Emisarry Of Time And Space-Chapter 212 - 213: Jak.

(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

Power stones people, Gimme it.

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"Jak," Falad replied, placing another gem on the counter. This one was different—etched with fine carvings that caught the light.

Jak took it without comment.

He was about to gesture for them to leave when his gaze shifted.

Brown skin.

He froze.

"Human's."

Jak's head snapped toward Falad, eyes widening in alarm.

"Have you lost your mind, Falad?" Jak hissed, struggling to keep his voice down. The sharp edge of panic was impossible to hide.

Falad immediately raised a finger to his lips, his gaze hardening. The casual humor he had worn earlier vanished in an instant.

"Relax," Falad said quietly. "Who I bring in is none of your concern. I pay you for silence. Nothing else matters."

Jak's hands trembled faintly as he leaned closer to the counter. "You can't be smuggling humans at a time like this. If they find out, you're finished. And so am I."

"That's exactly why you should stay quiet," Falad replied, voice firm. "You know better than to let fear get the better of you."

Jak swallowed. The fear in his eyes was raw—deep enough that it made the group uneasy. Whatever was happening in the capital clearly went far beyond routine security concerns.

"If I fall," Falad continued evenly, "you fall with me. And you'll be discovered either way. You know how this works, Jak. Think carefully."

Jak's jaw tightened. For a moment, it looked like he might break—might choose to report everything and gamble on saving himself. But the calculation ran its course quickly. Silence was safer. It always had been.

He exhaled slowly.

"Be careful," Jak said at last, his eyes serious.

"Good," Falad replied, tossing another carved gem onto the counter without ceremony.

Falad didn't wait for a response. He turned immediately and guided the group toward a narrow staircase concealed behind the counter. Jak watched them disappear, his gaze lingering long after they were gone.

The moment they were out of sight, Jak moved quickly. He tore a strip of paper from beneath the counter, grabbed a stick of green chalk-like material, and scribbled several sharp symbols across the surface. He brought the paper to his lips and whistled softly.

A small Sylgrid child emerged from behind the shelves, shuffling forward obediently.

Jak hesitated only once, glancing toward the concealed staircase. Then he handed the paper to the child.

"You know what to do," he said quietly.

The child nodded and slipped away without a word.

Jak remained still for several seconds after that, staring at the spot where Falad and the humans had vanished, before finally turning back to his work—hands steady, expression carefully neutral.

Meanwhile, the group followed Falad upward through narrow corridors, the stone walls pressing close on either side.

Arlen was trailing behind the others on the stairs when his eyes narrowed a fraction but he said nothing.

The passage twisted several times before opening into a spacious room on an upper floor.

It was surprisingly well-furnished.

Chairs lined the walls, and a low table sat in the center. A wide window overlooked the capital below, allowing filtered light and the distant noise of Sylgrid activity to drift in.

Falad took a seat immediately.

The group spread out instinctively. Seris and Selene sat across from Falad, while the boys positioned themselves around the room—Arlen near the door, Erevan by the window, his eyes scanning the bustling market below.

Falad wasted no time.

"Let's get to it," he said. "Tell me everything you know about this person, and I'll begin searching."

Seris studied him briefly. Beneath his composed exterior, there were faint traces of tension—subtle, but unmistakable. Whatever Jak's reaction had stirred, it was clearly weighing on Falad now. He wanted this resolved quickly.

Seris didn't dwell on it.

"He's a Chronos like we are," she began. "Silver hair—ear length. Blue eyes. About five foot seven."

Falad nodded, pulling out a small book and jotting the details down.

Selene's eyes narrowed slightly. Seris was describing Caelum. Deliberately.

"Do you know how he was captured?" Falad asked.

"No," Seris replied smoothly. "All we know is that he mentioned a special kind of Sylgrid jade and planned to investigate it. We did our own research afterward and learned about your connection to jade mining. That's how we ended up here."

Falad's pen paused for a fraction of a second at the mention of special jade. His eyes flickered, but he recovered faster than Tala and his wife had.

"Hm," he hummed thoughtfully.

"Do you know anything about the jade itself?" Falad asked. "Any distinguishing characteristics?"

"None," Seris said, her frustration carefully measured. "Tala mentioned there were many special jades, but we don't know which one he was interested in."

Falad frowned slightly. "That complicates matters. Knowing the jade type would narrow down the possible parties involved."

Seris nodded. Tala had said the same.

She resisted the urge to push further. Asking whether the jade was tied to the upcoming event would have been far too obvious.

"What's his name?" Falad asked.

"Caelum," Seris answered without hesitation.

Falad wrote it down.

Seris felt the weight of the decision settle in her chest. Naming Caelum meant placing him directly into the capital's web of attention. But they needed a focal point—someone real. And Caelum could handle it.

"Alright," Falad said at last. "It may take some time, given the lack of specifics, but I'll do what I can."

"Thank you," Seris said sincerely.

Falad nodded, then stood. His expression turned stern once more.

"I shouldn't need to repeat this," he said. "Stay hidden. Remain in this room. Food will be provided, and your basic needs will be met." He gestured toward a side door. "That leads to facilities."

Seris nodded.

Falad left the room shortly after.

The moment the door closed, Seris released a slow breath.

She turned to Arlen.

Arlen nodded once, signaling they were alone.

"Let's get to work."