I've decided to start updating on Mondays. Start the week off right. And sorry for the wait. I've been making a lot of masks and playing too much Animal Crossing...

Read, review, enjoy.

And Wash Your Hands!

Chapter 14: The Secret

Raiden drew one of his swords and quickly dashed in front of Oanez and swung his weapon at the assassin. They jumped back and Raiden quickly moved in front of Oanez. There were so many thoughts running through his head. Who was this and why would they be trying to attack Oanez?

"Oanez," Raiden called out. He looked back at her to check on her, to see that there was no blood on her despite there being a rip in her sling from the stab.

Then she suddenly cradled her arm and her face was twisted in pain. "Ow, ow, that still hurts like I broke it again," she whined. Raiden was able to see that she was wearing a very sturdy arm guard hidden in the sling.

Seeing that she was fine, Raiden focused on the assailant. They only had one knife out even though they were equipped with two on either thigh. But with their bloody shoulder, the assassin probably wouldn't be able to use that arm as well. They also wore a plan mask.

"What in the world?" Matthias exclaimed. He was still a few steps back from Raiden, but he did have a staff ready.

The assassin didn't respond and dashed forward. Raiden went on the defensive. But the assassin didn't stop and used Raiden's sword as a platform to jump over him.

Thankfully Matthias was in the right place and swung his staff at the assassin. He blocked it with his dagger but he did fall to the ground. The assassin quickly rolled to their feet.

Raiden hurried toward the assailant. He drew his other blade and swung both of them toward him. The assailant was able to leaned back to dodge and continued to do a backflip with their good arm. They even kicked at one of Raiden's blade out of his hand.

He was quick with his other blade to strike at is opponent. But the assassin was quick to get back on his feet and blocked Raiden's sword with their hilt guard of the dagger. The assailant twisted the dagger so that Raiden's sword blocked Matthias' staff, who came to help by trying to strike on their wounded side.

Raiden jumped back with his sword in hand before his opponent had a chance to get it out of his hand. At that time, Raiden could hear Rune calling his name. By the tone, Raiden could tell that his friend was warning him about a spell. So he tackled Matthias so they were both out of the way.

Matthias as annoyed at first until he saw a large fireball flying past them toward the assassin. There was smoke for a brief moment that obstructed their view. Raiden thought Rune got their opponent. But everything settled, and they could see the assailant standing up but with their hood and shoulder singed.

Raiden quickly got up with Matthias. He prepared for their next attack when their opponent suddenly ducked to avoid a dagger that had been thrown.

"Kids," Raiden heard Uncle Karol shout. He and another young man that Raiden didn't recognize came running from deeper in the tunnel.

The man with Karol ran faster ahead toward the assailant and in a flash, had drawn a short sword to lung at them. The assailant just narrowly dodge the blade by jumping on top of the railing on the path. They stayed crouched ready to move.

"I'm surprised you've made it this far," the man said plainly as he shifted his weight to a ready position. His eyes flicked over to them briefly and said, "So what was your plan? You kill a guild leader and now your target is the Sylvarant delegate? You've done a pretty good job at hiding your motive."

Sylvarant? Raiden had never heard that word before. He glanced at Oanez who was still cradling her arm. Was that man talking about her?

His attention returned to the assassin. So he had managed to kill someone and it seemed pretty obvious that his target was Oanez. Raiden just had so many more questions.

But before anyone could make a move, the assassin purposely fell backwards into the water below. Both the man and Karol ran where the assassin was and seemed to watch for the assassin to come back up. Raiden also looked over the edge but never saw a head come back above the water.

"Damn," the man swore as he kicked the railing. He then sheathed his blade as he said to Karol, "I'm going to alert the guilds and search the streams. Clear everyone out of here."

Karol nodded and the man ran off out of the tunnel. Karol turned back to Raiden. "Are you all alright? Anyone hurt?"

