[color=FEF9A7]"I... I believe what happened between Head Constable Aaron and His Highness' agent was nothing but a mere understanding. A terrible and regrettable one at that. But I shall not pry on that. Aaron has been relieved from his position and waiting for his trial.[/color]

There was a pause. A deviant fire flickered in his eyes when he continued. 

[color=FEF9A7]"I don't know what terrible seditious scheme Baron Von Kruber was planning, but if it was as you said, that will be another blow to my father. However, I must correct you. Please do not speak ill about the deceased until the investigation has been concluded. We both know how the law works. Rest assured we Delving family will be cooperative during the process." [/color] 

He already heard chattering, and lousy banter being flexed. Being easy to please she was, Kirsten joined the fray, however, the commentary shifted to a more personal matter, and the commentary about his father started to make ears feel pricked.  


[color=ec008c]"Oh, I am sure you will,"[/color]  The voice came from an elven woman who jumped down the broken staircase to join them immediately. Her disregard for the Baron's dead body made Silas heave a breath. 

He counted there was Matilda and the Ronsenving scion. Fred's secret bodyguard was also there, standing religiously yet seemingly too focused on watching his sister's girly talk. The Druid could be the pale old man, and the legendary doctor could be the other male in the team.

So, this must be Baker's former boss. Silas immediately recalled an occasion when he saw a similar blonde elf attending Fredricus' banquet many years ago. She was beautiful and elegant. Was that the very same elf who was now in front of him? Looking at her unmodest appearance... no, this couldn't be her.

[color=ec008c]"I don't know we have an Admiral in our party,"[/color] she said to Matilda, then shifted to Silas.[color=ec008c] "Don't bother explaining yourself. We all know you are here for [i]that[/i] person. The question is, we have him, what you are going to do about it?[/color]" 

[b][color=007236]"He will be on his way,"[/color][/b] grunted Matilda.

[color=ec008c]"Really?"[/color] the elf lifted her stare at the Knight captain. 

[b][color=007236]"One way or another."[/color][/b] she rubbed her fist. 

Maybe cornered or wanting to preserve a status quo, Silas pleaded. [b][color=FEF9A7]"Please, there is no need to get drastic."[/color][/b] 

There was an awkward pause. The elf smiled at him, and by then Silas realized her eyes were glowing with a violet hue. 
His hand was ready to reach his sword, but the stare was never to bewitch. It was to read, it was like she was determining if he was lying or not. Silas felt the elf woman in front of him had seen through his deceit, but decided to play along with it, for some enigmatic reason.

[color=ec008c]"Yeah, no drastic move. My question is still unanswered though." [/color]

[b][color=007236]"No more questions. No more answers." [/color][/b]

[color=ec008c]"Come now, Matilda. Let the man speak for himself..." [/color]

Silas opened his mouth but no words came out yet. What he was going to do about it? The question was laced with subtle suspicion, that kind of accusation that would strip his motive bare if he denied it. Now he felt surrounded not only by a wounded yet determined fanged beast but also by a serpent that would retaliate with vicious retribution should he dare to attack.

A card played, and the name was retreating. 

[b][color=FEF9A7]"What Milady Matidla said is right. I have no jurisdiction here. However, please do not misunderstand, I am as glad as you are knowing the prince is safe and sound."[/color][/b] he placed his hand on his chest, while his golden eyes looked at Matilda, seeking approval. 

[b][color=FEF9A7]"I assure you I am not here to disturb your mission for my own personal gain, or to seek any kind of fame. Please resume your plan as you see fit, all I ask is for us to be with you until we reached the capital. You may choose any route you prefer and share not your thoughts with us, that is fine with me." [/color][/b]


[center]***[/center] 

Meanwhile, Yvonne should have known that flexing was never a good idea. And Kirsten being the klutz she was, reached for Yvonne's arm and grabbed it closer. It was fortunate that both girls were equally strong, else the other would be flung like a rag doll.

[b][color=#F6E1D3]"That looks terrible! I am glad he is gone. I feel pity for the people outside you know, and Mister Baron... no matter the cause, this was not right." [/color][/b]

It took some time for Kirsten to realize she might have spilled something she shouldn't. His father never let her be involved in his scheming, yet he should know better that it was impossible to hide everything from your own blood.

[b][color=#F6E1D3]"Pretend you don't hear that from me." [/color][/b]

Kirsten was well aware and understood the magnitude of this whole operation, but she was powerless to stop it. She-- no, they had been conditioned to be like that from an early age; if their father said go, they go, come, they come, and do, they do. She just went with the flow, and if the flow was so toxic, her option was to swim away and distance herself, but never truly escape from the very same flow. 

It was awkward for a while until Yvonne broke the silence again. Feisty as ever, she never knew when to stop. 

[b][color=#a4161a]"How are you doing these days? Daddy dearest still being a prick? You should consider snapping off his leash, ditch him off! Heck, I'd show you the ropes. It'll be fun!"[/color][/b]

[b][color=#F6E1D3]"No, you silly! He's still my dad. And no, he never put a leash on me!"[/color][/b] The banter ended with Kirsten punching Yvonne's other shoulder and having another giggle followed.  Even being trapped in such circumstances, Kirsten knew there was still merit in all of this. For instance, she didn't have to worry about getting burns. 

Though she knew the fire could be closer than she ever imagine. 

[b][color=#F6E1D3]"Anyway, who's the guy? He is just standing there like a statue." [/color][/b] it was obvious that Kirsten was referring to the lonely foreign swordmaster standing next to the table. [b][color=#F6E1D3]"Is he even breathing...?" [/color][/b]