A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.



"We heard that same rumor from the trader," (f/n) voiced to Tarhuinn, who nodded in response and kept his gaze on the male.



"And, I'm presuming that no one has verified this rumor because it's too dangerous to ask Tergii and Bimaa," Tarhuinn pointed out as the scared male nodded. "And, how many questioners were there before us? Who before you did they send on the task of killing them?"



"There weren't many. You two are the first that any of us have seen. In the past, it is said that there were a total of four others, but you understand that most of our kind don't question the texts in our homes. Even we here don't question the books, but that's mainly because we're too afraid to, especially if it regards the five authors' texts. As for who was given the task before me, it was my father. He's the one who taught me how to use a bow and a little bit about a blade."



"I wonder if they were going to ask the same question as us," (f/n) muttered more to herself than to her partner. Looking to male, she asked, "Were those four killed, then?"



"Two of them were, but, apparently, the other two vanished in this house like the authors. They must have been killed along the way, though, since Tergii and Bimaa still visit us."



"That means that it's possible to find this secret passage without magic. And, you don't know where this passage is?" Tarhuinn questioned, his voice still anything but pleasant towards the male.



"No, I swear that I don't. None of us in this complex do. Even if we did, we wouldn't go down there. We know what we're dealing with, and we don't invite an early death to our homes."



"What about their ways to know about the other complexes? Do you know anything more about these spies or other passages?" he inquired to the past attacker.



"No, I only know of the rumors that have spread among us. If that's all, may I please go now?"



Maintaining a look of hatred, Tarhuinn switched the dagger in his hand to hold it by the blade. He swiftly lifted the male up and pushed him away. With the past attacker's back towards him, Tarhuinn reacted swiftly and brought the handle of the blade down against the back of the male's head. The sound of the blow made it seem like he had killed the male, but (f/n) noted that he was still breathing.



"He'll survive, but we can't have him running off before we find this entrance. I want to be out of here when he wakes back up. Otherwise, the rest of the complex might be on us, and, soon, they'll probably be wondering what's taking him so long," Tarhuinn explained as he picked up the male. After he had placed the male out of the forest and partially in the water path towards the entrance to the room, he came back and picked up their lantern. "Let's hurry and check these trees for a possible hidden passage."



Stepping over the male, she made no argument and followed beside her partner. (F/n) did keep herself on alert, however, in case someone else decided to attack them that evening. In a worst case scenario, they could always run for the window and head outside. Granted, the climate out there wouldn't be too forgiving. A shiver ran up her spine just thinking about the biting cold.



Her attention, though, snapped back to the task at hand. That option wouldn't happen as long as they found the secret passage in time. They moved between the trees, and she would have to push back branches most of the time not to get too severely scratched by the needles. When they reached the center of the small woods, they spent more time on each tree since it was harder to see.



The current tree was being examined thoroughly and more so than the others. Tarhuinn pushed back some of the grass and tapped at the trunk more. A smirk pulled at his lips as he tapped harder. With the impact, even she could hear that the trunk was hollow. She reached her hands out to the needles and noted that they felt softer. They might have just found the entrance to the secret passage. Otherwise, why would this tree be like this?



Standing up, Tarhuinn motioned for her to step back. As she did so, he reached his hands past the smooth needles and gripped the trunk. He tried to move it to the left, then the right. Both times, nothing happened. So, he tried to push it backwards, and, lastly, he pulled it towards him. A rumbling sound echoed throughout the room as the beds of trees started to move closer to each other. The water path that Tarhuinn was standing in grew bigger until the ground beneath him began to lower.



He took a couple of steps back while the descending ground revealed a passageway. Stone stairs spiraled downwards as the water trailed over them. (F/n) proceeded to take off her boots and socks once more. The cold water wouldn't feel welcoming on her feet, but her dry socks and boots would greet her on the next stone path. She placed them in her pack and stepped onto the water path with him.



About to take a step forward, she was pulled back. "(F/n), I would pull us out of this, but we're far too deep in already. We'll most likely have someone trying to kill us from now on. The option to go back home and back out isn't possible anymore. So, to keep you safe, I won't tolerate you questioning me if I'm about to kill someone. You made a good point about me not killing him, but I won't spare another no matter your argument.



"Hopefully, it won't be another kelremm forced into the position, but if we keep sparing them, there will be more out there to kill us. I'm not going to allow your life to be put on the line because of someone trying to gain sympathy. Tell me that you understand before we move on."



Finding the request or more like demand quite strict, she responded, "I don't think..."



"Tell me that you understand, (f/n)." His voice grew lower and nearly went into a growl. A warning look crossed his countenance. If she refused again, he would most likely use the nickname on her even though it would be foolish to weaken her when enemies could be on their tails. They would both need to be on their feet if they wished to deal with the authors, but his request was asking for too much. How could she even pretend to agree with that?



"I understand, but I don't agree with it. If you saw how you looked back there, you would understand where I'm coming from. You had lost control of yourself and weren't thinking straight. How can I agree to hand the reigns over to you after witnessing that display?"

"I was protecting you. That's what matters. That man had threatened your life. So, I was going to have him pay the proper price. In the end, though, I let him go because you reasoned with me. That was a onetime happening. The next person that comes after us most likely won't be him. I even doubt that it will be someone from that complex since he was their best fighter.



"No, the next person will most likely be one of these spies or someone with more fighting experience. If we let someone like that go, we'll just be putting ourselves under more risk. Maybe, you'll come up with a good reason not to kill them, but my reason to kill them will be better because you'll be safer that way."



"How can you be sure of that? You're letting your emotions get the better of you. Saving them might be the better option. It might be more beneficial to us. If you throw my opinion out of the equation, you're losing a valuable perspective. So, have trust in my word, not just yours."



"Yet, you do not trust my decisions."



"I might agree with you on some points. What I'm saying is that when I don't, I want you to hear me out. That's all I'm asking for. Whether you follow it or not is up to you. Please, give me that much. You've already limited how much you'll teach me on combat so don't try to restrict my speech as well."



An irritated sigh left his lips as combed his right fingers through his locks. "So if I decide to kill an opponent even if you advise me not to, you won't intervene?"



"I ... yes. I just want you to hear my opinion. Beyond that, I'll let you make the choice." It wasn't the best of deals, but at least she had persuaded him not to silence her on such matters.



"Then, I'll agree to that deal," he uttered, turning to face her completely. He placed his right fingers under her chin and lifted her head up. His gaze softened a little. "I just don't want anyone to take you away from me again. The time with your parents was enough, and I don't wish to experience that again. So, I'll do what I have to in order to keep you by my side. Whenever I act out, it's only for you and your safety."



Grabbing his right hand, she moved it to her left cheek and rested against it. There was some heat to her cheeks at her action, but it would help to calm him down more. "I know. I just don't desire for you to lose yourself in frenzy. For right now, though, let's head down those steps. Like you mentioned, we need to go before more come tonight."



A soft kiss was placed on her forehead as he intertwined his hand with hers. Pulling away, he held the lantern up in his free hand and descended down the steps with her. She tugged the lever and closed the entrance behind them.