We cannot trust them

The elder! they are not inside! they are missing! said the gaurd. Everyone was shocked hearing this, what do you mean missing? where did they go? asked William. The gaurd shook his head saying he doesn't know about their whereabouts. Hearing this everyone's face turned pale. What do we do now? asked Mary. She spoke the words that everyone had on their minds. Wait, maybe the elders already know about the situation and they went to deal with it said Henry .

What Sir Henry said is correct said a young woman who came out of the mage tower. She was wearing a brown cloak with a hoodie over her head. It was the uniform of the the disciples of the elders who were next in line to inherit their position.

The elders and some of my colleagues are on their to the forests of Nilfheim. Rest assured they will deal with the Ice giants and bring back your children, the disciple said this while particularly looking at the village chief and the other parents. The situation is under control so everyone please keep calm and return to your homes. We will inform you as soon as the elders returns.

Ned was not satisfied with her explanation but before he could say anything William pulled him back and stopped him. Thank you, we will just do that and wait for their return Said William to which the disciple nodded in response.

William then sent back the villagers to their respected homes. Henry was hesitant to leave but William reassured him that everything would be fine and sent him home too. While the rest of people left only William, Ned and Mary were left, they were the last ones to leave.

When they were at a good distance from the mage tower Ned finally spoke. Why did you stop me? You too knew that something was off. I don't believe a single word that woman just said.

It also doesn't make sense that those old goots took the initiative to take the matters into their hands without us asking them. They are too prideful and arrogant to do that. I don't believe that they would do it for free. I cannot trust them with the children's lives said Ned.

I too don't trust them Ned not a single bit. Why do you think I stopped you and accepted everything so easily. The kids going missing and the elders going to their rescue before we could even inform them. It's as if they knew what would happen. And the kids knowing about the spirits is suspicious too. Only a handful of people knows about them in the village. Even then no one knows about the fact that we could form contracts with them in exchange for magic except for the elders. You and I are the exception because we served in the army before but except us they are the only ones who holds the knowledge about them said William.

Hearing this Ned and Mary were quite shocked.

Are you saying that they intentionally shared the knowledge about the spirits with the kids said Ned.

Yes, I never shared about this to anyone and so did you as this fact is to remain a secret from common people.

But why would they do that? what will they gain from this asked Mary.

I don't know but it can't be anything good. We have something on our own. Ned meet me near the river in Fifteen minutes. I will be there after informing my family about the situation. They would be worried said William. Ned nodded and then they parted ways.

Ned took his wife home and left for the river. Mary wanted to join them but she knew that she would only be a burden and slow them down.

After 20 minutes Ned and William met near the river that separated their village from the forest. They looked at the snow covered forest where their kids were there at the moment and they could be in any potential danger.