"No one was hurt from that guy," Raiden said as he looked again at Oanez. She was attempting to take off the gauntlet, although she was complaining about the pain greatly and Rune seemed to be trying to tell her to leave it on since her arm was broken.

Karol let out a relieved sigh of relief. But he soon looked serious as he walked over to Oanez. "So did you know someone would be trying to kill you?" He asked her.

"Well if you ask my companion, she'd tell you that there are a lot of people that want me dead," Oanez said as she was redoing her sling. "But that person had been following me since I left Aurnion. I didn't think they'd be trying to kill me this soon."

"And you thought to wear a heavy arm guard on your broken arm?" Rune asked.

"Can't ever be too cautious," Oanez said as she stood up with her arm back in a sling, but it was clear that that she was still in a lot of pain.

"So what does Sylvarant mean?" Elena interrupted. Raiden's sister wore a serious look and even had her arms crossed.

Oanez wasn't the one that answered. It was Uncle Karol. "It's what the people that took over Zaphias are calling themselves and this woman an ambassador for them. The Sylvarant Kingdom."

Raiden froze hearing that. He didn't believe what he was hearing. He just had morequestions. The people that destroyed his hometown where calling themselves a kingdom. And Oanez was one of them. Had…had she been there? What was she doing in Aurnion and Dahngrest? His mouth opened, but nothing would come out.

"I see you all have questions," Oanez commented. "I do owe you. You have pretty much saved my life twice now. I'll answer any questions you have. But can we save it for tomorrow? I'm in a lot of pain and pretty exhausted."

"S-sure," was all Raiden could say. He wanted answers now. But they could wait for another day.

Oanez then looked at Karol. "Are you these kids' guardian?" She asked.

"They are staying with me while they're in the city," Karol answered skeptically. "They'll be at Brave Vesperia's guild building. And where will we be able to find you if you don't show up?" Uncle Karol looked so serious that Raiden finally got a glimpse at what the guild leader could be like.

"I'm a woman of my word," Oanez says nonchalantly. "But if you must know, my companion and I are staying at the inn and I still have a lot of business with the guilds here. So I won't be leaving anytime soon."

Karol only nodded and Oanez quickly started walking out. She looked at Raiden one last time and seemed to be confused to Raiden's reaction. But she didn't say anymore and walked away.

"Come on kids," Karol said. "We need to get everyone out of here."

Raiden and the others helped herd everyone out of the tunnel. The guild Altosk was quickly on the scene to search more thoroughly.

Karol brought them back to the guild and then had to return to deal with the aftermath of the masked assassin. Karol told them that one of the leaders of the Five Master Guild leaders was killed. If they really thought about it, it would be concerning after they learned about the guilds political climate. But Raiden was still reeling about Oanez.

The Sylvarant Kingdom… So that was what the group called themselves. However that didn't really make sense why they attacked Halure only to pull back to the Hold shortly after. Oanez was strange, but he never would have guessed that she was with those renegades.

And did that mean that Oanez know something why his dad was killed?

/~/~/

The next day, time went by slowly. The morning was dragging by. Raiden and the others were practically watching time go by. Uncle Karol had tried to help by giving them task around the guild building. But that didn't help any.

Karol and Paul were busy the night helping the Soul Smiths guild deal with the loss of their leader. Needless to say, the Union was in a bit of an uproar over the whole incident. This morning they went to pay their respect before the meeting with Oanez.

As they were sitting around the dinner table, Matthias spoke up. "And you had no idea that that woman was with those group of rebels?"

"You'd really think we'd keep quiet about something like that?" Raiden snapped.

"Of course not," Matthias tried to defend. "I was just trying-"

"She would have hidden that fact from everyone," Elena interrupted. "She would have been arrested instantly in Aurnion for being part of the group that attacked Zaphias." She had her book in her hand, although Raiden was wondering if she was really reading.

"I understand that," Matthias argued. "But I find it hard to believe that you all didn't notice anything strange about her."

"Seriously," Rune said. "I think we were preoccupied with her personality."

