Chapter Eleven - Almost every cat is out of the bag

The water was clean and clear so it was easy to see. There were a few fish but the population wasn't large. Eiran pointed in the direction of the cave with his free hand and we started swimming. We tried to go as fast as possible without exhausting ourselves too much, although I felt he could go faster if he let me go. But his grip was firm and determined, making me feel safe.

The moment my whole body was submerged in the water, all kinds of memory filled my head but his hold kept me grounded in the present. I would have taken a deep breath if possible, but instead I just shook my head to clear my mind. I will solve this mystery and save my father!

I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hold my breath long enough, but once we reached the entrance the ground wasn't far away. I felt immense relief when I could take a deep breath again. We lay on our backs for a few moments and just took a few deep breaths without doing anything else.

Then he jumped to his feet and offered his hands to me. I accepted and allowed him to pull me up. But he didn't let go of my hand and neither did I.

As we started walking, many thoughts raced through my head. I accepted my family after some time and I appreciated our servants, but I wasn't good at letting others get close to me. I accepted that I was dead and I had to live out my life here until I die again but... I was scared. What if I woke up somewhere else after death and my memory is still intact? The more people I love, the more people I will desperately miss. I am not confident I can endure any more pain and loss.

I know it's natural to lose people as we grow older and face all the pain and loss but what happened to me was not natural. It was too much at once and I know it traumatised me. And yet, he felt so right and natural. But I still have time, after this, we don't have to see each other ever again.

But now is not the time to dwell on this. I have to focus on this mission. We went through a long, cold and plain tunnel. Wind came from somewhere so we were shivering in our wet clothes. It was uncomfortable but at least it meant there was another entrance.

After a while, noises reached our ears, but it was not something pleasant to hear. We looked at each other and started moving faster. We heard crying and begging in pitiful tones.

As I read many stories I expected what I saw but it still scared me. There were many women and children, and some men too sat in thin, dirty clothes behind the bars on the hard, wet ground. Some of them cried, some pleaded to be let go and some glared angrily and begrudingly at the guards. The young children were hidden and held by women, possibly by their mothers. Human trafficking. I am not surprised, just disappointed.

It would be nice if we had time to think and coordinate our attacks, but there was nowhere to hide so we were spotted immediately. Eiran drew his sword and stepped in front of me. I appreciated his gesture, but our opponents seemed like ordinary swordsmen so I could fight them. Naturally, his skills were incomparable to mine, but I was able to help, and if I helped even a little it was still something. We need to get the victims out of their miserable state as soon as possible. I held my sword in front of me and prepared myself.

„I watch your back!" He looked at me over his shoulder and gave me a gentle smile.

„Okay!" We were surrounded by many huge, muscular guys with swords, daggers and all kinds of weapons. We were greatly outnumbered but I weren't afraid even for a moment. It would be a tricky situation if I was alone, but with him by my side, knowing his abilities, it looked like a walk in the park.

As promised I protected him from any sneak attacks, but he did most of the work. I don't think it even took him 30 minutes to deal with them. He was incredibly strong and agile, but used his head when fighting. There was no useless movement. He even made it look like something light and graceful. But I knew from experience how gruelling work it was to train your body and get to that level.

But we had no time to celebrate, for we had barely finished the fight when we were surrounded by knights. Their uniform was quite familiar but where had I seen it before? I was quickly answered when Liewell Lauviére appeared among them and gave us a half-surprised half-suspicious look.

„Brother!" A high-pitched, little voice cut through the tension. Eiran turned in her direction and easily pushed past the knight to get to her. I had no idea what was going on but I followed him because I felt safer with him than anyone else present.

„Aprudeé, are you all right?" He touched her hand through the bars.

„Yes, I am okay."She looked at him with great pride on her face. „A Marchette don't cry." I guess his identity is out of the bag, although it meant nothing to me. But glancing at Lord Lauviére his face showed that he recognised the name.

Eiran coated his sword with his aura and cut through the bars to reach his sister. He ruffled her hair.

