Orabas and his host had moved quickly and could have arrived in Mefleiad by midnight, but his men were exhausted, and with the added concern of transporting prisoners, he thought it best to camp for the night. Now, Orabas was patrolling the encampment before getting some rest himself. He only had one last duty to attend to.

Perhaps they’ll be more talkative today.

When Orabas questioned his prisoners last night they were uncooperative, and he couldn’t resort to a more… forceful method with them, so he would try a different strategy tonight. He started with the wagon cage occupied by three guards taken prisoner including the blonde man who Orabas learned was named Isaac and was captain of House Owlking household guards. He was distantly related to House Owlking, a third cousin, and when Orabas checked inside his lower lip he found the same tattoo Cedric had. Three dots that made a triangle.

What's the significance of the tattoo? It can’t just be an obvious giveaway that marks someone of House Owlking as being involved with the drug trade, there has to be more to it.

“Isaac,” Orabas called out to the man.

“I’ve nothing to say to you, Sir,” Isaac responded sharply. “I’ll save my words for his majesty's Royal Court.”

Smart man.

“You would be wise to spare some words for me as well. I can spare more than words for you when this is all over.” Said Orabas.

Isaac snorted, and turned away from Orabas to lay on his blanket next to his companions. “I’m going to sleep. I want to look my best when you parade us to the citizens in Mefleiad on the morrow.”

“As you wish,” Orabas responded as he walked to the next cage.

Though it was pitch black, He could feel Isaacs’s glare as he passed him by to the cage with another three prisoners. Elijah, Noah, and Edith. Elijah was a boy less than eighteen years old and Solas’s apprentice. Noah was an older man in his sixties or older, another more closely related cousin, and a Master Alchemist as well. Edith was a middle-aged woman and Solas’s aunt on his mother Lady Elouise’s side. Noah was one of the people Cedric told Orabas and his unit about, and he indeed had the three-dotted triangle tattoo inside his lower lip marking him as someone important in Solas’s operation. When Orabas asked him about the tattoo last night he said it was just a common tattoo, but Orabas noted the alarm in Noah’s eyes when he stretched out his bottom lip to get a better look at it. The three prisoners were currently sleeping or pretending to sleep in Noah’s case, so he spoke with the unit who were guarding the cages first.

“You are relieved of your post. Inform Sir Harkens units that they are starting their shift earlier and then get some rest.” Orabas told the tired men.

“Sir w-” A young knight protested before Orabas cut him off.

“You’re sleeping on your feet. The prisoners haven’t given us any trouble, but it doesn’t mean we can lower our guard, now go.”

The young knight and his unit were reluctant but they left obediently. When they were gone Orabas turned his attention to Noah.

“You alchemist are often underestimated because you can’t wield a weapon as well as a soldier or possess power as great as a blessed, but I’ve seen what your concoctions and potions can do, and they can be far more deadly than a man with a sword or a blessing.”

Noah was breathing steadily still pretending to sleep. “The nyghtmare you and Solas created for example. Cedric told me that it was you who devised the formula and Solas only refined it. In just five years you have been responsible for more deaths than an average man can reap in a lifetime.”

Noah’s breathing came short at that, but he recovered and continued his facade. Orabas was using his blessing involuntarily, so he took off his thick gloves before they were burned beyond reparation and hung them on his belt.

“Tell me, Noah. Why did you devise the nyghtmare formula?” Orabas said cooling his bright red hands.

Noah licked his lips and for a moment it seemed like he was going to respond. The moment passed however when Sir Harken and his unit approached.

“Sir Orabas.” Sir Harken greeted politely. “I’ll take it from here.”

“Sir Harken, keep a close eye on that one.” Orabas gestured at Noah before moving on the last cages.

I can see it, Noah feels guilty. He will break even if Solas does not.