"She was like that the other time you met her?" Matthias said in disbelief.

"Just forget about all that," Raiden said. "We need to focus on getting answers." Raiden hoped that that meant he got answers for what to do next.

"I'll say," a new voice said. "You're about the only ones the Sylvarant lady will meet with. You're the envy of all the guild leaders."

Raiden and the others were startled and looked toward the window in the kitchen. Matthias even jumped to his feet.

There was an old man sitting on the window sill, which Raiden was pretty sure the window was closed when they came to the kitchen. The old man's greying hair was tied back and he wore a baggy purple jacket.

"Who in the world are you?" Matthias demanded. "What permission do you have for entering these premises?"

The old man put his hands out to show he had nothing and said in a familiar easy going tone, "Calm down little lord Scifo. I just wanted to see you youngins." When he saw that they didn't change their demeanor, he looked a bit hurt and gestured to himself. "Come on, the rest of you should remember your fun old uncle."

Suddenly Raiden had a dreadful feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was something about him that made him recall an awful scolding from Aunt Rita. The worst he and Rune ever got. A scolding and punishment so bad that they both repressed what they had done to deserve it. Rune started trembling and Raiden hand started to shake.

"Raven, can't you use the door like a normal person," Uncle Karol said as he entered the kitchen. Tamara and Paul were both with him. They had just returned from the wake.

The old man shrugged. "Come on, this is way more fun," he answered.

Raven? Raiden couldn't believe he didn't recognize him. He hadn't aged well since the last time Raiden had seen him. He looked a decade older than he really was. Of course when Raiden had come to Dahngrest with his dad, Yuri would always have him stir clear of Raven after the event that must not be mentioned.

"But it is good to see you kids," Raven said with a smile. "How are Rita and Estelle? I haven't gotten one of Estelle's letters in a while."

"They're good," Raiden answered. He wasn't sure what else he needed to say. He was hoping that Rune would add something else. But he didn't. When Raiden looked at his friend, he could see he was deep in the memory of the event that must not be named.

Paul came over and put a hand on Rune and the young mage jumped and exclaimed, "I'm so sorry mother."

It startled everyone and Paul quickly ruffled Rune's hair and said. "Rita's on a whole other continent."

Rune slumped down and his face went red from his outburst.

"I see our genius mage is the same as ever," Raven commented. Although Raiden was sure there was a slight tremble in his voice as he must have been thinking of that day. Then he looked at Elena who seemed to be really reading at this point. "Little Miss Elena, you're looking to be as beautiful as your mom," He said. And when she gave no indication that she cared or even that she heard him, he added, "Aren't you going to give your Uncle Raven a huge?" He mainly said it to get a rise out of her. Raiden was sure the old man knew how Elena didn't like touching people.

Elena simply turned the page of her book. Raven gave a defeated sigh. "Turning out to be more and more like Yuri."

"So what are you doing here Raven," Karol then asked.

"What else," Raven said putting his hands behind his head. "I'm here to listen in on the meeting. I'd also like to know how you kids managed to snag this meeting when even the President of Fortunes Market couldn't get one."

"Really?" Raiden said in disbelief. Wouldn't she want and need to meet with other people of the guilds? Then what other business did she have in this city if not for diplomatic purposes.

"That's something I'm interested in too," Karol said looking at Raiden. He had told him the day before how they had just fed her back at Aurnion.

Just then Tamara jumped up on of the sets at the table. "A secret meeting," she exclaimed. "How exciting."

"Tamara, go upstairs with your sisters," Karol told her.

Tamara puffed her cheeks. But she jumped down from the chair and made her way up the stairs while making it clear that she was disappointed.

"So Raven," Karol said to get back on topic. "Are you here for yourself or did Harry tell you to come." If Oanez was so hard to get a meeting with, it wouldn't be surprising that the Don would order Raven to keep an eye on her.

"It's a little bit of both," Raven answered. "He didn't order me to, but I will be reporting to him after this."

