A Doll and a Copper Coin

Chapter 9

The Capital,

Ashli knelt in front of some big wooden gates. The walls round where made of silver colored bricks. He knelt on the stoney floor waiting for the doors to open. He looked diligently at the doors.

Then, suddenly, the door made a creek and soon the doors where open and a man came out.

" The master said you could come in." The man said.

Ashli was then led to a spacious reading room. The reading table had a lot of books on it but the room was very organized. An elderly man sat at a table near the window. His grey beard was tied at the end and his hair was very neatly done.

His face was a little wrinkly. He held a cup of tea and was drinking it.

"Master, I've brought him." The man said.

"You may leave." The elderly man said as the man quickly left.

Ashli quickly knelt down with one knee on the ground and his head facing downward.

" This junior greets the elder." He said.

"You may rise." The elderly man said.

Ashli slowly stood up from the ground. He stood still and remained silent.

"Come drink some tea with me." The elderly man said.

Ashli quickly came over, he didn't hesitate to follow every word the elderly man told him. He poured the elderly man some tea then proceeded to pour himself some tea.

He held the cup in hand and sipped the tea slowly.

" I hear you're undergoing the family's test." The man suddenly said.

" Yes." Ashli answered.

" You've grown but remember to take this test seriously it is a tradition done for generations in our family." The man said.

" Yes, I understand."

" Now, tell me what you've been doing all this while. It's been so long since I saw you." He said.

Ashli told him about the demonic beast he saw in their forest when he first met Gorin and about Huga and what happened to him. But he didn't elaborate more on the details like how they broke into the Duke's palace.

" A demonic water sphere crocodile you say, hmmm..." The elderly man said.

" What about the murder case? Any leads on it?" The elderly man asked.

" Well we did find something..." Ashli said a little hesitant to continue.

" Elder please permit me to say this?" Ashli said.

" Go on."

" We believe the mastermind behind all this was the Duke himself." Ashli said with some confidence in his tone.

" Boy, do not speak nonsense." The elder said.

" It's not false, we have proof of his deeds." Ashli said.

" Then tell me, what proof do you have?"

" We managed to rescue the boy's brother from a secret room in the Duke's palace." Ashli said.

" Bring the boy to me." The elder demanded.

" He is presently waiting outside with the others." Ashli said.

The elder ushered in a servant to bring them in. They were then called and brought in according to the command of the elder.

Gorin walked in confidently. He stood at the front of the rest. Huga held the hands of Icilan who tried to hide himself from view.

Gorin gave a bow as a greeting while the elder closely examined them. The elder looked at Gorin for a while before he suddenly shifted his gaze to Icilan.

" Who among these is the kid you speak of?" The elder asked.

" He is the kid over there." Ashli answered pointing at Icilan.

"Tell me, who was the one who kidnapped you?" The elder asked.