"You say I shouldn't trust anyone but myself and my team. Then what about you?" The atmosphere was suffocating. "Can I believe you?"
The old man moved back to his place. "I've told you what I wanted to. Now the decision lies with you."
Did he want me to accept his vague answers? He sounded laughable, but to an extent. His words give me no reason to abandon my sister for my sister. As absurd as it sounds, that's what he's asking me to do.
"I want to know who Vadon is and why would he slaughter the nobles. Then, I shall reconsider this." I said, waiting for his response. If he does not tell me, there is no meaning to his presence here.
He thought for a moment. "Vadon attacked the capital with his troop, and killed the young nobles. He took their bodies with him, mentioning something along the lines of sacrificing their blood to save their clan." He looked at the door, as if he was expecting someone to arrive, then relieved, before looking back at me. "He will come back for the nobles he left behind. It won't be easy to stop him then."
I slammed my hand down on the table. A story. This was definitely made up.
"You are lying." I picked my plate, heading to the kitchen. "If it turns out you are, then I won't waste a second to come and get Aenor from you."
It was late at night lit with the moonlight and stars that twinkled in the darkness. There was absolute silence while the crickets screamed their life away.
Aenor sat next to me chewing on some cut fruits while father rested. She was talking animatedly about something that I couldn't comprehend a lot but I knew it mattered to her the most.
I pulled her closer and let her lean on me.
She stopped talking, but looked up to stare at me. "Is there something you want to say?"
I chuckled. "Maybe."
Or maybe not. I just wanted her to be by my side for a while. War is not a joke, and I do not know what will happen once I enter.
I had a switchblade with me that I had been hiding all these years. Should I give it to her? Should I? Would it help her?
It's better than nothing.
I slowly placed it onto her little hands, regretting it already. How could such innocent hands weild something like this?
Blond hair and golden brown eyes. It had been a while since she threw a tantrum, was it ever since mother passed away?
"What is this?"
"If you think you're in danger, use it."
She looked at it carefully, examining it and nodded her head. "Okay."
"You should be brave, you're 12 now." I kissed her forehead softly.
What if someday I don't return home? What will you do, Aenor?
The sliding door opened, and there stood the old man, tall and well rested. I couldn't help but notice the long weapon clutched in his hands.
"Quinn, it's time."
I sprang up. "What do you mean?"
No really, what is it supposed to mean? This was too soon and sudden.
"Go now. It's easier to hide during the night. You need to be there within two days."
I grunted, walking back into the house. "Give me a break, will you? Why did you not tell me earlier?"
This was happening, it really was happening. I resented war, battles and anything related to it. I was totally against the idea of participating in one.
"You would have opposed."
"I still am opposing to this." I walked around frantically, something was definitely wrong. Was I losing my cool?
Aenor watched the scene unfold, the bowl of fruits long forgotten. "Quinn, I'll be okay. Father can be an asshole but he won't let me get hurt."
I scowled at her words. "No way-"
"Hurry, Quinn, before it's too late." the old man said, walking forward and offering the sword he was holding. "I will give you my sword. Use it wisely."
I stopped pacing around, just to hold the sword in my own hands. It had a different feel to it. Heavy and so down to earth, it felt like it might drag me down with it.
Stunned?
Panicking?
I didn't know what was going on at that moment. I didn't want to go. I didn't want to leave Aenor behind. There were so many things I didn't want to do.
"I do not have the confidence." I took in a shaking breath.
"You need to return." Aenor stood up now, glistening eyes but standing her ground. "Wasn't that the promise? How will you keep your word if you don't have confidence in yourself?"
I felt pathetic, wasn't going to lie.
"See, Quinn?" The old man placed his hand on one of my shoulders. "Now you have something to look forward to."
It wasn't hard to take in. I had.. something to look forward to.
And that was, Aenor.
Father pulled me to the living room, away from Aenor while she stayed back as if she knew she had to.
He requested to have a word with me.
"Listen carefully, Quinn." Father's eyebrows were narrowed, his eyes cold as if he had lost light in him. "You can't let anyone get to Aenor."
"I find this unreasonably stupid." I sat down next to the window, away from the table and him. "If I'm supposed to protect Aenor, why am I being sent away?"
He was silent for a while. I had been dying to ask this question all this time.
"I was promoted as a general in the capital, working directly under the royal chief." He said. "This was two years ago. And I was handed this sword that you hold, by the Auris clan. It's no ordinary weapon, Quinn."
I couldn't control the way my head whipped to look at him in an instant. My suspicions were right. "What do you mean? Why Auris clan?"
"There is a possibility that you can awaken your mother's ability." He grit his teeth. "I am sorry for making you do this, but take the sword and leave as soon as possible. You are needed in the battlefield. Aenor will be safe with me."
He suddenly stood up, walking to the door, and opening it.
"What do you mean mother's ability? What's with the sword?" I could feel it in me, the rage. Was he lying? No, he was hiding something? Or was he afraid to tell me?
"I can never bring myself to tell you the truth." He turned to look at me with an expression I couldn't read. Anger? Fear? Frustration? "Go! Now!"