Karena followed Constantine all the way to the entrance to the Knight's Garrison, where a man in a top hat and a boy in blue stood, wondering how they were going to get in. The night was silent enough in that area, so that even though she was standing quite a distance away from them, she could hear their conversation clearly.
"First, let's make our way through the gate." The man in the top hat said.
The boy tried the door and then looked around before he said, "Uh-oh! The door's still locked! And there are no knights here to open it." That's when Constantine came bounding up to them while barking. "Hey what's the matter, Constantine?" the boy continued curiously with concern.
'I came to help of course!' the pup barked in reply. 'There's a different way you can take that only the knights know of!'
"That's great, thanks!" the boy told the dog, as if he had understood perfectly. This totally baffled Karena as she heard the boy continue with, "He says there's another way in, which only the knights know about!"
"That's a relief…" the man with the top hat stated with a grin before he turned his gaze to the dog. "Could you show us the way, Constantine?"
'Of course! Follow me!' the pup barked as he turned and led them around the side of the wall.
Karena followed not too far behind, and while the two spoke with the captain, she kept to the shadows and made her way to the tower ahead of them.
"Oh my! What a tall tower!" she uttered as she gazed up at it with awe. "To think…I could get in there and help Zachary out…" She took a step forward, but once she heard the pair approaching, she backed into the shadows to watch silently from there.
"Look! I can see the tower right over there!" the boy shouted as they stopped to look at it from beside the Audience Room. "But, how do we get to it?"
"I believe this may be where our little friend comes in handy…wouldn't you say, Luke?" the man with the top hat replied as he gestured to the Inquisitor's companion.
"…Right. Of course!" the boy named Luke agreed as he turned to face the pup. Constantine barked, and Luke translated for the man in the top hat.
"Hmm…I see." The boy said slowly as he listened to the barking and paused for a moment in thought. "You're saying there's a path?" – the pup nodded a little as an answer and the boy turned to the man – "He says there's a path leading from behind the Audience Room right over to the Storyteller's Tower!"
The pup barked once more.
"Oh really? He just said, 'You've nothing to worry about while I'm here!' And then he added, 'You might want to worry about that Sir Blue Knight though.'"
Constantine then whimpered in agreement, while the man in the top hat remained silent in thought for a moment. Luke decided to continue, as he said, "I hope Mr. Wright and Maya were able to come across some clues…"
"I don't think we need to worry too much about them." The man replied confidently. "I'm sure they'll be alright. Wouldn't you agree, my boy?"
"Of course Professor!" Luke agreed, addressing the man as "Professor". "While I was teaming up with Mr. Wright, one thing became clear to me…He's definitely someone that will always do his best to protect his friends!"
Hearing what the boy had to say about this "Mr. Wright" made Karena think, 'Wow. This man they speak of sounds as if he has the same protective spirit as Zachary. Could this Maya they also mentioned possibly be Mr. Wright's sweetheart…?'
Meanwhile the Professor continued the conversation by saying, "I agree, Luke. He's a fine young lawyer with a heart of gold. I'm quite confident the trial is safe in his capable hands."
"Me too!" Luke said in response with a confident nod and smile. "And then there's Maya…always strong and courageous! Not to mention full of energy! She's a bit reckless sometimes…but always with good intent!"
"We're lucky to have them on our side."
"…I'm really glad we met them, aren't you, Professor?"
"Yes, Luke. I'd certainly agree with you there. Both Mr. Wright and Miss Fey are friends that can truly be relied upon." The Professor explained with reliance, before becoming slightly concerned as he continued. "But at the same time, High Inquisitor Darklaw will be a most formidable opponent…One unlikely to make any careless slips. Which is why we must all do our best and work together."
"Including me right?"
"Of course. I certainly couldn't do this without you, Luke."
"Don't worry, Professor! I'll give it everything I've got!"
"That's the spirit, my boy!"
The duo then approached the tower together, Karena still sticking to the shadows as she followed. She then continued to watch and listen as they discussed the mysteries of the town, including the tower, the Eldwitch Woods, and the underground ruins.
'This village is steeped in so much secrecy!' Karena thought as she heard these things. 'No wonder Zachary wanted to know its truths…'
It was then time for Constantine to go, but he suddenly became alert as he sniffed the air and barked a warning at the boy.
"What's that?! You say there's someone watching us?!" Luke asked with shock as he and the man became more alert.
Constantine barked once more as he turned and pointed his body right to where Karena was standing.
"You there!" the Professor shouted out as he noticed her figure in the dark. "Reveal yourself!"
Karena hesitated for a moment, before she slowly stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight.
"Ah! Professor, it's one of them Shades!" Luke shouted out with fear, while Constantine ran up into her arms to greet her after so long.
"Hold on, Luke. It seems that Constantine knows this young lady…" The man said calmly. "I don't believe she is here to hinder our investigation."
"Oh no, of course not!" Karena told them in response. "In fact, I came here to search for the truth to help Zachary."
"Zachary? Do you mean Inquisitor Barnham?" the Professor asked curiously. "And how might you know him exactly?"
She was about to answer, when Luke let out a shout of surprise as he recognized her. "You're Karena Edwards, Inquisitor Barnham's sweetheart!"
"Yes, that's…right." Karena uttered with slight surprise as her cheeks went red. "Have we met before?"
"Oh, no. Espella told me about you when we saw your statue in the cell under the Courthouse."
"Espella! Will she be okay? What happened to her?"
"She will be just fine! With us on her side, the truth will be revealed and she'll be proven innocent!"
"Well, if you need an extra mind or set of hands, I would be happy to help you find the truth to help Espella and Zachary." – the Professor was about to give an answer, when the pup in Karena's arms started to bark in defiance – "Constantine, what's wrong?!" Karena asked with shock and confusion.
"He's saying that you shouldn't go into the tower." Luke translated for her.
"But why?" Karena questioned further, as she gazed at the pup in her arms, clearly upset. "I want to help out my friends and the Professor and Luke by finding the truth."
Constantine barked in reply, and she looked to the boy to translate. He said, "Constantine says that the Inquisitor does need you, but not in finding the truth. Instead, he needs you by his side right now."
"You do make a good point Constantine…I suppose that would probably be best." Karena said slowly in thought as her loved one immediately came to mind. "After all, he is alone right now and we were parted for so long…"
"So I take it that you've made your decision?" the Professor asked her.
"Yes. I shall be going with Constantine to Zachary's side." Karena replied while setting the pup down on the ground. "I hope you find what you are looking for up there."
"We will for sure!" Luke told her in response with determination. "Right, Professor?"
"Indeed." The man replied.
They then said their goodbyes before Constantine led Karena away, the Professor watching her go with a slightly puzzled look on his face. Luke noticed this and asked, "What's the matter, Professor?"
"It's just that young lady…" he said aloud before he trailed off. "It cannot be..." – he shook it off as he turned to the looming tower before them. "No, it's nothing, my boy. Let us continue into the tower. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready if you are Professor!" Luke replied as the two of them took their first step towards the tower and the truth…