The Fractured Soul: Faded Memoirs - Chapter 39

After the meeting and all necessary preparations, Brutos Griffith went on his way. There was not even an ounce of worry in his face, rather, he seemed to be so happy with his decision to volunteer as an envoy. His mission entailed a lot of dangers, but his behavior seemed as if he was not aware of it.

He walked down the road, whistling happily while the pet Lord Magistrate Juron had given followed close behind. It has cat like features; clean fluffy white fur and long whiskers on his face, its eyes are a deep emerald green and its thick tail looked like it was floating as it waved elegantly following the flow of each step it takes. The pet was personally trained and groomed by the Lord Magistrate, so it actually is smart and has some extraordinary instincts. Of course, Brutos didn’t know this. He only saw the pet as pest but because it was his foster father who gave it, he didn’t dare leave or throw it away. At this moment, the pet was already wondering why Brutos seemed like he wasn’t out for an investigation. Why does he seem like he knows exactly where to go?

The pet-cat tried its best to answer the questions as they continued to walk. Lost in thought, it bumped into something hard.

“Meow!” it grunted as it looked on what it had bumped into. It was a bit annoyed it had bumped into Brutos’ legs. The young man was standing in front of a house with a grin reaching his ear. The cat stared at him rudely but Brutos didn’t spare him any attention at all like its presence didn’t matter.

‘I’m the precious cat of the Lord Magistrate how dare a mere Arcanist like you treat me this way!’ the pet-cat thought. It despised people treating it this way, this young man was no exemption.

The pet-cat wiggled its tail as it postured itself back as an elegant cat one more. He then gave Brutos another look but the young man was still grinning from ear to ear as he looked at the house. The cat wondered whose house it could be.

Brutos started to move towards the house and tried to open the gates. After trying it out, his visage turned into a sly smile,

“Well, well, I’m at the right place.” He said as he looked down at the cat and started laughing maniacally.

“This barrier is good enough but not for me.”

He started mumbling something and soon a red light ball started to form in his right hand. It started to fly and moved around as if it was looking for something. Just then it disintegrated and seeped into the center of the protective barrier slowly. The laughing Brutos finally stopped and once again opened the gates. The sound of metal moving resounded and the gates were opened. He started whistling again and continued to walk inside.

‘Something is definitely wrong here.’, the pet-cat thought as it cautiously followed its companion.

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“What are you doing here?!” a woman questioned irritation apparent on her voice.

“Rhael Griffith Stedore, we’ve not seen each other in a while and this is how you greet me. You should be happy I’m the one who’s here.”

“Why should we be?” a deep voice sounded behind the woman standing at the door.

“Brother-in-law! There you are. I was wondering what you were doing. Did you hurt yourself or something?”, the young man in all black gave a manic laugh, indicating Agaven’s damaged arm.

“Get in!” the woman, appalled with what he said, mumbled coldly but clear enough for the man to hear.

The man grinned one more time as he walked in the house with the cat following him.

“What’s this? Oh, no. no. no. You come barging into my house and now you even brought a pest with you.”, Rhael sneered.

The young man looked at her, he was clearly having fun seeing her on the verge of exploding.

“Rhael, my dear sister. This cat is the Lord Magistrate’s pet. I repeat, The-Lord-Ma-gis-trate. How could you, in your right mind, say it’s a pest.”, the young man acted as if he had been deeply hurt.

“Don’t you call me your sister, Brutos, you couldn’t even do a simple task i asked you to do.” Rhael answered back her voice full of disdain.

Agaven having enough of the sibling’s non-stop fight interjected,

“What is it? You knew that you’re relation with Rhael shouldn’t be made known to others. How could you risk coming here at broad daylight?!” anger was dominant on his voice.

“Well, the two of you,rather than lecturing me, should be thanking me instead for covering your asses.” Brutos coolly answered back, waving his finger at them as he went on his way to sit and relax on the elegant leather sofa.

The Stedore couple looked at each other and kept quiet as they wait on what the other would say.

“The Arcane Watch is now conducting further investigations, as you know, about the disruptions on the magic leylines… as well as the disappearance of the first envoy they sent.” Brutos calmly said as he looked at the couple trying to clarify his clairvoyance. The Stedores were silent and were not even looking at him at the mention of the envoy.

“Ohhhhhh!”, Brutos laughed at the couple. “You really have done it now, haven’t you?”

“Get on with it.”, the Stedore couple clearly did not want to prolong the conversation.

“If you want me to tell you the complete details, you should THANK me first.” He emphasized much on his words, trying more and more to irk his sister.

Rhael full of pride, sneered back at him, “Why? Do you think we need you that much?”

“Okay then, if you won’t, I’ll go ahead and investigate further before reporting back to the Arcane Watch.” He stood up and winked at Rhael. He turned his back, ready to move out.

“Will you stop fighting, both of you. We’re on the same side here. Your bickering doesn’t help us.” Agaven frustrated with all that had happened recently and at the moment couldn’t contain it any longer. “Brutos, tell us everything you know and we will grant you access to our laboratory. It will surely help you reach a breakthrough. Accept it as our thank you for your works.” He continued.

Rhael wanted to say something but instead clamped her mouth shut. Her husband was right. Nothing will ever come out of them fighting.

Brutos pleased at this turn of events, sat back down,

“You are much easier to talk to Brother-in-law. Now, what do you want to hear first?”