"Midnight. The moon will be at its highest when dawn approaches, at least that is what the legends say."
In a light chuckle Draven approached Thawne with steady steps. The breeze of the night was cold, and it proved perfect for a secret agenda. Riddled with bandages, Thawne tapped his temple cunningly.
"Looks like you got the message clearly. Well that wouldn't be surprising since you talk like an old man for a kid your age.", Woodlock sighed.
"So what is it you wanted to talk about at this dark hour? I hope this isn't just a prank for fun, since I take my time seriously.", Draven grinned.
Scanning the child from the head to feet, Thawne gasped at Ashwood's rude behavior. Although it held an ample amount of arrogance, it wasn't so bad for a noble.
*Look at this brat! Speaking to a thirty-year-old like trash. I want to break his jaws in for real this time. *
"As if, I came because I believe something lurks within the dark. Not just anything, but one of those you prided yourself to fight against to the end.", Thawne shrugged.
"A dreadmourn? " Draven stepped back in awe.
"Yes, although that's just a suspicion of mine. Haven't you thought about the awkward appearance of dreadmourns within the town, although we are miles away from the border and between two other cities.", Thawne replied.
"That is… No it can't be that there really is a dreadmourn. Our security is tight enough to detect any problems from the start.", Draven hesitated.
"Even if that was true, the infiltration rendered your defenses useless, Draven. Such a feat cannot simply be attained through brawn, since there should be a valid brain behind it."
"With that I suggest you keep an eye up for any weird movements. I sensed a dreadmourn earlier, but it wasn't really one. It felt like a human rather than a dreadmourn.", Woodlock briefed.
"Humanoid dreadmourns are far dangerous to go unnoticeable within the walls of the kingdom. There's no way that could be possible.", Draven rejected.
"Again, your hints are quite true. Nevertheless I don't think it's a humanoid dreadmourn, but rather an apostle.", Thawne glared.
Draven shook in fright as those words seeped through his ears. It was difficult to believe an apostle was within the Barony, however if there was a truth to it, that would better explain the recent rampage.
Like the name suggests, an apostle stands as an intermediary or rather a recipient. They are the humans who gave up on the will to live, and sided with the dreadmourns in request for power.
Although some were only interested in murder, others simply partook in an oath with the beasts due to lack of talent. Not all humans had the blessings of the gods bestowed upon them, and as a result they fell into depravity.
A further escalation of their deranged thinking moved them into forming bonds with the ranked dreadmourns and acted as apostles to the sentiment beasts.
It was understandable that Draven felt lost and confused after hearing this. Since if an apostle was within their midst, it would threaten their lives and that of the town.
However Ashwood had doubts, at least his fears kept denying him the truth. An intruder within the manor? Right under their noses when even his father couldn't detect it.
Holding on to the chair by his side, Draven pondered on the words of Thawne. Maybe it might just be a suspicion, but What if it was also true? As a battle strategist, he was obsessed with including all open options.
*Even if it's hard for me to believe, there's no profit from his words being a lie. Analyzing the situation, he would be in a fault rather than profiting if he was trying to lure me in.*
*And by the way he acts and reacts to events, Thawne doesn't seem like one who just plays around with words. If I would take him in as a personal guard, trusting him should be the least investment*, Draven pondered.
In a sigh of fatigue, Draven leaned against the chair and brushed his fingers through his dark hair. A smirk proceeded after, and with a nod he lifted his body up to leave.
"I will take what you said into consideration. Since all options might be a clue to the past rampage, at least that's what I believe.", Draven replied.
Clasp!
"Although you act bossy, I can trust you around the issues of dreadmourns. Since we both share a goal of completely eradicating them", Thawne smiled.
A handshake was the first step towards the deep bond the two lads would later share. With a common goal in mind, the two kids swore to put an end to the tragic existence of dreadmourns.
Dawn approached quickly, and that marked the fourth day since Thawne's arrival in the manor. The future heir of the barony sat in the royal library, devising ways and means of capturing the culprit.
In scratching his head from exhaustion, Draven leaned backwards and stared at the ceiling in thought. Just how was he supposed to find someone so silent and swift, it felt like an impossible task.
"Of all things Thawne would suggest from suspicion, it had to be an apostle. Ha, I feel like playing with kids my age grows impossible as the years go by."
Creak!!
"What are you thinking hardly on, young master? Its unlike you to fall into a deep trance.", a voice approached from behind.
Draven sharply turned, and in noticing the man who cared for him since birth he heaved a bright smile. Butler Timothy had been with the family for years, and as such he stood as Ashwood's helper.
"Ah, Tim. Sorry I was lost in thought for a moment, thanks for bringing me tea.", Draven smiled.
Tim placed the tray on the table and served in fashion. As a highly qualified butler of the Ashwood house, his actions felt noble and gentle like a calming storm.
In glancing through the table, Tim noticed the inscriptions on the piece of paper. However the topic on an apostle lurking within the manor caught him off-guard, and with a trembling hand the butler froze.
"Oh sorry, let me pick that up. Staining them would be a problem wouldn't it?", Draven glared.
*Isn't Butler Tim oddly, suspicious? *