The morning air in Citywon still felt heavy, enveloped in a thin mist as Iago followed the two siblings down the damp, dewy cobblestone street. The city seemed to be just waking up from a long sleep. Thin smoke billowed from the chimneys of the wooden houses; the aroma of burning wood and brewing herbal concoctions danced in the air.
Occasionally, the faint creak of cartwheels could be heard in the distance, merging with the crowing of roosters and the clanging of blacksmiths who had started their day early.
They walked side-by-side. Iago on the left, the boy in the middle, and the red-haired girl on the right. The boy's lips were upturned, his steps light and full of excitement.
"Let's hold hands!" he pleaded innocently, looking up at Iago.
Iago paused momentarily, confused by the request which, to him, felt insignificant. However, before he could answer, the girl beside him chimed in, "That's a good idea! Right?"
"Yes, of course," Iago replied, his voice strained with hesitation. His hand slowly stretched out, and their fingers interlaced. The boy looked delighted, while the girl smiled the entire way.
Iago felt a strange sensation in his chest. An almost foreign warmth spread in his heart.
Wait… Do we look like a family? Husband, wife, and their child? No, stop your arrogant thoughts, Iago. It's just a walk.
As they took small steps past a newly opened bakery, the aroma of malt and roasted grains touched their noses. Small birds fluttered above moss-covered rooftops.
Several delivery workers were seen pushing carts full of woolen cloth and dried animal hides toward the central market. Iago felt awkward being silent. He turned to the girl beside him.
"Um… What is your name, if you don't mind?"
The girl smiled at him. "My name is Yuki Hellen. What is yours?"
"Iago Verbal. A pleasure to meet you."
"Verbal?" The girl raised an eyebrow. "Your name is quite unique, isn't it…"
"Yes, everyone says that."
Yuki chuckled softly. "This is my younger brother. His name is Edward Caves."
"Hello, Edward."
"Hi, Brother Iago!" Edward replied.
Their smiles were pure. Sincere. For a moment, Iago felt as though the world didn't always have to be seen through a lens of suspicion.
They arrived at a simple wooden house standing at the end of the cobblestone path, surrounded by a low wooden fence and several clay pots containing herbs, such as mint, thyme, and lavender. The house looked warm despite its simplicity. The roof was made of dry thatch, and the walls were old but sturdy wooden planks.
"We're here!" Edward exclaimed.
They entered. The soft creak of the wooden door welcomed the warmth inside. The aroma of brewing herbs hung in the air, mixing with the scent of old bread filling a shelf near the fireplace.
"Please have a seat," Yuki said, pointing to a chair made of an oak log.
Iago sat down slowly. Edward sat beside him, staring with typical childlike curiosity.
"Brother Iago, where is your family?"
Iago froze; the simple question caught him off guard. "They died when I was ten."
"How did that happen?"
Before Iago could answer, Yuki emerged from the kitchen carrying a wooden tray holding breakfast. On it were pieces of hard grain bread that had been reheated and a cup of pale, hot herbal tea.
"Edward, that's enough." Yuki's tone was firm yet gentle. "That's rude."
"But I was just—"
"No arguments! Don't make him uncomfortable."
"Alright… I'm sorry, Brother Iago," Edward said, bowing his head.
Iago offered a faint smile. "It's okay."
"You're not mad, are you?"
"No."
"Yay! I thought you would be angry!"
Yuki smiled and sat down, beginning to slice the hard bread with a small, old metal knife.
"Let's eat!"
"Let's go!" Edward cheered.
They began to eat. The hot mint tea slowly steamed in the clay cup. The taste was simple, but it brought warmth to Iago's weary body. As they chewed, Yuki started a conversation.
"Iago… did you hear? When Edward and I were at the west market, the gossip was buzzing. They say two bodies were found at the old inn near the square. One on the upper floor, another near the entrance."
"Yeah! That's right!" Edward added quickly.
I knew this would spread, Iago thought. His face remained calm, though his heart began to beat irregularly. "Really?" he said, feigning surprise.
"And they also said… a pile of bodies was found in the narrow alley behind the inn. Their wounds were horrifying."
Iago clenched his hands under the table. A faint tremor began in his fingers. "That's truly dreadful."
Yuki looked at Iago for a moment. "The two bodies at the inn died from gunshot wounds to the head. But the ones in the narrow alley? Stab wounds, slashes… and many of them had their fingers severed."
Eliana… Iago lowered his head. His hands started shaking more violently. He tried to stay calm, swallowing the panic. Of course, Eliana's presence and actions have caused quite a problem for him. Now, he had to deal with both himself and Eliana.
"That points to two different perpetrators, or a single group. But if the deaths occurred simultaneously… it strongly suggests a murder team."
Iago swallowed, his throat dry. "Did they spread information that detailed?"
"No," Yuki replied, sipping her tea. "I only heard the location and the type of wounds. The rest… is just my deduction."
Iago was silent. Inside, he shivered.
This girl is dangerous. I shouldn't linger here.
He spoke to his internal voice again: Hey, isn't this what you wanted? You told me to kill them! Now what should I do?
Iago hoped the other voice in his head would answer. But the voice was silent.
Damn you! You don't show up when I need you!
"Iago? Are you alright?" Yuki's voice shattered his trance.
"Ah, yes. I'm just impressed by your theory."
Yuki gave a small laugh. "You exaggerate. Many people must be thinking the same thing."
What is with this false humility? Deducting all that just from the location and type of wounds? And she's right, damn it. She's unnerving me. I need to watch my words.
"Iago… I also heard something else."
"Huh?" Iago became anxious again.
"People say, around dawn, a mysterious old man passed by the front of the inn… but didn't report anything. He just disappeared."
"Hmm… who knows, maybe he didn't see the bodies."
"True. But there was a body near the entrance, he should have seen it."
"That's true…" Good. That old man will surely be suspected and searched for. I'm safe.
"They say the old man was wearing a shabby, patched-up grey cloak… and carrying a large travel bag."
Suddenly, Iago's eyes widened further. His hand slipped from under the table. His mouth hung open soundlessly.
That cloak… that large bag… Damn it… that man must be The Shadow, the cunning thief who stole my bag! Oh, right… Last night I kept three Flor in my trousers pocket.
He stood up abruptly. Yuki and Edward were confused by Iago's behavior.
"Iago?"
"Brother Iago, what's wrong?"
Iago's hands were trembling. His breath hitched. He started checking his pockets and found not a single coin. However, he found a small piece of paper in his pocket.
Damn it… he stole my money too! And what the hell is this paper? Did he put it here? Who exactly is that old bastard?!
Iago's trembling hand slowly clenched into a stiff fist. He cautiously unfolded the paper.
On the paper was written: "Do you know? A great sorcerer can do anything."