Nigel hesitated, then asked, "Can I ask… which Kingdom did Sir Hale come from before arriving at Zarethrone?"
Kaelith raised a brow, slightly surprised by the question. "Hale?
Yes, Your Highness.
Kaelith hesitated before answering... Hale is not from a kingdom. He was born in a small village… I don't remember the name exactly."
Nigel nodded slowly. "A village…"
Kaelith added, "His father was a blacksmith."
At that, something in Nigel's eyes shifted, recognition flickering. "Oh… that rings a bell."
Kaelith narrowed his eyes a little. "Why? Do you know or see something?"
Nigel quickly shook his head with a small smile. "No, Your Highness. I already have my answer."
Kaelith didn't press further. He only gave Nigel a final look and a nod before turning and heading back.
But when he returned to where he had left Hale, the spot was empty. The bottle of wine was still half-full, but Hale was nowhere in sight.
