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Chapter 58

Family - Part 1

Egad's Castle

Dining Hall

10:30 AM

After Zarch and Uniko prepped breakfast with help from the castle's cooks, everyone settled down and started eating the first meal of the day. Silva sat next to Galen with Zhal and Uniko, while Tommy, Bishop, Gareth, and Eli sat across from them. Mick sat with Xen at the end of the table, while Anthony and Alak chose to sit next to Egad with Symon.

"This is very good." Silva complimented. "Zarch, you sure do have a talent with food, as well as the cooks who follow your lead. As for you, Uniko, you haven't lost your touch."

"Thanks." Both said in unison with a smile.

Silva nodded as everyone finished up breakfast, thinking hard on something. "...Master, could I see you and the rest of the elite gallery after breakfast, as well as Anthony, Alak, Symon, Mick and Xen?"

"Of course, Silva." Egad said. "Meet me up in my quarters with the rest of the gallery after breakfast."

Everyone then finished up breakfast, took care of their dishes, and then they set off for Egad's chambers. Once up there, Egad opened his door, everyone stepped in.

"So, what is it you wish to talk about, Silva?" Egad asked kindly, settling into one of his easy chairs in the room, motioning for Silva to sit across from him in another easy chair. "I've noticed while in the middle of breakfast, your mood seemed to change. Like you are worried about something."

Silva sat down, taking a deep breath. "...I am worried about something. Master, I feel I have overlooked a detail I didn't anticipate. Since Cailus kidnapped me from Mel'Andrea, I've been gone for nearly a month. When I go back, there will be questions. Not just from the guard, but from my adopted family as well. Iroy, Ofret Goram, and Nimara are all going to have questions, and I don't know how I can answer them. Especially without telling them about Galen... They think he's dead, and if they find out about this, without knowing all the facts, there will be an uproar."

Galen took a deep breath, realizing what Silva was talking about. "Indeed. My mother, father, and my younger sister. They are very persistent, and will not leave Silva alone without a feasible explanation. That's how they pried info out of me that I did not want to tell, anyway."

"Indeed, and that would put the coven in jeopardy." Egad said, scratching his chin. "I see what you mean."

"In other words, he needs a solid alibi." Mick said. "And since he cannot tell them the truth without putting everyone in danger, we will need to fabricate a believable story. Otherwise, it's game over for everyone."

"Exactly." Silva said.

"Well, that shouldn't be too hard." Symon spoke up. "Codec, how far is Mel'Andrea from the castle?"

"About eighty kilometers at the most. Taking into consideration the roads, and the time needed to travel via car, which I assume is what you are using for a travel method, it would be about an hour at the posted speed limit of 80 kph."

"Then that settles it." Symon said. "Silva, I will go with you back to Mel'Andrea with Mick in the Audi, and we will tell them this: After you sneaked out of the village when you received an anonymous tip about Galen, you were jumped by a bunch of thugs at the meeting point you were told to wait at, then dragged near The Half-Moon roadside in, which is along the road between here and Mel'Andrea, according to maps. When you were attacked, me and Mick saw the thugs drag you off as we were passing by and saved you from them. But we couldn't identify them, as they were wearing hoods and cloth masks, as well as lots of clothes to conceal their identities. When we rescued you, you were unconscious and they had poisoned you, as well as robbing you of your clothes and belongings. We brought you to a safe place, where we nursed you back to health, and you got talking with Mick. That's when you found out from Mick, as well as me, that we are honorary members of a secretive band of warriors, protecting the masses against great threats from the shadows, which Galen, Uniko, and Zhal are full members of since they left Mel'Andrea. We all became close friends with you afterwards, losing track of time, and when you mentioned your family and village, we set off to take you home. That should be a reasonable alibi, as well as a good cover story for your absence. Galen, Uniko, and Zhal could even write letters that you could take with you, which will further solidify the claim."

"Sounds good to me." Egad said. "Good idea, Symon. Quick thinking."

"Thanks, Ryan. No problem." Symon winked at Egad.

Silva was surprised at first, but smiled in relief afterwards. "Thank you. Both of you... That's what we will do then, if you will allow it, Master."

Egad leaned forward, rubbing Silva's shoulder. "Of course I will. That's our best plan right now, and it is a good one. Please get together with Galen, Uniko, and Zhal, and think of what you want to say in those letters. I trust you will have the Audi read for Silva by the time they are done, Mick?"

"You got it, Uncle." Mick got out his keys. "I'll go warm it up right now..."