I told them what happened, everything from when we were bathing to the moment I lost consciousness. They listened to me with hushed breaths, their attention sharp on me especially when I talked about how I fought back.
When I finished, the silence that followed was broken only by Arvas, who said solemnly, "You are really lucky. You fought an Elemental Knight-rank and you’re still alive. So lucky, or maybe not, maybe you just have a monstrous core."
I was taken aback. This was the first time I had heard something that sounded close to a compliment from the man and I blinked several times. "Thank you?"
Arvas snorted angrily. "But it’s stupid to stand and fight. If the second assassin hadn’t run away, you’d be dead by now! You should have run at the first sign of danger, you’re a fool."
’And there it is’ I thought wearily.
Kren began pacing in the small room, his face pulled into a frown. "But who could be after you? The question is, why you? I’ve asked around, there’s nothing special about you. The only trouble you’ve caused was with Kade’s gang and us. Why are they after you?"
’Because they want me dead. Either my father, who thought he broke me and doesn’t want me trying to be a Knight again, or my stepbrother, who wants me erased from the world. Maybe that’s what’s ’special’ about me’ I thought sarcastically.
Then my eyes widened. "Wait, what about Kade?"
If the first assassination attempt had failed, wouldn’t they want to clean up their mistakes? Only I and Kade had survived the last time they tried to kill me.
As soon as I asked, the mood in the room turned gloomy and heavy.
My heart skipped a beat, not because I particularly cared about Kade, but because I was starting to understand just how serious the trouble I was in really was.
"We’ve been looking for him since yesterday. We found signs of fighting in his room, but nothing that points to where he is or his condition," Tiber said.
’Kidnapped for torture? But he knows very little about me and my situation. Why take him and not just kill him outright? Is there something else they are after? Ahhh, this is giving me a headache!’
Arvas chuckled. "Poor sod’s probably dead somewhere. What? I’m just telling the truth. They must have stumbled on something in the Fleshspike Ravager’s ruin, and now someone’s trying to silence them."
That didn’t improve the mood in the room and only added more tension.
I cleared my throat. "How did you find me?"
Slya explained, "We suddenly realized you had vanished. Looking around, we saw signs of battle and traced them. Honestly, I still don’t know how they were able to do all that in seconds."
Kren frowned. "From your description, it was done using an isolated time-space. Unlike the usual kind, this one can create a pocket that covers a certain area, making time crawl for those inside while it moves fast for everything else."
Her eyes widened as she looked at me again, as if I had risen in her estimation. "That’s powerful... not something that should be found in the Borderlands." She chuckled nervously, imagining what could have happened to her or Tiber.
Kren nodded, his expression confused. "Yes. It’s not something an assassin targeting you should possess. This type of enchanted tool is meant for powerful Knights. For them to use it so casually means they really wanted you dead, and they have strong backing, either from a powerful individual or an organization."
"We must conduct a full-scale investigation to uncover what really went down in the Fleshspike Ravager tunnel," Arvas said.
Kren turned to me. "I gave you a potion, a healing one that sped up your body’s natural recovery. Fortunately, your bones weren’t harmed, and you’re already healed. The downside is that you’ll have a massive headache."
’So that’s why my head feels like it’s killing me’ I groaned. "Thank you."
Kren waved it off, his eyes shadowed. "It’s nothing. I’m more concerned about Kade. He’s been missing since yesterday, and we don’t have a single clue where he is."
A thought occurred to me. ’Did they kidnap Kade to use as bait? To set a trap? Maybe they thought we were friends. Heh heh, that’s not going to work on me’
Suddenly, Arvas turned to me and studied me. "Too bad you’re injured. We won’t be able to take you with us on the operation two days from now."
I stiffened on the bed. ’What?’
"What?" Kren blurted out, whirling to face Arvas. "What are you talking about?"
"Don’t you see he’s hurt?" Arvas asked sarcastically.
The atmosphere in the room crackled as the two stared at each other. Kren adjusted his glasses, his face cold and drawn. "He’ll be fully healed by then. It’s just the day after tomorrow, right? He’ll use today to rest and tomorrow to get ready."
Arvas shrugged. "Alright. I just don’t want dead weight dragging us down."
"I won’t be dead weight," I said coldly. Nothing would stand between me and that ruin with the Forbidden mark.
"Make sure you’re not," Arvas shrugged and left.
Tiber and Slya relaxed, sighing in relief as the room returned to normal. They had thought the two might fight, which could mean standing near exploding enchanted tools.
Kren stared at the door for a long while after Arvas left, his eyes heavy. Then he turned to me. "Don’t mind him. He’s been getting crankier the closer we get to the operation. You’ll be a great help, even if you’re a little weak. Alright, I’ve got a lot to do. We’ll talk later."
He left after that, leaving Tiber and Slya alone with me.
They stared at each other in silence for a while before Slya blurted out, "Did you really kill a Knight? Tell me about it again!" Her eyes lit up as she asked.
I grimaced. "Alright."