Involuntarily, William's eyes grew wide and he stared at the strange man in horror.

"You are a descendant of Linus Kama?", was Aaron's only statement. Even the High-Magician's voice seemed clearly surprised. Aaron looked at his counterpart in silence as his facial expressions returned to normal and he looked to William. The two seemed to be thinking of the same thing: did Cale know about this?

"Indeed. However, if that is not why you are here, then what brings you to me?"

For a moment, no one responded before Aaron began to open his jacket. Silently, William watched the mage's movement while still processing the information that Basil was a descendant of the most famous blacksmith in the world. A man he only knew from legends.

"I would like to ask you to share with me everything you know about this creature."

During this statement, Aaron pulled out two carefully folded sheets and presented both to Basil, whose expression darkened abruptly. Curious, Theorik also peered at the pieces of paper, so the High-Magician turned them slightly in his direction. William and his group also saw the creatures for the first time. Inevitably, William compared the creature to a human.

"Where did you get that?", Basil gruffly replied, while looking at the High-Magician mischievously. He had already completely exposed the second hare and was staring at the drawing.

"They were spotted in Altona during the second wave", Aaron stated confidently.

"Second wave?", Theorik interjected, looking at the mage in surprise.

"You won't have noticed much of that. Altona is currently in a state of emergency. Within a short period of time, our capital was attacked twice by large masses of creatures. I am not exaggerating when I say that the number is well over six figures. After research, we were able to find out exactly which creatures attacked us, but we've never encountered this particular one."

Skeptically, Basil eyed the mage before reaching for another stick, spearing the rabbit, and placing it over the fire.

"And why do you think I know this monster?"

The question Aaron wanted to avoid was finally asked. William watched as the mage lowered his notes and passed them to Philippa, who eyed the documents curiously.

"There is a mage among us who can see the past and the future. He was the one who informed me of your existence", Aaron explained calmly, without taking his eyes off Basil. Interested, William watched what was happening, wondering how much truth was behind the statement. Which mage had passed the information about Basil and this creature to Aaron, William did not know. William had not been that specific in his questions to Cale.

"Such nonsense. A mage who can see the past? Who would believe such a statement?", the stranger stated gruffly as he bent forward and looked Aaron forcefully in the eyes, causing even William to get goosebumps. Aaron was lying?

"It's the truth."

In a monotone voice, the mage replied, not letting the big man get in his way. They stared at each other for a while before Basil sat back and grabbed the third rabbit.

"Fine. You don't want to tell me, then I see no reason to answer you."

"Wha...", Aaron jerked to speak, but paused. The giant ignored the mage and focused on the prey.

"Don't you think that's a little cold? Can't you make an exception or ask them for one of your weird assignments you usually give out?", Theorik interjected after a few moments of silence, causing her four visitors to turn to the spear-bearer in wonder. He didn't seem to have much respect for Basil, and he had also rejected his initial shyness towards the group. Presumably he wanted to hear more stories about the other continent, which was why he wanted to get on good terms with the strangers.

"Weird assignment?", William repeated in wonder, which is why Theorik directed his attention to him.

"Yes. Usually, when people come to visit, he requires them to find out the location of one of the three Kama swords. Usually..."

"You talk too much, Theorik", Basil interrupted him gruffly, tearing down a large piece of skin.

"You're looking for the Kama swords? Why?", Aaron spoke up again.

"Just a pastime of mine", Basil evaded a more specific statement. "Two of the three swords are considered lost, and with the order to tell me the location of one of the swords or bring it to me, I'll get rid of most of them."

"So, an impossible task", Aaron replied bleakly. But something about the story gave William pause and as he dropped his gaze to Ben, he noticed that his friend was thinking similarly.

"May I ask exactly what sword you are looking for?", William raised cautiously after casting an appraising glance at Aaron. She had actually promised not to get involved in the discussion, but the whole conversation was threatening to completely fizzle out.

"Karekama or Mirajokama, if the names say anything to you at all", Basil countered, almost annoyed, as he set his knife aside and reached for the wooden handle one last time. He therefore didn't realize how William and Ben looked at each other in surprise.

This could no longer be a coincidence. This could NOT be a coincidence!

Had Cale expected it to come to this? Was that why he had handed his sword to William, with the intention that the conversation would fall in that direction? Did Cale know for a fact that Basil was looking for one of the swords that was in his possession?

Was... was that the reason Aaron should not mention his name? Did he want to avoid Basil learning who he was? Did... did Cale really trust them more than Aaron?

"If we can give you the information about where this sword is, will you enlighten us about the creature?", Ben quietly spoke up, so as not to show that he had only recently seen the sword. William anxiously watched Basil's reaction, but he only smiled at the statement without looking up.

"If you can tell me that... whereas, no.... if you can present me with the sword, then I will answer any question you may have."

