Return of the Lost Bloodline

Chapter 7.

Days passed yet Logan refused to come to terms with Dylan and Caleb who had agreed to go back to Rherar with William. Despite how hard Sean tried to change his mind, he remained headstrong while refusing to speak with William again. Deep down he believed all William told him about his past but when he thought it over, he knew there was still a lot William didn't say or know as pertaining to why he was left in the river to die in the first place.

Bob after recovering from his sickness also sought to convince him into returning to the land of his birth for reasons he refused to tell him, all he said was that Corriver was not safe for him anymore and that he had a lot to fulfill in life which was going to begin in Rherar and the spread beyond it borders, yet Logan refused to heed their words, the question of why William wanted him to return with them was something he could not figure out. Based on what was said about him, William was his rival for the throne of Rherar and could turn against him given the slightest opportunity.

After so much time of trying to get Logan to come along with their decision to go to Rherar, William finally lost faith in ever bringing Logan in, so he spoke with Dylan about leaving Logan behind.

On the morning when they were to leave, Sean sought his father's advice on which of his brothers to side with. He had never sides before thus the choice presented before was a very tough one.

"You won't have to choose between your brothers, son," Bob said immediately as Sean walked into his room as though he knew why he had come.

Sean could not understand, right outside the house was Dylan and his brother, prepared to depart with William while Logan locked himself up in the room, refusing to say farewell to Dylan. So he didn't understand what Bob was talking about, thereby taking a seat knowing he was about to have a long conversation with his father.

"Father, what do you mean?"

"Your path leads to Rherar whether you will it or not, and you all will be leaving together, not one of you shall be left behind."

"But what about you? Who would look after you?" Sean asked, knowing that his father intended for Gracie to go with them; they've already agreed that she would stay behind and look after him and Marta.

"I am an old man who has fulfilled my purpose, so death fears me, not the other way around. I don't know why my father came to get tangled in the middle of Rherars trouble, but I know you would figure it out and help your brothers fulfill their destiny. Gracie on the other hand would soon activate our family's curse, she must learn to control it, and the help she needs can only be found in Rherar else she would be your doom and that of your brothers."

Now this was new to Sean, a family curse he did not know about with his father sounding like one of the seers they used to hear tales about. "Father, I don't understand a word you are saying, please speak plainly."

"They have come for Logan and William, your fighting skill is needed outside, send Marta to me on your way out."

As he came out of the room, he passed Bob's message to Marta while rushing outside to see those he needed to fight against with his brothers. But shockingly for him, William, Dylan and Caleb were the only ones out there, waiting for him to join them or bid them farewell on their journey.

"What is it?" Dylan asked, seeing the manner in which Sean rushed out with his sword in his hands, ready for an attack in which they couldn't see the enemy.

"He said they are here…" Sean said repeatedly while pacing around the house looking for the people his father spoke of.

"Who's here and who said?" William asked after Sean had completed circling the house, while drawing his sword too. Even though they couldn't see any enemy, he was quite convinced Sean knew what he was talking about.

When Logan heard the disturbance resulting from Sean circling the house, he looked out of a window to see what was going on only to find an arrow flying towards him, instantly he shut the window back, picking up his sword as he rushed outside to find the shooter. The window he looked out of was facing the left side of the house so that was the direction he took after coming out the house, heading towards the woods in that direction.

Seeing Logan storm out the house with a sword in his hands too made Dylan and William realize how serious the threat Sean spoke of was, instantly William and Sean pursued after Logan to help while Dylan said to his brother. "Head inside, bar the doors. Do not open for one other than us, and if the door is breached, you know what to do."

"Protect Uncle Bob and the ladies." Calan answered sharply without hesitation.

"Good," Dylan petted his head as he took off, going after his brothers into the woods.

When Dylan got into the woods, Logan, Sean and William had already killed seven men with one on his knees begging them to spare his life. "Wow," Dylan exclaimed because they were fast.

"Join the fun brother." Logan said sarcastically, judging by the blood on his blade and considering he was ahead of the others, it was safe to say that got the most.

"Thank you brother for ending the fun before I arrive." Dylan replied sarcastically too, it was actually the second time they were engaging in a real enemy in a sword fight aside the attack of the bugbear, but they couldn't tell why they were attacked the first time, thinking their attacker to be mere thieves willing to go any length to get what they want.

Making reference to the one begging, Dylan added. "Shall I have this one?" he really wanted to wet his sword with blood.

"Sure, but not before he tells us why he is here and who sent him." William answered.

"These are mere bandits." Dylan concluded based on their previous encounter.

"No, they are not. These are hired men." William opposed as he spotted the symbol on their clothing whilst adding. "I'm sure I've seen this symbol before."

"If you have then tell us where?" Logan asked William, still hoping to find a reason why his brothers should not trust him.

"Speak and I give you my word, I will not hurt you?" William points his sword to the man's neck.

Dylan was about to object to that promise because he really wanted to cut that man amongst his kills, when he began to talk.

"We were paid to kill you, my lord, and one named Logan. We didn't get a description but were told we would find him in your company, here in Corriver town making the three of them a target by default."

"Who paid you?" William pushed the sword closer to his neck.

"I don't know, we don't usually ask the name of our hirer."

"Oh, I remember your symbol now. Your reputation truly precedes you." William said after hearing that last part, before turning to Dylan. "He is all yours, do as you please."

"You gave me your word…" the man cried.

"You were never mine to kill, so look to him." William told the bandit to beg Dylan instead since he failed to pay attention earlier when he was promised to Dylan.

But Dylan refused to kill him, taking William's promise into consideration. "You gave us the information we asked for, so you've earned your life. You're free to go."

"Kill him now or he'll be back with more assassins." William said as the man staggered.

"No we won't, else you want to do it yourself." Logan said.

"I gave him my word, so I can't." William replied, knowing what Logan was trying to do. Then he looked at Sean who shrugged implying that he won't harm the man. "You all are making a huge mistake." William walked away disappointed.

"Nicely played," Sean said to Logan. They knew Logan was testing William and luckily, he passed the test, by not going back on his word in killing the bandit.

"I'd like to be sure we can trust him." Logan smiled because the bond between him and his brothers was strong that they could still understand each other without words even after being distant for a while.

"That means you are coming with us." Dylan said as they smiled, taking a group hug and then headed out in the direction William took.