Thief of Twilight

Part Two: Chapter 45

"Who exactly was Oliver Baldwin?" Lord Baek sat across from me at the table. I couldn't help but keep my eyes on the sheets of parchment between us. After Yohan's morning meeting, Lord Baek asked for us to meet him in the imperial study.

Hearing someone call Lord Baldwin by his first name has always been weird to me. Especially when it's not Dahi.

"...Lord Baldwin...is an illegal smuggler and trader." I answered the question with complete honesty.

"What was it that Oliver Baldwin sold?" Lord Baek questioned.

"Items that were illegally obtained by me or others within the organization."

"What organization?"

"Nightdawn and Nightshade."

Lord Baek leaned back. "Does he own both organizations?"

"No." I shook my head. "Nightshade was passed down to him by his father. Nightdawn is an organization that he formed shortly after with Dahi Ayad."

"Lord Ayad..." Lord Baek murmured.

"Dahi has an organization of his own. It's called Shadowbane. They are an assassins guild." I began fiddling with my fingers.

"Is there really a difference between Nightdawn and Nightshade?"

"Nightshade is more of a domestic faction within the organization. That's where everyone starts off. They mostly handle jobs within the region. They never step foot outside of Khurut. Once a member has made a name for themselves, then it is up to Lord Baldwin to invite them to join Nightdawn." I explained.

"Then...I take it that you started in Nightshade as well, right?"

"No, I did not." I shook my head. "I...was immediately placed in Nightdawn."

"And...when was that?"

"...When I was fifteen..."

"How long have you known Oliver Baldwin?"

"...Since I was a child."

"And why did you join his organization?"

I pursed my lips.

There was a heavy silence that followed his question. I could feel Yohan and Lord Baek's eyes on me as they waited for my response. How do I even answer that? I know that Lord Baek is just asking questions about my involvement with the organization but...this feels like he's secretly trying to put me on the spot.

"Lady Abedayo, I need you to answer my question." he said. "I'm trying to do an investigation."

"...I understand but-."

"Perhaps I should ask that question at another time." he sighed."What was inside the wooden crates? The ones on the ship in Deep River Grotto?"

I thought back to that night. "I don't know what was inside of them. Everything was already concealed when I got there."

"How could you not know what was inside those crates?"

"Because I was here at the palace."

"Do you at least have an idea of what was inside the crates?"

"Probably a plethora of stolen items. The items can be anything from ancient artifacts to family heirlooms. The items could also be things as small as dishes crafted by an artisan. They could have also been artifacts left behind by the gods."

"Do you have any idea how he may have obtained them? I know that they were stolen but where did he know to look?"

"Lord Baldwin has a secret group within the guild called Widows."