What Lurks Behind The Trees

Glad you're back

"Rogerus, what do you see from this window?" Edmund asked, staring with steady eyes at the houses of the capital. He stood with his arms behind his back, his back straight and his chin up, but behind his confidant stature, his question held a million doubts.

"I see people, going about their daily lives, my king," Rogerus stood beside the king, though his hands were clasped together over his belt.

"Yes, but what do you see?" Edmund emphasised the 'you' in the question.

"I don't understand, my king,"

Edmund compressed his lips "I'll tell you what I see. I see a kingdom on the verge of collapsing, I see people who watch the castle each day as if they are planning an attack, as if they are waiting to see my body hanged. The people don't respect me, they fear me, so I'll just use that as my way of uniting everyone for one cause...protecting this kingdom."

Rogerus frowned in confusion.

"Do you remember what Cedric told me? He said that I should stop putting on a show for the people, and he's right. I want every man and woman in the city to stand up with a weapon in their hand, I want rows upon rows of soldiers fighting for me, I don't care if it's against their will, they'll soon learn what it means to fear someone," Edmund said.

"You want to speak with the people my king?"

"Yes, arrange for that,"

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Aden waved at Julian and the others when they were returning.

"Hey, I think this letter belongs to this lady," Aden said when they finally reached.

Julian smiled at the lady, he showed her the names on the letter "Do you know the names on this letter?"

"Will you come with me?" the woman said and started walking away. They followed her through the busy streets of the part of the city that was on land until they reached a small dwelling. A two-story house with clean stone walls that were wrapped in vines and decorated with flowers. Water from the sea bordered the house in a small channel where a watermelon bounced around against the flow of the water. She walked into the house and left the door opened for them.

"Is this where you live?" Alan asked.

"Yes, like it?"

Alan smiled and nodded. They took Gregor off the horse but left him tied up and dragged him to the house.

The woman sat down on her soft yellow armchair and opened the letter. They watched as her expression slowly became one of surprise and astonishment. When she was done reading it, she folded it neatly and placed it on her lap. She sighed and closed her eyes as if trying to collect her thoughts.

"Who gave you this?" she asked, her voice shook slightly.

"A Malif, her name is Seefe," Raymond said.

"Can I meet her? I don't think she wants to meet me, she thinks her father and I abandoned her," the woman sniffled a bit.

"I think we'll have to ask her first, if we tell her that you'll tell her the truth," Julian said.

"Very well, then I better get you something," she stood up "Wait here," she walked out of the room.

"How did you find her Aden?" Julian asked.

"She saw Gregor and said that they encountered the Night Slayers and that her husband was bitten by one, she watched him turn into one," Aden said.