Nearing dawn, Dorn arrived at the rented abode that he shares with Ka-el and Tobias. After washing up, he immediately geared towards his own room. He threw a forlorn glance at the room of Ka-el.
Ka-el has recently become different. He tried to reason out that maybe it's because he's tired or is busy that he's not as bright as before. His conversations with him became short. It seems that… Ka-el became cold.
Dorn let out a sigh and entered his room.
Later that morning, Dorn tried to wake up and prepared himself to go to the Investigation Bureau. He checked on Ka-el's room and saw that he wasn't there. Well, it was already late, he might have already gone to the bureau. As he rushed towards the door, he glanced at the dining room and he saw plates of food covered with cloth laid on the table.
Ka-el must have bought some food. Well, in the years that they've been together, Ka-el gave up on trying to cook. He's been terrible, that's why Dorn was in charge of cooking. And when Dorn is not around, Ka-el would buy food outside.
Dorn approached the table and lifted the cloth. He saw a piece of paper and written on it are words saying that the food is for him.
Dorn let out a smile and took his time to finish that food.
When he arrived at the bureau, he immediately went towards their office.
"Ka-el, we need to talk," Dorn said as he closed the door.
"What is it?" Ka-el asked and stood up in full attention, alarmed by how Dorn locked the door.
Dorn went closer to Ka-el.
"While re-tracking the clues that we have on those thugs who attacked Aspirant Moraii, I saw Commander Osiros going up the mountain. I followed him and there I found those thugs-"
"Then, we should hustle to get them," he said in his adrenaline-induced voice.
"We can't."
"Why?"
"Commander Osiros knew them. I went to Captain Karsh yesterday and he said that we should investigate more in order to find things that might incriminate the Commander. Then, we can finally get them."
"Oh," Ka-el uttered as he sat down.
"Are you done with all your cases? Let's get to that mountain."
"I'm good. Then, let's go."
Dorn then led Ka-el to that same mountain. As they climbed that rugged mountain, Dorn noticed that Ka-el had become unusually silent. He's usually chattery, everywhere and any time.
"Ka-el…" Dorn started.
In return, Ka-el was startled to hear his first name from Dorn. It seems like he's going to talk about something serious.
"Yes?"
"How are you these past days? Are you doing well?"
"Yes. Why?"
"You've become different."
"No, I didn't. I'm still the same."
"You're not. Do you have any problems that are bothering you? If you don't mind, you can share it with me."
"It's fine. I don't have any problems right now."
"Then, why have you changed?"
"Isn't it normal that people change?"
"Well, it's inevitable…" Dorn agreed and paused for a while and continued, "Well, you're usually this person who chatters nonstop and who can't keep still. You've been so bright that it's blinding.I may have read it differently…but, you've become cold."
"Huh? What do you mean? I'm still the same chattery guy."
"..but not to me. It's because we rarely have any long conversations and you smile and laugh less. It's just that…it doesn't feel like you," he said in a low voice and then added, "Or do you have any problems with me?"
"Problems? Ha-ha. You're my friend. Why would I have problems with you?" Ka-el replied as he let out an awkward chuckle.
Dorn stopped walking and turned back, facing the stunned Ka-el. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it to Ka-el who also unsheathed his sword and pointed at him in return.
"You are lying," Dorn said firmly, "You really do have problems with me."
"THAT'S RIGHT! I AM UNABLE TO SLEEP FOR MANY NIGHTS BECAUSE OF HAVING A TRAITOR AS A FRIEND!!!-" Ka-el revealed in the heat of the conversation, unable to stop himself, his emotions.
"Traitor?" Dorn asked, full of curiosity and confusion as he lowered his sword.
"Yes. I'm conflicted whether to just slay you or turn a blind eye," Ka-el said in frustration as he also lowered his sword.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what you did. You know what you have been doing. I saw it with my own eyes."
Upon realization, Dorn trembled and fear showed on his ever serious face.
"You saw it? When?"
"The middle of the month. I already told Tobias."
Dorn collapsed on the ground as he was covered with cold sweat.
"I've been thinking of reasons why. Why would you betray your land? Why would you betray us?" Ka-el said and then he proceeded to walk by Dorn who looked really helpless on the ground.
