Chapter 12

"Thomas's eldest son, Volga, has effectively trapped us within the city walls," Eric gasped as he rushed over, his attire resembling that of a hunter. He had been lingering outside, gathering intelligence, and had not been residing with the two women.

"His younger son, Burke, accompanied by a group of men, has been scouring the city for foreigners. They've been halted by the divine faction, but it's likely they'll continue their operations clandestinely," he continued breathlessly.

The trio convened to discuss their plans for temporary refuge while ensuring Heidi's daily visits to the temple for updates.

A speeding figure approached, prompting their wariness until they recognized Ethan, who had reappeared in the Cheno clan at some point.

"Come with me," Ethan's voice was frosty. "I know a place of greater safety."

As Eric moved to decline, Heidi intervened, gripping his arm. Millia opted to trust Ethan, considering his past as a mercenary within Cheno rendered him more acquainted with the area than they were. They trailed Ethan through winding alleys until they reached a barren plateau within the city, a space distanced from the main residential quarters, likely utilized by farmers for drying and processing crops. Stone squares dotted the plateau, adorned with various beans and vegetables drying in the sun. Behind these squares stood makeshift wooden shelters housing copper utensils, offering unobstructed views in all directions.

"Here," Ethan declared, turning to address them. "Don ordinary robes and seek shelter in the shed come nightfall. It's unlikely anyone will venture here during the dark hours."

"What of the returning farmers during daylight?" Heidi inquired with curiosity. "We cannot deceive them."

"We'll retreat behind the mountain ruins during the day, striving to avoid any crowds," Millia replied on Ethan's behalf. "Thank you for your assistance," she added.

Ethan's smile was fleeting. "We are allies now, are we not?"

Three days elapsed before Heidi returned from the temple with astonishing news: Thomas had met his demise within the temple's subterranean chambers.

"The divine faction is incensed. Cheno's high priest has personally journeyed to appease them. Presently, oversight of the temple falls to the second priest, Maya, who also serves as their high priestess," Heidi relayed, her tone tinged with envy. "Maya ascended to the position of second priestess at a young age. Should the high priest be demoted, she stands a chance of assuming the role of high priestess."

"Pray, reveal the circumstances surrounding Thomas's demise," Millia pressed.

"Last night, the guards on duty reported several visitors to Thomas, including his son and trusted subordinates. Ethan was the final visitor."

"Ethan visited him as well?" Millia's astonishment was palpable. "How was he permitted?"

"He purportedly asserted his past service as a mercenary for Thomas granted him certain privileges. Yet, he desired a face-to-face confrontation with Thomas, and heated words were exchanged within."

"But Ethan could not have been the perpetrator, could he?" Millia mused. "Surely, the guards would have kept a close watch on him."

"No public declaration has been made regarding the circumstances of Thomas's demise, nor have any arrests been made in connection with it. Thomas's two sons have absconded. Cheno's elders are presently in the process of electing a new leader," Heidi lamented, unforeseen developments unfolding. While outwardly it seemed the threat posed by Thomas had been quelled, inwardly they each harbored a sense of regret. Thomas's guilt had been confirmed among their own people, alleviating any need for accountability regarding the accusation. Yet, with Thomas's passing, the secrets that should have come to light remained shrouded once more.

Heidi glanced towards Millia. "What are your intentions now? I may elect to remain here for a time. I've formed a rapport with Maya, the priestess, and stand to glean much from her." Eric hastened to interject, citing the necessity of his presence within the Cheno clan, as it was unsafe for Laurence's priestess to be alone in foreign lands; he required his own guard. Millia exchanged a meaningful glance with Heidi, offering a soft smile. "I must first return to the Laurence tribe and deliver the chief's moonstone ring to our high priest."

With their paths diverging for the moment, they agreed to reconvene in the autumn at the Ice Forest Bar within the Laurence tribe for a gathering over drinks.

Millia rode her horse alone along the winding path, with the crimson brick walls of Laurence Castle looming in the distance.

Despite the weariness of the journey, Millia felt a lightness in her heart. Thomas was gone, his menace extinguished. Yet, the weight of Kenny's precarious situation lingered, casting a shadow over her relief. She resolved to visit the high priest without delay, returning the moonstone ring and deliberating Kenny's fate.

Upon Millia's return, the guards atop the city walls greeted her with enthusiastic waves. "Welcome home, Lady Millia!"

As Millia gazed upon their youthful, welcoming faces, a sense of both familiarity and strangeness washed over her. Yes, she had returned home. Though Kenny was absent and Laurence was not her birthplace, if there were joys worth clinging to here, why couldn't it become her true home?

