The Companion (18+)

23. Theories

Three days after the ambush, Aurélie, Étienne and Oliver were seated in Oliver's room located on the third floor. It was early in the morning, most of the castle's inhabitants having gone to bed to rest for the day. Aurélie had grown bored of spending the days in her room, finally mustering the strength to stand up. Étienne had stayed by her side, helping her wherever possible, ignoring her protests and claims of being able to perform her usual routine. He had caught her just before they met with Oliver trying to step out of the bathtub, only to sway and almost collapse on the tiled floor in front of him. Étienne stopped her from hitting her head against the edge of the tub by grabbing her arm and pulling her away, ignoring the fact that she was not wearing anything. Her flustered face was quickly buried in a large bath towel while Étienne averted his gaze, scoffing at the scene she made. His justifications of her being his companion and that he had literally been inside her, and that it really did not matter how she presented herself, was met with a slipper thrown into his face followed by the bath towel. While Aurélie had gotten dressed she managed to throw every single creative insult she had ever read in his face regarding appropriately timed modesty and privacy, before going quiet and asking him if he could tie the laces of her corset because she did not have the strength to do so herself. Étienne's smirk while he went to work was met with a glare, and the pair was heard bickering all the way to Oliver's room.

"So what actually happened a few nights ago?" Aurelie asked, thanking Oliver as he handed her a cup of tea.

"Well," he began, scratching the back of his head. "Saint-Clair and I decided to look around the place where my family and group was attacked before we arrived here."

"There was a bit of company that surprised us while we were searching the area," Étienne finished, watching as Aurélie's eyes grew wider.

The companion set down her teacup and turned to both men. "Why on earth did you do that? I thought we would all go?"

"Linnington here thought it would be improper for you to come along," Étienne smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Did not want any harm to come to a lady such as yourself."

Aurélie shook her head and turned to Oliver. "While I appreciate your concerns, I could have helped. At least maybe tended to the both of you sooner."

Oliver sat in his chair looking sheepish, giving Étienne a glare as he looked over to him. Silence weaved between the three of them before Aurélie spoke up once more.

"I suppose what is done is done. All of us are still here, thankfully, but we must figure out what is happening. Did you at least find out anything?"

"Indeed we did," Oliver stated, standing up from his seat and walking over to a small box that rested on top of a dresser. Unlocking the box with a key his pulled from his trouser, Oliver picked up the green cloth that he had found on the body of one of the men that attacked them, handing it over to Aurélie. Her eyes grew wide as she recognised the colour and crest.

"So it was Delacroix?"

Étienne nodded. "We presume so. That is his designated green colour and family crest."

"But why would he use something that can lead back to him so easily?" Aurélie asked, still looking down at the wolf embroidered into the cloth with silver thread. "It makes no sense."

"In a lot of parts that we travel, only those with such identifications can freely pass through. My father had to show our symbol at almost every tavern, inn and road we stayed at and travelled. I presume it was no different for Duke Saint-Clair to do the same," Oliver began, watching as Étienne nodded in agreement. "I would not be surprised if a vast majority of his men or even his people would be carrying his crest around to pass through these mountains quicker."