The Helix Project

Aftermath

"I can understand why you must be on edge... After all that has happened today. You should both also get some rest." Noir said calmly.

"I don't think our being attacked is the major cause for her being startled. Even I could not sense your presence until you spoke. Is that some sort of skill?" Galand asked.

"No, It isn't... I just moved as I always do, though you're not the first who has mentioned this." Noir stated.

"Wow, you mean it? You're one impressive fellow sir Noir." Lorna remarked.

"Thank you... And how is the young lady?" Noir asked.

"She is resting within the makeshift carriage, thank you for doing that for us." Lorna answered immediately.

"No Problem." Noir said as he also sat by the campfire where both Lorna and Galand were already seated around.

"So... How did your bath go?" Lorna asked awkwardly.

"It went well, thank you. I have successfully washed away all the blood and dirt on my body and attire. As you can see, I have also changed my attire so there's no need to worry about the smell." Noir reported.

"Oh, Okay... That's nice." Lorna said with an embarrassed smile, while Galand just smiled knowingly.

"By the way, sir Noir, was it a good choice to let the Mage live? You said you cast a sleeping spell on him, but wouldn't it be better to retrieve whatever information we can from him and then dispose of him?" Galand asked.

"All in due time. He is still necessary, however, as bait." Noir said.

"H-How do you mean?" Galand asked.

"According to what you've told me and what I have learnt, the information concerning the time, date and route of your journey was within the inner circle, exclusive only to those who would take part in the journey." Noir stated.

"Yes, that's correct... That's why we were a bit light concerning security, and the ambush startled us." Galand said.

"It's only logical that there was a mole among those that knew of the journey, and that mole leaked the information to your assaulters." Noir said.

"That's true..." Galand said slowly, as he considered the possibilities.

"If I had to guess, I'd say the mole is a member of the scouting team." Noir stated. "They have the advantage in reaching your assaulters and have preemptive knowledge concerning your route, and there's also the advantage of time."

"That's true... But the scouts are individuals handpicked by the Duke himself, and they are extremely loyal to him. They are also bound by magic not to act in any way that would endanger the Duke, his family and his property." Galand stated.

"That much is expected. There are two possibilities for the situation to occurred, however. One is that a member, or maybe more than one member of the scouts had his Magic binding removed before the expedition, or secondly, one or more of the scouts was never bound in the first place. Maybe an outsider disguised as a scout, while either capturing or killing the original guard." Noir calmly explained.

"Which possibility do you subscribe to?" Galand asked.

"The second... The reasons are simple. It's extremely difficult to find a mage who can remove a magic binding, especially one as sophisticated as the one used on the members of high nobility. Even the assaulters didn't have a mage of that caliber. Secondly, even if he could find a mage of that caliber, and managed to break the binding, some sort of alarm system would go off to whoever cast the spell, and the person who removed the binding would be found..." Noir said.

"That is all true..." Galand said, marveling at Noir's analysis.

"...And then there's the root of matter. The reason you had to journey in the first place, instead of using a Rune Stone or Scroll. You mentioned that the supply was delayed, but I believe it was all part of the enemy's plan. They ensured you had no choice but to travel by carriage, and all they had to do was find out the route you intended on taking, which would seal your fate." Noir said.

"That's true... Teleportation is tier 6 magic, not many mages can use it, that's why it's usually used by Rune scrolls. I never thought the enemy's plan was so meticulous... It seems we are dealing with quite the formidable opponent." Galand stated.

"The mastermind is definitely someone of many means, the attackers, and even the scouts are merely just pawns for the true brain behind this." Noir said. "They probably even have ties with nobility, and their information network must be vast. You had better be careful."

"Thank you for your warning sir Noir... But what do we even do now?" Lorna, who had been carefully listening to the two men talk, asked.

The three of them remained silent for a while, as the night wind blew, and the silence crept in the night. Finally, Galand raised his head as he finally said

"Sir Noir, I know it is shameless for me to ask this, especially after you have done so much for us... But could you please escort us, and guard the young miss until we get to the Institute, at least until she passes her exams and is enrolled within."

Galand gulped as he stared at Noir's uncomfortable face. He then bowed his head to add more sincerity to his words. Lorna looked at both men, and it seemed the answer was inevitable.

"I..." Noir was about to answer but got interrupted.

"Please sir Noir... Protect the Young miss, I beg of you." Lorna added as she closed her eyes, and bowed her head as well, bracing herself for the answer Noir would give.

"I understand... Raise your heads" Noir said. "I will fulfill your request Galand. And I promise you, as long as I am here, no harm will come to your young lady." He stated firmly.

"Thank you so much sir Noir." Galand said in appreciation, as Lorna also thanked him.

Noir got up from where he sat, and looked up at the sky. He smelled the air and turned to both of the seated individuals who looked at him expectantly.

"You should both take cover..." Noir said.

"Don't tell me..." Galand said in shock.

"It's another attack?" Lorna said as her body started shaking.

"It's... About to rain" Noir stated calmly, to the surprise of the two who were already expecting battle. "It's going to be quite the downpour" He said.