Chapter 57. Doubts.

Byron, attending one of the most important meetings in years involving envoys from other great sects and the empire itself, found himself unable or even unwilling to fully concentrate on it. His eyes saw many significant figures, his ears heard important words and speeches, and his spiritual sense perceived a vast amount of information about the events in the hall, but his "head" practically did not process this information, because it was busy with something else. Only occasionally did he catch some scattered details of the event unfolding around him.

Byron's thoughts were preoccupied with his recent interrogation of the shopkeeper, Belindor, which had ended just minutes before the sect master's unexpected summons.

Of course, at first the weakling tried to resist, saying that he knew nothing about Oberin, and that he was innocent. But after a brief stay under the influence of the power of the Flag of a Thousand Souls, one of his old trophies, Belindor told everything he knows without hiding, and after finishing the story about Oberin, he even began to beg to be allowed to tell him about something else.

"No matter how strong your will, the pain from soul damage will break it... But enough about that wretch, there are more pressing matters to consider now.

First, I must determine: is everything he told me true? Could Oberin have hidden so much from me? How is that possible? Is he someone's spy?"

"The empire will continue to honor the ancient treaty and not claim ownership of what is found on your entrusted lands, nor will it interfere in your internal disputes. We don't care who among you gains possession of the Minor World; we only require that the empire receives thirty percent of all findings from the Minor World's exploration. After it is developed, the annual tax will be standard: twenty-five percent of everything obtained within or through it," Byron briefly tuned in to the meeting before returning to his thoughts:

"According to the report on his past, Oberin truly is the son of a blacksmith, having lived his entire life in the village of Lar. Matching the village data with what we know about him in the sect, everything fits: appearance, age (to the hour), his past story... He also passed all the sect's checks without issue. So, the possibility of him being a spy is extremely unlikely. But I can't completely dismiss it yet.

Then what else? How did a former poor village boy, who lost his family, manage to do something like this? The value of the items he purchased is significant, and even if he sold everything I gave him, it wouldn't be enough. Where could he have gotten the money for something like this?

Did he find someone's secret inheritance on his way to the sect? Or did someone simply give him many spirit stones, simultaneously demanding something from Oberin?

And my disciple decided not to tell me anything about it, fearing I wouldn't like it or that I would take everything from him? That seems plausible.

Hmm, so he doesn't trust me at all?"

"We only insist on equal terms, senior Elendil. My master, the Sword Sovereign, foresaw your possible response and asked me to remind you that we were, are, and will be one big family. And in a family, to stay strong, especially in these tough times, there should be no quarrels over trivial matters.

Before I left the sect, he asked me to convey his exact words to you: 'Let the fate of this fortunate discovery be decided by the younger generation. I hope you make a wise decision, junior brother Elendil, because otherwise, problems will be unavoidable.'

"My senior, the Five Elements Lord, also believes that this matter is best entrusted to the youngsters. That way, as my friend from the Heavenly Sword said, our sects can avoid pointless quarrels and remain united, and we can also see what our growing generations are capable of.

And to convince you of the correctness of this decision, I want to remind you of an incident that occurred one hundred and thirty years ago. You were very young then, so you might not remember it well. At that time, we found a Heavenly Treasure on our lands and decided in the same manner who would possess it. We acted very nobly and allowed others to compete with us for its possession, and now we hope you won't yield and will act just as nobly.

If you refuse us, which you have the right to do since it is your land, my Lord will be very displeased, you can believe me. " — Byron was once again distracted, hearing these extremely important speeches. But as soon as the subsequent trivial conversations began, he returned to his thoughts:

"Oberin couldn't lie to me directly, but he could have omitted something very important. However, it would require significant talent and wit for me not to notice. And Oberin... does possess those qualities.

If he merely inherited some ancient cultivator's legacy or something similar and didn't tell me out of some fear, I'll just lightly punish him for withholding information. That would be enough.

But if the 'truth' about him is much more 'unpleasant' and he did manage to lie to me, I'll need to alter and greatly accelerate my plan regarding him. It will have to be completed before the expedition to the Minor World, even though the chance of success will drop significantly. But I'll have to accept that; he's too important to leave to chance. No matter how much I trust that thing, I can't trust it completely; there's always a chance...

Although the whole story from the foolish shopkeeper about Oberin buying expensive items and the subsequent disappearance-murder of his apprentice is based solely on an unknown inscription left on the shop's wall. And on the fact that a few hours before the purchases were made, Oberin was walking around the shops where the boy Zark later made purchases. Could Oberin have just been someone's cover? For example, could the one who did all this want me to direct my anger at Oberin and get rid of him? That's possible.

But in any case, I need to verify everything myself; I can't leave this to anyone else. After all, as ancients said: if you want something done well, do it yourself."

"I will not give you an answer now as I need time to think. Come back for it in three days. You can stay with us if you wish; I will order residences befitting your status to be prepared for you.

With this, I declare our meeting adjourned. Everyone is dismissed.

Somewhere on the road from the village of Irbis to the Fire Dragon Sect.

For the most part, their return journey to the sect, aside from an enormous imperial ship flying past them, was relatively uneventful. In the vicinity of the village of Irbis, they didn't encounter a single soul: neither human nor animal. Even after they got onto the main road, the situation didn't change much; only a few small groups of travelers crossed their path.

During the run, there was mostly silence between the two companions: the master and his newly acquired servant. Occasionally, Rand would break it to ask a question or give an order.

This time was no exception. Rand once again broke the silence first and asked:

"What are you going to tell the others about your disappearance?"

"Lord, I planned to tell Balron and Fara that I... "

But before Eyron could finish his answer, both young men suddenly heard a loud noise coming from above. They immediately looked up at the sky, and after a short search, they noticed a rapidly growing dot in the sky. This time, however, it was not a flying imperial ship but a huge, red-scaled beast. The beast was insanely beautiful, with perfect proportions, but at the same time, it inspired a "primal" fear that made everyone who was significantly weaker tremble involuntarily. And Rand, with Eyron, though the sight of such beast shouldn't have frightened them, were no exception.

In the distance, they saw a gigantic Red Wyvern, dwarfing greatly the one Rand had seen at the Palace of Heavenly Beasts. The beast seemed to spot the young men from at least a few dozen kilometers away and, slightly adjusting its course, purposefully flew directly toward them. In just over a minute, it was hovering above the two novices. Suspended in the air, the beast began to transform, gradually taking on humanoid features. Eventually, it turned into a familiar old man, the elder of the Fire Dragon Sect and Rand's master.

"Master," Rand bowed without delay, followed immediately by Eyron, "I didn't expect to see you here."

Byron seemed to ignore Rand's greeting and addressed Eyron instead:

"You. Run back to the sect. So fast that I neither see nor hear you within ten seconds. And don't ask any questions. "

"Yes, elder," Eyron replied, casting a quick questioning glance at Rand but not slowing down, starting to run immediately. He dared not disobey or waste time on inquiries.

The following ten to fifteen seconds were spent in silence, which was much more oppressive than the one between Rand and Eyron. Byron never took his eyes off Rand, scrutinizing him intently. Rand, realizing that something unforeseen had occurred, was considering various possibilities for his master's rushed arrival and current behavior, none of which he liked.

Once Eyron was far enough away, Byron finally spoke to Rand:

"Now we can finally talk in private, my dear disciple. I must say, your actions have greatly surprised me. But before we begin our conversation, show me the contents of your ring first."