The Traitor's Wish

25. The Father's Hunt

TTW Ch25

The burning sun was drowning in the ocean. Dark, red, streaks stained the sky, swallowed by the blue waters. There was little light left in the village. Most carts had been packed up. Only a few lanterns lit the streets. The bars were crowded, people swarming in and out of the few choice places to drink. Their muffled conversations were audible by Killian, who was on the outer side of town, leaning against a fence post. He watched the sun sink, lost in his own thoughts, plans, dreams.

This town was an oyster, and Emma was the pearl. Beautiful, she was made to be treasured. And Braxton could protect Emma, his shining pearl. It had done its job well, but a pearl should not be trapped in its oyster forever. Emma needed freedom from this sleepy town. She needed her family, her palace. And most of all she needed his love.

He planned on giving her these things, and putting her happiness first until her final breath. She was his pearl. He treasured her more than anything ever in his life. His decision was made, but what he did not know, was that at this very moment, King David was storming troops throughout Fulvadore. They tore through every town they passed, searching every bar, every inn. Hugh was a mad man on a murderer's hunt. This man, Killian, had ruined his chance at greatness. He could have been, should have been, top guard. The princess would have been his. King David would trust him the most, not that horrid excuse for a knight. Traitor.

Killian Jones took everything from him. He stole his hope for a future. Hugh would be the one to find him, to tear him away from the princess and save the damsel. Then he would grace the lucky man with his spit on his face, and a boot kick to the ribs. Followed by another, and another.

He kept one eye on the King as they travelled. His anger grew and grew after each town held no answers. He shouted commands with more hatred and desperation then ever before.

"I want every stone in this town upped upside down!" He screamed through clenched teeth. They were nearing the middle of Fulvadore, chances getting slimmer and slimmer. It had been a month since he had revived the letter. Nothing would have stopped the traitor from sailing off with his daughter.

But David had a feeling in the pit of his stomach. This land held the answer. Somewhere here, sometime today, he would find his daughter, and Killian would have to pay the price of death. All of hell would rain down on that betrayer.

He dismounted his horse, ready to start his own search of the town. There were plenty of houses, but windows were boarded shut. Only a handful of people walked the streets. Half of which, despite the fact that it was barely sun high, were stumbling drunk out of one tavern and into another. Beside The Lonesome Knight was a horse barn. David decided he would start here. They needed a means of travel if they were in Fulvadore.

"Excuse me," he knocked his fingers on the wood, "anybody here?"

A man with many tattoos stepped out from one of the stalls, "What'll you be needing?" He asked, leaning the pitchfork against a stable door.

He held up the wanted poster, "Have you seen this man? Goes by Killian Jones?"

The man crossed his arms, "Who's asking?" He demanded with a tip of his head.

"King David of Misthaven." He offered his hand. The stable owner took it with a firm shape. "The poster says 100,000 shilling for his life, what are you offering for information?" The man asked with a gleam in his eyes.

"Depends on what you have to offer." The king replied with a cold stare.

Finally, David saw a crack in his demeanor. "Yeah, I saw him. Came through a couple weeks ago and bartered for a place to leave eleven horses. Rip me off right good he did. Wasn't my fault though. That hook is enough to startle any smart man."