The townsmen left the chapel gossiping after the discussion the council wanted. They were all surprised that after some of their personal opinions, the head councilman excused them back to their residences.
Sophia watched the people exiting the building and stayed close to the wall trying to not be noticed but she didn't want to leave at this moment. She was angry at Randel for trying to blame the seer for all the girls that died in the past hunts and she wanted to confront him. She kept her head high while her hands were balled into fists waiting till the last individual finally stepped out of the church.
"Sophia?" Randel asked walking toward her confused why she was still here. Yet something in him stirred at excitement at some intimacy they could share. "This is not something for you to worry over. I'm sure you could see the village doctor about getting your mother's remains-"
"Why are you doing this?! You even used me to take out your personal vendetta against the seer." She interrupted feeling anger rising within. He had used her words to harm Clarice and she felt betrayed.
Randel's eyes widened for a fraction of a second but he quickly regained his composure before responding.
"Clarice has done this all to herself. You are too young to understand at this time. I just wish for you to trust me." He said calmly enjoying the temper the girl had. He held back an urge wanting to touch her since she looked like an angel while standing in front of him even as her eyes blazed with absolute anger.
Annoyed at the amusement in his eyes, Sophia folded her arms glaring into his eyes trying to intimidate him. He was an extremely attractive man, but she saw how dark his heart was becoming. However, her attempt was in vain since she looked even more attractive in his eyes.
"Accusing someone based on your own opinions is not a just thing to do councilman. Your purpose is to bring peace into this town." She said with a slight sneer.
"You are bias my love," he said with a grin making the girl flinch at the endearment he just used toward her. She then realized how close Randel stood next to her making her hold her breath. She shouldn't have made it so the two would be alone.
"Excuse me?" She whispered backing away a few steps confused.
"Sophia, please listen very carefully," he said grabbing her hands that she placed at her sides. "The only personal issue I have with Clarice is her choosing you at the picking. I tried to persuade her so I could protect you, but the old woman picked you just to hurt me."
His hands felt too cold to her touch making her want to yank them away, but Randel kept his hands glued to hers watching his beauty with a great intensity. Sophia looked back into his eyes seeing some kind of desperation within. And maybe if he hadn't used her in just a terrible way, the girl could have felt some pity toward the councilman.
"She picked me because the skies told her to." Sophia whispered feeling the room starting to spin as Randel pulled her into him closely as his eyes stared directly into hers. She could feel his breath against her skin and even as she tried to back away, the man was too strong holding her in her place.
"Don't be naive Sophia. She is not a good person like she has lead you to believe." He said in a whisper to Sophia who seemed to be in a daze wondering if Clarice did pick her because of issues with Randel. But then that caused another question.
"Why would she pick me in order to hurt you?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "And perhaps you could let go of my hands during this conversation."
Randel gave a wicked smile opening his mouth to speak only to be interrupted behind them.
"Don't listen to the words he speaks my child."
The two jumped a bit not realizing anyone was near as a powerful voice filled with anger filled the space between them.
Sophia looked behind her soldier as she watched the blind woman using her cane to walk in their direction with a frown across her old face.
"I would usually have this place memorized if it wasn't ran by such corrupt people. I use to come every week until I no longer felt the presence of the gods. It's sad that we live in a time where we can't gather in a place to worship the skies." Clarice said holding a grim expression as she continued to walk toward them. Gone was the witty seer in Sophia's eyes because the woman before her was upset and didn't have time to make any riddles for fun.
Randel gritted his teeth as he felt Sophia pull away to face the old hag who came at an obnoxious time.
"Sophia my dear, trust your instincts." The seer said with a sigh. "It's best to go gather your mother's ashes at this time while I speak to the councilman."
Sophia nodded feeling more confident in following the seers advice. Even though doubts were raised in her mind, she knew that Clarice was helping her leave the uncomfortable situation.
She slowly glanced back at Randel and took a moment to study the man. He obviously had some feelings toward her, but even Clarice could sense the uneasiness the girl was feeling in his presence. Taking the oppurtunity, Sophia ran out of the building hoping to avoid the councilman for the rest of her life.
"You're a coward Randel."
Randel felt his hands ball into a fists as he resisted the urge to strike the older woman. She was the only person in the village who spoke down to him which was something that was beginning to make him upset. But this small feeling was growing with each day making his hatred of the seer intensify.
"You should address me formally Clarice. It's about time you recognized authority in the village."
"All this because of some feelings for the girl?" Clarice questioned with disappointment dripping from her words. "You seem to have lost your mind!"
She knew Randel's obsession was unhealthy, but to convince the girl that she was not the chosen was something she did not appreciate. The Madam did not care to associate with someone who contained a corrupted heart.
"I'm not the one who has lost their mind." Randel sneered while thinking of how her image would be destroyed in the next couple hours. Everyone in the village was already discussing how the seer was mad.
"It's been announced and commanded by the skies. The Moon Goddess herself chose her…" Clarice whispered to herself as she started walking away from the building knowing she couldn't argue with the man. "Whether you believe I am crazy or not, it is something that was decided by the beings who created us. It's best you stay out of this Randel. Your soul is going to suffer greatly if you don't stop this."
Clarice stopped by the doors sighing. "I truly fear for you. You do not have a happy future coming if you continue this nonsense Randel."
Fuming with anger, Randel threw a punch toward the wall he stood next to trying to rid himself of the rage building up inside. He couldn't imagine how he could deal with the old woman any longer with the way she didn't bend her ways because of his reasons like all the other villagers. The seer however exited the doors closing them behind her knowing Randel would most likely attack her if she stayed any longer.
He breathed a slow breath and he moved his hand looking at the indent on the building structure he just caused. He took a second to marvel at how strong he was, or how incredibly weak the structure of this building was.
Randel then scoffed shaking his hand as some bits of the wall fell off him.
"You should be more aware of your surroundings before acting in such a way. You can fool a village only for so long."
Randel turned to face the older man fixing his cloak and demeanor ignoring his words.
After adjusting himself quickly, Randel stared down at his father with undeserved confidence.
"Father." He greeted with a slight nod. "Thank you for your words today. You've done a great service."
His father didn't seem to appreciate his sons words as he said, "It wasn't something I wish to have done, but rather forced by my own seed. You approached me saying I may have had a hand in killing Tallkin Red, but instead of listening to me, you only used things for your own purpose."
Scoffing, Randel took a step closer to the old man eyeing him. They were nearly the same height and similar looking, but Randel had been extremely spoiled as a child causing him to look down at his own father.
"Then why are you following my orders now?" Randel taunted with an evil grin. "Why not prove that you had nothing to do with the death?"
"There are people who are being protected Randel. You do not know or understand.." he sighed looking utterly defeated. "But I have never killed a soul. I have started to allow greed to enter into myself, but i would never commit murder over some old flame."
"Whatever helps you sleep." Randel said placing his hand on his fathers shoulders before whispering, "It seems I have inherited some of your qualities. All I know is you were the one who brought the man's body to the doctor making him lie about the cause of death. I would just keep quiet and obey my orders if you wish to have a blissful ending to your pathetic life."