"Best thing how?" Arthur took a sip of his tea. "The boy has been out there for cycles. If Haran were to show up, he would have done it already."
"Yes, but the boy knows the possible location. He said he had been told to go to Tiwaz and seek out the Bratti family."
"You think the clergy wasn't already in Tiwaz. They knew from the start who the man was. I can tell you right now, you won't find anything in Tiwaz."
"I think Haran hid himself from the clergy. After the attacks, he went into hiding. He'll come out once the boy is there."
"Richard, you are not thinking straight," Arthur scolded him. "The most likely scenario is that assailants who attacked the villages caught him and are keeping him in captivity if he is alive at all."
"But then why leave the boy with the family pendant and the soul crystal? That would put him in needless danger."
"Because he wasn't thinking straight. He probably hoped Heron would grow up, and when he is old enough, he'd sell the crystal and get citizenship for that money."
"And Tiwaz?"
"To give the boy something to live for. Would you hold out if you were told everyone you knew and cared about was dead or about to die, and you got to live the rest of your life alone?"
"The boy said there are reports his mother was still alive as far as three cycles ago."
"Oh, really?" Arthur sounded genuinely surprised. "Well, I guess those monsters still need resources for their little operation. But if they sold her off, the boy would never find her. Slavery is forbidden, and then only those who serve do so until they pay off debts, but only by serving the time decided by the courts. It is more likely she is locked in some basement or cell for someone's amusement. Not a pleasant way to survive."
"I didn't want to say anything about those possibilities to the boy. If they find her, there will probably be news in the guild network," Richard said.
"Well, the whole situation about the kid doesn't matter, and it's been a waste of my time aside from the crystal. Obtain it and bring it to me."
"The kid has only shown me the photo and has hidden it away until he gets the passport. And I accepted his terms about the quest."
"So you are going to waste at least two cycles on a dead-end mission?"
"No, I believe there is more in Tiwaz, but it will only be revealed to the boy. Haran never told him to find him, but the family, so it is worth exploring."
"Richard, don't be stupid…" Arthur started.
"I'm not." Richard rebutted. "And the boy could be an asset. He can hear whispers from the tainted crystals."
Arthur slammed his fist. "You should have started with that," he yelled.
"I thought I'd keep it to myself, but you forced my hand," Richard smirked.
"Anything else you hiding?" Arthur asked coldly.
"No. But I need your help. I need you to open up the quest for Tiwaz. Make up whatever you need, but I need something discreet enough that no one knows the boy is with us."
"Alright, and what is it in for me?"
"If you live long enough, I'll tell you my findings. But also, I'll see to it to get the boy to ally with us and help you with your experiment."
"You couldn't get Irene to do so. What makes you think Heron will participate?"
"Three cycles is a long time to form bonds. He first needs to master opening a stable channel with the shadow plane. I won't give any guarantees, but you are not investing anything but some money, which isn't much if results bear fruit."
Arthur stood up from the chair and went behind his bed, where a large trunk was hidden from sight. He unlocked it with his key and pulled out a small pouch, which he brought back to the table.
"Here is the pure white crystal. I had it delivered to me today, but I think it will be more useful to you. Get the boy to use it and see how he reacts when the channel is fully opened. I'll finance everything you require, but you have until you cross the border to get the boy to use this crystal and report your findings. Understood?"
"Understood," Richard nodded. Then he stood up and picked up the pouch. "I have my party expecting me in a pub. Thank you for seeing me, grandfather. I will not let you down."
"You'd better not. Without the soul crystals, my mortality is finite."
And so two men said their goodbyes, and Richard met up with the rest of Valiant Cry at Jamtara's forge.