I smiled mischievously at the chuckling Sebastiene before entering the tent.
It was quiet inside, mother must have taken Athy to have tea with the ladies while Uriel must have gone to her new friend. The maids must have gone with them as well as Klent, who was tasked of protecting mother.
I sat down on a chair and Sebastiene helped me take off my shoes which were moist and dirty from walking close to the pond.
Wait.
Something doesn't feel right? But I can't seem to remember anything about it. My gut was telling me that there was something wrong, like something that did not add up.
"My lady, your shoes." Sebastiene stared at the shoes that he was holding. "There's mud on your shoes and green grass were stuck to it."
"Yes, so?" I asked, confused by where he was going at with the questions.
"It's winter, my lady." Sebastiene looked at me intently.
"Huh?" My mind went blank.
Clearing filled with green grass and flowers, the sky was blue with fluffy clouds around.
How could those things exist when it was winter?
"Seb!" I held Sebastiene by the collar and pulled him close. "I don't know what it was, but behind the camp, a few meters inside the forest, there was a clearing and it was blooming like spring!"
"M-my lady." Sebastiene tried to pull away from my hold. "You are gripping my collar too tightly. I can't breathe."
I let go of his collar and mumbled a "Sorry."
"I have never heard of such a place, my lady." Sebastiene said as he fixed his collar. "But it would be tru-"
BOOOM!
Sebastiene was not able to finish his sentence because of a very loud explosion.
"Mother!" I shouted at Seb who nodded and teleported himself to where my mother was. I put on the shoes Seb had prepared for me and ran outside.
Somewhere up on the mountain, black smoke was rising. It was where the explosion most probably happened.
"Sis!" Uriel shouted as she ran towards me.
"Where's Athy?" I asked her.
"She left with mother earlier so she must still be with her right now." She replied.
Just after Uriel finished speaking, Sebastiene appeared with mother, her maids and Klent behind them. But Athy was not with them.
"Where's Athy?" I asked when I didn't see her with them.
"Lady Athanasia went with the youngest daughter of House Rutchel, Susan." Astrid answered.
"Sis, Astrid, protect mother." I ordered. "Seb, go pick up father. Klent round up all our people inside the barrier."
"What about you?" Uriel asked as I walked away.
"I'll go look for Athy and check on the situation." I replied and continued walking.
BOOOM!
Another explosion from higher up the mountain was heard. We all looked up and saw more black smoke rising up.
"Go!" I ordered and everyone did as they were told.
I am not worried about mother since our tent has been fortified with a barrier and Uriel was with her. Father has the knights but they were up the mountain, where the explosions were happening. I didn't want them to get stuck up there that's why I sent Sebastiene to pick them up.
I walked to the Rutchel's tent, since mother said that Athy was with the Rutchel's daughter before the explosions happened.
"Lady Rutchel." I greeted the beautiful lady who was panicking outside her tent.
Lady Rutchel turned to look at me, her eyes were filled with worry and panic.
"Mel." She said in a surprised tone.
"I'm here to pick up Athy." I told her.
Her eyes went wide and the color drained from her face.
"But, I thought they were in your tent?" She said. "Susan told me that Athy wanted to show her something."
I was stunned.
"Oh my goddess!" Lady Rutchel exclaimed, tears pooling in her eyes. "M-my baby."
"Don't worry, Lady Rutchel. As long as she's with Athy, you can be sure that she is safe." I assured her with a smile.
"B-but.." Lady Rutchel was already panicking, doubting my word.
"Lady Rutchel, you should take everything important and head to our tent. Mother is there with Uriel, and it is the safest place here. I'll look for the two girls so don't worry." I told her and nodded to the maids who quickly started packing.
"Okay.." Lady Rutchel nodded. "Please bring them back safe, lady Melody."
"I promise." I swore to her and walked to find the girls.
Though I said it, I have no idea where to start.
Another explosion and a loud roar was heard, making everyone in the camp trembled in fear.
That can't be good.