Chapter 693: The Vharak’s Buyer

Mara took the hunter and the two guards back to Arvend while Kael, Sylphie and Umbra remained near the cave. The Vharak did not try to flee. After a few steps, it simply lay down on the sun-warmed stone and kept its injured paw raised.

"She lost quite a lot of blood, but the biggest problem is the continuous draining she suffered", said Sylphie, crouching at a safe distance. "The ring stayed attached long enough to reduce the body’s natural recovery. If I can treat the wound, she should be able to walk normally again."

"Can you do that without touching her?", asked Kael, watching the Vharak follow every movement of the elf.

"Part of the treatment, yes. The rest depends on her", replied Sylphie, opening a small pouch attached to her waist. "We need to clean the wound first."

Umbra appeared near the cave entrance with one of the vials found on the hunter. "We have sedative."

"No", replied Sylphie immediately, looking at the blue liquid. "We don’t know the correct dose for this species, and she’s already had her mana drained for days. I’m not going to add another variable."

Kael agreed. The Vharak had survived the trap, the escape and the following days without attacking any village. There was no reason to turn her into an unconscious animal simply for convenience.

Sylphie prepared clean water and a simple herbal compound. Kael stayed a few meters in front of her and allowed the Vharak to watch everything. When Sylphie approached for the first time, the animal bared its teeth.

"She’s not going to like it", said Kael, keeping his voice low as he extended his empty hand. "But that metal is already gone. This is for the wound."

The Vharak sniffed the air and made a low sound. She did not advance.

Sylphie moved a little closer and slowly poured water over the paw without touching it directly. The animal contracted its leg, but did not attack. Dried blood and dirt began to run through the dark fur.

"There are deep cuts on both sides, but it didn’t reach the tendon", said Sylphie after taking a better look. "That was lucky."

"Or the trap was designed not to cripple the animal", replied Kael, looking at the regular shape of the wounds. "If they want to sell a Vharak alive, a destroyed paw lowers the value."

Umbra raised the vial between her fingers. "Then we have hunters who know the species, specific equipment, specific sedative and someone willing to pay a fortune."

"Yes", replied Kael. "This already looks less improvised."

Sylphie finished cleaning and allowed a thin layer of Natural Energy to travel through the ground until it reached only the area around the wound. The Vharak stiffened, but soon relaxed when she realized the pain was decreasing. The energy did not close the cut immediately; it only reduced the inflammation and stimulated the circulation impaired by the trap.

"Now food", said Sylphie, moving away. "And rest."

Umbra looked toward the forest. "I can bring a deer."

"No need to hunt an entire animal", replied Kael. "The forest outpost should have meat."

Mara returned about forty minutes later with three guards and a small cart. They brought raw meat, water, planks and a simple structure that could be used to transport the Vharak if necessary.

"Did he say anything?", asked Kael as soon as she approached.

"Not much", replied Mara, handing him a strip of paper taken from the hunter’s belongings. "His name is Daren Holt. He’s not from Arvend. He entered the region six days ago with four men. Two are missing, one died and the fourth has probably already left."

Kael took the paper. There was a short list of supplies, three quantities and an address.

"Who died?", asked Sylphie.

"One of his men", replied Mara. "Daren confirmed that the Vharak killed him after they tried to tighten a second chain while she was still trapped. Another suffered serious injuries and disappeared during the escape."

Kael showed no surprise. "So the three dead became one dead and two missing."

"Exactly", replied Mara. "He was trying to make the creature seem more dangerous than she is."

Umbra appeared beside Kael and read the address over his arm. "Where is this?"

"Beltram", replied Mara. "A commercial city south of here. About a day and a half of travel."

Kael observed the name written at the end of the paper.

Vellum Warehouse, dock seven.

"Any company registered under that name?", he asked.

"Not in Arvend", replied Mara. "I’ve already sent a request to check in Beltram. We also found this."

She handed him a small metal token. On one side was the number 17. On the other, an animal head inside a circle.

Sylphie recognized it first. "Transport mark."

Mara nodded. "Used in the live animal trade. Legally, it should come with an origin record and a license."

"It had neither", replied Kael.

"No."

Kael handed the token back. "Then we’re not going to Beltram yet."

Mara seemed to expect another decision. "Do you want to wait for the local authorities’ response?"

"I want to know if the warehouse exists, who rents it and whether anyone intends to show up to receive a shipment", replied Kael, looking at the paper again. "If we go in now, anyone involved could simply disappear."

Mara put the token away. "I’ll send the request."

The Vharak raised her head when one of the guards opened the box of meat. Everyone stopped. Kael took a piece and placed it on a rock several meters away, then stepped back.

The animal waited.

Sniffed.

Finally stood and walked on three paws toward the food.

She showed no interest in the people.

She ate quickly.

"She definitely doesn’t seem interested in killing us", commented Mara.

"She’s too hungry to waste energy", replied Sylphie. "I wouldn’t confuse that with docility."

Kael watched the Vharak finish the first piece and look at the box.

"One more", he said.

Mara handed him another portion.

