The morning air in Citywon was still heavy with a thin mist as Iago followed the two siblings down the damp, dew-covered cobblestone streets. The city seemed to be waking from a long slumber. Thin smoke curled from the chimneys of the rows of wooden houses; the scent of burning wood and brewing herbal concoctions danced in the air.
Occasionally, the faint screech of a cart wheel sounded in the distance, merging with the crowing of roosters and the clanging of blacksmiths who had started their day earlier.
They walked in a row. 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 spirited.
"Let's hold hands!" he asked innocently, looking up at Iago.
Iago fell silent for a moment, confused by a request that seemed rather unimportant to him. But before he could answer, the girl beside him exclaimed, "That's a great idea! Right?"
"Yes, of course," Iago answered, his voice thick with hesitation. His hand slowly reached out, and their fingers intertwined. The boy looked happy, while the girl smiled all the way.
Iago's heart felt strange. An almost unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest.
Wait… Iago thought. Do we look like a family? A husband, a wife, and their child? No, stop being so conceited, Iago. It's just walking.
Amidst their small steps past a bakery that had just opened, the aroma of malt and roasted grains touched their noses. Small birds fluttered above the moss-covered rooftops.
Some delivery men were seen pushing carts full of wool fabrics and dried animal hides towards the central market. Iago felt awkward just staying silent. He turned to the girl beside him.
"Um… What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?"
The girl smiled at him. "My name is Yuki Hellen. What's yours?"
"Iago Verbal. Nice to meet you."
"Verbal?" The girl raised her eyebrows. "Your name is quite unique, huh..."
"Yeah, everyone says that."
Yuki laughed softly. "This is my little brother. His name is Edward Caves."
"Wow... his name is really cool."
"Hehe... thank you, Brother Iago!" Edward replied, his eyes sparkling.
Their smiles were unadulterated. Pure. For a moment, Iago felt as if 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 street, surrounded by a low wooden fence and several clay pots containing herb plants, like mint, thyme, and lavender. The house looked warm despite its simplicity. Its roof was made of dried thatch, its walls from old but sturdy planks.
"We're here!" Edward exclaimed.
They entered. The soft creak of the wooden door welcomed the warmth inside. The scent of a herbal brew hung in the air, mixed with the smell of old bread filling a rack near the fireplace.
"Please, have a seat," Yuki said, pointing to a chair made from an oak log.
Iago sat down slowly. Edward sat beside him, staring with a child's typical curiosity.
"Brother Iago, where's your family?"
Iago paused, the simple question catching him off guard. "They died when I was ten."
"How did it happen?"
Before Iago could answer, Yuki appeared from the kitchen carrying a wooden tray with breakfast. On it, reheated hard wheat bread and a cup of pale, hot herbal tea.
"Edward, that's enough." Yuki's tone was firm yet gentle. "It's impolite."
"But I just-"
"No arguments! Don't make him uncomfortable."
"Okay... sorry, Brother Iago," Edward said, his head bowed.
Iago gave a small smile. "It's okay."
"You're not angry, are you?"
"No."
"Yay! I thought you would be angry!"
Yuki smiled and sat down, starting to slice the hard bread with a small, old metal knife.
"Let's eat!"
"Let's!" Edward chimed in.
They began to eat. The hot mint tea steamed slowly in the clay cups. It tasted simple, but it brought warmth to Iago's tired body. As they chewed, Yuki started a conversation.
"Iago… did you hear? When Edward and I were at the west market, the gossip was intense. They said two bodies were found at the old inn near the square. One on the upper floor, another near the entrance."
"Yeah! It's true!" Edward added quickly.
I knew it would spread, Iago thought. His face remained calm, though his heart began to hammer an irregular rhythm. "Is that so?" he said, feigning surprise.
""And they also said… a mass of bodies was found in the narrow alley behind that inn. Their wounds were ghastly."
Iago clenched his hands under the table. A slight tremor started in his fingers. "That's truly terrible."
Yuki looked at Iago for a moment. "The two bodies in 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 cut off."
Eliana... Iago looked down. His hands began to shake more violently. He tried to remain calm, swallowing the panic. Of course, Eliana's presence and behavior had caused him enough trouble.
Now, he had to face himself and Eliana.
"That suggests two different perpetrators, or a group. But if the deaths were simultaneous… it strongly suggests a team of killers."
Iago swallowed, his throat dry. "Are they spreading information in that much detail?"
"No," Yuki replied, sipping her tea. "I only heard the location and the types of wounds. The rest... is just my guess."
Iago fell silent. Inside, he shuddered.
This girl is dangerous. I shouldn't stay here long.
He spoke to his internal voice again: Hey, isn't this what you wanted? You told me to kill them! Now what do I do?
Iago hoped the other voice within him would answer. But the voice was silent.
Damn it! You don't show up when I need you!
"Iago? Are you okay?" Yuki's voice shattered his reverie.
"Ah, yes. I'm just amazed by your theory."
Yuki gave a small laugh. "You're exaggerating. Many people must be thinking the same thing."
What's with this false modesty? To deduce all that just from the location and wound types? And she's right, damn it. She makes me uneasy. I need to keep a tight rein on my words.
"Iago... I also heard something else."
"Huh?" What now? Iago grew anxious again.
"People say, at dawn, a mysterious old man passed by in front of the inn... but didn't report anything. He just disappeared."
"Hm... 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 right..." Good. That old man will surely be suspected and sought after. I'm safe.
"They say the old man wore a shabby, patched gray coat… and was carrying a large travel bag."
Suddenly, Iago's eyes flashed wider. His hands slipped from under the table. His mouth agaped without a sound.
The coat... the large bag... Damn it... that man must be Shadow, the thief who stole my bag! Oh, right... Last night I stored three Flor in my pants pocket.
He stood up abruptly. Yuki and Edward were confused by Iago's behavior.
"Iago?"
"Brother Iago, what's wrong?"
Iago's hands trembled. His breath grew heavy. He began checking his pockets and didn't find a single coin. But, he found a slip of paper in his pocket.
Damn it… he stole my money too! And what the hell is this paper? Did he put it there? Who is that bastard old man?!
Iago's trembling hands began to curl into rigid fists. He slowly started to unfold the slip of paper.
On the paper was written: "Did you know? A great sorcerer can do anything."