Chapter 18: Playing detective
"Congratulations."
The father and son duo simultaneously turned their head towards the voice.
The voice belonged to a young girl.
The young girl stood a few paces away, caught under the spill of the silver moonlight.
Her dark chestnut hair seemed to glow, gleaming faintly like strands of polished bronze as it gracefully tumbled down and over her shoulders.
She wore a pinkish-red dress of coarse-woven fabric that reached just above her weathered boots. Her sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, revealing burn marks on both of her forearms.
Her eyes, reflecting the silver light, seemed to twinkle with excitement as she smiled at Nozna.
Jack's expression quickly shifted. His brows slightly twitched as he wore a faint smile.
"I'll head home first, take your time."
Nozna was stunned.
No, Da… Don't leave me with her… His thoughts began tumbling.
Also I need to tell you that Khamat is visiting us tonight…
Nozna smiled back at her
Flora Lindera… we've never really talked to each other in or outside of school.
…congratulations? What does she want?
Nozna watched as Flora started walking towards him.
His father had already disappeared from his sight.
Meeting one on one, outside the tavern at night… under the moonlight.
It can only mean one thing.
Nozna straightened his back, clearing his throat as Flora drew nearer.
Of course, I am as handsome as a prince.
This is a confession right?
A slow and prideful smile began to spread on his face.
Nozna was used to this. He was one of the most attractive young males in the village, so confessions or attempts to court him by other girls his age were fairly common.
But I don't have time to waste, I'll just turn her down quickly and head back home.
"No thanks for the congratulations?" The girl in front of him asked.
Nozna stared at Flora. "What?"
"Congratulations. On. Your. University. Offer." Flora repeated, staggering her words.
Nozna blinked. "You're not… confessing?"
Flora laughed. "Do you know how ridiculous you sound?"
Nozna was too stunned to speak.
"I will admit that you're good looking," Flora said plainly, staring straight into Nozna's eyes, "but don't you think you're too confident?"
She didn't give Nozna a chance to reply. "Anyways, congratulations."
Nozna blinked, his mind was scrambling for the right response.
Flora eyed Nozna intensely.
"T- Thank you." Nozna stammered.
Flora's lip curved just slightly.
"That's more like it!"
She's crazy. Nozna muttered inwardly.
"Oh, and I'm sorry about my mother." She gave a slight apologetic bow before continuing, "She couldn't stop herself from spreading the news."
"That's alright." Nozna replied, his voice turned oddly flat. "I need to go now, uh, I'll see you around."
Nozna turned sharply and quickly walked away. I don't have time for this.
"Hey! Wait!" Flora ran, her boots leaving behind a patter of hurried footsteps.
Before Nozna could create any meaningful distance between her, Flora was already by his side, matching his walking pace.
What does she want? He grumbled inwardly.
"Do you wanna work together?" She brightly beamed as her lips curved into a full grin.
Nozna gave her a wary glance. "Work together?"
"The young detectives of Savoda village!" she declared with confidence as she shamelessly threw her arms wide. "Solving the most infamous mystery this village had ever seen…the infamous missing cases!"
"The missing cases?" Nozna questioned.
"Yes, I want to uncover the secrets behind the missing villagers." Her voice was still brimming with excitement.
The two passed by rows of wooden huts, the silhouette of their thatched roofs looked like the backs of sleeping beasts. Pillars of smoke rose from a few huts, curling upwards into the cold night. The air carried the smell of smoke and simmering stew, mingling with the damp scent of the earth.
Nozna continued walking, his gaze fixed on the dark path ahead. "Why me? There are other boys, and other adults too?""
"All the adults are busy, and they either scold me or treat me like a child," Flora complained, her tone revealing a faint annoyance before lifting into a grin.
"And you, Nozna, are special."
Nozna glanced sideways from the corner of his eyes, his heart began to beat faster as he clenched his jaws.
Special?
Does she know about the Arcan world?
If Da overheard my conversation with Khamat that night…
Then Flora could have as well.
Her inn is not far from the river… she could have followed Khamat to my hut and then followed us to the river…
Flora's next words instantly filled Nozna with relief as he let out a long breath. He was just overthinking.
"You are the reincarnation of a divine detective." Flora shouted, gesturing upwards towards the moon.
Nozna found it so absurd he nearly bursted out laughing.
Flora continued as her eyes glinted in the moonlight. Her tone was filled with mischief and joy.
