"Edmund, are you coming?"
Vrag looked at Edmund who is standing still at the gate. The day has turn to night and they just have arrived at their destination. Edmund stared at the two storey house in front of him. The house has small yard in front with some roses bushes.
The house is one of the houses that Vrag built for himself. He usually use them when he want to be away from the Palace and do his regular checks. It look like a simple residences, it didn't attract attention. Edmund can understand why Vrag hid Marley here.
"Ah... Yes."
Edmund hesitated. He has been wasting years searching for Marley. He should be delighted when he can see his dear mentor but knowing that he has betrayed Arethea and helped Vrag, Edmund is having a mixed feelings now.
"Old man, I'm back!" Silva opened the door in loud voice. "Old man??" Silva addressed Marley so casually, she didn't see Marley in the middle room where they usually dine.
"Silva, he might be sleeping already... Keep your voice down."
"He never sleep early. Maybe he is in the work room."
Silva went to the inner part of the house and knock one of the door before she let herself in and vanished from their sight. Edmund stunned with the familiarity between this new girl and Marley but they have been living here for maybe at least half a year together.
Vrag sighed seeing how Silva behaved. "She is always loud." His attention go to Edmund. "Are you alright?"
"I don't know."
The two soldiers have seated themselves and pour glasses of ale.
"Are they living here by the two of them only?"
"They have two maids that taking care of them. I sent provision here periodically to keep them well fed."
"I see..."
"Silva didn't have a father so she enjoy his company."
Silva then come out from the door where she has entered a while ago.
"You can see him, Ed. Go in." Silva smiled.
"Thank you."
Edmund felt a pat on his shoulder as Vrag gave him the encouragement to go. He walked and stopped in front of the door. He hesitated a bit but give a knock on the door.
"Come in..."
Edmund can hear the familiar voice. He take a deep breath and push the door open.
He saw the figure standing with his back on him. He is wearing white shirt and brown pants. The oil lamp on the table give a shade on his brown hair that whiten. Edmund can see many scribbles and papers all over the room. The same memories he has of Marley's research place.
"Marley?"
The figure turned slowly and Edmund can see the familiar face he has been searching for. Marley's blue eyes also filled with many emotions as he saw Edmund standing there.
"My Prince..."
"I have been searching..."
Before Edmund finished his sentence Marley kneeled down.
"Forgive me, Your Highness...forgive me for what I have done..."
"Wha...Marley stand up... " Edmund is not comfortable to see his mentor kneeling.
"Give me time until the war is stopped...after that you can bring the judgement on me."
"Marley...please...I'm here for an explanation not punishing you."
Marley and Edmund now look at each other. From closer range Edmund can see the wrinkles on his face. He look older than what he remembered. He had his hard times but Edmund knew his master will never show even if he's struggling.
"Let's take a seat..."
Edmund and Marley seated themselves at the small table in the middle of the room. Both of them sit in silence.
"I'm not sure where to start, My Prince..."
"I want explanation on Judecca research papers...and how you have a deal with Slothian Prince." Edmund's face turn hard, he will hear the truth from his mouth.
"Ah...of course...I should be hanged for those research..."
"Marley, I don't blame you. Is it true? Are my father and brothers aware and approved of that?"
"...I'm at fault too, Your Highness..."
"But you are running away..."
"I have to...I can't do that for war...My research is for medication purpose!"
Marley has clenched his fist. He then take a deep breath.
"Who would have guessed the research has been extended to military...but I should have seen it coming. We are at war...those stupid students of mine wanted the rewards..."
"So they cooperate with the military to make the soldiers?"
"It's just an experiment in the beginning...it's started with a guy who brought his son to me. He lost his wife and his son is still so attached with his mother. His son has developed a weird habit of staring at his deceased mother's necklace. It seems he used to play with the necklace. We found out certain movement makes the boy fixated on the necklace."
"What is this sorcery?"
"There is no sorcery, My Prince. It's all in the human mind. You have read my papers I assume?"
"Yes, Vrag has shown them to me."
"You see... Human mind have different parts...it's kinda fascinating and you apparently can give them suggestions on how to behave..."
Marley never changed, when he talk about his research he is always so immersed in it. Edmund can't think of him as the bad person. His motivation is not ill intentions at all.
"Basically human have instincts, like animals. My initial research is to help people..." Marley suddenly stop. "But it seems my curiosity has get me to the wrong path..."
"Marley..."
"When we experimented on human instincts and trying to reduce a fearful mind, it didn't really have significant effects on adults. The children on the contrary..."
"Easier to manipulate?" Edmund continue his sentence.
"You have read my papers well."
"You suspect them are still in developing stage and that's why the results are so different."
"But never I imagine they will use the method to build soldiers with children...Judecca is the example of what goes wrong."
"Judecca?"
The city where Vrag's army is said to massacre the children. Until he read Marley's research papers that they use Judecca's orphans to conduct the experiments.
"What did actually happen there? I only know they conducted experiments on children from your papers."
"You will have to ask Prince Vrag about that. What I know is the experiments should have failed results because they are out of control."
"Out of control?"
"The children just went berserk from what I can conclude from Vrag's story...you may ask him but..."
Marley seems hesitated. It seems he can't understand why the children went berserk.
"It's getting late. Should we continue the talk tomorrow?"
Edmund suggested. He can not shake the feeling that something big happened in Judecca. Juwan and Marley didn't say anything though.
"Sure, Prince. The journey here is long. You should rest."
Edmund opened the door and Vrag is standing by the side of the door, his back lean on the wall. He is obviously listening to their conversation, but of course it is expected.
"Silva will show you the room. I will have to talk to Marley."
"Sure." Edmund look at Silva that is seated on the dining room talking to the other two soldiers.
Vrag tapped him by the shoulder "Good night." he then enter the room.
Silva noticed Edmund and stand up. "I will show you the room. Follow me!" She is so cheerful that Edmund can't help but follow her energy and smile.
"Thank you."
Silva brought him to a room with two beds.
"This is the guest room. You will stay with Vrag here."
"Oh?" Edmund didn't expect that.
"Do you want to take a bath before sleep? The bathroom is over there."
Silva pointed to a door. Edmund didn't answer.
"Are you all right, Ed? You look distracted."
"Oh...I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"Well...if you say so..." Silva shrugged her shoulder.
"Good night, Ed." Silva turned at the door before she left the room.
"Thank you and good night, Silva."
The sound of the door being closed but no locking sound. Edmund is contemplating on what he has heard from Marley.
Edmund decided to get the cold bath and changed to his sleepwear. He didn't realize that he is actually tired and fall asleep soon. It's his first time outside his confinement.
Vrag came in the middle of the night and saw that Edmund has fall asleep. He took his bath and proceed to other empty bed. He then opened a ruby jeweled bottle and drop few drops of the content to his pillow. He can smell the pleasant rose oil. This will calm him down during his sleep but actually he prefer Zils to sleep beside him.