192 Digging Graves

By the time Aether arrived back with help, Vy had already dug up ten graves in her Wolf titan form. When Caster and the two guards got off Aether, she was already carefully placing the third wooden box into the ground.

Caster and his men were shocked to see the pit of corpses, all of them looked at each other. Vy saw that help had arrived so she quickly took to her human form once more to greet them.

"Caster, glad that you're here to help," Vy said with a smile.

She could read the expression on his face. She expected something like this to happen.

"Aether," she turned her attention to her Familiar, "How's my brother?"

-He is well.- he replied to her, -He wanted to come along.-

"And you dissuade him from doing so, thank you," she replied.

As Vy's familiar, both of them could see through each other's eyes if they chose to do so. This also helped her to deduce Caster's worries. But there was no time to waste, they were burning daylight.

The longer the corpses were out in the open, it would only continue to rot under the heat of the sun. Explanations can wait. Without waiting for them to respond, Vy put them to work digging more graves in the surrounding forest area.

Before they had arrived, she had taken the time to clear some of the ground to make space for each grave.

"Did you bring what I asked for?" Vy asked Caster.

"Yes milady," Caster replied as he brought out the items as asked.

"Good, I think all that's left would be for us to bury them," Vy declared.

By the time they were done, the sun had begun to set. It bathed the land in shades of warm orange light. All of them were exhausted from the work but they completed all of the burials. Each grave had a simple headstone.

Unfortunately, Vy only knew Coral's name. So she had her name carved on her headstone. Every other headstone was blank. With their work completed, Vy stood vigil over all of the graves before her and said a few words.

The rest of them did the same. While they might not have known any of them personally, they hoped that their souls could rest in peace.

"So, what now?" Caster asked as they left the gravesite.

"It's getting late, let's stay over in the village nearby. We can prepare for our return journey at first light," Vy replied.

The nearest village to them had an inn. With luck on their side, they found a roof over their heads for the night. The innkeeper brought them up to their rooms and informed them that there was a communal bathhouse for them to use.

At dinner time, Vy joined Caster at the tavern. As soon as she sat down, food was served. It was a serving of creamy mushroom soup and a hot buttered bun.

"Would you fine travellers like anything to drink?" the waitress asked.

"A mug of mead will do," Caster requested.

"One for me as well," Vy added.

The waitress left to get them their drinks, leaving them to start on their meal in silence. Caster was not certain on how to break the topic to Vy, but he knew he could not keep silent for long either. Seeing his troubled expression, Vy decided to make the first move.

"If you have something to ask, please do so Caster," she said casually as she took a bite out of her bun.

He could never get used to how straight forward Vy was. She was so different from anyone he had met before. Caster wanted to be honest with her. But he also feared her wrath.

"Will you tell me the truth?" he asked as he ate another spoonful of soup.

Just then, the waitress returned with their mugs of mead. The conversation only continued after she left their table.

Vy took a sip of her mead before she replied, "I can say anything and you could still think I'm lying. So does it really matter what I say or not say?"

She made a fair point. But even if she was going to spin a lie, he wanted to hear it himself. He had already done the dirty work with her, he might as well find out what it was all for.

"Those corpses we buried today, including Coral's, did you kill them?" Caster asked.

-What a brave soul.- Aether remarked to Vy.

-That is why he looks after Timbretune when I'm away.- she replied to him.

"No. I have my suspicions, but it's likely that they were killed on Baron Koufer's orders." Vy explained as she took a sip from her mug of mead.

The honey tasting liquor rolled down her throat. It tasted great. But she knew it's alcoholic content. It was best to pace herself. Vy went on to explain the laughable trial she had experienced.

She also shared her findings of how the supposed Lord Tres was nothing but a fraud. Caster listened to all of it in silence. Vy could tell from his expression that he was thinking about the words she was saying.

Vy did not reveal to Caster what happened to the Baron. There was no need to burden him with the knowledge of knowing that piece of information. That was her little secret to keep.

"To kill an entire courtroom of people to keep his lies intact, the Baron must have been extremely desperate." Caster replied.

"Indeed. A man like that does not deserve much pity," Vy remarked, "Or mercy."

They buried over 30 people collectively. Most of whom were covered in blood. Some had their necks sliced open. Others had multiple wounds all over their body. Not to mention, one of them had their head chopped off.

It was hard for anyone to digest. Even his men had to take a breather as they worked on the graves. But Caster had seen his fair share of death. It was a gruesome mess. It was difficult to stomach. But it did not phase him.

While Caster was still deep in thought, Vy said, "So."

As soon as she spoke, Caster looked up at her. Vy looked at him directly.

"Do you trust my version of the story?"

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