He finished waxing the boots and cleaning the vest with a stiff-bristled brush provided by Edel. The footwear gleamed with a shine he barely remembered, and the leather had almost regained its original luster. Alaric finished dressing, adjusting his belt and smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothes. He paused to observe his reflection in the mirror. The old woman had been tending to the wounds on his face right after breakfast with surprising skill, much like how Zarinia had healed Wart that night at the mill. It truly wasn’t that long ago, but it felt like that evening belonged to a distant past.

Breakfast itself was quite light, matching the previous night's dinner, although at least he had rested in a soft bed and felt almost like new. Moreover, they were leaving most of their luggage at the house and would travel with only the essentials. Edel had insisted on it. After picking up the horses at the stables at the city entrance, they would head southwest, toward Vallefrío.

As he finished getting ready, the little woman kept running around the house, from one side to the other, like a tiny whirlwind. “Too much fuss if she wants to travel light,” Alaric thought, watching her with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Just then, the old woman planted herself in front of him, as if she had read his mind, carrying a rather full satchel and dressed in a thick green wool tunic, a travel cloak, high leather boots under a crimson skirt, and a walking staff. Though seeing her scurry around the hallways, it was clear she didn't need it. On her head was a curious straw hat adorned with feathers and dried colorful flowers. “Perfect for staying unnoticed.” Alaric couldn’t help but let out a sigh of resignation.

“Are you ready? We can load more provisions or blankets if you wish. The horses can handle the weight without a problem.”

“Don’t worry about that, we’ll get what we need along the way. The important thing is to leave the city quickly. We’ve already delayed too much.”

Alaric pondered for a moment. He had been ready to depart for at least an hour.

“Come on, don’t just stand there. Let’s go.”

“Did you leave a note for your daughters?”

“Of course, who do you take me for? I may be old, but I’m not senile. Come on, get moving, it’s getting late.”

Just as he was about to open the door, three loud knocks echoed through the house. Edel rushed to look out the side window and quickly returned to Alaric, speaking in a low voice:

“They look like thieves, bad people. A huge bald man with a terrible appearance, and he’s accompanied by a ruffian...”

“Young, blond, and thin,” Alaric finished, laughing. “These are the companions I told you about. Praise the Gods!” he said, smiling as he opened the door. As he raised his arms to hug his friends, they burst in, almost knocking him over.

“Quick, we must go after them!” shouted Wart as he rushed past Alaric like a whirlwind.

“What do you mean ‘after them’? And my girls?” Edel replied, surprised by the young man’s urgency.

“Ah, you must be Edel. They have ‘them.’”

“WHO DO YOU MEAN ‘THEM’?” Edel responded, distressed.

“A bunch of bastards,” growled Crab, standing beside the old woman and looking down at her. She didn’t seem the least bit intimidated.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Let’s calm down. Close the door and tell us what’s happening more calmly,” Alaric said, trying to bring some sense to the situation, lowering his arms as he saw no one was going to reciprocate his embrace.

“Don’t even think about it! Your boots are covered in mud, not a step into the living room. We’re fine here in the foyer,” the old woman said, very angry.

“They’ve taken them, they’ve taken Zari…” Wart moaned, with a look of defeat on his face that was truly pitiful.

“Look, we’re not getting anywhere like this. Let’s all calm down and tell us what’s going on.”

“It’s the Crow. He’s still alive and wants to collect the reward for Lysa and Zari. They followed us as soon as we entered the city, and we couldn’t do much; they outnumbered us,” explained Crab with his deep voice, hinting at the rage eating away at him inside.

“The Crow? Here, in Verdemar?” Alaric replied, surprised.

“Yes, he said he was expanding his business. If he eliminated the competition in Terranevada, he’ll want to extend his influence.”

“Who is this Crow, and where has he taken my girls?” Edel asked impatiently, looking up at the mountain of a man beside her.

“He’s a thief, a ruthless scoundrel. A pig. The leader of a band of bandits. And they must have taken them to their hideout. The bastards must have a hideout in the city. We need to hurry; I don’t think it’ll be long before they move them somewhere else to hand them over.”

Alaric became thoughtful and serious, with a distant look in his eyes, as always when his mind started working. Something didn’t add up.

“How did you two escape?” he finally continued.

“He told us we could leave, for old times’ sake. But he left us with two of his goons to stab us in the back. Two nitwits, we didn’t take long to get rid of them,” Crab replied with a proud, slightly unsettling smile.

“I see,” Alaric said, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples with his hands. “The Crow can be many things, but stupid isn’t one of them. If he wanted you dead, he would have made sure of it,” he continued, letting himself slide down the wall to sit on the floor. “By all the Gods, how could I have been so foolish? We’ve been tricked, and we’ve fallen for it completely. They let us escape from the castle to follow us to the city, just as they let you escape to find Edel’s whereabouts,” he continued, turning to the old woman, disheartened. “All of this to find you, the real target. They know who you are and where you live. But they won’t try anything, at least not during the day. And now, they’ll wait for us to go rescue your daughters to either capture you with us or leave you here alone. It’ll be like handing them your head on a silver platter.”

The three men fell silent and dejected, trying to think of a way out of this. Edel turned and headed to the kitchen, clenching her fists and taking large strides. At least, large for her. Her little legs couldn’t manage more. She returned shortly after, with a tray of hot tea and some biscuits. For a moment, Alaric thought the woman must have sacks and sacks stored in the kitchen, as it seemed to be the only thing that came out of there.

“Alright. Come inside and sit down,” she said, serious and angry. The situation was grave enough to allow them to muddy the living room floor. “Does this Crow think I’m a defenseless, scared old woman? I am Edel, the Guardian, direct heir of the Hulfgar sorcerer lineage. They’ve managed to make me angry. And if something happens to my girls, they’ll regret it. They’ll find out. Even if I have to blow the city to pieces if necessary.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Alaric responded, trying to take it as a joke. But by the way the woman said it, it seemed she was entirely serious. “We need to find out where the hideout is, and then we’ll keep watch…”

“Find those bastards. I’ll handle the rest. I’m going to pluck that Crow with my own hands,” Edel interrupted sharply. It was the tone of someone who should not be contradicted.

“I’d prefer you didn’t stay alone in the house. Those men are dangerous,” Alaric continued, hesitant.

“I’m more dangerous, believe me. But if it reassures you, I think these two can stay here. After all, it seems they’re already known. Perhaps you can move unnoticed if you go alone. Do you know the city? Do you know where to look?”

“Well thought. And no, I don’t know this city. But I navigate streets well and know how my kind think and act. It won’t take long to find out where they’re holding your daughters, you can trust me.”

“I know. If Lysandra has trusted you, you’re trustworthy. And as for these two…” she said, squinting and looking at Crab and Wart with some disdain, while they looked at each other, nervous. “I think they urgently need a bath and clean clothes.”