Chapter 27 — Revius and the Suspicious Man
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Kael Grenfort:
The carriage rolled slowly. Darkness was falling outside the window. Father sat across from me, reading his book in silence. Silvan was on the driver's seat, facing forward, watching the road.
I looked down at my knees. They weren't trembling anymore. But something inside me had changed.
"Kael," Father said suddenly, closing his book.
"Yes, Father?"
"Actually, I had one more thing to tell you."
His face lacked its usual playfulness. Serious. Even a little worried.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Well... what I wanted to ask is — how did you feel?"
"Father, I don't understand, honestly."
"Hmmmm... in short, this was your first time killing someone. I'm a bit worried about you, to be honest."
I was silent for a moment. I looked down at my hands on my knees. They weren't trembling.
"Father, it's fine. Yes, it was my first time killing someone. But they were criminals. They raided villages, terrorized people. If I hadn't stopped them, who else would have suffered?"
Father looked at me for a long time. Then nodded.
"I know. Still, take care of yourself. I've always known you were different, and I know — this is my fault. I should have sensed those bandits first. It's my fault. Don't get involved in such things unnecessarily. Warn me about everything, and forgive my carelessness, son."
He stood up, came over, and hugged me tightly.
My arms around his back. His heart beating. Father's strong, reassuring embrace. I closed my eyes.
"I promise, Father," I said quietly.
---
The next day — late afternoon.
"Kael! Wake up! Revius is in sight!" Father's excited voice rang in my ears.
I opened my eyes. Looked out the window — the silhouette of a large city appeared on the horizon. Tall walls, towers, smoke.
"Wow..." I said groggily.
"Here, here! We've arrived at Revius!" Father shouted right next to my ear.
"Ahhh! What is it?! Why are you shouting, Father? I've only been asleep for three hours."
"No problem! After we get in, you can sleep as much as you want for three days, my son! Hehehe!"
"Ehhhhh… Father…"
"Come on, get up, get up… aren't you curious to see the city?"
---
Entering through the city gates.
The carriage slowly approached the gate. Guards checked the documents. Father exchanged a few words with them. Then the guard nodded and let us pass.
Revius… this city was truly large and lively.
Streets were wide, paved with stone. Tall buildings on both sides — some four or five stories, with carvings and small statues. People everywhere: merchants praising their wares, buyers haggling, children running, carriages passing each other.
"Wow…" I said, my mouth open.
"Like it?" Father laughed.
"Yes. Much bigger than Dester."
"Nothing can replace Dester. But Revius — this is the city of knowledge and power. The mage school is here. You'll go there."
"I know."
The carriage moved slowly. I looked around, trying to memorize everything.
Suddenly my eyes fell on a stall selling golden items and jewelry. But what caught my attention was the man sitting beside that stall.
He wore a long black hooded robe. His face was barely visible. His hands were gloved. He wasn't looking around — just staring at the items on the stall, or rather, at other people's bags and pockets. His movements were very suspicious. His fingers constantly twitching, his body slightly leaned forward, as if ready to spring into action at any moment.
A person walked past him — he glanced at that person's belt.
"Father, look," I said quietly, pointing. "That man over there. His movements are very suspicious. I'd say eighty percent — a thief."
"Hmm?" Father looked at him. "Let's see how accurate you are."
"Read his mind, like you do with me."
Father stared at him for a moment. Then closed his eyes. A small wrinkle appeared on his forehead. He put his hands to his temples and tilted his head slightly.
"Errr…" he grunted.
"What's wrong, Father?"
"He pressed his temples with his fingers like a pistol. Errr… hard to enter. Why is he so strong?"
Before he finished, the man in black suddenly turned and looked at us. One of his eyes fell on me — those eyes were dark, deep, and in them… fear? Or surprise? Or both?
"He noticed us," I said.
And the man jumped up and started running.
---
A moment of silence.
People scattered in all directions. Some stared in surprise, some shouted, some ran. But that man was fast. He disappeared into the crowded street in an instant, as if swallowed by the ground.
"I think we lost him," Father sighed.
"Yes, yes. Looks like it."
He stuck his head out the window and looked behind us. But nothing was visible. People were already busy with their own affairs.
"Silvan, to the inn," Father said. "Tomorrow morning is the entrance test for the academy. We'll go there, drop you off, and return. That day, Kael. Until then, let's go, rest a bit. And finally… after so long."
"Yes, sir," — said Silvan. "Shall we have a beer today?"
"Yes, let's. My treat," — Sedric said.
"You two seem to enjoy it. Too bad I'm not old enough. Otherwise, I'd join," — I said.
Father and Silvan looked at each other. Then at me.
"Hmmm… how do you know we enjoy it?"
Uh-oh. Trapped.
"Well, well… think… what can I answer? Hmmm… what, what? Hmmm… got it!"
I cleared my throat.
"A-hem, a-hem… you know those old men, when they drink, they go 'ohhhh'. That must be it. Hmmm… I think… right?"
They both looked at me, squinting. "What the hell, bruhhh?"
"Mmmm… did I say something wrong?"
"No, no! You said it perfectly! Ahahahaha! Kael! Kael!" — Father slapped my shoulder.
Silvan also laughed. His laughter is rare. But this time, it was genuine.
---
At the inn.
Night had fallen. The room was large, with a window overlooking the city lights. I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes.
Tomorrow, the test. Tomorrow, school. Tomorrow — a new life.
Am I scared? No. Excited.
"Why? Because... finally, tomorrow — school. They say those kids will be my peers. But still... they're just kids. Hmm. Maybe it'll be interesting."
But… that man in black? Who was he? Why did he look scared? Why was he strong?
Questions… again questions.
My eyes closed. Tomorrow — a new day.
---
Night city.
I couldn't sleep. I got up and went to the window. Revius doesn't sleep at night either. Lights glow, people crowd, distant music.
And suddenly — across the street, a dark silhouette. It looked like that man. But he looked at me, for a moment, then vanished.
Am I being watched? Or is this imagination?
I don't know.
But one thing I know: tomorrow — a new beginning.
Tomorrow — school.
—