SCARLET

Blood forest

In the depth of blood forest a desperate footsteps echoed as it was followed by a group of blood thirsty beast . The blood forest was known for its red large teak trees that stubbornly stood on the ground and other reason why its known as blood forest was because of its aggressive beast that stained the forest with blood with those who tried to pass through the forest . But the desperate foot steps of Layla Bredawn were not only because of the mindless beast that chased her , it was also because of the brutal guards that chased after her life and the new born in her hand , they were even worse than the beasts, they used to salute her but now they follow a traitor , that massacred her king and his family , leaving only the heir in her hands . So under anguished moment , she took a suicidal choice , and that was to pass through the blood forest . At first the beast took care of the guards that chased after her , but soon their gaze was on her and the sweet young baby in her hands .

In her mind the only thing she could think about was the safety of the infant in her hands . She knew the traitors want them dead , and they wont stop till they achieved it . She had to keep her word given to her king , the man she respected and loved the most . So protecting his child , the future queen of Paxchora . But with the beasts chasing her and the infant in her arms , that future looked distant . Loud howls surrounded her , her eyes looked around in panic , she tightly secured the kid in her arms and rushed forth with her tired legs . Soon thunder and lightning roared the skies and rain poured down on her and the baby , slowly waking the toddler in her hands . Layla expected the kid to cry , but bright sparkling red eyes stared at her . Instead of crying , the small , yet bright eyes looked around and with a smile looked at her guardian . If it wasnt for the dire situation it would have surely been a surprise for layla , even the loud thunder and flashy lightning or the heavy rain didnt scared the little one . Soon they came through a clearing where it was free of trees and the ground was wet and her rushed foot steps caused her to slip and fall onto the ground , even then layla used her body as a cusion for protecting the child. Even then all the little one do was giggle in joy , like her guardian was playing with her . But layla was panicked , she couldnt afford to fall now , she have come far , and if she fail now , the future of Paxchora would come to an end too . All she could hope was to pass through this forest and they could be safe . But things werent going as she thought , soon four large beast surrounded her , their canines bloodied and their fur washed by rain , and their yellow eyes gazed in hunger for blood. Layla froze in her spot , her mind wasnt working , all she could do was pull out her dagger that resembled sai and try dodging their attack .

Layla helplessly looked around even knowing that there wasnt anyone to help her but she couldnt give up either . Layla could only bite down her helplessness and glare at the beast gripping on to the dagger . Soon one of the beast pounced towards her but Layla dodged it easily but it only made the beast be more relentless , and attack her more violently , Layla was never a warrior but every women will be a warrior , if their child is threatened and the child in her arms was already her child the moment her king named her as the childs guardian . Layla danced with the jaws of death , keeping the infant safe , not even a single scratch falling on the child and soon her dagger found its target , piercing through one of the beasts neck , it didnt even have a chance to howl as it lost its life . But Laylas eyes turned hard as a foul pain pierced through her shoulder , then only did she notice one of the beast had pierced its sharp canine on her shoulder , she could feel her shoulder go numb but before she could fade a soft sob brought her back . Her eyes landed on bright eyes looking at her , the little lips shivered , watching her guardian get hurt sure did scare the little one , soon the sobbing turns to loud crying . That loud crying caused a burst of adrenaline rush through Laylas veins , her promises flashed through her mind , pulling her bleeding shoulder from the clutches of the beast she found a way pass the dagger to her good arm and found the beasts chest letting howl in pain and drop on the floor , watching this the other beast got even more agitated and charge at her with even intense killing intent , Layla found this at a small interval she rushed towards the route ahead and barely escaping the rest of the beast . But they did found a way chase after her and the infant , because of the childs loud cry , layla couldnt calm her down . She could feel the beast chasing her with even more killing intent , she sucked her breath and rushed her pace , her eyes shined as she found borders of the blood forest , her hope found light , even if the beast chased her , its possible for her to get help on the way because , the route that goes through the border is one that is mainly used by merchants , and there is no way guards would be able to catch up to them too . She soon rushed out of the blood forest with a crying child in her arms.

( meanwhile)

Master , we are closer to the borders ! a young servant boy yelled while he rode a carriage pulled by three horses . A middle aged man sat inside the carriage , with a sorrowful expression , He is the master of the East mountain clan just past the borders . Today he has lost a great deal of business and he didnt know how to face his clan after such a lose , even after being a trustworthy partner and a hardworking man , he wasnt valued , only to be cheated because he trusted the wrong person .

Suddenly a childs cry brought him back from his bothersome thoughts , he became alert and peeked him head out of the carriage , and from far distance he could see a figure rushing towards holding a bundle in her hands , under clear he saw a woman and his landed on the bundle only to a small soft hands and his eyes went anxious as he saw wild beast chasing after them .

STOP THE CARRIAGE SAVE THEM he ordered out loud bringing his servants attention towards the woman and child and they rushed towards them , bringing out their weapons .

Layla noticed people as she felt relief , but she didnt rest as she rushed faster , her clothes were soaked in blood , and she was already past her limits but she kept herself going . As she got closer to the people she couldnt hold any longer as she lost all her strength in her body and fall , but yet again she let her body take the impact , keeping the infant I her arms safe .

( after sometime )

The carriage stopped right after the border , Layla hold the child close feeding her some milk , that the generous man in front of her provided her . They didnt have much conversation as he was focused on treating her wounds and watching out for the baby and his take care of the beast and skinned them , because even the blood of the beast in the blood forest have more value than 100 gold coins and for a man who had a terrible lose this was a opportunity to make up some coins to his lose , while his servants collected the precious parts of the beast , he accompanied the woman and child , who he thought was mother and her child , he had no clue that the woman in front of her was , or the child in her arms is someone he would kneel and call queen . But for the moment Layla didnt want to reveal their identity .

May I ask for your name , sir? she asked showing gratitude .

Myself Bison Storm of the East mountain clan He said with a soft and caring smile . Layla didnt know about Bison but she sure knew about the East mountain clan , it is one of the clans that is located close to the border but it isnt completely under the control of Paxora , it would be sensible to hide there , now that she is almost out of the border , all she could think is about a hide place and East mountain clan would be a good option as it is doesnt draw out much attention as the other clan .

Many thanks to you sir , for saving us she said feeling great full to the man who saved and helped her to keep her promises , of course Bison didnt have any knowledge of her past or her identity .

Oh you are welcome miss but I must ask why a young girl like you was roaming in the blood forest that too with an infant !? his voice was soft yet stern and demanding , but Layla couldnt tell him the truth , although he saved them , she didnt know weather she could trust him .

We were running away from bandits , our house was robbed

She lied but it did hold a hint of truth , truly they were robbed by the traitors of Paxora . The prime minister and his minions and the master mind behind everything , the monster whose greed destroyed everything she ever cared for , Horace Piper .

Robbed ? , what happened to your men , it a duty of men to protect him family ! Bison said as he felt dissapointed for men of her family , of course he didnt know what tragedy happened to her family but according to him , a woman alone fighting all the beast along with a infant in her hands was outrages .

True sir , but my family was slaughtered in dark , men are not god , but mine died saving us ! she said with a sad voice , Bison instantly regreted his words .

Many sorry , miss ? he said , still not knowing her name .

Layla .. Layla Trigon she said once again not revealing her true identity .

ohhh , and the little one ? he asked as he looked at the child sleeping peacefully in her arms .

For a moment Layla was stuck , she looked at the child in her arms , she is the soon to be Queen , her family didnt have time to name , they were dead , now at this moment if she lie about her name , it wouldnt feel right to Layla . so she thought for a while feeling Bison a little confused .

Her name is Scarlet she said .