The squeaks of excited girls echoed nonstop. Their voices were enticing as they giggled at the flirtatious flatteries showered on them by a fellow wearing a loosed outer garment. The noise lasted for long.
Prince Karick drawled his speech. He lolled his head from one side to another. He was seemingly tipsy. The girls flocked around him like buzzing flies around poop. His table was a mess. Some cups were knocked over and the air reeked of alcohol.
Jared, Karick's personal guard stood very close to the window. He was strictly viewing the surroundings outside, his sword hugged to his chest. He was already accustomed to Karick's promiscuous life, so the ambience had no impact on him. His composure was calm as if nothing was happening around him.
Just then, a pigeon sailed onwards and perched on the windowsill. Karick lightened up immediately. He hoisted the pigeon and took out the furled small piece of paper lashed to its tarsus. When he read the paper, he became alarmed. He hurriedly went to where Karick was messing himself up and presented it.
"Your highness, you need to see this." Karick dallied before listlessly taking the paper. He jolted his head to enhance his sight. It took time for Karick to read the letter word after word. He became greatly unnerved thereafter. His foolishness left him like some evil spirit.
With a fist, he clouted his sandalwood table in patent irritation, his eyes blazing red with anger. The poor sandalwood table nearly revealed cracks from Karick's indignant exertion. The ladies gasped in fright. The high-spirited person who seemed to be in cloud number nine surrounded by fairies was now back to his room with annoying freaks squeaking like rats around him.
The fuming prince's mutation of mood left the girls bemused. They were afraid of edging near to him as if the form was Dracula himself.
"Get out. All of you." Jared used his discretion when he saw the buoyancy had been put off. The girls hastily did as they were told.
Karick just got the intelligence of Miss Russ visitation to Snowfall Palace, and felt exceedingly chagrined about it.
"That ungrateful bitch!"
Exclusive Tavern
Four persons flocked around a table- Mo, Hilbwet, Lores and six.
Six looked at Mo's face for permission to speak in the presence of Lores who he found unfamiliar. The agent guards do not really know themselves that much. They mostly get to know their associates via communication code.
But Mo was present. There was no need for communication code. He addressed the protectiveness of six by himself.
"This is seven, your immediate junior." He directed his face to Lores. "And this is six, your immediate senior." The agent guards nethered their heads before six moved to business immediately.
"Your highness, there have been reports in Red Moth Village about a demon kidnapping people. Those who managed to escape have moved into the town. They were all mourning their loved once, and begged for help."
The report was appealing to Mo. He asked with inquisitiveness.
"Red Moth Village is located in which town?"
"Blackwood Town." Six answered. Mo then became amused for a split second.
"Demon, huh? What? Is this some stage performance or novel?" Tales about demons were mostly told by story tellers and written as fictional characters in novels. Hearing about a real demon in the same capital where he lived was quite unbelievable.
"I think another party is already causing a ripple. To take action when the archmage is still walking the world shows that they are well prepared." Hilbwet opined. Lores perceived a prospective eventful expedition. He said with a neat smile.
"My prince, let's see for ourselves. You might not know if he's an actual demon or not." Lores projected that it could be a vicious mage underhandedly effectuating their plan. He became excited for he loved escapades.
Mo's eyes sparkled in amazement.
"We are heading to Blackwood Town. Let's see for ourselves what this 'demon' looks like."
-
A domineering figure sprawled casually on his seat, his eyes fixated on the book in his grip. He hoisted his teacup and sampled the hot liquid without looking away from his book.
A hunching figure scampered into the study room, cleaning the sweat that must have formed on his forehead with his sleeve. His horsetail whisk undulated from his agitations.
"Your majesty." He called from few steps away. King Elead raised his eyes, then kept the book aside.
"What does the urgency call for?"
"Prince of Nan is on his way to Blackwood Town." The eunuch finally reached the king. King Elead revealed no sign of surprise. He only smiled before getting up to his feet. He walked over to the window, his black robe sweeping behind in dominant grace.
"Prince of Nan has gone on an escapade. It will build his experience as a potential candidate for the crown prince place."
"The enemy will cause ruckus. Won't it be too dangerous for Prince Of Nan?" Eunuch Neeman asked decorously, trailing the king to the window. King Elead spared him a glance.
"What would become of a crown prince with no idea of danger?"
-
Mo arrived at Blackwood Town with his escort guards. They found their way to Red Moth Village soon.
When they got there, the place was empty of human habitation. Crows invaded the houses at will.
It was inauspicious.
Mo and his crew alighted from their horses and began to inspect the village.
Due to how sinister it seemed to be, the guards gently drew out their swords and observed the environment in downright wakefulness.
They moved stealthily, trying to prepare for a possible unforseen fray. They made no speech, and only interacted with non-verbal cue as they pushed open the doors of the houses and searched. The was no sign of mortality.
Suddenly, Hilbwet hoisted his hand and clenched his fist. He smelled an ambush. The other guards halted. Hilbwet wanted them to stay put and wait for the skirmish than falling into the trap of their enemies.
Few breaths later, a horde of armed men all clad in black burst out from the houses that were left unchecked, and approached Mo's men.
Their leader cocked his head while humming some curses.
"Why didn't you all just take the bait? Damn, these losers are such a pain in the ass. You've let us done the arduous work of meeting you ourselves. You have to pay for stressing me."
The guards tightened their grips on their swords, waiting for an order.
"What more can I say? We must have shattered your painstaking effort. You might as well cry us a river." Mo riposted. Awarenesses hit the leader of the armed men.
"Ah! Prince of Nan actually came here in person. What a relieve! That way we won't have the trouble of finding you ourselves."
"I'm right in front of you. Why don't you do your worst?" Mo retorted bravely. The leader turned to one of his minions.
"Imagine taking Prince of Nan's head to the king. What reward do you think His Lordship will give out?"
Hilbwet's pent-up anger finally reached the brim.
"Why not find out if you are capable of taking his head or not?" He rent in vexation, his tone irking.
Lores just watched as the whole scene was happening before him. He stood close to Mo, holding his sword in dense acuity.
"I like taking challenges." The leader affirmed. Hilbwet raised his hand and threw it forward. "Kill!"
The escort guards belted towards the armed men, yelling raucously.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Countless sounds from weapons tore through the sky, echoing a battle of life and death.
The leader killed his way towards Hilbwet. They clashed their swords, their eyes lusting for murder. Their moves were rapid and top-notch.
Mo could only tremor in the midst of the battle. Lores killed off the ones who came at him while protecting the prince.
"Seven, take his highness out of here." Hilbwet ordered while in a serious challenge. Lores bobbed and took Mo's arm. One frayer launched an offensive on Lores who gave him a clean cut in the midriff. He cried in pain and flumped.
As Lores was making his way out of the war zone, he was attacked by another frayer. Lores pierced his sword into the frayer's chest with lightning speed before the latter could even initiate a move.
Lores took Mo and escaped.
They were on the run to safety.
Author's note:
It's important to note that the leader of the armed men is the same man who reported to the old man in the previous chapter. And....
Well, if you've read up to this chapter, I really want to appreciate your journey with me. Remember to vote and comment. Thank you!