On hearing my story the man whispered to himself “We should have never trusted them”

Old Kaidae stepped forward and said “This wouldn't have happened if you have give that book away”

My stomach burned with rage and I stepped forward “Are you the one who sent them after us, if so then I cannot possibly let you go.” Elena grabbed my hand and held it tightly.

“Now, Now mother. Is this the way our village treats our benefactors nowadays.” The man said quickly rebuking old Kaidae.

“I would never stoop so low even in the face of a desperate situation. They took action on their own.” Old Kaidae said hurriedly to clear her name.

“They were after my book, I am not sure if someone would take such a risk just to destroy the demon book. Would you have left them without punishment if they tried to justify their act?” I ignored old Kaidae and asked the man in front of me.

“Killing an innocent without any proof will surely not be taken lightly and they would have been driven out of the village but violating a women and killing her would have them executed. Women are to be treated with equal respect in this village and violence against them is not tolerated” The man replied to me.

“So it’s safe to consider that they had something to do with the book. I am assuming that they belong to the group who kidnapped the children, judging by how Spot recognised the book instantly and snatched it from me. Reed was also reluctant to give me the book back after taking it from me. I had my doubts before but this confirms my suspicion. Were they really from this village” I asked the man.

“They are not of our village. Two months ago our men were attacked by bandits when they were returning from other village and they saved them. From then onwards they started living with us.” This time old Kaidae replied to my question.

“Are there any other men who accompanied them” I asked her hurriedly.

“Yes, another man named Komar came along with them” Old Kaidae said after realising what I meant.

“Find this Komar as soon as possible. I will also look for him. Elena, stay with Old Kaidae and do not go anywhere else.” Old Kaidea had a bad mouth and I didn’t like her personality but she was not someone who would plot against her own villagers, so it’s safe to let Elena be with her.

The muscular man told everyone to search for Komar and inform others. He told me to come with him and lead me to another house.

As we neared the house I saw an old man standing outside the house with a cane in his hand. He had a big white beard and wore blithe expression on seeing us.

“Father, you are already here.”The muscular man exclaimed on seeing the old man.

“Wind carried the words; it would be a shame as a Chief of the village if I let the youngsters do all the hard work.” The old chief replied.

“Now if you excuse me. I’ll go and get some information out of the traitor” The old chief said and entered the house.

A lean man was in the middle of packing things in boxes when we stepped in first room of the house.

“You seem to be in a rush to go somewhere, may I give you a hand?” The old chief said to the man before him.

On seeing the old Chief the man before him paled and stood up from his place “Chief, I was just... just going out hunting” the man said hesitantly.

“Do tell what were you going to hunt in the night, I would also like to join you, I was a good hunter in my young days after all” The old Chief mocked him.

The man stood there for a few seconds when nothing came to his mind, he bolted towards the open window.

“How rude, not replying to the elders” old chief said and waived his cane. The man was flung away from the window into a wall and he was hanging there like he was glued to the wall.

“Eric, go tell everyone that Komar was captured and to go to sleep. We don’t want to tire everyone out, after all there’s work to be done tomorrow” old chief said to the muscular man.

“Ok then, I’ll leave this to you father” said Eric as he left me there standing alone outside the room.

“Now then my friend, why don’t you come inside and sit over there. I am sure you will enjoy the show” old Chief said to me.

I went inside and sat in the room. I can see that this old man is capable of manipulating air, so it’s safe to assume he’s a capable mage.

“Well well, now down to the business. Komar isn't it very sneaky of you to escape in middle of the night leaving your friends. What would they think if they find out” old Chief taunted the guy.

He didn't say anything. Old chief tapped his cane and the man went pale, he seems to be suffocating and just when he was about to pass out old chief taped again he was released from suffocation.

“Take a deep breath and answer me. Tell me the truth and I would go easy on you, where did you come from and how many people are still there near our village” the old Chief asked again.

Komar took a deep breath and refuse to let it go, he didn’t even opened his mouth.

“Tough lad, aren’t you. If all you wanted was some more air, you could have just asked. No need to be shy” Said the old Chief and again gestured with his cane.

Air seems to have been forced into the man lungs, his chest began to grow visibly larger and just when I thought he was going to burst. He exhaled deeply and coughed erratically.

“It’s just like the good’ol days. I feel like I can do this all night. I don’t get that much sleep anyways.” said the old Chief.

The man coughed a few more times; he was horrified upon hearing the old Chief and stated telling him everything frantically.

They were part of organisation called Decollate, whose objective is to gain power by sharing information and resources among them. He was part of the team who found a demonic book and they were doing demonic rituals ever since. They wanted everyone in the team to be possessed by a demon so that they can become powerful and that’s why they have been travelling villages looking for children to sacrifice. They split into two teams, while one team attacked, the other team would pretend to save the villagers in order to gain their trust and stay within the village. After finding appropriate timing they would strike and take the children. The first team will take a batch of children and after exhausting them, they would attack the front of the village as a distraction while the other team inside the village would take children in guise of protecting them and take them as hostage, using them later for them rituals. They have been doing this for the past three villages but to summon a demon they needed much more children and hence they continued to adopt the same tactics as they pass through the villages. He noticed that the plan failed this time when I had the book with me. So two of his comrades were to kill me and take it back while he stayed to prepare for their departure.

I asked him why there were two demonic books when he hinted that only one came into their possession. On mentioning that there were two books the old chief brows furrowed. I ignored him and looked at the man for answers.

Initially there was only one book but they used a spell to duplicate it. One book for each team, but this time they were about to complete their first summon; so the other team took both the books with them so as to make the summoning quicker.

I got my answers so I stood up to leave, the old man didn’t stop me. I guess he is the only sensible guy in this village. Looks like I have to learn from this old man. Rather than killing the enemies instantly. His methods, albeit a little rough; will get answers out of them.

I went out of the house to find Elena.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------