Cerdic's mind was churning with thoughts as he walked. Aldric wasn't safe with Roric. He had to find a way to get back. He had to make sure his brother was safe before Marlowe took him away.
Marlowe walked ahead without looking back. Cerdic thought about many excuses to tell so that he could make his way back and help Aldric. But nothing felt convincing. His desperation grew with every step. Soon, they approached the edge of Duskfall.
"Lord Marlowe, wait," he called, unable to hold back any longer.
Marlowe stopped and turned around. "What is it?" He asked.
"Lord Marlowe," Cerdic tried to think of something, but his mind was drawing a blank. "M-my brother. May I..."
"Just speak what you want," Marlowe said calmly.
"I...I wish to settle my brother before going with you," Cerdic finally said. There was no use telling a lie. This man wouldn't fall for any deception, Cerdic was sure of it.
Marlowe was silent for a long moment. Long enough for Cerdic to feel his heart pounding.
"You have until tomorrow morning," Marlowe said finally. "Don't think about escaping. I left a trace of my spiritual energy in you when I checked your affinity. I can track you wherever you go."
A sense of relief washed over Cerdic.
"Thank you, Lord Marlowe," he said. "Then shall I...?"
"Go ahead," Marlowe waved. "I will meet you here in the morning."
Cerdic bowed and then rushed back into the streets of Duskfall.
As Cerdic disappeared, Marlowe's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Settle your brother?" He murmured. "You think I don't know what you're planning, boy?"
A sigh escaped Marlowe's lips.
"No matter," he muttered. "That fool had been thoroughly useless anyway."
***
Back in his warehouse, Roric was fuming. Blood dripped down his right hand as he furiously shouted across the room.
"Why did you stop me, Varlan? Have you gone soft?"
Roric couldn't control his anger. Noll, that little brat. It was already bad enough that Ren was acting defiant. Now that runt Noll too?How could he accept?
Varlan ignored the question. He turned towards one of the workers.
"Bring some clean cloth and dress this wound."
The nearby worker nodded and rushed off.
"Varlan, are you ignoring me?" Roric gave him a dangerous look. "I am the boss. You are just my deputy. Don't forget your place."
Varlan sighed. He came into the warehouse at the sight of his boss beating the young boy—Noll—like a maniac. He felt like Noll would die if he didn't interfere, so he did. But that kid just had to anger Roric further by biting his hand. It took Varlan quite an effort to drag him away from Roric.
"Look, Roric," he said. "If you wanted that kid dead, you could have just done it with a swing of your sword. Why did you have to torture him so much?"
"What? Do I have to ask your permission before disciplining an errand boy?" Roric asked coldly.
"Well, if he had done something wrong..."
"He had done something wrong," Roric sneered. "He is weak, and he has an older brother who couldn't keep his head down."
Varlan didn't argue. He also felt Ren's behavior was infuriating. Sometimes Varlan wondered if Ren was a commoner, as he claimed. His bearing was like some young master from one of those noble families.
"I am not saying you can't vent your anger," Varlan said. "But you might want to stop taking every petty grudge seriously."
Roric's face twisted in rage.
"Varlan, just because I gave you some authority, don't think you can lecture me. You are supposed to follow my order."
"And you are supposed to run this place, Roric." Varlan finally snapped. "And that becomes hard when you act like a kid with some bruised ego."
Varlan didn't wait for another round of heated exchange. He just stormed off. Roric was on the brink of exploding with anger.
"Boss, the cloth... to dress your wound."
"F*ck off!"
***
Late at night. Most of the workers had already left the warehouse. Only Roric and a guard was left. He sat hunched over a bottle of alcohol. Roric kept staring at his injured hand. It was poorly dressed, but it did stop the bleeding.
Roric then stood up—already swaying.
"That bastard," he growled. "First—hic—a damn brat bit a chunk of meat out of my hand. Hic! Then my own deputy lectures me like I am some rookie thug."
He kicked a nearby crate hard. It was empty and was sent crashing into the wall with a loud thud. A guard peeked inside. When he saw everything was fine, he returned to his post muttering under his breath.
Roric walked back and forth a few times.
"They think I lost my edge? Me?" He kept muttering as he walked. "I'll show them. I'll show all of them."
He took a few more mouthfuls of ale and lay sprawled on the chair—mumbling something. Then he heard someone's footsteps. But he didn't raise his head to look. He was too drunk.
"Boss, your sword," the newcomer said, holding out a sword in his hand.
"Huh...who asked you for—"
Swish!
Roric didn't understand what happened. Not until he felt the pain from his chest. He looked down and found the sword embedded into his chest. Blood spilled down his clothes.
"Y...you..." Roric's eyes widened. "Ren?"
Cerdic said nothing. He twisted the blade, pushing it even deeper.
Roric tried to cry out—but Cerdic's hand clamped over his mouth. His limbs twitched. But he couldn't rise. His expression was still that of disbelief when the darkness enveloped his eyes.
***
Varlan sat in his home while sipping some tea, glancing occasionally at the young boy who was still trembling. Aldric sat on a corner, his eyes gazing ahead aimlessly. He hadn't spoken a word since Varlan brought him here.
