Burning Embers Part I: Origins [Arc 1-5]

Arc 1 Chapter 6

So cold. 

Even though it was the middle of the summer, this room was very cold. Sean, who was dressed for the average summer day, definitely thought so. The room itself was spacious, with a king-sized bed and a dressing table with a mirror facing it. Other than that, it was empty, and Sean felt more alone than normal in there. The bed had bright red sheets over it, definitely the room a noble would sleep in. Despite that, Sean didn't feel a lot like a noble in here. Maybe because of the uneasy feeling he had, or the cold. 

He tossed and turned in bed for the umpteenth time, yet unable to sleep even though it was approaching midnight. I wonder if that elf even did anything. Even if he had, it would take a long time to search the entire castle. 

It wasn't that it was huge, for a castle, but it was still substantially large for a single person to go through. It would be more appropriate to describe it either as a mini-castle or a slightly more fortified mansion. This was made early in the history of Terrasia, and abandoned a very long time ago. The building was a square, with four towers; one each at the north, south, east and western corners. The northern tower was taller than the others, and it should be possible to see the town from its balcony.

In the front of the four-storeyed palace was a large yard, and the palace itself was surrounded by a tall wall on all sides. The wall however, was badly damaged and collapsed from most parts, though the palace itself was completely untouched. The kitchen, common room and dining room were all on the ground floor, and there were probably dungeons underground too. All the other floors had were bedrooms, and there were two large baths on the first floor, which was also where Sean's room was. 

Nat and Andrea also had rooms on the same floor, but Vector had opted to stay in the northern tower because 'it is only natural that the great me is at the highest place.' At first, Sean had been quite excited to stay here, but now he thought his own room in his own house was better. Of course, it wasn't his room anymore...

Well, maybe once we renovate this place it'll be better. There were only six of them, surely they didn't need a castle to themselves. Maybe they intend to get more people... Sean shuddered at the thought. Sleeping was futile, despite the fact he hadn't slept for about 48 hours. Leaving the bed, he walked towards the door, when he was stopped by a small noise from behind...

Jumping, he turned around, but there was nothing there. Must be my imagination. Shaking his head, he moved to open the door, when he heard the sound again, much louder. Gulp. He turned around slowly...

...and ran out of the room.

———

"Nat! Nat! Open the door!" Sean shouted frantically, banging on the door to Nat's bedroom. The door suddenly flew open just as Sean was about to try and break it down, and he fell in a heap with Nat.

"The heck are you doing so late at night?!" A dazed, half-asleep Nat inquired.

"There's a bloody ghoul chasing me!"

"Wh-What?! A gh-ghoul?!" Nat was completely awake instantly, trembling in fear. 

"Quick! Lock the door and barricade it!" Sean commanded, but Nat didn't move. Dammit. Sean quickly closed and locked the door. "Help me move this table, dammit."

Finally snapping out of it, Nat helped Sean drag the dressing table over to the door. Sean let out a tired and relieved sigh.