Chapter 678 - The Predicament

"[Reptilian] Apologies for the interruption… B-but w-would the great sirs' mind if I would suggest something that could help you out of this predicament?"

The jittery old man said with a feeble, tired and thin voice. Supporting his stand with the cane, he shivered as if the lightest wind could blow him over and make him fall to the ground, drowning in the gradually growing crimson murky mire that had claimed more and more land as the minutes passed.

Taking some few precious moments, the old man's dry lips eventually parted again, he continued.

"[Reptilian] Whilst this poor man has surely swayed from the right path and has turned towards a life of crime, there was a fine reason for it though!" He exclaimed, teetering forward as he spoke, his cane clanking loudly against the hard solid rock surface as he did so. 

"[Reptilian] This man, just like many of us, are outcasts in the eyes of the Church. As they say, we are just a stain in the eyes of the Ancient One, dirty filth, the taint that is so utterly worthless that it doesn't even worth the effort to cleanse."

He spoke, his voice whilst still trembling, gaining more and more emotional support with each spoken sentence. Clearly, the emotions, the pain were deeply rooted in his heart as well.

"[Reptilian] We are beyond redemption in their eyes and are thus expunged from the Inner Sanctum, the real city, Ugburg. We are outcasts without any aid, any support." 

"[Reptilian] Great Sirs, please try to understand our predicament as well. Each and every one of us is just trying to do the best of our abilities to live by. Many of us have loved ones that have been taken, used as flesh offerings for meager benefits… for power, wealth… still their fate is still better than those that are taken in as…"

"[Reptilian] … As livestock." The draconic skink bandit leader, Tocyl-kekko spoke up, joining in the discussion." His eyes were bloodshot with all the tears he had battled with and lost against so far. His palms were stained with his own blood due to the sheer strength of his clenched fists from before. Yet, he didn't falter any more, his gaze showed a strength he didn't seem to have just a moment ago. 

Looking at the old man, he nodded before his eyes were cast on the hooded figure, Draghan in the next moment. He took a deep breath, as he waited for the question he knew would become.

He didn't need to wait for long as just in the next second, The figure to his right, Ragor exclaimed with a confused tone.

"[Reptilian] Life.. stock? What does that even mean?! What do they…"

"[Reptilian] Don't ask what you already know the answer to, Ragor… It wouldn't sound better even if it came from someone else." Dragha sighed, interrupting his voiced question with a frown.

He sighed once more, reaching under the hood to caress the wrinkles as well as his temples. 

"[Reptilian] What is the reason behind your actions? What were you trying to accomplish by luring us into this dark alley and trying to ambush us?" Amidst the repeated sighs, Dragha voiced a question which from its calmer, yet at the same time chillingly impassive tone, wasn't clear to whom it was directed at. It could have been the old man as well, as the entire situation seemed more and more dubious, the longer they kept on looking at it.

The old man's jitters grew wilder and more chaotic as he registered the question, understanding the underlying threat that could very well be directed at him. He hurriedly reached his hands in the air, as he nervously exclaimed with a trembling tone.

"[Reptilian] G-good sirs… I-I I… I have done nothing of w-what you t-think! T-there w-were no c-c-conspr-"

[Reptilian] Do not hurt the old man, he has nothing to do with my actions." Before the old man could muster up the strength to push out his words of defense, Tocyl finally spoke up. His face showed no fear, his eyes didn't flicker with a mixture of fear and hesitation as he matched Dragha's gaze, catching the old veteran by surprise.

"[Reptilian] I see. Speak." He ordered curtly, raising his right hand towards Ragor's direction as he could already sense his growing annoyance. 

"[Reptilian] Sigh… Yes, I have followed you four as you seemed to be prime targets for capture." Tocyl did not hesitate, he spoke with determination. Although his actions were vile and wrong, he would not show weakness any more. 

"[Reptilian] We have already understood that part… The question is why? What drove you to do such a thing? Never mind the how, as judging by your strength… or actual lack thereof…" He sneered, before continuing. "…you couldn't have sensed the vast difference between us. You probably just saw 4 healthy bodies that you could sell to the local slave trader and gain some hefty sum. The question is why? Why would you do all of that… all of this? You surely have a reason… You don't seem the same as your… ex brethren…"

"[Reptilian] I… I have someone I want to save… No. Someone dear… to me that I need to save." Tocyl sighed, as he responded. He shut his eyelids tight as he could feel another trail of tears escaping from the corner of his eyes. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain.

Dragha looked at the stout-looking draconic skink in silent contemplation for some time, before finally exhaling. Once again, he raised his arms in the air and looked at his team. Though no words were verbally exclaimed, they each seemed to understand what he wanted to ask, they all nodded in response affirming and supporting his judgment. 

Even the slightly hotheaded Ragor didn't show his complaint, albeit Dragha was sure he wasn't fully sold on the idea. 

Gaining the support of his fellow captains, Dragha still didn't speak any words, but instead closed his eyes and focused on the mental connection he had shared with their master. Pooling some of his mental essence into it, he sent a request, which was promptly answered as the connection was opened and everyone was pulled into it once again.

'What is it, Dragha? What did you want to ask?' Aiden's voice resounded in the minds of every one of his servants the next moment. 

'My Lord, I apologize for reaching out so abruptly, but we have reached an impasse here and would need your guidance.' Dragha asked in response.

'Well… Not so much of a problem as we could have solved it the easy way, but Dragha here isn't really willing…' Ragor's complaint came next, followed up by Krok the third captain's remark in the next instant.

'Not just him, Ragor… You, like us as well, didn't want to do needless bloodshed. He is a kindred spirit, we should be helping him and not be like those we fight against.'

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