Magic and Monsters

The Capital

The next morning everyone awoke with the breaking dawn. Two horse drawn carts were loaded with goods, weapons and food. They were expecting to arrive at the capital around nightfall. The original twenty knights who were to be travelling with Beatrice, Charles and Sir Wilson as a guard detail was increased to forty after Sir Wilson was told about the werewolf attack during breakfast. Thirty of them had swords and spears, whilst ten used heavy cross bows. 

Everybody rode on horseback. The party looked invincible with the platoon in full steel battle gear, and Sir Wilson leading with golden armour. Two red flags with the helmet symbol fluttered proudly with the wind. Charles and Beatrice were at the center with the two horse-drawn carts.

The beginning of the trip was rather uneventful. Any bandit brigands with half a brain would stay far far away from an entourage of fully equipped knights. The dirt road they followed slowly winded through grassy plains towards a forest. They passed many small villages with peasants tilling soil and children running around with laughter. When they noticed the party passing, they all knelt respectfully before continuing with their activities. Beatrice would give a warm smile to them every time. 

Charles marveled at the difference between the two worlds he had been a part of. The cities had families working for corporations to make a living, and over here they farmed crops and animals, making a self sustainable system.

It wasn't until the sun reached the zenith that they stopped for a lunch break at the edge of the forest. Everybody tethered their horses to a tree and stretched their sore muscles from riding the whole morning.

Sir Wilson gathered everyone around and distributed bread, water, smoked ham and cheese from one of the carts.

"Make sure to eat your fill. The forests are usually safe, however with the recent werewolf activity, we should be on alert." announced Sir Wilson to everyone.

Every knight slammed a fist on their chest at once. 

"YES CAPTAIN!" they all yelled in unison, before breaking into groups to eat lunch.

"Riding with those knights makes me feel invincible!" said Charles to Beatrice. They were seated on the grass on top a small hill, munching on the food.

"They are the elite guard of Baron Burns. He immediately dispatched them for us when Sir Wilson told him about the werewolves. They are some of the most disciplined knights. This is the first time they've had the opportunity to return to the Capital since being assigned at Abbotsford as elite guards." she replied. 

"So whats the plan when we arrive at the capital? I keep hearing talks about a prophecy, but the days were too rushed for me to get a proper grasp of the actual situation of the country." said Charles.

Beatrice looked thoughtful for a moment before replying.

"I haven't heard the prophecy either, in fact only one person knows it. The keeper will reveal the fates to you once he deems that you are the chosen one." she replied.

"And who is the keeper?"

"The keeper is kind of like a prophet, except this one doesn't make things up. You'll meet him when we arrive at the Capital." said Beatrice. 

"And what's the situation of the country?" asked Charles. He finished off his sandwich in three quick bites.

"Do you know what I was doing over the last few days?" asked Beatrice.

"Not really."

"I didn't go to Abbotsford to simply celebrate Harrison's birthday. I have been travelling across the country to every major point of magic energy. My runic magic affinity allows me to sense the signatures of energy fluctuations. There has been an imbalance of nature recently.