Chapter 17 The Threat
During the time that his friends were away, Durem had been busy organizing his father’s notes. He was however, unable to find any new information that would be of interest to the others. The companions arrived in Torinth two days after they left Hedak. Their return was earlier than he had expected but he was very pleased to see them again. He noticed that they were cheerless. This could only mean one thing, he thought.
“How is aunt doing?” Misara asked.
“She is slowly improving but I have decided not to reveal to her the real cause of father’s death.” Durem said in a hushed tone.
“Is your mother home?” Beret asked.
“Yes,” Durem answered, “she is resting.” To avoid being overheard, they went into the study where they told Durem what had happened in Hedak and the fate of Master Ladris. Durem was unable to conceal his alarm.
“The assassin got away?” Durem asked. “Regrettably,” Kort said. The anguish on Kort’s face was clear.
“But we will find him,” Kort said with determined certainty.
Durem pondered the situation before he spoke again.
“It would then seem that whatever they are trying to keep hidden is worth killing all those who knew the truth of the events relating to the Time of Despair,” Durem said.
“And now we partly know ourselves,” Kort said.
“Are you saying we might be next?” Durem asked.
“We are almost certain the assassin overheard us and saw our faces,” Beret said.
“He may have even overheard us mention that we knew Master Omed,” Kort added, “which means he may come after us here in Torinth.”
Durem looked at Misara, his eyes were filled with dread.
“What are we to do?” Durem asked still looking at his cousin.
Misara appeared to be considering Durem’s question. Before she could speak, Revik broke in unexpectedly.
“We need to face this threat head on,” Revik said. “If these events indeed forebode a more sinister menace, then we need to act.”
“I agree with Revik,” Beret said. “This is no longer simply a question of our safety.”
“Wait,” Misara said. She seemed to be lost in deep thought as if trying to recall something.
“Master Ladris spoke of the manuscript before he…” Misara hesitated.
Durem and the others looked at her with concern.
“Kestalon,” Misara said finally after appearing to regain her composure. “Master Ladris said the manuscript is there.”
Kestalon was a city to the north beyond Dormal. It lay just before the border between the Kingdom of Arkamas and the neighboring kingdoms. The journey would take five days from Torinth.
“That manuscript may have the answers we need,” Beret said. “It may even reveal who we are facing and why these murders took place.”
“Then I submit that we proceed to Kestalon,” Revik said.
“Whatever we encounter along the way, we need to be prepared for it. I propose we rest and leave the day after tomorrow,” Kort said.