As Ka-el walked past Dorn, the latter immediately held Ka-el's arm in a firm grip.
"I…I am unable to disclose it now. But I promise that I won't let any harm come your way. Please, just until I find my real father."
"Real father? I thought that he…he has gone to the other world."
"He might be."
"Okay. We'll wait but I hope it won't be too late," Ka-el finally said after contemplating about it for a while.
As soon as Ka-el responded, they heard some chattering voices. Ka-el immediately pulled Dorn to a nearby bush. They hid there as they peeked in between the leaves of that bush.
"It's them," Dorn whispered, and then pointed at the person leading the group, "He is the leader."
"They are so well-built and…scary."
"Come, let's follow them."
Ka-el and Dorn silently followed the group until they arrived at their camp. They then waited for the camp to be silent before they entered. Luckily, the moon was so bright that night that they wouldn't need to light a fire. They carefully trudged around the wooden abode full of snoring thugs. They looked around with focused eyes.
There were no postings on the wall and there were no documents secured in the cabinets. Then they came into a hidden container on the wall. When they opened it, it showed sketches of families. There were quite a lot.
"What are these?" Ka-el whispered.
Dorn reached one of the sketches. He saw the signature of the one who sketched it. It read "Dong Axukixi".
Dorn's world stopped as soon as he saw that name.
"What are you doing? It's late in the night-" a coarse and half-sleepy voice said and abruptly stopped when he realized that he didn't know them. He roared, "WAKE UP! WE HAVE INTRUDERS!!!"
The thugs started to wake up one by one and tried to grab their weapons. Dorn and Ka-el threw some punches and kicks on the half-awake thugs in order to get away from them. The thugs started to chase after them.
Suddenly, Dorn grabbed Ka-el and they rolled downhill away from the path. They then hid behind an enormous rock.
They let out a hearty chuckle when the footsteps and voices of those who were chasing them fade out. They then moved out of their hiding place and went down the mountain.
They decided to have a drink at the first tavern that they saw. They were heartily drinking when a pair of Amethyst Investigators came and sat at the table near them.
"Good evening, uncle!" They greeted the tavern owner.
"Good evening, what brought you here so late?" he asked. It seemed that he knew them very well.
"Well, we have another missing case again. We are currently tracking clues."
"I heard that you have a lot of missing cases in the South."
"It's just recently that it spiked up. This recent one is a brother of one of our fellow defenders."
"What is happening in this world?"
"RIght uncle. It's been peaceful and now, we are having cases like these."
"You should solve that as soon as possible or else the public will feel unsafe."
"Yes, uncle. I hope we find our needed clues soon."
"So, what would you like to have?"
"The same ones, Uncle."
"Okay then."
"It seems that the Amethyst investigators are busy," Ka-el commented.
"Mm."
"I hope I won't get to investigate a missing case involving you or Tobias," Ka-el unconsciously uttered, maybe brought about by the liquor.
"We wouldn't get to that point."
"Huh?"
"The Amethysts will be able to solve that thus the missing cases will stop."
"Mm. I hope so."
XXX
Karlos and his fellows scoured the whole mountain but they couldn't find the intruders.
"We need to move," he said in rage as they returned to their camp, empty handed. He went to check the sketches on the wall storage and was relieved when nothing was missing.
"Who might they be? Only the Commander knows where we are," one of the thugs said.
"They might be from the Investigation Bureau. Anyway, it doesn't matter who they are. Let's just get moving," Karlos instructed.
If they won't move now, those intruders might come back.
Think about bad luck.
Early in the morning, the group were already ready to move. One of them went to get Karlos who's currently paying his last visit to the grave of his brother.
"I am sorry brother, I am going to leave you here all alone. But don't worry, I'll come and visit you from time to time. See you again," he finally said as he went to join his fellows as they started to go down the mountain.
XXX
Dorn is quickly approaching the Everlasting Tea Shop when he sees a lady in a steed, galloping after three men. He also saw the owner of the shop running after them, shouting, "You bastard! Give me my money!!!"
That lady used her steed to block the three thieves who were trying to run away. She tried to gallop after them and did it successfully. They were on the ground trying to avoid the steed's hooves.
