lance in one hand and his helmet in the other.


    A pleasant smile spreads across Joane''s face. She takes a liking to the young man.


    Lina shows her excitement in a different way. Out of sheer joy, but also slight disbelief, she clasps her hands in front of her increasingly reddened face. Is what she thinks really happening?


    "After the heavy loss of Stiham today, I wanted to end the day on a positive note. The vacancy left by Stiham is significant, but I am confident that it is well filled in his hands. He already excelled with an outstanding military training. His quick thinking and heroic actions were proven today when he courageously protected and safely escorted my daughter. I couldn''t be happier with his successor and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say¡ªWelcome, Enryn Barber."


    Enryn plants the blunt end of his lance on the floor and bows nobly. He puts on his helmet and places his hand over his chest.


    "Thank you, my King! I will not disappoint you."


    Suddenly, a loud scream erupts from outside, so loud that everyone in the dining room jolts and looks out toward the veranda. It is a spontaneous reaction, as Lina is so overwhelmed by her emotions that she cannot control them. This unintended reaction draws attention to her, precisely at the moment she was trying to remain inconspicuous. This intensifies her flight response, as she is now the center of attention¡ªexactly what she was trying to avoid. Lina runs off, visibly embarrassed, with her hands covering her face.


    She has left her brother behind, who has fallen into a kind of stupor due to the loud screeching and is now being looked at in astonishment by everyone. ''Did you listen to everything?'' asks Joane.


    Vyncent awkwardly shrugs his shoulders, prompting Edmur to smack his forehead.


    "I could really use some of those candies right now," he says, "And could someone please bring my daughter back!?"

 Chapter 6 - Mister Red

    That evening, the Brymbach Brothers returned home. Their mother was shocked when she heard the explosions in the city. Her relief is immense when she hears her children talking uninjured on the rough welcome mat in front of the door.


    Emmod and Novel have lived in poverty since birth in a sparsely populated, quiet neighborhood in the Whitepool District, along with their mother, who has raised her sons alone.


    For Emina, the quiet neighborhood is not a disadvantage at all. It means that soldiers are rarely around, which is convenient for her, as her sons have developed a special talent over the years for attracting the attention of soldiers.


    "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Emina asks anxiously as she checks her sons'' arms and legs, briefly seeking eye contact.


    After she finishes her inspection, she breathes a sigh of relief.


    "I was so worried about you," she says, her voice choked with emotion.


    "Everything''s fine, Mama," Emmod replies, slightly annoyed by the inspection.


    "Good thing I sent your uncle; otherwise, it could have ended badly," Emina responds, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.


    "You always think so negatively, Mama," Novel says.


    "Well," Emmod chimes in, "If Uncle Ko hadn''t found you at the marketplace today, who knows what might have happened," he adds with a shrug.


    "Look who''s talking," Novel retorts, "We nearly got killed because of you."


    "I had everything under control," Emmod defends himself.


    "The only one who seemed to have everything under control today was your uncle," Emina interjects.


    It is only now that they realize: "Wait, you sent him to us?"


    "Your uncle was here today. We heard the explosions, and he immediately set out to find you in the city."


    "Why was he here?" Emmod asks.


    "He wanted to talk to me."


    "About what?" Novel presses.


    "You can ask him that yourself," Emina replies, "You will spend the day with him the day after tomorrow."


    Emmod and Novel look forward to spending time with their uncle, but their mother is not finished with them yet.


    "Emmod, you go wash up first," she instructs him.


    "Mama, I need to show you something," Novel says, now completely thrilled.


    "I still have a bone to pick with you," Emina responds.


    Novel raises an eyebrow in surprise.


    "Where have you been this morning?!"


    His facial expression changes abruptly as he had left the house before dawn, unnoticed and without saying a word.


    Meanwhile, Emmod climbs the stairs with the white railing to the upper floor. A few steps further is the only bathroom in the house, a narrow room that barely accommodates two people. Here, Emmod washes up while Novel receives a thorough lecture from his mother. Behind the bathroom is the shared bedroom of the brothers, which they use exclusively for sleeping. These are the only rooms on the upper floor.


    Regardless of the season, when looking for Emmod and Novel, one is more likely to find them outside than inside. They are at an age where their energy overflows and their curiosity seems boundless, yet such a high level of activity would exhaust most people. Not so with them. They often leave the house at dawn and return only with the onset of dusk. They can maintain this routine for several weeks.


    For their mother, this is no longer extraordinary, but rather a typical day in the life of the Brymbachs. Although these days sometimes cause concern, she is happy that her sons are fully enjoying and living their youth.


    However, today was not an ordinary day, which amplifies her mother''s displeasure with her youngest son. As punishment, Novel is sentenced to help with preparing dinner and then do the dishes, which initially seems mild to Novel.


    After Emmod washes up, he comes back down the stairs to the ground floor, which offers more space than the upper level. In front of the stairs stands a small table they bought a few years ago at a bargain on the marketplace. Next to the table is a dilapidated door leading to the basement. Across from it are two tall bookshelves. The right bookshelf is only half full, containing Emmod and Novel''s schoolbooks, a few old children''s books that Emina used to read to them before bed, and some knitting supplies. The left bookshelf, on the other hand, is so packed that not even a magnifying glass would find a free spot, filled with all the books their father read.


    To the left of the bookshelf stands a dark gray, comfortable armchair, and a worn sofa sits in front of a window facing the street, with an old rug in front of it. The sofa and armchair are primarily used by Emina so she can keep an eye on her sons'' comings and goings. This is also where she peacefully indulges in her favorite hobby¡ªknitting.


    She has successfully made woolen blankets and clothing for herself and her sons. Emmod and Novel wouldn''t trade their woolen socks for any others in the world. Her knitting work is very popular in the neighborhood, and her reputation has spread quickly throughout the Whitepool District. She knits something suitable for everyone, regardless of gender, size, or stature, and earns her living from it.


    However, Emmod and Novel are not always on the same wavelength as their mother when it comes to her knitted garments.


    Emmod reaches for a history book titled The Four Crown War on the right bookshelf. He needs it for a school trip, as their history teacher, Mrs. Marger, informed them on the last school day. They don''t know where they are going yet. Mrs. Marger promised to reveal the details a few days beforehand. They are to gather in exactly 27 days in the Park of Rilgohin, where all the information about the school trip will be provided.


    To avoid forgetting, Emmod places the book on the sofa.


    Next to the stairs is a hallway leading to Emina''s bedroom, which has little more than a chest of drawers and a low bed.


    Emmod heads to the kitchen.


    In the kitchen, his mother and brother are busy preparing dinner at the narrow kitchen counter, in front of a small window that is slightly open and fogged up.


    On the opposite side of the room is a simple, small wooden table. Emmod sits on one of the wobbly chairs, pours himself a glass of water, and begins cracking the hazelnuts and walnuts he collected in the morning. Novel places the sliced watermelon on small wooden boards, which he arranges between the plates and cutlery on the table.


    He then sits down next to Emmod and gestures towards the forehead chain, but Emmod silently signals him not to tell their mother about it.


    With a nod, Novel silently agrees to the unspoken arrangement.


    Then he suddenly calls out, "Mama, look!" but Emmod almost throws himself at him to prevent him from speaking.


    Their mother turns around with a large, steaming pot in her hands.


    "Can you wait until we''ve eaten?"


    As if by magic, the brothers immediately forget their previous conversation when their mother places the pot in the middle of the table.


    Inside is Emmod and Novel''s absolute favorite dish: a hearty vegetable stew with beans, lentils, and spelt.


    They wait patiently until Emina gives them the signal.


    "Dig in," she says, prompting them to quickly fill their plates and eat their portions. Before they take the second portion, they savour the watermelons, which their mother also finds particularly juicy.


    "Mr. Hershay has the best watermelons far and wide," Emina comments, "I''m always surprised that he doesn''t set up a stand at the marketplace."


    "I think his exact words were... ''I refuse to give any of my earnings to the king,''" Emmod replies, taking another piece of watermelon, "In any case, he was quieter today than last week when he tried to chase us away with a trident."


    Emina laughs sympathetically, even though she was the one who ultimately had to cover the damage to Mr. Hershay''s stand.


    "Did you see the royal family today?" Emina wonders, taking a sip of water.


    "Not really," Emmod responds, "Someone from us just bumped heads with the princess."


    Emina spurts a sip of water into her youngest son''s face.


    "Correct," Emmod confirms, returning to his stew.


