"No, this can't be true!" Seraphine cried out uncontrollably, her distress palpable. Andros looked at her with a calm steadiness and said, "I wish it weren't true either, but rangers have been known to act this way, placing personal loyalties above all else."
He glanced at Morven, seeking confirmation from the adventurer who returned his gaze silently, offering no response to the commander's assertion.
"Regardless, we must find Grayson to uncover the truth." Andros stood and probed Duglas, "Which way did they go?"
The deputy commander pointed towards the west side of the thicket. "That way, with the girl in the silver-white dress."
"Take the deceased back to the Mage Tower, and the rest of you, come with me. We must catch up to Grayson!" At Andros's command, the knights mobilized, pursuing Grayson and Katheren's trail.
They arrived shortly at the deep ravine. Andros and his men peered over the edge into the silent gorge. No footprints deviated from the path; they emanated only from a vine twisted into a rope, secured around a tree trunk, and extending down the cliff.
Peering below, Andros saw disordered footprints at the base of the vine, leading up to the boulder where the robed man had fallen. However, there was no body to be found.
"Send someone down there to check!" Andros instructed, and Duglas promptly descended on a griffin with several knights.
Unbeknownst to Andros, as he led his men through the woods, Grayson sat in a concealed burrow beside the path, rubbing his bruised neck, beside the equally dazed Katheren.
"I'm sorry, I..." Katheren began, her lips quivering with unease.
Grayson silently looked up at the narrow hole above them, knowing that climbing out would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
"Now you see the downside of having a clumsy girl around," Elyra quipped as she landed on Katheren's head, delighting in the moment.
Grayson turned to Katheren, who looked down in embarrassment, regretting her slip that had caught him off guard.
"Don't worry about it; everyone has their moments. Besides, you've done quite well!" Grayson reassured her, standing up and looking back into the dark tunnel. "Actually, we're quite lucky. At least there's a way forward."
"You're not a Lone Wolf, you're a skirt-chaser!" Elyra accused playfully, hopping on Katheren's head. "Playing favorites with pretty girls, no sense of right or wrong, just unfair treatment!"
"You're right, my precious little one, that's why you get away with so much mischief," Grayson returned the jest with a smile, blowing a kiss towards Katheren and Elyra.
Katheren blushed, though she told herself the kiss was meant for the bird, the softness in Grayson's eyes still warmed her cheeks.
"Hey, don't flatter yourself; that kiss was for the pretty bird, silly girl!"
Elyra smacked Katheren's head with her wing before flying off to perch on Grayson's shoulder.
"Don't think sweet talk will silence me," Elyra said proudly, "I'm too sharp for that!" After gulping down the offered food, she continued, "I just won't stoop to arguing with a fool!"
"Of course, you're always right, my little princess of the woods." Grayson turned to Katheren, beckoning her to follow as he headed into the dark tunnel.
"Our situation couldn't be better. Not only did we fail to catch the true culprit, but we've also become suspects and fallen into this unknown tunnel," Grayson said sardonically.
"What do we do now?" Katheren asked, trailing behind him.
"Let things take their course," Grayson reassured her confidently, "Don't be afraid. I've faced far worse than the Silver Dragon Wing knights."
"Mr. Grayson, why do we run? Why not turn over the body to the knights? It would clear our names and allow us to join their pursuit of the robed men," Katheren asked with a hint of hesitation.
"Murder accusations are trivial in my case," Grayson answered nonchalantly as he surveyed the root-entwined walls. "I'm already wanted. I seek no absolution and have no desire to work with the knights. Independent action clears my mind and avoids unnecessary distractions."
"Distractions? Are you worried they'll hinder us?" she asked, puzzled.
"Don't tell me you've lost your wits after that fall? He's suggesting the knights, the Mage Tower, and the robed villains might be colluding!" Elyra interjected from atop Grayson's hat.
"Maybe it's time for your next meal," Grayson said, feeding Elyra another piece of magical ration as a means to quiet her protests.
Elyra defiantly pecked at the food, "Don't think a bribe will silence my keen observations!"
As Elyra busied herself with the rations, Grayson turned to Katheren. "Elyra isn't entirely wrong; there are traitors among the merfolk and the Mage Tower. And it's possible the same is true for Andros's knights."
He paused, adding, "Otherwise, why would the knights conveniently appear just as we examined Alyssia's body? And isn't it a coincidence that their white capes and the white fluff found under Alyssia's nails are so similar?"
"You suspect a knight killed Alyssia?" Katheren asked, shocked.
Grayson nodded slightly. "It's a possibility, but without evidence, we can't accuse anyone. The best course of action is to hide and watch. Perhaps we'll find more definitive proof."
"You truly think ahead!" Katheren admired him with a smile.
"He's nothing but cunning, full of schemes, an old fox..." Elyra began, before Grayson stuffed more food into her beak, "Food won't stop this little troublemaker's mouth!"
Katheren laughed quietly at the exchange when suddenly, a guttural roar echoed from within the depths of the cave, her smile freezing instantly.
"What was that?" she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.