𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔸𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕃𝕚𝕖𝕤 [REDO] [Book One]

Chapter 4: Ben's PoV

Lord Moderob led me to a bench in a secluded area of the park (it was not hard-there was no one there anyway) and gestured for me to sit down. I did so, and looked at him expectantly, crossing my arms as I did so.

"I'm all ears. Make it quick though- I've got to be home by six."

He sat down next to me, and laced his gloved hands, reminding me a bit of an evil accountant in a cloak. "Because the last person I talked to asked around five hundred questions, I will not permit you to question anything I say until I am done. Or else I will not answer any questions you have."

I shrugged and made a mental note to keep my trap shut. "Fine by me."

He paused, before saying, "What I am about to tell you is completely classified. Dare to tell anyone, and the consequences will be dire."

I nodded, a sudden uneasiness gripping me.

He carried on. "I have been told you have lived here your entire life. Therefore, I am assuming you know about the myths that lie here. Are you?"

I nodded again.

"You might think you know a lot already, but you must find out as much as possible about them. Read, ask people, do whatever you can. But make sure nobody know what you are doing. As your kind say: Kapeesh?"

I paused. Here was a guy I had no idea about, being all mysterious and telling me to do a bunch of random things. Oh, and of course the appearing aout of nowhere. I did not care how important or clever he was- that guy was definitely bringing up a bunch of red flags.

"Yes." I said in the end, and Lord Moderob nodded in appreciation.

"And there is one more thing- do not, under any circumtances, trust the Nalders. Or anyone in my world, for that matter. No matter what happens, no one is to be trusted. Remember that."

I almost asked him a question, but bit back my words almost a moment too late. Instead, I nodded and shrugged. "Sure."

"Good. Now, any questions? I shall allow a maximum of five, to save what happened last time."

I thought for a few moments, mentally listing the questions from most important to least important. "Who -or what- do you work for?"

I could not see his face, but I had a feeling he winced. "Well, I can not answer now, for it is hard to say, but in due time that will be answered."

I raise my eyebrows. "Seriously? You tell me to ask questions, and you won't even answer them? Scammer."

"I promise I will answer all your other four questions. I swear it on the scripts of Alamantea."

What was that? You know what: I did not even want to know. Who cared, as long as I got my questions answered?

"Okay, next question: who was the other person you appeared to? You kept mentioning then but you never actually told me who they were."

He paused, before saying softly, "I am surprised you are asking this, Benedict."

I cringed slightly as he used my full name- I hated it. "Why?"

"Because you have already met them. Today in fact."

This took me by surprise. "When have I...?" 

And then I realised what he was talking about. Apart from Mrs Lancaster (but she does not really count as a human), the only person I had something to do with was that girl in the woods, the one who probably thought I was stalking her.

"Oh." I said simply. This was going to be awkward if we ended up talking to each other.

He nodded grimly. "Yes. That girl is most annoying."