In the dimly lit dungeon, the captured assassin sat bound to a chair, his black attire blending with the shadows. Before him stood Kain, Catherine, and Marcus, intent on extracting the truth.
Catherine set her tools aside and waited as Marcus began his interrogation.
"Let's see," Marcus mused. "Which noble families in the northwest would employ an assassin like you? The Mortes? The Olds? Or the Chasches?"
Each name he listed held ties to the Osoth people, either as noble families of Osoth descent or allies of their kind. The assassin kept his head bowed, refusing to acknowledge the guesses.
Catherine, irritated by his defiance, grabbed his hair and yanked his face upward. "Didn't you hear Marcus speaking? Show some respect, boy."
The assassin glared at them, his expression cold and indifferent. Catherine raised her tools, her impatience evident.
Before she could act, Kain spoke: "Manweidor County."
The assassin froze. His body stiffened, and his pupils dilated in shock.
"I see," Kain continued, nodding to himself. "That confirms it. Jess," he said, addressing the butler waiting outside the cell, "find out which individuals in Manweidor County have connections to our family."
"Yes, my lord," Jess replied, promptly leaving to carry out the order.
"Wait," the assassin suddenly said, breaking his silence.
Kain turned to face him. "You have something to say?"
"Give me a quick death," the assassin requested, his voice steady.
"That depends," Kain replied. "What you tell me must be worth it."
The assassin took a deep breath. "I, Joelson Becks, swear on the honor of the Becks family that everything I say from this moment forward will be true."
The weight of his words was not lost on the group. A noble's oath, sworn on their family name, was sacred and unbreakable.
"And I ask you, Baron Kain, to swear not to harm my family," Joelson added.
"Your family?" Kain questioned.
"My family consists only of the old, the weak, and my younger sister," Joelson explained. "They know nothing of my actions."
After a moment's contemplation, Kain raised his hand. "I, Kain Gerald, swear on the honor of the Gerald family not to harm the Becks family."
"Thank you, Baron," Joelson said, his tone grateful.
"Now speak," Kain commanded.
"The Knightly Territory of Venlay," Joelson revealed.
Kain's brow furrowed. "Venlay? That's part of Manweidor County, ruled by their knight commander. I know who you mean."
"It seems the truth surprises you, Baron," Joelson remarked.
With a sigh, Kain ordered, "Catherine, give him the swift death he asked for."
"Yes, my lord," Catherine replied, taking a dagger from Marcus.
Before acting, she asked Joelson, "Any last words?"
Joelson straightened himself in the chair, locking eyes with Kain. "Keep your word, Baron."
Kain met his gaze unflinchingly. "I will."
Catherine swiftly plunged the dagger into Joelson's heart. He died without a struggle, his body going limp as blood trickled from his lips.
"Jess, take care of the body," Kain instructed.
"Yes, my lord," Jess answered.
Turning to his two loyal companions, Kain said, "You've done well tonight. Rest, and we'll reconvene in the morning."
As the night waned, Kain sat by the fire in his chambers, lost in thought.
With the morning sun rising over the estate, the castle returned to its usual rhythm. The cooks prepared meals, maids tidied rooms, and soldiers trained in the courtyard. Yet Kain remained contemplative, mulling over his next move.
Gathering Marcus and Catherine in his study, he spread out a map and pointed to Venlay.
"What are your thoughts on this territory?" Kain asked.
Marcus spoke carefully. "Venlay's forces are well-trained, and its leader, Knight Commander Horst, is formidable—your uncle, I believe."
"Yes," Kain acknowledged. "Uncle Horst, the kind and trustworthy family member who turned out to be scheming for control of my barony."
He continued, his tone laced with irony. "If I had died, the inheritance would have passed to him. He'd fabricate a convenient scapegoat for my death and take over seamlessly."
Catherine, sensing his anger, leaned forward. "What's the plan, my lord?"
Marcus interjected with caution. "Horst's forces rival ours in strength, and he's a second-tier knight. We can't defeat him head-on."
"Exactly," Kain agreed. "But we won't let him act unchecked. Horst may be family by name, but he's chosen to make himself an enemy. That's how we'll treat him."
Determined, the trio began to strategize, laying the groundwork for the confrontation that lay ahead.