The carriage rattled on the uneven stone path through the dark night as the clip-clop of the horses continued on in a steady rhythm.
An exquisitely-dressed dark-haired man and a beautiful woman with auburn hair who was just as nicely dressed sat in the carriage. They were returning home from a formal party invitation, thus the fancy clothes.
"I'm worried about the children back at home." The woman said with a troubled expression. She rested her cheek on her hand daintily as she gazed out the window at the dark scenery and the shadows of trees and bushes beside the road. "Are you sure leaving them by themselves was a good idea, Arthur?"
"Worry not, Louisa." Arthur put a hand on her lap to reassure her. "I have 20 servants guarding the manor that will attend to their every need. Even better, I have our good friend Dunehal watching over them. Not even a single hair on their head will be harmed tonight."
"Mhm." Louisa muttered and turned to look at him, distracted by his hand. "Don't you think it's a little too bold to be doing this in a carriage?" She asked flirtatiously and Arthur hastily retracted his hand.
"I'm just worried that they might get lonely." Louisa continued, "Irvene would be alright, but you know how Auden and Edwin are right? They don't get along much and Edwin spends too much time alone..."
"Haha, you're too caring Louisa!"
"Of course, I'm caring! They're our children!" She said, with an indignant tone.
"No, I didn't intend- I mean-" Arthur sighed, "I meant that as a compliment."
"Jeez, can't you take a joke? I wasn't serious." Louisa pouted and leaned her head on his shoulders. This triggered a small jolt from Arthur who turned bright red in the face but didn't object.
"How's Symond?" Louisa asked, her mind reassured about the kids at home. "You went to see him at the royal magic institute last week didn't you?"
"Oh yes, Symond," A smile spread across Arthur's face. "He's doing magnificently. Truly the pride of the family. He's aced all 7 magical examinations, finished noble etiquette classes, and was one of the best in his two years of knight training. Haha, it seems just like yesterday when he wanted to become a lowly adventurer on his 17th birthday! Of course, he's now seen the truth that his talents will be wasted as an adventurer! Much more becoming these days to be a noble instead."
He paused for a moment, his eyes twinkling in the night as he looked at his wife, before speaking in a more hushed voice, "I hear the young ladies in his class are quite smitten with him too. Who knows, we might even get a grandkid soon."
"Oh, you." Louisa giggled, putting a hand to her lips and pretending to be surprised. "I know he's quite the charmer but isn't it too soon to be thinking about grandchildren?"
"We mustn't underestimate the youth these days," He continued with a serious tone until they both burst into laughter.
"They grow up so fast," Louisa sighed after recomposing herself. "I would've liked to pamper my child a bit more."
"Mmm." Arthur nodded, looking out the window. The moon seemed awfully bright for some reason tonight. "We're almost there Louisa, it's time to get off my shoulder."
"Just a while more..."
The carriage rounded the corner and the obstructing trees and hedges parted to reveal the large mansion, standing majestically in the night, the enormous flames illuminating the surrounding fields and courtyard.
The mansion- was surrounded by an almighty blaze. Smoke poured out of the windows and flames flickered inside the place. Some of the walls- even the roofs were falling apart.
"Heavens, NO!" Arthur gasped at the sight of the destruction and Louisa screamed at the same time.
"The children! Irvene, Edwin, and Auden are still in there!!"
"BUTLER! What are you waiting for- morning?" Arthur shouted, tapping loudly on the windows of the carriage. "Go faster for goodness sake!!"
"Aye sir, I'm trying!"
The carriage lurched as the horses broke into a full gallop down the long stone pathway, shaking from side to side erratically.
The butler had abandoned all caution and dignity now as he drove the carriage at full speed, his black tailcoat flapping in the wind. He had always been fond of the children, and the fact that something could happen to them racked him with worry.
Once near, Arthur sprang out of the carriage without waiting for it to stop and hurried towards the burning mansion. The familiar red and grey banner of the family coat of arms fluttered from the rooftops as the carriage screeched to a halt and Louisa hurried out too.
However, the doorway was barred by a large burning table making an entry impossible.
"NO!" Louise yelled as both Arthur and the butler stopped her from running through. "LET GO OF ME!! My children are still in there!"
"Louisa! You'll die!" Arthur interjected, trying to calm her down. "You stay here, I'll go in!"
Arthur patted her shoulder and turned around, braced himself and pushed the table. The heat scorched his hands, but his worry won out, and with all his power, heaved the table to one side. If one of his children died- He didn't know what he'd do if that happened.
However, before he could rush in there was a thud behind him. Several throwing knives had flown out of the darkness and the butler had tried to shield his mistress but his noble efforts were in vain.
The butler had taken 3 knives to the back and lay on the stone path beside the carriage, blood seeping into his tailcoat. In spite of all that, Louisa was not as lucky. Well neither of them were lucky in the first place, but Louisa had been struck in the neck by one small blade and dropped to the ground as well, never to move again.
"LOUISA!! NOO!!!" Arthur cried as he rushed back to her and held her body in his arms. "Louisa, speak to me!" But it was too late. Her dark green eyes had lost their gleam and there was no response.
"M..my lord..." The butler groaned, lifting his head to warn his master. "An assassin... The blades are.... poisoned..."
"Who in tarnation is responsible for this?!!" Arthur roared angrily, his hands shaking. All of a sudden, he spotted someone.
A tall figure was walking up the stone path towards the mansion, a sword gleaming in his hand. His short silver hair blew in the wind and his sharp face was illuminated by the light of the flames. He didn't have a beard and yet his face already had the features of old age, making him seem wiser. His black cloak flickered in the wind as he approached. A small purple and green badge hung at the neck of his cloak.
"Dunehal?" Arthur called in astonishment. "Dunehal, what's going on? What hap-"
"I'm sorry Arthur." The said quietly, lifting his sword, the tip pointing straight towards Arthur. "I sincerely apologize."
With that, there was a flash of silver reflected from his sword as the cloaked man charged.
~~~~~~~~~~
". . . Enough."
Auden's green eyes had a dark shade that brimmed with anger and hatred. If looks could kill, half of Ergald would be dead right now.
"I've seen enough, I'm satisfied." He raised his sword furiously. Though he was talking in a quiet tone, he was nothing short of enraged. "How can you still stand there- and face me this calmly after knowing what you did?"
"Calm down, lad." Dunehal stepped back a bit as he sensed his animosity and pulled his sword free from the ground. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"All these years, all this training. All the times you told me that you raised us since we were young." Auden raised his voice slowly, his temper rising as fast as his voice. "Was everything a lie?"