Chapter 26 | Doubt

.

Rafit looked at his uncle with a displeased expression.

[Rafit] Since.Since when has our family been like this?

Linden clicked his tongue at his nephew, who had a confused and dumbfounded look on his face.

[Linden] Have you really been so ignorant all this time?

[Rafit] Even without resorting to that kind of thing, the Kleinfelders would still be the most powerful family in Nauk.

[Linden] Its because weve done these things that youve been able to live so comfortably, so really you should be thanking me. And the most powerful, you say? While the throne sits in the hands of the wrong family?

[Rafit] Are you that desperate to control Nauk? That position belongs to Princess Rienne! Do you have any idea what kind of humiliation and pain shes suffered because of it?

[Linden] That doesnt mean it belongs to her. Shes just a child who doesnt even know how to wield her power correctly.

It was the Kleinfelders that controlled the flow of things, with their hands firmly planted around the High Priests neck.

[Linden] Remember that the High Priest must change.

[Rafit] . . .

Rafits face turned tired.

[Rafit] What are you even planning on doing?

[Linden] If he cannot fix this problem..

The Kleinfelders had all the means they needed to get someone out of the picture. The difficult part was that their target was the High Priest.

[Linden] ..Then we just need to find someone who can.

But truthfully, that wasnt a problem for Linden.

To him, replacing the High Priest with the right person was more importanta task far above all else.

[Rafit] Im telling you, you cant do this. What will you do if this gets out? How will you deal with the consequences of harming a High Priest?

[Linden] This is your biggest flaw.

Linden stared at his nephew, an exasperated sigh escaping him.

[Linden] You are far too soft and weak. Thats why your woman was so easily taken from you.

The words were much too pointed, piercing Rafit with precision like the tip of a sharp spear.

[Rafit] Uncle!

Immediately, Rafit understandably lost control, showing his anger.

[Rafit] She wasnt taken from me. I know Rienne still loves me.

Rafit was moments away from losing his head over this. In Lindens eyes, his nephew appeared pathetic. (1)

[Linden] You couldnt keep a handle on a single woman and now this is how things have turned out. Now that the High Priest is on their side, theres no chance the wedding will be delayed.

[Rafit] I can fix this.

[Linden] How?

[Rafit] . . .

After a quiet moment, Linden had an idea. It was a thought he immediately clung to with the cunning of a snake.

[Linden] If the High Priest were to pass away, a new one would need to be selected. In the meantime, there would need to be a funeral. With no one available to officiate, of course no wedding could possibly be held. Do you understand what Im saying?

Something like that would buy them plenty of time. Rafits face stiffened.

[Linden] Todays a good day, I think. The path to the grave site will be rather dark.

And darkness was the perfect cover for such a heinous deed.

[Linden] Just remember. Think about what the right thing to do would be. Or ratherwhat would be most beneficial to you.

[Rafit] . . .

.

.

Like the early morning view of the moon, a dark plot brewed in the earliest hour.

.

* * *

.

The destruction of the Temple stairs left a significant impact on the people.

Among those people was an old man a devastated beggar who once traveled to the Temple every day for bread and water, given to him by the priests.

[Beggar] . . .

The old beggar stood still, staring at the collapsed stairs.

His one eye looked especially glazed over, covered by his dirty, overhanging hair. Though he had two arms, the beggar couldnt use one of his hands.

His legs were in no better condition. His destroyed left foot would shakily fall to the ground whenever he used his cane to help him walk.

The fact that he used such a body to climb up those stairs was nothing short of a miracle.

[Mercenary] You there! Its dangerous here, you gotta move out of the way!

Someones voice shouted loudly towards the old man.

It was a Tiwakan mercenary. He was part of the group sent to retrieve the coffins from the Temple. Normally, someone like that would attract a lot of attention, but surprisingly the front of the Temple was completely empty.

The people of Nauk were still terrified of the Tiwakan. A lot of them believed maintaining eye contact with one of them was a quick way to get your head removed.

But the old beggar stared at them without reserve, standing in the middle of the road the entire time. It made them wonder if he hadnt heard the rumor or if he had simply lost his mind.

At first the mercenaries paid him no mind, but as the coffins began their descent, he eventually started to get in the way.

[Beggar] He

Instead of leaving as he was told, the beggar approached the mercenary, trying to talk as he did.

