When Cenn sneaked out of his uncle's house. He was surprised to find that life on the estate went on as usual. Except that the main kitchen was busier than usual. When he got closer and overheard the servants talking, he found out that there was some kind of meeting going on in the main building.

So he had been standing on the stairs leading to the second floor of the main building for a couple of minutes now, cautiously listening to what was going on inside.

"To the winner of the tournament. To Aydor Bael! Gan Bei!" came the voice of the sect representative, Mr. Parive.

Hearing the last words Cenn thought he was dreaming. Or maybe Parive had just misspoken. Unable to control his emotions, he ran into the hall. "Mr. Parive, you've made a mistake. It's me! I won the tournament!" He shouted in confusion to the entire hall.

"..." Felnor Pariv had not expected this turn of events and looked at Mizra confusedly.

"I don't understand what's going on here either. It seems like you all need to explain yourselves." Said Hog. The veins on his face swelled with anger.

"There's been some sort of misunderstanding, it's not ..." Aydor tried to clarify what was happening, but his grandfather grabbed a huge Jiaozi off the table shoved it right into his mouth, and pinned it with his hand.

"Oh what a misunderstanding, servants, get this boy out of here, he's not in his right mind!" Shouted Mizra pointing at Cenn.

"Since when do you call the shots in my house, old man!" Velin intervened.

Cenn looked hopefully at his Uncle. But before Velin could say anything else, his wife grabbed his arm and whispered something in his ear. Cenn didn't know what she said to him, but upon hearing her words the Head of the Bael family froze as if he had been stunned.

"Velin, I ask you again, what the fuck is going on here?" Hog uttered and Cenn could hear the notes of rage in his voice.

Cenn looked around in confusion, at everyone who sat in the hall. But all he saw was irritation in the eyes of those present. He was an outsider at this feast.

"I'm sorry, kid. But you should go to your home. Dovor, please escort him out. I'll explain everything later." Velin said this not daring to look into Cenn's eyes.

"No, you can't just send me away. I'm the one who won the tournament. I have to become a disciple of the sect!" Cenn shouted.

"Shut up, you little rascal. Servants, take him away, now!" shouted Mizra in response, continuing to cover Aydor's mouth with his palm, who looked helplessly at Cenn as he tried to break free.

In a burst of rage, Cenn grabbed the large jug of wine standing next to him and threw it at the old man Orist. The jug hit him squarely in the head, shattering into splinters with a loud clatter. Mizra fell on his back, unconscious from the impact, and a large bleeding wound appeared on his head.

"Father!" Valtira jumped up from her seat and ran up to Mizra.

Wine splatters flew around staining Parive's robe, making him furious. "Attacking your elders, bastard? I will send a letter to Bishop Ardul and tomorrow you will be flogged for what you have done. That I promise you." Angrily he hissed.

"Dovor, get him away, now!" Shouted Velin.

Cenn was in shock at the consequences of his action. Of course, he wanted to punch the old man, but now he realized he had overreacted. Suddenly, he was overcome with fear.

[I didn't kill the old man, did I?]

As he stood in a stupor, a pair of strong hands grabbed him. Hog unceremoniously threw him onto his shoulder and quickly carried him out of the hall.

When they reached the street, Cenn had already recovered from his shock.

"Uncle Hog. I don't understand. Why did Parive say that Aydor won? Why did Uncle Velin chase me away?" Asked Cenn in despair.

"I don't know kid. I don't know what's going on," Hog replied sadly. "But I'll make Velin explain everything!"

With that, Hog carried Cenn home without saying a word.

When they got to the house, Hog set Cenn on his feet.

"You stay here and I'll find Velin and find out what's going on."

Cenn nodded in response. He turned around and reached his futon and collapsed. He felt like all his strength had left him.

…

Velin watched Hog walk away, still not believing what he had done.

Looking to his right he saw Valtira and Aydor trying to wake Mizra up.

Mixed feelings overwhelmed Velin's heart. On the one hand, he was ready to tear the old man apart for conspiring behind his back. On the other hand, looking at Aydor he realized that the old man was doing it out of love for his grandson. In a desperate attempt to save the boy's life, he had even gone to such an insane deception.

Looking around he noticed that all the guests were connected to the Orist family in one way or another. Even the servants serving at the feast were from the Orist family and had come to Bael's estate when he married Valtira.

"We'll be ready in an hour, alert your men," Velin addressed Parive. Without waiting for a reply he left the banquet hall.

He walked outside to the small garden next to the main building, sat down on the ground, and leaned his back against a tree. The realization that he would have to talk to Cenn and somehow justify his decision was breaking his heart.

How to find the right words. Would Cenn be able to forgive them all after what had happened?

Once again replaying today's events in his head, he chuckled bitterly. It was hard to say how long the old man had been planning this scheme. But Velin was sure he hadn't heard a word of truth from his father-in-law and wife today. They had tricked him like a naive boy. And Valtira, once again was just playing with his feelings.

