"She went to check on your mother while I helped the injured but hasn't returned. Go check on them. I'll stay here and do what I can."
"Thank you, Aldeth."
Although he had hoped his aunt and uncle would not need to get involved, Eramus was glad they had taken the initiative to help. The mercenaries had thwarted Kieran's plan, and because Eramus had taken a watch post instead of remaining in the village, his people were subject to the invaders' mercy. Thanks to Yelene and Aldeth, the village had sustained only minor damage and the people few injuries. It knotted his stomach to think what would have happened had they not been here.
Eramus rushed to Evree's cottage and knocked on the door. He expected her or Kieran to appear in the frame, but it was Yelene's petite form that stood before him. She brushed her blonde hair from her face, giving the sunlight a chance to reflect off the trail of tears on her cheeks.
"Eramus!" She sprung forward and wrapped him in a warm embrace. "Are you all right?" she asked, pulling away to look him over.
"I'm fine. How is my mother? Evree?"
Her face paled, and she offered no response. "Come inside."
He entered the cottage, immediately catching the sound of angry voices.
"You won't stop me from going!" Kieran shouted, rummaging through a closet near the back of the room. "I'm going after them, whether you like it or not."
"Listen to reason!" came a voice Eramus recognized as Arnan's. "You are one man. You can't possibly contend with so many. Only a fool would think they could take them on their own."
Arnan must have returned late last night or early this morning from Olgetha. Whatever he and Kieran were arguing about had the man flustered, his face as red as a beet.
"I suppose I am a fool, then," said Kieran, pulling what looked like a spear from inside the closet. "But I won't stand here and do nothing. She's my daughter!"
A wave of chills swept over Eramus. His eyes darted frantically around the room. Inara sat at the table, her arms folded and tears streaming down her face. Her shoulders shook with her sobs, and Yelene hovered over her, whispering soft words of comfort.
But where was Evree? The realization that she wasn't among them sent his pulse into a frenzy. "What happened?" he said over the argument across the room. "Where is Evree?"
Kieran and Arnan both turned to face him. Kieran's expression fell, and his sullen eyes made Eramus's stomach lurch into his throat. Arnan wasted no time marching across the room, his hands clenched and his gaze dark.
"You!" He used both hands to shove Eramus several steps backwards. "You have deceived us yet again. There are more people like you! How dare you hide such information from us!"
"That's enough, Arnan!" Kieran shouted, but the effort did little good.
Arnan sneered. "What else are you hiding? What other secrets do you have? Did you ask your friends to come so you could take over?"
Eramus almost snorted. Why Arnan believed he had any interest in “taking over” their little village, he would never understand. The man was losing his sanity over the idea that Eramus wanted to replace him, and he couldn't be further from the truth.
Regardless, now wasn't the time for his pettiness.
"What do you expect? Should I subjugate them to the same prejudice I've experienced the last few weeks? They just protected our people from mercenaries, yet you still think ill of magic." Eramus inched closer to him, jabbing a finger into Arnan's chest. "You think I'm a threat to this village, but it is you who can't see past your own selfish desires. I've done nothing to deserve your deplorable treatment, and I would never put anyone in the same position."
Yelene rushed to his side and gripped his arm. "Stop, please! Both of you! Now is not the time."
Arnan's scowl deepened. "You think they protected everyone? Not quite, Eramus. Perhaps you should ask Kieran if they protectedeveryone. I assure you, he will agree with me this time."
Eramus turned to face Kieran, waiting for his response. Kieran's gaze dropped to the floor and time dragged. When he finally looked up, tears filled his eyes.
"They took her, Eramus. They've taken Evree."