Silently, the two friends stared at each other. They knew full well that Cale didn't want anyone to know about Karekama, nor did he want to be drawn into the conversation. But if they wanted to get the information, they inevitably had to do one of two things. But how?

Aaron seemed to notice the looks on their faces, because he directed his next words to the two Anuxers.

"Do you two know anything about this?"

Surprised, both Ben and William looked at him. So it was no understatement that hardly anyone knew about the sword in Cale's possession. Aaron was the 3rd seat on the Magistrat, yet didn't know?

"Seriously? You know?", Theorik exclaimed in shock, and Basil also stared at the two in wonder. William ignored the stranger and let his gaze wander from Ben to Aaron. He didn't make a face as usual, but you could still tell he was holding out hope.

"Yes", William finally admitted quietly. His blue eyes moved to Basil, who also looked surprised. He had put the rabbit aside and leaned far forward.

"Is that so? You're not lying to me, child?"

"No, I know where Karekama is located. I even saw it once", William explained calmly, trying to draw attention to himself and away from Ben. He didn't know exactly how his friend would react in this situation, but he shouldn't let the chance go by.

"You're really telling the truth, aren't you? Where is it?"

"I can't tell you that. I made an oath, but considering the circumstances, I would be willing to contact the swordmaster who has Karekama in his possession. However, I cannot promise you that he would want to reveal his identity."

William skillfully suppressed his nervousness as he unintentionally clutched his weapon, glanced briefly at Ben, and then looked back at Basil.

"You should be aware that Karekama is deliberately kept secret. Therefore, I would like to ask you once again. You promise to answer all our questions regarding this creature?"

"I would be foolish to pass up the offer. Yes. I'll tell you all about the monster", Basil confirmed again. Satisfied, William stood up and dropped his gaze to the High-Magician.

"Give me a little time. I'll try to contact the swordmaster in a moment. I just don't know if he'll answer right away", Wiliam replied, taking out his communication crystal before dropping one last glance at Aaron. The High-Magician really didn't know.

"Sounds good to me. Try your luck and when you get back, we'll eat", the giant replied cheerfully, pointing his finger at the shot young deer behind him, which he would probably take under his wing next. William replied nothing, while with a nod of his head he indicated to Ben that he would speak to Cale alone. Without argument, Ben remained seated. He realized that he should be careful that no one overheard them.

Unaware of their thoughts, Aaron watched the young Anuxer leave the cave and continued to stare in his direction for a few moments later.

He didn't know where to put his thoughts. The whole situation felt wrong and yet he could tell exactly why it felt wrong. He was a High-Magician and yet a child was handling all his problems. A child who came from Sylve to boot. Just... Like Caleb.

His gaze wandered back to Ben, who was having a conversation with Philippa about the Kama sword. Silently, he listened to his words, but could not shake the feeling that he had no control over his own life. All at once, he realized why Caleb had sent his guests to Winstest as an appendix. From the very beginning, the 12th High-Magician had not wanted the three of them to help him. No... it was rather as if Caleb had never trusted him to accomplish the task alone.

Inside, Aaron was getting angry. He had always had an issue with Caleb, but seeing how little confidence Caleb had in him hurt him in a whole different way. A way... that he simply didn't know yet. Almost as if... like he was being cast out?

Was that it? The strange relationship he had with Caleb that was entirely his own fault? The fact that his own behavior had made everyone around him uncomfortable in the first place? Was it his admiration for Caleb's abilities that led to him feeling so bad now? Not even a work colleague harbored enough confidence in him to be able to gather information? Not even when Grischa's life was at stake?

Why was it... why did it always seem like every decision Aaron made was the wrong one? If he had resisted traveling with Ben, Liam, and Philippa, he never would have received information about the Kormandent. He would have died. He would have tortured Theorik and probably done something similar to Basil to get his way. After all, the life of his only student was at stake.

But thanks to the three children, the problems had vanished into thin air. It seemed rather as if Liam was the group leader and not Aaron, even if they were always waiting for his confirmation. Cale had not sent the 3 Anuxers along to help Aaron, but Aaron to help them.

As Aaron became aware of this thought, he exhaled deeply and closed his eyes. He couldn't help but think back to the battle in Exarion and the conversation he had had with Caleb on the roof of the Magistrat just before sunset. At no point did Caleb seem afraid that their plan would fail. He had a good overview of their situation and even if it seemed to Aaron that Caleb was overestimating himself, he was not. Caleb fed them information and instructions every 5 minutes so that the High-Magicians could work as a team, something they had never done before. It was not Caleb who had overestimated his ability, but Aaron. Although Aaron was well aware of the danger posed by the creatures, he had truly underestimated the magnitude. Knowing that some of them would have died if Raphael and Caleb had not intervened drove him crazy.

Slowly, Aaron opened his eyes again and took aim at the dead rabbit over the fire.

At no time had Caleb trusted him. Never, not even once.