"We weren't even sure it would work," the mage said. "We never planned to approach the house. Not the forest either. Because we were not sure if our plan to lure Aldwin and his wife out would work, that's why we released the monsters in case it didn't."
"A distraction," Rowan said quietly.
"Yes," the mage replied. "If the first plan failed, Aldwin would be busy slaughtering the monsters while we captured Elian and delivered her to Moonbeam."
The mage's voice cracked.
"But something went wrong."
Rowan already knew.
They had never expected him.
Rowan's eyes lowered slightly.
So they cast a spell on Mom… from that far away.
The sorcerer responsible had to be powerful.
But the spell itself was weak, Rowan realized. So weak I didn't even notice it.
His fingers curled slowly.
They only wanted her to feel pain.
And for that, Rowan raised his sword.
