Chapter 284: The royal decree

Cassius pov

"You have heard how we fought before right, we can attack all five of you and get rid of you, but we did not want to do that because we have taken you as family.'' I said as I looked at the five men keeping an eye on us. "So why don't we solve this matter as family members do, rather than enemies." 

"We do not have any right to make decisions. You should have told them that you have knights as relatives. We have left you to the town from where you can get local carriages rather than bringing you here. Now you are aware of all our secrets, even oracles. We can not let you go." they said and i sighed this was not going anywhere, the only way lest was to attack them and run away.

I looked at Marianne and shook my head, indicating there was no other way.

She looked at the men and said, "why are you so afraid about your oracle? Isn't she strong and powerful." she asked, making them further alerted.

"She is a weak lady with power to see all. But she stayed unconscious the whole day. She needs to be protected" said one and another glared at him.

"Why are you telling all this to her?" one of them growled but the man just shrugged.

"She is going to stay there all her life anyway." he said with nonchalance that i and his comrades all wanted to beat him.

"But as you said, she knows it all. If we would have been enemies she would have known that too." said Marianne, and I still did not understand why she trusted the oracle so much.

If it would not have been for her stubbornness to meet oracle, we would have left this place long ago.

They looked at each other and then at Marianne, which boosted her confidence.

"You can go and ask the oracle for the result, if she thinks that we should stay here, then we would and if agrees to let us go, then let us go." she said "i, as a member of this clan, ready to do anything that oracle would say. Are you not that loyal to the clan or to the oracle?" she said, mocking them.

"And you think the knights would return just because you have decided to keep us. Many would already be killed and the massacre would continue until you let us go. Are you ready for a war and the casualties that come with it?" I asked and they looked doubtful.

"You are trying to keep this place safe, but with the knights continuing to search for us, how is this place going to stay safe? '' I pressed and they started murmuring something in their language.

Two of them nodded and left the place, this our chance to run and get rid of them.

I moved to attack but Marianne held my hand and shook her head.

I frowned and turned to let go but she was not ready to leave, "we are part of family now." she whispered at all looking at my darkened face.

"They are trying to captivate us, and here you are trying to make relationship with them.'' I did not understand how and why she was so attached to them.

She bit her lip and shook her head, 

"Marianne, u beg you, i don't want a war to ensue just because of this small argument.'' I added as she refused to go from here.

"My mates have gone to talk to the elders. We do not want war either. But we are worried about the protection of our families too. You are just thinking about yourself, not about us who helped you on time." said a man looking at us and I really wanted to check his brain too.

If they would not have interfered in the first place, we would  not have needed to dave eachother. We could have gone our own way but fate had entangled us and now we were here accusing each other.

I sat there on the bed as I could not do anything if she would not support me.

After what felt like an eternity the man returned, "the elders have called them" he said and the other three nodded.

They looked at us and I looked at Marianne, she nodded and started walking so I followed. This situation was something I could not understand at all.

When we could have found an easy way, why go a long way!

When we reached the same stage where the marriage was getting fixed yesterday, two men and a woman were sitting there on the high chair and looking at us as if we were something very small, not worthy of their attention.

Kai was standing in the left corner, his eyes were set on Marianne so I moved and stood between them, hiding her behind me.

She asked.. And moved in front.

"Are the knights here for you?" asked the man sitting in the centre and I nodded.

"You know that we are outlaws. We have done enough minor crimes, like robbing carriages, trespassing and stealing if needed too" they asked and we both nodded again.

"We took you in as members of the clan and yet you brought knights here. Isn't it treason from the clan" asked the lady and Marianne chuckled.

"Is there something to laugh about? '' asked the senior most with a cold look.

"We have never asked to be part of the clan, yet we are grateful that you helped us. In return we can help you by getting your name clear and even work for all of you so that you don't need to be outlawed anymore. We have said that many times but no one's ready to listen. I am offering again, a decree where all your crimes would be forgiven and work for all the men and women who are capable." i offered again.