The group had been traveling peacefully for the last two days. And so far there was nothing but forest after forest and roads after roads.
But of course, peace is not something they can hate. After all two days had passed and none of them had to flee for their life or fight to the death.
Truth be told… they would prefer this every time.
Strong wind blow against them, carrying leaves and dust along with it.
Looking up in the sky. They could see the thick gray clouds that took shape, like a blanket it covered the sun. Making the surroundings grow dull.
Suddenly, thunder rumbled in the sky. As the heavy rain threatens to fall.
"Oh no," Clara mumbled as the clouds grow thicker and the rumbled became frequent.
"We should look for a shelter," Brennan said.
But even though they knew what needed to be done, they realized that it would still be impossible. Because they are in the middle of the forest.
'At this rate, we will be taking shelter under a tree, but I doubt it will be of any help.' Darius thought.
When the drops of water started falling from the sky, little by little. The travelers did not have a choice but to stop, taking shelter under a tree canopy. Even though it barely stopped the light rain.
"If this gets stronger we will be soaked," Brennan stated.
Darius sighed, as he took his bag. Placing Feli inside, with only his head poking out.
"Stay there." He sternly commanded, wanting to keep the young griffin from the rain at the very least.
CLICK! CLICK!
Brennan heard the odd sound causing the young man to look around.
"Brennan," Darius called him as Brennan walked further into the forest. "I've told you before don't just go around all willy nilly!" Darius lectured, his brows knitted together.
"Wait, I'm just looking at something," Brennan responded, still looking on the ground.
On the other hand, Clara chuckled due to their childish behavior.
"I mean, look at this. It looks like a stone path." Brennan waved a hand, calling them to go closer.
"Oh, it does!" Clara agreed.
"If there's a stone path then…" the three of them looked at each other.
There is a chance to find shelter.
Not wasting any time, they mounted the horses. And like children lured by pastries, they followed the stone path that led them deep into the forest.
The forest was dark due to the caving tree and gray sky brought by the threatening rainstorm. With the rumbling thunder, the forest became even spookier, to the point where one would fear that something might be hiding in the shadows.
Waiting to jump an opportunity to cease them.
When the stone path ended, the traveler found themselves in front of a castle.
An abandoned one at that.
With some of the outer walls crumbling, it almost looked like a war had passed along the place. Which might not be far from the truth, considering how old it appears.
Without any hesitation, they trespassed the property and manage to enter the premises because of the broken gate.
The creaking of wood was heard when Darius pushed open the double doors of the castle, a puff of dust welcoming them in the abandoned castle. While darkness covered every corner of the place.
"Ew… it's dusty." Feli complained as they entered the castle.
"It is but beggars can't be choosers," Darius told the young griffin.
"What's that?" he asked Darius with wide curious eyes.
"It means we don't have the right to choose, because there is nothing else to choose from." He explained.
"But we can stay outside…" Darius only laughed at Feli.
"We can just start a fire to have some light. Maybe break a door to collect some wood?" Clara suggested.
"Sure." Suddenly, lightning had struck and heavy rain soon followed.
The rain was so strong they could barely see anything outside the castle.
"Still want to stay outside Feli?" Darius asked teasingly.
But the young griffin only shook its head while watching the heavy rain pour down continuously.
"Alright, let's settle in," Clara said as she picked a corner away from the window.
"Here should be fine," she said with a confident smile.
"Alright, let me take care of the firewood," Darius said handing Feli to Brennan.
"Behave." He said sternly.
"That's right, you have to behave Feli," Brennan repeated, but Darius looked at him with unamused eyes.
"What?" Brennan asked.
Darius groaned, "That applied to the both- you know what… I have to go get something to start a fire."
As Darius left, Brennan and Feli looked at each other. Neither have any idea what Darius meant.
Darius wandered further into the castle, even though he already found a wooden chair earlier. He decided it would be for the best if he check the area, just to be on the safer side.