    For Novel and Emina, however, their appetite has temporarily vanished.


    "Why didn''t you tell me about this!!?" she exclaims, her voice full of excitement.


    "I wanted to tell you twice already," Novel defends himself, wiping the water from his face. He suddenly places the forehead chain on the table.


    Emmod rolls his eyes in annoyance. Now he''s lost his appetite as well.


    "Are you going to flaunt it to everyone now?" Emmod starts, "Uncle Ko said we should keep this to ourselves, and you show it to the first person you meet?"


    "Sorry, Emmod, that I''m not allowed to trust our mother," Novel retorts with a sarcastic tone.


    "That''s not it," Emmod replies, "But you saw how tense Ko was. There must be a reason why he didn''t want anyone to find out."


    "What is it?" Emina interrupts, looking visibly confused.


    "A silver forehead chain," Novel responds matter-of-factly.


    "No, no," Emina insists, "The symbol. What does it mean?"


    "Before you get upset, I just want to clarify that I have nothing to do with it," Emmod tries to justify himself.


    "I didn''t even notice it at first," Novel adds dramatically, "That''s the royal family''s crest. The chain must be worth a small fortune. You could probably buy a house in the city with it."


    With every word Novel says, his excitement and Emina''s concern grow.


    "Isn''t this life enough for you?" Emina asks.


    "That''s not what I meant," Novel replies, his enthusiasm dampened.


    "And you bumped into the princess??!" Emina continues stunned, "Did she say anything? Or anyone with her?"


    "It was an accident," Novel explains, "And no, she didn''t say anything. There was no one with her either."


    "And how did you get the chain?" Emina probes.


    "It was on the ground after I bumped into her. I wouldn''t have even touched it if I''d known it belonged to her," Novel answers.


    "So you stole the chain," Emina concludes, "And the princess saw you do it."


    "No, I don''t think she did," Novel says dejectedly, "And I didn''t steal it. I just found it."


    A brief silence fills the room as a thoughtful expression spreads across Emina''s face.


    "You need to return it," she says firmly.


    "WHAT?!" Emmod and Novel exclaim in unison.


    "This will be an interesting conversation," Emmod adds, "Excuse me, Your Majesty. My brother accidentally knocked over your daughter, causing her forehead chain to fall to the ground. He picked it up, took it, and ran away. But after careful consideration, we decided to return it out of pure kindness."


    "It can''t stay here," Emina insists.


    "I don''t understand," Novel says, "We could get a lot of money for it. And now I''m back to being the fool."


    "Novel," Emina begins, "I''m not angry because I know it was well-intentioned. I''m just worried about who it belongs to," she explains, "Even though the king has been ruling for years, it''s hard to make sense of him. We can''t predict how he''ll react to the loss. And the last thing I want is for the king to notice us or you, because..."


    "Does it have something to do with our special abilities?" Novel interrupts.


    Emmod looks at him in surprise, while Emina starts blinking rapidly.


    "Why do you think that?" she asks.


    "Today at the marketplace,..." Novel starts, "...the princess and I reached for the chain at the same time. Our fingertips touched. And there was this moment..."


    "What kind of moment?" Emina asks suspiciously.


    "It felt like I personally knew the princess, not just by name. And I believe she felt the same," he explains. "But I don''t know why. I mean, I saw her for the first time today."


    Novel has expressed himself as best as he can, hoping to be understood, until he sees the stony faces of his brother and mother.


    "I have no idea," Emina quickly says, trying to push the thought aside. Emmod can''t make sense of it either.


    "I want you to give the chain to your uncle when you see him the day after tomorrow," she continues. "It was well-intentioned, and I appreciate that, but it''s not about the money. What fulfills me in life is knowing that you are safe. It always has been, and it always will be. Everything else is secondary to me. But with this forehead chain, I have a bad feeling, as if it carries an evil curse. A curse that harms anyone who possesses it."


    "Are you trying to scare us?" Novel asks.


    "No," Emina replies, "But since it''s been around, you bumped into the princess and got splashed with water. So it seems my gut feeling isn''t entirely wrong."


    She then wipes her mouth.


    "Emmod, you''re in charge of the dishes tonight," she says.


    "Why me!?" Emmod protests, so upset that he almost knocks the table over.


    "Because you should have taken better care of your brother," Emina replies firmly.


    Novel tries to suppress his laughter, but Emina hasn''t forgotten him.


    "Novel, as punishment, you''ll be in charge of the dishes every morning and evening for the next few weeks."


    Novel''s chin nearly hits the table in surprise.


    This temporarily boosts Emmod''s mood.


    Nevertheless, he spends the rest of the time silently with his mother downstairs, while Novel washes upstairs.


    After Emmod finishes the dishes, he just wants to go to the bedroom.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    At that moment, Emina is sitting in the armchair, working on a new piece of clothing.


    Emmod tries to walk past her without drawing attention.


    "Don''t forget this," his mother says.


    ''What now?'' Emmod thinks, annoyed, and turns around. His mother is pointing to the history book he had left on the sofa.


    "Novel said that Mrs. Marger asked you to memorize passages from the book," she explains. "Which section are you currently on?"


    Emmod snorts.


    "About the conquest of our land and the aftermath of the war," he replies.


    Emmod is not in the mood for a sensible, factual conversation with his mother. He quickly grabs the book and heads for the stairs.


    "Your brother is right," Emina says suddenly, causing Emmod to stop.


    "I''ve been worried about you since your birth because of your abilities," she continues. "That''s why it''s so important for me that you look after your brother, protect him from dangers, and steer clear of problems. You carry not only the responsibility of being the older brother but also the burden that your abilities bring. I''m truly sorry," she says. "One day I will tell you the reason... but until then, you have to trust me."


    Emmod pauses for a moment to process what she has said.


    He has never understood why their extraordinary abilities¡ªhis quick reflexes and Novel''s ability to see in the dark¡ªmust remain a secret.


    In trying to formulate a question, he decides instead to leave the topic for now.


    ''Sooner or later, we''ll find out,'' he thinks.


    "Good night," he finally says, without addressing it further, and retreats upstairs.


    The night is dark, with dense clouds rolling across the sky. Emmod and Novel are already in their beds.


    "Every time I have to clean up your messes," Emmod murmurs to himself.


    Novel does not respond to Emmod''s attempt to provoke an argument. Instead, he employs reverse psychology by remaining silent, mimicking Emmod''s behavior from earlier in the evening when Emmod had punished Novel with silence even after he had apologized.


    "This just isn''t fair," Emmod continues to complain.


    He then opens the window halfway, letting warm evening air flow into their room. A fly is blown into the room by the wind, which Emmod, even half-asleep, easily catches in mid-air and crushes between his fingers.


    He looks out into the darkness. If the moonlight were to break through the clouds, he might see a thick branch, part of an even larger tree, right outside their window. Emmod knows the branch is there; he has often used it to sneak out of the house at night and climb back up before dawn. Novel can claim similar experiences. But unlike his brother or ordinary people, he has the gift of seeing in the dark.


    Emmod now watches his brother for a moment.


    "I know you''re still awake," Emmod says quietly. "Your uneven breathing gives you away."


    Quickly, Novel adjusts his breathing so that Emmod is left with no doubt that his brother is still awake.


    Emmod is neither angry with his mother nor with his brother. He will always be there for them. But he believes Novel has reached an age where he must take responsibility for the problems he causes himself. Emmod has been doing this for as long as he can remember. Furthermore, Novel will never learn from his mistakes and is likely to keep making the same ones if Emmod always bears the consequences of his actions.


    Emmod lies down again.


    "Ginrin and his brothers are not a good influence on you, you know," Emmod warns.


    "Because they come from the Shinemore District?" Novel asks, puzzled.


    "Because they are petty criminals," Emmod replies clearly. "Maybe that''s why you took the princess''s forehead chain."


    "That has nothing to do with it!" Novel retorts angrily. "And I didn''t steal it," Novel hisses back.


    "Doesn''t change the fact that they come from a family of criminals," Emmod insists.


    "The whole thing happened more by chance than anything else. I was on my way to the Royal District when they intercepted me. They asked if I wanted to play a game, and the rest is history."


    At this point, Emmod drops the subject.


    "How did you anyway get into the park today without being seen?" he asks, now noticeably calmer.


    "We jumped from a roof to one of the nearby trees before sunrise," Novel explains. "We hid there until the soldiers had checked the park. Once they assumed everything was safe, they stopped paying attention to what was happening in the park and focused only on the entrances," he elaborates. "All the better, because that allowed us to play our game in peace."


