Chapter 356 - Let me tell you a story

Stella looked at Sarah and Aiden for some time before deciding to speak. "Some things are better not to be known. Some things can put you in danger just by knowing about their existence."

"We crossed the line of staying safe in ignorance." Sarah coldly said. "You either talk, or we are going."

Stella nodded. "OK. Let me tell you a story... Once upon a time there were two powerful families. No one remembers how and when it started, but as far as people can remember, those two families are rivals. In time, both families grew in power, expanding their influence and fighting each other for resources. As their area of influence increased, each family started adopting other families who worked under them in exchange for certain benefits. Those adopted families were called branch families. Power always stayed within the bloodline of the main family, without exceptions. At the core of main family is Master Elder who is leading the Council of Elders." Stella paused and observed Sarah and Aiden who watched her in silence, waiting for her to continue. "Each family developed secret martial arts which was based on hand-to-hand fighting techniques that originated in the region of today's Russia. In the past, those martial arts were used practically, to subdue enemies. Today they are viewed as symbol of power. Symbol of inheritance. Master Elder of the family decides who will inherit the martial arts, by passing the skill to the suitable disciples. Those disciples gain recognition of the family, grow in power, and eventually take on Elder positions, replacing the older generation. As I mentioned, power stays within the bloodline of the main family, without exceptions... until Master Elder of one family, decided to make an exception." Stella looked at Aiden for some time who didn't show any reaction. He was listening attentively. "About ten years ago, that Master was visiting a training camp managed by one of their branch family. And during that visit a youngster caught his eye. No one knows why, but Master decided to teach that youngster few moves. It seems that Master took a liking to the youngster and continued teaching him techniques that were not supposed to be leaked outside of their family... The training camp ended before Master could finish his teachings, so he ended up arranging with one agency that whenever that youngster needs any instructor for martial arts, one of his faithful subordinates would come to that youngster and continue teachings... and that continued until the Master passed away. Three years ago."

Stiffening silence filled up the room. Stella was scrutinizing Aiden, trying not to miss slightest change in his expression. Sarah understood how it all came together and watched Aiden, letting him absorb and accept what he just heard.

"Are you saying that I received teachings from that Master Elder?" Aiden asked Stella, asking for confirmation. He was having trouble accepting that.

"You tell me." Stella was pleased that he understood.

Aiden shook his head. "I don't know more than what I told you."

Silence filled the room again.

Sarah wanted to confirm one other thing. "For the sake of the argument, let's accept that he got those teachings. Why would you call him the enemy? Are we from the other family?"

Stella's silence answered Sarah's question.

"But... you said it yourself. He is not from that family. Why would he be the enemy?" Sarah wanted to remove any doubts. Aiden can't be viewed as an enemy.

"If he is not now, he might be." Stella was suggesting that in the future he might become Elder in the other family based on the skills he has.

Aiden understood her implication. "I don't have interest in such things."

"How can you be certain what future brings?" Stella didn't remove her gaze from Aiden. "But that is not what is concerning me."

Sarah sighed in relief, 'OK. Mom is not concerned that he might be the enemy.' Then she realized that based on the tone Stella used, there is something else troubling her. "What is concerning you?"

Stella was pleased that Sarah understood that there is more to this. "I received information: disciples from that family are aware how about ten years ago, their Master passed the knowledge to an outsider. While Master was alive, they didn't dare do anything. However, he passed away three years ago. The disciples from the family are not sure which child got the teachings, so every child who attended the camp that year got someone to watch them." Stella looked at Aiden. "You are being watched. And when they confirm that you have the skill, they will come for you. They don't like the idea of an outsider being a potential candidate for an Elder. Do you think they will let you go?"

Aiden shrugged. "If I don't use those moves, they will not know it's me."

Stella was irritated by his calm demeanor. Does he not know that he is in danger? "You will slip."

"I will not fight." Aiden was composed.

"What if you have to?" Stella wanted him to understand that him being in danger, he is putting Sarah in danger as well. He can't be indifferent.

"Then teach him not to slip!" Sarah lost her patience. She stood up and glared at Stella. "If he is in danger, and you can help him, then help him!"

Stella frowned, "Sarah, I only wanted..."

"What did you want?!" Sarah roared at her mom. "You want to tell him that he is in danger, and that I'm in danger because I'm with him? Since when do you think that I'm stupid? And he is not stupid either. Just say what's on your mind without these word games! But before you say anything, I need you to understand that we are in this together. So, you either help us, or leave us alone."

Stella leaned back into her chair and pressed her lips together. She stared into an invisible spot in front of her, lost in her thoughts.

Few minutes later, Stella was startled by Sarah's voice who was talking to Aiden. "Let's go. We should finish packing and leave tonight."

Aiden hesitated for a second before standing up and following Sarah. He does not want Sarah to leave like this. She should try to talk this out with Stella. He will talk with Sarah about this upstairs, in private.

Sarah was about to open the door, when she heard Stella's voice and stopped. "Tomorrow morning. 8 AM. Training area. Both of you."

"Thank you, mom." Sarah exhaled before opening the door and leaving with Aiden.