I awoke with the realization that the soldiers I ate with last night would be starting the search for my family. I jumped out of bed, changed into formal attire, and went to the town hall.
I arrived just as their horses were about to leave the gates. Mr. Hullings noticed me in the crowd and summoned me. He led me to the center and declared,
"Today, one of our trusted squadrons will start looking for Elias Burghe's family! This man needs to be reunited with his loved ones, and therefore we must allow him to do so! Soldiers, keep marching!"
The crowd cheered as if I were a member of their community. The brave soldiers raised their weapons as the spearmen in front take a charging stance, kick their horses, and took their leave.
The mayor patted my back and said,
"They'll be back in a week. Elias, don't worry. We'll get some information about their whereabouts."
I gave him a grateful smile. He invited me to breakfast in the town hall and said he'd tell me something in private.
While the two of us were eating, he mentioned that their public library also has ancient books, some of which came from their ancestors. He told me that I might find clues there as well, because some of the previous historical conflicts were also written down in the books.
I inquired as to what kind of book it is exactly. Unfortunately, he did not know which.
"I'm sorry, but I have no idea which book it is. However, it is most likely located on the private grounds. You must have my permission to enter there."
He got up and went to his office, where he took something from the cabinet.
"This key shall suffice as proof that I grant you permission to enter the previously stated room. Hand this over to Mrs. Liera, our librarian, and she'll show you around," he said as he handed me the key.
After breakfast, I went to the blacksmith and informed Mr. Tyrile that I would be unable to work today because I had been told about possible clues about the organization that was also responsible for the delays in his orders in the library.
"You're very fortunate, lad! Today is a day of rest for us. We had a hectic week. Could you please lend me mechanical-related books if you happen to be in the library? Recently, I've been thinking about mechanical things." He replied.
I then went to the library and introduced myself to Mrs. Liera. I showed her the key and explained why I wanted to visit the private grounds.
"All right, I'll address you as Mr. Burghe. As a result, you can only read books found in the private grounds within those private grounds. We do not lend these old books to anyone. They are assumed to be sacred." She told me while we head to the basement.
I opened the large door with the key and turned on the lamps. The librarian left after reminding me to return the books to their proper place on the shelves.
I looked for books about historical events and discovered a large one on the top of the fifth shelf. Because the shelves were so high, I had to use the ladder to get it.
I couldn't read the book's title because it was so filthy. It mustn't have been touched in a decade.
I rubbed the dust away with the sleeves of my shirt. it didn't do much but enough to show the silhouette of the letters. I assumed it was called "Order of the Light."
I opened the book and flipped through the pages to the table of contents. I discovered a page with one specific topic scribbled off with ink along with the page. I examined the other topics and concluded that the deleted content is on the 365th page of the book.
I went to the stated page and barely understood anything. The page was drawn with an unidentified symbol that I had never seen before in my life. It was strange.
I dug deep into it and discovered the exact name I was searching for, the word "Ordeal."
As I turned to the next page, my heart raced. It was also drawn with the same symbol as if someone had unsuccessfully tried to erase the content.
I kept scrolling through the pages and came across something that sounded like it had something to do with the Ordeal.
They sounded as if they were God's own words, narrating what had happened to the people centuries before. I sat on the ground and read the pages at random since most of the content had been scribbled off.
"... they were known to have committed heinous crimes."
"... their own children were fed to the wolves..."
"One's soul was sold for the success of another."
"They were falsely accused by the public."
"In front of the children, their women were tortured and killed."
"Men will stand up for one another."
"… Vengeance is what satisfies their hunger at every second."
"One day, they will turn the world's back on them, just as the world once turned against them."
"One refers to himself as an ordeal."
"They will begin to do the same thing that their people, particularly women and children, undertook."
Those were the sentences I read, and some of them were based on my interpretations.
I'm terrified because I didn't learn any of these things when I was younger. Did anyone around me know anything about them? Or is it redundant to know if we are cursed?
As my knees trembled in fear, I folded the book's page and closed it. What would happen to my family if they were kidnapped by the men I met a few nights ago? I was worried.
I took a slow step away from the book and heard a distant whisper.
"Once you discover the truth... you bear responsibility for the fruit."
I screamed and threw my lamp to the floor, shattering the glass. I dashed out the door and slammed it shut. I was so terrified that I fell to my knees, my heart pounding furiously.
I decided not to disclose any of the knowledge I unearthed. I lacked the courage to do so. I got back up on my knees, thinking it was all a myth and a coincidence.
I made my way to the main library. I took Mr. Tyrile's mechanical engineering book and requested the librarian to lend it to me.
When the librarian noticed that I was still trembling, she asked what was wrong. I told her that I had fallen down the ladder while attempting to reach something.
I approached the blacksmith, handed him the book, and then walked away silently. I headed straight to the inn and close the door behind me when I get to my room.
I couldn't think straight, so I collapsed on my bed and sobbed.
I didn't leave my room all day, and the night passed without meeting the mayor.