Ch 12: A Missing Father

---2 Years Later---

A year after Baldeur started his training, Levanya gave birth to twin boys, Kun and Zhang Aslanbek.

Baldeur secretly helped them grow in their mother's womb. When they were born they both tested for Qi as a Source. Vivek was overjoyed at this news.

He had wanted to guide his children through the path of a Cultivator like his parents did for him. Even though they were no longer on speaking terms, that time with his parents was precious to him.

Through the help of their older brother, Kun also developed Anodular as a second Source and Zhang developed Psychic as a Source with elemental aether as his discipline.

Once again Vivek scaled back his work at the Explorers Union to the chagrin of Hogart Branhou, his boss at the Union. He did mostly security work and short term missions through gates now.

Unfortunately most of his former team stayed on medium and long term missions. They couldn't afford the decrease in pay. Vivek was able to because of the demand of Levanya's spell scrolls.

The main reason for changing his work schedule was because of Pantel. Vivek wanted to be near his family as much as possible in case he tried to come after them again.

They had tried to move districts but that wasn't an easy task. It required the permission of the Explorers Union to transfer his contract. Hogarth was hesitant to allow that, since most of Vivek's former teammates indicated they would follow him. That was most of his experts.

The other hindrance was the district offices. They needed passes both from their current district and the one they intended to move into. One of which was controlled by Duke Nievok's family, meaning Pantel had a way of interfering.

By the time he was eight, Baldeur had been able to open the entrance to his soul a little more. This meant he was able to allow 3% of each Source energy that was trying to get in to nourish his soul.

This both increased his maximum capacity for his Sources and the rate that they would renew after being depleted.

At this time Ilinka was also old enough to start to understand her lessons beyond just copying her brother. She also showed great promise in her Sources.

Besides the unknown threat from Pantel, the Aslanbek's were a happy growing family during this time period.

That all ended one night when Vivek went to meet some old friends that were visiting from his former district.

Levanya had stayed home with the kids. After putting them to bed she stayed up and waited for her husband.

And waited…

And waited…

There was a possibility that he got too drunk and stayed with his friends since he hadn't seen them in a long time. But as the Sun Orbs began to light up, she had a terrible feeling about the situation.

A few blue spectral birds flew out from their home. Some time later Vivek's friends showed up at the townhouse.

Baldeur listened from the other room as they told Levanya that Vivek had left the tavern they were at a little after midnight. They then agreed to help her look for him.

Over the next few days they were unable to find any hints to where Vivek was. They even went to the district guard for help.

Unfortunately, most of their friends from the Explorers Union were currently on missions through different gates.

It was in the evening of the third day that a visitor came to shed light on the disappearance.

Levanya scowled when she found Pantel and a few of his guards standing on her front steps. She had already feared that he might be involved and his appearance confirmed that for her.

Baldeur listened in from the nearby room.

"My dear lady, I have heard of your plight and I thought I might lend a hand. Perhaps we could discuss this situation over dinner?" Pantel said.

"I'll have to decline. I have my children to worry about." Levanya replied.

"I have already made arrangements for that. Miss Nafula here is an expert in child care. They wouldn't even realize you're gone." Pantel indicated a darkly dressed woman.

"No. You need to understand that I have no intention of ever having dinner with you. Or even spending any amount of time that you don't force on me. You need to seek your thrills elsewhere." Levanya was not going to even entertain him anymore.

Pantel gave her a deep smile. "Are you sure that you want to be so stubborn? This might be your only chance to save your husband."

"I've given you my answer. Now leave my home." Levanya didn't have to think hard of how to answer.

Her and Vivek had discussed how they would react to a few possible ways that Pantel would try to get to her. They had agreed that if he was captured, she would not play into his hands.

It was only after she had quickly and forcefully replied that she realized how hard of a decision this was.

She couldn't help but think that one night wouldn't destroy their relationship. If it was that easy to save her husband and possibly remove Pantel from their life, why shouldn't she do it?

"How about I give you a week to think it over? I think that might be how long your husband has before he disappears forever." Pantel said with a bow before leaving.

He left Levanya deep in thought about the decision she had to make.

"Mommy. Why is that bad man talking about dad?" Baldeur asked.

She collected herself quickly. "No reason. I doubt he could really help with finding your father."

"Good. I don't like him. We should have nothing to do with him. People like that don't stop even once they get what they want." Baldeur said.

Levanya took a moment to realize her son was correct. Even if she spent a night with Pantel, it was doubtful that he would just leave them alone. Vivek also might not be able to forgive her if she went against what they agreed on.

It was still a difficult decision since the chances of recovering her husband were unknown.

She waited a few minutes to send a few more blue spectral birds and an hour later Jaya and Sofia showed up to their house.

Levanya left them to watch the children while she went to the Explorers Union to seek Hogarth's aid.

Before she left, Baldeur sewed some threads of Laksulm into her cloak and attached the spell to a small button. He needed to hear what Hogarth said before deciding what to do next.