"I can't believe I'd be seeing my father again..." Celiona whispered so that only both of them could hear as they walked with the crowd through the golden gates of Andorra.
Andorra was no different from Araguaia, only that it was the capital of the country with a more distinctive fortress characteristic. The city had more large buildings than homes, ranging from the magnificent St Andrews Cathedral, the El Stefano Courthouse and more importantly, the home of the Bishop of the church.
Vandorr had been expecting a more tighter security and in anticipation had had them wear hoods to cover their faces so as not to be recognized since the unexpected change in events had made them fugitives in their own lands. "Never really was a fan of your father, no offence" Armando had pulled off his hood. "You should put that on! What if we are spotted!!?" Vandorr said seriously looking everywhere around them.
"I never did say he was a good man either. He was one of the powerhouse who back Doric to becoming Governor. Jackson Saxton was almost assassinated, if not for Ashcroft Targeris" Celiona said again this time as they had walked through a busy alley filled with people buying and selling, beggars and prostitutes. "An irony how the priests build mighty cathedrals and yet all manner of immortality persists amongst them" Vandorr nodded his head at one of the prostitutes who had walked away with a priest.
"You antagonize Christians, You don't believe in God?" Celiona frowned. They hadn't stopped walking when a figure approached them handing over a bronze key. "I once got sold as a slave to some witches in a country called Durian, I've seen these women defy the laws of physics and even turn time into their own puppet, I haven't seen your God do that" He replied her as they continued walking again.
"What is it that child gave to you, Vandorr?!" Armando asked. "The key to that door, a room we will be spending the night. I'm afraid we'll only be seeing your father tomorrow" He replied him then turned to Celiona with a smile.
"Nothing here seems right...." Vandorr said as they walked through a crowd in a narrow street not fit for the market it was. "What is it you feel?!" Armando asked.
"Have you noticed how many guards we've walked past?!" Vandorr whispered. "They didn't recognize us..." Celiona said sharply as though enlightened by something.
"Exactly! If we were to be labeled as fugitives, Andorra should be the least safe place for us, we practically just spent a whole day without being noticed" Vandorr said with enthusiasm.
"It only means the Bishop is not aware of what is going on, the priests are trying to keep this silent as possible" he spoke again. While they still amongst the crowd, Vandorr felt a tug on his woolly hood, he turned immediately to see who it was, it wasn't his first time experiencing such especially from pickpockets. A familiar figure of a man he used to know.
"Hermis Serth..." A name he called out with utmost surprise that the others turned immediately as well, the very man they were off to see. "Shh, That's one name you shouldn't go around calling, Andorra isn't the fair haven we've always known it be" the white beard man said.
"Father...!!" Celiona jumped on him with a hug immediately, as excited as ever. "My gem! You look beautiful as ever" he hugged her tight in return. "We must find a safe place to talk, I've been in hiding for days now" he spoke up as soon as they let each other go. Vandorr could feel the nervousness in his voice, he looked around him every minute as though being followed. He soon gestured them to follow him, leading them to a quiet alley.
"You don't really seem surprised to see your daughter" Armando stared at him suspiciously. Trusting anyone at the moment didn't seem like a great idea. "Words travel fast, I heard about Celiona from the priests, a letter had arrived some days before from Doric" Hermis said calmly. Vandorr knew what he was talking about, apparently Doric had sent a letter to Andorra right in his presence, strictly imstructing the messenger to deliver it to no one but Gurhum.
"I'm sure you heard about the trial of Calqués at the Court of Defiance" Hermis stared at them hoping to get a response thst met his thoughts bit they seemed as surprised as ever. "What?!" Armando frowned. "Lucky of a man, Ashcroft Targeris had immediately left Babble once he heard about Calqués's trial. Might as well be the third time Ashcroft is saving his very ass. When i say 'thieves with thrives', you should believe me" Hermis said as soon as he told them of what had happened back at Araguaia as soon as they had left.
