The estate was quiet, as dusk approached quickly. Furrowing workers had settled when preparations for the trip had been completed. I walked out of the estate, carrying the two bags over my shoulders. The moon sat in the sky, illuminating the darkened path towards the wooden carriage halted in the center of the entrance.

It was shabbier compared to the golden covered one from earlier. Instead of the white stallions, mules snorted attached to leather harnesses. We were travelling to Leton on more private terms. I’d assume it was not to cause panic for a visiting kingdom that was known for supplies trades for war. Though, I’d be surprised if the citizens didn’t have some idea of what awaited in their future.

Florence was on the verge of falling to Hellion’s troops. And I knew that with Dagon’s hand in strategy, my eldest brother would soon finish the final attacks. They didn’t have long till troops were at their walls. It wasn’t a matter of if but when. Trane was aware of that. Everyone that knew was.

If the kingdom weren’t on edge already, it would be if Trane’s presence were brandished around in gold plating. Not to mention that the receptiveness from citizens towards the nobility was less than ideal. Travelling in less lavish terms would be beneficial for both sides. The less trouble that we faced, the less work I had to do.

Eran waved me over, meeting me halfway down the estate steps to grab the bag of potions.

“Thanks for picking up the potions. Is this it?” he asked, slinging the satchel over his shoulder.

Nope. But I didn’t count the potion master’s strange gift as part of inventory for this.

“I had a choice to not pick up the potions?” I scoffed, following down towards the carriage.

“Asta. It’s too late for this.” He sighed, shoving the bag into the storage compartment.

Gunnar walked over, swinging his arm over my shoulder, “Haha! You’re funny, kid.” The gruff man chuckled, grinning from ear to ear, “You know, my younger brother is similar to you.”

“You have a younger brother, ginger?” I pulled my way out of his grasp, brushing off my shoulders.

“Hah! Of course! He’s around your age! The little lad is studying to be a guard as well. He’s following my footsteps.” He bragged, puffing out his chest.

“Please. For his own sake, I hope he doesn’t follow your footsteps,” Trent yawned, appearing from the other side of the carriage, “Didn’t you fail the exam three times? Wasn’t it?”

“It was actually four times,” One of the twins, Lars, corrected, “I know because I was in his passing cohort. So was Daniel.”

To this, Gunnar turned a bright red. Even in the darkness of dusk, he glowed like a lantern from embarrassment.

The twins both snickered, walking down from the estate with a small barrel of water. They handed it off to Eran, who loaded it into the wooden carriage.

“That should be everything,” Daniel stretched, a tired expression on his face, “We did the last checkpoints too. We’re all good to go when Crown Prince Edwin and Serlon are ready.”

“Sir Serlon should be escorting Prince Edwin out soon,” Eran informed, locking up the carriage compartment, “They were finishing up the last of the paperwork that needed to be completed before we leave.”

Everyone nodded, using this moment to either lean on the carriage or sit down on the stairs of the estate. I looked around, making eye contact with Trent, who waved me over to the space beside him.

I shook my head.

He sighed, waving more passionately now.

Again. I shook my head.

Instead of giving up, Trent got up with a huff. He strolled over to my position next to the carriage.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Look. I wanted to tell you about the trip. Tonight’s trip is going to be riskier.” He walked over, petting one of the mules.

I knew why. There were a lot of lower-class demons surrounding Trane. Though, it was nothing too powerful. On my terms anyway. I’d be able to sense a higher concentration of demonic energy if that were the case.

“Because of the demons in the woods?” I asked, already presuming this answer would be yes. At this point, everyone was aware of my encounter in the woods with the hell dogs. It was reasonable for me to ask this.

He nodded, “The demons around these areas increased in the last hundred years. But there’s also robbers and the possibility of assassination.”

“I figured.” I leaned against the carriage, crossing my arms, “Why are we leaving at dusk anyway?”

I peered around at the yawning troop, who all looked somewhat exhausted already. Humans slept a lot, especially at night.

“Because it shouldn’t be widespread that the estate is vacant.” Eran chimed in from close by, “You haven’t been here long enough to understand the full political situation. Let’s just say, Edwin is more of a chess piece to the nobles.”

Didn’t this sound familiar? Pfft.

The estate doors opened, revealing Edwin who was dressed in a simple tunic with the familiar black cloak that I grown used to seeing. Behind him, Serlon held a bedding cloth. The two approached the carriage.

“Crown Prince Edwin! Your Highness!” The others rose up to bow. I watched them do this, staying on my feet. Serlon shot a glare in my direction.

I looked away.

“Sorry, that took so long. I think I’m going to have nightmares about paperwork demons,” Edwin yawned, walking past to load into the carriage swiftly. He poked his head out towards Serlon, motioning for the bedding cloth.

Serlon handed it to Edwin, before closing the door shut on the sleepy Prince, “Rest easy, your Highness.”

The head guard glanced around at the troop, who had already semi-lined up in front of him.

