[Ridge]
I don't know how long I dozed off for, but my dry, scratchy throat eventually woke me up. My reaction was immediate.
My gut clenches up and I start coughing. A stinging, raw sensation makes my eyes, nose, and mouth tingle unpleasantly. I try to crawl out of bed but end up almost falling flat on my face as my body tries to hack up a lung. The air is thick with the pungent smell of something burning.
Smoke.
I cover the lower portion of my face with my shirt collar in order to create a thin barrier between me and the toxic air. My eyes search the room for flames, finding none, before locking onto my reflection in the small pane of glass sitting above my desk.
My eyes are red and watery, and a layer of sweat is collecting on my skin. I throw a glance at the window behind me. Clouds of smoke rest on the treetops of the forests beyond the Riddotha estate. The gardens have been consumed by tall flames, which have spread so that they circle around the Manor.
Are we trapped in the building? There has to be a break in the fire somewhere, it can't go all the way around. Although, the entire Manor is surrounded by luscious plant life, so if I don't act fast, that could very well be the case soon.
I forcibly regain the strength in my legs, and try to swallow the violent coughs that rack my body with each labored breath. As soon as I fling the door open the screaming hits my ears full force.
People are yelling from every direction, some crying for help, while others try to help them in turn. The tiny plant outside my room has been knocked over, and one other door in my hallway has been completely dislodged from its hinges. It's laying deserted near a toppled maid's cart. I start to rush off, but return for just a moment to reach back into my room and grab my sword from where I propped it up by the door earlier.
I buckle the sheath on and check that my sword is secure while maintaining a brisk walk down the wrecked hall. I turn a corner and spot a thin figure trying to drag a suitcase twice their size towards the stairs.
"Hey!" I try to get their attention. The guy looks back at me before pulling harder on his bag, wanting to get away from me, but not willing to leave whatever he's carrying with him.
"Wait, I need you to tell me what's going on!" I break into a light run, still feeling dizzy from inhaling so much smoke.
"Leave me alone, I'm getting out of here!" He cries, abandoning his suitcase when I got too close. I ran harder and latched onto his arm.
He starts kicking and thrashing about, "Calm down! Why is the estate on fire?" I demand.
"I don't know!" He sobs.
It's not like I want to interrogate a random servant, who's clearly already traumatized, but I can't help if I don't know what's wrong. My mind tries to conjure up possible answers on its own.
"Where can I find the Ravenous Captain? Captain Ashley?" I ask.
Problems within the estate. The Riddotha family's relationships with each other.
"I, I don't- I really don't know!" I let the kid go.
Kadeeth's paranoia and inability to function emotionally.
"Get outside, find somewhere safe that won't catch fire, and then find help. We'll need any offered assistance to put out a flame this big." I order as soothingly as I can. The younger boy, I now recognize him as one of the Riddotha Squires, sniffles before nodding miserably.
My new friends using me for information.
The Squire runs off on his own after a little more urging. He takes his originally targeted route, down the stairs and probably towards a side door or another servant's passage. I choose to go the other way. There may be more people like him left on this floor, confused and lost by the sudden incident.
The tension within the Manor.
To my surprise, there's no one else left on this floor. How did I not hear everyone evacuating before me? Was I that tired from my altercation with Martina? Shit, Martina, I hope he's okay. He seemed to be doing better earlier, after the snooping situation. So he was probably able to get out alright by himself. I can't imagine what would happen to him if he was still in such a scramble about finding the-, the...
THE LETTER!
The main problem that's been plaguing the Riddotha estate all day and night since it's arrival. How could I be so stupid?
Suspicious activity starts happening around the habitual battles of the eastern border, and then a fire just happens to break out at the closest military Nobel estate? I don't think so.
Realistically speaking, it's still plenty possible that a fire started from some small accidental mishap, but Knights need to follow their instincts at times like this. It never hurts to be cautious. The only detail really making me question whether or not some kind of evil external force is involved in this or not, is the fact that Kadeeth told me the contents of the letter.
Less than a week ago, the border was fine. There were no Nymour troops in sight, the border was calm, and the General was taking every precaution to prepare for any potential regrouping and ambush. The fighting was over. Is it possible that during the time it took for the letter to reach the Duke, something happened at the conflict zone that resulted in enemy forces entering our territory? Yes. Is it likely? No.
That doesn't mean I'm going to take any chances. Not with so many people's lives at stake. Even a normal fire without any malice behind it can be devastating, and sometimes deadly.
As part of the Ravenous guard, it's my job to protect the estate and everyone who resided within it. Above all that, comes the well-being of my contract family, the Riddothas. And I can't forget the personal feelings tugging at my heart as well. I need to find Kadeeth and make sure he's safe.
Kadeeth. I promised him...
I promised him that if something happens to the Duchy I'll leave, but I don't know what's happening yet, so there's no reason to abandon ship now. I'm going to find him, and when I do, I'm sure he'll know something.