I looked at the paw prints left by the wolf. It was definitely bigger than that of a normal wolf. I followed the bloody paw print out the castle and to the back. The way which leads to the forest where I met Sebastiene. The paw prints disappeared into the forest.
I stood at the edge of the forest deliberating whether I should follow that wolf or wait until it comes out again.
"My lady." A group of knights called from my right. They must have come from the other side of the castle and circled it.
"Do you plan to go into the forest, my lady?" A lady knight with straw like hair asked.
"I'm actually deliberating whether I should or not." I answered them honestly.
"If you'd like, we can accompany you." A sandy haired guy smiled. The other knight nodded in agreement.
"No." I sighed. "With just us, we cannot scour the entire forest to find it."
The knights look disappointed.
"I'm not questioning your strength." I looked at them seriously. "It's just that the forest is too big. The wolf that attacked earlier is also strong. Plus, we cannot be sure if it is alone inside the forest."
"We understand, my lady." The ldy knight replied. "I also think the generals are planning to go into the forest in the afternoon."
"Is that so?" I nodded to myself before looking at the knights. "Take me to the generals."
We arrived at the training grounds again. The generals were giving a run through of the plan to the knights. There were only about thirty knights there all in armor.
"General Haktor," I called him. "What is happening?"
"We are planning to go check the forest, my lady." He answered.
I frowned.
"Why are you only bringing so little knights?" I asked.
"This.." General Haktor looked at general Marionne as if asking for help.
"The knights with flame abilities are asked to stay my lady. Forrests and flames are not a good combination." Marionne answered me with a stoic face. "Sir Anderson also asked for knights to help him set up a barrier around and within the castle."
Ahh..
With the current number of knights we have, they will have to make do with smaller numbers.
I sighed.
"Wait." I raised my hand to stop anyone from talking and then closed my eyes.
'Sis..' I called Uriel in my mind.
No answer.
'SIS!' I called louder.
'Yah! Don't scream inside my head!' an annoyed voice replied.
'Sorry.' I sarcastically replied. 'Are you with Athy?'
'Yeah.'
'Ask her if she can help with setting up a barrier for the castle.' I told her.
There was silence for a few seconds.
'Yeah, she can.' Uriel replied.
'Good.' I replied and cut her off.
I opened my eyes and saw the curious faces of the generals.
"Sorry, I was talking with my sisters." I said while tapping my head.
Haktor's eyes went wide.
"My lady, you can speak with the other ladies telepathically?" He asked.
"Yes. It is one of Uriel's abilities." I nodded.
An excited smile appeared on his face.
"That's amazing!" He said excitedly.
"By the way, have someone inform Anderson to go see Athy in her room." I told Marrione.
She asked one of the knights who came with me to pass on my message. The knight bowed and went to relay the message.
"Are you not coming with us to the forest Marionne?" I asked her, dropping the 'general'.
She was surprised by what I called her but immediately collected herself.
"I am, my lady." She replied. "I may be a flame user but not having a single flame user would be disadvantageous."
"That is true." I nodded. "When do you plan to go in?"
"We will check the map first before going in." Haktor said, back to his serious demeanor. "We wouldn't want to go in blindly."
"I see." I nodded. "Do you have a map?"
"I have already sent a knight to His grace to ask for one." Haktor replied.
"Okay. Wait for me, I will go in with you. I just need to change to a more comfortable clothes." I told them and immediately turned towards the castle leaving the flabbergasted knights.
I went to my room to find something to change to. I wanted to find some pants and shirt because that would be the most comfortable to wear and move in. Unfortunately, I only have dresses in my wardrobe.
'Yow sis..' I called for Uriel in my head again.
'What?' She asked.
'Go to mom and ask her to allocate a budget for us to use for clothes and accessories.' I said to her.
'You want to go shopping?' She asked excitedly.
'We all are after fortifying the castle.' I told her as I started to find something else to wear. 'We'll use that time to check on the city too.'
'Okay!' Uriel cut me off.
I bet she went to mother gleefully. She has always been fond of going out and shopping.
I held up a dress that was not too heavy.
"This will do." I told myself as I checked it. It was a light blue, not puffed skirt kind if dress. It's not what I wanted but it was the only dress with light material. Making it the easiest to move in.
I just finished changing when I heard a knock on my door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Come in Seb." I said while looking at the mirror trying to tie up my hair.