The Legacy of Our Love

Chapter 31

ASRA

"Why am I not surprised..." Officer Singer began with a sigh, sitting down at the table across from Natti and I with some parchment and a quill. Evidently she wanted to personally hear our account of the evening's events. She took her time getting comfortable, obviously receiving a bit of satisfaction from watching us squirm.

"Why don't you start by telling me about these threats you claim to have discovered." She continued with a frown, less than pleased to be here with us.

You and me both, lady.

"Natti and I had discovered that several of Mr. Bickle's friends had their lives threatened by the Ashwinders, in addition to the abduction of Mr. Rabe to blackmail his wife." I began slowly, readjusting in my seat as my discomfort from dealing with the tedious legal proceedings began to catch up to me.

"After speaking with Mr. Rabe's wife, she expressed she had been informed not to go to the Ministry, or harm would come to her husband." Natti added that rather important detail explaining why we hadn't made any attempt to inform them of what we were doing.

"Alright..." She nodded, and the quill began scratching down the details I described. "Tell me more about what happened when you realized Miss Onai was missing."

"Once I had finished speaking with Mr. Bickles friends, I returned to our planned meeting spot with Natti nowhere to be found." I began, repeating the same information I had told the other officer earlier. "Knowing Natti isn't one to wander, I began looking for her around the village. While searching behind the Hogshead, I found her wand discarded, along with evidence of a struggle. After that, I followed signs to a cellar which was revealed to be an underground base of sorts for the Ashwinders."

By the time I had fought my way through the poachers, I had managed to find Natti locked in one of the deepest rooms, along with Daisy Rabe's missing husband Isko. After freeing Mr. Rabe, he was able to assist me in freeing Natti. Since I had cleared out the base, we had an easy time escaping after Mr. Rabe disapparated to safety.

"We've spoken to Mr. Rabe, and he confirms that you were able to rescue him and Miss Onai, and that your actions against the Ashwinders were in self defense." Officer Singer continued, watching me closely for any shift in expression.

"That's correct."

That was a lie. They certainly weren't. I had been consumed with rage when I discovered Natti had been taken, and cut down anyone who dared stand between me and my path to saving her. I attacked first each encounter, and cleared the blood from my clothing before rescuing her and Mr. Rabe.

But the idea that Natti thought so highly of me was comforting. Mr. Rabe had disapparated before seeing the destruction I had wrought, so it was easy enough for him to think me nothing more than a student trying to defend themselves.

That's certainly what I should have been.

But when it comes to the people I love, I found I had poor restraint when it came to their guaranteed safety.

"There are over twenty bodies." Officer Singer added, her gaze searching mine for any hint or suggestion that might prove otherwise.

Like I said, poor restraint.

"Is it a crime to be more skilled in dueling than those who attack you?" I questioned gently, attempting to conceal my frustration.

"It... is not." Officer Singer sighed, resigning to the fact I wasn't going to make this easier for her. "But it's interesting you've developed such skill in your short time here."