Before nightfall, over two hundred thousand souls had all relocated to Stormcast, returning to their long-lost homes. That night, torches flickered to life throughout the ancient city, their small flames illuminating the ruins of their homeland. Though everything they once knew was gone, they were still alive, and with life, came hope.
Helna and their kin took up residence in the hastily arranged courtyard of the Lord's keep. Faced with the dilapidated grandeur, they were filled with countless emotions, and their smiles were tinged with the trails of tears.
The Rocke family bustled about warmly, keeping them company. Both Helna and Korb were moved, grasping at their hands and repeating their thanks. After years of suffering, the warmth and aid of others felt like a distant memory now returned.
"Lord Alavin, you called for me?" Lucan entered Alavin's chamber.
"Is everyone settled in?"
"Mostly. The people of Golden Scorch have been a great help."
"How are Helna and the others holding up?"
"They're anything but calm. Their ties to the old city, to the Mallister family, run too deep."
Alavin stood by the window, observing the busy figures outside. “I may have found the culprit.”
“What culprit?”
“The one from eight years ago.”
“Who?!” Lucan’s eyes flashed with a sudden fierceness, stepping forward involuntarily.
“The Rocke family.”
“What have you discovered? We can’t suspect them just because they seem overly enthusiastic.”
“Trust me. You continue with your duties, and don’t draw attention. Assign Godfred and Grima tasks to safeguard Korb and Helna, but do it subtly.”
The questions Dainis had pressed with her soul-siphoning sorcery still echoed in Alavin’s mind. Why were they interested? Why did they keep mentioning the magical treasure? The most likely possibility was that they were the culprits of the tragedy that happened in the past.
Alavin had previously wondered why the culprits had vanished after obtaining the magical treasure, with Cobalt Strike searching in vain for so long. Now it dawned on him that it might’ve been the foolish Rocke family who had acquired the magical treasure but dared not use it, or didn't know how to.
Their inquiries were likely attempts to unearth more specific details from the past, to unlock the secrets of the magical treasure.
Survivors from the Mallister family were scarce, and even fewer might’ve known the secrets of that time. Besides Alavin, only Korb and Helna were in the know.
The Rocke family and Golden Scorch! Could it really be them?
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