There were two cages Orabas had left to check on. One of the caged contained Lord Jeremiah Owlking and his wife Lady Elouise. They were huddled together in their blankets and sleeping as comfortably as one could sleep in a cage. After questioning them last night, Orabas determined that Cedric was being truthful. Neither Lord Jeremiah nor Lady Elouise had any knowledge of what their son had been doing for the past five years. Lord Jeremiah was a prideful boisterous man and when Orabas questioned him last night, his outrage at the insinuations Orabas made of his son and house was too genuine to come from a man with even a modicum of knowledge of what Solas had been up to. Lady Elouise on the other hand was a shrewd woman and made a convincing argument on why it was it was idiotic for House Owlking to be involved in the drug trade from a financial stance. From their conversation, Orabas thought it safe to assume she was one of the reasons House Owlking was as wealthy as it was. Yet for all her cleverness Solas was her blindspot. She had unwavering trust and love in her son, and was quick to make excuses for all the evidence Orabas laid out to her, she firmly believed Cedric was the mastermind behind the drug trade and allowed that if Solas had any involvement it was because Cedric manipulated him.

It's a mother's curse to only see the good in their children even if they prove otherwise.

Orabas suppressed the melancholy that threatened to arise from the depths of his emotions as he passed Lord Jerimaih and Lady Elouise’s cage and moved on to the last cage containing only Solas himself being guarded by Sir Richmel and his unit of five. Though Solas wasn’t blessed as far as Orabas knew, Solas was still a Master Alchemist and may have some surprises hidden that Orabas missed when he searched him.

“Get some rest. I will take a shift watching him.” Orabas told Sir Richmel

“Sir, we are up to the task.” Sir Rickmel said offended.

Orabas nodded. “Of that, I have no doubt. That is why you will rest and relieve me of my post in three hours. This is the most important task at the moment and I’m trusting you and your unit will be more than capable.”

Sir Rickmel seemed pleased by the praise and gave Orabas a short bow before leaving to rest with his unit.

Left alone with Solas, Orabas stood by silently. Though Solas was in a cage sitting with his legs sprawled out in front of him, and hands shackled, he had a carefree smile and looked eager to talk. When Orabas questioned Solas last night he was eerily cooperative, everything that came out of his mouth was a lie of course, but he had an answer for everything. Orabas had yet to get a good read on Solas, but there was one thing he was sure of. Solas was as prideful or perhaps more so than his father. So, Orabas stood by for about an hour without speaking a word before Solas finally decided to speak.

“Gods, you’re like a statue. I don’t think you’ve moved a muscle since you began guarding my cage, though in the dark it’s hard to see. You should provide a fire, your blessing is perfect for it.” Solas said amused.

Orabas didn’t respond and continued his silent vigil. After a moment of silence with nothing but nearby campfires crackling Solas spoke again. “Come now Sir Orabas have I not been cooperative? The least you could do is keep me company, I wish to know more about you and what led you to make such accusations against me and my house.”

Again, Orabas didn’t respond.

Solas sighed. “I don’t know if you truly have Cedric, but if you do, why would you believe him? Is it not more likely that he is casting the blame for his crimes on me? ”

Orabas judged that it was finally the right time to speak. “That is a possibility I am considering. Cedric is a smart one after all. He seems more than capable of setting you up as his scapegoat.”

Solas chuckled amused, but his words were thick with contempt. “If Cedric was captured by you, then he’s not all that smart is he?”

Orabas shrugged but didn’t respond. He knew Solas would speak again.

“I’m the heir to House Owlking. For what reason would I want to make and supply drugs? My mother could and likely has told you why that wouldn’t be in our best interest.”

“Your interest is in the blue powder of course,” Orabas said nonchalantly. Though he didn’t know its purpose he knew that it must be significant to Solas in some way.

Unfortunately, Solas didn’t have any noticeable reaction “Blue powder? I’m a Master Alchemist, and I’ve never heard of it.”

“Of course not,” Orabas replied

Solas sighed. “You’re not one for conversation tonight are you?”

“Get some rest Solas. You’ll have your fill of conversation in the coming days.”

