[chapter 8] + The Rumor +

+ The Rumor +

It was another regular and quiet afternoon in Asthralle. Cadens was usually up in the mountains by this hour but today, he spent the afternoon sitting by the central fountain of the village. He enjoyed the scenery there. It made him forget certain memories that needed to be forgotten. Kids were laughing and playing around, elders were joyfully telling old myths and even the Inn owner who was usually lazy had the energy to take a stroll.

The young boy’s attention was elsewhere and his mind was wandering off. He could clearly hear his surroundings but the visions weren’t registering. Different thoughts always invaded his mind and now all he can think about was that cloaked person who kept the white cross neat. Who was he? How will he be able to repay him for everything that he has done? All these and a lot more kept his mind occupied. But not long enough. Moments later, an elder of the town approached Cadens.

“Young boy, you are Cadens Orithiah, are you not?” the old man asked.

“Yes, sir. I am.” Cadens replied, still having that same almost expressionless look.

“I need to speak to you privately. Do you mind?”

“No. Not at all, Sir.”

“That’s great, then. Shall we head to the inn you’re currently staying at?”

“Yes, Sir. Right this way.”

Cadens walked a little faster than the old man. He walked before the elder and led the way in silence. Being a small town Asthralle was, it didn’t take long for them to arrive.

The door creaked and the small bell made its sound as Cadens slowly opened the door. It seems like the owner was nowhere to be found. He could be washing the dishes or cleaning the rooms. Or better yet, he could be back in his own room, sleeping his way through this lazy afternoon.

The elder man sat down on one of the tables as Cadens headed to the kitchen to fetch him something to drink. Moments later, he came back with 2 glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and sat down on the opposite side to where the elder man sat. The both of them sat in silence. Cadens was never a conversation starter, after all. Meanwhile, the elder was waiting if maybe, just maybe, the young boy would be curious with what he wanted to tell him.

The man couldn’t wait any longer. He got his glass, took a sip and slowly placed it back down. Then, he spoke. “Cadens dear boy, how long had it been since your parents died?”

This question got the young boy’s attention. He shockingly looked up to face the elder man and hesitated to answer but being the elder of the town, Cadens had to respect him. “I-it had been four years…”

The elder man nodded in response. “Cadens, do you know what happened the other night?” he asked.

Cadens plainly shook his head yet he was very much interested in what the elder man had to say.

“Some nights ago…” the old man began. “A group of travelers asked for directions to the mountains near here. It was the same mountain and the same hiking route where your parents died. A local official of the village, I forgot who, accompanied them shortly after some minutes along the hike. The travelers told him that they could take it from there. Whoever the guide was left the travelers on their own after that. Although something happened. He suddenly heard the screaming voices of the travelers. He rushed back to the hiking route to see what went wrong and…” The elder man trailed off.

Cadens wanted to know. “And… and then?” he said.

The elder man sighed before continuing. “He found the things of the travelers in the same condition when the found your parents’ things. And truth to be told, the travelers’ bodies nor any sign of them are not found until now.”

The young boy’s eyes widened in shock. It was exactly what happened to his parents.