Laughing bitterly to himself Velin stood up and headed towards Cenn's house. He was sure Hog had taken the boy there.

But as he passed the kitchen, he saw Hog walking toward him.

"Where is Cenn?" Asked Velin.

"At his home," Hog answered coldly.

"I need to talk to him," muttered Velin gloomily and lowered his head.

"You'll explain everything to me first. Now!" Hog said, looking intently into Velin's eyes.

Velin nodded silently and pointed with his gaze to Hog's house near where they were standing, then they silently walked towards the house.

"Tell it like it is," Hog said irritably once they were inside.

"I don't even know where to begin. I didn't know about Mizra's scheme until the very end. And there's no way I would have supported him, but-"

"But I heard you do it perfectly well. You chased Cenn away from a dinner in his honor, and let the old man make it look like Aydor won the tournament!" Hog threw several empty wine pots that were on the floor beside him into the wall in a rage.

"I know I did a terrible thing, but I had no other choice..."

But before Velin could finish speaking Hog jumped up to him and grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

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"Are you bitch laughing at me? There's always a choice, but you just don't have the guts to go through with your fucking wife and that old bastard!" shouted Hog.

"I just don't want to outlive my son," grumbled Velin.

…

After a tense conversation with Hog, Velin finally stood in front of Cenn's house. Having told his friend everything that had accumulated in his heart, he felt better and was ready to talk to the boy.

Knock, knock.

"Can I come in?"

"Yes, I've been waiting for you, Uncle Velin," Cenn's voice answered from behind the door.

Stepping inside Velin saw Cenn's pale face. The boy was sitting in front of a small table in the middle of the room. His hands were frantically unraveling the edge of the woven tablecloth that covered the table. Velin slowly made his way inside and sat down at the table across from Cenn.

"I don't know if you can forgive me..."

…

Hog stood in front of Cenn's house. Waiting for Velin to come out so he could go inside to say goodbye to the boy.

Hog expected the conversation to be hard and long, but unexpectedly Velin popped out of the house just a couple minutes after he entered.

"Well, how did it go?" he asked Velin and took a few steps to meet him.

But Velin silently averted his gaze and walked past without answering anything.

"Damn, you always were a crybaby," Hog shouted after Velin and headed for the house.

"How are you?" he asked Cenn as he entered the house.

"Fine," the boy replied indifferently.

"You're not mad?"

"No."

"You can yell at me or beat me up if you want. Come on, kid, let the anger out," said Hog smiling.

"You better get going, you probably didn't have time to pack before the road," Cenn said without looking at him.

"Fuck them! I'm not going anywhere until you come to your senses. You expect me to believe you're not mad? Even I'm filled with rage! I'd go right now and tear the old bastard apart." Hoge slammed his fist into his palm with all his might. "But I'm afraid that would cause more trouble than good."

"I'm not mad. It's just that if this is all about saving Aydor. Then why didn't he tell me? I wouldn't have hesitated to give him my place in the sect. But no one asked me. It's like I'm an outsider. I used to think it was only the servants and my aunt who thought I didn't belong in this family."

Boom-boom-boom-boom. Fatty heard a drumming in his ears. Not a good sign. Taking a couple of deep breaths he walked over to Cenn, put his hand on his head, and said quietly. "Don't be silly, you are my family. And in this house, the only people that matter to me are you, old man Innodeus, and Aydor." The only ones important to me in this house are you, old man Innodeus, and Aydor."Boom-boom-boom-boom.The drums rattled in the fat man's ears. "I don't want to leave you like this, but we have to escort Aydor to the sect. I'll be back in four days, try not to do anything stupid in that time."

Stepping outside he closed the door behind him, stepped farther away from the house, and gingerly fell to the ground. "Damn it, why now." Hog's heart was beating furiously as if trying to rip out of his chest. Calming his breathing he gathered his thoughts and directed his qi to the heart area. After a couple of minutes, his heart rate returned to normal.

His long-standing heart problems revealed themselves every time he went into a rage. And now the rage was overwhelming every fiber of his soul. He would need to find a suitable target to vent his anger on, or he wouldn't calm down for a long time. Lying on the grass, Hog thought about what had happened. Finally, Velin's words came to his mind, what he had said during their conversation at Hog's house. Realizing what he had to do, he quickly got to his feet and headed for the main gate.

When he arrived, he went straight to an elderly man sitting on a small chair at the gate. His name was Tofik, and he was the only cultivator of the second rank among the Bael family's guards. He had been recruited by Erteos over twenty years ago and had served as the head of the Bael family guards ever since. Until Hog replaced him in that position. But the old man had no desire to spend his remaining days idly and kept order on the Manor.

"Uncle Tofik! I have urgent business for you," said Hoge approaching the old man.

"Well, here you are. Not a greeting, not how's your health. Straight to the point. You've been such an ill-mannered tomboy all your life, Dovor." replied the old man grudgingly. Despite his advanced age he was sturdily built and dressed in a new tailored suit, even the gray hair on his head was neatly combed and braided. The old man spent a lot of time on his appearance.

