"Kenif, I want you to travel to the Council of High House and seek their help, and to also inform them of what Dragon Eye has done," the king said, his voice tinged with urgency.
"That's right! I forgot all about them!" a noble shouted. "With their help, we have a chance," another added.
(SIDE NOTE: The Military of Magic, also known as High House, governs all magic. They create the laws and enforce every rule for all magic practitioners to follow. If you suspect someone of magical misconduct, you must report it to them immediately. Once you do, their enforcers will investigate. If they find you guilty, you will be brought before the Council of High House, and let's just say you won't be coming back.)
"But, Your Highness, if I leave, who will lead the rest of the knights?" Kenif asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
The king scratched his beard and shouted, "Kenyo! You shall take command of the knights until Kenif returns."
"Yes, Your Highness, it would be my honor," Kenyo responded, pride swelling in his chest.
"Good. Now, Kenif, make haste with your travel. It will take three days to reach High House. Go to Ward's the North and take the fastest horse you can find."
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but I think it would be faster if I ran there using Magic Acceleration. I know where to find it; I have been there before. There is a shortcut through the Elf and Troll Forest. If I run, it will take two days, not three," Kenif said confidently.
The king smiled at him. "Very well then, be on your way. Grasslands shall remain on high alert until you return."
"Then I shall leave at once," Kenif replied, rushing out of the room.
"Kenyo, have someone prepare a funeral for Darwnd and let his family know he died a hero's death," the king said, tears welling in his eyes.
"Yes, Your Highness, it shall be done," Kenyo said, a worried look crossing his face. "But first, before you do that, you should go see Kenif off. After all, he is your son," the king said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Kenyo said, then rushed to the gate to see Kenif off. When he arrived, he saw Kenif talking to one of the gate guards and approached him.
"Kenif, may I have a word with you?" Kenyo asked.
Kenif glared at him. "Make it brief, old man. I need to leave," he said impatiently.
So Kenyo walked him to the edge of the kingdom. "Okay, old man, that is far enough. Say what you have to say," Kenif said.
Kenyo grimaced and spoke, "I... I just wanted to say travel safe, and that I am sorry for what I did."
Kenif started laughing. "Is that all you have to say to me? I don't care for your apology. I just want to know, why did you address me as a half-blood? What did you mean by that?"
Kenyo bit his bottom lip and said, "I guess you were too young to remember your mother. When you return, come see me, and I shall tell you everything about her."
"Hmph. This is quite interesting. For years, I have been asking you about her, and yet you choose to remain silent. Why the sudden change of heart? Is my life in danger that you can't give me an answer?" Kenif demanded.
But Kenyo stood there silent. "As usual, you have nothing to say. Forget it; I'm leaving," Kenif said, then disappeared in a flash, heading towards the forest.
"My dear boy, you have no idea how much danger your life is in," Kenyo said with a weary face.
Meanwhile, in the forest, five people were running for their lives. "My lady, this way! Take my hand; it's a little further. We can make it!" one of them shouted. This one was wearing black armor, and next to him ran a lady in a long red dress. Behind her was a man wearing a green tunic, and behind him ran three more men in blue armor.
What were they running from, you may ask? Nothing much—just an ogre chasing them, trying to kill them.
"Damnit, you fools! Hurry and kill that thing already! I am too important to die! So that is your job—to die in my place!" cried the man in the green tunic.
"We can't stop now! Grasslands is just a little way ahead!" said the man in the black armor.
The ogre then raised his club above his head, but before it could come crashing down, "Sling! Sling! Sling! Sling!" The sound of swords could be heard. The ogre fell to the ground, lifeless, its potent green blood pooling beneath it.
"Who are you, and why are you in this forest?" a young man wearing golden armor stepped out from the shadows.
"Greetings, great warrior. We mean no harm. We are refugees from the Kingdom of Wolfect. My name is Yontin Someman, and I am the captain of the Wolfect knights. This is the first princess, Jamia Wolfect, her brother, Prince Jamit Wolfect, and his three bodyguards: Hason, Lomon, and Yonlen. Now, if you would be so kind as to tell us your name," the knight in black armor said.
"You may call me Kenif. I guess since you are in this forest, you're traveling to Grasslands then?" Kenif asked.
Princess Jamia looked at Kenif for a few seconds, then stepped forward and spoke. "That's right; we're going to warn King Kaimmany."
"Sister, why are you telling him that? You can't trust this man. What if he is our enemy?" Prince Jamit interjected.
"I hardly believe that! Why would he save us just to turn around and kill us?" Jamia retorted.
Kenif started walking towards the princess, and in a flash, he was in front of her, holding out his golden pendant. "Here, take this with you. Show it to the gate guards and tell them that I sent you. It will also grant you an audience with the King."
She held up her hand to touch his, and perhaps due to maternal instinct or something else, after Kenif touched the princess, she felt a familiar presence and began to cry. Kenif also felt something warm from her. "I... I... I have to go," he said, then ran off in a flash.
The princess fell to the ground, crying even more. "I'm certain of it now; there is no doubt in my mind—it's him."
"My lady, are you alright?" Yontin asked, concerned.
She looked at him, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, Yontin, that young man just now, I am so certain of it that he is my son."
"That is impossible! Your half-blood bastard was killed about twenty-one years ago," Jamit said disdainfully.
Yontin frowned but didn't respond. "My lady, we can't stay here. I will carry you on my back." He picked her up, and they continued on to Grasslands.
Finally, they arrived at the gate and presented the golden pendant to the guard. After that, they were permitted to speak with the King.
To Be Continued...