Rober stepped out into the vast courtyard in front of Viscount Calos's manor. The midday sun shone brightly, highlighting the grandeur of the white limestone building and the meticulous care of the surrounding garden. The air here, though still tinged with anxiety, felt less somber and heavy than in the village.
Gathered in the center of the courtyard was a group of about twenty-odd men, the team the butler had assembled at Rober's request. He observed them, assessing each one. Most were sturdy men, dressed as guards or hunters, with bows slung across their backs or daggers tucked at their belts. Their faces were rugged, their skin tanned, and their eyes showed a resolute, experienced look. Rober noted they stood tall, postures steady, indicating they were well-trained and capable fighters.
Mixed among the soldiers and hunters were a few other men, dressed more simply in the everyday work clothes of peasants. Their faces were etched with fatigue and worry, yet their eyes held an unusual determination. Rober guessed these were the fathers and uncles of the afflicted children, men who had volunteered for this perilous search, clinging to the faint hope of saving their kin.
Rober stood silently, observing, evaluating each person, considering their capabilities and morale. He needed to ensure these men possessed sufficient strength and willpower to face the challenges and dangers they might encounter in the western forest, the place where the soul threads led. He waited for Viscount Calos's butler to bring out what he needed.
Soon after, the large manor doors opened. The butler emerged first, followed by a procession of servants, each carrying a polished silver tray. Neatly arranged on each tray were small, transparent glass vials filled with the light-blue liquid, sparkling in the sunlight, the strange substance Rober had just created from sheep's blood through a mysterious ritual.
The butler signaled the servants, who distributed the glass vials evenly among the search party members. Once he confirmed everyone had received a vial, he approached Rober and inquired respectfully:
"Mr. Rober, everything has been prepared according to your request. What would you require us to do next?"
Rober nodded and replied "From here, leave it to me."
He turned to Viscount Calos, who was standing to the side, his face still fraught with worry, and said quietly "My Lord Viscount, in a moment, perhaps you could say a few words to assist me."
Viscount Calos nodded wordlessly.
Rober turned back to face the search party. He saw them curiously examining the vials in their hands, whispering amongst themselves, wondering what the blue liquid was and what it did.
Rober cleared his throat, his voice commanding the attention of everyone present. His voice wasn't overly loud, but it carried a strange power, a particular resonance that compelled everyone, whether standing far off or engaged in discussion, to fall silent and listen.
"Greetings, everyone" Rober said, his tone calm and clear.
"I know you are all very worried and confused. Our village is facing a grave problem. The children of the village are trapped in a deep sleep of unknown cause. Their souls have become lost and are wandering somewhere in the western forest."
He paused briefly, allowing the information to sink in, then continued: "We do not have much time. We must act quickly, find the children's souls, and bring them back before it's too late. Every minute, every second of delay could push the children closer to danger."
Hearing Rober speak of "searching for souls" the members of the search party began to show signs of apprehension and fear. They looked at each other, murmuring. Souls, it was a vague, mysterious, and somewhat frightening concept for ordinary folk.
One man, one of the villagers whose child was sick, spoke up:
"Sir... sir... how... how are we supposed to search for souls? Souls... how can they even be seen?"
Rober smiled, gesturing towards the vials everyone held:
"The answer is right there in your hands."
The men looked down at the small glass vials filled with the strange blue liquid, their faces full of doubt and confusion.
Rober began to explain, carefully choosing his words for clarity and ease of understanding: "This is a special potion, a magical concoction created by a talented mage from the Royal Academy of Edoras." He deliberately bent the truth slightly to build trust and conceal his own identity, as well as the origin of the liquid.
"This potion" he went on "has a wondrous effect, it can grant the drinker the temporary ability to see souls, to perceive things that the naked eye cannot."
Hearing Rober's explanation, the murmuring started again. Some looked amazed, others skeptical, still others fearful. They had never heard of a potion with such a peculiar effect.
Rober waited for the whispers to subside, then spoke again with a decisive tone:
"Now, I require all of you to drink the entire contents of your vial. Do not worry, it is completely safe and has no side effects."
