Fallen Stars

Chapter 27

KLAIRE

Cathera is nowhere to be found in the prisons we entered. We have already finished searching inside the third prison, exiting the front door and revealing the horizon already at its brightest orange hue.

"Amounted to nothing again," Kingston spoke as he pulled himself to get up the horse's saddle.

"We're already worse off, Cannot be too late," I replied halfheartedly, still hoping that we could still catch up to where Cathera was taken. I was about to get up the horse but then struggled to, looking at Kingston who froze, glaring at me.

"You're saying it as thinking a fish could still walk," He nagged again before offering his hand to pull me up so I could get on the horse before we rode.

The horse continued to trot around the strangely empty streets of the walled city as the sun went lower on the horizon. These places we are going around aren't even dead spots or abandoned sections but the doors here are closed, houses are lifeless and chimneys remain asleep.

Kingston turned the horse and continued riding until we arrived at a larger stone building, having a platform as its front porch raised high from the ground making the entrance appear as high as the second floor. The two curving stairs on the side of the platform seem to circle where the horse slowly stops. We looked up at the platform as the horse gradually slowed.

"Kingston Warfell," a man interrupted as the horse went to stop, approaching us from the building, going down one of the curving stairs and walking towards us. He has a thick stubble on his unwashed face, strands of his unkempt hair made him appear messier.

"I was asking about the prisoners that were recently detained here. I was set to escort them," Kingston answered to the man dressed the same way as him. I pulled down my hood to hide my eyes from showing, also leaning my body towards Kingston's back so the hunter wouldn't see my face.

"You're too late," the hunter spoke. I stopped abruptly from leaning, staring blankly at Kingston's back.

"What do you mean, too late?" Kingston asked doubtfully.

"They are already in the parade, trial will be held at the abandoned town,"

"What?"

"Oh yes, they just left," the hunter replied. I could sense Kingston turning his head towards me. He quickly jumped off the horse, leaving me on it, looking at me. The hunter continued observing. Strangely enough, he wasn't prying on me if I was suspicious, maybe because of Kingston.

"You go back to the house and warn them, I'll head first..." Kingston ordered with a mixture of worry and trust. To reach the steering ropes of the horse, I scooched at the front. He kept holding the ropes, standing on its side holding the other end beside.

I looked at Kingston as he turned around, looking up at the platform of the building and noticed he stopped to stare. I looked at where he was looking at and went dumbfounded as I saw the person he was looking at.

"Ms. Thropmann..." Kingston spoke and softly bowed as she walked down the platform. As I saw the woman, I immediately thought of quickly taking the horse off for a run but hesitated. I know what it'll do to Kingston once I run.

"I thought most of the High hunters were out for the trial. Who are you again?" the lady spoke as she got down the platform and loomed.

"Warfell," Kingston introduced as he made another bow of his head, tilting it slightly to avoid directly facing her. Normal folks do the least on not eyeing their superiors, I guess.