"...At first, everything went smoothly as planned. With my identity as a Harper and Sofina's powerful magic, nothing could stop us," Edgin said, taking a sip of wine. "We managed to get hold of the Tablet of Reawakening."
"It sounds like if nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected is about to happen," Aoko commented sharply.
"Is there something off with the logic in your sentence...?" Edgin looked confused but continued his story. "There was a magical alarm on the base of the Tablet of Reawakening. As soon as the tablet was taken, the alarm would sound immediately."
"So the alarm was triggered?" Aoko asked calmly.
"That's right," Edgin nodded with a bitter smile, "Within a very short time, the stationed Harper Alliance guards rushed out. I've never realized those guys could be so efficient in my whole life..."
"The first group of guards was easily defeated by Sofina's spells," Edgin continued, "Or rather, she mercilessly killed them. Next, the second wave of guards arrived at the vault with military-grade crossbows."
"Unexpectedly," Edgin's expression grew a bit more serious, "Sofina used Time Stop!"
"A 9th-level spell from the school of Transmutation!" Now it was Aoko's turn to be surprised. "That means Sofina is at least an archmage!"
"I don't know much about your wizard traditions," Edgin replied, "but I do know that Sofina's strength isn't as simple as we thought."
"Holga was the first to be caught by the Time Stop spell, and I slipped and fell too," Edgin took a fierce bite of his ration, continuing, "Just before the magic completely enveloped me, I threw the Tablet of Reawakening to the rogue, Forge."
"And then you and Holga were captured?" Aoko raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, from what you've said, it sounds like you were set up by Sofina."
"How so?" Holga was a bit puzzled. As one of the people involved, she just thought she was unlucky to be caught. She figured it was just because Sofina didn't know them well and selfishly only cared about her escape.
"First, a wizard capable of casting 9th-level spells wouldn't embark on such a venture without using some divination rituals to predict the outcome," Aoko said, holding up a finger. "Second, that rogue Forge in your party is too suspicious. Did you notice the timing when he told you about the Tablet of Reawakening?"
"...He told us as soon as Sofina arrived!" Edgin was stunned. As a tactically minded bard, he wasn't known for intelligence, but he wasn't dumb either. Aoko's reminder made him realize something was off.
"I also have another question," Aoko continued, ignoring Edgin's reaction. "If you all came for the Tablet of Reawakening and the treasure, then what was Sofina's reason for entering the Harpers' vault?"
This question was sharp. Even Edgin and Holga, who were directly involved, couldn't recall what Sofina took from the vault, leaving them both feeling a bit dejected.
"So that bastard Forge might have colluded with Sofina all along?" Edgin said angrily. "So the Tablet of Reawakening was just bait to lure me into breaking the Harpers' seal on Korinns's Keep?"
"That's just one possibility," Aoko replied, taking a sip of her drink. "I'm not one of you, so I don't know all the details, and there's no solid evidence yet that Forge knew Sofina beforehand."
"I'm just sharing my deduction." Aoko paused before continuing.
"In any case, thank you for the reminder," Edgin took a deep breath and calmed down before saying to Aoko, "And what you said could very well be true."
"Haha, talking with smart people always gives you the illusion that you're getting smarter too," Holga joked self-deprecatingly.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Edgin feigned anger. "Are you saying I'm not smart?"
—Divider—
The three spent the night resting, and early the next morning packed up and set out again.
Aoko didn't sleep. She sat on her mat in a meditative state all night, resting while staying alert to her surroundings—after all, in an unfamiliar place, caution is key.
Within the area of the Ten Towns of the North, things weren't much better than in the rest of Icewind Dale. It was a desolate expanse, with only the occasional merchant caravan struggling across the prairie, and few other travelers to be seen.
It took them about three days to finally reach Targos—Edgin's hometown.
Like other places in the Ten Towns, Targos wasn't large. Besides the villagers' homes, there was only a tavern, a general store, and an inn with a stable.
Standing at the village entrance, Aoko could see straight to the other end. She thought the village looked quite peaceful and serene—at least on the surface, it seemed somewhat idyllic.
"I want to go home first," Edgin said to Holga and Aoko. "What about you two?"
"I'll look around the town," Holga said, taking the other two's horses with her. "I'll come find you later."
"I'd like to visit your home," Aoko said casually. "You're not going to turn me away, are you?"
"Of course not!" Edgin said exaggeratedly. "A Harper always welcomes guests from afar!"
Following the familiar path, Edgin soon led Aoko to his home.
After two years away, though the villagers had the decency not to ransack his house, the once cozy little home was abandoned.
The yard was overgrown with weeds, and even the door was covered in cobwebs. Edgin paid it no mind, pushed open the door, and looked around. The last bit of hope in his heart faded—his daughter Kira was not waiting for him at home.
"It doesn't look like anyone's lived here recently," Aoko commented after surveying Edgin's house. "Your daughter probably hasn't come back."
"How is it?" Holga came in from outside after tying up the horses. "Any clues about Kira?"
"...Let's change our gear and take what we need," Edgin said after some thought. "We'll eat at the tavern tonight. There's no food left at home."