Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"Out? Alone?" Ademar asked, looking suspicious.

"Yes," Zachary said calmly.

"No followers with you?" Ademar continued.

"I'm just a newcomer. There's no way I can have followers," Zachary said, giving him a small smile.

"Then where have you been? Did anyone see you?" Ademar asked.

"It's hard to say for certain. I've been to a lot of places, and I haven't kept track of everyone I saw. Even if someone saw me, I didn't know who it was!" Zachary said in a slightly helpless tone with a shrug.

"So what you're saying is that you can't prove where you were, and there is no one to vouch for your whereabouts," Ademar said coolly.

The warriors who were present began conversing with each other. Many of them gave Zachary skeptical glances.

Jaxon and the four elders wore solemn expressions, as they gravely awaited Zachary's answer.

"Well, I have no proof, and no witnesses," Zachary said, maintaining his air of calmness. He decided there was no point in inventing a cover story. He knew that his words would rouse further suspicion against him, but he also knew that Ademar could not punish him and Vivian for sneaking into the Primitive Cave unless he had solid evidence.

"Ademar, Harley is a newcomer to our clan. To be fair, he probably doesn't even know where the Primitive Cave is, let alone be capable of trespassing inside," Jaxon said. He had hesitated before speaking up, but he honestly didn't see any reason why Zachary would trespass into the Primitive Cave without permission.

"Master Jaxon, it's an issue of great importance, and I believe this matter warrants further investigation," Ademar replied courteously, making sure to show deference to Jaxon while underscoring the need to keep questioning Zachary.

"I agree with Ademar, Master Jaxon. There is a lot we don't know, but I believe it's not too much to ask of Harley to prove his innocence in this issue," Elder Jarrod said immediately.

Jaxon sighed and nodded, acknowledging the validity of their points. He had no choice but to wait and see.

"Harley, do you mind letting my Wind Barking Hound smell you?" Ademar asked, raising his eyebrow at Zachary.

"Go ahead," Zachary answered.

Ademar stretched out his hand, opening the Virtual

accompany me into the cave in the few days since I arrived here?" Zachary smiled faintly. "Or perhaps you're suggesting my follower is secretly a woman? I am willing to call him in if you want to examine his body." Zachary's argument worked to some extent. It planted a few seeds of doubt in the minds of people present.

Even Ademar felt a moment's hesitation at Zachary's aggressive counterarguments. While he wasn't convinced by anything the young man had said, Ademar couldn't help being struck by the absolute lack of any trace of fear, nervousness, or guilt in Zachary's manner. In fact, it was the opposite. Zachary looked entirely comfortable and confident despite the evidence from the hound.

"Do you think I am one of those two suspicious people who recklessly entered the cave, Master Jaxon?" Zachary abruptly asked Jaxon.

Jaxon was silent for a while. He had not seen it for himself, so he could not positively identify Zachary as one of the two suspects. Like Ademar, he was impressed by the conviction with which Zachary defended himself. Still, there was no way the Wind Barking Hound could be mistaken. If it wasn't Zachary, then why had the dog smelled him there? Jaxon could not give Zachary a straight answer, because he was unsure.

"Master Jaxon, I think it's better to let him stay at the Discipline Pavilion for a few days," suggested Ademar. He was still strongly doubtful of Zachary's innocence, and he wanted the young man to stay where he could keep an eye on him.