Now that is not something I imagined would happen. You don't just greet someone by saying now we shall kill you. And the old man looked kind which made it more difficult to believe that he was saying this.
Rock Flames came forward. "Wait, what is going on? Why do you want to kill us?" He asked. The old man smiled and replied, "I am sorry to scare you but I am pretty sure you are the Scaruns, aren't you? And Scaruns ought to die!"
"I think you have been mistaken. We are just travellers." Oliver protested. I looked at Lily and out of nowhere, I happened to enquire, "What were you saying about trespassers? Which trespasser climbs a mountain early morning?" Now that was a bold question to ask considering all the hot-pots standing around me. "Stop fooling around. You are asking as if you are not the Scaruns! And stop-" But before she finished, the master spoke up.
"Lily! Whatever the case, tell them about the trespassers. Maybe they really are travellers." The man doubted. Lily looked at us with rage but her master's order topped it.
"There are bandits called Scaruns in this city. They always rob people, steal their valuables. Even the cops are of no use considering their fear of the Scaruns." Lily said. Another girl from the side spoke up. "Not only that, but the Scaruns are great warriors. They kill those who protest against them stealing stuffs. They apparently escape to Mount Drake, maybe to the other side."
Now I understood why they thought we were trespassers, the Scaruns. "The people of Hilton are not skilled to climb the mountain. The second problem is that there is a rumor that the mountain is cursed by the Scaruns to kill those who climb it except for them. We know all this is nonsense." Lily said. "Hence, we are taught to face the Scaruns here. We are the only people of the town who can chase the Scaruns even at Mount Drake."
"And you thought we were the Scaruns." Oliver concluded. "You are mistaken. Well, we are…" Oliver told the whole tale about their journey. The people listened attentively then looked at each other, understanding that they had made a mistake.
"I am sorry for such harsh treatment." The master apologized. "We now understand your true identity."
We smiled back. The crowd had calmed down and looked guilty for accusing us. But Lily was an exception. She still looked dissatisfied. Figures, I thought.
"My name is Polwern Davis. I am the creator and the master of the Variaries clan. I was once very skilled in fighting but my old age tells the rest of the story I guess." He said. He felt sad and turned his head down. Then he suddenly flung up with excitement. "I know! You can make Lily, the strongest fighter of the Variaries clan one of your members! She can help you in stopping Raptor!" He exclaimed.
The idea was haunting to all of us, especially Lily, ready to begin her protest.