CHAPTER 49: THREADS OF TRUTH

Morning had faded into almost afternoon by the time Edward and Aeris returned home. The streets of Ashenhold turned calm, the bustle of merchants and townsfolk softened to the usual rhythm of midday activity. Despite the seeming normalcy, they both felt the weight of their earlier encounter with Chief Auren pressing heavily upon their minds.

As they stepped inside the townhouse, Seraphine immediately appeared around the corner, her face pouting as she took in their late return.

"Where have you two been?" she asked, her tone half-scolding, half-curious.

Edward’s expression darkened immediately, and the lightness in the room vanished.

"Seraphine," he said, voice low and serious, "we need to talk."

Her eyes widened slightly, the pout faltering, replaced by an attentive seriousness. She stepped fully into the room, closing the distance between them.

Soon enough, the three of them sat at the dining table, the afternoon sun filtering through the windows and casting faint patterns across the wood. Edward recounted everything that had transpired in the chief’s office—the execution, the confiscation of their tokens, the sacks of gold that had felt more like bribes than rewards. Aeris filled in the gaps where his memory faltered, carefully avoiding to let emotion seep into her recounting.

Seraphine listened in silence, her cheerful demeanour gradually fading. The longer the story went on, the more her features hardened, a trace of dread appearing in her eyes. Yet she forced herself to remain composed, taking in every word with careful intent.

When their retelling of events was done, the room fell into a heavy silence.

Edward and Aeris exchanged a glance, each lost in their own thoughts.

Then, Seraphine broke the stillness of the room.

"But... what are we going to do now?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Edward leaned back slightly, rubbing at his temple. "We will investigate in silence. Gather evidence, and when we have enough, we take it to the Capital. Prince Arthur will give us a fair hearing. He knows us... That’s our best chance."

Aeris nodded in agreement, her expression set and unwavering. "We plan carefully. Step by step," she added.

And so they did.

The following two weeks passed in a tense routine.

Edward and Aeris moved through the town under the guise of casual errands, asking questions, probing for information—but the townsfolk avoided them. Doors were closed in their faces with an unusual, almost hostile politeness. Any attempt at conversation was met with forced smiles or hurried excuses.

There was no trace of the Crimson Oath, either.

The town itself seemed to carry on as if nothing had happened, its daily rhythm unbroken. Yet Edward and Aeris knew better. Something had changed.

Their frustration grew with every failed attempt to uncover the truth. Hours of investigation led to little more than dead ends and evasive glances. Seraphine grew restless too, her usual boundless energy now sharpened with unease. She feared the worst—that the Crimson Oath was quietly gathering strength, preparing for something dire while the town remained oblivious.

At the same time, a noticeable shift occurred in Ashenhold.

The number of soldiers increased steadily, fresh recruits joining in waves. Casual patrols became systematic, almost oppressive in their consistency. Armoured figures now patrolled the streets at all hours, their presence a constant reminder that the town was changing—and not necessarily for the better.

Then, on the fourteenth day since their meeting with Chief Auren, things changed.

A soft knock echoed through the townhouse.

Edward, already on edge from the past two weeks, moved to the door with extreme caution.

At the threshold stood a man in plain town attire. His hands fidgeted at his sides, and he avoided Edward’s gaze, seeming almost hesitant to be there.

"Can I help you?" Edward asked.

The man’s eyes darted nervously toward the street before settling back on Edward. "I... I believe Chief Warren was murdered by the new chief," he said abruptly.

Edward’s heart sank. Every suspicion he had harboured, every shadow of doubt, now confirmed by someone else’s testimony. The weight of it pressed down on him, sharp and suffocating.

He gestured for the man to enter.

"Come in," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

The man stepped inside, his movements cautious, almost furtive. Edward guided him to the dining table, motioning for him to take a seat. Aeris remained just behind the corner, silent but attentive, her eyes reflecting the same sharp curiosity and unease Edward felt.

Edward waited, letting the man gather his courage.

Then, after a brief pause, the man finally spoke.

"Well... I—I am a soldier," the man began, voice shaky.

A flicker of doubt ignited in Edward’s mind as the man looked like every other townfolk, but he chose to listen first and judge later.

"I served under Chief Warren for years. He was... he was a good man. Better than anyone I’ve ever known."

The man’s hands trembled slightly, and his gaze drifted as though recalling memories too painful to hold.

"I believe the new chief... Auren... he had Chief Warren killed. I was on guard duty at the meeting hall the night it happened. The way they announced it... it was like the death of a stray dog. No remorse, no empathy... it felt rehearsed. And when Auren stepped in, everyone began congratulating him. It was horrifying..."

Edward listened intently, his mind racing. Aeris stayed just out of sight, though Edward could feel her presence and the quiet tension she exuded.

"He did it," the man continued, voice rising slightly as emotions tangled with fear. "I know he did! The man they executed... they threatened his family. They said if he didn’t confess, his wife and child would die. He had no choice!"

Edward’s expression darkened. The truth they had long suspected now had a witness confirming it.

"But..." Edward began. "Why now? Why did you wait so long to come to us?"

The soldier’s eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and resolve before answering.

"Because... today... today it’s my turn to keep a watch over you."