Douglas drew his gaze away from Lupin and turned to Aldo, his tone calm.
"Aldo, we all know what you went through."
He crouched down, bringing himself level with the one-eyed old dwarf.
"But we need to know all the details. Every detail could affect the future of the Ashen Claw, and... the fate of many more people."
Lupin took a deep breath.
The turmoil in his heart was like a spring forcibly compressed, held down but ready to erupt at any moment.
He, too, gave Aldo an encouraging look.
"Yes, Aldo, tell us. How did the attack happen? Those people... what did they look like?"
Aldo's dry lips trembled.
The terror that flashed through his single eye was like a nightmare coming back to life.
"They... they were like ghosts that had crawled out of hell."
His voice was as hoarse as scraping sandpaper.
"Half of them wore... that heavy, old-fashioned knight's armor, with indistinct cross markings on it. The other half... were priests in black robes, holding holy symbols and... silver chains."
Douglas narrowed his eyes slightly.
This description... was too deliberate.
His gaze turned to Douglas, carrying a trace of shattered hope.
"That day, we were preparing for your arrival, Mr. Holmes. Chief Marco said our suffering might soon be over. He said you were a messenger brought by the moon."
Aldo continued recalling what had happened, his voice trembling.
"Suddenly, the alarm sounded. The magical traps on the outskirts of the tribe had been triggered."
Lupin unconsciously clenched his fists.
He knew that feeling of helplessness all too well.
"We rushed out and saw them."
Aldo's voice grew hurried.
"They were everywhere, closing in through several main entrances to the mine tunnels. Their movements were very organized, like a well-trained army."
Douglas nodded.
"That certainly sounds