    Meanwhile, Emmod can tell from Novel''s voice that he is on the verge of falling asleep. He too is exhausted from the events of the day, even if he is reluctant to admit it.


    Novel falls asleep first, and shortly after, Emmod follows him into dreamland.


    However, in the night, Novel is jolted awake by a noise. He opens his eyes and looks over at his brother, who continues to sleep soundly despite the noise.


    No wonder. The sounds are coming from Emmod himself, who snores so loudly it''s as if he''s trying to scare away wild animals.


    Novel wonders how their mother, who sleeps downstairs, hasn''t woken up yet because of the noise.


    He tries to wake Emmod by calling out to him ¨C unsuccessfully.


    Finally, he grabs a shoe lying next to his bed and throws it at Emmod before quickly lying back down motionless.


    With one eye open, he can clearly see Emmod in the dark room.


    Emmod shifts briefly, makes some smacking noises, and then turns away from Novel.


    ''Got it!'' Novel thinks to himself with relief and closes his eyes.


    But the peace doesn''t last long. As soon as he closes his eyes, Emmod''s defensive instinct kicks in again.


    "This can''t be happening," murmurs Novel in frustration.


    "Shut up!" he suddenly hears.


    Confused, Novel realizes that Emmod seems to have spoken. But when he turns to him, Emmod continues to sleep as if nothing had happened.


    "Emmod?" Novel asks gently, but receives no response, only more loud snoring.


    ''It was probably just my imagination,'' Novel thinks, ''That''s how he''d respond if he were awake.''


    But to be sure: "Are you awake?" he asks.


    "No, but he will be, if the snoring doesn''t stop."


    Novel jumps out of bed.


    This time, he is certain that it wasn''t his brother who spoke.


    Rubbing his eyes, confused and unsure of what to make of it, he searches under the beds, in the closets, every corner, takes a peek into the hallway, and even looks out the window, but there''s no one to be seen anywhere.


    Is he imagining all this?


    ''It must have come from outside,'' he thinks and closes the window again.


    "Man, Novel, I''m trying to sleep," Emmod grumbles now, pulling his blanket tighter around himself.


    "Oh, you too?" Novel replies, surprised at how quickly his brother has fallen back asleep.


    He notices hazelnuts on his bed that Emmod must have eaten before going to sleep.


    ''At least he stopped snoring,'' Novel thinks, lying back down and closing his eyes. But he soon opens them again, disturbed as he realizes who has really been speaking.


    For on Emmod''s bed, he sees a creature with a long, bushy tail, happily feasting on the leftover hazelnuts. The toes oddly remind him of his brother''s fingers.


    While munching, the creature murmurs to itself.


    "Mmm, delicious. These are good, mmm."


    Was the day so overwhelming that Novel is losing his mind?


    ''This must be a dream,'' he hopes, trying to push away the absurd thought and closes his eyes.


    But the smacking and murmuring continue without end.


    It goes on for so long that Novel starts to doubt whether he is dreaming.


    ''If this isn''t a dream...''


    Eyes wide open and growing larger with every second, he hears:


    "My stomach is driving me crazy. Haven''t eaten anything since this morning," the creature says.


    Novel''s eyes almost pop out of their sockets.


    The creature, increasingly aware of being watched, slowly turns its head toward Novel. When it catches Novel''s gaze, it gets so startled that it almost tumbles off the bed.


    They stare at each other silently for a few seconds.


    ''Can he actually see me?'' the creature wonders.


    "What are you staring at like that?" it finally asks.


    "I was just about to ask you the same," Novel responds, perplexed.


    A brief silence fills the room.


    "What??" they both ask, equally confused.


    Suddenly, both let out a scream, and all hell breaks loose.


    Emmod jumps up wildly, flinging his blanket into the air, and with it, the creature.


    "WHAT IS IT!? WHAT''S HAPPENING!!?" yells Emmod, drenched in sweat and ready for a fight.


    Novel has lost sight of the creature.


    Before he can react, they hear sounds from downstairs ¨C their mother has woken up.


    "Ahh, there you are," they hear the voice say.


    Emmod hurriedly grabs the lantern on the dresser next to him and lights the candle inside with a match.


    Now that he can see, something unusual catches his eye: in the bottom drawer of the dresser, where their knitted socks are usually kept, there''s a reddish-brown squirrel with the princess''s forehead chain in its mouth.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me," Emmod mutters in disbelief.


    But before he can say another word, they notice light shining from beneath the door. Moments later, they hear their mother''s footsteps climbing the stairs.


    In a moment of quick thinking, Novel grabs the squirrel and hides it under his blanket, just before it can escape and before their mother discovers it.


    The door opens, and Emina steps in, closing it behind her.


    Holding a stick in one hand and a lantern in the other, she stands before them, out of breath.


    The brothers sit upright on their beds, silent, as if they''ve done something wrong and are now waiting for a scolding.


    For a few seconds, the room is filled with tense silence.


    "WHAT IS IT?" she asks sternly, demanding an explanation with wide gestures.


    "Nothing," Novel replies calmly. "What do you mean?"


    "Nothing? Then why were you screaming like your lives were in danger!?" she responds angrily, spreading her arms even wider.


    "Uh... well..." Novel stammers, unable to find a clear answer.


    "Come on, spit it out," the squirrel suddenly says from under Novel''s blanket.


    The brothers flinch.


    "What was that?" Emina asks, puzzled.


    Emmod and Novel exchange bewildered glances.


    "What do you mean?" Emmod asks while Novel discreetly presses down harder on the spot where the squirrel is hidden.


    "That sound," she says, listening intently, but the room remains silent.


    Her suspicion quickly falls on Novel, who is doing a poor job of hiding the fact that something is under his blanket.


    Her mistrustful gaze rests on him.


    "Novel," she begins gently.


    "Hm?"


    "What do you have under your blanket?" she asks.


    "Oh, that..." he hesitates, "Emmod and I... we, uh, took some hazelnuts."


    Emina doesn''t believe him for a second.


    "Then let''s see," she demands, growing more curious with each passing moment about what surprise her son has in store this time.


    Ultimately, Novel gives in and pulls the blanket back.


    But to his mother''s surprise, and even more to his own, there''s nothing to see.


    Emmod''s eyes widen briefly before he composes himself again, maintaining a stone-faced expression so their mother won''t notice. Emina pulls back more of the blanket, but there''s nothing unusual.


    "Where is it?" she asks.


    "What exactly?" Novel replies.


    "Whatever it is you two are hiding here," Emina insists. "Where is it?"


    "You!?," Emmod says, trying to keep his voice down.


    Growing impatient, Emina starts tapping her foot. As Novel struggles to come up with an explanation, Emmod takes over, pulling back his own blanket.


    "We left the window open because of the heat, and a squirrel came in and started munching on the hazelnuts," he explains. "It tickled my leg with its fur, so I woke up."


    "Then he screamed out of fright," Novel adds meekly before Emmod shoots him a stern look.


    Emina sighs.


    "So that''s the noise I heard. Is it outside now?" she asks, glancing at the window.


    "Yes," Novel replies eagerly, not giving Emmod a chance to answer.


    "Strange for a squirrel," Emina remarks.


    "Strange," Emmod and Novel repeat at the same time, their voices subdued.


    That seems to settle the matter for Emina.


    "Goodnight," she says.


    Emmod and Novel return her goodnight, and their mother leaves the room, closing the door behind her and heading back downstairs.


    Meanwhile, Novel searches his bed for the squirrel and scans the room.


    "Where did it go?" Emmod asks.


    "I have no idea," Novel replies as he hops out of bed to quietly search the room.


    Emmod opens the dresser and lets out an audible snort.


    "What is it?" Novel asks, unsure whether Emmod''s reaction is positive or negative.


    "It probably dropped the chain out of shock when you grabbed it," Emmod says with relief, holding up the forehead chain. "It''s still here."


    "Not anymore," the squirrel suddenly says, skillfully jumping into the air and snatching it.


    "What the..."


    The squirrel tries to escape, but all the exits are blocked.


    Emmod demonstrates his remarkable reflexes by grabbing the animal by the scruff of its neck on the first try, despite the dim lighting and the squirrel''s swift movements.


    As a result, the squirrel drops the chain, which Emmod catches mid-air with his other hand, just before it hits the ground.


    The animal goes into a rage.


    "Let me go, or you''ll regret it! I have connections to powerful people who will make you pay!" it threatens.