"For someone who skips as many Saturday schools as me, to be accepted into university by traveling scouts… You are worthy to be my companion."
Her brazenness caught Nozna offguard, causing him to stumble over a stray pebble.
The pair drew near the wooden bridge that spanned across the River Savole. Beyond the far bank stretched a field of grass, pale and empty under the moonlight. The faint silhouette of an inn rising in the distance could be seen, and further behind, a dark line of the forest was visible.
A chill breeze swept across the bridge, ruffling their dresses and tunics.
"So… let's work together." Flora declared, as if it were already decided.
"Where would we even start? We're just kids." Nozna hurried over the bridge. "And don't you have–"
"We can work in our spare time." Flora interrupted. "And if you're gonna ask why, let me just answer that for you." Flora Tossed her hair backwards in an exaggerated manner. "I simply just want to."
Nozna slowed down and turned to face Flora.
Flora also slowed her steps to match his pace.
"I mean, aren't you curious?" She pressed, her voice suddenly rising. "How do two adults just disappear like that? Where could they have gone? Are they still alive? Why those two?"
The torrent of questions echoed over the empty bridge blending in with the restless whispers of the night breeze.
"We could be the Ronnie Cones of the village!" She added with a bright gleam in her eyes.
Ronnie Cones was a famous detective and judge known all over the Santoria Kingdom, it was a name many children knew.
"Meet tomorrow morning at my inn?" Flora asked.
"No, I have things to do."
"Tomorrow afternoon?"
"No."
"Evening?"
"No." Nozna's answer was flat.
Whilst Nozna was curious himself, he did not want to be part of Flora's detective roleplay.
I have my Arcan training to do, there's no time to waste on playing detective.
Flora frowned. "The day after tomorrow?"
"No." Does this girl know when to stop?
"Why?"
Nozna simply replied.
"We should just leave it to the Arbiters."
Nozna stopped. They were almost off the bridge.
Facing Flora, his voice turned serious. "The fact that this case is still ongoing means that the criminal is still lurking in the village. It will be dangerous. Why are you risking your safety over some thrill? Are you not scared?"
A cold gust swept over the bridge.
"Scared? Scared of what?" Flora questioned, her voice held a tone of shock.
"Do what you want, but I'm not joining you."
Nozna began walking off, his boots thudding against the damp and cool grass as he left Flora behind at the bridge.
"Everyday is the same," Flora called after him.
Nozna froze, his back was still shown towards Flora. Flora continued.
"There's barely any change," Flora's tone hardened. "It just feels like we're living the same day again and again. This type of life is boring. Life in this village is boring."
Nozna slowly turned around. Does this girl have so much spare time in her hands?
"Not having change is good," he replied. "You have enough to eat and a place to sleep. You don't have to fight or risk dying. I think that's good enough."
"Are you really happy with that kind of life?..." Flora paused, "I… I don't know how to say it. It's not that I don't think it's good enough… It's just…" Her voice broke off as she glanced away.
"I don't even know why I'm telling you this."
A life with peace and happiness? Who wouldn't be happy? Nozna thought to himself.
Flora's eyes narrowed, her voice sharpened like the edge of a blade. "You of all people should understand, since you're going away to university yourself. You'll get to explore the world outside."
Nozna hesitated. For a long moment, he said nothing. There's a lot out there that you won't want to learn Flora… especially the World of Arcans…
"Sometimes I wish for a change." Flora said softly.
"Nozna… I know about the world outside our village, the towns, the cities. There's so many different things that don't exist in this village. But we never get to leave."
Only a handful of villagers have ever left the Savoda Village. One of the main reasons was due to its location. It was at least a day's travel on foot to the nearest town. It was simply too dangerous to go, and many could not even afford a carriage for the journey, so an overnight stay was not financially feasible.
Nozna's mind was stuck on a certain word: Change.
It seemed as if that suddenly his life was fixated around a concept: Change. His encounter with Khamat, his decision to join them, the missing people, the Huntary being moved to the south.
Flora continued, "That's why, even if it's dangerous, I want to have fun. This is the change I've wished for, to see myself grow into someone different from the girl who follows the same routine every day."
Another uninviting night breeze swept across the pair.
Nozna unknowingly clenched his jaws as he fixated on the two words. Change… Growth…
His mind briefly flashed back to his father's words: "Is the life that you live everyday, every week truly the same? Growing is what makes us strong."
