Free Web NovelChapter 225: Mistrust of the Group
The tavern seemed to have fallen into a deep silence, as if time itself had slowed to allow everyone to process the unexpected revelation.
The crackling of wood in the fireplace was the only audible sound, echoing off the stone walls of the establishment. Outside, night was slowly falling, tinting the sky with shades of purple and blue, but inside, the atmosphere was thick and charged, as if a storm was brewing.
Trawerr felt his companions’ gazes pierce him like spears.
There was a mixture of disbelief and mistrust in the eyes of Gregor, Kira, and Nara, who made up his small but loyal family of hunters. They had always been at his side, on the most dangerous journeys, in the most intense battles. And now, faced with this confession, he could see the chasm of doubt opening between them.
Wanda, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to all the tension. Her upright posture and calm expression gave the impression that she was in complete control of the situation, even though she was at the center of an emotional hurricane. Her eyes, however, hid a depth that Trawerr was still unable to fully decipher. They had only met the night before, and their time together had been brief, but long enough for him to realize that there was something different about her, something Trawerr himself couldn’t explain. frёewebηovel.cѳm
Gregor, who had always been the most impulsive and protective of the group, was the first to break the silence.
"So this whole story about your father... does that mean he’s alive?" The question was asked in a tone that alternated between curiosity and skepticism.
The thick bearded man was known for his unwavering loyalty and protection of those he considered his closest friends. But at this moment, he seemed to wonder if he really knew Trawerr as well as he thought he did.
Trawerr nodded slowly, the memories of the night before still fresh in his mind. "Yes, Gregor. He’s alive. But... he’s not the man I thought he was. And Wanda... well, she’s part of it."
Kira narrowed her eyes, her long, nimble fingers drumming lightly on the table. She had always been the analytical one, the one who weighed every word and examined every detail before forming an opinion. "And why is it only now, after all this time, that you find out you have a sister? Something about this story doesn’t seem right, Trawerr. I’m not saying you’re lying, but... things don’t add up." Her voice was firm, but there was a hint of softness in it, as if Kira was trying not to hurt Trawerr’s feelings while at the same time searching for the truth.
Nara, who had been silent until then, watching the interaction between her companions, finally spoke. Her tone was, as usual, direct and without subtlety. "And where is this father now? Why didn’t he come with you?" She crossed her arms, revealing the tension in her shoulders, the uncertainty that consumed her. "If he really is your father, and if Wanda is your sister, why did he keep this from you for so long? And why are we just now finding out?"
Trawerr took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the questions, doubts and suspicions that hung in the air. He knew his companions were right to question everything.
"I... I don’t know where to begin," Trawerr admitted, running a hand through his hair, a gesture that showed his frustration. "It all happened so fast. I was on my way back to the hotel when he knocked on my door with my mother. He told me who he was, why he was here, and what he wanted. I listened after we argued, and I only believed it was really him because he hit me."
"What? Someone hit you with a sword? I thought that was impossible. Even that Rank-A guild tried to recruit you, saying you were the best swordsman they’d seen in a long time."
"My father is definitely the best. At first, I was able to fight and manage well, but after a while, it became very difficult. About Wanda, maybe... maybe you’d better explain it yourself, Wanda."
Everyone’s attention turned to Wanda, who seemed to have remained on the sidelines of the discussion until that moment. She crossed her legs, positioned herself elegantly on the worn wooden chair, and then spoke in a calm but firm voice that showed unwavering confidence.
"I understand your distrust," she began, each word pronounced with a clarity that caught the attention of everyone in the room. "I am, after all, a stranger to you. But the truth is, I’m also discovering many things for the first time. I didn’t know you existed until a few days ago. All I’ve been told is that our father recently found out about Trawerr and wanted to find him soon.
The tavern was silent again as everyone processed this new information. Gregor crossed his arms and ran a hand through his thick beard, visibly fighting the suspicion that still lingered. "Well," he began, his voice heavy, "if Trawerr believes in him, then I believe in Trawerr. But I want to meet him, and soon."
Nara, for her part, just shrugged, but her expression softened considerably. "If you say he’s the best swordsman you’ve ever met, Trawerr, then I already have a reason to want to meet him," she said, a half-smile appearing on her face. "Who knows, maybe he can teach me a thing or two."
Trawerr felt a quiet relief surge through his chest as he saw that, despite his doubts, his companions were still with him. "I appreciate it," he said sincerely. "And I promise you’ll get to know him."
Gregor rose slowly, his sturdy figure looking even more imposing in the torchlight. He took a step toward Trawerr and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Just remember, we’re here, we’ve always been here," he said in a tone that mixed firmness with understanding. "And we’ll be here when you’re ready."
Trawerr nodded, feeling the warmth of Gregor’s gesture, then turned to Kira and Nara. "I don’t know what’s going to happen next," he admitted, his eyes meeting theirs, "but whatever the next step is, I want you by my side."
Kira smiled slightly, finally letting her guard down. "Of course we will. We always have and we always will."
Nara, with her typical impassive expression, only nodded, but Trawerr knew she meant more than words. She wasn’t the type to show her emotions openly, but her loyalty was unquestionable.
With one last look at his companions, Trawerr turned to Wanda, who remained calm, but with a glint in her eyes that he couldn’t decipher. "Shall we?" he asked, his voice softening considerably as he addressed her.
Wanda stood gracefully, straightening the folds of the simple dress she wore before answering. "Let’s go."
They walked toward the door, and Trawerr could feel the eyes of his companions on his back, no longer filled with suspicion, but with quiet concern. Before leaving, he paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder. "Take care, and I’ll see you soon."
"You too, Trawerr," Gregor replied, his tone softer than before.
Kira and Nara didn’t say anything, but their looks were enough to convey their feelings.
Trawerr and Wanda left the tavern, the cool night air surrounding them. The sky was now completely dark, dotted with stars, and the cold night wind touched Trawerr’s skin, making him realize how warm it was inside the tavern. They walked in silence for a few moments, their footsteps echoing through the cobbled streets of the small village.
"You knew this would be difficult," Wanda finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but there was a tone of understanding.
"Yes, I knew," Trawerr replied, stuffing his hands into his pockets as they walked. "But I had to tell them. They’re everything to me, Wanda. They’re my family."
"I understand," she said, stopping for a moment to look at him, her eyes meeting his in the darkness. "And they understand too, Trawerr. They just need time, like you." freewebnσvel.cѳm
He nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "You’re right," he said, walking back. "But there are still many things I don’t understand. About my father, about you... about everything."
Wanda looked up at the sky, the stars reflecting in her eyes like tiny twinkling lights. "I have questions too, Trawerr. But maybe the answers won’t come all at once. Maybe we’ll have to find them together."
"Maybe," he replied, allowing a small smile to touch his lips for the first time that night. "But one thing is certain. I will not stop fighting for what I believe in, and that includes my friends. And you."
Wanda smiled, a real smile that lit up her face for a brief moment. "So we’re in this together."
"Yes," Trawerr replied, feeling a new determination grow within him. "We’re in this together."