    Its anger subsides, however, when it notices the impressed faces of its captors.


    "You can talk," Novel marvels.


    "We can understand you," Emmod adds, equally amazed.


    "Understanding me or not, you''re not the first, who are able to do that," the squirrel replies, unimpressed.


    "But, boy," the squirrel turns to Novel, "it was pitch dark. How the hell did you see me?"


    "Oh, darkness doesn''t bother me," Novel explains excitedly. "I could see you as clearly as if it were broad daylight. I''ve been able to do that since birth, but don''t ask me why."


    "And you?" the squirrel asks Emmod. "I can''t remember anyone ever catching me this fast, let alone catching me at all."


    "Good reflexes," Emmod replies with a shrug.


    "Are you a spy?" Novel asks curiously.


    "I''m a squirrel," it replies.


    "A talking squirrel," Emmod notes.


    "And you''re humans. Talking humans. I mean, what are we even talking about?" the squirrel retorts.


    "What exactly do you want with the forehead chain?" Novel asks. "It doesn''t even fit you."


    "I''m the one asking the questions, boy!" the squirrel snaps, pointing its human-like finger at Novel.


    Emmod tries to grab the finger, but the squirrel swiftly pulls it back.


    Then, it digs its claws into Emmod''s hand, forcing him to release it. Now, it runs up his arm and launches an attack. Novel watches the scene tensely, rooting for his brother and hoping for his victory. After the squirrel leaves a few scratches on Emmod''s skin, Emmod manages to grab it by the scruff again, putting a stop to its attacks. Once again, it hangs helplessly from his fingers.


    "Impressive," Novel comments.


    "Please calm down. We don''t want to hurt you," Emmod says, trying to soothe it.


    "Oh, and what was that just now?"


    "You don''t point fingers at people," Emmod explains quickly.


    Meanwhile, Novel picks up a few hazelnuts from Emmod''s bed.


    "Look," he says, offering them to the squirrel. "There are more of these."


    After a brief moment of hesitation, the squirrel is convinced, and Emmod places it on the bed, where it starts devouring the hazelnuts. Emmod and Novel also begin to relax, sitting down on Novel''s bed, observing the squirrel closely.


    "You must forgive us. It''s not every day you meet a talking squirrel," Novel says.


    "More like never," Emmod adds, still annoyed by the scratches he received.


    "That''s why we were just a little surprised..." Novel continues.


    "A little?" Emmod interrupts.


    "...that there are animals who can talk," Novel finishes, barely containing his excitement.


    "What makes you think animals can''t talk?" the squirrel asks, its cheeks full.


    "So, all animals can speak?" Novel asks, barely able to contain his excitement.


    "Of course!" the squirrel replies. "In their own language. But human language ¨C that''s something they don''t know," it explains, dampening Novel''s enthusiasm.


    "But you can speak it," Emmod points out. "Are you not an animal?" he asks.


    "It''s... complicated," the squirrel answers, looking at its reflection in the window.


    Emmod and Novel wait eagerly for an explanation, but the squirrel seems to drift off.


    "What are your names?" it asks, barely understandable through its full cheeks.


    "Emmod." "Novel," they answer at the same time. "Brymbach."


    ''Sounds rehearsed,'' the squirrel thinks. ''And familiar.''


    "Do you have a name?"


    The squirrel swallows the hazelnuts, shakes itself off, and sits down on its haunches. It rubs its full belly with its toes.


    "Phew, that was good," it says contentedly, before noticing that the brothers are still staring at it.


    It clears its throat.


    "My name is Mister Red," it says, causing Novel to stifle a small giggle.


    "Tell me, young Brymbachs..." Mister Red continues, ignoring the laughter, "...how did you come into possession of the chain? It''s not yours; it belongs to the princess, doesn''t it?"


    "You''re pretty smart¡ªfor a squirrel. How do you know that?" Emmod responds.


    "I was once a human, whose mind is now trapped in a squirrel," Mister Red explains.


    Emmod and Novel feel a chill run down their spines.


    "H-How did that happen?" "Is that even possible?" "C-Can you change back?"


    "I wish I could. Believe me, a squirrel has many enemies, not just humans. Especially this far outside the city. Birds of prey, pine martens, foxes..." he says, "That''s why I prefer sleeping indoors rather than out in the wild. I was worried you might live in the forest when I followed you here from the marketplace."


    "Are there more like you?" Emmod asks, noticing that Mister Red is veering off-topic.


    "Not that I know of," Mister Red replies.


    "But how is something like this even possible??" Novel presses further.


    Mister Red rubs his face.


    "Listen, and correct me if I''m wrong," he begins. "You can see in the dark as if it were broad daylight. And you caught me¡ªtwice. No one has ever managed that before, although many have tried, I can assure you."


    "I don''t know what you''re getting at, but catching you wasn''t that difficult," Emmod replies calmly.


    "And what about the fly you swatted in your sleep earlier?" Mister Red asks, intrigued.


    Emmod remains impassive.


    Deciding not to delve into the past, Mister Red opts to use the current situation to make his point.


    "Are those scratches of yours healing as if by magic?" he asks, pointing to the fresh scratches on Emmod''s hand.


    Emmod quickly covers them with his other hand. Novel''s pale reaction confirms Mister Red''s suspicion.


    "You two possess special abilities," Mister Red continues. "But that''s not the only thing that''s supernatural, is it? I had similar abilities when I was still human. I gained these powers through a force¡ªdeep within me."


    Emmod and Novel remain silent.


    "You feel that force too, don''t you?" he says. "You don''t understand why or where it comes from¡ªbut deep inside, you know it''s there... like an intuition guiding you..."


    Novel recalls the sensation he had when he touched the princess''s fingertips.


    "My reflexes, and his ability to see in the dark..." Emmod says, "...Mother strictly forbade us from talking about it with strangers."


    Mister Red takes a deep breath, realizing the gravity of his words.


    "She''s right," he says, now reconsidering.


    ''It would put them in too much danger at such a young age if they learned the whole truth now,'' Mister Red thinks to himself.


    "But if you know this feeling too, then surely you can help us..." Novel begins, but just then, the door bursts open.


    Suddenly, their mother stands before them like an angry bull, steam practically pouring from her mouth and nose.


    She doesn''t know what irritates her more: that her sons are still awake, or that a red-brown, bushy-tailed squirrel is sitting across from them, seemingly having a conversation.


    Wordlessly, with only gesturing hands and a questioning look, she demands an explanation.


    "Well, there''s a familiar face," remarks Mister Red.


    Emmod and Novel are frozen in place.


    "Aren''t you going to say something to your mother?" Mister Red asks, and the brothers silently shake their heads.


    This only fuels Emina''s frustration.


    "Are you going to let the squirrel keep talking for you?"


    Her eyes widen in astonishment.


    "Wait a moment," Emmod stammers, "You... you can understand him?"


    "Of course, I can understand him," Emina replies. "Animal language was my favorite subject in school."


    "You''re serious??" Novel asks, clearly impressed by her statement.


    "Of course not!" Emina crushes their hopes. "And why are you sitting here with this animal as if you''re holding some important council meeting?!"


    "Told you so," says Mister Red, with a resigned expression.


    "You don''t understand him?" Novel repeats, his excitement dampened.


    "What''s gotten into you two? Have you completely lost your minds?!" Emina bursts out.


    "Wait," Novel interjects, "Maybe you just didn''t understand him properly. We''ll prove it to you."


    He leans forward and taps Mister Red.


    "Go ahead. Don''t be shy. Introduce yourself."


    Emina''s feelings shift between sadness and confusion, leaving her watching in silence. Mister Red clears his throat. Then he starts speaking. But now, it''s Emmod and Novel who look surprised and confused, as Mister Red mumbles something in animal language that even they can''t understand.


    Emmod gives Mister Red a gentle nudge.


    "Why are you talking like that? Speak normally, please," he says, slightly embarrassed.


    Mister Red clears his throat again before saying clearly and distinctly, "Hello, I am Mister Red."


    The two brothers look to their mother with relief, but it doesn''t take a genius to decipher her emotions from her expression.


    She simply massages her forehead and eyes.


    "Did you fall out of a tree and hit your heads when you caught that squirrel?" she asks with genuine interest, holding back slightly. "Or did the explosions leave you scatterbrained?"


    Emmod and Novel do not find this funny at all.


    "I think it''s your head that''s not right," Novel retorts dryly.


