Kaskia: A Hero's Awakening

Chapter 24

"Quick! Over here!" Jr. shouted to the group as they ran from the tower.

The group swiftly ran in his direction, into a blacksmith's shop that was closed for the night, leaving it empty inside.

"What are you doing here?" Brittany asked Aiden and Rina who were now attached to her, hugging her tightly as Ellie ran around her in circles.

"Jr., Arlington, keep an eye out and let us know when it's safe to leave here." Teddy told the two hunters.

"We had to save you mommy!" Rina said, her eyes filled with tears. "We missed you so much!"

"But how?" Brittany asked, hugging her children tightly, kissing them on their heads and checking to make sure that they were not harmed.

"I sent them to help." Teddy answered, pointing at Squishy, Grape, Arlington, and Jr. "As soon as I sensed the magic, I sent them to help whoever it was. They were too late to help you and your husband though. I'm sorry."

"We found them in the woods and helped them." Squishy added.

"Who are you?" Brittany asked, eyeing the old Bermion.

"I am Teddy, a Master Wizard." Teddy replied.

"Wait... You said you sensed magic?" Brittany realized, turning to face her children. "So, they weren't lying when they asked about it... Which one of you two?"

"Me..." Rina said, stifling her tears. "I'm sorry mommy!"

"Oh sweetie!" Brittany replied. "There's no reason to be sorry. I just wished I knew so I could have protected you two."

"We're okay mom." Aiden added.

"I see that." She commented. "My strong little man is growing up so fast!"

"Mom!" Aiden replied, embarrassed.

"What about your father?" Brittany asked.

"We don't know where he is." Grape answered. "We think Cladon has him up north."

"Now's our chance!" Jr. Told the group.

"Will you join us?" Teddy asked Brittany.

"For now. Once we're safe, we have a lot to talk about." Brittany replied, still unsure if she should trust the group.

After a few minutes of rest, the group left the blacksmith shop, making their way through the city as the sun rose in the distance. The cobblestone streets were empty since the soldiers were now ahead of them, thinking that they kept fleeing after they broke out of the prison. The higher the sun rose, the more visible the group became, losing the shadows that they used for cover. They headed south, a direction that no one would think they would go, for only the desert waited for them below the city. Teddy explained that if they wanted the best chance to escape from Cladon's gaze, the desert would be the best choice. As they ran, they came across only a few soldiers here and there, easily dispatched by arrows from Jr., Arlington, and Brittany. Having a third archer made their journey a lot quieter than before. As the sun rose higher, the citizens started leaving their homes, giving the group another obstacle to get past. Teddy quickly used a spell to make anyone they came across, fall asleep where they stood.

"There's the outer wall." Squishy stated to the group. "Be alert, we're likely to run into soldiers near here."

As if on cue, five dozen soldiers came from the west, patrolling the perimeter. The group quickly hid behind a building, concealing them from being noticed.

"Listen up!" The leader of the soldiers shouted. "We have orders to take the old Bermion and the children alive! All others, use force!"

"Yes Sir!" The soldiers replied.