Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 224: Oriana Is Missing

Chapter 224: Oriana Is Missing

Present...

"Who gave you permission to burn a girl on the stakes?" a cold and loud voice echoed despite the noise of the crowd cheering the surrounding.

Rhistel was standing there dressed as a lord holding a sword in his hands. He reached the stage before the girl could be thrown into the fire and held her tightly.

The crowd was stunned for a second before whispering out their complaints. Their voices are getting louder every passing second.

"My lord, she is a witch!"

"Yes, the witch had taken our kids captive. We could not find them anywhere. We want our kids back at least." they all shouted at once. Their eyes were full of hatred. All they wanted was to burn the girl until ashes remained.

"And killing a girl would bring your kids back!?" Rhistel scoffed. "Even if she had taken the kids, wouldn’t keeping her alive bring your kids back?" His voice held power and authority.

It stopped them from reacting and they all looked at each other confused.

"But she is a witch, my lord." a few still argued only to be scoffed.

"You saw her performing any kind of ritual? If yes, give me the details." he slammed his first on the small altar. His sword screeched against the ground in his other hand.

The voice made everyone silent at once. They wanted to refute, but none of them had seen her performing.

Rhistel narrowed his eyes.

"I will personally find the kids before sunrise. Till then, I want all of you to return to your houses. You are not helping the kids but your agitation is giving the criminals a chance to hide." they hesitated as he commanded.

Rhistel frowned. It was rare for his men to not listen to him. Before he could continue, lord Clondiorre came out of the crowd. He dismounted his horse and walked toward Rhistel. Standing in front of him, he bowed.

"My lord, you can not blame us. We are agitated because we have lost our loved ones. The girls were too young, innocent and vulnerable. But if you assure us that you can find them by morning and bring them unharmed to their family, we are willing to do anything in exchange." His voice was calm and full of worry.

The crowd began to murmur in agreement as Lord Clondiorre’s words settled over them. hesitantly, the villagers started to step back, their anger dimming to quiet grief. Mothers clutched their shawls tighter, fathers muttered under their breath, and children peered through the shifting mass of adults, their eyes wide and confused.

Rhistel watched them leave, one by one, until only a few lingered on the edges of the square. There was no need to explain they were Clondoire’s men waiting for his command.

Rhistel tightened his grip on the girl, shielding her behind him as he kept his gaze fixed on Clondiorre, whose posture remained respectful, yet whose eyes gleamed with a quiet triumph.

Clondiorre’s voice broke the tense silence. "You handled the crowd well, Lord Rhistel," he said with a mild smile. "But you must admit... they listen to me now."

Rhistel’s jaw clenched. He had noticed. The villagers had questioned his words but accepted when Clondoire repeated them. He was not only a noble but a savior in their eyes. One who understands their issues and helps them.

Clondiorre smirked without shame. "The people need someone to guide them in times like these. Someone they trust." His eyes flicked to the bruised girl behind Rhistel. "And someone who doesn’t let sentiment get in the way of justice."

Shall I send my men to assist in the search? They know the woods better than most."

"No," Rhistel said sharply, his tone bringing no further discussion. "You’ll stay out of this."

The smile on Clondiorre’s face widened slightly, but he nodded graciously. "As you wish, my lord. I only hope your pride doesn’t cost those children their lives."

With that, he turned, mounted his horse with an easy grace, and rode off through the dispersing crowd.

He turned to the girl, who flinched instinctively.

"You’re safe now," he said gruffly, before calling one of his men forward. "Take her to the manor. Keep her under guard." but the girl refused to let go.

"No, my lord. I can help with the kids. Keep me with you. I know the woods better than others." Rhistel frowned as the girl looked composed now. Just a moment ago she was shivering with fear.

He shook his head.

"I do not want to impose. You must rest." but the girl refused to let go.

"Rhistel!" he instinctively turned when he heard Olivia;s voice. She was running toward them but paused when she saw the girl in his arms was not Oriana.

"Where is my sister?" Olivia stood near the stage with Damien following behind. He watched the girl in Rhistel’s arms warily.

"She was just here," Rhistel said slowly. "She was following me when I heard the commotion. I told her to stay back when I ran ahead to stop the burning. She should have caught up by now."

Olivia’s breath hitched. "She wouldn’t have wandered off. You know that. The crowd had been too agitated. She would have followed you closely or stood behind you when you fought."

Rhistel turned, scanning the surrounding alleys and rooftops, the flicker of torches, the few lingering figures in the shadows.

"Perhaps she had gone to help someone." He let the girl go but the girl continued to follow him closely. Olivia turned to look at the girl. Her face was scratched and covered with fresh blood. Her head bowed and she looked scared. But there was something about her face that made Oliva frown.

"I will go and check the houses, you both look around." Rhistel was already on his horse when Oriana stopped him.

"No, it would be a waste of time. Oriana is not here. I... we need to follow Lord Clondiore. He had taken my sister."