His voice was heavy with phlegm, like it was boiling in his throat, making him hard to understand.

[Mercenary] What?

The beggar struggled to lift his shaky hand, pointing off somewhere.

And the one caught in that old mans pointed fingertip was Black, sat upon his deeply colored horse.

[Beggar] Who..

[Mercenary] Huh? What.?

[Beggar] Who..

Though the old man couldnt use his mouth as well as his hands and feet, the mercenary could vaguely understand what he was trying to say.

He looked back and forth between the old mans pointed finger and Black.

The Tiwakan were known for being a fighting force more ruthless than anyone else on the battlefield. But for all their brutality, even they had rules they kept amongst themselves.

One such rule was that they were never allowed to kill an unarmed person without cause or permission.

The old man didnt seem to recognize Black, and although the mercenary thought the question was a little strange, he decided to answer for that reason alone. He just assumed the old beggars eyes werent working very well.

[Mercenary] That man is the leader of the Tiwakan, but to those of us who use that name, he is our God.

[Beggar] . . .

[Mercenary] Now that you know, you should get out of here. Youre in the way.

But the old man didnt move. His eyes were frozen on Black, as if he were in some kind of trance.

[Mercenary] Hey, you need to move.

He couldnt even hear the mercenarys words. His lips, covered with the grey hairs of his beard, were trembling. Quietly, he whispered something entirely inaudible.

Have you finally returned?

Nauks sin.

The blood that didnt spill that day.

Have you come to finish it.?

.

.

It was twenty-one years ago that the old beggar first arrived in Nauk.

And it was twenty-one years ago when the nine waterfalls dried up, bringing with them the signs of an unending drought.

.

* * *

.

The time had finally come to head to the chapel.

Rienne, dressed in her mourning clothing, replaced the decorations in her hair with that of a black rose. Mrs. Flambard thought she looked nice like that, but said nothing out of respect for the funeral.

That day, the gates to the castle would be open.

The funeral was originally going to be at the Temple, but now it was at the royal chapel, giving even more people the opportunity to attend.

The amount of people heading towards the chapel didnt escape Riennes notice either.

[Rienne] I think things will be more crowded than they were before.

At Riennes whisper, Mrs. Flambard nodded.

[Mrs. Flambard] It wouldnt surprise me. Everyones curious.

[Rienne] Whatoh

In the middle of her sentence, Rienne bitterly shut her mouth.

Everyone would be curious about her reaction, is what she was going to say.

They all still thought Rafit was dead, and now they were curious to see Rienne show up to the funeral of her dead lover in the arms of her new fianc.

The whole situation was messy.

They might even say terrible things about Black and the Tiwakan, and she couldnt discount the possibility of the Kleinfelders trying to start something, stoking the flames and encouraging such terrible words.

[Rienne] I should warn Lord Tiwakan.

[Mrs. Flambard] If you cant stop them, best if you tell him beforehand. Hell be less angry that way.

[Rienne] ..Really?

Though for some reason, Rienne couldnt imagine him ever getting angry, even if someone threw the harshest curses they could at him.

Now I think about it, I dont think Ive ever seen him get angry before.

But even so, whenever she thought about him, fear, among many other emotions were at the forefront of her mind.

..Im acting so strangely lately.

She didnt hate him, but though she didnt fear him, she still felt scared.

[Mrs. Flambard] What are you thinking about so deeply, Princess?

After thinking about that person for a long time, Mrs. Flambard tugged at the cloth of Riennes dress.

[Mrs. Flambard] Watch your step. The road here is uneven. Youll fall if youre not careful.

[Rienne] .Ah.

Before she knew it, Rienne had already come close to the chapel. She thought she was only thinking for a moment, but the time disappeared, like it always did when that man was involved.

[Rienne] I know. I need to pull myself together..oh.

Tap.

Something was stopping her foot. Had she not noticed it, she mightve even tripped over it. Rienne, stopping just moments before, looked at down.

The tip of someones cane was sticking out from the side of the path. As if they were trying to catch her attention.

[Rienne] . . .

Moving her eyes to the side, she saw an old man holding out his cane.

It was the beggar from the Temple.

[Rienne] Wait here for a moment, maam.

Rienne knew of the old man. On the occasions she would visit the Temple, shed bring food with her to give to him. He never seemed like a bad person, only someone who was hit hard with a difficult life.