Making her way to the courtyard of olive trees, Millia's heart swelled with familiarity. Just as she approached her doorstep, she was greeted by a joyous exclamation. "Millia, my dear, you've returned!" Turning, she saw Mrs. An, her neighbor, hurrying toward her with a warm smile.

The sight of Mrs. An filled Millia with a sense of comfort and belonging. She embraced Mrs. An warmly before acknowledging her elderly father, sitting peacefully in the sun.

"Are all your troubles resolved?" Mrs. An asked, her face radiant with concern.

"For now, yes," Millia replied, opting not to burden Mrs. An with the complexities of recent events. "Thank you for your kindness," she added with a reassuring smile.

"That's wonderful. I'll come over this afternoon and prepare a feast for you," Mrs. An offered.

"Sounds lovely. I'll be visiting the temple, but when I return, let's dine together," Millia suggested, eliciting a smile from Mrs. An.

Later that afternoon, Millia visited the temple to meet with the high priest. After recounting the recent events and returning the moonstone ring, she left feeling a weight lifted from her shoulders. The high priest didn't press her for Kenny's whereabouts, understanding the uncertainty of his fate.

As evening descended, the courtyard of olive trees exuded a tranquil ambiance. Millia entered the dining room, greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread and warm lamplight. Mrs. An was dividing the bread when Millia arrived, but her elderly father was conspicuously absent.

"So, let's celebrate your safe return," Mrs. An said, raising her glass in a toast to Millia.

"Thank you," Millia replied sincerely, finding solace in the sweetness of the bread amidst the heavy atmosphere.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Mrs. An exclaimed, her round face displaying surprise. "I have a welcome gift for you." She retrieved a small wooden box from beneath the table, presenting it to Millia. Opening it, Millia was taken aback by its contents: gold bars, unmistakably the ones taken by Thomas. Glancing up at Mrs. An, Millia was met with a transformation. Gone was the familiar homemaker, replaced by a steely resolve.

"Who are you?" Millia's voice trembled as she confronted Mrs. An.

"I am Mrs. An," she replied calmly. "Did you really think your husband's actions would go unpunished?"

"What do you mean? Are you working for Thomas?"

"Thomas?" Mrs. An chuckled. "Who is Thomas?" Her demeanor had shifted entirely, exuding a newfound strength and determination.

Millia found herself unable to discern the origins and intentions of Mrs. An. It was evident that Mrs. An was not to be trusted.

"What is your intention?" Millia questioned, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword, only to realize it was not at her side. Having changed into comfortable attire upon arriving home, she had left her weapon behind.

Despite a chill creeping through her, Millia's inherent stubbornness prevented her from bowing to her adversary. Chin held high, she regarded Mrs. An with disdain. "Your threats hold no sway over me, just as Thomas's once did not. Leave my home. I will not serve your kind."

Mrs. An clapped her hands with a smile, and from the shadows of the dining room emerged a figure who had evidently been lurking there. It was Burke, Thomas's son, the wolfish warrior who had led the scavenging in the Cheno clan.

Burke stood silently behind Mrs. An, his gaze icy and menacing. "My dear girl, I advise against defiance. Surely, you wouldn't want your husband Kenny to meet his end. Ha-ha-ha."

Taken aback, Millia inquired, "What do you mean? Where is Kenny?"

"In our custody, of course. If you wish to see him again, you'll do as we say," Mrs. An replied calmly.

"And what is it you want me to do?"

"Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough. For now, I want you to have a reunion with your husband. I'm sure you're eager to see him." With a forced sweetness, Mrs. An concluded her statement, and Burke followed her lead, retreating with him.

Watching them depart, Millia realized the courtyard of olive trees was no longer safe. Sitting at the table, she collected herself, sipping beer and pondering her options. While it wouldn't be difficult to hide now, leaving behind the predicament wouldn't solve Kenny's fate. Had he truly been captured?

When Millia had arrived in the Laurence domain years ago, Mrs. An had already been residing near the olive trees. With an infirm father, she had taken on the role of a maid naturally. Nothing had seemed amiss until now. Who was Mrs. An, and why did she seem unfazed by Thomas's demise, with Thomas's son willingly under her command?

Feeling helpless, Millia clenched her fists. Outside, the darkness shrouded everything, obscuring the stars.

With no Heidi or Eric by her side, her only recourse seemed to be seeking aid from the high priest. But Mrs. An's threats loomed large. If she exposed Mrs. An and Burke's whereabouts to the temple priests, what would happen to Kenny? It seemed like a deadlock.