Chapter 13: The leader

Shortly after the agreement had been made, Bird disappeared for a long time. The rest were forced to wait apprehensively for his return.

The sun was close to setting before he returned. Bird seemed subdued upon return. Finding them still waiting in the old building, he motioned them outside. Once there, they found three men standing in front of the water. 

Like Bird they carried the same white markings on their arms. But, in place of the youthful, fluffy blond hair Bird let hang about his shoulders, their hair was shaved at the sides and tied back in a ponytail. Moreover, their eyes were much more scrupulous and suspicious. The moment when Albaric, Lucy and Peter appeared in front of them was tense and quiet.

"What do you want?" The eldest of the three men said coldly.

"We wrote a letter to your territory but received no reply," Lucy answered hesitatingly, "We were hoping we could talk to you about the door on your land,"