    Emmod slowly turns away, fully aware of what''s coming next: a lecture and a proper scolding. Afterward, Novel looks as if he''s fought and lost ten consecutive wrestling matches.


    "Let the squirrel go free and go to bed, now," she instructs.


    Emmod opens the window, as neither of them dares to say another word to Mister Red. Although he hasn''t yet achieved his goal, Mister Red realizes it''s not going to happen tonight.


    "Goodbye," he says in parting, while their mother only hears indistinct animal sounds.


    Emmod and Novel give him a brief wave.


    Finally, Mister Red leaps onto the windowsill and from there to the nearby branch of the large tree, disappearing into the darkness.

 Chapter 7 - Sudden Departure

    After their encounter with the talking squirrel, Mister Red, the Brymbach Brothers were plagued by numerous questions and theories, none of which could be answered by anyone other than the squirrel himself. Two days had passed without them encountering Mister Red again, despite their intense search for him. The day before yesterday, they spent the entire day in the forest, braving the heavy rain, searching for him. They looked in every treetop, by every trunk, and in all the bushes, but all their efforts were in vain. Even when they occasionally called his name, he didn''t show up¡ªmuch to their disappointment. Some hikers, however, heard their calls and rushed to help, as the brothers were deep in the forest. It took a while to convince them that they weren''t lost. Even though the hikers wouldn''t admit it, they were the ones who needed help finding their way back to the path.


    Mister Red had likely been so intimidated by the appearance of their mother that he didn''t dare to approach the brothers¡ªat least, that''s what Emmod and Novel assumed.


    Yesterday was significantly warmer than the previous day and would have been the perfect opportunity for their first trip of the year to the sea.


    But their mother had other plans.


    She sentenced them to a day of house arrest¡ªa particularly frustrating punishment given the beautiful weather. Emina also piled chores on them to help pass the day. Emmod was tasked with cleaning the cellar and creating more space. That meant sorting through all sorts of junk, sweeping the floor, and dealing with the dead animals that had perished there during the cold winter.


    He immediately tried to pass the task on to his younger brother and was ready to accept any other punishment their mother might think up. However, Emina wasn''t so easily swayed.


    She wanted to keep a close eye on Novel, instead assigning him every other imaginable task. First, he had to wash the dishes. Then, he was to clean every window, both inside and out, including the window frames and sills. After that, he had to water the garden flowers before sweeping and thoroughly mopping the entire house. Novel tackled all the tasks in record time, hoping that his mother wouldn''t have any more work for him afterward. By noon, he had completed everything and was the first to try on the knitted clothes Emina had finished in the meantime.


    "Is that it?" he asked after putting on the newly knitted shirt, which he wouldn''t have worn outside by choice.


    "That''s it," Emina replied, satisfied.


    Novel, so happy he nearly jumped for joy, was just on his way to his room when his mother stopped him.


    "Before I forget, please fetch some strawberries from town," she said without looking up from her knitting. "And be back before sunset. I''ll be starting dinner soon."


    "So, I only have time to get the strawberries and come straight back?" Novel asked, disappointed.


    "Exactly," Emina confirmed, handing him a few silver coins to buy the strawberries.


    With his head hung low, Novel set off.


    His brother didn''t fare much better. Even before starting his work, Emmod''s nerves were already frayed, and it took a while for him to overcome his disgust at the dust, dirt, and cobwebs, which sometimes still housed their creators as well as their prey. His expression revealed his revulsion.


    He had resigned himself to the ever-present dust covering him and his body within the first hour in the cellar. In every corner and beneath nearly every piece of junk, he had to deal with vermin, sometimes dead, sometimes alive. But regardless of the surprise, the shock was always the same.


    Had he had his brother''s ability to see in the dark, he might have anticipated many situations beforehand, rather than when the light from his lantern revealed them. Though, in hindsight, he was somewhat relieved not to have discovered everything immediately, as he would have avoided certain areas entirely.


    That evening, he joined his mother and brother at the dinner table. Not much was said, mainly because Emmod and Novel were too exhausted.


    After dinner, they fell straight into bed without exchanging many words.


    "Where were you earlier?" Emmod asked.


    "In town," Novel replied. "Had to buy strawberries."


    "Why were you done with your chores so early?" Emmod pressed.


    "Because I thought the faster I finish, the less likely it would be for Mom to find more work for me," Novel explained. "And why did it take you so long?"


    "It didn''t," Emmod said, as Novel''s questioning gaze lingered on him. "I was practically done by midday. But I knew she''d give me more chores if I told her," he added, relaxing as he put his arms behind his head.


    "Then why did you make such a fuss about it?" Novel asked, still curious.


    "Because I think it gave Mom a certain satisfaction," Emmod said. "She didn''t even come to check on me until just before she started making dinner," he added with a quiet laugh, making himself more comfortable.


    Novel was annoyed, but sleep soon relieved him of his frustration.


    That night, their sleep wasn''t disturbed by a talking squirrel.


    But they didn''t mind much, as they felt the effects of their hard work in every fiber of their bodies the next morning.


    At least today promised to be an exciting one for the brothers, as they were spending it with their Uncle Ko. Their mother had promised them that two days ago.


    For Emmod and Novel, it felt like an eternity until they finally heard three consecutive knocks at the door.


    They rushed to the door, but their mother, who was sitting on the couch, beat them to it.


    "Ko," she greeted him, surprised as she opened the door, "you''re never this punctual."


    "That''s... due to the circumstances," Ko said, glancing briefly at his nephews, who appeared behind Emina and started putting on their shoes.


    "I washed your cloak," Emina said, handing Ko a brown cloak with long sleeves and a hood. Even after being washed, the cloak looked far from new. There were still visible stains in some spots, and other areas had already been stitched up. Nevertheless, Ko was always grateful when Emina decided to wash his clothes instead of throwing them away ¨C even though she had often threatened to do just that. The same fate could have befallen his brown pants or brown shirt, which were both rolled up due to the weather. Had they fallen into Emina''s hands, they surely would have ended up in the trash this time.


    Meanwhile, Ko noticed Emmod and Novel hurriedly slipping into their shoes.


    "What''s gotten into you two?" he asked with a smile, revealing a large gap in his teeth.


    Novel dashed past his mother and uncle, diving headfirst through the door.


    As he landed on the ground, he triumphantly raised his arms in the air.


    "FREEDOM!" he shouted loudly as Emmod squeezed past the two adults.


    "Hey Ko," he greeted without making eye contact.


    Ko gave Emina a puzzled look, to which she responded with a shrug of her crossed arms.


    "So by sunset..."


    "... we''ll be back," Ko finished her sentence, as if he''d heard it a hundred times before.


    "No crazy stuff," Emina warned him.


    "Nothing we won''t survive," Ko replied provocatively, though with an ironic tone.


    Emmod and Novel picked up on the irony, unlike Emina.


    "Don''t do anything foolish, got it?" she said, slightly annoyed, but couldn''t suppress a small smile as she closed the door.


    Their uncle was an impressive man with a crooked nose and a thick beard. His light brown hair was streaked with gray, and a noticeable scar ran across the left side of his face.


    Their mother had told them little about the origin of the scar, only that it came from the war. They had never directly asked their uncle about it or inquired further.


    Despite the attention Ko''s appearance often drew, it didn''t bother them.


    His looks didn''t matter ¨C it didn''t change who he was to them.


    Ko often took on the role of a playmate or father figure, a role he filled with natural authority and playful ease.


    "How have the last few days been?" Ko asked as they walked together toward the town center.


    Emmod and Novel recounted the events of the past two days to their uncle, but they kept quiet about the encounter with the talking squirrel. They wanted to avoid the inevitable headache it would cause if their mother found out. Besides, they were beginning to doubt whether the squirrel had really spoken or if their minds were playing tricks on them after everything that had happened.


    "Mom said this morning that her punishment was too lenient," says Novel, "She thinks we''ve gone completely mad because of the explosions that happened in the city two days ago."


    "Why would she think that?" Ko asked, unaware of the squirrel incident.


    "No idea," Novel replied with a shrug. Emmod and he were sure that Ko, too, would think they''d lost their minds if they told him about their encounter with Mister Red.


    But they didn''t want to dwell on it. Today was a new day.


    In the town, there were still remnants of the explosions to be seen, as the residents worked to clear the debris.


    "Terrible, what happened here, isn''t it?"


    But Ko seemed lost in thought, watching an elderly couple load the remains of a blown-up shed into a wheelbarrow.


    "Isn''t it, Ko?" Novel asked louder, snapping Ko out of his thoughts.


