Demvirous opened his eyes as he heard bodies drop to the ground. He breathe hard. He was slowly lossing his conciousness. When a hand held him before he could fall. "Did I come late?". The person asked.
*************
"Elixia has not arrived. Don't you think there is something else to this?". Gruticent asked and Johnbones paused his food. "Did you just say, Elixia didn't return home last night?". He asked the question Gruticent asked. And she nodded to his confirmation. Vistuler's face held horror.
He got up and flounced out of the dinning hall with the rest of his family following him. He looked worried. He rushed to the stable and got a horse. "Where are you heading, William?". Gruticent asked. "To the home of Demvirous". He shouted as his horse galloped faster.
Vistuler was really worried. Elixia was not the type to stay overnight outside. Or has something bad happened to her? The thought of that created more terror in her mind. She shook her head trying not to believe in her thought. She really hoped her father would find Elixia. Then she walked back in.
Johnbones galloped faster with impatience in his eyes. It felt as though the the horse wasn't fast enough but, he endured it and sealed his impatience.
He arrived at the gates of Demvirous. He got off his horse and approached the guards that stood at the gates.
"Where is Demvirous?". He asked hurriedly. "His body was taken inside". One of the guards said. Johnbones eyes widened.
"May I go in?". He asked and they paved way for him. He ran into the mansion and saw people cried. He walked further in and saw the body of Demvirous was wrapped. He fell to the ground. Startled.
Looking around, he saw the father and mother of Demvirous. His sisters some of their maids and servants. Then a man who shielded his face with his hood. He was dressed in a black ragged garment.
"General William Johnbones. The man brought home his body this morning". Demvirous father said and Johnbones nodded in agreement. He stood up to leave.
"Please do not leave yet. Have lunch with us". Demvirous mother said with tears in her eyes. Johnbones felt sad for the family but, he was worried about what would have happened to Elixia. Her pleading eyes did the convincing and he had to stay.
"I would be taking my leave sir". The man that was said to have brought home Demvirous said. He sounded old with his feeble fingers and feet that couldn't help but shake. "You may leave sir. Thank you very". Demvirous father said.
As he walked passed Johnbones pulled away the hood from the man's head. And the man's bald was in display. He looked at the man and the man turned slowly as his feet could help. The man looked at Johnbones and smiled.
"I cover my head because of cold". The man said and covered his head. Demvirous father left and the man smirked. Johnbones was startled at that. And he tried to stop the man again. When Demvirous father stopped him.
"Why don't you leave the old man alone and let's go eat lunch?". Johnbones looked and saw the man not leaving with his shaky legs. He acted in a weird way but, he would have left if had something up his sleeves. Johnbones thought to himself. Though the man didn't show any sign for him to be suspected, he had doubts about the man.
He went and joined the family. The mother couldn't eat and so were the sisters. The father struggled chewing the one he had placed in his mouth.
"There is no point eating. Let's just get Demvirous buried". The father said. "Isn't it a bit early?". The mother asked. "Of course it is but, I wish for his soul to rest early". The father said and the rest of the family nodded thoughtfully.
They got up and walked out of the dinning room and also out of the house. The undertaker were with his corpse. Already to leave. The family entered a carriage and Johnbones took his horse. They all rode to the kingdom's graveyard.
"He has always made me proud. He never disagreed with me. How could he leave us like this?". The father said as they placed his body in the spot dug for him.
"He was the sweetest brother we had. What can be done now that he had left us?". One of his sisters said. "Brother I promise to be strong". The other said and cried away.
His mother came forward looking lost. She didn't know what to say. She just smiled but, that smiled ended with loud sobs. Her husband came and took her away. They covered his body up. Johnbones was there to witness it. After everything, everyone left to there various homes.
"Father, where is Elixia?". Vistuler questioned and followed Johnbones footsteps. "She is nowhere to be found". "How could you say that. Didn't you ask Demvirous?". Johnbones kept quiet and continued moving fast. If not faster now. "Father I just questioned you now. If you do not wish to answer me. Then say it'. She said.
"You want an answer, right?". He turned to face her looking so angry. Vistuler moved a little bit backwards. "Demvirous is dead". He said and slammed close the door to his room.
Vistuler closed her mouth. Confused held her gaze. "No, no, no. That can't be possible. If Demvirous is dead, what will be the state of Elixia?". She said with terror in her eyes.
"I didn't ask them to kill him. All I asked of them was to capture Elixia. The king won't let this slide, cause he is a helping hand in wars and the politics of this kingdom".
*************
Someone is seem digging the grave of Demvirous. He was dressed in rags as earlier. He dug and brought out the body. Tearing the clothes that covered his face. The old man sat and brought out a syringe from a bag he dropped.
He injected the content in the syringe into the body of Demvirous. And Demvirous gasped and shot his eyes open. "Welcome back Demvirous". The old man greeted. Demvirous had never seen that face before.
"Who are you?". He questioned. "Oh. I forgot I was still in this disguise". The man said and then he pulled of something like skin from his head to neck.
"Prince Agememnom?". Demvirous called. Then Agememnom smiled. "Welcome back, captain Demvirous". He greeted.
Demvirous was delighted he didn't die, till a thought stroke him. "Elixia". He said and got up.
"Did you really think I would save you before Elixia?". Agememnom questioned with an eyebrow lifted. "No". Demvirous answered. "Well, I actually did". Agememnom said. "Why?". "Because you needed to be saved. You were at the critical point". He gave his reason.
"You should have not done that. So you know what they would do to Elixia?". Demvirous asked looking worried. "Next time I would leave you die. And I know where she is". Agememnom said and started walking out of the scene. Demvirous followed him.
"Where is she ?". Demvirous asked out of curiosity. "That will be an information for you later when you heal". Agememnom said and looked at his body. The wounds were still fresh.
"Let's get you a physician". He said and continued walking.
They walked a little further then saw two horses tied to two different trees. "So you plan to know who sent the people who killed you and captured Elixia?". Agememnom said and climbed his horse.
Demvirous climbed. "Yes my prince".He answered with utmost seriousness and formality.
"First, wipe off that formal and serious personality, Cause you are considered now as one of my closest men". He said and they rode away.
************
Anxiety hooked Johnbones but, it reduced when he got a letter fro. the people who had captured Elixia. He was preparing to leave his home to where Elixia was kept. Guilt held him as his mind reminded him of Demvirous that was now dead. He honestly didn't mean him to end that way. How much will his family grieve? He planned to leave the next day. And laid to sleep.
**********
"So you plan on following Johnbones when he leaves to see his hostage". Demvirous spoke as they treated him. "Yes. With a troop of soldiers". Agememnom said. "And use my almost death to strip of his power and right over Elixia and control as general in the water affairs". Demvirous said and Agememnom nodded.
As Demvirous tried to bring up another issue. Agememnom stood up to leave. "You should not stress yourself will you are being treated. Your injure won't heal fast. So rest". He said and was about to leave.
"I want to know how Elixia is doing?" Demvirous words paused Agememnom I. his tracks. "I am sure Elixia would be handling things well at her side. I do trust her". Agememnom said and walked out of the room.