Chapter 14: Mysterious Figure
1128 Words
"Considering my father's incompetence, one would think the elders would want him dead the most."
"Well. Maybe?" Elder Lydia replied. "But we can't afford his death before he chooses his heir. He needs to see his heir before he does... To avoid problems."
"As you know, the heir doesn't automatically go to the first son when he has more than one, and although the duel is important, his signature is also important."
"The elders already held a meeting about this, I heard?"
"You heard right, which is why we can't have him die before it is put into action," she explained. "The journey to the blue mountain takes three days and two nights if we go through the South route and back another three. Approximately seven days."
"We can shorten that if you don't go with us," Caspian pointed out, and Lydia sighed.
"I have to. I need to. And I really won't slow you down."
"Well, it's decided; we leave in an hour. Go pack whatever is necessary – food, water and we will set out," Kendrick said, and the men dispersed, leaving him alone with Elder Lydia.
"Someone on the inside is colluding with the outsiders. According to the doctor, the other poison was administered slowly at intervals; someone of a high rank in this Pack wants your father dead," she announced and walked out while Kendrick remained standing.
***
"Can I have a sample of his blood? I'll need something if I need to get the cure," Kendrick asked as he returned to the clinic before setting out with his team.
"I already prepared it for you," Nancy replied as she handed him a box filled with six vials containing Alpha Elton's blood sample. "I thought you might need it if you are going to ask for help."
"Are you sure you are fit to go?" She added her brows, pulling together in a frown. "You are not in your best condition to travel long distances."
"We are going with the car, and we'll stop halfway and run through the places where the cars can't go. I can't trust anyone else with this." He explained and immediately put the box away.
Nancy let out a breathy sigh and brought out a similar box filled with a vial with some green content.
"It's energy potions. My team and I have been working on some projects. This one helps to recover energy and ease fatigue. You'll need it."
"Or you are trying to use me as your guinea pig?" Kendrick asked but took the box away from her.
"It's been tested; there are no side effects. The potion is made purely with herbs. I got the incomplete recipe from the witch herbalist's book collection, the ones they left behind before… Plus, we already sent it to the Royal Pack for approval, and the news I'm getting is positive. So rest assured."
As Kendrick turned to leave, he paused by the door and turned towards Nancy.
"I know it's extra work, but can you monitor the Alpha and those who appear around him?"
"For someone who hates his father, you sure are dedicated to his safety, Kendrick," Nancy teased.
"Don't you think I'll be a suspect if he died?"
"Nope, no one in the Pack would suspect you... Except the people who did it and those who don't, just like you. Everyone knows you are all about a warrior's honour. Rather than poison him, you'd fight him head-on. You've always been like that," she explained with a smile.
Kendrick nodded and pulled the door handle . "I'm leaving him in your care."
"I'll do my best. Just focus on what you are going to do."
Kendrick walked straight towards the car, and as he sat down, the group set out immediately.
The group led by Lian drove towards the north, and Kendrick's group drove towards the south to the location of the blue mountain.
As the car drove through the woods, Elder Lydia hummed a song with her eyes closed, while the rest of the group looked out the car window with their shoulders tensed.
Kendrick sat at the front with Caspian, who had been driving since they left the pack.
"That song... Is it the mountain lullaby?" Caspian asked while glancing at Elder Lydia through the rearview mirror.
"Are you familiar with the mountain lullaby?" She replied with a question of her own, and an amused smile on her face.
"My parents lived in the mountains all their lives before they moved to the SilverLining Pack. My mother especially liked singing the mountain songs."
"I heard it helps make the journey through the mountain less dangerous," he added after a pause making Elder Lydia chuckle.
"The mountain lullabies serve different purposes. Some are used to soothe the spirit of the mountain, some are used to enrage them against enemies and others are used for other purposes," she explained calmly.
"What about the one you are humming? What's it used for?" Caspian asked curiously, and Elder Lydia shrugged.
"I'm not sure. I just felt the urge to hum the song while seeing the beautiful scenery. Make a left turn at the next division," she replied and closed her eyes once again.
The car fell silent again except for Elder Lydia's continuous humming.
On the first night of their journey, the group stopped and camped in the middle of the forest. Some of the group went out for a hunt while the others prepared the camp.
Kendrick, who had been exempted from the chores, walked towards the sound of running water and sat on the boulder, lost in thought.
His eyes focus on the moving waters while his fingers clasp together subconsciously.
He sat there for a long time, staring at the moon's reflection in the water.
His brows furrowed together and his shoulders tensed as he looked across the stream when he heard sounds coming from the direction. Following the sound with his eyes, he noticed a figure between the trees.
The figure has the silhouette of a lady with long dark hair and bright blue eyes that looks like the moon. As he kept watching the figure, she stretched out her hand and pointed at him while whispering incoherent words.
Kendrick stood up, trying to get closer but was interrupted by Caspian, who brought dinner to him.
"What are you doing out here alone?" Caspian asked as he sat on the boulder where Kendrick had just stood up. He waited for a while but got no response. Frowning, he sighed and patted Kendrick's leg gently.
"Do you see her?" Kendrick asked.
"Her? Who?"
"The person standing over there," Kendrick replied, and Caspian followed his line of sight but saw nothing but woods.
"There's no one there.”
- Writer
