Keithson Family/Paul/Mystery

Riding hard into Oligarch City, Paul finally arrives at his home.

"Mareor, go inside and get Hans. I need to talk to him for a bit. After that, gather all of your things that you can carry."

"Yes, father." Mareor replies, running into the house.

Soon, Hans comes out, walking his normal old-man walk.

"It's good to see you again master! Now perhaps you'll be able to run off that crazy brother of yours! He keeps on coming every day looking for you!"

Paul stiffens. Brother, what bro- wait. There's only one brother who can be here. Tom.

And it is indeed Tom sitting at the table when Paul comes inside.

"Tom."

"Paul."

"Why did you come here?" Paul asks, a little worried. Tom's duties was to look out for the family home, not make house calls on his older brother.

"I came here because I saw the news as well as you did. Fountain of Light, Paul. You're thinking of going there." Tom's answer wasn't a question. It was a statement.

"Yes... I am." Paul said hesitantly.

"...and by that answer, you're going." Tom said matter-of-factly. Winking at Paul, he whispered, "Little brothers know these things!"

"Well, if you have any papers... of any sort... personal papers... that you need safe keeping for... the family vaults are always open." Tom continued, staring at Paul all the while.

"No, no thank you." Paul said, starting to sweat a bit. "My personal affairs are all in order."

"Well, then. I guess all I can do is wish you a safe trip... but we both know that it won't be safe. So, I wish you a trip where you cut down two of them for every one they cut down of yours." Tom shrugged his shoulders, as if he was saying, 'It's the best I can do'.

On his way out, Tom mussed Mareor's hair a bit before shooting Paul a sharp glance.

"Mareor, get your things together." Paul waited a brief second for Mareor to get out of earshot before turning towards the corridor, "Hans, you overheard that, I presume?"

"Yes-yes, master." Hans replied, while walking into the room.

"So... now that you know that I'm planning to go to the Fountain of Light, do you want to come with me?"

"Most certainly master! Can't leave you alone with no one to protect you! And with a child, you'll need someone to look after him as well!"

"Good... get me my good stationary. I have a few... personal things to finish up."

(Continued soon!)