“You’re not curious to speak to the person you believe you’ve been after for two years?” Asked Solas.

“You’re not particularly interesting.”

Solas bristled at that. “I’d throw those words back at you, but I have more dignity than that.”

Orabas yawned and turned away from Solas. “Save your dignity for tomorrow, it may save you from a death sentence.”

At least the Royal Courts death sentence.

*****

Orabas and his host made it were quick to move and made it back to Mefleiad in the morning where they were greeted at its gate by the Aegis of the Weyer Kingdom, Dantalian Weyer the younger brother of King Bell. He was at the head of a host of twenty men clad in shining plate armor, and the silver cloak of the Royal Protectorate clasped on their shoulders.

With Lord Dantalian here, I should take their appearance as a good sign.

“Greeting, Lord Dantalian,” Orabas said urging his horse forward. “can I assume you and the Royal Protectorate are here to lead us to the Royal Palace?”

“Sir Orabas.” Lord Dantalian greeted. “I am indeed here to lead you and your… prisoners to the Royal Palace.

Orabas understood his meaning, only he and his prisoners would be allowed into the Royal Palace. “I understand,” Orabas told him, then turned around to address his men. “Return to the barracks and report to Sir Vasago. Lord Dantalian and the Royal Protectorate will take charge of the prisoner from here on.”

“Yes, Sir!” They said in unison.

The Royal protectorate moved towards the caged prisoners as the Bastion Knights went inside the city. Orabas urged his horse forward as well and fell in besides Lord Dantallian as they made their way inside the city.

Lord Dantallion sighed and gave me Orabas a sideways glance. “You’ve made a mess of things, old friend.”

Orabas frowned. “I don’t see how. Sir Lance and Sir Vasago must have informed you of everything, and with Cedric testifying we have enough evidence to convict Solas.”

Lord Dantallion shook his head. “Cedric is dead.”

“What!” Orabas didn’t raise his voice or was taken aback often, but the news that Cedric was dead was too shocking. Even his horse was startled.

“He died before he even reached the Royal Palace. The physicians concluded that he succumbed to his injuries or an infection. He was beaten, and severely burned after all.” Said Lord Dantallian.

Impossible. I made sure not to give Cedric any life-threatening injuries, and he was cleaned and looked over by our physicians before being transported.

“Do you truly believe Cedric died because of the wounds I inflicted on him?” Orabas asked seriously.

“You did torture him. I do not believe it was on purpose, but… mistakes happen.” Lord Dantalian said sympathetically.

Orabas wasn’t foolish enough to believe he could make no mistakes, but Cedric's death was too convenient for his liking.

Is this why Solas was so confident? Did he know Cedric would die before he had a chance to testify against him?

“It’s unfortunate that Cedric is dead,” Orabas said unperturbed. “but we have gathered enough evidence that points to Solas as the mastermind behind the drug trade in Meflaied did we not? What of the hideouts that the Bastion Knights raided?”

Lord Dantalian nodded. “Cedric spoke truthfully about the hideouts in the city. Your men took prisoners from those hideouts that we questioned. However,” He paused for a moment as if he didn’t want to tell Orabas what he had to say.

“However.” Orabas urged.

“However, they all claim that they worked for Cedric. When we questioned them about Solas, they claimed that they didn’t know who he was nor that House Owlking was involved at all.”

“That’s to be expected. They were likely not told anything important, but the fact that Cedric was truthful about the hideouts gives credence to his claim that Solas was the mastermind, and with Master Rickert's suicide letter also accusing Solas we still have solid evidence against him.” Orabas said confidently.

I have Noah as well. I’ll break him when we reach the Royal Palace.

Lord Dantalian urged his horse closer to Orabas and spoke in a hushed whisper. “I’m the one that assigned you this task because I trust you, so know that I am with you, Orabas. However, it’s not me you have to convince. I’m just one of many in His Majesty’s court. I’ll warn you ahead of time that they are not happy by the way you handled this.”

