NOW
The journey in Meek forest is outside the main lands of the kingdom of Kronos de Lux. Also in this area of the forest is safe from monsters. The monsters usually travel in the far north of the forest where also the Royal Knights Guard have a been station to keep watch on the monsters so that they don't go out in to the south west area to invade the smaller villages. It may have been easier to go up the north route so we could get to No Man's Land quicker but there are monsters. Lizzy and I are inside the carriage and Sir Brandon is sitting out with the driver.
" This carriage is hot. I can't stand it. Can you please open the window."
" Yes Miss," Lizzy moved to the side to open the window.
"Is that better?"
I nodded.
" Why don't you take a nap Miss. There is still a long way to go till we reach the end of Meek forest." Lizzy said as she pulled out a small white blanket from under the set. She handed the blanket to me and I took it then I lay on my side. Tho the carriage ride was ruff I still was able to drift off and sleep.
Then not long after a loud BANG! come from outside. Lizzy scream that woke me up as the carriage crashed in to something then swayed and falls on its side. Making me and Lizzy slam on the side broken window. The shards of glass cut though my hands and legs, Lizzy still conscious looks at me in a wild panic and grabs my face.
" Are you ok! Are you hurt anywhere Miss?!"
" I'm fine Lizzy it's ok." I said as I try to stand up in the carriage that was laying on it side." What happened?"
" I'm not sure. I remember you were sleeping and the a loud roar came from outside and as I was about to look a large fire ball came right for us. Look like the driver managed to pull the carriage to the side but then the carriage fall over."
" Ok well we need to get out-"
A another earsplitting loud roar came from outside that made Lizzy and me freeze. We looked up at the side door which is now above us and I look at Lizzy and grabbed her shoulder.
" Lizzy we need to get out of her right now. What ever is happening or Sir Brandon is doing out there. He is giving us a chance to run. You need to climb up and open that door. Get out and go to a safe place!." I said in a quick panic voice.
"No! You need to go first Miss-"
"ELIZABETH!" I shouted
" GO NOW!"
Lizzy looked at me with her tear stained eyes then next minute the door above us flew open and.
"Sir Brandon!" We both said at the same time in relief.
" Yes, now come on before the beast wakes up." He said reaching out his hand to us. I look at Lizzy and pin her with a stare tell her 'you will go first and you will not dare fight me on this' she nodded and reach out her hand to Sir Brandon and he pulled her up after he got her out then he came back for me and reached out his hand again.
" Come on now young Miss, we don't have much time" he said
I reached up and he pulled me out with ease and placed me on the side of the half destroyed carriage.
" You need to jump now." I nodded and did what he instructed as I touched the ground a large paw come out of no where and slammed me to the side making me fly across the road and land on my back then that same large paw held me down on my chest making me lose all the air in my lungs. A large black and orange stripe tiger with a thick black horn on the centre of it forehead.
"Black Horn Tiger"
It was right in my face growling . I could here the voices of Sir Brandon and Lizzy but the growing was so deep and menacing it was hard to make out what they were saying. Then next thing the Black Horn Tiger open its mouth and breathed in beep. It's breath smell like sulphur.
"Oh no! This is…"
Then a spark formed at the back of it throat and fire came out. At that moment I could still hear Lizzy screaming but I couldn't hear Sir Brandon 'He must be hold her. Good, now they have each other.'
Then the flame came out out of its mouth and then darkness.
William Saul Ashwood (POV)
Standing in a large immaculate open entrance of the house William Saul Ashwood with his mother the Duchess Maryanna Ashwood, father Duke Nelson Carr Ashwood and younger sister Willow - Anna Ashwood 'Another day, another party. Father always has to show his face to the society to make good connections and bond with the noble cause soon enough I will be taking over the Dukedom. So I must also join father in the long winded parties.' William thought.
The Ashwood castle with its majestic landscape, they blue and gold pillars, marble floors with an open large space which showcases the greenery that gave the whole castle a fresh look like you a living in a safari but with luxurious feel. Making the people in the party be in awe of the look and the feel of the atmosphere. The Ashwood family is one of the founding families of the Kronos de Lux kingdom. They helped destroy the monsters that invaded the lands and they also help bring peace among the people of the Kingdom of Kronos de Lux. They family is very important in the society more important then Count Dox's family. Count Dox my be a noble but his reach has limits but in the Dukes family they are higher in rank and have responsibilities with in the Kingdom making them very close with the Emperor.
" Count Dox, I'm glad to see you." Duke Nelson said with a sweet smile on his face. Count gave a small bow to the Duke to show respect to his rank and also Ajax and Landon did so too.
