Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 169: Monotony in the Fog

The fog was thick and white like snow, enveloping the surroundings of the cult in an impenetrable blanket. Narinder sat on the front step of the entrance, his elbows resting on his knees and his gaze lost in the void. There was nothing he could make out beyond that fog, but he didn't seem to care. His thoughts were far from that place, wandering in a whirlwind of silent reflections.

Then, the soft sound of footsteps filtered through the fog. Lambert appeared with his usual calm bearing, wearing his red cloak that contrasted with the whiteness of the surroundings. Without saying a word, he approached and sat next to Narinder, giving him his space before breaking the silence.

"So, that was the ram?" Lambert asked curiously, not looking directly at her husband, but ahead as if she was also trying to see beyond the fog.

Narinder did not answer immediately. His tail twitched slowly, and his ears pointed back slightly. It wasn't that he didn't want to answer, but that he couldn't find the right words.

"I saw him running through the cult," Lambert continued. "I didn't get to talk to him, but I think he hid in one of the cultists' huts."

Narinder let out a deep sigh, resting his head on one hand.

"Well, I guess it was too much to ask for a situation equal to, or at least similar to, Goliath's."

Lambert tilted his head, thoughtful.

"Well, when you fought the goat it was a fair duel, where both were evenly matched, and one earned the respect of the other..." Lambert glanced at him sideways. "Your battle with the ram was very different, don't you think?"

Narinder let out a short laugh, tinged with frustration, as he crossed his arms.

"The truth is that that wasn't even a fight. I simply won because of the ram's indecision." If he had had more will to fight, he would have annihilated me in a single move.

Lambert nodded slightly, but said nothing more. He simply leaned on Narinder's shoulder, seeking to comfort him in a silent but firm manner.

"Was the difference in power that much?" Lambert asked, his voice calm and soft, as if he wanted to downplay the matter.

Narinder felt a slight purr escape his chest at Lambert's gesture. He allowed himself to relax a little as he replied,

"You ask such a casual question, but the truth is… it really could have been the end of me."

Lambert looked up at him, his eyes shining with an unwavering warmth.

"But it wasn't," he replied simply. "Why worry about something that didn't happen?"

Narinder looked at him, his expression softening. For a moment, the fog and his worries vanished. With Lambert at his side, he felt immense gratitude, not only for his company, but for being that pillar that kept him firm even when his thoughts took him to the edge of the abyss.

The fog continued to envelop the place, but the atmosphere between Narinder and Lambert became warmer. Lambert, with his usual patience and playful tone, broke the silence again after a few moments.

"And what are you going to do with the ram?" he asked, looking at him curiously, like someone who inquires without the intention of pressuring.

Narinder sighed, letting his ears fall slightly back as he played with the tip of his tail.

"I don't know... I thought he would want to run away or something, so I decided to wait here at the exit, but I've been waiting here for a while..." His voice sounded somewhat frustrated, although not because of the ram, but because of his own uncertainty.