The Vharak approached with less hesitation that time.

After the third, she refused the fourth. She returned near the cave and lay down.

"Good", said Sylphie. "That’s enough."

Mara pointed to the cart. "We can take her to the outpost."

Sylphie analyzed the paw and shook her head. "Can she walk there?"

"Probably, but she shouldn’t", replied Kael. "And forcing that thing into a cart is going to end badly."

Mara agreed.

The solution ended up being simple. The guards would prepare the outpost and keep the area isolated. The Vharak would stay there that night, where she already felt safe. Sylphie would return in the morning to check the wound. No one would try to capture her again.

"Then we’re staying in Arvend tonight", said Sylphie as she put the materials away.

Kael nodded. "Yes."

Umbra looked at him. "You said you might come back today."

"I said might."

"Then someone is going to need to take care of the primroses tomorrow."

Kael looked at her.

Umbra remained serious for two seconds before adding: "I’m joking. The notebook man is already going to do that."

Kael exhaled through his nose and turned his attention back to Mara. "When Beltram answers, let me know before any search of the warehouse."

"Are you going to take over that part?", she asked.

"Not if the Beltram guard can handle it", replied Kael. "But I want to know who was waiting to receive this Vharak."

Mara nodded and began organizing the men for the return.

Before leaving, Kael went back one last time to the cave entrance. The Vharak was lying with her head resting on her front paws. When he approached, she opened one eye.

Kael stopped a few meters away.

"You stay here today", he said, even without knowing how much of it the animal understood. "Tomorrow we’ll check the paw."

The yellow eye remained on him.

No growl came.

Kael considered that enough.

When they returned to Arvend, it was already beginning to get dark. Beltram’s response arrived before dinner.

Vellum Warehouse existed.

It had been rented for four months.

The contract was registered under the name of a merchant called Oren Vale.

And, according to the local guard, he had just sent two men to ask why a shipment expected that morning had not yet arrived.

Kael finished reading Beltram’s message and placed the paper on the table. There was no reason to travel that night. Oren Vale was still in town, the warehouse remained under surveillance, and the two men he had sent had already been identified by the local guard.

"Tell them not to make any arrests yet," Kael said, looking at Mara. "I want to see what they do when they realize the shipment hasn’t arrived."

Mara nodded and made another note. "Beltram’s guards can keep tabs on the three of them easily. Oren has an office near the docks and spends most of the day there."

"Then let him feel secure," Kael replied. "If he’s directly involved, he’ll likely try to find out what happened before he runs."

Sylphie, sitting beside him, pulled the metal token closer. "We still don’t know if he’s the buyer or just an intermediary," she remarked, turning the piece over in her fingers. "Shipments like this usually pass through more than one person’s hands."

"That’s what worries me," Kael answered. "Daren was carrying traps specifically designed for a Vharak and knew exactly what it was worth alive. This doesn’t look like a random capture."

Umbra appeared by the wall and crossed his arms. "So someone put in an order for a Vharak."

"Likely," Kael replied. "And someone else supplied the gear."

Mara looked up. "Daren hasn’t talked about that yet. He only admitted he was to be paid upon delivery."

"How much?" Sylphie asked.

"Four thousand crowns for the creature alive. Half that if it arrived too injured for long-distance transport."

Kael fell silent for a moment. The difference in value spoke volumes. They didn’t just want parts of the animal; they wanted the Vharak alive and functional.

"Ask who supplied the traps," he said. "No need to pressure the buyer just yet. Start with the equipment. It’s easier for someone to talk about tools than about the person paying."

Mara gave a half-smile. "So, you really aren’t going to interrogate him yourself."

"You’re the local authority, and you’ve already managed to get more information than he would have volunteered to me," Kael replied. "I see no reason to take that away from you."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"Feel free."

Sylphie glanced at Kael but made no comment this time.

Beltram’s reply arrived just before they finished dinner. One of the men sent by Oren had returned to the warehouse. The other had gone to an inn near the city’s north exit, where he’d spoken with a man who had arrived that afternoon. The guard didn’t recognize the newcomer but described gray clothing, narrow boots, and a scar on the left side of his face.

Kael read the description twice.

"The fourth man," he said.

Mara stepped closer. "The one who escaped the mountain."

"Likely." Kael handed over the message. "He came back to warn Oren."

"So, do we make the arrest now?" Mara asked.

Kael thought for a few seconds. "Not yet. If Oren sends someone out of the city, follow them. If he tries to abandon Beltram, arrest him before he makes it through the gates."

Sylphie rested her elbow on the table. "You’re waiting for him to lead you to whoever is higher up."

"If there is anyone higher up," Kael replied. "And I think there is."

Umbra smiled.

"Finally, things are getting interesting."

Kael looked at her. "A creature nearly lost a paw, and a man tried to hit me with a sedative."

"I said interesting, not pleasant."

The next morning, before they even returned to the cave, Beltram sent another message. Oren Vale had left the office while it was still dark.

He didn’t try to flee.

He went straight to a different warehouse at the southern end of the docks.

And he didn’t go in alone.