    He looked at Novel, perplexed, and then responded with a somber "Terrible," before moving on.


    He was deeply disturbed that the Crimson Crusaders were now targeting civilians, just to achieve their goals.


    On their way through town, Ko treated his nephews to a large ice cream.


    Afterward, they continued on to the park, which this time wasn''t guarded by soldiers and was once again open to the public.


    "What are we doing today?" Emmod asked as they sat on a park bench, licking their ice cream.


    "We''re going to the sea." "You''ll show us how to hunt." "You''ll show us a secret passage in the city," Novel suggested, getting more excited with each idea.


    Ko suddenly stood up from the bench.


    "Even better," he said, dusting off his pants. "Training," he announced.


    "Training?!" the two ask in synchronisation and bewilderment.


    A mix of excitement and nervousness welled up inside them, especially at the prospect of learning something new.


    "Exactly," Ko confirmed, motioning for them to follow him. "I''ve got something planned for you. It''ll do you good and be a lot of fun," he added.


    It wasn''t the first time Ko had trained them, but it had been a long time. Emmod and Novel could barely remember the details, only that Ko had always gotten into big trouble with Emina afterwards.


    "What if Mama finds out?" Novel asked, concerned.


    "It was her idea," Ko replied, much to his nephews'' surprise.


    "But better not tell her," he added. "She doesn''t know it yet," he explained, breaking into hearty laughter.


    Ko also lives in the Whitepool District, but in a more central location than Emmod and Novel.


    His home is a small, worn-out wooden cabin. The roof leaks, cracks are visible both inside and outside the walls, and some of the floorboards are loose. As a result, he''s unable to protect himself from the dampness or the whistling wind, which often robs him of his sleep. Ko lacks the skills to fix these problems himself. He has no friends to help him, and he can''t afford the necessary repairs since he doesn''t have a regular job.


    A narrow path beside Ko''s house leads to a small, hidden garden, which stands in stark contrast to the condition of the cabin. It''s hard to believe that both belong to the same person. The garden is nearly adjacent to Rilgohin Park, with only the Jade River winding gracefully between them, providing Ko with daily, uninterrupted peace. There''s also a small dock at the edge of the garden.


    Emmod and Novel spent countless hours playing on the garden''s green lawn during their childhood.


    The garden is home to a magnificent two-meter-tall peach tree, which is currently in full bloom. Dense bushes, as tall as Ko, surround the garden and provide ample privacy. In front of these bushes, vibrant flowers bloom, which Ko diligently waters twice a day. Among them is Ko''s greatest pride in the garden: cucumber plants, which he sowed in pots a few weeks ago, covering them with a thin layer of soil. Thanks to the optimal temperatures, they have now sprouted.


    This leaves a small, neatly trimmed lawn, roughly the size of Emmod and Novel''s room.


    "Have you ever heard of the nerve points of the human body?" Ko inquires. Emmod and Novel shake their heads.


    "I thought so. Sit down," Ko says, and the two sit on the grass.


    Ko positions himself in front of them.


    "Today, I''m going to show you where these points are and explain why they are so important in a fight," he says. "I don''t know when we''ll get another chance, so pay close attention. This is important," he emphasizes, and Emmod and Novel listen intently.


    "The effects of precise strikes on these points are known only to the most experienced fighters in the world."


    "And you''re one of them?" Emmod asks, causing Novel to start giggling.


    "Exactly," Ko replies, unfazed by their teasing. "Knowing these weak points in your opponent can give you an advantage that could determine the outcome of a fight. This knowledge can also save your life in self-defense."


    "But you said only the most experienced fighters in the world know about this," Emmod interjects. "How likely is it that we''ll ever fight, or even meet, such people?"


    Ko rubs his chin thoughtfully.


    "It can''t hurt to know, regardless. These fighters won''t hesitate to target these points, and they certainly won''t hold back," he says. "Wait here for a moment."


    Ko disappears through the back door of his house. While he''s gone, Emmod and Novel glance around at their surroundings. Soon after, Ko returns with a large burlap sack, which he gently places on the grass in front of the boys.


    "What''s in it?" Novel asks, carefully trying to feel the contents.


    Suddenly, Ko firmly grabs his arm, fixing the young Brymbach with a seriousness that Emmod had never seen in him before. Novel''s expression also shows a brief moment of shock.


    "Before you open the sack..." Ko begins, "...you must promise me not to scream and not to speak about this to anyone," he continues, without blinking once. "Otherwise, I''ll take you home right away."


    "Don''t worry, we don''t get rattled that easily," Emmod replies, now curious about the sack''s contents himself. But Ko grabs his arm as well.


    "Promise me you won''t tell anyone," Ko insists, even more seriously.


    Emmod and Novel exchange a quick glance and nod.


    "Promise," they say together.


    "Alright," Ko says finally. "I''ll hold the content steady, and you two pull off the sack."


    The brothers pull firmly at the end of the burlap sack while Ko keeps the content in place, allowing them to smoothly remove it. Immediately, a foul stench fills the air. Both boys gasp, sweat forming on Emmod''s forehead as Novel begins to tremble slightly. Hay, which Ko used as padding, is scattered on the ground and inside the sack.


    "What the...?!" Emmod exclaims.


    Their wide eyes fix on the face of a corpse.


    The sight leaves them in shock and disbelief. Novel feels a wave of sickness and dizziness hit him.


    The signs of decomposition are clearly visible on the lifeless face.


    The body''s metabolic functions have ceased, leaving the skin dry as the moisture evaporates. The already gaunt body is now dried out, and the muscles have stiffened. The stench of decay is so overwhelming that Novel would have screamed if he hadn''t quickly covered his mouth and nose.


    Additionally, chalk markings are visible on several parts of the body.


    Ko is prepared to stop the training if either of the boys becomes too overwhelmed before it even begins.


    Emmod looks at Ko with a forced, uneasy smile.


    "Ko," he says, fear creeping into his voice, "What is this? Why do you have a dead body here?"


    Novel, trembling, turns to Ko as well.


    The garden is well-hidden by the tall bushes surrounding it. Though the small dock might be visible from the park, the thick shrubs block any clear view of what''s happening inside.


    People nearby would more likely be curious about the smell, wondering if Ko had finally passed away.


    Ko kneels down beside his nephews, resting a reassuring hand on their shoulders.


    "I understand how you''re feeling right now," he begins. "This wasn''t an easy decision." He sighs deeply. "He died three days ago in the explosions in the Merchant District," Ko explains, but his words only seem to deepen the boys'' confusion.


    "Doesn''t he have family?" Emmod asks, disturbed.


    "Killed in the war," Ko lies quickly. "Just before he was to be buried..."


    "You just took him?!" Emmod interrupts.


    "No one''s looking for someone who''s already dead," Ko explains.


    "You can''t leave him here," Emmod says. "People are going to wonder where the smell''s coming from."


    "Don''t worry," Ko reassures them. "Today, he''s our medical model. By tonight, I''ll make sure he gets a proper burial."


    Emmod still looks tense but noticeably calmer than his brother.


    Looking more closely, he notices something on the corpse''s left forearm.


    "What''s that?" Emmod asks, pointing to a mark on the arm.


    Ko, less hesitant, lifts the left arm.


    "You mean this mark?" he says, indicating the spot. "Because of the decay, it''s hard to see now, but it caught my attention too." He continues, "There were initials branded here: J.S. Why or by whom, I don''t know yet."


    He pauses for a moment and clears his throat.


    "I hope to find out more soon."


    "But would he really have wanted to be experimented on after he died?" Novel asks, unsure about the ethics of the situation.


    "What choices can he make for himself after his death?" Ko replies pragmatically.


    ''''In someone''s story, one is always the bad guy, Novel,'''' Ko replies unemotionally. "He''s dead. And he''s not coming back. You''re old enough to know that, aren''t you?" he asks. "If this is too much for you, we can stop anytime."


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Though his words seem harsh, their uncle isn''t wrong¡ªwhere there is life, death is inevitable.


    Emmod understands this better than Novel, who hasn''t had to confront such thoughts before.


    "Death is easy..." Ko says absently, his vacant eyes fixed on the corpse. "...living is the hard part."


    Ko is not just referring to the deceased, who he knows was once a slave to a warlord from Saharka, but also to the many people of Rilgohin who have endured hardship, and to Ko''s own past.


    What lies behind this, and what even Emmod and Novel don''t yet know, will be revealed in the not-so-distant future.