"Matters of the utmost importance. Traitors have infiltrated our estate," Hog replied sternly.

"Traitors, you say?" The old man motioned to Hog. "You don't mean the ones who came from Orsit Manor today? I didn't want to let them in, but that wench Valtira insisted it was all agreed upon with Velin."

"If it were only them, Uncle Tofik, if only them." Hog helped the old man up and took him aside. "I'll have to leave today and you're the only one I can trust. Right now we have about forty men patrolling the fields. How many do you think we can call to the estate without arousing the suspicion of the other families?"

"Geez, what a problem you've given me. Considering we have a commitment to the city and are required to keep at least six patrols. At most we can bring back twelve guys if necessary," the old man replied.

"That will be enough, there are 6 guards and 4 clerks on the estate right now who can be trusted. I think you won't have much trouble. Call in our boys from the fields tonight."

The old man nodded in response.

"Do you know which of our servants are connected to the Orist family?" Hoge asked.

"Connected in what way? When Velin married that wench, she brought a whole bunch of servants with her, but they've been working at our side for years," Tofik replied.

"It doesn't matter how long they've been working for us. Everyone who is in any way connected to the Orist clan should be banished from the estate, as for the reason, it's treason," Hog said.

The old man looked at the fat man not believing his ears.

"Dovor, are you out of your mind? The servants accused of treason should be executed, but even if we keep them alive, no one in Heartglen or the surrounding area will hire them. They'll have nowhere to go," the old man said fearfully.

"That's not my problem. You'll put them all out on the street. Let them take their clothes. But all the belongings and the money we paid them they have to give back. Do you understand me?"

"No, I can't do that. You can't make that decision. Velin would never go for it." Muttered the old man shaking his head as if refusing to believe what he was just hearing.

"Then let's go to Velin and see what he has to say."

The old man followed Hog to Velin's house, where he was to pack for the journey.

"Velin! Get your ass over here, now!" Hog shouted, entering the house.

A few seconds later, Velin entered the living room, accompanied by Valtira.

"What did you want?" asked Velin dejectedly.

"Yes. Before I leave, I would like to put the estate in order. As head of the Bael family guards, I cannot turn a blind eye to the treacherous betrayal of our servants. So I have instructed Uncle Tofik to expel all those involved in what happened today from the manor. And as punishment they will have to leave everything they own, taking only their clothes," Hoge said, but his tirade was met with silence. Which only made him angrier. "Now, since we're leaving, I decided to put Uncle Tofik in charge. But he didn't dare to carry out the order without your approval. So, what do you think?"

"What nonsense are you talking, you fat bastard! Who allowed you to kick out my servants? Velin, you must put that idiot in his place." Haughtily blurted out Valtira.

Hog and the others looked at Velin, waiting for his reaction.

"Do as Hog says," Velin addressed Tofik.

"What? You can't do that, dear, without servants the estate will fall into decay. Besides, no one has ever betrayed us. I'm sure of it, that prick is talking nonsense." Valtira was discouraged by Velin's answer.

"No, he's right. I can't trust these people. And it would be better to get rid of them," Velin replied coldly.

"But I can't do it without my maids. I won't be able to find a suitable replacement for them. How can you be so unreasonable!" Screamed Valtira with tears in her eyes.

" Don't be afraid, you won't have to part with your maids. You will leave the manor with them," said Velin without looking at his wife.

"What are you saying? I don't understand," Valtira was shocked by her husband's words.

"I want you gone from my home before I return from this trip. As well as your servants. You can return to the Orist family's estate," Velin replied coldly.

"Haha, you deserve it, bitch," laughed Hoge viciously.

"No, Velin. You can't do that to me. And think of Aydor, think of what it would be like for him. Please," Valtira tried desperately to reason with her husband.

"I've said it all. Uncle Tofik. Tomorrow you will throw out all the servants associated with the Orist family. And as punishment, they will forfeit all their possessions. Those who disagree may be executed on the spot. Valtira will go with them. She may take what she can carry in her hands from the house."

"I understand, Master Velin," the old man replied fearfully. He had no idea this conversation would turn out like this.

"All right, let's go. We have a lot to talk about," Hog turned to the old man.

When they got outside Hog headed towards his house and the old man followed.

"You're staying the night at Velin's house today, and take someone else with you. I'm afraid she could give us all trouble if left unattended. And send a couple of men to Cenn's house, just in case. We need to close all the gates except the main gate and make sure none of the servants escape early." Hog gave orders as they walked.

"I've got it all figured out, you can count on me," Tofik replied.

"And you won't even ask what happened?" Hog looked at him in surprise.

"After what I heard at Velin's house, I don't care anymore. If that bitch was able to piss off our silent boy, then something pretty filthy happened," the old man replied with regret.

"Well, I've got to get ready. I'll see you in four days, old man." Said Hoge and headed for his house.

"Yeah, yeah. See you," the old man said confused, and left to carry out the orders he had received.