However, no one dared to follow Rober's instruction. They remained hesitant, doubtful, and afraid. They looked at each other, then back at Rober with questioning eyes.
Rober sighed. He glanced towards Viscount Calos and gave him a subtle nod.
Viscount Calos immediately understood Rober's cue. He stepped forward, standing before the search party, and spoke with a voice full of authority and power:
"What Mr. Rober has just said is the absolute truth! This potion, I myself and Madam Kalis Marry have personally verified. It is completely safe and poses no danger whatsoever. I, Viscount Calos, guarantee it and take full responsibility for any potential issues. If anyone experiences any problems after drinking this potion, I will bear full responsibility!"
Hearing the guarantee from Viscount Calos, the highest-ranking and most respected figure in the region, the members of the search party were finally persuaded. They no longer hesitated or doubted. One by one, they opened the glass vials and drank down the blue liquid.
As the strange liquid flowed into their bodies, they felt a cool energy spreading throughout. Their eyes felt slightly prickly, stinging, as if a thin film had just been removed. Their vision didn't darken like Rober's or Kalis's; they still saw the world around them normally. But they began to sense something different. They could perceive faint glows around other people, and they could feel the presence of unseen entities they had never sensed before. However, their "soul" vision was limited to a very short range, about three to five meters around them.
After everyone had finished drinking, Rober began giving specific instructions:
"Now" he said "I need everyone to pair up. Then, proceed to the east guest house where the children are resting. There, you will see faint soul threads extending from the children's bodies, leading towards the forest."
"Your task" he continued "is to follow those soul threads deep into the forest to find the children's souls. Remember, stay in pairs, support each other, and always maintain contact."
"During the search" he emphasized "if you encounter anything suspicious or dangerous, return immediately. Your safety is the top priority. Do not be reckless, do not take unnecessary risks."
"And" he added "if you are fortunate enough to find the soul of one of the children, do not try to do anything. Maintain a safe distance, stay close to the soul, and wait for me. I will have a way of knowing when you have found your target."
After giving the final instructions, Rober turned to the butler and said:
"Sir, please have the servants guide them to the east guest house and help them identify the initial soul threads."
The butler nodded and replied:
"Yes, Mr. Rober. I will see to it at once."
Then, he signaled the servants to lead the search party towards the guest house.
When everyone else had left, leaving only Rober, Viscount Calos, and the butler, Rober glanced around and then asked the butler:
"Sir, I requested twenty-three men. But I only counted twenty-two, just enough for eleven pairs. Is one person missing?"
He added "I intentionally requested an extra person, planning to go with him, ha ha."
The butler smiled. He stepped forward, standing straight, and said:
"Mr. Rober, that twenty-third person... is me."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"Actually, I intended to participate in this search from the beginning. I was once a mercenary, experienced many battles, and have entered the western forest countless times. I am very familiar with the terrain there, and I believe I can be of assistance to you in finding the children."
Rober was slightly surprised, but then he smiled and nodded.
"That's excellent" he said. "Having you along puts my mind more at ease." He sighed, adding "Well then, please prepare yourself. We will start immediately."
Just then, a trembling hand grasped Rober's arm tightly. It was Viscount Calos.
"Mr. Rober" he said, his voice urgent "which... which child's soul are you planning to find? Is it... is it my son?"
He stopped, looking directly into Rober's eyes, and continued with certainty:
"There are only eleven sick children in the village. Those other twenty-two men have been assigned to find them. So, that leaves only my son... Surely, you are planning to find his soul, aren't you?"
"If so" he said, his voice filled with determination "then I wish to accompany you! I cannot sit here idly waiting any longer! I must go find my son!"
Rober was taken aback by Viscount Calos's sudden perceptiveness. He looked into the man's determined eyes and knew he couldn't dissuade him.
He sighed, then nodded in agreement: "Very well, my Lord Viscount. You may come with us. But, please promise me, you will not do anything reckless, and you will always follow my instructions."
He paused briefly, then looked towards the other man.
"That includes you too, Mr. Butler!"