He suddenly pauses and looks right in your eyes.
"It's.. It's Ivail's father.." you say.
"How do you know?" he asks.
"I actually met with Ivail this morning. He told me that he had heard his father and a person dressed in black talking about the escapees."
"Ramon? Him? But he told he already stopped hating them.." he mutters to himself.
"Uncle, do you know why he is the one looking for them?"
"Nevil.. He.. How do I explain this? Let me take this from the beginning. During the Great Battle, he was the commander of our defense squad. Odell and Ramon, they both are great friends and were bound to be because of you and Ivail. Their thinking has always been polar opposites though. Odell has a soul which can love anyone and to him everyone is equal. Ramon on the other hand, always thought our breed, the greenish-white furred are the most supreme. He has had the same thinking since childhood." he explained.
"Most supreme.." you think.
"He always thought the red-furred, the inhabitants of the West City belonged to the lowest rung. I never really understood his way of thinking. He possessed a deep hatred for the red-furred for a reason I never got to know. He is the one who incited Odell to massacre everyone. In the end, Odell listened to him. But as I told you, Odell came to his senses and he stopped Ramon. And how stupid of me to think that Ramon also regretted what he did." he says, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"He really is evil. So much destruction, and he still isn't stopping." you say.
"How didn't I ever think about him? He just never crossed my mind."
"That doesn't matter, uncle. Now we know it's him trying to locate the escapees. We need to stop him." you say, standing up.
"Yes, thank you for telling me, Nevil. I'll try talking to Odell about him. Would you care for some tea?" he says looking in the door's direction.
You turn around and find a servant holding a tea tray. "Sure." you say and sit back down.
"I actually have a friend from the West City.. Elias. He is keeping low after I warned him. He doesn't live very far from here. I used to visit him frequently but it got too risky a few days back. It's just so depressing knowing that people are hiding in fear, afraid of getting caught any second.." Wren says a while later.
You quietly listen to him and contemplate whether to tell him about C/N and Mavis.
"Nevil. Come on, let's go on a walk." he says, standing up.
"Okay, uncle." you say.
It was late afternoon and even with the sunrays directly on your head, it wasn't that hot thanks to the chilly breeze.
"You never asked me how I knew someone is looking for them." he says.
"Hmm, now that I think about it, how did you know?" you ask.
"During the hunt, I found a body. Red-furred, she was from the West City. There was knife stabbed in her stomach. I buried her with the bracelet she was holding tightly in her hand. And a while later I saw you, and I know I acted really cold. I was just too lost in my own thoughts." he explains.
"Did you tell my father?" you ask.
"No, I didn't. I thought the more people I involve, the chances of the culprit knowing about me are higher." he answers.
Once again, you both get lost in your own thoughts.
"Uncle, actually, I also know a few people from West City." you say.
He nods his head lightly and says with a smile, "I figured that out considering how engaged you are in helping them."
You hide a smile and say, "The ones I know are members of the royal family."
He stops walking and you continue talking, "Alaric and Elowen."
"Hmm, thank god some royal members are still alive. How did you meet them?" he asks.
"Elowen is actually Mavis, my assigned servant. She told me the truth a while back. I have yet to tell her about you. And Alaric, I met him during the hunt. Um, we became good friends, yeah.." you say awkwardly while talking about C/N.
He starts walking again and you say, "The man dressed in black reported about a deep hole in the forest where he had thought a survivor could be. I actually fell in a deep hole and that was where I met Alaric."
"There are very high chances that they were talking about Alaric. We need to stop Ramon before they capture him and kill him."
"Yes.. Mavis!" you call her from behind.
"What's the matter Nevil?" She comes running.
"Um, I told uncle Wren about you.. " you whisper lightly.
"Oh.. Um, greetings, my lord.." she pauses.
It turns evening by the time you explain everything to her.
"Hmm.. I never thought someone would still be looking for us. I have no power to stop him. All I can do is stay out his sight and stay unnoticeable." Mavis says.
"Don't worry, Elowen. I'll very soon put an end to his atrocities. " he says.
"Why are trying to help us?"
"The only way I can ask for your forgiveness after assisting in destroying your whole city is by helping you stay alive. Helping you rebuild your city. Now, please head back, it's late."
"Okay, uncle. Thank you." you say.
"What are you thanking me for?" he asks, laughing.
"For trying to help them out and listening to me." you whisper.
Though it is dark, you can see him smiling. You bid him farewell and walk away with Mavis.
"Nevil, I never thought you would know Alaric. In fact, I didn't even know he is still alive." her voice breaks while saying the last few words.
"I'll make sure you both meet." you say, holding her hand to comfort her.
While lying on the bed with drowsy eyes, you think, "He is the only one whose lectures and stories I can listen to with no complains. Now that I think about it, he talks a lot. Maybe because I ask him too many questions.."
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