    It is difficult for Ko to talk to his nephews this way, but he has a specific goal in mind.


    Only by doing this can he help them take their first step into a larger world.


    They begin to analyze the situation, thinking through possible reasons for Ko''s actions and trying to fit his behavior into the context of recent events, which weren''t all that unusual.


    However, their memories of Ko''s words and actions don''t quite match his current behavior, leading to some inconsistencies.


    Ko was never the type of person to think irrationally, which makes them realize the seriousness of the situation.


    After careful consideration, and to Ko''s surprise and delight, they remain steadfast.


    Whatever Ko plans to show them¡ªthey''re ready for it.


    "Alright," Ko says in a calmer tone. "Novel, are you really okay?"


    Novel bites his lower lip and nods quickly several times.


    "Then let''s begin," Ko says, dragging the corpse into the shade cast by the peach tree. He then breaks off a branch about the length of an arm.


    "Today, I''m going to teach you the theory behind locating the nerve points," he explains. "The practical application requires extensive, time-consuming training. But if we have time later, I''ll show you some basic movements of self-defense to protect these spots," he continues. "Because a targeted attack can incapacitate you in a matter of seconds. That''s why it''s important to learn how to protect yourselves first before you even think about harming others with this knowledge," Ko explains.


    School had only recently ended, and they had imagined something entirely different when they thought of training. Up to now, they had only learned the basics of fighting, such as general footwork and body posture in combat, which their uncle had taught them.


    The reason they have so little experience is because of their mother, who strictly opposes fighting and even forbade them from attending combat events, even as mere spectators. They weren''t even allowed to think about it.


    "Using attack techniques successfully in combat takes a lot of practice. We don''t have time for that today," Ko explains as he paces back and forth with one hand behind his back.


    "In a fight, your opponent moves, or might be heavily clothed in certain areas, making it harder to hit these nerve points. For better demonstration, I''ve marked these spots on today''s model with chalk. We''ll go over the most important points from top to bottom," he says, pointing with the branch to the first marked spot on the dead man''s head.


    "Here we have the temple, a highly sensitive attack point," he explains. "Striking the temples is very dangerous. If there''s enough force behind it, it can be fatal."


    Novel touches his temple nervously.


    "It''s because the skull bone is particularly thin at that spot," Ko adds briefly as he taps the corpse''s temple with the branch.


    He then moves the pointer down to the model''s chin.


    "The chin," he begins. "A punch or kick to this area can knock you out for a short time," he says. "Even more dangerous are hits to the throat or carotid artery," he continues, pointing to the respective spots. "The consequences of a targeted strike to these points can be fatal. If you end up only temporarily paralyzed, you''ve gotten off lightly."


    This is because the internal and external carotid arteries split at that point, regulating blood flow to the brain. A strike here signals the body to believe blood pressure has risen, causing the blood vessels to dilate in response. As a result, blood pressure drops suddenly, which can lead to unconsciousness.


    "Next, we move to the abdomen and chest area," Ko says, circling the pointer over these regions.


    "Here are the most important points: the liver, solar plexus, short ribs, and kidneys."


    He points to the chalk-marked spots.


    "The liver is particularly vulnerable, and a hit there is very painful because it''s not well protected by ribs or muscles," he explains. "Underneath the sternum is the solar plexus," he continues. "A direct hit here can cause breathing difficulties or even temporary respiratory failure."


    "But if it''s under the sternum, isn''t it well protected?" Emmod asks.


    "Better than other organs," Ko admits, "but many nerves converge there, making it very sensitive and painful," he warns. "Ribs are a bit more complicated," he goes on. "Everyone has twelve pairs of ribs, which can vary in length. The shorter ribs are more prone to fractures because they''re less protected. A fracture can temporarily incapacitate you and keep you out of action for months until fully healed," he explains. "You should always protect them."


    "Does that apply to us too?" Novel asks.


    "The biggest mistake you can make is becoming reckless or careless because of your powers. Your healing process might be faster, but the risk and severity of injury remain the same," Ko warns them.


    "How do you know so much about our powers?" Emmod asks curiously.


    "I once knew someone with abilities similar to yours," Ko responds, stroking his beard thoughtfully.


    "Who?" Emmod presses.


    "Could that person talk to squirrels too?" Novel asks excitedly.


    Ko and Emmod give Novel a disturbed look. Emmod is visibly annoyed that Novel keeps revealing these things without thinking.


    Ko clears his throat.


    "Let''s move on to the kidneys," Ko says, still a little thrown off. "A kidney strike is particularly dangerous because they''re almost unprotected."


    He then gestures toward the genital area, giving Emmod and Novel a look that makes it clear no further explanation is needed, before moving the stick down to the knee.


    "If you''re hit at the knee joint, there''s a risk of lifelong issues, as it may never fully heal."


    Ko straightens up and wipes sweat from his forehead.


    "That''s it," he says. "Any questions?"


    Emmod shakes his head.


    "That''s it?" Novel repeats in surprise.


    "Those are the key nerve points," Ko confirms. "I can show you more in the future."


    "And what was the sternum for again?" Novel asks, scratching his head.


    Emmod slaps his forehead, and Ko looks like he might collapse any second.


    "Emmod," Ko begins, "If you can list all the nerve points and their effects that I just mentioned, I''ll show you some of the moves you can use to best defend them."


    "And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" Novel asks sarcastically.


    "Either you listen or..." Ko starts, but Novel is already heading toward the river.


    "...or you find something else to do in the meantime," Ko finishes quietly.


    "I think it''s Mother''s fault," Emmod says. "She''s always been strongly against anything that has something to do with fighting."


    Ko snorts.


    "I''m afraid your mother can''t protect you from that forever," he says. "You''re naturals, you know. It''s in your blood."


    As they briefly watch Novel, who has already taken off his shoes and shirt to jump into the water, Ko gives Emmod a friendly nudge.


    Emmod begins to recite the nerve points and their effects as Ko had taught him.


    Meanwhile, Novel is skipping stones across the water, though he never gets more than ten skips, because he thinks the stones aren''t flat enough. Then, he jumps into a slanted, deeper spot in the water, each time in a different pose.


    Now that Emmod is familiar with the first set of movements, having successfully listed all the nerve points and their effects, Ko whistles for Novel to come over. Secretly, Novel hopes that the sun has already dried out the corpse, so he can spend his time on more fun activities, but Ko disappoints him. Novel sits down, resting his chin on his hand, letting out several loud sighs of displeasure.


    By now, Emmod is as drenched as Novel, except his wetness comes from sweat, and not the cool river water.


    At first, Novel shows little interest and is unenthusiastic, which affects his focus. He constantly forgets things or doesn''t know them because he hasn''t been paying attention. But Ko doesn''t give up. Only when Emmod takes a break and heads toward the water does Novel hastily list all the nerve points and their effects in painstaking detail. At that moment, Ko feels as though he''s the student and Novel the teacher. Though momentarily speechless, Ko remains composed. When Novel attempts to follow his brother into the cold water, his uncle grabs him by the collar.


    "Where do you think you''re going?" he asks.


    "Over there," Novel replies, nodding toward his brother.


    "Maybe later, once you''re familiar with the movements," Ko says. "And besides... does it look like he''s playing to you?"


    Novel is surprised, and upon closer inspection, he realizes that his brother isn''t playing but is carefully continuing to practice the movements.


    Novel then shows a willingness to learn, especially if it means he''ll get back into the water afterward. The training lasts for several hours, and to Novel''s surprise, he actually starts enjoying it, despite the sweat now pouring down on him and his brother in streams.


    Emmod is a perfectionist, meticulously going over the movements with full focus and no breaks.


    Ko watches both of them the entire time, occasionally showing them new defensive techniques.


    Novel might not be a perfectionist, but he strives to be better than his older brother in everything he does. He admires Emmod deeply. Whatever Emmod does, Novel tries to do too.


    As the sun shifts, and the brothers are no longer standing in direct sunlight, Ko claps his hands.


    "Training is over," he says. "Well done," he praises them.


    Emmod dives headfirst into the water, while Novel lands on his back.


    This rest is both well-deserved and necessary, but suddenly water droplets rain down on Novel, jolting him awake. He opens his eyes to see his brother standing over him, offering a hand. Novel takes it, and Emmod helps him to his feet.


    "I was watching you," Emmod says. "Some of your movements were much smoother than mine."


    At those words, Novel''s exhaustion vanishes in an instant, and he continues the movements with his chest puffed out in pride. Ko smiles, ruffles his hair, lifts him up, and playfully tosses him into the water.


