Messy Business

Eldric

"Her wounds are being treated by Jeremiah," Tim said as he closed the door behind him. "You know, I hate to admit this especially since I don't like that creepy mayor, but I agree with what he said."

Eldric, who was looking out at the window, turned his head at that and lifted an eyebrow.

"Well, not entirely I guess," Tim shrugged. "But she seems to be lying. I got the reports from our men and found the witch in the forest. Though the reports say, two women."

"Your point being…?"

"That maybe we should reconsider this point too? What if these women work with the Unseen?"

"Not possible."

"Don't be hasty to dispose of that idea."

"I was there personally, Tim. I saw those women, and one of them helped me with my injuries." Eldric asked in a normal voice, but it still made his friend flinch.

Tim gaped. "What?! She's the one who helped you?"

Eldric nodded. "That's why I know that it's not her."

"What about the other woman then? You didn't deny that there's another person in the woods. Besides, what's with the platinum blond hair these people are talking about? Is the supposed witch from that ruined kingdom? But it's been years since any of us saw people like that after that terrible event 8 years ago."

Eldric thought for a while before answering. "Do you remember what happened-- nevermind. Look, if they are with the Unseen, why would they be scared of the men? The group who attacked me in the woods are the same ones I chased away from their house. They were also looking for the witch."

Tim took a sharp intake of breath, but his friend just shook his head. "Why would they still have to search for that so-called witch if their drink is already circulating in town?"

The two drank their tea in silence for a moment. "I'll need something stronger for this kind of thinking," Tim said.

Eldric chuckled. "Agreed. But we are still not sure if the other drinks are not affected. Better hold off to that thought."

"What if… what if the mayor told his boss about the rumors of a witch, and then, the boss sent his men to investigate. Once they confirmed someone is living away from the town, it will be easy to convince the people and paint whoever is living there as the legendary witch, pushing all the blame."

"The scapegoat," Eldric sat back on his chair and crossed his legs. "That is what I'm thinking."

"This is such a messy affair."

"Everything about the Unseen is messy and disgusting."

"I just don't understand," Tim started, "why did you put her in a guest room? Why not in the servants quarter?" He was silent for a while before gasping out loud. "You—! You're not trying to save the damsel-in-distress, right?!"

"Whatever you are talking about?"

"You're always soft with girls."

"Nonsense," Eldric said and received a smirk from his friend, "Well, enough about her. What about the mayor?"

He wrinkled his nose in disgust as if encountering something vile. He did not like the mayor from the time they met. He gave fake smiles a lot and showered praises a little too much. Eldric could smell his intention from far away. There were so many of them in the imperial city. Everything around the man exuded humble bragging. From the way he dressed to the way he decorated his house, the mayor acted as if he was one with the masses with his simple lifestyle.

Once you dig deeper from the surface, you would learn how fake he was. He owned quite a few states across the country, a room full of different weapons which he said to be gifted by various merchants. Only the outside decor of his home was simple. The insides were lavished with intricate designs and pieces of high-quality furniture. He only spoke of the names of other powerful people to impress the others. Eldric was not one of those.

"He's still able to roam around. But I forbid him to go outside. Do you have other orders?"

Eldric shook his head, "We'll deal with him soon."