The Wraith

Chapter 4

Raven;

“All humans must be killed. This will be enacted immediately.” I start looking around at all the humans. Ruby has her hand on my arm so tight I might start losing blood in it. The guards start pulling out the swords and walking towards the crowd. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before, but there are no human guards. Ruby starts gently, but quickly pulling me backwards towards the alleyway.

“I have realized.” The emperor started, “We had such a flourishing society when the humans were enslaved.” I hear a gurgling gasp come from someone to my right. Looking over my shoulder I see a human lady on the outer edge of the group in the air. A guard has a sword through the lady’s middle. Gaging, I look away and start swiftly walking backwards. Keeping my eyes on the guards.

“The humans have become to acostume to freedom. Because of the initial response when I announced this. They are to be killed if they refuse.” Ruby pulls out her smoke bombs that I made. “The humans are to be brought to the capital for branding and be shipped to the mountains.” Now in the alleyway I hop on Athia. Ruby jumps on behind me. “If they refuse…” Letting out a loud neigh Athia starts running through the crowd. The emperor looks our way. Glaring at him I lean forward urging her to run faster.

“GET THEM!!!!!!” The Lord of Ascot yells. Ruby drops the smoke bombs. This gave us a few precious seconds to get out of range. I hear the clanging of the knives and arrows, as they try to hit us through the smoke. Ahead the guards start running towards us. Yanking on Athia’s reins, she turns running down a side road.

Ruby jumps off and starts running around the corner trying to thin out the guards. Athia starts sprinting off towards the forest. Looking behind us I see over 20 guards running at us. Taking a deep breath I pull out my knives.

Kaz;

Walking into my office I down my coffee. Rowan walks in soon after I pulling out files. Jesper walks trierly into the office plopping down on the couch, looking ready to fall back asleep.

Going through the files I pull out all the stuff Raven has gotten me the past few days. Rowan walks towards my desk, “What is all this?” he says, raising an eyebrow. I finish pulling out everything, gesturing to Jesper to get over here. Sighing, “This is the information the Raven has collected over the past few days. I have no idea why she brought in the letter and audio recording yesternight.” Jesper reaches over pressing play on the audio recording.

A scratchy voice starts talking, “Lord, are you sure you want to go through with this. These people have been helpful.” “You’re questioning ME?” You can clearly hear the Lord of Ascot in it. “No Lord.” “Good!” the Lord snarls back, “You know your orders take care of the fault in your guard GENERAL.”

Jesper picks up the letter that Raven had brought in yesternight. Reading through it his eyebrows hit his hairline. Shoving the letter to Rowan. Jesper looks slightly shocked at the information. Rowan quickly grabs the other letter reading through it fastly.

“What was Ravens assignment for this first letter?” I think for a bit, “I had paid her to get a letter that the Emperor had sent to the Lord, because I had heard he had ordered something top secret and I need to know if it would affect the underground.” Rowan then shoves the letter in my face, “Read.” The letter read:

I write you to inform you of my most recent development.

It has come to my attention that humans are getting rather comfortable in your city.

I will be arriving for this year's festival to make the announcement.

As you know we have had trouble balancing the economy after my mothers death.

With the advice of my councillors I have made the decision that the humans will be slaves again.

I am writing you this because the humans in the surrounding cities by the capital have caused trouble, to put it lightly.

Any humans that are in your guard are to be killed, for they have been troublesome.

Any humans that refuse to come or cause trouble may be harmed, or maimed but not killed unless forced hand.

They will go to the capital to be slaves and distributed all throughout the empire.

I write you this, so you may prepare for the festival. I will be making the proper national announcement in your city.

Yours Truly,

Emperor Kai L.

Slamming the letter down, I rip open the door yelling at the manager of the servants, “Where is my spider!?” Looking up confused, she answers, “In the c-city sir. She goes there every year.” How stupid could I be! Running back into my office, “Pack your bags, saddle your horses. We’re leaving.” I say as I open my safe grabbing everything, along with certain files that would be important. Rowan nods to Jesper who runs out to get their stuff packed.

We run downstairs to the stables saddling up our horses. A earth shaking rumble ribble through the ground. Looking west I see a huge forest fire that is miles high (A/N: or Kilometer for rest or world.)

Looking at the other 2. They share shocked expressions on their faces. Rushing this way is Raven on Athia. The closer they get the better I can see her face. On her face is a huge burn that stretches across her left temple to her eye. One eye is still gold, the other sealed shut in pain.

Hopping onto Red I race to her. She is nearly unconscious, falling off Athia. I grab her, pulling her over to Red. She slumps against my chest, “What happened!?” I demanded looking over her to see if she had any more injuries. She has a few cuts on her arms and along her face. She opens her mouth to answer me, but shudders and passes out. s**t!

Strapping her into the saddle and kicking Red into a sprint away from the fire. Rowan looks at Ravne in my lap, “I have someone who owes me a favor a few towns over we can hide there for about a day or 2.” Nodding I say, “Rowan you lead, Jesper you take up the rear watching our back.” Nodding Jesper gets behind me looking around to see who’s all coming.

Behind us we can hear the city guard coming this way looking for Raven. We race into the woods off the trail. Looking over my shoulder I see them entering the Manor. I know most of the servants and workers will escape, they know the manor like the back of their hands. Looking at Ravens, I can feel her shaking in my arms from the chill of night coming.

We slow down when it’s well into the night. I sift Raven in my arms, making sure she’s warm and mostly comfortable. I see lights ahead as we enter the town. It’s a rather small town that doesn’t have a lot of variety. The tavern we were going to was small and very quiet.

Rowan shows us where to tie up our horses and leads us into the tavern. The bell rings above our heads as we enter the lobby. Raven is still passed out in my arms, and I’m trying to keep her hidden from prying eyes. Rowan and Jesper walk up to the counter. They talk to the lady for a bit, then waving at me to follow them.

The room we got was on the bigger side than what we usually get. I set Raven down gently on one of the beds. Jesper walked over to me with a medic kit. I lightly applied burn cream to her face. Rowan walked over to help with the healing. Because of him being Fae he has a natural healing ability that is very convenient.

Raven is still passed out, so I get up and start getting ready to sleep. Jesper is already asleep on the bed next to Raven. Rowan is going through the supplies and bags we brought. I can feel the lack of sleep finally catch up to me. I crawl into bed next to Raven. The moment my head hit the pillow I was out.