The Sword and Heir of Shadows

Chapter 30: Sway and fainted.

In the dimly lit room of their house, Kael and William sat side by side on the edge of their shared bed, the weight of their actions bearing down on their young shoulders. The room was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by William's occasional sniffles and the creaking of the old wooden floorboards.

Kael turned to his younger brother and spoke in a soft, trembling voice, "Will, we made Dad so angry today. He's never been that way before."

William, his tear-stained cheeks still glistening, looked at Kael with watery eyes. "I know, big bruder I'm scared. What if he stops loving us as Mama did and goes away?"

Kael wrapped his arm around William's shoulders and tried to console him. "Don't worry, Will. Dad loves us, and we'll make it right. We'll tell him we're sorry, okay?"

William nodded, finding some comfort in his older brother's words. They both knew they needed to apologize to their father for their actions, but they also understood the seriousness of what they had done.

Meanwhile, in the small shed behind the house, Hector sat on an upturned crate, his satchel open before him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he found the familiar treasure map tucked safely inside the satchel. The map was more than just a piece of paper to him; it represented a part of his adventurous life and a connection to his past.

Hector carefully examined the map, noting the intricate markings and symbols that had guided him on various treasure hunts. He couldn't help but smile, thinking about the stories he'd share with his boys when they were older. But now, the map was safe, and that was one less worry on his mind.

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In a contrasting scenario, within the opulent walls of Marlow's office, an informant entered hastily, out of breath, and with a sense of urgency.

"Minister Marlow, we've found an amulet!" the informant exclaimed, barely able to catch their breath. "It's not exactly like the one you have, but it's similar."

Marlow leaned forward in his grand chair, his interest piqued. "Tell me everything."

The informant quickly reported, "We caught a man who claimed he got the amulet from someone named Thomas in a village bar. He said it was part of a collection the man was trying to sell. We haven't found Thomas yet, but we're pursuing the lead."

Marlow, his thoughts spinning with the possibility of a link between the amulets and Hector, asked, "Was there anything distinctive about this amulet that might distinguish it from the one I have?"

The informant nodded, "Yes, Minister. It had a unique carving on the back. A series of symbols."

Marlow leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. The amulet with the distinct carving sounded eerily like the one he possessed. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, and he couldn't help but wonder if Hector was somehow connected to this situation.

With that new lead in mind, Marlow had more questions than answers, but he knew he had to find the truth.

Marlow's patience had worn thin as he stared at the informant who had brought the information about Thomas and the mysterious amulet. "Bring the man you captured here immediately," he ordered, his voice laced with frustration.

As the informant hurried to obey, Marlow's thoughts were consumed by the implications of what he had learned. The possibility of Thomas and the stolen amulet being connected to Hector's crew was a revelation that filled him with a mix of anger and determination.

The man who had shared the information was soon brought before Marlow. He looked nervous and apprehensive, clearly aware that he had stepped into dangerous territory.

Marlow questioned the man, his voice firm and demanding, "Tell me everything you know about this Thomas and the amulet. Don't hold anything back."

The informant began to recount the story he had heard, detailing how the amulet had passed through multiple hands before reaching the man who was caught. It became evident that this was not the work of a single person but rather a network of individuals involved in these thefts.

Frustrated by the lack of direct answers, Marlow leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. He summoned Neena, who had been quietly waiting on the sidelines, to join the conversation.

Neena entered the room, her head slightly lowered, still playing the role of a trembling servant. Marlow had grown increasingly irritated with her, but he couldn't deny that there was something more to the situation than met the eye.

Marlow turned his attention to Neena, his tone stern. "Neena, do you know this man named Thomas?"

Neena shook her head, her voice quivering with a touch of fear. "No, Marlow, I've never heard of him."

Marlow nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response. He had suspected that Neena might not have information about Thomas, and her denial only confirmed his growing suspicion.

Marlow's mind was racing as he connected the dots. This was not the work of a single thief or a random burglary. It was a carefully orchestrated operation, and he couldn't help but wonder if Hector was somehow involved.

The minister made a swift decision. He turned to his soldiers and ordered, "Don't inform King about any of my actions regarding this matter. The less he knows, the better. I'll handle this myself."

Neena seized the opportunity that Marlow's order provided. She knew that the best chance of helping Hector's crew was to avoid King's interference and use her knowledge to her advantage.

With that thought in mind, Neena decided to take a risk. She pretended to sway and then dramatically fainted, falling to the ground with a thud. Marlow, though irritated, had no choice but to take action. "Get a doctor to check on her," he instructed one of his men.

Neena's act had bought her some time, and she hoped that she could leverage her association with King to protect Hector and his crew.