Wolf in disguise

"We both will stay in the woods throughout your mission, we will be meet you here every month so report us monthly about the progress of the mission. Now you both may leave and meet Gustov at the entrance, he will lead you both further." the messenger spoke.

As soon as Tiara and Gary nodded, a thick fog rose from both the messenger's feet and within seconds their whole body was hidden behind the thick fog, in the next very moment, a gust of wind blew pushing away the thick fog. When the fog subsided both the messengers were gone, just vanished into thin air.

Because of this skill, not even a single messenger was ever caught from the Blood moon sect by the enemies. Nations around the world were trying their best to catch one of the messengers of the Blood moon sect so they know what this skill or item was ?

"I could never get used to it, I hope they would tell us about the technique," Tiara spoke her eyes sparkling with envy and curiosity.

"Yes they will let you know.....once you are a sect elder." Gary spoke with taunting expressions while walking ahead towards Withlock. At present they were at the outskirts of the town and just a few miles behind them were huge Meldar trees also known as spider's lair as it nested thousands of species of spider insects, beyond these trees, spread the ill-famed WildWitch forest just like a spider web.

Gary and Tiara came to a halt as soon as they saw soldiers spread at the entrance of the town inquiring and checking everyone who entered. 'The security shouldn't be so tight. Has someone alerted them of our arrival ?... That not possible.' Gary brushed off the thought and gestured Tiara to follow.

"Identity" a fully armored and armed soldier spoke in a stern voice, his narrowed eyes full of suspicion could be clearly seen behind his helm.

'Who and where is that Gustov.' Gary thought irritated, but his irritation did not show up on his face, he was used to faking emotions and words. Both Gary and Tiara took out their identity cards expressionlessly as they were told by the messengers and lifted them for the soldier to check.

The soldier carefully looked at the card, Gary was getting a bit restless at the current events. The soldier lifted his eyes, his earlier expressions had melted away and now were replaced with warmth and a bit of sympathy.

"I and the whole Withlock town is sorry for your loss, just wait here I will be back in a minute." the soldier said with a sympathetic tone and gave them a slight bow before walking through the group of soldiers and entering a small room attached to the entrance gate.

"What is happening here?" Tiara whispered while turning her head, but as she saw Gary was as clueless as her, she did not bother him further.

As the soldier had promised he returned within a minute with two more soldiers and a man. The man was timid with an arrowhead face, a glint of small brown malevolent eyes, every time the man smiled his eyes would get even smaller and malice could be seen creeping behind his brown eyes. All his fingers were covered with a different color ring ornament, his clothes gleaming brightly due to the embroidery of gold and silver on it. Anyone from a mile's distance could tell he belonged to a Noble family or was someone who held an important position.

"Welcome Roy and Randella, let me first introduce myself, I am Gustov head minister of Withlock. I am really sorry to hear about the attack on your Abus village.-" he spoke with sorry expressions "-I heard your Grand Father the village leader fought with honor against the bandits."

Gary himself was quick witted, it did not take him even a moment to put two and two together and he continued with the act.

"I am very thankful for your help, minister Gustov. Hope we could be of any help to you and your Lord."

"You don't have to worry. We in Withlock help the one in need. Follow me I will take you to the Lord." Gustov spoke and he turned around to face the soldier-"I will lead them to the Lord's no need to follow us."

When Gary and Tiara entered the town they were amazed. The town was nothing like what they had imagined it to be. Small towns were just a village spread in a larger area with poorly built roads, dilapidated houses, and basically a poor infrastructure with ill governance. Withlock, on the other hand, was nothing like that everything was properly mapped out, the roads were in good condition, even though the houses were not fancy or huge but they were properly maintained, hygiene was something Drake had focused on.

"This was not something I was expecting." Gary spoke out his thoughts "Why are the houses so ....colorful ?"

Clearing his throat Gustov spoke- "The Lord has allowed the citizens to paint one of the walls of their house according to their liking," Generally the color of the whole town would be similar but Drake had thought otherwise "

"Good Afternoon Head Minister Gustov, Good Afternoon Travellers" a young boy approached and greeted the three.

"Good Afternoon" the three responded.

"I heard you are from Abus village. How far is it? what food is eaten there? How strong is the village head there ? " the boy asked several questions in a single breath.

Gustov step forward with a smile and spoke-"We have to meet Lord to discuss some important matters. If you could excuse us."

"I am really sorry to delay you three." the young boy bowed and left.

Everyone who saw the two new faces was curious and in their short walk, the two had been approached by several locals. People in Withlock were lively and straightforward, if they had something in mind they would speak it up. The only exception who were yet to fall prey to their curious nature was Drake and Elora. They respected and trusted Drake and Elora too much, everyone believed boh Drake and Elora would inform the general public about things if they were to be known to them. This was the reason they did not inquire about Nile too much. Despite being poor, the people in the town were satisfied with their Lord and the way things worked in the town. The town as a whole was a big joint family, a person living at one corner of the town would know the whereabouts of the one living at another corner. They would take part in each other's celebration and would stand beside each other when facing problems. Everyone was so satisfied and happy with their lives in this small town that in the last decade there was not even a single crime committed by the locals of the town and the town prisons were almost empty.

"You see ? Drake is too soft on these people, otherwise in which place a commoner would dare and stop the head minister?"

"This place irritates me. I want to strangle all these pathetic people." Tiara spoke with a vexed look.

"Patience Tiara."

After walking for a couple of minutes the three were standing in front of the mansion gates. The Mansion was located in the middle of the town and on high grounds so the Lord could keep a better eye on his town.

Gustov stopped the two and spoke before leading them in.-"Let me remind you both, beware of Lady Elora" Gusatove then looked at Tiara "-and don't even think of laying a finger on her daughter Emma before the mission ends."

The two of them nodded in unison. Even earlier in the reports, it was clearly mentioned about Elora and her protective nature towards her kids.

The three of them then slowly walked in as soon as the guard opened the gate for them.