The Hunter Mage

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

Dev sighed and looked intensely at Vernon before he said his next words. He chose them carefully. "I do not know but Vernon is hung up on the fact that she is his sister and I have seen a couple of things that she would have known if she did not grow up in the same house as he did."

He kept his head down as he spoke not wanting to see this group's reaction as he spoke. He had heard a gasp out of Vernon but it was at the beginning of his words.

"What makes you so sure, she is your sister?" Nevil asked, he was not still convinced and he was sure if he saw her and the supposed proof, he still would not be convinced.

"My mother's earrings. She has them on. It had been handcrafted by my father. It was a gift to my mother on one of her birthdays or was it their anniversary? I do know, it was a special day though."

Vernon rushed out, he found that he wanted Nevil to believe him more than anyone else because if he didn't it was easier to say he was lying because there was nobody else here who knew his home. He then slowly let go of Nevil's hand, leaving the decision of staying entirely up to him.

Nevil was the one person who could believe him because they had both known when his mother was pregnant. Nevil also knew his father was a woodsman but Vernon could not remember if he knew about the handcrafted earrings and even if he did, did they count for anything?

Nevil was at a loss for words, he knew a lot about Vernon's family especially about Vernon's father's business. He knew Vernon's father made toys and the likes, and that he was very good with anything wood-related. However, that did not mean that the earrings in question were a one in a kind one or that his mother had not lost it or sold it but he could not completely throw aside the fact that the girl in question was his sister as his mother had been indeed pregnant.

Since he had magic there was a very high chance his sister did too which meant, she would definitely get sent here and if their calculation was right, this period was the ripe age for her to be taken away from Vernon's parents. Therefore, he could not completely rule out the options.

"What is her name?" Nevil asked. It was not that he believed but he knew now was not the time to fight about it. He would argue some more when Vernon was better, now, he needed to satisfy his curiosity and see the girl in question.

"Penelope but she likes to be called Penn. If you call her Penelope, she will yell at you." As Vernon spoke, he had a goofy smile on his face.

Nevil did not look like he was buying the idea but he did not look like he was about to argue either bad Vernon was grateful for that, he was already feeling very tired and all he wanted to do was to go back to sleep. The conversation was taking a toll on him.

"I will see her and then I'll make my decision but until then I still think this is a hoax and both of you are trying to trick me. If you are, you'll lay in my bed for the rest of the sunny season and we are starting." Nevil grinned wickedly.

Vernon sighed in relief, he had not even realized he was holding his breath. Though Nevil did not say, he did believe him one thing was sure Nevil wanted to believe him and that was more than enough for him because he was certain Nevil would be the only one who would see their resemblance or at least know he was right.

"What about you?" Dev suddenly asked, changing the subject.

Vernon frowned, not so sure what Dev was getting at. "What about me?" He rephrased.

"What are you going to do?" Dev did not know why he was asking but he was worried and the fact that there was no specific say about Vernon's illness bothered him.

"What else can I do except stay in bed and hope I get better?" Vernon asked, he was not frustrated yet but he could tell he was getting close.

"Don't forget you get to drink lots of hot cocoa." Whined Nevil.

"I would quit cocoa if I could get to leave right now!" Vernon blurted out.

"Did Bess give you a time frame of how long it would take for your mana to be restored?" Dev asked, changing the subject and tempo of the conversation.

"Nope, she didn't say. I am tired." Vernon said and moved to a lying position. He was hungry but the idea of eating didn't sit well with him. He just wanted to sleep but with the way his head was aching, he doubted it would be that easy.

"What's wrong?" They both panicked immediately as he coiled up and covered himself.

"I am just tired and the headache is getting worse. I guess I just need to sleep a little. Maybe I am hungry but I don't want to eat." Vernon made a groaning sound as he tried to get comfortable in bed.

"Alright, enough chit-chat." Madame Prisca said and Vernon wondered how long she had been listening in on their conversation.

"Yes, Madame Prisca." They cried.

"Don't forget your promise, Nevil," Vernon said as they made to leave.

"I didn't promise anything." He muttered, slightly annoyed. He knew exactly what Vernon was talking about but he also knew he didn't make any promise.

"You did, give my greetings to Penn and tell her, her big brother is sorry, and that he would make it up to her," Vernon added.

"I am not going to tell her that," Dev returned but he knew he would have to give an explanation to Penn but they definitely would not be in Vernon's words.