The Four Realms

Chapter 13: Hunter

The people on the cobblestone sidewalks stopped and stared as Cassiopeia and I walked down the roads of her hometown. I swallowed nervously hoping their blank stares would wander off. The streets had frozen at the sight of us; men and women going about their daily lives suddenly interrupted by our presences. "Just keep walking." Cassiopeia whispered to me, and I matched her stride. An elderly man with a greying beard and white hair approached us from the door of a tall building with a clock tower in the center. He was stocky and relied on a cracked wooden cane. Cassiopeia leaned close to me, "Under the clock tower is the library." she explained. "Oh, who is he?" I asked. "The mayor of Aldea." she answered. The older man put a thin arm on his hip. "The champion has returned." he chuckled. Cassiopeia's face burst into a smile. "I missed you too Grandfather!" Cassiopeia grinned running to hug him. Grandfather?! I shifted my weight side to side as they embraced. "I was worried how you would fair in the Kings Land." He said. She rolled her eyes. "Who is your friend?" the mayor asked gesturing to me. "Hunter... Atwell." I stuttered. "From the Spring Plaines." Cassiopeia added. Her grandfather's face darkened slightly but perhaps that was just me imagining it. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Hunter Atwell of the Spring Plaines. I'm Conlan Brodrick mayor of Aldea. He held his hand out for me to shake it. I clasped it and despite his age his shake was firm and demanding. "Nice to meet you Mr. Brodrick." I said. He turned to his granddaughter and asked, "As pleased I am to see you once more, I am curious as to why you paid us a visit Cassie?" Cassiopeia seemed stumped; she couldn't tell him about our plan without risking anyone foiling it. "I can't tell you much, however I need you to trust that we left the Kings Castle for a noble reason." she explained. I nodded in agreement. "We just need to stay for a few nights incase our friends survived and will meet us here." Cassiopeia said. Conlan Brodrick listened to her every word nodding along intently. I was anticipating Cassiopeia would mention the missing piece of the map but was disappointed. "I trust you Cassie, stay as long as you need in your house. I request that the town keep your presence a secret. I can't promise they will, so take heed." he said. Cassiopeia's face softened and she embraced her grandfather again. "We appreciate this, thank you." I said gratefully. I was still acutely aware of the many faces watching our conversation with the mayor and as we left the streets and entered Cassiopeia's home.

Her bedroom had been decorated with shelves upon shelves of books. I had never read much when I was back home, occasionally the odd fairytale to put my sisters to bed. I ran my finger along the spines of each book causing a cloud of dust to rise. Cassiopeia by-passed everything and went straight to a collection of framed photographs on the table beside her bed. I watched as she pulled the back off the frame and pulled the paper out and folded it before tucking it into her skirt pocket. "For safe keeping." she said addressing me. "I see." I said exploring the room before plopping down onto her bed. "Why didn't you inform your grandfather of the missing piece of map." I wondered out loud. She visually sighed, "I felt guilty waltzing in here and taking something sacred from the library, especially since my mother is one of the keepers." she explained. I understood but the gravity of the situation felt like it was necessary. The whole breaking the curse business.

As it turns out I was right about Augustine and Nicholas, they arrived in the town with a similar welcome on the evening of the day we came. Augustine ran to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. "I'm glad you are alright." she murmured before stepping back. Nicholas had his usual glare and greeted Cassiopeia and me with a nod of acknowledgment. "We are so glad you guys are okay." I said, opening the front door for them to enter. The mayor had guided them to the house thankfully. Augustine chuckled slumping down on the couch horizontally and kicking her laced boots up. "Cass thought you wouldn't make it." I explained. "Hey!" shouted Cassiopeia defensively. She had selected four glasses and began filling them with herbal tea. "Thanks for the faith in us!" joked Augustine. "You were surrounded!" Cassiopeia explained. "Yes, about that, how did you manage to escape?" I questioned. Nicholas and Augustine raised their eyebrows and shared a knowing glance between each other. "It's a long story." Nicholas stated. "We have time." Cassiopeia said bring the four steaming cups to the main room where we were situated and hand one to each of us. "Well, these three men had found a flier for 100,000 Pecunias for each one of us they brought in." She began. I stopped her, "They already have a poster out!" I exclaimed. "I said the same thing." Augustine said. "As I was saying, they tied us up with ropes and sat us on chairs in the middle of a room. Nicholas pulled out my dagger and cut the ropes allowing us to fight our way out. I don't know how we would have gotten out of that without Nic." she explained. I was shocked still that they had managed the feat and thanks to Nicholas not only looking out for himself. "Were you able to find the coven?" asked Nicholas, changing the subject. I nodded. "That's a story for tomorrow, I think we are all tired." Cassiopeia said, finishing her tea with a single gulp. "Goodnight, everyone, sleep wherever you can find a bed." she added. "See you in the morning." Augustine yawned walking up the stairs followed by Nicholas trudging behind her. I used my boot to snuff out the remains of a fire. A plan was forming in my mind, I knew I had to find the last of the map and I knew who would assist me.