That’s to be expected, the Royal Court thinks too highly of bloodlines and lineage. They couldn’t care less if Solas was guilty or not. Only that someone baseborn acted so brazenly and moved against a noble.

“And what does His Majesty King Bell think?” Orabas asked.

Lord Dantalian scoffed. “My brother will praise your boldness and hail you a hero if his Royal Court deems it so. Or he will condemn your actions and punish you for your insolence if his Royal court deems it so.”

Though Orabas had expected that he was still disappointed. It wasn’t spoken out loud, but most knew that King Bell was a weak king and that his Royal Court was the true power in the Weyer Kingdom. The decree given to Orabas to find the mastermind behind the drug trade was signed by King Bell, but it was truly Lord Dantalian that convinced the Royal Court to appoint him the assignment.

“Don’t look so grim, Orabas.” Lord Dantalian said with a hint of a smug smile. “I’ve grown quite influential since we last properly spoke, I’ll see to it that my brother’s Royal Court won't pose too much of an obstacle. ”

Orabas allowed himself a smile. “That’s reassuring. Can I see Cedric's body when we reach the Royal Palace? I would like to see for myself if I was truly the one responsible for his death.”

Lord Dantalian shrugged. “Of course. Your man Sir Lance has been guarding the corpse since the physicians finished cutting into it.” He blinked as if remembering something. “ Sir Lance also wanted me to tell you that the three-dotted triangle tattoo inside Cedrics lower lip has disappeared.”

What!

“The physicians say that there wasn’t any sign of a tattoo inside Cedrics lower lip or anywhere else for that matter, but Sir Lance kept insisting there was one. Is-”

“Come with me.” Orabas interrupted Lord Dantalian.

Orabas turned his horse around, startling nearby citizens and the horses and riders of the Royal Protectorate behind him.

“Sir Orabas, where are you going!” Lord Dantalian shouted, surprised.

Orabas ignored him and urged his horse towards the cages. He passed by Solas’s cage first, and Orabas saw the ghost of a smile touch his lips, but Orabas had to ignore him as well and went for the cages with Isaac and Noah in them.

“Isaac, Noah!” Orabas called out loudly. The unpleased Protectorates escorting the cages stopped in front of Orabas.

“Sir Orabas, if you think-”

“Step aside.” Lord Dantalian commanded, interrupting the grumbling men.

They were quick to obey and stepped aside without another word. Orabas got off of his horse and approached the cages. “Isaac,” He called out to the blonde-haired guard who had his back to Orabas.

He turned around and glared at Orabas with hostile eyes, though Orabas was glad to see them alive at all.

“Show me your tattoo,” Orabas commanded.

Isaac spat a glob of saliva at Orabas that fell short a hairsbreadth away from his face. Isaac froze in place, his eyes panicking as he tried to move his head and body. “What did you do to me!” He yelled getting the attention of his cellmates and curious citizens.

“He didn’t do anything, fool.” Lord Dantalian said approaching the cage with two fingers on his right hand raised upward. “I’ll hold him in place. Do whatever it is you wanted to do, Sir Orabas.”

Orabas nodded appreciatively and reached out to Isaac's bottom lip with his right hand. “If you try anything I’ll burn your lips off,” He warned.

Issac gulped, and though he didn’t respond, Orabas knew he wouldn’t try anything. Orabas stretched his lower lip and turned it inside out. To his relief, the three-dotted triangle tattoo was there. “Lord Dantalian take a look.”

Orabas heard footsteps behind him, and when Lord Dantalian was by his side and saw the tattoo, he looked up to Orabas confused. “The tattoo that Sir Lance spoke of. Why does this man have it?”

Before Orabas could explain his theory a high-pitched scream got their attention. “Help! Help! I think he’s dead!”

Orabas and Lord Dantalian easily found the source of the scream. The cage behind Isaacs, where a wailing Edith was cradling Noah's head, The boy Elijah watching them in confused and horrified.