The New Duchess Of Loud Loch

Chapter 4: Saving Loch Loud

The loud brothers made their way towards the castle, the once-familiar path now seemed unfamiliar and eerie. The air was tense, and the winds carried whispers of uncertainty. The looming silhouette of the castle against the darkening sky only added to the growing sense of foreboding.

The boys stood outside the castle gates, their hearts heavy with concern for their missing siblings. Luke furrowed his brow as he scanned the courtyard, his keen eyes catching a glimpse of movement in the distance. He turned to his brothers, his voice urgent yet hushed.

"Guys, look over there," Luke whispered, pointing towards a small hovel nestled amidst the castle's sprawling gardens. "I think I saw Lars and Leon inside. We need to find out what's going on before we proceed."

Loki nodded in agreement. "You're right, Luke. Our priority is to ensure the safety of our younger siblings. Let's head to the hovel first and see what we can uncover."

The boys shared a silent understanding, their determination propelling them forward. They moved swiftly, their footsteps muffled against the damp earth. As they approached the hovel, a sense of trepidation washed over them, their minds racing with a multitude of possibilities.

The door to the hovel was slightly ajar, and a cold draft emanated from within. The boys exchanged worried glances before pushing the door open, revealing a dimly lit interior. The room was cluttered, filled with dusty books, vials of mysterious liquids, and various arcane artifacts.

In the corner of the room, Lars and Leon stood frozen in place. Their expressions were etched with fear and confusion, their bodies seemingly trapped in time. The sight struck the brothers like a bolt of lightning, filling them with a mixture of anger and concern.

Levi stepped forward, his analytical mind already whirring with possibilities. "It seems that Morton has frozen them," he theorized, his voice steady but laced with worry. "Perhaps Lars and Leon attempted to stop him, and this was his way of immobilizing them."

The brothers exchanged puzzled glances. Morton had been the castle caretaker for years, a trusted ally. His sudden betrayal and the drastic measures he took left them perplexed. They knew they had to find answers, to uncover the truth behind Morton's actions and protect their family and the duchy.

Loki clenched his fists, his determination solidifying. "We can't waste any more time. We need to search this hovel for clues. There must be something here that can help us understand Morton's motives and a way to break the curse."

The brothers split up, each taking a different section of the room to investigate. Loni's eyes scanned the dusty bookshelves, hoping to find a hidden compartment or a misplaced diary. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books, feeling the rough texture against his skin.

And then, his hand brushed against something unexpected. Loni pulled out an old, worn-out leather-bound journal. Its pages were yellowed with age, and the cover bore the initials "M.T." Loni's heart quickened with anticipation as he realized that he had stumbled upon Morton's journal.

Excitement and caution warred within him as he opened the journal to the first page. The words scrawled on the parchment were messy, a reflection of Morton's state of mind. Loni's eyes quickly scanned the pages, his heart sinking as he pieced together the story that unfolded before him.

Levi, noticing the change in Loni's demeanor, approached his brother and glanced over his shoulder, catching glimpses of Morton's journal entries. His eyes widened with realization as he read the words on the page.

"Morton... he used to love his job," Levi said softly, his voice tinged with sadness. "He found solace in the peace and quiet of the castle, until we came along. We disrupted his tranquility."