Just then they heard the doorbell ring. "I'll get it," Paul said and quickly went to the front. Elena even put her book down.

"Must be her," Karol said.

Raiden quickly tried to recompose himself. But he was so nervous for some reason. Why?

The footsteps came toward them and in came Oanez along with another woman that was such a sharp contrast to her being in a bright kimono and well-kept appearance. Oanez was back in a sling. "I see that there are more of you," Oanez commented and eyed Raven and Paul.

"Forgive us if we don't want to leave the kids alone,' Karol said.

"Must be important kids," Oanez remarked. "Anyway, you wouldn't have any tea would you, that would be quite lovely."

"Yeah," Karol said simply and went over to heat some water.

"So these are the children that helped you?" The other woman asked Oanez.

"Yep," Oanez answered.

"I see," the woman said. She stepped in front of Raiden and held out a small bag of gald. "This is for feeding her back in Aurnion."

"We just bought noodles," Raiden told her trying to show he didn't want the gald. Plus it looked like there was enough to buy several bowls of noodles with all the toppings. "They're pretty cheap."

"Yes, well I know how much of a burden she can be. This is for that," Oanez's companion said.

"So mean," Oanez whined.

Raiden really wasn't sure how to respond to that. Oanez was…odd. But he wouldn't have said she was a burden. So he ended up taking the gald.

"Anyway," Oanez said sounding annoyed. "This is Yin. She's basically my bodyguard." The woman gave a small bow out of politeness.

"Pretty big job for one lady," Raven said. "Considering I'm sure most folks don't take kindly to you all begin the ones that attacked the Empire and all."

"I'm more like a body guard from herself," Yin said, and she sounded tired the way she said it.

"More like a guard from letting me have any fun," Oanez said sounding annoyed and took a seat. Yin remained standing. The only ones sitting there were Oanez, Raiden, Rune, Elena, and Matthias. They really were the ones holding a meeting with her.

Karol soon had tea and offered everyone a cup. Only the ones sitting at the table took a one. But Raiden was mainly using it do something with his hands.

Oanez seemed to take a big sip and exchanged some pleasantries to Karol about the tea before she opened up for them to ask her questions. "So what is it that was bothering you yesterday?"

There was a slight pause before it was Elena who asked, "What exactly is the Sylvarant Kingdom?"

"Going right for the big question," Oanez said. "Well the Sylvarant Kingdom is a recently formed under the leadership of King Raymond Sylvar. And yes, they took over the area that was once the capital of Zaphias. It's pretty complicated why they chose that area and that could take too long."

A self-proclaimed king? Raiden had imagined so many things about who took over Zaphias. But he never really thought that someone would come in and say they were now king.

"Are you all trying to overthrow the Empire?" Matthias blurted out.

Oanez gave a tired sigh. "Why does everyone think that? No, we simply made our own. We don't want to fight with anyone. We just wanted our own independence."

"Says the ones that invaded Zaphias," Raven commented. "Isn't the guild cities formed for that very reason."

"Please, it's not like the guilds are any better," Yin said.

"So what," Paul started to say. "Are you saying were Zaphias is its some kind paradise with no corruption. I've seen a lot of cities make the same promises."

"I wish," Oanez claimed. "It's way too much work to do there. I mean look at what the king does. He sends me to be the messenger of bad news."

"Because the ones more qualified for the job don't want the risk their lives," Yin commented.

"I'll have you know I have very specific way I want to die," Oanez argued.

"Were the Empire and Guilds really that bad?" Raiden had to ask. It would also help to get away from wherever the conversation was going.

"Look kid," Oanez said in a serious tone. "It's a lot more complicated than that. Let's just say it's best for people that don't fit in anywhere else. I just help out Ray Ray."

"She means His Highness," Yin quickly clarified.

Oanez rolled her eye and continued. "I guess you can say Ray thought he was entitled to land. I don't even know the whole story."

