Chapter 165 - A hard choice (2/2)

”But if we attempt a large-scale evacuation of the family members, it is as good as saying that we are culpable. We might be giving ourselves up,” said Ryan.

”Yes. It is foolish to move all the members of the family. Even, if they have proof, we can provide all the information about our explorations to get some leeway. We are quite useful to them and only few of us actually have the information. We can barter for something, even if we are caught,” said another one of the elders.

”Those are all viable suggestion for the situation when we are actually caught. John and I have already made plans for such a situation. We don't need to worry about the lives of the innocent among our family members, even in the worst-case scenario,” said the patriarch, Rowan lifting his hand to signal the others to stop.

He sent had projected a list of places on the screen. These were clearly locations beyond the current borders of the alliance that they had managed to explore with the help of the knights. It was clear that he had gathered the maps and information related to these places to barter for the family's freedom.

”So, why did you have us convene here?” asked Rhett.

”To take a few precautionary steps,” said Rowan. ”It is a fact that a raid was made on the Nirbaadh pirates. We don't know if they managed to capture someone or not. As John told, moving the entire family is a not an option, but we need to make sure that the alliance doesn't hold us responsible. So, I suggest that Ragus' family be pushed out of the family. They will not participate in any of the decisions or participate in businesses directly.”

”Brother, how can you do that?” asked John Rowley angrily as he stood up for his nephews and family.

”We have played it quite close in case of Raymond Rowley. The Blyths don't believe us and you know the amount of power they can rally. My nephew did a stupid mistake of killing the last remaining descendant of the current patriarch. We need to be much better prepared,” said Rowan in a loud and angry tone.

”Even if they aren't caught and have spilled out names, they would sooner or later do so. You know that Walter Blyth was known to be someone close to Evelyn Price. He has his methods,” he continued.

”So, anyone who was in direct contact with the knights will be subjected to this treatment. We can't have any paper trial linking any person that might be named from today onward. They will leave our planet and will be moving from now on. We will tell anyone who comes to question us that they have left our facilities today. This is necessary so that we won't be harassed by the alliance,” said the patriarch in a tone of staunch finality.

”That includes you too, my brother,” continued Rowan looking at John Rowley. His eyes almost teared up when he had to tell his younger brother who had been as his right hand for almost all his life that he would be considered as an outcast.

All the men and women in the room were shocked when they heard the patriarch expatriate his own brother and right-hand man. Even Rhett, who had always suggested that they stop their collusion with the knights was extremely surprised by this decision from Rowan.

”Does anyone have any other suggestion that would help us out of this predicament or anything in addition to this?” he asked looking at the others in the room. None of them spoke anything nor did John and Ryan which was taken as their consent to the patriarch's plan.

”In that case, let us not talk of this any further. You all know what to do. Don't panic in case of any attack. We can always barter for our freedom in the alliance, but we can't recklessly provide any information about the knights. The alliance might be forgiving and reasoned with, but the same can't be said of their adversaries,” said Rowan as he moved away from his chair towards the exit while signalling to John and Ryan to meet him. The three of them made their way to the patriarch's chambers.

”I am sorry, brother. A lot of them were in panic and started to ask unreasonable things of me. I had no better idea than this. It would also prevent them from taking any action towards you for the time being,” said Rowan as they settled in his chambers.

”I understand Rowan. I have no issue with your decision. It is the fate of my children and that of my nephews that is of more concern to me,” said John. John had three kids who were not in the same planet and didn't attend the meeting. Similarly, Ryan also had another younger brother who was hardly any older than Balthazar.

”I don't mind protecting them, but if anyone is caught, you both would be named to be in direct contact. So, they will take action against you. I can assure you that no legal action would be taken against them openly, but as we both have noticed, they work quite well in shadows,” said Rowan.

”I understand, but I still request you to protect my daughters,” asked John. ”As for Sebastian, even I don't know what he is doing. He has long been lost to me.”

”Fine, I will inform them and have them return to the family mansion. They will be treated the same as my own children in all aspects. I promise you that as they are in the mansion, their lives would be no less secure than my own,” said Rowan. Being his right hand man, John handled a lot of shady stuff for Rowan and he felt that anguished by the fact that he couldn't do anything but kick him out of the family in this manner. He had decided to treat his niece as his own daughters from this point of time.

”Ryan,” said Rowan turning towards his nephew. He found Ryan's situation to be pitiable. Ever since, Ragus joined the knights, he had been extremely distant to the family, including his sons. Moreover, his younger brother, Raymond has recently lost his life killed by the same people they were colluding with and he still couldn't do anything about it. His father, Ragus wasn't of much help about it either. Ryan felt more lost than anyone in the family for the past few days. Now, he had to leave the family due to him being in contact with his father.

”I am willing to help you in any way, I can. Your kids are still too young and so is your wife. You are not in the same situation as your uncle. You have to choose, but either choice will be a great burden on your children and wife,” said Rowan.

”I will leave them in your care, uncle,” said Ryan without giving it a thought. He had already decided on his course of action in the meeting after he heard the decision of the patriarch. ”Since, Raymond's death, it had been clear that my father is not in his right mind. A couple of decades ago, he would have killed himself in an attempt to avenge Raymond. Now, he doesn't even care. I need to know if I am actually doing his bidding or if he is forced. I plan to search for Sebastian and then, make further plans.”

”Ryan!” shouted John in anger. ”I can't willingly let you follow the same madness that had made me lose my only son.”

”Uncle, don't forget that I was the one who first found about Seb's intentions and informed you with the hope that you would stop him,” said Ryan in a calm tone as he placed his hand on John's shoulder to calm him.

”But I cannot deny that father was no longer the same for the past few decades. Sometimes, I feel that he doesn't even care for us. You can't deny that either. We refused to listen to Seb and thought that he had been a fool for leaving us, but now I see that he had long realized them to be shady folk,” continued Ryan.

”Where would you even find him?” interjected Rowan.

”He had been in touch with me. I have a way, but I will set out for him alone. I doubt, he would trust anyone else,” said Ryan.