„I told you, it's okay to cry. Unshed tears do not make you strong, only resigned." He held her securely and large teardrops began to form in her lovely eyes. She looked exactly like her brother, but with softer features and was much more adorable.

„Brother!" She buried her face in his neck and started to sob.

„So that's the real reason you are here." Lord Lauviére came forward.

„Yes, I was looking for my missing sister." Now he admitted it. I expected him not to be a mercenary but somehow I still was disappointed. What the hell? I recently told myself that after this we should part ways... The thought of continuing our journey together... No, no, no!

„What about you?" He turned to me. Should I be honest? I need his help and after what's happened I think he will be willing to lend a hand. This is the fastest and easiest method.

„I am not looking for anyone. Or rather not a specific person. I am searching for a competent doctor.„ I didn't want to discuss my father's state, but I heard rumours that he got sick, so I could use that fact. „I am Lirietta Poitaire."

„Oh, the runaway daughter." Recognition dawned on his face.

„I didn't run away from home, I was just trying to find a good medic."

„Making your mother sick with worry along the way."

„I can't deny that. I knew what was going to happen but still, I had to do it anyway.

„Your family's knights are looking for you everywhere." I can imagine.

„I think we should settle this matter before we talk in detail." Of course, Eiran was right. We had a lot to talk about, but above all, we need to help these people and arrest the criminals.

„Right. Take these men into custody and rescue the victims. Write down their personal information and escort them to my mansion. They should be given food, clean clothes and a place to rest. We will start the investigation tomorrow."

The knights began to tie up the men on the ground and use the keys taken from them to open the prison doors. They seemed very attentive and polite so I felt a huge sense of relief.

„Let's go." Lord Lauviére said and turned around.

„No!" Everyone was surprised by the shout. The little girl jumped out of Eiran's arms and looked very upset. „I won't leave Ryenne here."

„Who is Ryenne?" Eiran looked puzzled, it seemed he had never heard that name before.

„I am." A boy who was a few years older than Aprudeé stepped forward. He had long, light green coloured hair and stunning golden brown eyes. He was slender and lithe, but what struck me most were his pointed ears. No one told me there were elves in this world! Okay, we have magic, ogres and other kinds of monsters but still! There were no elves in the original! At least they are not mentioned.

„How could an elf be here? Is there anyone with you?" Lord Lauviére was surprised and horrified. I wondered why. What happened here was terrifying and disgusting, but he acted as if his being here made it worse.

„No, I am alone." He shook his head. He looked very mature for his age. Although I didn't know about their lifespan. Maybe he was older than he looked.

„I will do everything to help you get home."

„No!" She stomped one with her little foot. „He's coming with me." She gripped her brother's sleeve.

„You cannot kidnap an elf, Aprudeé." He scolded her.

„I promised him." She was ready to burst into tears any moment.

„I appreciate your kind help and assistance but I no longer have a home." He was very elegant and sophisticated. „My parents were killed when I was younger and since then I lived my life as a slave. I have been bought and sold countless times." Damn! I didn't care if he was as old as he looked or not, no one should have to go through that. I wonder, is there anything I can do for him?

„I see. For now, let's go back to my castle. We will talk there."

No one objected, so Lord Lauvieré, Eiran, Aprudeé, Ryenne and I went back while the other knights attended to the rest of the victims.

The way back was much more pleasant than the way in, mostly because we only had to go through a slightly long tunnel. The atmosphere was grim but it wasn't surprising considering what we discovered and what these kids had to endure. I did not wish for the deaths of the perpetrators but I hoped they would receive a severe punishment, but even more, I hope they will see the error of their ways and will regret one day what they did. Of course, I won't hold back my breath till that day.

Lord Lauvieré and the knights came on horseback but he sent someone for a carriage so after a little wait it arrived and we boarded it. During the ride, Aprudeé didn't let go of Ryenne's hand. Eiran didn't say anything but he often glanced at them and frowned a little.

And all went well until we arrived and the servants wanted to separate them. Ryenne was quiet the whole time but the little girl started crying and making a fuss.