That lady got down.
Aspirant Grasi. Dorn muttered.
"You good for nothings! You're so bulky but you tried to rob off someone who is living diligently," she said as she tried to take away the purses that they secured in their own pockets.
One of the thieves realized that she got down from the steed, he then tried to look for a rock to injure her. Before he could do that, a scabbard hit his hand so hard that it seemed like his bones were broken.
"ARGGGHHH!"
The other thieves were also alarmed when they saw a bloody cloaks defender standing in front of them. His monolid eyes were lit with fury. In a jiffy, he hit their hands with his scabbard, making them shout in pain.
"Return all the money that you stole or else—"
"Yes, sir. Yes, sir," they said and they tried to fetch all the purses from their pockets and laid it in front of that defender.
"Leave!" he ordered them, making them trip as they hastily ran away.
That defender then glanced at the lady who was staring at him.
"That must have hurt a lot," she said referring to how the thieves were hurt with the scabbard, "You sure are friends with Captain Karsh, Sir Allegros."
"Mm. Are you okay?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You should always remember to have eyes on your back. That rock could have hurt your head so badly if I was a second late," he scolded her.
Before she could answer, the owner of the tea shop arrived.
"Thank you very much for helping me. Thank you, Dorn dear," she said and then turned towards the lady and asked her name.
"Karisha Grasi, ma'am."
"Just call me, Auntie. Come to my tea house, I'll give you a treat," the owner said as she gathered the purses that were laid on the ground.
Karisha and Dorn helped her. They then went to the tea shop.
"Oh, so you are the one whom Dorn stood up weeks ago?" the owner said as she laid down two cups of tea and a plate of sweets on the table.
"Ah, I guess, Auntie," Karisha replied.
"Did he already apologize?"
"Ah. Yes, auntie."
"Hmm. I hope you forgive him, he has also been waiting for you till evening last week."
Karisha wasn't able to reply and glanced at Dorn.
"Okay, okay. I must be interrupting you two. Just call for me if you need anything," the owner said and left the table.
That morning, Dorn taught Karisha a few more techniques to play complicated melodies.
"That's it for now. You are doing great."
"Thank you, Sir. By the way sir, the owner seemed to know you…"
"Mm. I'm a regular here. If I have something in my mind, I usually come here. It's calming," Dorn said as he gazed at the trees around them. They are actually at the veranda of the tea shop, facing the surrounding fringe trees.
"It's really calming, sir. By the way sir, the person you asked last time…does he have a case?"
Dorn froze as soon as he heard it.
"Ah. No but he is involved in one. That was a long time ago though…so you can forget that I asked about him."
"It's alright sir, but do you know where he is now? He left our town 4 years ago and didn't come back."
"Unfortunately, I can't find him."
"Mm. But sir, why did you ask me about him? There is no obvious link between me and him."
"Ah. The case that I was talking about was about your Uncle Horus…"
Karisha was stunned as soon as she heard that name. That was the name of her uncle who died years ago when she's just five years old. The cause was a heart attack due to the dangerous intake of the food he's allergic to. However, her family doesn't believe it. More so, his best friend, Dong Axukixi-a Hanatudian. This was a known story inside their family.
However the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence. Her family and Uncle Dong lived in frustration. As Dong lives with them, she naturally grew close with him. He was so kind to her and he would love to paint her and her family. She even learned his language-the Hanatudian.
"I'm sorry," Dorn immediately apologized, "We were trying to re-investigate it and I came across your family. However, they kept silent about it. And that's where I saw your family portrait. Thus, I figured that you might know about him. It's just recently that I realized that you are a member of that family."
"Mm," Karisha forcefully smiled and tried to change the topic, "I guess you already saw my mother, sir."
"Yes. She is indeed someone who would love and care for you the most."
"I am glad that you agree, Sir."
And the awkward silence came again.
"C-can I ask something?" Dorn hesitantly asked.
"What is it sir?"
"What if…what if you have a big secret- a not so pleasant big secret, and your friends found out a part of it; will you reveal it all to them or would you rather keep it hidden?"
"Mm. First of all, they are my friends and I trust them. So, if ever I'm in that situation sir, I think I would just reveal it all to them."
