The five people wearing the hooded green cloaks were forming a circle in the abandoned land. Their whole faces were nearly covered, protecting them from a steady drizzle that had been falling since the moment they had gathered in the circle.
"I've never thought that one of us would sacrifice our own blood." Spoke Gerald. His dark eyes narrowed at the woman who just arrived. "Tell us how it felt when you sacrificed the boy?"
The woman rolled her eyes. She tilted her head up looking straight into the man's black eyes. "It was just like usual. Bitter and bloody. You know I don't like my hands to get dirty."
"So delicate yet cunning." Commented one of the other women. "Being the Mayor's wife absolutely suits you, Sybil."
"She's the only one of us that could live such a life style. You know it never suits us to be one of the elites in this kingdom." Gerald snorted. His eyes looking sternly at Sybil.
Sybil asked, "Are you still jealous, Gerald?" followed by a wicked wink. "I thought you have gotten over me already."
"Shut up, bitch!" Gerald gritted his teeth, irritated by Sybil's factual statement.
"That's enough!" A woman who stood next to Gerald spoke in angry tone, which got others lowered their heads immediately. Her dark skinned face was coldly wrathful whilst her bright blue eyes glared at each and every one of them. "We can't waste our time anymore. Dawn is approaching."
Gerald and others nodded their head. He said, "We shall begin."
They held each other hand and began the ritual, chanting the spells that made a small spark of fire erupted from the ground in the middle of the circle. They continued to chant the spells that become louder and louder, spreading the fire through the whole land. When the ground began to shake, they stopped chanting.
"It's done now, Ellen." Sybil smirked.
Ellen, the bright blue eyes woman, smiled smugly. "We shall feast on the children soon."
When morning came, people of Easton was awoken with a ray of sunlight. The joy of was overrated as they thought the rest of the day would continue to be bright. The market was busier than usual. However, children were not free to play outside.
Most of the parent grew wary of their children safety after the death of the Mayor's son. Even though the council had prisoned the suspects, they had not announced if the people they imprisoned were the actual murderers. Until the murderers were beheaded, people of Easton would not rest well.
At the market, Angus was busy attending his customers. Neil was there with him, helping to wrapping fruits and vegetables on the bag for the customers. Angus had taught him a lot of things to do business. He wanted his son to be able to be a business man like him. Even if it was just a small business like he was having now.
"Mr. O'Connor?" A man in a black suit came to his stall.
Angus, who was talking to one of the customers, turned his head towards the man in suit. Judging by the man's dress, Angus could tell that the man was an important person with important business, not someone who came to buy vegetables and fruits from him.
"Yes." Angus replied. "What can I help you with?"
The customers shifted their eyes to the man. None of them recognise who the handsome young man was.
"Would it be possible to have a word with you for a minute?" Asked the man politely, smiling at Angus.
"Of course, Sir." Angus then looked at Neil who had a bewildered look on his eyes. "Neil, please attend the customers for me for a minute."
"Yes, Papa." Neil nodded his head. He then looked at the man who just came. Their eyes met for a brief moment before the man left to follow his father who walked towards a quiet alley near their stall.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your business in this busy day, Mr. O'Connor. But I have urgent matter that I would like to discuss with you."
"What could it possibly be, Mr…?"
"Piper. Newton Piper. I'm from the council."
The word council sent a shiver down Angus's spine. If one of the councilmen came to anyone for an important matter, something bad must have happened.
Angus maintained to set a calm expression on his face as he said, "What is the matter, Mr. Piper?"
After questioning the maid and the guard he took to the prison, Newton was informed about the commotion between the Mayor and the man in front of him that happened one day before the boy murdered. The maid told him that Angus O'Connor had lost his son and forced the Mayor's son to tell him where to find his son since it seemed like only William knew Angus's son whereabout. The guard confirmed it by telling him that he was one of the guards who dragged Angus out of the Mayor's house.
"I was informed that you had an argument with Mr. Graham before his son died." Said Newton. His eyes studying Angus's facial expression and body language intensely. "What was it about?"
"It was just a misunderstanding." Angus responded nonchalantly. His attitude was calm.
"About what?" Newton demanded, unsatisfied with Angus's short answer.
"Uh, my son was lost near the river after playing with Mr. Graham's son in the afternoon. I was asking the deceased boy to show me the way but Mr. and Mrs. Graham were not allowing it."
"Did you force him to come with you?" Asked Newton, narrowing his eyes down at Angus.
Angus sighed. "Yes, I did. I was worried about my own son whom I couldn't find at that time. I'm sure you would do the same if you were in my position."
"Absolutely." Newton agreed, making Angus smile for a second. "But then you found your son without William's help. Am I correct?"
"Yes."
"Where did you find your son?"
In that question, Angus's face turned passive aggressive. "Near the river, at the north border."
"What about the forest?"
"None of them went to the forest." Angus retorted. "They only went to the river near the border between our village and the forest."
"How strange." Newton remarked. "I have heard that few boys had gone to play in the forest. Including your sons."
Angus stared at the man, not uttering a word.
"Is that true, Mr. O'Connor?"