“We’ll be walking alongside the carriage. Trent will guide the mules. The twins will flank the sides. Gunnar and Asta will be in the back. I’ll lead from the front.” Serlon instructed, already moving to where he needed to be.

“You heard Sir Serlon. Move!” Eran shouted to the others, who quickly moved to their positions.

I followed Gunnar to the back of the carriage, watching as the jolly man’s face morphed into one deserving of his caliber of guardship. I’ll admit even with their eccentric personalities, they understood when playtime was over. Now, I can respect that.

Trent hopped up into the driver’s seat, gathering the guiding reins in his hand, “Departing now.” He clicked his tongue, causing the mules to whinny. They walked ahead, pulling the wooden carriage towards the estate gates that opened for us.

The same gate guards saluted in our presence, “To the glory of Trane. We humbly wish your safe return, Crown Prince Edwin.”

Like that, we moved through the quiet streets of Trane under the moonlight night. Already the troops’ eyes scanned our surroundings, hands resting near their swords in case of threat.

I stayed a few paces behind the wooden carriage, enough to get a decent view of the side of it. Gunnar peered behind us, checking for any lurking company.

There was none. I would have heard it anyway. For the first half of the trip leading outside of the kingdom, everyone remained silent. Waking up the sleeping citizens would not be in our favor, as most would recognize the prince’s escorts. The dots would connect from there.

It continued like this till we reached the metal gates of the edge of the kingdom. Hoof stomps ceased to a halt, as Serlon stopped to talk to the guards stationed at the main gates. The armored guard nodded, signaling to the others to open the steel gate with a loud creaking. Like that, the carriage pressed onwards, soon entering the dirt road on the other side. I looked back at the saluting soldiers, who rushed to close the gates after us.

“From here on out, we’re vulnerable. Be on guard!” Serlon called back to everyone.

The clomping sounds of hooves had been the few noises heard, as we ventured up the hill and into the darkened forest.

Growls from the distance, rustling of wildlife, and the chirping of bugs welcomed the wooden carriage in the night. We were now in the same demonic woods that I visited earlier. Though this time, it felt heavier. Different.

Heavier? It hadn’t been long since I was here. But the energy was thicker, as if the demons that were once here had increased. Something like that. I closed my eyes, sensing the lurking energies hidden beyond the cover of the forest.

We were being watched. By what? I couldn’t tell. That only thing that was clear was that as we encroached further into the woods, we became more susceptible to falling prey to the lower demons’ hunger.

Snap. Lars flinched, his hand moving to his sword at the rustle of a nearby brush. I glanced over, sighing.

“Croak! Croak!” A large toad hopped out, its slimy body laying a few feet in front of the startled guard.

He exhaled, his hand against his chest, “Damn frog.”

“It’s actually a toad.” I corrected.

Lars scoffed, “Damn…toad.”

“What’s wrong?” Serlon asked, looking back at the commotion.

“Nothing. Just wildlife.” He shook his head, relaxing, his hand to his side.

I snickered, glancing over Gunnar in amusement. Gunnar didn’t really understand, but he still gave a small smile.

“Now’s not the time to be joking.” He eyed the croaking toad, “There aren’t ponds around the pathway. Poor guy must have gotten lost,” Serlon sighed, trekking on, “Scouts have reported increased activity in these woods in the recent days. Be vigilant.”

Correct. I noticed the increase in energy. After all, it was too significant of a change not to. It was either that the numbers of lower-class demons increased.

Or.

A middle-class demon had found its way into the surrounding woods. The energy was too concentrated to be able to give an actual guess on this.

Another snap. I froze, my eyes darting to the tree line beyond the same bush. This demonic energy was familiar. I knew it well.

“I’m not falling for it this time, damn toads. There’s a lot of…” Lars scoffed.

“Everyone! Don’t move!” I yelled, pulling out the sword on my side. The carriage screeched to a stop, causing the mules to bray at the sudden pull of the reins.

“Asta! What’s wrong?” Serlon yelled, sword in hand.

I pointed to the tree line, my eyes never leaving the emerging dark figure in the distance. The snapping of trees grew louder, as a roar was heard approaching our location. Trees barreled in the ground, as birds retreated from treetops.

A gray, fanged face appeared from the tree lines. Snarling. It roared, chambering over the destroyed forest bush. The ground shook from its stomps.

“What is that?” Daniel ran to join Lars on the nearest side.

How can that be here? It was impossible. This far out?

"Ogre. Don’t look away. Don’t run away. Hold your breath.” I warned to which they nodded. From the front, Trent and Serlon readied to move the carriage.

Ogre? What the hell was an ogre doing here? That’s what I wanted to say.

I couldn’t be sure that humans wouldn’t suffer from its eventual charge. It didn’t have a club. Instead holding what remained of a tree in its hand. The towering figure bent down, sniffing the air. Ogres in Hellion were classified by frontlines and groupings.

They weren’t smart enough, but that didn’t mean that they couldn’t learn. They were placed on frontlines for a reason. The grayish creature roared once more, its beady eyes resting on the carriage surrounded by humans.

Then it charged.