Chapter 895 Information Gathering
Aragos, conflicted and torn by the possibility that his trusted mentor, Elyndor, might be involved in the conspiracy, struggled with the revelations. Reign's words hit him like a cold gust of wind, challenging the foundations of trust he had built with Elyndor over the years.
Reign continued, his voice steady but assertive, "I'm not accusing him outright, Aragos, but we need to be cautious. The person behind all this has played a long game, manipulating events and people for years. We can't afford to rule out anyone, even those we consider close allies."
Nayle added, "It's not about undermining your relationship with Elyndor, but we need to verify every piece of information. Let's gather more evidence before making any decisions. If Elyndor is innocent, the truth will exonerate him."
Aragos, though reluctant, nodded in agreement. "You're right. I can't let my emotions cloud my judgment. We need to be thorough in our investigation. But if he is innocent, I will personally make sure to clear his name."
Reign released his grip on Aragos, giving him a supportive pat on the shoulder. "Good. We're all in this together. Now, let's focus on the next steps. We need to find the king's twin brother and gather evidence to expose the truth."
Adrian, having remained relatively silent throughout the exchange, spoke up. "I'll try my best to find my uncle and get more information on him. We need to handle this delicately and avoid sparking further conflicts. A sudden revelation of this magnitude could be disastrous."
Reign nodded in agreement. "I'll coordinate with Nayle and gather information discreetly. We need to know more about the conspiracy and those involved."
The unlikely alliance formed by necessity set its sights on a common goal: bringing an end to the war and uncovering the truth that had eluded both kingdoms for two decades. Each member played a crucial role, and trust, though fragile, began to develop among them.
As the group prepared to embark on their respective tasks, Mia spoke up, her analytical mind focused on practicalities. "We need to use a secure communication channel. Given the sensitivity of the information, we can't risk it falling into the wrong hands."
Theron, always attuned to matters of security, concurred. "Agreed. The two of us will set up encrypted communication channels for both Sir Aragos and Prince Adrian, just as we have done so far. It will ensure our discussions remain confidential and shielded from potential eavesdropping."
With the plan in motion, the group dispersed to fulfill their assigned tasks. Aragos, still grappling with the revelation of his true lineage and the potential involvement of Elyndor, sought solitude in the Whispering Falls. The serene surroundings provided a brief respite from the complexities of court intrigue and familial betrayals.
As Aragos stood near the cascading waterfall, the rhythmic sound of water merging with his thoughts, he reflected on the events that had unfolded. The war, fueled by manipulated truths and hidden agendas, had taken a toll on both kingdoms. The weight of his newfound knowledge bore heavy on his shoulders, and the path ahead seemed fraught with uncertainty.
He was going to see Elyndor, but not to face him, accuse him, or anything, but just to calm himself down as he always did. It would be out of character for him not to visit Elyndor for a long time, so this was the perfect time to do so.
Usually, when he was troubled or annoyed by something, he would come here to wind off a bit before leaving, and he was doing just that, only that the issue that troubled him was Elyndor himself.
Meanwhile, Reign and his team delved into the shadows, discreetly gathering information from trusted sources within both kingdoms. Their goal was to unveil the conspiracy orchestrating the war and expose the puppeteers pulling the strings behind the scenes. In a dimly lit tavern frequented by spies and informants, but unfortunately, even the highly reputable ones had little information on the king's brother.
They did, however, manage to uncover several of his identities. It seemed that he was a person who loved to disguise himself and move around like that.
Adrian had already told them as much and helped out by uncovering some more information on his uncle by talking to his family members and dropping his name in conversations to try and learn a bit more about him.
"The king's twin brother, he has been active in the borderlands, moving under a different identity," the informant whispered, glancing nervously around. "They call him Thadron now, but he's the one you're looking for."
"This information was one we came across by chance as he is quite careful, that is why the price was so high, anyway, keep this quiet; the walls have ears."
Reign and Theron exchanged a knowing glance, realizing that the journey ahead would lead them to the elusive twin brother. Their quest for truth gained momentum as they left the tavern, shadows clinging to their forms.
Adrian, burdened by the responsibility of uncovering the truth within his own family, delved into the records of Irason. His interactions with court officials and discreet inquiries led him to hidden chambers within the palace. There, he discovered a secret archive containing information about the king's twin brother, Thadron.
"Thadron was believed to be lost during a diplomatic mission years ago," the archivist explained, guiding Adrian through dusty scrolls and ancient texts. "His return is a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few. It seems he has been pulling strings from the shadows."
Even the archivist didn't know that Thadron was actually the king's brother, for him, Thadron was simply a person with a high standing, one he wasn't allowed to know much of.
Thadron was simply one of the identities Adrian's uncle, whose real name is Avargan, uses when moving around. For some reason, he was always quite careful with information about him and very rarely used his true identity.
Many believed he simply loved the freedom he enjoyed when not acting as 'Avargan', but now, Adrian believed that the real reason was much more sinister. For many years, his uncle had been able to create multiple fake identities, plenty of which they had no information of.
If he ever needed to disappear, he could do so without major issues, and if he had to do something he didn't wish others to know of, he could do so as well.
Adrian, fueled by a mix of anger and determination, gathered the relevant documents. He knew that exposing Avargan's involvement would be crucial in unraveling the conspiracy. With a hidden trove of information in hand, he set out to rendezvous with the rest of the group.
He had already told them the information, but he also needed to give it to them. After all, with their strength, he was certain they would be able to make sure the information stayed safe.
Back at the Whispering Falls, Aragos received the encrypted message from Reign, updating him on the discovery of Avargan's whereabouts. The tension in the air heightened as the group realized the magnitude of their findings. They gathered in a secluded area, away from prying eyes, to synchronize their efforts.
Back in the Elais Kingdom, Nayle and her team were doing their best to find out more about Elyndor while keeping a low profile. With the help of Aragos, who had returned to the kingdom after spending a couple of hours in the Whispering Falls, they didn't have any major issues with that.
After all, as the second-in-command of the Elais army, Aragos was a very powerful and influential figure, one many believed would become a major pillar of the empire soon.
Nayle, accompanied by a group of skilled investigators, delved into Elyndor's past and present. Their discreet inquiries unearthed a complex web of information that painted a detailed picture of the trusted mentor. It was essential to ascertain whether Elyndor was a pawn or a puppet master in the intricate dance of deception.
As they pieced together the puzzle of Elyndor's life, they discovered that he had a mysterious background. Elyndor's early years were shrouded in secrecy, and even the most thorough investigations yielded only fragments of his past. It seemed as if he appeared out of nowhere, a man with no clear origin.
"He has no known family, no documented history before a certain point," one investigator reported to Nayle. "It's as if he materialized into existence at a specific moment. There are rumors of him having connections to powerful individuals, but nothing concrete."
The team also found that Elyndor had a peculiar ability to make himself disappear, making it challenging to track his movements. Before he became employed by the royal family, he had no permanent residence, often changing his living quarters, and his associates were carefully chosen, individuals who wouldn't pry into his past or ask too many questions.
Nayle sighed, realizing that Elyndor's enigmatic nature only deepened the mystery. "This doesn't necessarily implicate him, but it does raise concerns. A man with such a clandestine history could be involved in more than meets the eye."
As the group exchanged information, each member shared their findings, creating a mosaic of information that started to unveil the intricate web of deception. The elusive Thadron, or Avargan, was definitely very suspicious, as was Elyndor. His motivations remained shrouded in mystery, and the team recognized the need for a strategic approach to confront him and bring about an end to the conflict.
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