'Count Dox and his sons came. Good, now for the guest of honour to…' he thought has he look around the Count and his sons. 'Not here.' William looks at the door to see if she may still be coming up from outside but nothing.
" Are you looking for someone William?" Ajax ask with an eyebrow rise, his hand clasped behind him with his all black suit. ' Always wearing black, they say he wears it cause he is still mourning his mother but I know that not true. The only reason he wears black is to not see the blood stains on him.'
" Oh nothing, it's just I thought Sera was coming today we did send a invitation to her too."
The Count and Landon flinched at the mention of Sera's name but not Ajax. 'Of course not. The man is as unflinching as a stone in the middle of a storm.'
" She gone."
Ajax said in a cold detached voice. While giving me a hateful gaze. Like I took his favourite toy and threw it in the fire. 'Great'. I glanced to the side to share a knowing look with the Duke that something wasn't right. The only reason we threw this ridiculous party was to bring her here. She the key on bringing back our power and if she is not here the plan can't start.
I cleared my throat "Oh really, why so last in the summer?"
"That is non of your concern."
"Ajax!" The Count spat out in anger.
" Apologise now!."
"Why should I apologies, Seraphina is non of they concern. They never met her before so why should they ask about someone they don't know."
The Count turned, rage in his eye. Landon rolls his eyes in irritation.
" There is a time for everything brother and this is not it."
Landon spoke under his breath.
" No it's ok, his right. I have no right to ask that kind of question. She is your sister and I apologise for over stepping. It's just we were hoping she would make friends with my younger sister since they will be entering society together." William said as he smiled his charming smile to the men.
Ajax narrowed his eyes at William while Landon and the Count nodded they heads in agreement.
" Well, I hope you enjoy the party Count." Duke Nelson said, as he stretch out his hand to show the way into the hall. The men turn and walked in.
As they left Duke Nelson tuned to me and said under his voice "Go find out why she is not here and where she is." I nodded and quickly left and when into the hall.
As in the hall I see Ajax standing alone in a corner by the window while across the floors a group of girls looking at him with love struck eyes at him. ' If they only knew his true nature.' I said as I chuckled under my breath. Then I turn to look over and see the Count stand with a group of noble with whiskey and cigars in hands and not far from him. 'Yes, Landon.' I walk up to him as he talking to Viscount Ian I stop in front of them and cut in they conversation.
" Landon, are you enjoying yourself." Landon stops his conversation and turns to look at me with that aristocratic nose. I sigh inwardly.
" Ah! Yes William we are thank you very much." I look at the Viscount to tell him to leave and good enough he catches on.
"I think I should make my rounds. Lovely party William." He bow then left.
" Goodness William, did you have to scare the man away. You were the one who interrupt our conversation." Landon said in a board voice. " You're picking up your tricks from Ajax." He joked
" No one is like your brother and we both know that." I said in a serious tone.
" Yes, you are right about that." He said as he looked over where Ajax was standing still alone. "I mean the man is in a room full of our people but never engages with a soul. Some people just can't be help."
" Landon, your brother doesn't need help if he did he would have been desperate to find someone to help him by now, but he doesn't and also it's not that he can't engage with people. He chooses not to and the people around him know that whatever they say to him he will never acknowledge the existence."
Landon looks at me in astonishment like this is the first time hearing this revelation about his own brother.
" Never mind that, tell me why didn't your sister make an appearance tonight. Many people were waiting to see the infamous younger sibling of Count Dox's." William said as he smiled.
" As my brother said earlier, 'she is gone.'" Landon said in irritation "But one thing I can tell you is that she will not be coming back anytime soon. I made sure of that." A sinister smile played on Landons face.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing really but if you hear about someone death, then just know justice has done its job."
'Landon what are you thinking. If he…No, he would kill her. It's well know that Seraphina is not liked by her family and that she is mistreated by them to but would the Count go so far to kill his own daughter or is Landon doing this himself. I know Ajax will never get involved with his sister issues he doesn't care about her. To him she just a pound of flesh that finishes up space in their house but Landon hate towards her is something else.'
" Where did she go since she will be finished off by…whomever." I asked.
" Don't know but I did sent a tracker to see where she was headed and when he finds her his will finish her and that little squad of hers and report back the good news" he said with a gleeful tone.
'So he is acting alone on this. I must go and tell the Duke about this and find that tracker before he kills the one key that can help us regain our power back. This empty headed moron doesn't know what he has done.' I looked at him with a smile pretending to agree with his plan. While rage burning inside of me.