356 Ten years later (11)

So, it was like that from the start. Asteria was planning to use my brother's life to keep me in check. And to force me to collaborate if I didn't want to.

Finding out things like these, after more than ten years, is still a shock. I knew it, for goodness. But now I also understand why they didn't do anything.

«Nicholas Zolokis didn't make it far enough to threaten me with my brother,» I point out. «Yet, according to your story... You must have already fled by the time I got rid of him.»

«Even if his highness showed us mercy while we flew from Polis, I couldn't trust him enough to keep in contact. We've avoided leaving any trace for years until he found us yesterday. If I didn't know better how his spies and tactics are excellent, I would think he used some magic.»

So, this is what Alexander has done during his mysterious outings. He wasn't fooling around with ladies or drinking with other men. He was looking for my brother.