Each moment after discovering Flint was missing felt like an eternity. Noble had known about Flint's sadness over Cook's death, but the man had shrugged it off as wanting her secret recipes.
That had been true, but Noble had always suspected there was more to it.
'Still, he is an idiot for running off!'
The cohort did not split up as they searched. Finding Flint was important, but they didn't want to lose another member in the process.
Searching up and down the alleys, the group called for Flint.
No answer came.
Noble pulled on her Kingdom Keeper Attribute. However, the cord did not seem to be anchored to any particular spot.
They searched down the first alley, checking every building as they went. It was no use.
But then.
"Blood." Syrce smelled it a moment before the others. It was faint but unmistakable.
Noble felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Unsheathing her Zenith, she rushed ahead of the rest toward where her gut was pulling her.
"Bel!" Syrce took off after her, followed by the rest of the group.
Two more blind turns, and the smell became stronger. Noble laid her hand on the door, but it swung open before she could push it. In her enthusiasm, she nearly ran face-first into the man's chest.
"Flint!" Noble backed away quickly.
"I'm here," the man said, sounding out of breath.
"I... we've been looking all over for you!" Noble started to chastise him when she noticed the blood on his hands. "What happened?"
"I thought I saw Cook, so I followed her. Then I was attacked." Stepping aside, Flint showed the two bodies in the room.
The woman's face was burned beyond recognition. Her head was tilted at an awkward angle as she faced the door. The man was on his stomach, his armor barely still on his body. His head was missing entirely.
Noble scanned the carnage with wide eyes.
Flint's tunic was cut in multiple places and soaked in blood as well, but the wounds underneath already seemed to be healed. That was the perk of being a healer, Noble decided.
She lowered her sword and lunged forward to hug the man. "I am so glad you are alright."
He took a deep breath. "I am sorry I worried you."
Releasing him, Noble furrowed her brow. The rest of the cohort arrived with Syrce a heartbeat later.
"Titus!" Syrce looked him up and down with an astonished expression. "You look terrible."
Flint tucked his thumbs in the leather relic around his waist and shrugged. "I feel fine enough."
Roan peered in the room, taking in the bloody display. "What happened?"
"As I told Lady Bel, I was ambushed." Flint's comment caused Helie and Aether to exchange glances.
It seemed their fear that Maelys would go after them was not unfounded.
"More Imperialists?" Syrce's expression darkened. "They are popping up faster than flowers."
"There is another explanation," Noble pursed her lips.
"Don't you go and blame Mae for this! She was attacked too! She is still recovering where I left her." The Saint's mouth formed into a hard line. "I know you two aren't getting along, but this is too much."
Noble gritted her teeth. "I agree it is too much. All of this is too much, and we need answers! If you let me see this Advisor, then perhaps..."
"You know I cannot do that," Syrce gripped her head. "You have to stop asking!"
"Then I will have to conduct my own inquiries," Noble turned back to her companion. "Flint, are you sure you haven't seen these people among Maelys's group?"
Flint shook his head. "I have not."
Of course, this was likely the true answer. Noble had never seen her attackers before, either. But just once, it would have been nice for the man to take a hint and help her out. Not that she wanted him to lie...but still.
"This is crazy! Do you really think Maelys is somehow sneaking new people into this camp across the water and then having them attack her?" Syrce raised her eyebrows.
Noble bit her lip.
"That is what you think, isn't it? Mae is loving and kind and a hero for our people. She isn't a murderer!" Syrce's eyes crackled with energy. Her hands flexed. "Maybe I need a couple of days' break from you also, Bel. I don't want to do something I will regret."
Before she could answer more diplomatically, there was screaming in the street. Syrce came out of the doorway to wave at the soldier.
The woman fell to her knees in the doorway. "Gone! They are gone!"
Syrce grasped the soldier and pulled her upright. "Who is gone?"
"The assassins. Their bodies have vanished!"
"How can that be? Bodies don't just vanish!" The Saint shook her subordinate.
"Indeed, it's very convenient." Noble narrowed her gaze.
Syrce furrowed her brow, turning back into the room. "Bel."
"Don't worry, I am getting used to broken promises." Noble shrugged.
"Please, My Lady, you have to come. The guards are beside themselves." The soldier pleaded.
"I will come." Syrce looked over her shoulder. "Bel, would you..."
"I am taking my leave now, as you suggested." Noble turned away. "Flint, will you go with Syrce and see if there is anything worth seeing?"
"Are you sure?" Flint seemed reluctant to leave the group again.
"Syrce can keep you safer than I can. Besides, you already proved you can take care of yourself, didn't you?" Noble smiled at him. "You can catch up with us when you are through."
"Come, Titus. I can help you get a fresh set of clothes along the way," the Saint assured him. "I promise."
The words hung in the air as the two left with the soldier as their guide. Feeling a little guilty, Noble activated her Kingdom Keeper Attribute for both Syrce and Flint as they left. But somehow she still couldn't make the connection to Flint work.
Was it because he was wearing the belt but hadn't activated it? She didn't think so…
"Is it possible you were a little harsh?" Aether pulled at his chin. "Lady Syrce seems to be trying her best."
"I know." Noble looked away, her eyes beginning to swirl. "But her best isn't enough to solve this Nightmare, or else we wouldn't be here, would we? This mystery is one we have to figure out and soon."
"You think the Nightmare is coming to a close?" Roan furrowed his brow.
"I can feel it. Can't you?" Noble suppressed the shiver running down her spine.
"You mean the attack on Flint?" Helie glanced at the carnage in the room.
"Something was wrong about it." Child of Promise nodded.
"You mean that Flint was calm and polite instead of calling for justice?" Aether asked.
"Or that he is wearing the belt when he had no intention of flying?" Helie scratched her head.
"Or that his clothes had gashes, but he acted completely fine without a single visible wound?" Roan noted.
"And he called me Bel completely unironically." Noble pushed her braid behind her shoulder. "I concede that any of those can be explained by the shock of being attacked by someone he mistook for a ghost. But together…"
"What do you think is going on?" Roan looked down uneasily at the charred woman. "He said he saw Cook, but why would that make him bolt?"
"That is a complicated question, but I'm less concerned about why he left. I'm more curious what happened in here once he was inside."
Noble looked at the mangled body of the man on the ground. He had been very strong and bulky. The amount of strength to take off his head was no small task. The head itself was covered by a helmet that was lying on it at the wrong angle. Morbid curiosity got the better of her.
"I wonder…"
Using her Ability, Noble lifted the head and turned it towards them.
Her face went pale.