Bryson quickly leaned over to Lottie, “Go tell the Alvidors to stay hidden in the bathhouse until I get there.” He whispered quickly.

“What about Frans?”

“What about him?” Bryson said, “He’s as in the dark as the knight is.”

Lottie gave a small nod and immediately slinked up the stairs and away from the sight of the royal guard who had just entered the inn. Bryson for his part immediately made his presence known to the man.

“What are you doing here so far out here?” Bryson asked as he walked up to him.

“… Lord Bryson!” The guard said after taking a moment to recognize Bryson.

“Keep quiet and follow me.” Bryson ordered and the two sat down at a table. Once seated Bryson addressed him, “Now answer the question.”

“I am here to investigate a missing persons case.” He said in a hushed voice.

“I am aware, the Duchess informed me that you somehow lost our very special guests?” Bryson said accusingly.

“Uh, well, I was not in charge of looking after them.” The royal guard said shifting uncomfortably on the spot.

“I thought the royal guards would be better at their jobs. Why have you wandered up here?” Bryson said looking unimpressed.

“I was tracking down a lead that led me here.” The guard reported quickly.

“What lead?”

“There were reports of two people matching the description buying equipment and heading up here.”

“Are you sure it's who you’re looking for?”

“Uh, yes. They matched the description that we were given and seemed to be purchasing and travelling around the place with fake identities.”

“What even made you think they are here? It doesn’t seem like this place would be appropriate for people of their stature.”

“Yes, we found it strange as well but from the reports they made mention of asking for good hiking trails and bought some supplies related to hunting and camping.” The guard said nodding his head.

“They like to go camping?”

“Uh, from what was told the King, they seemed to have planned on doing this for some time.” The guard said awkwardly.

“Right. So you think they’re here in this village?” Bryson asked folding his arms.

“This or a village nearby. I believe there are five near this place that they could have been at.”

“Is this the first village you came to?”

“Yes my lord.”

“Hmm, while I doubt that they would spend time in a place as rural as this, I did not see anyone that would match their description in this village. They would stand out in a place like this.” Bryson lied casually.

“Right, thank you Lord Bryson for the information. This will help quicken my search.”

“I was also at the village located west from here, no sign of them either. I would recommend that you start with the village northeast of hear.” Bryson advised.

“Yes, thank you, of course, I’ll begin my journey immediately.” The guard said standing up.

“You’ll travel through the night?” Bryson asked.

“Yes… finding them is urgent.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Hmm, have a meal first, on me.” Bryson said pulling out some on the table, “Order whatever you want. Get your energy back before heading out.”

“Oh yes. Thank you Lord Bryson. You are to kind.” The guard said bowing respectfully towards Bryson.

“Good, I’m heading to bed, I hope that I won’t be bothered with anything after this?” Bryson said leaving his seat.

“No Lord Bryson, your help has been more than enough already.” The guard thanked profusely.

“Then I wish you luck on your search.” Bryson said climbing the stairs and feeling just a bit guilty on sending this man on a wild goose chase. But if anyone was going to bring back the Alvidors it was going to be Bryson.

Pulling out his Communicator he called Lottie. After one ring Lottie picked it up on the other side, “Hey!” She called out.

“Tell the others we’re leaving right now.” Bryson ordered.

“Don’t worry, I expected this, so I already packed everyone’s bags!”

“Huh? You did?” Bryson said surprised as he opened the door to their room and discovered that their bags were missing.

“Even the Alvidors?” Bryson asked as he reached the other room.

“Yep!” Lottie said happily.

“What? Hold on.” Bryson said before opening the door to the room for the Alvidors and discovering that it was as empty as Bryson’s and Lottie’s room, “You broke in?”

“It was simple lock.” Lottie said with a shrug.

“Whatever. I’m coming your way.” Bryson said as he returned to his room and leapt out the window. Landy gently down onto the ground he made his way over to the bathhouse.

