Chapter Three: What Is Happening?
Ashvin stepped into the house with quiet strides, though the creak of his boots echoed faintly against the wooden floor in the stillness of the room. He fixed his gaze on Daniel before sitting opposite him, and asked in a sharp, velvety tone:
— Do you love the king?
Daniel's face darkened at once, his features tightening with unease. But Ashvin denied him the chance to reply; a sly half-smile curved on his lips as he added:
— In truth, your answer doesn't matter to me. I'd say you have every right to hate him. Wasn't it he who ordered the slaughter of children?
Daniel flinched, breath caught in his chest, then blurted out awkwardly:
— Yes… I mean… that's what the rumors say.
Ashvin leaned forward, lacing his fingers together, his voice dropping to a cryptic murmur:
— I care little for who's accused of the massacre. I seek the truth. Yet the matter is far more tangled than you imagine.
He straightened his posture, his tone hardening:
— I'll tell you this. When we inspected the scene, we traced tire marks—Loupissant make. A luxury car, unlike any used by the kingdom's knights. And eyewitnesses swore they saw that very car crossing the bridge road at the time of the crime.
Daniel's eyes widened with astonishment:
— A luxury car?!
Ashvin smiled as if he had found the first thread:
— Yes. Does it remind you of something?
Daniel scratched his head and said:
— That morning, at the market—the very day of the incident—I saw a car like the one you're describing. We were all puzzled to see it in the village.
Ashvin's features lit with excitement. He pulled out a small notebook and began scribbling rapidly:
— When and where exactly? And what were you doing?
— That morning, before heading to the square of heads… I was buying supplies. Arkin was playing beside it. But when I came out of the shop, the car was gone… and so was Arkin.
A gleam shone in Ashvin's eyes as his pen flew over the page:
— So Arkin was with you that morning, playing near the car… intriguing! Then the last time you saw your brother was outside the shop, on that fateful day.
Daniel answered in a hushed tone:
— Yes.
Ashvin chuckled lightly, twirling the pen between his fingers:
— I wasn't wrong to come to you. A fine detective, am I not?
He slipped a small card from his pocket and handed it to Daniel:
— If you learn anything new, don't hesitate to call me.
Rising to leave, he paused at the door with a mocking smile:
— And if you need anything else… don't hesitate either. Think of me as a father to you—rather than that vile scoundrel.
He meant Cairo, Daniel's father.
---
The Cave Before the Attack
After a week of relentless training, the Brotherhood of Guardians made their decision: to strike the White Knights' stronghold in the city of Castel. That fortress ruled over four villages, including Neuville. Seizing it would mark a decisive step.
On the night before, the youths gathered in their cave, firelight flickering across the stone walls. Daniel prepared supper with Rino's help, joined by Marlo—the stout blond—and Lander, dark-skinned with braided black hair.
A long table was set, the aroma of stew and warm bread filling the cavern. Marlo began devouring food greedily, then cried out with his mouth full:
— What is this?! It's delicious… my stomach wasn't ready for this!
Merion burst out laughing, teasing him:
— Then don't eat. My advice to you.
But Marlo protested with flying crumbs:
— Impossibleee!
The cave roared with laughter until tears streaked their cheeks. Even as tomorrow might claim some of their lives, they could not help but laugh.
Saron, the commander, watched Daniel thoughtfully and asked:
— You seem skilled in cooking… where did you learn?
Daniel replied shyly, scratching the back of his head:
— My mother is ill. I'm the one who cooks at home.
But the merriment rose again when Marlo shouted dramatically:
— Do you know what I fear most?! That I might be full! Imagine being full of this food—I don't want that!
The laughter redoubled until they were breathless.
---
Midnight
Back at their homes, Rino lay in bed, but sleep evaded him. He climbed to the rooftop, stargazing as the cold breeze brushed his face. Suddenly, the growl of a luxury engine broke the night.
He peered down to the street. A sleek black car pulled up before Daniel's house. Three men stepped out, clad in black coats and hats drawn low. Daniel greeted them at the door and ushered them inside.
Rino whispered to himself, stunned:
— Impossible… they're not of Ornis blood. Their features—royal lineage. How does Daniel know them? Tomorrow I'll ask him.
---
Dawn
The next morning, Rino met Daniel, gripping his shoulder as he asked:
— Last night, I saw men in black enter your home… in a luxury car. Who were they?
Daniel answered with an unsettling calm:
— My home? No one came. After I returned, I went straight to sleep.
Rino frowned:
— Are you sure?
Daniel smiled faintly, teasing:
— Maybe you saw another house… or perhaps you were dreaming.
---
The Great Assault
At Janshalt School, nearly ninety men of the Guardians assembled. Six massive horse-drawn wagons bore them toward Castel, weapons in hand.
Daniel rode with Rino in Commander Merion's cart. Suddenly, before the bridge, the cart jolted to a stop.
— What's happening? — Merion asked, alarmed.
— Why did that fool jump?! — Rino shouted.
They looked back—Daniel was running away.
— Shall I chase him? — Rino asked.
— Leave him, — the commander replied coldly. — I force no one to fight.
Merion watched Daniel vanish, bitterly murmuring:
— He's just realized this is real war… and chosen to flee.
They pressed on, until they reached Sees Street, the direct road to the knights' stronghold. Smoke and dust filled the air. Merion stretched a hand through the wreckage, bracing himself against the shattered cart wall, clambering out amid groans of the wounded and the iron stench of blood. The commander hauled him onto a horse. With urgent gestures, he ordered the two rear wagons to retreat toward the village.
Five Minutes Earlier
As the convoy neared Sees Street, gunfire erupted like a storm. Bullets ripped through wood, glass shattered, horses screamed. Blood drenched the cobblestones. Men's cries mingled with the gunfire as carts overturned one after another.
It was a trap, carefully laid. The White Knights had waited, hidden behind windows. The front wagons were annihilated; the third, bearing the commander, was crippled, yet a few managed to pull back.
The mission had failed.
---
The Accusation
Back at Janshalt, the survivors gathered. Commander Saron's rage thundered, veins bulging:
— How did they learn of our plan?! That deserter… Daniel! He's the traitor! Curse the Calvin bloodline!
He roared:
— Bring him to me—alive or dead!
Rino heard, blood streaming from his wounded shoulder. Despite his pain, he staggered to his friend's home, burst through the door, gasping:
— Daniel! Run! Quickly!
He found Daniel seated, face pale, hands clutching his head as though drowning in thought. He looked up, bewildered:
— Why? What's happening?
Rino panted:
— The commander wants your head. He thinks you betrayed us.
— My God! What happened to the attack? You're bleeding!
— It was an ambush. No time to
explain. Just run!
Suddenly… pounding knocks rattled the door.
Thud… Thud… Thud…
Daniel froze, breath trembling:
— They've already come?!
To be continued…