The journey to Lestria felt uncomfortably long as the guide hardly said anything aside from the few times when they informed the duo that they were going to let the horses take a break.   "That guide... something about them feels off." Susie said as she cracked her neck, stiff from staying in an uncomfortable position from watching the shifty guide who had been eyeing Mikhail the whole trip.   "I think so too..." Mikhail said softly as he glanced at the guide who was covered from head to toe in a thin dark garment.    For the first time, Mikhail found himself doubting someone else. Such a feeling was unfamiliar with him as a small country bumpkin from a cozy village where everyone was like family with one another. It was impractical to doubt one another as they all depended on each other.   Susie did a double take, blinking her eyes rapidly in disbelief as she had not expected Mikhail to agree w

William entered the room with a heavy heart. He hoped that what Louis had said was anything but the truth. However, he was struck by a painful sight as he saw his father writhing in pain as soft groans escaped his lips.   "So you're here." a woman's voice permeated the silence, catching his attention immediately.   "Mother..." William replied with an uncertainty to his voice. The sight of her surprised him.   It's been so long since I last saw her face to face. Let alone hear her voice. However... that expression she wears... it's still the same as ever.   Lilith wore a cold and distant expression on her face. She tilted her sharp gaze towards William, meeting his eyes as she unfolded her arms. It would seem as if she could not stand the sight of her own son.   "It's a good thing you're back. The commotion that was stirred has caused quite a problem. I have to depart to one of ou

True to the thought, Susie and Mikhail were escorted through the palace walls. The man was far ahead of them, blocked from view. The guards were separated into two linear lines where a few stayed by his side and the others trailed behind him. The sight would have been comical as it mimicked the image of ducklings following their mother had Mikhail's mind not be preoccupied with the thought of how said man had numerous guards around him. The complete opposite of Xander who would usually have one or two of his men beside him. Almost as if on cue, the man stopped walking which could only mean that his men too, would halt in their steps. In due course, Mikhail had walked straight into the armour of the man before him. The cool exterior of the armour feeling even more chilly due to the weather sent shivers down Mikhail's spine as he rubbed at his forehead from the pain as well as the cold singe. He apologised to the man and t

"You were so brave back there, Mikhail!" Susie said in a cheerful tone. "I... was just angry. He was right though. I could easily have lost my head there. From what I've read of the books in my mother's collections... Rulers easily discard people they find have lost or does not hold any more value to them." Mikhail said with a sigh as he ruffled his hair in exasperation. "I wouldn't let anything happen to you.You can count on me!" Susie said with a confident grin on her face, slapping her puffed out chest reassuringly. Mikhail glanced at Susie's brightly lit eyes and his lips tugged into a small smile. It felt nice knowing someone was looking out for him in a land so foreign. At least in Archon Menoch he knew Xander.  Knows. Present tense... Nothing will happen to Xander... "Well, would you like to look around first as this is the first time we're here in Lestria?" Mikhail a

The cascading rainfall drowned out the sound of heavy hooves crashing against the muddy ground. A horse can be seen galloping towards a secluded cave with a figure of a man clinging desperately to the reins. Upon closer look, the drenched dark green cloak which bore the emblem of Enoch, hugged the frame of the man which turned out to be Mikhail. He had a desperate look in his squinted eyes as he tried to make out his surroundings.  Mikhail's vision had begun to grow hazy due to the heavy downpour. The shelter that the guide pointed towards before their group got split up was his last hope in making it out of the thunderstorm unscathed. Please let me make it... I can barely make heads or tail with this weather... The guide is nowhere in sight as well... Mikhail stirred his horse, nudging it north as he hoped it was the right direction. All of a sudden, the thunderstorm grew in intensity. The clap