Just before sunrise the next day they headed to the castle to see what the letter meant. Walking through the unfamiliar village was a bit unsettling so it was silent for the whole trip but not awkward at all. It was comfortable in a sense. The sense that everyone in the group knew they would have each others backs. Maybe that was the reason behind the slight smiles that peaked through behind the guarded face of the members in the group. I can personally admit that I too was one of those people. It felt nice to be in a group full of different but similar people who were actually people with good intentions, I think...
The castle was visible from the start of the trip because of its height and the fact that it was a stereotypical middle aged castle that stood tall with its torrents that gave it the extra height. We were walking for a full 5 minutes before something happened. The village was completely abandoned, that much was obvious though the style the buildings were designed in it closely looked at did not resemble any style of the so far discovered ancient civilisations.
We were closing to the castle, the broke. windows of the bottom level could now be seen from where we were but we couldn't walk any further.
There was something obstructing our path and it was the wondering father of the tigers, having a stroll through the village.
He stopped when he saw us and then he seemed to realise the direction we were going in.
"Good morning Mr Coltus, Ms Zevary, Mr Zevary Rushell, my sons. What brings you on the road to the castle this early morning?"
Still has good manners.
Though saying that he seemed a bit panicky.
Before anyone could say anything I rushed to reply.
"Good morning to you too sir, we were just going out on a little excursion as to know the area we have been located in better. And since the castle is the magnificent centre piece of this ancient civilisations we have decided to make our starting point there."
I smiled at him but he still seemed suspicious and also still panicked.
"Then may I advise you to continued back to your dorms, I was just heading there to help you start your day."
No one believed him. Maybe it because of the fact that, I don't know, he was walking in the opposite direction of the dorms? Hmmmm. Truly thought he was smarter then that. Or did he just not prepare?
"Father we will continue our trip to the castle,"
Keung.
"It is still early, we have time,"
Kong.
"I will not let you go, the castle is off limits."
Looks like he gave up trying to throw excuses and lies around to get us to turn around.
"So what's the real reason you don't want us there?"
I stepped forward and with a directed gaze, did not sugarcoat my words in any way as I just wanted an answer. What I got was the opposite of what I wanted, but predictable when reality comes into play.
"What the real reason you wanted to go to the castle."
His gaze was harsh, more directed then mine and almost cut through me making me want to answer. I half glared at him with a slight sneer at my lose. A question for a question. Not bad at all.
"I'll be going then."
There was no way I was telling this guy anything, even if he's the tigers' father. He didn't indulge his own sons with the details of this meeting. I gritted my teeth, who was I to trust then?
"Nice meeting you sir,"
I heard fox saw to the tigers' father before catching up to me. The other pair of footsteps that followed Eleanor's were probably Dominic's. He didn't bid the tigers' father goodbye or even do anything to acknowledge the current noble head's presence. No other footsteps followed after for a long while. What were the twins doing?
I wanted to look back but if the tigers' father was still there he'd see weakness, but where were the twins?
I turned my head after the little banter and ended up with the fact that I should care little about public image when I destroyed that long ago. There was a seperate conclusion I also came to that benefited my curiosity and I will shamelessly admit that that conclusion swayed me more to turn my head.
The twins were slightly bent down to the level that their father could whisper in their ears. It was like one of those movie scenes when someone was obviously spreading a gossip or telling someone a secret. Behind them was a mini forest which was all that was between me and curing my curiosity.
So I executed the stupid plan I created in a total of 5 seconds and ran.
My feet propelled and my arms swung alternating, I sprinted towards the forest while the tigers' father was still whispering and standing there in that movement restricting position.
I didn't look back but didn't miss the wide eyed but amused looked that fox had on her face as I ran past her and Dominic's face full of astonishment. Truly a sight to see.
Loose strands of my hair were forced back by the air resistance and my heels dug into the ground, pushing my body faster and faster as I tried to escape the sight of the tigers' father before he could chase after me. I imagine the shadow guards were having a good laugh at this. As if they could catch up easily when ordered after he's recovered from shock, remember I've had professional training.
The tigers both smiled and left their father standing there in shock as they sprinted off to catch up. The fox came later and Dominic followed. I took more liberty in my running style and started leaping over roots and jumping up to touch nearby leaves. It was exhilarating and adrenaline rushed though and I felt as if I was on a high. At the end of the run we all saw flat lawn before us and a clear division between the wild forest and the grounds of the majestic castle that stood before us all. Finally we are here!