“Mmm.” Bryson said with a grunt as he could smell the warm air of the bathhouse. He was a bit bothered with the fact that he wasn’t going to be able to enjoy a nice bath or finish his freshly cooked meal. Looks like he would have to eat rations tonight.

“Hey Bryson!” Lottie called out waving at him as he arrived at the entrance, both Mallory and Reynard were their waiting with their bags.

“Couldn’t we have waited until I had properly dried my hair first?” Mallory asked as her hair had that freshly matted wet hair look.

“Can’t risk it.” Bryson said snapping his fingers and Mallory’s hair suddenly became and dry and flowing as it was this morning.

“I need to learn that.” Mallory said as she ran her hand through her hair, it felt refreshing and new.

“Don’t expect to learn it soon. It’s surprisingly annoying.” Bryson said with a shrug.

“So, I don’t want to complain, but do we have to walk back to the capital?” Reynard said, “It took a couple days by car.”

“Don’t worry the nearest airship port is only a few hours drive away.” Bryson said.

“How do we drive there? Hire someone?”

“No. Rather not get someone else involved.”

“Then where will we get a car?” Reynard asked looking perplexed.

***

“Uh, can I help you kid?” The man said looking at Bryson and the others with a confused look on his face. It was late and he was about to close his vehicle rental lot when suddenly four kids entered his storefront.

“I’m buying a car.” The black-haired boy with dark eyes ordered.

“Uh, aren’t you a bit young for that?” The man said with a chuckle.

The boy said nothing but slammed what looked to be a license onto the countertop. The manager glanced at it before frowning. Picking up the card he took a harder look at it before realizing that it wasn’t some sort of driving license, instead it was identification of who this brat was.

“B-b-b-bryson C-Coldwater?” The manager stuttered out face turning whiter then the snow outside. Blinking a few times he stared at the card, it was official and didn’t look like it was forged.

“Give it back.” Bryson demanded.

“Y-y-yes! I’m so sorry! Please forgive my rudeness!” The man said getting on his knees as he offered the card back to Bryson, it looked as though he was a knight offering his blade to a king.

“I need a car, one that works off-road, cheap, but functional.” Bryson said snatching the card back not paying the man much mind, “Frost.” He signaled.

Lottie from a small pouch pulled out an unimaginably large bag in comparison to where it was taken out from. With a heavy thump she placed it on the counter.

“That’s payment, no questions. Give me a key.” Bryson ordered.

“Yes sir!” He said hurriedly grabbing a car key and led them outside to the parking lot. It wasn’t a large lot with only about half a dozen cars used mainly for hunters and locals to rent when they roamed the wilderness.

“Is this good?” He asked once leading them to a Humvee.

“Yes, you didn’t see us.” Bryson said giving a threatening glare at the man.

“Of course sir!” He said bowing his head deeply.

“Can I drive?” Lottie asked as Bryson pressed the key to unlock the door.

“Where did you learn how to drive?” Bryson asked with a scowl.

“Mister Phillip lets me use the racetrack.” Lottie beamed as she sat in the driver’s seat.

“The racetrack? That was for family only! Not-” Bryson paused as he noticed the royal guard from earlier walk up to the parking lot.

“Lord Bryson? Is that you?” The guard asked squinting through the darkness with only the streetlights offering any light source for him.

“Drive.” Bryson said throwing the keys at Lottie and leapt into the back with the Alvidors.

“Who are those blonde child- woah!” The guard cried out as he had to desperately dive out of the way as the Humvee roared past him and down the street.

“Frost!” Bryson yelled as he crawled his way to the other seat in the front.

“What? Don’t worry I know how to drive safely.” Lottie assured.

“You could be a bit more convincing.” Mallory said as she adjusted herself.

“Sorry!” Lottie apologized.

“It’s okay, just be careful.” Mallory said accepting the apology.

“Seatbelts.” Bryson said snapping his fingers and the seatbelts automatically fastened themselves onto them all and clicked into place, “Frost, don’t get us killed.”

“I won’t!”