"But for that many to want to separate from both the Empire and the Guilds," Matthias said as he shook his head in disbelief. It was hard to imagine that many overtaking the knights.

"Well I guess you can say a lot of people think Ray Ray is the true ruler," Oanez said. "After all he possess the power of the Child of the Full Moon. The current Empress and the late Emperor did not."

"What?" Karol exclaimed. Even Raiden and the others were surprised to hear that. Raiden's mother and sister were the only ones that anyone knew had that power.

"No offence to him," Raven started, "But what makes him so special to get a large following and to make his own kingdom? Estellise Lowell has that power and no one really demanded for her to take the throne after Ioder became the true Emperor."

Raiden remembered his mother telling him stories of when she and Ioder were candidates for the throne. There were some division with those that supported them, but it didn't sound like the common people cared. They generally seemed to accept Ioder as their ruler.

"But did she have the ambition to take the throne," Oanez pointed out. And Raiden knew the answer was a no. His mother's only ambition was to help people. Everyone else knew that too.

"Plus his power is a bit different from the other Child of the Full Moon," Oanez went on. "Hands down, her healing ability is superior. But Ray does poses a speical ability." Oanez then pointed to her head. "He can heal the ailments of the mind. Things that can't be cured with healing spells. Men that have gone stark raving mad, Ray is able to clear their mind."

"Something like that is possible?" Rune asked.

Oanez nodded. "You could say a lot of his followers are those he healed. People that are wild, those that were sick in the head and abandoned, even people that murdered someone out of nowhere have now seen the error of their way."

"It is a shame his highness has yet to find a cure for you," Yin made a snide comment.

"I have had a sound mind for a long as I can remember," Oanez replied bitterly. And Raiden had a hard time believing that though.

But that didn't answer the question Raiden really had. He clenched his fist and looked at Oanez so he could read her expression. "But why did you all attack Halure?" Raiden said plainly.

She looked serious and kept her hand around her cup. "You were there that day, weren't you." It wasn't a question.

"Halure was a peaceful village," Raiden snapped as he jumped to his feet. "There were only knights there to ward off monsters. It wasn't some big military base like Daiden Hold. Why did all those innocent people have to be killed."

He saw Oanez glanced at her companion who kept a passive expression. "I'm not at liberty to say," she answered.

"I thought you would answer my questions?" Raiden said. "In a twisted way, I understand why Zaphias and the Hold were taken over. But why would you attack Halure only to abandon it?" The Empire didn't even have to come in to drive them off. They did it on their own.

"I think I've been pretty willing to share information with you," Oanez said.

"A lot of people we knew died in that attack, including our father," Elena then said. "He fought back against you all and was killed later."

Oanez let out a sigh and stood up. She walked over to Raiden and dug into her pocket. She pulled out a pin that looked like it had a family crest on it and handed it to Raiden. "I cannot tell you about that day. But maybe someone else can. That's my emblem," Oanez said. "If you come to Sylvarant, show that to any guard and it'll give you passage to the city."

"Oanez," Yin exclaimed.

But Oanez ignored her. "If I'm there, I might be able to get you an audience with the one that can tell you." Raiden griped the pin without looking at it properly. He didn't understand why she couldn't tell him. "If it's any consolation, it was never our intention to attack Halure. As you said, there is no strategic advance to having Halure. Our goal was to overtake Zaphias and the Hold. Anything more would have been too much for us to manage."

"That doesn't help us," Elena snapped. "I want to know what happened that day, but I want to know why my dad had to die."

"I'm sure Gillion is the one that killed your father," Oanez said as she went back to her seat and took a sip of her drink. And that made Raiden look at her in disbelief.

"Gillion?" Karol spat out in disbelief. "You mean, the guy who was once a member of the White Sentinels?"

"I don't know for certainty," she clarified calmly. "It's just what I deduced. And I admit, I'm a big gambler. So I'd place all my bets on him being the one. If your father was fighting at Halure, then its possible that he may have seen something he shouldn't have. Then Gillion would have killed him."

