Wordlessly, Aaron perched on the stone next to William. He had pulled one foot up, rested his elbow on his knee and held his head with this hand while listening to the singing of the city. That William had figured out who he was, he visibly did not seem to approve.

"I didn't expect you to be so historically knowledgeable", Aaron admitted, without changing his position. William, on the other hand, sat up straight in front of him and regarded the seemingly embarrassed Aaron unobtrusively.

"So you are Aaron the seeker? That Aaron the seeker? The noble slayer?"

"That's what people used to call me, yes. A rather embarrassing title, I admit."

By now, William understood why Cale was so skeptical of Aaron. If he knew of Aaron's age and past, let alone the fact that he had hundreds of people on his conscience... he had to have been worried that Aaron would hurt him or Ben. Probably Cale had simply thought that William would keep his name to himself, as he usually would. But why hadn't he said something from the beginning? If Cale had asked him to keep his identity a secret, surely he would have.

William sighed and rubbed his head.

"I'm sorry", Aaron raised his voice, causing William to look up at him in surprise.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I accused you of things that were completely unjustified", Aaron explained.

"Ah, that's all right. I can understand why that stuck with you", William replied politely. He ran a hand through his hair and glanced back at the town. Sometimes he forgot that Aaron was old. With the Eldest it was quite obvious because his whole manner spoke for it, but with Aaron, William sometimes felt he was talking to a peer. Almost as if he were still a frightened child who didn't know his place in the world. "Would you tell me what the Fiet's family did to you?"

He could hear the man to his right shifting and also turning his attention to the peaceful residents.

"My dislike applies only for one man: Neonar of Fiet. This man had caused suffering and misery in the world all his life. He was heir to a vast land, and over the years had taken more and more ground for himself... everyone knew how greedy he was. And he was just as greedy with women. He had dozens of fiancées at the same time and had already brought several children into the world, but that was not enough for him. He was never at peace and one day he had taken a liking to my sister. She was still a child, maybe a few years older than his own children. And when she fought back, that's when Neonar of Fiet ordered his soldiers to kill her."

William's stomach turned, just thinking about it made him sick to his stomach.

"Since that day, I have hunted Neonar of Fiet and every one of his descendants. I was so bent on revenge that I couldn't see the forest for the trees", Aaron explained, taking one deep breath. "People took advantage of situation and overthrew the domination of Fiet. They unconsciously helped me in my revenge, although I must confess that the confrontation was quite convenient for me. I wanted to see the family suffer."

"You killed all those people only because they carried Fiet's name?", William threw back in shock. "Even though they couldn't help it at all?"

"Yes, I wanted the name to disappear from the map, which I largely succeeded in doing. Except for Neonar himself."

Surprised, William looked over at Aaron as he continued with his story.

"I don't know why, I don't know when, but Neonar of Fiet completely disappeared from the scene one day. I searched for the man for decades, hence the nickname 'the seeker', but I never found him. I suspect he had holed up in one of his residences and simply got reddened in a raid", Aaron explained calmly. A cold wind reached them both, so they reflexively stretched their arms in front of their faces to protect them. Soon the next year would begin, but it was already surprisingly warm in Altona. Only at night could it get freezing cold.

"So you're not even sure he's dead?", William interjected.

"He must be dead, unless he has become an Apostle. I can't think what else should have happened to him."

William lowered his hand and rubbed his arms, for he was beginning to feel cold. He had the feeling that he was hearing something that was not meant for his ears. He had the same feeling back when Cale had told him about the Kormandents. William could really understand that people kept secrets from each other. It happened often enough that people kept secrets because they didn't want to hurt their counterpart. But even that thought didn't justify why Cale was currently ignoring him. What was it that worried Cale so much that he didn't dare talk to him about it?

"So, do you still feel that hatred from back then?"

"No", Aaron replied abruptly. "Those days are long gone. I put the whole subject to rest quite a few decades ago. Admitted, for a few years it felt good to have wiped out their entire family, but none of that brought my sister Eevia back. It was wrong to drag so many innocent people into it, I realize that now. But I can't undo what I did back then either."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

William felt that Aaron's character had done a 180-degree turn in history. All that was left of the vengeful man was a remorseful mage who was reluctant to express his true thoughts and feelings. A man who could not help but hide. A man who was ashamed of what he had done and was trying to make up for his mistakes.

"Who did you tell about this?", William asked after some time.

"Actually, only the Eldest and you. How Caleb knows the story, I have no idea. Maybe he read it in a book, after all, my past is not that unknown. But what I don't understand is how he drew the connection to me. However, it would at least explain why he stopped talking to me then."

"I doubt that. Cale appears to me as someone who likes to make up his own mind about the person", William replied, thinking back to his trip to Exarion. Back when, they were on their way from the trading city of Persiven to the capital. "When we were on our way to Exarion, we ran into a small group of soldiers from Sylve, with whom Cale had made some friends. The swordmaster, in particular, was someone Cale talked to a lot."

"A swordmaster from Sylve? Not the man who owns Karekama?"

"No, I'm talking about Yuma Nolan. I doubt the name will tell anything to you."