[Rienne] I have to attend a funeral today so I dont have anything to share. If you would like, can you wait until the ceremony is over?

[Beggar] . . .

Without a word, the old man stared at Rienne.

[Rienne] The coffins will be brought this way soon. Be careful and take your cane so you dont hurt your feet too much.

[Beggar] ..daugh..ter..ofak. sin.ner

[Rienne] What?

As he mumbled his beard was covering his lips, so she didnt quite catch what he said.

[Rienne] What did you say?

Rienne leaned towards the old man, urging him to share again.

[Beggar] Past sins..must be repaidwith blood. And now.. the daugh..ter of Arsak. will bleed.

[Rienne] What are you?

Seeing Riennes changing expression, Mrs. Flambard stepped in and grabbed her by the arm.

[Mrs. Flambard] Princess! You shouldnt get too close to strangers. How could you trust someone you dont even know?

[Rienne] WaitI think hes trying to tell me something.

Having been tasked with watching over the funeral, the Tiwakan were on alert. Noticing the commotion, a pair of mercenaries rushed over from their posts in the distance.

[Mercenary] Princess! Are you alright?!

They quickly swooped in and grabbed the old beggar, roughly dragging him a safe distance from Rienne.

[Rienne] Yes, Im fine but I havent finished speaking with him. Could you give us some space, please?

[Mercenary] Oh, really?

Quickly the two of them stepped aside, but their eyes were still trained on the ragged old man. Though their intention was to protect her and nothing else, they were still incredibly intimidating.

Rienne turned to face the old man.

[Rienne] Can you repeat yourself? What were you trying to say?

The old mans lips trembled.

[Beggar] ..wat..ch (2)

[Rienne] ..?

Thinking she misheard him, Rienne shook her head.

[Black] Is something going on?

As soon as Rienne turned her back to see the source of the voice, Black was standing right behind her.

She didnt even hear him coming.

[Mercenary] The Princess had something important to talk about with this man.

The mercenaries didnt hesitate to answer as Black approached. Though his posture was just as loose and relaxed as it was before, for some reason Rienne felt like the air in front of him had a sudden sharpness to it like a knife.

It showed to her at a glance why his people regarded him as their leader.

[Black] . . .

Black glanced down at the beggar.

Immediately, Rienne noticed the old mans one eye tremble as he shrunk away from Blacks gaze. As soon as she saw that, suddenly she realized what he was trying to say.

[Black] I see. Did you need more time?

He was asking if she wanted to keep talking to him.

[Rienne] No.

Quickly, Rienne turned around and held onto Blacks arm, a part of her afraid her hands might start shaking.

[Rienne] I dont think he can speak properly right now. If we spend too much time here, well be late for the funeral, but if you have anything youd like to tell me, please come see me later.

Her final words were directed towards the old man. His eyes were still shaking as he kept silent.

[Rienne] Let us be off.

[Black] .If you want.

Black took his opposite hand and placed it over Riennes, which was still holding onto his arm. Then, as her body faltered and she slightly leaned into him, Black stopped and looked down at her.

[Black] Are you alright?

[Rienne] ..Yes.

[Black] You dont look well.

She wasnt well. not at all. That old man. He said..

Rienne bit her lip and tightened the grip she had on Blacks arm.

[Rienne] Ill be alright as long as the funeral ends safely.

[Black] Ive been told to stay on alert.

[Rienne] Thats good.

It wasnt good. Nothing was. That old man said.

The daughter of Arsak will bleed.

That quiet, dull voice that was interrupted. Suddenly the words were connecting so clearly it was making her head spin.

Revenge.

Who was that old man? How did he know Black?

When everyone told her that he was there for the sake of revenge, was this what they were talking about?

Did this mean the person he wanted to get revenge against was her?

[Rienne] . . .

Bong! Bong!

The sound of the chapels bell shook the idea in her mind.

Her head was a complete mess, her thoughts mixing up with each other.

Only

* * *

T/N: (1) They mean lose his head in a literal sense here. Like Rafit could do something stupid and get himself killed.

(2) The word written here can mean many different things, hence Riennes initial confusion as to what he was talking about.

astral comment: There was so much information in this chapter Rest in peace, me. But hey, lore!

ghost: Things are starting to get spicy, though.