Varlan's gaze swept over him again. There were a lot of bruises on his body. Thankfully, nothing serious. But that was only because Varlan had stepped in before Roric could beat the boy to death.
"I am really growing soft, it seems." Varlan sighed. "A year ago, I couldn't care less if Roric killed you."
He then poured a cup of tea and approached Aldric.
"Here, kid," he said, holding out the cup. "Have a drink."
Aldric looked up, but didn't take it.
"Take it, boy. It's tea, not poison." Varlan said, raising his voice.
Aldric was startled. He took the cup.
"Good," Varlan said. "Now listen up, kid. I can't risk my relationship with Roric. Not for you, not for your brother. Got that?"
He stopped for a moment, assessing the boy's response. But there was no change in his expression.
"There's a cart of goods leaving for Ironvale Kingdom in a week," Varlan continued. "I will tell them to take you along. It's the best I can do. Sooner you are out of Duskfall, the better."
Aldric shuddered. His fingers clenched around the cup, and for the first time, he raised his voice.
"No!" He said. "I can't go. Not to Ironvale Kingdom."
"It's not up to you." Varlan snapped. "Either you go, or I hand you over to Roric."
Aldric clenched his jaw. He couldn't go back to the Ironvale Kingdom. He didn't know if the Evernights were still searching for them.
Then came a knock on the door.
"Who is it at this hour?" Varlan wondered as he opened the door.
Cerdic looked eerily calm as he stood outside, holding Roric's sword. Blood dripping from its edge to the ground. He looked right into Varlan's eyes, which were widened in shock.
"R-Ren?" Varlan's voice trembled. "Why are you back here? Weren't you…?"
"Taken by Marlowe?" Cerdic asked coldly. "Let's just say he is more reasonable than he looks."
Varlan's eyes turned towards the bloodied sword in Cerdic's hand. Then back to Cerdic again.
"What happened? Why is there blood on that sword?" He asked, his voice low and cautious.
"It belongs to Roric," Cerdic said as he stepped into the room. "I killed him."
"What!" Varlan cried. "You are saying... Roric is dead?"
Cerdic didn't answer. Because Aldric was rushing forward. His expression was that of relief.
"Brother! You came back," he hugged Cerdic.
"I said I would," Cerdic said, stroking his brother's head.
"Ren! Answer my question," Varlan roared from behind. "Did you really kill Roric?"
"Do I have to repeat the same thing again?" Cerdic said coldly. "Yes, I did. He is dead."
"Y-You bastard!" Varlan pulled out his dagger. "Do you know what you have done?"
Cerdic raised his sword at Varlan. The bloodied edge pointed directly at his chest.
"Careful Varlan," he said. "Don't let my age fool you. I won't be at the losing end if we resort to fighting."
Cerdic was serious. Back in the academy, he was already called a genius swordsman. Many of the instructors had problems facing him. Varlan, a thug who had no formal training, wouldn't stand a chance.
"Besides," Cerdic went on. "Do you think Lord Marlowe will be happy if you kill his new lab rat?"
Varlan's grip tightened around the hilt of his dagger. His jaw clenched. For a long moment, they just stared at each other. Then Varlan lowered the blade.
"You have no idea," he muttered, his voice shaking with restrained anger. "Roric was the only one holding the Blackmaw gang together. Without him..."
"I don't care about the Blackmaw gang," Cerdic said. "I only care about my brother. I couldn't leave in peace knowing he was still in Roric's hands."
Cerdic lowered his sword and stepped forward.
"Varlan," he said. "I want your help. My brother... help me keep him safe. Just until I return."
Varlan laughed. "You killed my boss and are now asking for help. Are you crazy?"
"Maybe I am." Cerdic replied. "But I don't have a choice. It's not like I can negotiate with Marlowe to take him along."
"Tell me a reason to help you," Varlan said coldly. "You killed Roric. I gain nothing from protecting your brother."
"Drop the loyal deputy act," Cerdic snapped. "You and Roric weren't on good terms to begin with."
Varlan's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond.
"This is not something bad for you. This is a chance," Cerdic continued. "You can take over the entire Blackmaw gang if you make the right moves. And I am the one who made it possible."
"You think it's that easy?" Varlan snorted.
"Half of the gang already listens to you," Cerdic said, raising his voice slightly. "You think I don't know? You were just biding your time. I only sped it up."
For a while, silence fell between them. Varlan was calculating in his mind. Cerdic didn't interrupt and gave him time. Varlan looked at Aldric, who was still silently standing behind his elder brother.
"Did anyone else see you killing Roric?" Varlan asked finally.
"No, there was a guard. But I knocked him out from behind. He didn't see me." Cerdic said with a serious expression.
"Then don't tell anyone else," Varlan said. "Otherwise, protecting your brother may cost me what little trust the gang members have in me. I won't be able to rule the gang like that."
"Understood," Cerdic said. "I wasn't planning on announcing it or anything."
"Keep in mind," Varlan said again. "I will only help your brother as long as it doesn't backfire on me."
"That's fair," Cerdic said.
"Very well," Varlan said with a sigh and walked towards the door. "You stay here. Don't show your face outside. I have a lot to do."
"All right." Cerdic nodded again.
Varlan's expression was unreadable as he stepped out into the night. With hurried steps, he disappeared into the darkness.