    "Now you can cool off," Ko says, laughing.


    Emmod leans against the peach tree, utterly exhausted, watching as his brother, now less serious, practices the movements in the water.


    Ko returns after placing the corpse back in the cellar and sits down next to Emmod.


    "Try to practice the techniques in secret," he advises. "But not in front of your mother, or anyone else."


    However, Emmod''s thoughts are elsewhere.


    "Why is our mother hiding things from us about our abilities?" he asks instead. "I mean, why is she so afraid of them?!"


    Ko grows thoughtful.


    "Emmod, these abilities are not a bad thing in themselves," he explains. "It''s just that some very, very bad people don''t tolerate them," Ko adds.


    With that statement, Emmod has already learned more than their mother had ever told them.


    But before Emmod can ask more questions, Novel interrupts the conversation.


    "Can you show us the effects of the nerve points in person?" Novel asks eagerly.


    Ko smiles at him, confused.


    "I mean, not just how to protect ourselves, but how to use them on others¡ªby practicing on each other," Novel clarifies.


    "Have you lost your mind?!" Ko blurts out. "I''m not going to deliberately hurt you or paralyze you, even temporarily!" he protests.


    "But we can defend ourselves with the techniques you taught us," Novel retorts, challenging him.


    "Don''t even think about attacking each other, understood?" Ko warns.


    Emmod and Novel nod, and Ko adjusts his hair.


    "Come on, it''s getting late. I''ll take you home."


    Before they set off, Ko gives them fresh cucumbers from his own garden.


    However, halfway there, their uncle suddenly stops in front of a rather unremarkable house in the Whitepool District. It isn''t just any house but a small hat maker''s shop. A bright sign with the image of a black hat hangs on the freshly painted door.


    Above it, in black lettering, are the words Redurb''s Hats.


    Ko opens the door, and as they step inside, a soft bell chimes, and the door closes behind them by itself.


    Inside, hats of all shapes and sizes are made from a variety of materials such as felt, leather, fabric, fur, or straw. Each material has its own section with the appropriate machines and tools for processing.


    "We''re closed. You can come back tomorrow morning," a defiant voice calls out.


    They walk down a short hallway and turn left, where they come upon a sturdy desk with two chairs. Piles of parchment, a quill, and an inkwell are stacked on the desk. In front of them stands a young, round-faced man with slanted ears and a double chin, sweeping the tiled floor with a broom. He''s a solid three years older than Emmod.


    "You must be the new apprentice," Ko observes.


    The young man merely shrugs, as if still so new to his role that he''s unsure how to respond or doesn''t quite understand his responsibilities yet.


    "Boy," Ko continues, stepping forward, "where''s Korbach?"


    "Oh, the old man," the young man replies, his voice almost laden with sadness, "He''s in the back room," he adds, gesturing to a slightly ajar door behind him.


    "Thanks," Ko says, slipping past the apprentice without another word.


    He knocks on the door and enters the back room.


    In the middle of the dimly lit room stands a small, sturdy man with his back to Ko.


    In front of him, a pile of stacked boxes stretches up against the wall, one of them open directly beneath him. As he straightens up, a slight stoop becomes noticeable.


    "I told you..." Korbach begins, "...you should wait until you''re invited in," he speaks slowly and indistinctly, puffing on a pipe.


    He then turns around slowly to face Ko, stepping into the light, revealing his white mustache, white eyebrows, and white hair.


    "Does that rule apply to me as well?" Ko asks, spreading his arms wide.


    "I meant you specifically, boy," Korbach replies in his raspy voice.


    "What brings me the honor of your visit?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.


    Korbach is naturally gruff and taciturn, so Emmod and Novel expect the conversation won''t last long. In the meantime, they explore the shop.


    "Can I help you with anything?" asks the boy working in the shop.


    "We''re just waiting for our uncle," Novel replies.


    "Not the friendliest guy, your uncle, huh?" the boy tries to provoke a reaction, nudging Emmod slightly.


    "Not usually," Emmod replies.


    "Just like the old man in there," the apprentice adds. "He can be tough for his age," he says, "but at least he''s giving me a chance. He''s like a father to me, you know?"


    But Emmod and Novel don''t know.


    "I haven''t even introduced myself," he says. "My name is Sinul Symas."


    "I''m Emmod. And this is my little brother, Novel," Emmod replies.


    "Brymbach," Novel adds.


    "Do you live around here?" Sinul asks.


    "In this district, yes, but more outside of the city," Emmod answers. "What about you?"


    "I live over in the Shinemore District," Sinul replies. "This job helped me get my own room. Just wanted to get out of my parents'' house, you know?"


    "I get that completely," Emmod says, impressed.


    "If you ever feel like it, you could stop by¡ª"


    At that moment, Korbach, limping, and their uncle, arms crossed, emerge from the back room.


    "They''ve gone too far," Korbach says. "You need to do something about it."


    "Do you really think my voice will make a difference among all the others?" Ko asks seriously.


    Korbach places his hand on Ko''s shoulder.


    "In times like these, your voice may be the only one that brings about change," he replies earnestly.


    They leave the shop and head home. On their way, they spot in the distance the Sacred Green Tree of Rilgohin, a prominent landmark in the Whitepool District. The tree, with its lush and dense canopy, is shining so brightly today that it resembles a Christmas tree. Although it is also decorated during Christmas, today''s illumination has a different reason. This week marks the 15th anniversary of the end of the Four-Crown War. To commemorate this occasion, the Sacred Green Tree is adorned with hundreds of lanterns that will burn until they extinguish on their own. This event is known as the Nights of a Thousand Lights.


    However, to this day, opinions are divided on whether the war turned the fate of their country for better or for worse.


    "Uncle Ko," Novel asks, "will you be going to the Sacred Green Tree with us in the next few days?"


    "Unfortunately, no. I will be leaving Rilgohin tomorrow for an indefinite period," Ko replies.


    "Why''s that?" Emmod and Novel ask, clearly surprised.


    "I can''t say," Ko responds tersely.


    "And where to?" Emmod presses skeptically.


    "I can''t say," Ko repeats, "at least not right now."


    "Was that why you visited our mother a few days ago?" Emmod continues.


    Ko leaves the question unanswered. Just as the topic arises, they find themselves at the Brymbachs'' front door.


    Emina opens the door and invites Ko to join her and the boys for dinner¡ªa gesture Ko gratefully accepts. To their mother''s questions about how their day went and what they''ve been up to, they give only evasive answers.


    After dinner and the cleanup, Ko says his goodbyes.


    "Good luck," Emina wishes him before he disappears into the night.


    "Good luck?" Emmod and Novel wonder, puzzled, and then retreat to their room.


    "Don''t you think all of this is a bit... strange?" Emmod asks his brother after closing the door behind him. Novel looks at him with a questioning expression.


    "First the thing with the corpse," Emmod whispers, lowering his voice midway through the sentence, "and why did our mother wish him ''good luck''? I don''t believe the story he told about it. The person had the same symbol on their arm as one of the men we saw briefly in the small warehouse three days ago."


    "You don''t think..." Novel begins.


    "Maybe Ko knows more about the attacks than he''s letting on. Or worse... he belongs to the Crimson Crusaders."


    "We shouldn''t jump to conclusions."


    "And why, do you think, does Ko have to leave all of a sudden?" Emmod presses, "The soldiers¡ªno, the whole city is hunting them now," he adds, quoting Ko, "''He was a good friend of mine.'' It all fits together!"


    "But we don''t have any evidence. And we''re talking about Ko, our uncle, Ko," Novel counters.


    "You''re right, we don''t have any evidence. That''s why I need to follow this up¡ªwith or without you," Emmod says resolutely.


    "But we don''t even know where he''s gone. Are we supposed to search the whole city all night?" Novel points out, which also makes Emmod think.


    "Maybe he just stumbled and fell asleep on his floor because he drank too much again," Novel speculates, collapsing onto his bed.


    "That''s it. You''re right," Emmod says as a light bulb suddenly goes off in his head.


    "What''s what?" Novel asks, confused.


    "You''ve already solved the puzzle yourself," Emmod replies.


    "That he''ll end up sleeping at home?" Novel remains puzzled.


    "Exactly, he will come home eventually. But first, he''ll be somewhere else. For sure!" Emmod explains.


    "And where might that be?" Novel asks.


    "To his favorite spot, his absolute favorite tavern," Emmod says.


    "The Dragon''s Cup."