Who are they really?

The guests at this party look at each other, as if doubting each other's intentions. The hosts prefer to observe the progress of the situation which has become somewhat hilarious. Ray starts pouring himself tea and some spritz cookies and chocolate Meraki with hazelnut cookies. Thus they were giving the incentive to those present to serve themselves as they please.

-I am worried you are not eating gentlemen, please help yourself. We have several types of tea, coffee, milk and even hot chocolate and all types of desserts that you want. If you like something specific, do not hesitate to ask for it, it will be served without problem. The same will be at lunch, we will serve whatever you like to eat. - With a smile, Meraki announces an extensive and varied menu.

-For my part I'm fine, just matcha tea and scons-

-The same for me, thanks for your concern-

-Well, with that said we can continue. Sir Iston, tell me whatever, I am at his disposal .- Ray replies while he drinks his tea

-More than anything, I thank you for having freed us from that hell and about the questions, I think I speak for both of you when I say that my doubt lies in understanding why they released us, knowing what happened to our families in all these years and with everything related to our confinement. My request would be to regain my honor and take the head of the person who dishonored me and finally, the favor will depend on how you respond to the two previous questions. - Iston squints to answer Ray.

-Good start, I expected no less from Sir Iston. Then there is Mr. Vladimir, what are his doubts? -

-Except for the first and the last that are similar, I have a request and it is to ask for your support- Vladimir hits directly with the question trying to turn the situation in his favor.

-Hohoho, now I see that they are like the Ice Beasts. They are cold and direct, I like it and I will answer everything since it is simple but ... Sir Iston, it seems that he is misunderstanding himself by fixing such a cautious look. We do not want to hurt you at all, on the contrary we want to help each other. With this I am answering you why we have freed you both, since it was to return a favor that you did us a long time ago. And to Mr. Vadimir, let's say it was by mere coincidence that we got him out of there-

-Favor?-

-Coincidence?-

Both men were stunned and wondering what they had done.

-The favor was to restore hope to a condemned man and the coincidence was that you sir, it was not in our plans since we did not know that you were still alive, but that fact came to us like a glove, finding you was luck- Meraki answers pointing with the finger to every man.

-With that answered we move on to the following questions. Regarding their families and the general situation, I am afraid that I am the bearer of bad news. Sir Iston, I am sorry to say this but his family was expelled and disowned from their clan for the Espin affair and now they are hidden and involved with a certain group that is not to my personal liking. His mother and his wife agreed to help this group in order to obtain justice and revenge for you, his brothers and to protect his little daughter Noxeema.- Ray drinks his tea to hydrate his throat and continue

-As for Mr. Vladimir, I give him my condolences in advance and, I am also very sorry that he has such a stupid and trusting son.-

Iston was puzzled and froze. Vladimir almost dropped the mug he was holding upon hearing Ray's words.

-Everything is related to everything apparently. Sir Iston, his brothers failed with cheat in Lolth's test to gain power and were transformed into driders and as punishment the goddess took their reason. I'm also sorry that you find out from me that you had a daughter. His wife was pregnant when you were left for dead, and because of that news she almost died in childbirth. While all this was going on, Mr. Vladimir's family was going bankrupt. I fear his inexperienced son Vyktor took his place as leader, he glorified himself and still has those who sent his father to prison as allies without knowing it. To finish what you started, he recruited his grandson as a soldier and his dear son-in-law savagely murdered his wife and his granddaughter .- Ray was calm summarizing the general chaos in the lives of these men .

Tears began to flow from Vladimir, he was about to have a fit and almost fell from his chair, Meraki came to his aid and held him. His daughter Karen and his granddaughter Rebecca were no more. He had wandered off to protect them but to no avail. A worse monster named Tark Fersa ended up taking them away and to top it all his son would shame him by using his grandson as a pawn. Iston for the part of him, trying not to choke on his anger, grabbed his head, and started crying. He had a daughter he never knew and lost his siblings in the process. Ray had to continue in order to lower the drama level to the meeting.

-About the group that the Ursini family joined, it is the Nest. The motive was revenge and trying to regain the honor that Sir Iston lost with his departure. I think we will go directly to the request since this solves the question of what is happening outside.-

- Motherfucker!!! I'm going to kill him with my bare hands. My family, how did he dare to touch them, they were innocent !!! -

-We are in the same, because of the bastard of your son-in-law, I could never meet my daughter and my brothers ended up cursed !!! I'm going to kill him first and take what he stole from me !!! -

The men rose to their feet and began to shout curses. They were about to beat each other had it not been for Ray intervening.

-Ahem ... I think that's not going to be able to do anymore. I strongly suggest that you sit down, take it easy. Son could you bring the trunk-

Meraki hauls a trunk on wheels, takes out a couple of newspapers, and hands them to the men. Both are carefully reading the news marked in advance and are shocked. Not only had Fersa been killed by lynching, but the woman who was Sophia's right hand man had exploded in a stink bomb and every noble connected to the royal family was slowly being wiped out.

The men glance at Ray and Meraki. Now they were afraid of dealing with people so dangerous that they were eating breakfast as if nothing was wrong.

-How the fuck ?! Did you achieve all this in such a short time? It took me years and I could barely manage to hurt the Orsys. Tark, Ashley and the rest ... your group is scary, boy- Vladimir was admiring a dangerous contender

- With Ashley it was very simple. With Fersa it took us a while, but we were able to hand him over to your grandson to deliver the final blow. As for the others, it was not us, it was the Ursinis- Meraki replies with a mocking tone

It gave Iston chills to hear this last. His family was after the head of every nobleman, who betrayed them. But what hurt the most was the assumption that he had lost what he most longed to regain. Ray notices Iston's bitterness and gestures for Meraki to bring him one of the boxes on the tray. Iston takes the box and looks at both boys.

-Sir Iston, open the box with confidence. I think the content belongs to you-

Drider: humanoid spider. They were drow - dark elves - who, failing Lolth's test, were transformed. They live deep in caverns and dungeons. They can use various types of Magic and are good alchemists.