From Dusk Till Dawn

Chapter Fifteen (The Gray Knight)

     I barely slept that night, everything felt like it was watching me, shadows seemed like they'd move on their own. I panicked when the fire almost went out so Zackery and Blizz relit it and kept it going. I sat in the tent, holding my knees against my chest while Lialah tried to comfort me, telling me it was going to be ok. I didn't know whether to think I was losing my mind or if some creature was haunting me. I swear I had seen a red eye peek through the tent opening at one point. Every sense was on high alert and I closed my eyes and all I could see was the wicked smile haunting my mind. When morning finally came I came out of the tent, nervous and looking in all directions.

"Grey..." Blizz called softly from beside the fire.

"H-huh???" I looked at him, obviously frightened out of my wits.

".....are you alright" he asked, concerned.

"I-" I began but was cut off.

"XAV!" Sky shouted from behind me.

I looked at the cave entrance as Xavier walked out of it, a princess walking next to him and the silhouette of someone else following behind. I felt my chest tighten with fear when I saw the large shadow behind him. It had the same height and build as Ciel. The Blacksmith stepped from the shadows, his helm covering his bearded face. I felt relief wash over and through me. 

"Smith!" Blizz stood.

"Hello my friends!" The large purple knight laughed loudly.

"You came!" Sky ran up, plowing into him with a hug.

He practically picked her up and squeezed the life out of her as she hugged him tightly.

"How are you my dear friend?" He asked, setting her down.

"Better now that you're here! And Xav's back safe and sound" She smiled up at him.

"Good to see you again Smith" Blizz grinned.

"Ah yes it's good to see you again Prince!" He laughed and hugged Blizzard.

"Prince...?" I asked Zackery.

"I have no clue-" Zackery responded.

Sky and Blizzard started talking to Smith as Xavier walked over to me.

"Hello Grey.." He smiled a little.

"Hey...everything go alright?" I asked, concerned.

"Mhm, everything went fine actually, I almost died from the fire demons but Smith was there and saved me so- yeah" He explained quietly.

"You saved the princess...?" I asked.

"Yes, I got information that apparently after the attack on The Kingdom the barbarians kidnapped the princesses and sold them to the thieves who sold them to all sorts of other people." he grumbled.

"So...the other three are missing?" I asked, worried.

"Supposedly the red princess was rescued by a vigilante of some kind and brought back to the castle." He looked at me, arms crossed.

"That...sounds a little suspicious." I mumbled.

"Very. I don't trust it." He growled.

"Well do you know where the others are?" I tilted my head curiously.

"Supposedly there's one being kept at the ice kingdom and another at the Industrial castle." He looked at me.

"The Industrial Castle isn't far from here though..." I added.

"Exactly. So when everyone's ready we need to head there first." He explained.

"Where to after that?" I pointed out.

"The King order Smith and I to tell the rest of you that we need to cross the Division River to get to the ice castle so we can rescue the last princess." He planned.

"Isn't the Sorcerer's castle by the Ice Kingdom right now?" I asked.

"It is. which makes this convenient. which seems too perfect to me. Someone somewhere is planning something." He voice grew low.

I looked past him, seeing a shadow move through the trees.