"What if they will condemn you afterwards?"
"Then that secret must be really unpleasant. But you know sir, in the end, you are still their friend. So, if they condemn you, sometimes it means that they care about you, thus you should make it right."
"Mm."
XXX
One time, Tobias went to the Capital...
"What's the development of our case? Did you find anything interesting?" Tobias asked his friends. He has visited the bureau again to follow up on the case.
"We went to their camp and found nothing but sketches of families," Ka-el answered.
"Sketches? No documents or whatsoever?"
"It's very clean Captain," Dorn answered.
"They might have hidden it somewhere."
"It's possible, Captain. However, we might have to search for them once again. We were caught when we invaded their camp last time. When we went back, they were already gone."
"Then, we're back to Commander Osiros once again."
The room fell silent. Tobias gazed at his friends and noticed that they seemed uncomfortable and they were conscious of something.
"Do you have anything to tell me?" Tobias asked.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Ka-el asked with a nervous chuckle.
"Dorn kept avoiding my gaze and you, Ka-el, can't seem to be still. You keep fidgeting in your seat. Tell me straight, what is it? Do I need to unsheathe my sword?"
"Uh…." Ka-el started and glanced at Dorn.
"I am sorry Captain," Dorn said and lowered his head.
"For what?"
"The one that I told you when I visited you at the Training Camp," Ka-el said and continued, "He confronted me why I started to treat him indifferently. Well, it's reasonable. How can I keep my usual self with him when I know what he did? So…"
"So?"
"I told him that we know what he did."
Tobias harshly sighed.
"So, tell me Dorn, what do you plan to do with it?"
"Give me a little more time, I will tell you about it. But believe me, I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you nor to Ka-el," he said in a fast-paced voice.
Tobias stared at him for several minutes before concluding his thoughts.
It must be something difficult to open up as he can see the struggles in Dorn's eyes. His heart really seemed to be troubled and his mind unsettled.
"Come on Tobias. Just until he finds his real father…"Ka-el persuaded Tobias.
"Real father?...I thought, he's gone."
"Well, recently, I found out that there's a chance that I might be alive as well."
"Then, I will take your word for it. But, you should hurry. And I hope that you won't do more."
"I will try my best, Captain."
"Honestly, I don't really care what will happen to this land, I wouldn't even care if you betray this land. But, that was before. Now, I have people to keep safe. So, I hope that I won't have to slay you in order to do that."
"Tobias! That's not what you said before. You said that you wouldn't let anything bad happen to me or to Dorn," Ka-el exclaimed in fear.
"Mm. I won't go back on my words. So Dorn…if there's anything…we are here."
If you're threatened to do that. If you are in a bind. Do not fear and come to us. We will protect you till the end.
Dorn sweetly smiled.
"Okay, okay. You said it! Let's go!" Ka-el heartily said.
"Where?" Tobias asked.
"I don't want this kind of tension, so let's go out," he said as he started to walk towards the door. Tobias and Dorn can only follow him, confused.
XXX
As soon as Ka-el stepped in the marketplace, he beamed with joy.
"Mm. Now that all my worries are gone, how come the air is so fresh and sweet today?!" Ka-el exclaimed as he glided in the streets and turned around gracefully for so many times that people started to stare at him.
"What's wrong with him? How can I be friends with him?" Tobias asked himself, harshly sighing in embarrassment.
He then unconsciously looked at the people around them and was quite taken aback. It seemed like they were glowing, there were a lot of couples walking around and it seemed that the market had an oversupply of flowers.
The feeling is somewhat pleasing and…sweet.
"Dorn, can you feel it?"
"What about it, Captain?"
"This strange, pleasing and sweet feeling."
"Huh?"
"Look around. Feel it."
Dorn did it as he is told.
"Oh. I can feel it, Captain. What is going on?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Ka-el chimed in as he went back to get his friends when he realized that they are left far behind.
"This pleasing and sweet feeling. Can you feel it?" Dorn asked.
"Ahh. I thought you felt nothing at all."
"You know about it? What is it?" Tobias asked.
