Thief of Twilight

Part Two: Chapter 51

High in the treetops above, Ajri watched as the emperor slammed his fists against the barrier. She laughed to herself as Zurine ran off into the forest without looking back.

"Such a fucking coward." she cackled. "I can't believe she actually ran away!" Ajri stood up before brushing off the back of her trousers. "Killing her now would be far too easy. I don't want to do that. From what I've heard, she can't even use magic. So what's the rush?"

Down below the emperor transformed into a wolf. He sprinted along the side of the barrier searching for any opening that he could find. With every passing second, he became more and more frantic. He wondered what could have caused her to run away. He wondered why she would have decided to do so.

Everything was going so well, he thought, what happened?

"Yohan!"

The emperor slowed to a light jog as Beom ran up to him.

"Yohan, what happened? Why are you out here? What's going on?"

The emperor paced back and forth.

"What happened?"

The emperor dug his paws into the earth. Leaning back his head, he released a deep mournful howl that echoed through the trees.

Beom jumped at the sound of the howl. He has only heard it once in his life. When the Great Emperor lost his fourth wife, Yohan's mother.

"Yohan..." Beom extended a hand to the emperor. "I...I am..."

Shaking away his hand, Yohan stomped through the trees.

"Lord Kang!" the Black Wolves emerged from the trees. "What happened?"

"...Lady Abedayo...is gone..."

___

I remember wandering through the forest for a while before I came across this shack. It was made of wood and looked to have once belonged to a fisherman. I could see old fishing rods in the corner. Some fur pelts. A barrel with dried meat. The roof needed to be repaired but that doesn't matter.

I watched the clouds through the cracks in the roof. I felt completely numb ever since I ran away from the palace. Yohan hasn't come after me. He probably can't even find my scent. I mean...how could he? I'm wearing a necklace that neutralizes my scent.

I lay on the wooden floorboards with my arms stretched out at my sides.

What do I do?

Where should I go?

I don't even know what to do now.

Will this even help? I guess I should have thought about that.

Sitting up, I hugged my knees to my chest. Before when I ran away, I was with Lord Baldwin. Now...I am alone. I don't have anyone that I can rely on.

"...Where...should I go...?" I looked around the shack before getting to my feet. I brushed myself off and walked to the door. Pushing open the door, I saw a thick fog lingering through the trees. I must be near water. That's the only reason why it would be so foggy here considering it's summer.

I cautiously stepped outside before walking through the trees. My bare feet pressed into the earth. I came to a riverbank and looked both up and down the river. Which way do I go? I watched as the water flowed downstream. I guess I should follow the water. It could lead to a village or something right? Walking along the river, I kept my head low. My feet dragged against the damp soil and soft grass. Following the water, I saw a large pool. The light from the morning sun peaked through the fog almost like a thick shimmery veil.