Chapter 27 - Somebody’s Watching Me

“Warlock!”

Rose jumped from her seat on a wooden box when the shrouded man suddenly entered the basement she, Ajax, and Apex were hiding in.

“How did you?…” Apex mumbled, confused as to when Warlock had entered the room. He hadn’t heard anything. But his musings were cut short by Rose’s continued exuberance.

“You’re alive! We’ve been so worried!!” Tears welled in her eyes.

“Of course. As I have said before, dying is easy. But we don’t win rebellions by dying.”

“But where have you been? You told us to wait in this safe house but it’s been almost three days! We were thinking of moving to our next safe house soon. We didn’t know what happened after the demon woman showed up.”

The relief in her voice at his return was palpable. Then she looked around.

“But where is Kaelen?” Worry crept back into her tone.

“He refused to flee and stayed to fight. I held off the soldiers as long as I could, but the demon…” His cloaked head bent low. “She said one word and Kaelen was bested in an instant.”

The whole team stood frozen. Rose’s hands clasped over her mouth.

“Is he alive?”

Warlock let out a long breath. “I believe so. He still drew breath when I was forced to flee. Where they have taken him though is another matter entirely.”

The news caused them all to stand in silence for a few moments before Ajax spoke.

“What exactly happened back there? Was the information we got from that elf a lie?!” It was clear he was angry.

“No. Not a lie. I trust the source. But it’s obvious that we were not the only ones who found out about this visitor. Someone else beat us to the target.”

Rose spoke up. “Wait…another rebel group?”

“That’s what I do not know. I don’t believe so. We’ve worked hard to consolidate the anti-demon sentiment in this town. I don’t believe there is any other group like us that could have staged this attack. Moreover…”

“You have another thought Warlock?” Apex asked.

“The timing was too perfect. Someone else hit that target…but they must have known we would be there too. They planned for us to be there when the demon came. They planned for us to be caught. We were lucky to avoid the trap.” His voice was tinged with a barely suppressed rage.

“We didn’t all avoid it…” Ajax mused sadly, thinking of Kaelen.

“I wonder…”

“What are you thinking Warlock?” Rose inquired.

“I’m thinking someone knew the target was coming. Someone knew we would be there. Someone stayed behind when everyone else was told to flee.” He paused dramatically. “And let me ask you this…have you ever heard of a spell that can stop a mage mid-spell with a word? A single word? I have not. But I do know a mage can choose to stop gathering energy for a spell…”

“You don’t mean?!”

“He wouldn’t!”

“He hates the demons more than anyone!”

It was clear that none of Rose’s party doubted Kaelen.

“I don’t want to doubt a comrade in arms either. But you have to admit that being an over the top firebrand is an excellent cover. And the fact that the carriage was burned. Burned! And now we have a missing fire mage. You three didn’t see how easily he gave up when that demon approached. She just walked up to him and he stopped resisting immediately….”

“Like he was ordered too.”

Silence reigned again.

“It just can’t be true…” Apex spoke up.

“Then tell me, how else could this have happened? No one else knew of our plan.”

“What about the elf?! She knew!” Rose jumped in.

“No, she only knew an envoy was coming. She probably guessed we would do something, but even she can’t know that Kaelen was a mage. A fire mage. Whoever set us up had to have known that! And no one outside of our group knew.”

Silence returned once again.

“What do we do now?” Rose broke the silence.

Apex responded first. “Well, I don’t want to abandon Kaelen if we aren’t sure.”

“Well said.” Warlock surprised him by agreeing. “All we have is theory. We must find a way to be sure.”

“How do we do that?”

“We start by getting information. Rose, do you remember where to find that blue haired elf?”

“Ugh…yes. Why? I still don’t trust her. She isn’t a part of this.”

“You right, she isn’t. But she does work with an information broker. Her adoptive father, Orpheus.”

“And this Orpheus can get us information? Why trust him?”

“I don’t trust him. Neither should you. I do trust the elf, Ariadne, enough to help us get information at least. All I will say on the subject is that I have certain…leverage…over her. She won’t betray us to her adoptive father. No, she’ll introduce you to Orpheus and make sure that he tells you what we need to know. Of that at least I can be sure.”

“So you want me to go find the elf? Have her bring me to Orpheus? What should I ask?” Rose looked disappointed at the idea of involving the elf, but willing to follow instructions at least.

“Ask him if he can find out where Kaelen is being held. And if there’s any reason to believe Kaelen is working with the demons.”

“What should we do?” Ajax jerked his thumb between himself and his brother.

“You two should go back to the scene of the attack. The castle’s investigators should be gone by now. But with your knowledge of the woods and area you may pick up on clues they missed. We need to find out what really happened that day before we can move again with confidence.”

“Ok boss.” Apex gave a thumbs up.

“And you Warlock?” Rose asked.

“I plan to spy on that demon fraternizer Witt. I’m hoping his interactions with the demons will help give us clues as to their machinations.”

Rose nodded. “Makes sense.”

“Also, if Kaelen is a true patriot, and the demon did do something to him, perhaps in observing their puppet I can find out more about any such ability. We cannot fight what we don’t understand.”

Rose’s team all shook their heads morosely.