„No! I won't leave him alone! I promised him that he would never be alone ever again!" Eiran knelt in front of her to look her in the eyes.

„Take a deep breath, yes, just like that." He patted her head. „I understand your desire not to part with someone but think a little bit. You both need a bath and some clean clothes. After that, you can have a meal together but you need a good night's sleep. In separate bedrooms. You know it's not proper to bring a man into your room, young lady." Well, if you ask me I think it's okay for a child to sleep in the same room but I am sure he had his reasons.

„But..."

„You could have breakfast together tomorrow morning." He added and after some thought, she nodded and two maids led them away.

We went to the same parlor where we had tea earlier and when we sat down Eiran and I both sighed at the same moment. Lord Lauvieré looked at us curiously.

„You two must get along well." He smiled at us.

„Well...." I couldn't say anything and he just scratched his head. The sight made my heart sink. „We don't know each other."

„But your synergia is good. In any case, I think it's best to have an honest conversation." He changed the subject.

„I agree." Eiran nodded. „How did you find out about the hideout?"

„Sometime after you left, Persiana woke up and I asked her where she heard about the fruit. The maid confessed everything after I pressured her a bit. Her new boyfriend is a member of that criminal gang and forced her to tell this story to Persiana. At least that's what she said, but I will conduct a thorough investigation and decide about her fate later. I don't really care about whether she did it willingly or not, she put my daughter at risk and she will pay for it. That's how we found that place. What about you?"

„I guess I should start at the beginning. A few days ago my little sister disappeared and no one knew anything. Among my siblings, I am the freest at the moment so I started looking for her and the traces left behind guided me here. I work as a mercenary sometimes, so I have experience but I got a little lost after I arrived here. I haven't heard any stories of missing people or anything. But I don't think people were kidnapped from this area, they were just locked up here. The forest seemed like the best place to hide, so it was good that you were looking for someone to defeat the ogres because it gave me an excuse to come here. I think this gang brought the monster here to keep everyone away but I still don't know how."

„I will investigate that, don't worry." He turned his gaze towards me.

„I don't have much to say." I shrugged. „I left home to find a good doctor and that's it. Everything that happened after that was just a coincidence. I've been trying to keep my distance from most people so I don't know, but are there any rumors about my family?"

„Hm... Nothing specific. People noticed that your father didn't appear for a while and that your mother substituted for him on some occasions, so some say that he is gravely injured or ill, some say that he is already dead and others think he is trying to find his runaway daughter."

„So people know my family is looking for me?" I furrowed my brows.

"It would be hard not to know, given the amount of money offered to the person who takes you home."

„Seriously? They offered money?" I closed my eyes for a moment. Ah, this family of mine. I was half exasperated, half touched.

„Is it that weird? Even my parents offered money for Aprudeé." Eiran said for the first time since I started talking.

"I would understand if someone had kidnapped me or something, but I left of my own free will, which they also know because I told my younger brother."

„You don't seem capable of understanding a parent's feelings." Lord Lauvieré looked at me with pity. „You may leave on your own accord, but they cannot know if you are safe or not and what kind of people you meet. Naturally, they want you to be home as soon as possible so they will do everything they can. Persiana had only been missing for a few hours, and yet I was willing to give anything to the person who could tell me where she was. I can't even imagine how bad this must be for your parents."

I was so afraid and so focused on saving my father that I forgot about everything else. My family knows that I am quite strong and independent, but many people are stronger than me and you never know what kind of accident could happen. Of course, they are worried. I would be too if I didn't hear from them for days. I was stupid and selfish. But still, I am not ready to go home without resolving this issue.

„You are right. Could you deliver a letter on my behalf? I want to reassure them that I am fine, at least for now. And I would be delighted if I could talk to your best doctor in private." I lowered my head.

„You don't have to bow to me. I am very happy to help you after all you have done for my family. I can arrange a meeting with her tomorrow if that's okay with you."

„Yes, it would be perfect. Thank you very much." I smiled at them happily.