ARTHODON AND THE FOUR DRAGONS

CHAPTER 12: THE DESTEON MAID

Upon knowing about the disturbing truth, the king of Rutheos immediately informed Encanta. Gorin straightway sent Valmino to relay the message about Clanis' half blood daughter. When the Kings of Arthodon heard the news they were all shocked. They couldn't believe that the town of Crow exists. It is indeed a perfect place to live and hide, unknown and unvisited. Now that Maiari is in the southern kingdom, they will never let her escape this time. 

Rutheos' troop composed of 10 soldiers hurriedly prepared for their received task under the command of the king. The troop prepared their weapons and provisions and planned for the shortest route to the small town south where they were said to trade. With horses and prieus the troop marched down south to capture or kill the cursed half blood. Arthodon again felt distress and anxious because they also believed that it is the meaning of the new received prophecy of the second seer. And also that she is the reason of drought in some areas of Arthodon especially in Desteon.  

Forthwith, Gorin apprised Neia about the news, everything in detailed and specifics. Neia smiled wickedly and laugh hard. She has no more trust to the southern troop or to anyone. The witch of the east has other plan and this time she'll make sure to do it properly. 

 ****** 

 "Why are the palace soldiers' here?" an elf from the crowd asked 

"I heard there're bandits entered the kingdom" one answered 

"So the bandits are here in our town?" she said 

"I think so" they moved to the side of the street to give way to the troop. 

 Meanwhile, Mister Tuk who is talking to a fellow merchant instantly concluded their conversation and ran towards the dock where Markus and Maiari loading their boat with the goods they bought and traded. 

"We have to go now" Mister Tuk said when he reached the dock. 

"Are you okay? What happened?" Markus asked their friend. 

"The bandits, they're here with the Rutheos' soldiers" he explained 

"But..Why?" Markus asked.

"I don't know but I have a feeling its bad" the old merchant stated. 

"It's because of me" Maiari finally spoke. "They knew I'm a half blood and they might sa...No, we have to go home now!" she explained when fear slowly enveloped her. They climbed the boat and just leaved the remaining goods. 

"Let's go" Tuk commanded to his other four people who worked for him. 

Halfway across the sea, when they were hardly seen from the shore, the troop and the bandits arrived at the dock. 

"Mister Tuk was here earlier, right?" the leader of the bandit asked the fellow merchant. 

"Aah..., yes, Master" he stuttered. They are on the dock and may have left already" he answered. 

 They immediately went to the dock and saw the stuff left at the shore. "They know we are here!" the captain of the troop said in disappointment. He whistled and pointed to the sea to signify the four soldiers to fly with their prieus and follow the fugitive. The remaining get two boats to cross the waters. 

 "Prieus!" Mister Tuk shouted, "hide" Maiari ducked and hide herself to the stuffs around them. Markus prepared his bow and remaining seven arrows. 

"You know any magic?" Markus looked at Tuk, hoping for the old merchant if he has to create a strong wind to help them on rowing. 

He smirked "That's a 'No' young man" he chuckled.

"We are looking for a girl, half-blood elf. If she's with you, surrender her to us!" one of the soldier riding on that flying creature said. 

"It is just us, sir" Mister Tuk answered, looking upward. 

"Are you Mister Tuk?" the soldier said.

"No, sir. Its Mister Mak" Tuk lied for his friends.

"Mind if we search your vessel?" 

 "No, sir. If you please" Mister Tuk answered calmly, playing for the soldiers not to get suspicious. He looked at Markus like he was saying 'Trust me just play along'. Maiari hiding from a wooden box witnessed everything and hold her dagger from her pocket. Two soldiers climbed down to the boat and search the area. 

"It's just herbals and teas and some fabrics, sir" Mister Tuk explained. 

"Can you open it?" one soldier said. There are total of four wooden boxes and five sacks in the vessel. It would take a little for them to find Maiari. Mister Tuk stared one by one to Markus and to his four servants to be ready for the upcoming fight as he opened one after another the boxes. They were confident that they can defeat these soldiers for they are more numerous than theirs. When the merchant was to open the last box, Maiari stood up in surprise and punched the soldiers on its face. The soldier stumbled and one of the servant ran and pushed the soldier and carried him and threw out the boat. Markus hit the other with his bow and kicked him on its torso. The remaining two soldiers flying above them aimed at them with their arrows but the other servant shoot them first and hit both the prieus and they fell to the water. Markus was able to took the sword from the soldier he is combating with and point it to his neck. The soldier stepped backwards and Markus kicked him to the water.