"If he was one of the original members of the White Sentinels, he could have infiltrated the knights easily," Paul speculated

"That's the one," Oanez said and finished her tea. "Although I can't tell you where he is, he basically cut ties with us after that whole incident."

"Gillion," Raiden repeated. They hadn't had a name to work with. He was upset that he didn't get the answers he wanted. But at least he got something. He then looked down at the emblem and saw it had a dagger and…were those bandages?

"Well if you kids don't have any more questions, we'll take our leave," Oanez announced. "Hope to see you in Sylvarant, Raiden Lowell."

Oanez started walking out and Yin gave the same bow out of politeness.

/~/~/

Raiden couldn't sleep that night. His mind was still reeling after learning about the Sylvarant, a new king with powers, and that whatever happened in Halura was a well-kept secret. At least he had his next lead. He needed to track down Gillion.

Uncle Karol offered to help see if any guilds in the city knew anything more about Gillion the next day. So that was how they were going to spend the next day. Even Matthias was up for the task. He was interested to learn more about Sylvarant so he could report back to his father.

With a task for the next day, the others seemed to be asleep. But Raiden only tossed and turned. It also didn't help that he kept thinking back to the day they had to escape from Halure. "Just close your eyes and don't let go of your mom's hand." That was the last thing his dad would ever say to him. As kid, Raiden thought if maybe he had held on to his dad's instead, he would have left with them. Now that he was older, he knew that wouldn't have worked. Both of his parents couldn't stand by and let people get hurt.

It was the middle of night and Raiden decided that he needed some fresh air. He made sure not to wake anyone up as he made his way down to the door. Even Captain was fast asleep.

Raiden walked outside of the guild building onto the streets of Dahngrest. There were still some activity this late at night. But not much. He took a breath and sat down on a bench.

The emblem felt heavy in his pocket. However he didn't pull it out and just wrapped his hand around it like he was worried he lose it.

"Shoulda figure you wouldn't be asleep," Raven voice said and the old man wasn't even that far. Raiden couldn't believe he didn't notice him. The old man came over and sat next to Raiden. "Good job by the way. I meant to tell you all earlier. But you kids were able to get a lot of valuable information out of that woman."

Raiden just felt his head drop lower. "Are you saying this is a win?" He knew it was true.

"If you're getting answers about what happened to Yuri, you know more than you did this morning."

"I just…wasn't expecting all of that," Raiden tried to explain.

"How about we talk about something more pleasant?" Raven asked without waiting for an answer. "You remember when I took you and Rune out to-"

Raiden quickly covered his ears and said, "Please, no." He knew Raven was trying to bring up the event that must not be named.

Raven got a big chuckle out of that. "Yeah, I'm sure Rita scared you two to death. Well you dad almost killed me that day. But your mom was the one to deal me my punishment."

That had never occurred to Raiden. It would make sense that Raven was punished too. But Raiden's mom was the one. "Really?" Raiden said hesitantly. He just hoped the old man wouldn't go into more details about that day.

"Yep, my next still hurts when it rains. The little lady can be pretty scary. Not sure who I'm more scared of now."

Raiden let out chuckle. It was kind of humorous picturing his mother like that. "Never that mom could do something like that."

"When you kids came along, everyone got a new sense of protectiveness. Rita surprised everyone with how over protective she was with Rune," Raven went on to say. "I guess what I'm trying to say is be careful looking into this. No one wants to see anything happen to you."

"You know you're not the only one to say that," Raiden told him.

"I'm aware," Raven said. "But listen. I never thought I'd out live Yuri or even Judith. Just…don't let me outlive any of you."

Raiden stood up and gave Raven a smile. "I'm not planning to let anyone down right now."

It was Raven's turn to chuckle and stand. "Well good luck. I'll let you know if I learn anything that can help you. I've retired from fighting, but I'm still pretty good at getting into."

"Thanks Raven," Raiden told him. He was glad to hear another one of his dad's friends giving him their support.