Chapter 13 Roran

Roran had been driving the fine horsecart, requisitioned from the caravan, along the road for over two days when his young master Leylin asked him to stop.

"Roran, This is it; I want you to leave the cart at the side of the clearing. We will travel on horseback from here on." His young master ordered.

Roran did as he was told, unlike the fool Locke all brawn but lacking a brain. He looked back at his young master and thought, "He looked at his master. His red hair and jade-like skin may make you believe he is a doll. But one look into his green eyes spoke of ambition and wisdom beyond his age."

They tied the horses to a tree and moved on foot as the forest gave way to clearing as they neared the river. A massive rock formation on the hill jutted out of the earth. He was stunned to see that the east of the forest was charred. Entire trees lay flat they had less wood and more charcoal. The fool told him the young master had gotten into a fight with Victor, and the forest had caught fire. He had initially thought that the moron was exaggerating like always, but it seems the fool spoke true.

He followed the young master up the hill as they laboured up the rock formation. After searching for a little while, they found a cave opening that was hidden behind a few rocks. They walked in and met with only the echo of falling stones and bats. They couldn't see anything in the darkness. Finally, his master spoke, "Roran, get me a makeshift torch." An hour later, he came with a torch for each of them, and they continued the journey. They walked a little and found a staircase. The cavern expanded into a large chamber, and they were met with a disgusting sight. He saw small pale bodies as their skin stuck to their skeletons. One look, and he knew they were dead. He looked at children who were not older than his daughter. He was never the most empathetic man; he had stolen, he had killed but not once in his life had he felt as miserable as he felt at this moment. The room smelt like a rotten carcass, and he felt the bile rise up his throat. He could not help but put himself in the shoes of the parents who lost their kids in such a dastardly manner.

His master sighed as he ordered, "Light up the braziers and torches,"

He watched as his master checked any of the children for a pulse. Then, finally, his master shook his head and moved, trying to examine different bookshelves and tables to see if there was anything of import.

His master looked at him, "He was a dark magus, Roran. Once I ensure there are no curses or dangerous text. Then, go to the village and discretely spread a rumour about what you saw here. The families deserve closure."

He never interrupted his young master, but he could not help himself as he asked, "Couldn't we take the children and return them to their parents?"

"No, Roran, we cannot; dark magus seldom operate alone, and I don't have the strength to protect us from retribution. Moreover, we could also be blamed for Victor's crimes," His master spoke bluntly.

His master continued, "I will remove all dangerous artefacts and books from this place. That way, it will be safe for villagers to come and collect the children."

"Why did you leave him alive?" Roran couldn't stop himself.

His young master paused for a moment and then spoke. "Dark Magus have many tricks; one of them is that when they are killed, they could have curses on them that will ensure their killers will not have a pleasant life. Which is why when I heard of this man and correlated his behaviour, I was certain that Victor was a dark Magus and planned to capture him alive while ensuring his nefarious activities stop."

Roran felt his respect for his young master grow at his honour and intelligence. He looked forward to a time when his Lord's hand would stretch across the continent.