A Kaskian Story: Leaon, the Kings General

Chapter Seventeen

"How..." Erik tried to ask as Brittany runs to him and hugs him tightly. "How are you here? Where are the kids?" He managed to ask as she looked up at him.

"They are fine." She answered, a tear slowly making its way down her cheek. "They're ok, she kept them safe." She continued, pointing at Ellie who was wagging her tail uncontrollably, waiting for her turn to be acknowledged.

"But..." He stuttered, opening an arm to welcome Ellie in for a group hug. "What happened?"

Brittany and Erik parted as he knelt down to greet Ellie and get plenty of kisses from her as she bounced around in circles in excitement. Wicked explained that as soon as she left the house to find the kids, they were met with soldiers and she did what she could to keep them safe, only to be overrun by pure numbers, she could only lead them away from the kids as Ellie led them to safety. It was at that point Kerd had taken her to Andhull and locked her up and questioned her constantly about where the kids would have gone. "It had felt like months that I sat in that cage, day after day, they would question me about them. It never made sense as to why they wanted them so much until one day..." She stuttered as her eyes began to tear. "One day, they broke me out."

"They?" He asked while wiping the tears from her face.

"The kids." She replied as she hugged Ellie tightly who looked up at her and cocked her head sideways. "The kids and Ellie, and Teddy."

"He's alive?!" Erik asked, shocked that the great Bermion Wizard that he only heard stories of and one of the most wanted fugitives that Cladon sought and feared.

She went on to explain how on their escape, she witnessed their children accomplish feats that they themselves would never be able to match. Aiden's speed and strength that he did not have when she had left them to fend for themselves in the woods many weeks prior. But, his abilities were dwarfed compared to what their little girl was able to do, and the reason behind everything. "She can use magic..."

Soon as his wife uttered those words, everything else fell into place within his mind. That's why they showed up. He sensed her magic and sent them to retrieve her, not us. And that's why Teddy revealed himself... Anvil's mind spiraled out of control as he processed everything that had happened and why Cladon had made his move. Rina forced his hand... My baby girl... His thoughts stopped as he heard Ellie let out a low growl and noticed her fur standing on edge, sensing that they were not alone anymore. Sword ready and Wicked's bow knocked with an arrow, the trio searched their surroundings for the threat.

"The great Anvil Warrior and the Wicked Archer. What a sweet reunion!" Kerd mocked as he walked closer to the trio. "It's been so long Wicked, did you not like the accommodations we provided you?"

"What do you want?" Brittany questioned as Ellie's eyes darted back and forth, alerting Anvil and Wicked that Kerd was not alone.

"That damn dog is a nuisance." Kerd spat as he pointed a dagger at Ellie. "I will make sure that we do something about that."

"Over my dead body!" Erik challenged, stepping in front of Wicked and Ellie, sword pointing back at Kerd.

"As you wish..." Kerd hissed. "I will gladly end the three of you!" He continued as he threw his dagger at Erik who easily deflected it away from his family.

Kerd charged the trio the second the dagger left his hand. Brittany followed up his attack with one of her own, releasing three arrows back to back that Kerd easily dodged and deflected with his second dagger which he thrusted at the trio when he neared. His attack forced Erik and Brittany to split up as Ellie lunged at the General who knocked her aside with his empty hand that he then used to pick up his dagger he had thrown. Anger fueled Wicked and Anvil at the sight of Kerd tossing her aside. The duo were about to follow up with their own attack when Garneth came out of hiding slamming his shoulder into Wicked knocking her backwards further away from her family. Torn between seeing Ellie and Wicked being hit, Erik gathered himself up and made his move to try and help Brittany only to be met by Reshmi who's bloodlust forced him to retreat away from his wife.