Rumours are spreading (part 1)

~ When you're not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off knives ~

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Keir stood outside Mrs Wade's house, wondering if he should waste his time on her. He knew he had more important people to worry about like the white dragons, but witches were not to be underestimated as well. His years of interaction with all kinds of beings had taught him to be cautious of everyone and everything. Right now he needed Delaney safe and anyone who threatened her life, threatened his chance of getting revenge.

He didn't walk through the door but chose to materialize inside the house. Mrs Wade wasn't surprised when she saw him, and this time she seemed more composed. Her wrist had already healed, thanks to Lydia's powers and facing him, Keir couldn't detect an ounce of fear.

"Agatha, I remember warning you to stay out of my business." he said in a commanding tone, but the woman remained unfazed. Keir raised and eyebrow at her and she smiled lightly.

"King Keir," she called and Keir couldn't suppress the smile that sported on his face. "How nice of you to recognise me this time." His tone held sarcasm, which Agatha found very familiar, now that she remembered him.

"How could I not remember the demon King?"

"Well, since you know me pretty well, you should know why I'm here. Pay heed to my words and leave Delaney alone." Agatha was quiet, gathering the courage to stand up to him. She knew better than anyone else how ruthless this man could be. He could fool people with his carefree attitude and sarcastic remarks, but with her years of experience, she knew that was what his kind did.

"Delaney won't be of any help to you. Merikh is a heartless man and he wouldn't care if she lived or died. The poor child will only get hurt." she said, her eyebrows pulling to a knot, at the end of her words. Keir's eyes turned cold.

"Let me be the one to decide whether she will be of help or not. Whether Merikh is truly as heartless as you claim..." his lips turned up into a wry smile, "only time will tell. And I still don't see what any of this has to do with you. Is it because you truly care or is it your guilty conscience that is driving you to be so protective?"

Agatha's face darkened and she clenched her hands. Keir's smile only widened further, knowing he hit her right where it hurts. "There won't be a last time Agatha. And either way, she's destined to be doomed. I'm sure news about Malcolm has already made way to your ears. You can never be too cautious."

He turned to leave, but Agatha's words stopped him midway. "Did you do it?" she asked, her voice quivering. Keir half-turned, staring at her with an amused look. "Why would I dirty my hands for a mere human? I'm not that petty." Agatha heaved a sigh of relief, but her stiff shoulders didn't relax. If the demons didn't do it, then it had to be the dragons. Keir was right. Delaney would be doomed either way.

"Don't kill her. She's been through enough." she said in a soft voice.

"Killing her won't benefit me in any way. But I can't promise anything when she is such a stubborn character. She is more difficult to handle than Malcolm." he didn't give her a chance to respond and dissapeared from her sight.

Agatha felt a heavy weight on her shoulders. She understood how hard it would be for Delaney to leave unscathed but she had no means to help her. Summoning Anastasia proved futile and she blocked communication from wherever she was. They couldn't get through her after the last time Delaney walked in on them. Now that Malcolm was dead, there was nothing that couldn't happen at any time.

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News about Malcolm's death spread fast, and soon the whole village was talking about it. Keir knew that the white dragons wanted to get rid of Delaney as fast as possible, but he had other plans. He didn't want to go into logheads with them but that didn't mean that he feared them.

He didn't care if they killed Malcolm and made the word spread fast because it had nothing to do with him.

He also didn't care about Delaney's feelings, as long as she was alive.

Walking across the village market, he made his was to a river that was further away, making sure not to garner attention. He only waited till he was out of people's sight, before he teleported to the bridge, where he was to meet with Xander, and the informer he planted in the white dragon's territory.

Standing at the bridge, he leaned over the railings and watched his surroundings. There were shadowy trees scattered around, and a bench at the middle of a flower garden, not far from where he stood. There were no settlements around the area, the reason he chose this place.

He tried mind-linking Xander, who appeared in no time, followed behind by a slender figure, with blonde hair and brown eyes. The man bowed respectfully to Keir. "King Keir."

Keur acknowledged him with a nod. "What do you have?" he asked in a business-like manner. The man was already used to his attitude and he didn't want to waste any time either. "They are planning to use Malcolm's death to get rid of the woman."

Xander stood quietly beside Keir. He had already gone through the details with the informer. He knew Keir wouldn't allow Delaney to die so soon but he also didn't think it would be wise to start a war with the white dragons. Having one dragon clan as their enemy was enough.

"They'll use her as a scapegoat and let the people kill her. They'll instigate the village head of course, and create doubt among people." the informer continued.

"Aren't they afraid that their plan might take too much time?" Keir asked, and Xander turned to him in surprise. The informer remained silent, indicating he didn't know any more than that. "Alright you can go." He dismissed the informer with a wave of his hand.

"It would probably take just a few hours or a day to instigate humans." Xander commented, after much thought. If the dragons decided to use that method, they must be certain that it would be effective.

"Then how long do you think it'll take for them to take action?" Keir asked nonchalantly.

"Well, considering Delaney isn't much liked by the people and their 'supposed' love and admiration for Malcolm. It won't take long." Keir nodded slowly before asking, "Isn't that boy, the village head's son? The boy that likes Delaney." he asked.

"He is the heir. The current village head perhaps can't wait to get rid of Delaney, after their family drama." Keir was deep in thought. He wasn't worried about the rumours, rather he was thinking whether to use this to test Merikh. Would he appear to save the damsel in distress? The thought brought a smile to his face.

"Do you think we should pay her a visit?" he asked Xander, his lips stretching to a smile. "We should." Xander said, returning a mischievous smile.

They walked hand in hand to Malcolm's house and they found Delaney skinning a small rabbit, behind the house. "How cruel." Xander said, with a twinge of amusement in his voice.

Delaney was startled. She didn't notice their presence, until she heard the remark. Her hands were filled with blood and she turned around, wiping the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand.

"How may I help you gentlemen?" she asked in a cold voice, but the smile on Keir's face only stretched further.

She had gone to hunt a rabbit for the dragon, and to confirm whether Keir's words were true. And it was! Merikh was nowhere to be found. There was no trace of his existence in the cave, as if he hadn't been there in the first place. She was left with no choice but to skin the small rabbit and sell the skin to merchants in the market. It would also help her to clear her mind.

"It seems like you aren't grieving as I had thought. How ungrateful." Keir said, and Delaney's eyebrows furrowed in a frown. "Get to the point." she said icily.

"Rumours are spreading miss Delaney... that you are responsible for Malcolm's death."