And Khamat's: "Live with the fear, grow with it."
In a way, it feels like I was speaking to both his father and his captain just now…
Change… Growth… Fear… I don't understand what's going on…
She's surprisingly mature for someone who is just sixteen… or was she seventeen?
Well she is already weird compared to other girls in the village.
"Alright, I'll join you." Nozna finally said.
Flora's expression suddenly lifted. "Really?"
Nozna smiled as he began walking. Of course not! But I can't have you follow me home, Khamat and Tomir will be there.
"I'll join you tomorrow, now can you go home?"
Nozna motioned with his head towards the bridge.
Flora stared back at Nozna.
"My home is also on this side of the village… the Inn."
Nozna blinked. "I forgot."
Flora laughed. "I won't annoy you anymore, don't worry."
The inn appeared shortly after they crossed the bridge.
The night air was cool and still, broken only by the occasional breeze.
"Goodnight Nozna!"
"Night." Nozna mumbled.
The young girl ran to the inn, leaving Nozna alone with his thoughts.
She finally left. Tomorrow, I'll just hide from her.
But Nozna didn't move.
Change… growth…
Does Flora fear her own… current life? Wait no, that's not it… I don't understand anything…
Why is she so obsessed with change?
Nozna eventually returned to his hut. Pushing open the front door, a gush of warm air enveloped his body.
"So, how'd it go?" His father called from one of the desks, he was sat sharpening his axe. "Same as usual?"
Nozna laughed. "So I'm not the only one shameless."
Seeing his father's confused expression, Nozna explained what happened. How it wasn't a confession, how Flora invited him to play detective, and he falsely accepted her.
Nozna carefully left out the argument that happened on the bridge.
"Heh, I'm not surprised. Fear doesn't exist in that family." Jack chuckled.
Curious, Nozna asked. "Was Aunt Mawisa a thrill-seeker too?"
Jack's smile faded into a sighed. "She's one of the people who helped slow down the Strange beast two years ago. The one that killed Embar's father."
Nozna was shocked. "Really? I… never knew."
"Heh. even her mother Celia was a devil herself or so I heard."
"Her mother?"
"Well, it's mostly because they run into many travellers. Heh, many of them share their own experiences from other cities and towns outside the village. It's why their family is so open-minded and thrill-seeking."
"I see…" Nozna murmured. Is that why Flora insisted so much on changing her life? That makes sense…
Just then, a knock suddenly rattled the front door.
Jack frowned.
Nozna turned his body around too quickly, causing him to wince in pain.
"Ah, I forgot to tell you Da. Khamat is meeting you tonight."
Just as Nozna was about to open the front door, Khamat's voice appeared in his head.
Do not open your front door.
What? Nozna froze, his hand hovering over the door handle.
I am outside one of your windows. Please let me in.
What the hell? He thought to himself.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked.
Nozna didn't say anything. How was he going to explain that his captain was going to enter their hut through one of their windows instead of the front door?
Khamat's voice appeared in his head again. One of the villagers seemed to have followed you. It would be unwise for me to appear.
Someone followed us? Nozna's pulse quickened.
"Why didn't you open the door?" His father questioned.
"The captain had instructed me earlier to let him in through the windows, because… just in case someone from the village saw him enter our hut. The knock is… he threw a pebble at the door to tell me that he's arrived."
Nozna quickly made up an excuse.
Eventually, Nozna located Khamat and let him into the kitchen through the one of the windows
His face was sharp and angular, a pair of striking emerald eyes sat above his sharp nose. On his face was the thick vertical scar that Nozna was familiar with.
Khamat removed his hood to reveal his short black hair.
"Greetings, Mr Aurelin. You can call me Khamat."
"Khamat…"
"At ease, I do not have the intent to do harm."
Jack let out a sigh of relief.
"I want to know more about… my son's condition."
"Condition?"
"H- His Arcan powers."
Khamat let out a warm smile.
"Perhaps this meeting will benefit us both. Please tell me about your experience during Nozna's nightmares…"
The three of them sat around the dinner table and chatted for a few minutes.
Jack gasped. "I can't believe my son is an Arcan, from birth too."
"Nozna, have you got any leads on what the name of your Tier may be? Or the name of your Spectra?" Khamat asked.
"I'm not sure yet." Nozna replied firmly.
"No worries, we will have a better chance to explore your abilities when you master Essence control."
