Kingdom of Fire and Fate

Chapter 12 - Betrayal

Elizabeth got herself dressed in one of her new dresses, slipping her shoes on before making her way downstairs. Lucas was waiting downstairs for her, a smile on his face. He was holding a piece of paper in his hands, an address to what was most likely the place he was taking her tonight. She was in high spirits, she was going to a place that they used to go to when she was a child. She wanted to feel closer to her parents, and this was going to be the way she did that.

Lucas walked over to her and asked, "Ready? I sent a note ahead of our arrival, they are very excited to meet you. They remember us, they said that they can't wait to see how much we have grown."

Elizabeth beamed up at him, asking, "Do I look fine? Should I bring anything, or should I change? I don't know where we are going, so I didn't know what I should wear." She shifted nervously, fiddling with her dress.

Lucas looked her up and down and shook his head, "You look perfect, they will love you just how you are right now. Trust me, you could be wearing a garbage bag and they would still be so excited. And you don't need to bring anything at all." He offered his arm to her.

Elizabeth nodded and took his arm, a big smile on her face. Lucas started to lead her out to the carriage. He pulled the door open and she smiled, "Where are we going, you still haven't told me."

"A place that will make you feel things you haven't in a while," was all that Lucas would tell her. Elizabeth thought that statement was a bit odd, but the warm smile on Lucas's face made her feel at ease. He was her brother, he wouldn't take her to a place that would put her in danger.

They got settled in the carriage and it started to rattle off down the streets. The pair were oblivious to the carriage that was following along after them, close enough to keep an eye but far enough to not draw suspicion. Warren and Theo were making word on their promise, they were going to make sure she was protected.

It didn't take long for them to get into the main part of town. Elizabeth kept glancing out of the window, smiling to herself as she guessed which place was going to be the one that they stopped at. The longer they went into town, the more unsure that she got. They were getting closer and closer to Barus, anxiety filling her.

Lucas gave her a warm smile, "Do not worry, Lizzy. We will be there soon, it is the cutest little place. It is just before the border of Barus, and it is surrounded by flower fields." He gently pat her shoulder.

Elizabeth felt herself calm when he said that they wouldn't be going into Barus. She relaxed back into her chair, staring out the window at the sky as the sun started to set. It reminded her of cotton candy, the sky swirling blues, pinks, and oranges as the sun set below the horizon.

The carriage soon started to slow down, turning down a dirt path that led to a run-down building. It was surrounded by a flower field, but that was the only thing that could be seen for miles. There were no other signs of civilization anywhere nearby.

As they pulled up in front of the building, there were a few rows of carriages right outside the building. Lucas grinned and whispered, "It isn't a very well-known place, but I think you will really enjoy it." He opened the carriage door and offered his hand to her.

She gently took it and made her way out of the carriage with him. The dirt crunched under her feet, the air smelt vaguely of something unusual, but also of flowers and a fresh summer breeze. They made their way inside the building, just before the other carriage pulled up to the building.

Warren and Theo were out of their carriage the second that it parked, glancing around the empty lot. Warren tugged his jacket on, concealing the many knives that were strapped to his sides and chest, "What is this place?"