Just scouting the area, he told himself.
Just looking for any possible danger.
It wasn't long before Darius came across a spiral staircase that leads to the watchtower.
The place was so dark, damp, and dreadful that he couldn't help but hold the hilt of his sword.
FLINK!
The sound of water hitting the stone floor echoed throughout the place, breaking the eerie silence.
"Darius."
With a cat-like reflect, Darius drew his sword. Pointing in the direction of the voice, with crossed brows and clenched jaw. The young man brazing for the fight that's about to break out.
"C-calm down." Brennan raised both of his hands as if surrendering.
Darius sigh, "Jesus Christ! Brennan." He was so frustrated he didn't even know what to say.
"We already started a fire, what are you doing here?" Brennan asked when Darius finally sheathed his sword.
"I… I just got distracted. Let's just go back." Darius shook his head.
Brennan only nodded and together, they headed back to Clara and Feli.
After a simple supper consisting of fruits and bread, Darius took the first shift to guard. Even though the others insisted that it may not be necessary because they are inside a castle.
But even if it is a castle Darius still can't let his guard down.
Hours later Brennan woke up.
"H-hey, you can sleep now. I'll guard." Brennan said still rubbing the sleepiness away from his eyes.
"Thanks," Darius mumbled before lying down on the sleeping mat. An arm wrapped around Feli to keep the griffin warm and safe.
As Darius fall into a slumber, Brennan stood up and stretched his body. Trying his best to shake away the calls of sleep.
He yawn, eyes staring straight at the extinguished fire.
Outside, the rain had stopped.
And in the sky, the silver moon shines brightly. Its faint light illuminating inside the castle, through the broken windows.
Brennan walked over to the window and stared at the moon.
His mind wandering off, he remembered the days when Malory was still alive. When they would sneak out of the Stone manor and lay on the grass together. Holding each other's hands they would look up in the night sky, dreaming of the life they never had the chance to have.
His eyes darkened upon remembering Amber.
'I'll make you pay.' He unconsciously greeted his teeth, his anger burning wildly inside his heart.
Out of nowhere, a stone hit him in the head.
Roughly, he turned around. Rubbing his head to relieve the pain.
"What the…" he muttered confusedly.
From the opposite direction, another stone came flying. But he was quick enough to dodge it.
When he docked, Brennan came face to face with a familiar creature.
It was a small creature about the same height as a child, it has a wrinkled face and a long nose. A fair of red fiery eyes that burns through the soul. Pointed ears and chins.
But most importantly, a redcap atop its bald wrinkly head.
Making the mistake of breathing, Brennan cringed at the strong smell of iron.
Before he could even react the creature grabbed him by the collar using its clawed hands. In a fraction of a second, the creature gave Brennan a punch in the face, which was surprisingly strong for someone so small.
Still holding his collar, the creature dragged Brennan across the floor.
Snapping out of daze, he shouted for help.
"Darius!" he shouted tasting his own blood as he spoke, because of the nose bleed he recently acquired.
Brennan stood up, but the creature did not let go. Its clawed hand still clutching his collar.
Desperately, he tried to fry it off. Causing a struggle between them.
"DARIUS! FOR FUCK'S SAKE! WAKE UP!"
Darius finally woke up, but a stone hit him in the leg as soon as he did.
While it did nothing to harm him, it did help him to be more alert.
Clara woke up soon after, quickly standing up.
"Hold Feli," Darius said. Giving the barely awake griffin to Clara.
"What's happening?" Clara asked.
Both of them watched in horror as the creature attacked Brennan.
The tiny creature shakes Brennan's collar while the other tries to fry the creature off of him.
From the shadow, four more dwarves-like creatures emerged.
All of them are holding spiked clubs.
About the height of a child, thin wrinkled bodies, sharp teeth, red eyes, and a peculiar redcap in their heads.
Darius could swear he had seen those before.
Well, maybe not in person but in the vivid description of a book.