Then the topic change.
"Captain, where is Tomir?"
"He's currently collecting information in the village."
"I thought you guys were not supposed to show yourselves to the villagers?"
"He's doing it in secret. The Darkness Spectra." Khamat replied as he confirmed Nozna's guesses earlier.
So Tomir is a Tier 8 Traitor…
Nozna didn't ask anymore, he simply nodded. It was best not to reveal too much about the Darkness Spectra to his father, especially being one of the core Spectras that his current organisation held.
At least not in front of his captain.
"I am aware of the missing cases." Khamat continued.
This alerted both Jack and Nozna, as they straightened up. Jack's eyes even widened for a split-second.
"I would like to hear both of your thoughts on this case."
Jack spoke first.
"The two missing people are neighbours and very close friends. Since the second disappearance, villagers living near Arlacter's and Francis' huts have all chosen to stay in the Voria Chapel."
"I've only spoken to Arlacter about twice at worship. He doesn't have any family, his parents passed away when he was young, so he was taken in by Elder Lobertman. When he was old enough, he moved out of the village hall."
"I interacted with Francis quite a bit during the 'Huntaries', he's strong and healthy… to suddenly disappear…"
Khamat kept his gaze still.
Nozna's mind churned. Francis was strong and healthy? Well Dave did say he used to be a hunter.
But he did break his left arm… Maybe that's how he was overpowered and kidnapped?
But who would do it?
Nozna suddenly froze. He glanced at Khamat who seemingly was deep in thought.
Khamat and Tomir seem to be investigating the cases as well, could the disappearances be caused by Arcan powers?
If that's true, I definitely need to warn Flora!
"Nozna?" Khamat asked, snapping the boy out of his thoughts.
Nozna told him everything that he had learnt about Francis in the tavern.
"To cause the disappearance of two adults in this small village. I am almost certain that it is the doing of an Arcan." Khamat had confirmed Nozna's suspicions.
Khamat suddenly rubbed his head. "I cannot detect Essence from this far out. Unfortunately, I'm unable to enter the village without being seen. My Spectra does not allow for great stealth."
Jack asked. "You cannot go into the village?"
"The official story is that the scouts from Bolman City will return in two weeks to pick up Nozna. And by that time, we would have killed the Arcan creature."
"Did you go into the village during the earlier days of your stay?" Nozna asked.
Khamat shook his head. "It is regrettable."
"The only ones I have interacted with are the Lindera's mother and daughter pair from the inn. Neither of them possess Essence." Khamat added.
…
After Khamat left, Jack remained sitting on the kitchen table with Nozna.
"So that's your captain." Jack mumbled.
"He's taught me a lot."
Jack chuckled.
Putting an arm on Nozna, he said. "Be sure to grow into a powerful Arcan, boy."
Pausing at the kitchen doorway, Jack grumbled. "Do not rush, always be careful. Don't go berserk on me."
With that, Jack silently retreated to his room as water droplets began to fall from his face.
…
In Nozna's room.
Nozna was deep in thought as he walked circles around his room.
Arlacter Uddin, Francis Scornwall. They were both close friends. Why were they targeted?
If it was done by an Arcan, the only other Arcan in this village is Priest Durmwin. But he surely can't be the culprit…
Someone else is an Arcan, lurking within this village…
Nozna decided to finally sit down on his chair. All that thinking is giving me a headache, and that thing that happened with Flora too.
Why can't life just be simple, full of peace and happiness.
Nozna decided that he would spend the rest of the night reading over Khamat's sheets before he went to bed.
Santoria Kingdom…
Secret 'Roamer' Organisations…
Devil Shroud
Mainly active in Bolman city,
A very ancient organisation with history stemming from over 1000 years ago. Their main purpose is unknown…
Members of this organisation are all Arcans of the suspected Devil Spectra.
Few members have been reported to be from the Health and Darkness Spectra.
Nozna quickly placed back the stacks of sheets on the desk. He didn't even last two minutes.
He silently mocked himself.
I have a headache and I'm still trying to study.
He blew the candle out and laid on his bed.
Staring blankly into the darkness of his ceiling, Nozna thought to himself.
The Devil Spectra? Captain didn't include any information on the Devil Spectra in the sheets.
In the midst of his headaches and emotions, he had long forgotten about the villager that had appeared to be spying on his hut when Khamat appeared earlier.