"I think we've grown past that...we deserve better names than thieves" Armando said between gritted teeth before turning away.
"What is it that brings you here to Andorra by the way?" Hermis asked. "We should ask you even better how you recognized us amongst the crowd" Vandorr said with remorse. "He wasn't wearing a hood and I knew wherever he was, you'd be there besides your height is one of a kind.. I must have you know" Hermis replied.
"Father, we came to see you. I'm being accused of stealing the Crest, I know nothing about it, I remember nothing as well!" Celiona sound exasperated. "That I've heard... I've long to see you myself. Something stinks here in Andorra, I've been in hiding for about a week now, I can't tell of the many times I've escaped the claws of death" Hermis let out a sigh.
"Why do you run?! Why do the priests want Celiona?! Why's the Bishop not informed about the missing Crest?!" Vandorr frowned as he asked, he had been deep in thoughts.
"To kill her I'm afraid. Being in charge of the Treasury of the Bishop gave me access to a lot of things. The Bishop has enough wealth to make a man blush, despite all of these, the Crest of Marmalade was never in my care but Gurhum's. Only he had access to the 'Treasures of the Undesirable', so they called it" Hermis explained. Celiona had let out a yelp but soon had her mouth covered by Armando with his palm, giving her a dead look.
"Why would killing her solve anything?!" He removed his hand from her mouth and spoke. "Because information of the crest must never leak, any leaked information would create a controversy, questions would be asked and the priests would do anything to keep it hidden" Vandorr said softly that the others looked straight at him immediately.
"He's right. The Crest has a history, a very bad one, one that could ultimately tarnish the image of the country" Hermis said in a cold manner. They stopped talking, each word seemed to sting deep into their hearts.
As though arranging every bit of puzzle, they wandered off in their own thoughts.
"Father, ....Aretha.." Celiona raised her head up a little as her eyes twinkled a little. "Safe and Sound. I'm afraid not in Araguaia anymore. I had the family recolate to Settlescore ever since the priests have been contemptuous towards me" Hermis replied.
"And for some reason, you knew this would turn out to be like this" Vandorr seemed to be paying attention this time.
"I have had my daughter disappear for over eight years and when she comes back, I hear news of her being a VANDOLSK and having possession of a pendant stolen from the North ice Hermit Vikings and you expect me not to react??" Hermis said with quite a feat of rage.
"I'm sorry, track back a little. The Crest of Marmalade belongs to a nation of Vikings?!!?" Armando almost fell off his boots. "Certainly, you can imagine why such news shouldn't be spread" Hermis replied with a scoff. "We are dead for sure!" Armando gave Vandorr a frightened look.
"When was it stolen?! Recently??" Vandorr asked Hermis, ignoring Armando who was beginning to sharpen his pocket knife,hissing and shaking his head any chance he had. "If you give it eight years, then you're probably still right" Hermis sighed. "Then it would have been within the time Celiona changed!!" Armando stood to his feet suddenly. "Of course! The story is beginning to get clearer" Vandorr stroke his beard softly.
"I can't stay here long but just like you, I'm a man with no freedom. I must continue to pretend as though I know nothing unless I'm willing to lose my life" Hermis said wearing his hood and walking out of the dark and empty alley.
"This Country reeks!! What do you suggest we do now, Vandorr??" Armando asked. Vandorr's mind had wandered off, the mystery was beginning to get clearer. Hermis wasn't entirely truthful, he acted normal, like he wasn't surprised to see his daughter who had been missing for years and even more made no reference to knowing what had happened within that duration. It was obvious that he knew something. Vandorr let out a heavy sigh, "Whoever owns the Crest is none of our business,at least not for now. We must help Celiona remember what happened before she turned, there has to be something!" He spoke in a manner as though he was still thinking.
"We are going to Settlescore! We are going to see your daughter!" He said again this time turning to Celiona.