 ******

Once they reached the shore, Maiari immediately ran to their home. They need to leave the Crow and hide. She didn't understand everything but for now they just needed to be safe. She will not forgive herself if there will bad happen to her mother and Wilhelm that stand as a father figure for her.

"Mother, Wilhelm" she cried as she swiftly opened the door and entered the house.

"Maiari?" Wilhelm said.

"Where's mother?" she asked while moving her head and stared around the house.

"She's waiting for you at the dock" the old dwarf said with a little confusion.

"She's not there" Maiari unknowingly raise her tone because of worry and fear.

"What's going on? Is everything alright?" Wilhelm asked for answers to understand what's happening. 'Why is he so agitated?'

"They're here" she said and Wilhelm looked at her eyes directly asking for more explanation. "The bandits they are here with the soldiers of Rutheos"

"But...Why..?" Wilhelm paused when he realized it is not the time for specific and detailed explanation. "Let's go. Let's find your mother" they hurriedly get out of the house and began the search.

Halfway on their searched, Markus approached them and said "They just arrived at the dock" he paused and asked  "You're looking for your mother?" Maiari nodded.

"Wilhelm said she was waiting for me at the dock but.." she stopped when Markus interrupted her words, "But she's not there when we arrived" he said. He looked at Maiari and "I'll help you find her"

"No, Markus" she said "I appreciate all your help, so much but.. I.. I don't want you to get involved in this mess"

"Maiari, I lo.." he cleared his throat. "I am your friend and I want to help you with anything I could and besides  we can find her faster if were together" he looked at Wilhelm for approval.

"We need to scatter. I go to check at the dock again" Wilhelm said "Maiari youre to the market. More people, more distraction the better"

"I'll go east" Markus said but before they leave "Maiari, be careful" Markus uttered, looked into her eyes like he wanted to hug her. Then, they all went to their separate ways.

******

Maiari saw a bandit looking for her and then next a Rutheos soldier. They were now looking everywhere for her and Clanis. She was sure they gone to their house and when they saw no one was there, they searched every corner and every place possible. She hide once there's a capturer nearby and came out and ran silently. She needs to find her mother whatever happens. Later, she heard voice. It is not loud but it's obvious that someone interrogated and threatened another. She follow the voice and the thudding sounds. When suddenly she heard a familiar voice saying, "Just kill me but you will never have her" the victim stuttered hardly because of the grip pressed on her neck. It was her mother's. She was sure it was her mother's voice. Is it a one of the bandit or a soldier? Whoever it is her mother needs help and she is ready to fight til the end. She immediately ran and follow the sound of conflict and danger.

At the moment she arrived at the scene, instantly someone grabbed her at her arm and covered her mouth. She was pulled away silently and hid to a fat but short tree which behind the ruined wall. It was Markus. "Its very dangerous" he whispered. 

"I don't care.. she has my mother and I need to save her" Maiari said in despair and anger.

"She has magic. We can't defeat her" he explained but still Maiari struggled from the bachelor's grip.

The huge ring of the witch that touches Clanis' throat became very hot enough for her to scream in pain. "Very well I'll make your wish come true" Neia said wickedly and chuckled. 

"Let me go" Maiari whispered in a firm and threatening tone while they were still in hiding.

"No, Maiari. Your mother is giving her life for you. She is saving you" 

"If anything happens to my mother I will never forgive you and... myself" Maiari cried. Her tears run down her cheeks. In her eyes, she is begging her friend to let her go, to let her save her mother.

Neia opened her mouth and sucked the elf's youth and life. Clanis struggled from the grip. Her eyes opened wide when slowly she became pale and her skin dried up like to an old man. And the witch just threw the body to the ground like a trash.

"Uhhhhhh" Maiari's eyes widened in shock and can't do anything but to cry in witnessing her own mother's death to the hand of the Desteon maid.

"I am sorry, Maiari. And also for doing this" Markus hit Maiari's nape with quick blow enough to made her asleep.