Reasonable Suspicion VI

On the way to Quentle’s home, Cedric confided in him, revealing the events of the last night and day, emphasizing the connection between the Cillavier and Eraldin families, to which Quentle showed the most interest.

Quentle just stared at the cobblestone road in silence as they walked, either deep in thought or too shocked to speak properly.

“I didn’t want to involve Tess, but, I felt like you should absolutely know,” Cedric tacked on, before going silent himself.

After some time, Quentle looked up.

“I’ve decided, Cedric. I don’t know what kind of things their families are planning, but you and me should definitely save those two from whatever trouble they’re in. Even if the families are some sort of traitors, I know those two aren’t. They’re just getting caught up in all the games being played due to everyone’s fear and insecurity about the war. I’m sick of everyone acting anxious, and uncertain of the future, so… I’ll fight however I can to ensure that future. “

Seeing the firm resolve in Quentle’s eyes, Cedric nodded seriously in return, the memories of that day on the beach running fondly through his mind.

“But, honestly, I can’t believe you fought off an elite soldier like that! I should have gone with you last night, then we would’ve brought his head right to Mel’s old man!” He added with a change of tone, the two nearing his place. The two of them laughed at the thought as they opened the curtained door to the tent.

“Hoy, Cedric! An’ Quentle, yer’ right an’ prop’r t’day!” Dagan’s boisterous voice greeted the boys once they made it to the shack of a home in the back alleys.

“Hey there, Dagan! Good evening, guys!” Cedric politely greeted the four with a friendly wave.

“What brings you here today Cedric? Looks like our boy isn’t incapacitated this time,” Elem asked with a grin, taking a break from the group’s usual knife throwing game.

“Well, to cut to the chase, I actually wanted to ask you about something, Elem,” Cedric replied seriously.

“Oh, me? And what’s that?”

Cedric looked around, ensuring there were no visitors this time.

“About…everything going on with the bandits, and the battles putting a strain on our inner security. Honestly, I think there might be a connection.”

“Oh??” Elem perked up even further, genuinely intrigued.

“Have you heard of the Red Wolves, Elem?” Cedric asked in a low voice. Elem’s brow raised, his jaw sinking downward. A telling reaction.

“Eh..yeah, but…what about them?”

“Do you know what their true motive in the war is?” Cedric pressed on with a straight face, not even blinking.

“Hmm…this is pretty high level stuff, Cedric,” Elem responded, rubbing his chin. “But if you’re seriously interested…what seems to be the consensus between some of my more well-informed clients, is that the Red Wolves were started by a group of men that originated from the Black Shlanks, which one can assume means-”

“That they were a part of the Red Exodus…” Cedric finished his sentence, eyes wide in surprise.

“Yes, which would make them former Shlanks, who not only betrayed their homeland, but betrayed their group of defects on Shraunts Island, the Black Shlanks. As such, these men would have the blood and Wills of the Shlanks who so hate us.”

“But, if they were a part of the defects, they shouldn’t hold the sentiment of hating us as strongly as the rest, right?” Quentle asked, while Cedric was beginning to realize where Elem was going with this.

“They might not, but they still hold that Group Will deep within them. And what do you think could be a desire that even former Shlanks, without a strong Group Will, could hold even now?”
“The Red Sword,” Cedric muttered, his fears confirmed.

“That is correct. At least, that’s what some think, but all who have talked about this have said not to repeat it, as any talk about it is considered Heir propaganda.”

“They don’t want anybody fighting about what to do with the sword, because it might mean using one of us, right?” Quentle inquired, seeming to catch on. Elem merely nodded in response.

“With regards to that,” Cedric spoke up again, “have you heard about anybody indulging in that kind of propaganda talk?”

Elem hesitated, before speaking quietly. “Are you sure you want to get that far into it? Shouldn’t you just enjoy being students for a little longer?”

“Please, continue,” Cedric and Quentle both responded firmly.

“…well, alright,” Elem sighed before continuing. “One person has told me this: that there is a small circle of influential people, who hold the belief that if we were to give the Red Sword to the Wolverines, specifically the Red Wolves, they would pull away from our beaches, and cease this war.”

Cedric’s heart sank, realizing the possibilities this brought forth.

“But is that really it?” Quentle asked, visibly frustrated. “Do people think that they would happily go home and call off a fifteen-year-long campaign just because they got a powerful weapon?”

“Exactly why the secret circle’s sentiment is treated as propaganda,” Elem replied. “No such claims have been officially made by Wolverine leadership, and since we don’t know what they could possibly plan to use the sword for, the idea of using it as a negotiating tool is extremely dangerous. And as you said, using one of the Heir candidates in such a manner would not go over well with people like Headmaster Valblin.”

“This secret circle…you haven’t heard any names, have you?” Cedric asked almost desperately.

“Just one, though it’s nothing more than a rumor, I hear. He’s an ex-military man, and his name was Melvin…uhh..what was it, Cira…Civa-

“Cillavier…” Cedric finished for him, his face sinking.

“Ah, that was it. Like I said, this is second or third hand information, but the man who mentioned his name to me is a noble who lives in the same village as Cillavier, and apparently attended a party at his house and overheard some people discussing ‘the General’s plan to expand the circle’.”

“General, huh...” Cedric remarked, remembering Al’s words about the man.
“Yeah, I think I’ve heard of Selmy’s father being a former general…” Quentle followed up with a dejected look.

“Selmy’s father? That’s right, her name was Cillavier! Is that what this is about, Quentle?” Elem inquired hurriedly.

“Ah, yeah, kind of…we just heard some things, and were worried about some friends, is all…” Quentle replied, unable to even force a smile.

“Geh!” Dagan coughed in disgust, having sat quietly through the whole conversation so far.

“Get’n worried ‘bout friends is one mat’r, but ‘ont you dare stop bein’ the lov’ble fool ‘at I raised, an’ get all serious just fer a damn cute lass!”

“Oh, don’t worry, Master! Like I just told Cedric yesterday, I’ll be this way all my life! After all, I’ve always felt something within me nagging at me to live a life happy enough for two of me!” Quentle heartily replied, bringing the mood back to his pace with his excited nonsense.

After the group went back to what they were doing, the two boys sat at a table, facing each other with somber expressions.

“You know what really bothered me about him, today?” Cedric asked. “The way he threw all the guys into the game. It was like…”

“Like he’s expecting something to happen,” Quentle finished.

“Yeah…you think he’s planning to do something tonight?”

“I dunno… but neither of us have ever been in the forest before, which kind of concerns me. You think we should get to the ruins early tonight to scope things out?” Quentle whispered, to which Cedric nodded silently.

“Oy, Master, Cedric will be staying for dinner, so throw an extra treasure treader on the fire!”

“Hal’right, you got it!”

“Uh, treasure treader?” Cedric mumbled confusedly.

“Haha, just wait. We get these guys right from the Volcano of Disasters. It’s called Shoram’s diet, because it’s apparently all the volcano-dwelling cyclops ever eats!”

Cedric awaited with a certain fear of what he’d be eating. However, once he was served and had a taste of the small roasted critter, he understood. The taste was overwhelmingly rich, so much that more than a few bites was difficult to partake in. However, he gladly dug in, clearing his plate with ease while Dagan clapped him on the back.

He hadn’t planned on returning home for the night anyway, as his father would have surely heard about his being inside the castle. Therefore, the free meal in a cozy home was a great turn of events for him, and made him realize he was slightly envious of Quentle’s upbringing and home life. He thought warmly about this as he slowly nodded off at the table.