"Yuma... Nolan?", Aaron repeated nervously, "Yes, I've met the man... too."

"Oh really? Do you also know An Penedran, then?"

"An Penedran?"

"Apparently not? That's also a swordmaster from Sylve who had a lot of contact with Cale. Madam Penedran is one of the soldiers, quite well known in the palace. It is said that she is the best swordswoman in the land, after Loys of Freigoud."

"Sounds like an impressive woman. Do you know how Cale and she met?"

"Unfortunately, no. I always assumed that the Magistrat was involved somehow."

"If that were the case, I would know."

"What is this about Yuma Nolan? How did you meet him?"

"During the second attack of the creatures. I only had a brief pleasure with him... he was killed by a creature in front of me."

"He's... dead?", William threw back, wide-eyed. "By the gods. Really? Yuma Nolan is death? A swordmaster as gifted as him?"

Nodding his head in agreement, Aaron thought of Sir Nolan as memories flashed through his mind of how the little creature had latched onto his leg and devoured him with its blue flames moments later.

"He really didn't deserve that. The man was super nice and incredibly talented. Even Cale thought Sir Nolan was a strong opponent."

"I'll take your word for that. He really was a good fighter", Aaron replied as guilt caught up with him. Many people had perished during the attack, but for this death in particular Aaron blamed himself. It was solely his fault that the man and his charge had perished.

"If those three are still in town, I'll look for them later", William spoke up, causing Aaron to swallow nervously. It was quite possible that one of those students was also the person killed by the Uachref at that time, but Aaron didn't manage to voice that guess. Unwittingly, his gaze lingered on the orange clouds and he couldn't help but hate himself at the thought. "What do you intend to do now?"

"You tell me", Aaron replied boldly, with a tinge of sadness. "The thing with the Eldest and the kid gives me no peace, and besides, Grischa worries me a lot. We haven't told anyone, but he's got big gaps in his memory, and lately he's been having recurring headaches, too."

"Excuse me? I thought High-Magician Vonstetten was feeling better?"

"That's what everyone thought. Only the Council and your friend Lady Merensen know about it. When I talked to Grischa today, everything seemed fine, but he doesn't remember anything that happened in the last two months. And also, when I approach the topic of Caleb, he completely dismisses me. Lady Merensen had told me that Grischa blames himself for Cale's disappearance."

William was a little surprised that Aaron confided this secret to him as well, but most of all he was surprised that he openly said that he was so worried about Grischa Vonstetten.

"Why does Sir Vonstetten believe that?", William gave voice. He could feel a figure approaching from behind and suspected that Ben was just checking up on him.

"Can't answer that for you... only that Grischa is probably right in his guess. According to your friend, Caleb is supposed to blame himself for Grischa's condition, which is why she assumes Caleb wants to break off contact with Grischa."

"So they blame each other...", William muttered.

"Caleb wants to break off contact with me?"

Simultaneously, both Aaron and William turned to the back and discovered the source of the third voice: Grischa Vonstetten. The High-Magician had stopped on the penultimate step of the stairs and had a horrified expression on his face.

"That's not what I meant, Grischa", Aaron exclaimed a second later and jumped up. William followed him unobtrusively and noticed another mana source approaching their position.

"What did I do to make Caleb hate me so much?" the 1st seat calmly gave voice, but William could tell Grischa had to pull himself together at the statement. Aaron didn't know a suitable answer to that, so William spoke up.

"He doesn't hate you, Sir Vonstetten, it's rather the opposide. You are so important to him that he would probably do anything for you", he explained in a friendly voice. William, looking at Grischa, had to think of the night when Cale had told him about Basil Kama. At that time, Cale really looked like he was devastated.

"You shouldn't think such things, let alone say them, Grischa. You don't know how desperate that kid was when your condition didn't improve. If there's one thing I realize, then it's that Caleb has a reason for everything", Aaron explained and William nodded in agreement.

"That's right. Cale sometimes does act a little strange, but that's just because he's very cautious. I'm sure you guys have misinterpreted the situation. The way Cale acts around you, you are clearly more important to him than even he would like to admit."

"Did you hear that? Caleb is just worried about you", Aaron added. The next moment, the second visitor appeared, a young woman William knew only by sight. "Sefra? Is it time already?"

"Yes, I've prepared the body. You can start if you like", the High-Mage explained. William immediately remembered her voice. She was one of the High-Magicians who had been searching for the Kormandent when the Eldest had contacted Aaron.

"That was quick", Aaron muttered, turning to William after the statement. "I'm going to leave, thanks for today. If anything comes up, you know how to reach me."

"I'd be happy to", William replied.

"And you stop blaming yourself like that, you hear?", Aaron still addressed his colleague, who nodded more unintentionally than intentionally. As he left, he gave Grischa a quick pat on the shoulder before disappearing with Sefra Risztus. Thus, it happened that William was left alone with High-Magician Vonstetten. The mage for whom Cale had moved half the country to save his life.

"Shall we talk?", William gave a polite word. He was curious to hear what Grischa Vonstetten had to say.