Chapter 207 Alders Farm (2/2)

Tih the town, and for the first tih it was obvious that her troubles were still hiding just below the surface, hertiht of day began to fade When they passed one of the large parks the town held, Snowcloud glanced over, then said, ”Let's go inside”

There were few people in the park, and for so footpaths But then, Snowcloud suddenly spoke

”They're dead,” she said ”My parents… Grandfather told me they were killed”

Arran did not knohat to say, but after a moment, he wordlessly reached out and pulled Snowcloud into a tight embrace For several minutes, they stood there like that, silent except for the sound of Snowcloud's sobs against Arran's shoulder

When they let go, her eyes were red with tears ”I spent all these years hoping I could save them, like some foolish child And they were already dead”

”There's nothing foolish about hope against the odds,” Arran responded ”Especially when you're fighting for the people you love”

”That's the worst part,” Snowcloud said, her eyes downcast and her voice miserable ”I don't know if I love them I barely even remember them When they left I was a s theain I didn't just fail to save them, I even failed to keep their memory alive” Tears welled up in her eyes once more

Arran shook his head ”You didn't fail You corandfather That was more than anyone could have expected frohed dejectedly ”But no matter what I know, it still feels like I failed And I can't even avenge them Grandfather refused to tell me who their murderers are — he said that if I went after them, I wouldn't survive”

”He knoho murdered them?” Arran raised an eyebrow at this If the Patriarch kneho the murderers were but hadn't dared take action hiht

”He does And if Grandfather isn't confident in facing them, then I don't stand a chance”

”That's why you've been training so hard?” Arran asked, finally beginning to understand Snowcloud's behavior over the past half year ”You want to hunt down your parents' murderers?”

”I know it's a ridiculous plan… the idea that I could becoer than Grandfather…”

”Nonsense,” Arran replied brusquely ”We will both surpass hihter the people who killed your parents”

At this, a small smile forether, we can succeed When you're at my side, I feel like—”

Before she could finish the words, they were interrupted by the sound of stu toward them Their senses sharpened by half a year in the borderlands, the sound immediately drew their attention, and as one, they turned toward it

Yet rather than a threat, what they found was a novice He was unsteady on his feet, with a faltering pace that suggested he'd imbibed h his eyes were only half-open, it was clear that he was heading toward them

When the novice was a few paces away, Arran s man took several quick steps forward, and his hands stretched toward Snowcloud ”A pretty girl like you should—”

The novice staggered back, a red imprint of Snowcloud's palm on his face The drunkenness disappeared fro its place

”You bitch!” he cried out, drawing his sword ”I will—”

In an instant, Arran appeared between Snowcloud and the novice Snowcloud's sas already half-drawn, but with his left hand, he blocked her fro the draw And at the saht hand slammed into the novice's chest

The novice was sent tu to a stop a dozen paces away Arran did not worry about the young th, and other than five or six broken ribs, his opponent should be fine

The novice struggled to get back to his feet, and when he finally succeeded, he pointed his sword at Arran ”Don't you knoho I aht this second!” a voice said sharply

Arran quickly turned toward the newcoedon the path a short distance behind theaunt, his features were as sharp as his voice, and there was disgust in his eyes as he looked at the novice

”This young man just saved your life,” the htly Now go to your teacher and request a punish, there will be a second one ofNow leave!”

The novice paled at the man's words, but then, he bowed deeply and ran off

”Useless!” the rumbled, voice thick with displeasure Yet as he turned to Arran and Snowcloud, a satisfied smile appeared on his face ”The two of you, however, appear to have some potential”