Ka-el harshly sighed in disappointment, "You both are hopeless. Well, it's the love month so everything seemed pleasant and sweet."
"Huh? What kind of explanation is that?" Tobias asked.
"Because the air is filled with love that's why it's sweet!" Ka-el yelled at them and muttered, "You romance-ignorant persons. So much for being intellectuals."
"Huh?!" Tobias and Dorn exclaimed, squinting their eyes as they tried to grasp the explanation.
"Can you see all those flowers? Can you see all those couples? Can you see all of those people with eyes full of love? That's what love month is."
"Okay," Tobias said, seemingly accepting Ka-el's explanation, "So, tell us more about this love month?"
As soon as he asked that question, Ka-el and Dorn stared at him in disbelief and confusion. They never imagined that he would ask such a question.
"What?" Tobias can only ask.
"Uh. Nothing. Well, love month is…all about love. It's where people become more romantic with their significant others and even to their families. Men and women usually buy flowers and gifts for their loved ones to express their love and care for them. Also, confessions happen a lot in this month since it seemed way more romantic."
"Oh."
"Tell me straight, Tobias. Why did you suddenly become interested in this topic again? Have you already fallen for someone?"
"Mm. You can say it that way."
"HUH?!" Dorn and Ka-el exclaimed.
Tobias just winked at them and walked away.
Dorn and Ka-el stared at them in disbelief.
"Hey! Tobias! Who is it?! Do we know that person? TELLLL USSS!!!" Ka-el yelled as he ran to catch Tobias who also ran away, leaving his friends towards the Training camp.
Have I really fallen in love? Tobias asked himself as he rode back towards the Training camp. Sol's nonchalant face that suddenly warmed as she smiled beamed before his eyes. Tobias foolishly chuckled.
I must really have.
XXX
With the burning desire to find the truth about his father, Dorn continued seeking for him. He tried to visit numerous art shops but he couldn't find anything that was painted by the name 'Dong Axukixi'.
He lifelessly sat down on the wooden bench near the Butterfly Arts Shop. He watched as the couples hustled around. It is the day of love.
"Young man, here," an elderly man said and offered a plate of sticky rice to him.
"Ah…pardon Sir?" Dorn said as he stared at the elderly man. His orange hair started paling because of age and he has this defining mole on his philtrum.
"I noticed that hope seemed to have left you. You are in daze as you helplessly sat on this wooden bench. And during these times, all you need to do is eat something sweet so you can continue to hope again," the elderly man said and sat down beside him.
"Oh, I don't really eat sweets sir, but I'll try," Dorn said, smiling as he took a bite of that sticky rice.
"How is it?"
"Delicious, sir."
"You can tell me your worries, young man. Don't worry, this old man won't let it out."
"Oh.I…"
"Just pretend you're talking to the air, young man."
Dorn took another bite of the sticky rice.
"I am looking for someone, Sir but no matter how I try, I can't seem to find him."
"That's quite difficult, young man."
"Yes, sir."
"Hang in there. That someone might just be around. That person might be also looking for you or that person might not be ready to show himself in front of you – that is why you can't seem to find him."
"You think so, Sir?"
"Mm. Though, it's very difficult to find someone but you know, you will eventually find them, it might be now but maybe in the future."
"Then, I guess that I might meet him in the future, sir."
"Mm. That's right, young man. Do you want more sticky rice?" the elderly man asked when he noticed that Dorn had finished them all.
"No, it's okay sir. Thank you so much. I think I'll be on my way now."
"Oh, you must be busy, young man."
"Yes, sir. Actually, I work at the investigation bureau and I need to go to work now."
"Yes, you should. Go on."
"Thank you very much sir for talking to me. If I would like to see you again, where can I find you sir?"
"Ah. I work there at the shop that you just visited. The Butterfly Arts Shop."
"Then, what name should I say when I look for you?"
"Probitas. Just look for the man named Probitas. How about you, young man? May I know your name?"
"Ah. My name is Dorn Allegros, sir."
"Nice to meet you Dorn."
"It's been a pleasure to meet you as well, Sir Probitas."
The elderly man smiled and that cheerful smile faded as soon as Dorn left his sight. He harshly sighed and with the longing in his eyes, he entered the arts shop.