Kingdom of Fire and Fate

Chapter 8 - The Manor House

The carriage rattled along the cobblestone road, the trees, flowers, and sunshine slowly melting away to smoky skies and buildings that towered the people walking the streets. Warren and Theo sat in their carriage, watching the people fly past them as they drove closer and closer to the manor house. Theo leaned back into his chair, his eyes never leaving Warren's face, "What do you expect to find inside? We did a little bit of a search of the house when we found Elizabeth in the first place. What does she expect us to find now?"

Warren turned his head, tearing his eyes away from the buildings and people outside to the boy that sat across from him. Warren took a moment to think, his eyes closed, but when he finally opened them he spoke, "We did not search the entire second floor, there were still a few doors down the hall from where Elizabeth was found. We didn't see her 'torture' room, so we can assume there are some other rooms that we have not seen. Besides, we didn't see that little hospital lab-type room that Silas and Mr. Doyle were in either the first time around, there are a lot of things that we could find." Then he turned to look back out of the carriage, getting lost back in his own thoughts.

Theo blinked, watching Warren with an expression of amusement but also amazement. Theo was the 'smart' one of the two of them, the one that was able to bring logic into any situation and think rationally. It was a surprise when Warren could spout off something so logical without a second thought, giving a glimpse of the beautiful mind he has hidden behind his pretty face. When you look at the two of them together, you see beauty and brains. Warren is assumed to only be good at looking pretty and fighting, while Theo is assumed to be better in the science department; not the best at fighting and not concerned with his appearance. Theo smiled softly, watching Warren as they finished their trip to the Manor house.

When the carriage finally started to slow, Warren forced his head from the window. Theo gave him a look, trying to read his expression but found it impossible. Theo stood once the carriage stopped and went to Warren, resting a hand on his shoulder, "What is wrong with you? You seem lost in a trance, you even ranted off all these logical things without a second thought. Are you feeling okay?" Theo's honey-brown eyes were full of concern.

Warren gave him a reassuring smile, squeezing his hand gently, "I'm okay, I promise. I just have a bad feeling about all of this, I mean it just doesn't make sense, does it? The ruler of Barus has a secret son, why would he keep that hidden? And the issue with Silas disappearing and that Mr. Doyle man we fought going from an old man like Elizabeth said to a man that looks about the age of forty and fights like he's in his prime. I just have a bad feeling is all, and I don't like how we are all separated today. It's as if something is forcing us apart, like something bad is going to happen." He took a deep breath as his rant completed, his hand trembling slightly.

Theo rubbed soothing circles into Warren's skin, whispering softly, "We may be all separated right now but we are all strong. Hannah and Eric can handle themselves, just as you and I can. Clara and Catherine can hold their own as well, they both passed the academy. They will be able to protect Catherine if it comes to that, I promise."

Warren just nodded, his eyes closed. The two boys stepped out of the carriage and onto the dusty sidewalk, the people around walking didn't pay them any mind as they went about their day. Theo strapped his sword to his back, a few throwing knives strapped to his hip. Warren did the same, making sure his sword was securely fastened before arming himself with knives and smoke bombs that Theo had made for him.

They both made their way up to the door. Warren gave Theo a look of unease when they saw the jarred door, it appeared like the door had been almost ripped from its hinges. Warren whispered, "This wasn't there when we left, do you think that the door was like this when Hannah and the others raided the Manor house the other day?" Warren ran his fingertips over the slightly broken hinges before stepping inside.