Chapter 19 PIECING CLUES
Kingdom of Lance
Thirteenth hour
Lance Castle compound
“Father” Prince Richard yells out as he approaches the balcony, were King Eric was seated.
“What’s with the foul mood Richard” King Eric asked calmly
“Michael and Thomas are dead.”
King Eric laughed out then looks back at Richard who was furiously glaring at him. “Why is this funny father?”
“I know an occult group was responsible for Jerrod’s death, acceptable, you can’t just walk up to me and tell me two well-known Sri are dead.”
“I wish it were a silly joke father, their bodies were seen floating in the brook at the farmlands.”
“What was the report?”
“They have been dead for a long time; Michael was poisoned while Thomas’ throat was slit open. It has been concluded that someone close to them was involved, their families have been taken into custody.”
“Very good my son”
"I see a pattern here father” walks over to the balustrade “Master Jerrod, the massacre, the occult group; now Thomas and Michael, Something is definitely wrong.”
“Why this sudden pattern?” King Eric asked with a straight look
“It seems connected to the same occult case with grand-father, the one you told me about.”
“I had a hunch”
“We have to act fast father, the people are losing hope in us.”
“Let me think on this Richard, I’ll get back to you.”
“As you wish” bows “has any news reached you from Phil?”
“Yes, Phil has reached the West-South West plains waiting for the cult group to return.”
“Good, he must be the master mind of these activities.”
“I couldn’t agree more Richard.”
“I’ll see you soon father” Richard assured, stepping out of the balcony.
Gazing at the sky King Eric smirked, “Come over to your grave Isaac Lupin, the sight shall spark glory in the nights.”
In the cool of the evening, chaos reigned in the north section of the second district, a large crowd of people gathered in front of a chalet shielded by seven Lancian warriors yelling out “we need answers”. Elmond Osis, a man in his late sixties and Chief of the second district tried calming down the crowd but it was to no avail. Amidst the crowd Rashik stood quietly observing the situation.
Kingdom of Vlastisi
Sixteenth hour
On the steep edge of a cliff, Allas holds a scroll firmly, viewing through it when a man approached him from behind. “Bonsoir commandant Allas” the man greeted with a bow
“Ozil, what brings you here?”
“There has been a mix up.”
Allas immediately stops what he was doing then turns to Ozil, “What happened to them?” Allas asked crossly
“Nothing Sir, Richard and Aria still stay by their father’s side, but Phil has journeyed to the Rune Clan.”
“Why? What is his objective?”
“He is searching for a boy who is suspected for killing a Sri”
"All the way in the West-South West?"
“Yes Sir”
“Well then, inform King Samson a Prince from a Western Kingdom has ventured into his land.”
“Will do sir”
"He would be safe and have more chance in finding the criminal. In the meantime make yourself at home here then continue your journey tomorrow.”
Ozil responded with a bow then walks away, not quite long from then Iris approaches Allas with a bald man having black beards covering half his face, this slim figure had an unblemished brown skin, his looks were innocent but his dark brown eyes conveyed wrath.
“Long time no see Allas” the man spoke with a gentle voice
Allas quickly turns around on hearing the voice, “Aaron!?” embraces the man “It’s so good to see you again friend.”
Withdrawing himself from Allas, Aaron took a good look at him, “You look to well for your age Allas.”
“I can say the same for you, where have you been?”
“You know the usual, looking for stuff here and there.”
“Really” narrows his eyes to Iris who stared back at him then narrows it back to Aaron “You left your beautiful wife and dashing son for a whore”
“She was out of this world Allas”
“Mend your ways Aaron, the end times is neigh”
“Ya-Ya whatever”
“What brought you back from your sinful trip?”
“I sent word to him of how a demon massacred a group of neighboring mercenaries on his land”
“I knew Master Iris would not lie to me and I’ve heard stories of you and your team battling demons, so I had to come back”
“Indeed Aaron, the battle finally got to your doorstep” said Allas with a smirk
“After all these years” sighs “what are we dealing with here Allas?” Iris asked anxiously
“These classes of demons are of the level three rank, they don’t move in groups but two attacks in a particular place, now that’s wrong, someone is leading them.”
“What do you mean leading?” Aaron asked
“There are seven generals under the leadership of Ethan Roy, the lord of the rank three demons. But luckily they have been reduced to three, team one of my squad killed one in the East, team two and three joined forces and defeated another up north, an unknown group managed to kill another in the waste lands and I personally killed the fourth here in the South.”
“Impressive as always, but that didn’t answer my question.”
“Oh it did, two attack means they were sent by a general to test the defense of the environment.”
“Why?” asked Iris
“From previous encounters just five rank three demons is enough to massacre four troops of warriors, but something has changed, Ethan Roy needs more, so he may be launching an attack on growing kingdoms like yours Aaron”
“Did you see the town by the river side?” Iris asked
“Yes, it was devastating” Aaron assured
“That was done by just one” Allas guaranteed
“You got to be joking, how many does a general need to launch an attack.” Iris asked
“Fifteen…”
“Fifteen?” Aaron interrupted
“If need be twenty” Allas continued
“I have just three troops Allas, three and none of them are below forty”
“Master Iris is above or almost sixty but he’s guaranteed to take down one”
“He’s the bloody Commander Allas, he trained both of us, what did you expect?”
“Then he will do the same to your warriors.”
“This is hopeless” shakes his head
“Don’t worry you and your family will be safe and your citizens as well” Allas assured
“What guarantees that?”
“Team four and five will be here soon.”
“Hope so, enough talk for today, let’s have drink.”
“Lead on Aaron” Iris urged
Aaron and Allas responded with a laughed then strolled down the hill towards the Castle alongside Iris.