Secret of the Blue Forest (COMPLETED)

Part 4

Rio was sitting in the local pub, he was a young boy with a talent for killing, he was new in this work but already making quite a name and also few companions. Rio had a scar on his right cheek which he received in a fight, his hair were brown and had bright eyes. He thought of Red as his biggest rival but Red never paid any attention. Now he sits in pub with his gang talking about Lord Henry.

Rio: That job came to me first but I declined.

His man looked at him, and he continued to speak.

"Only idiots will go in the Blue forest, and Henry was one of them. People don't go there in broad day and that fool went camping there in night".

Some soldiers on a nearest table heard him; one of them turns to him and said:

"Watch your mouth boy, Lord Henry was many things but not a fool".

These were Henry's soldiers and like all locals loved him because of his niceness.

Rio smiled at him and said.

Rio: He was indeed many things, but also a fool, what did he thought that just because he is nice to you idiots, you can protect him in the Blue forest? If that's the case, he is dead for good"

Soldier's face turned red with anger and he stood up with his hand on the sword and said.

"You are just some words away from getting your tongue cut in hundreds of pieces"

Before Rio could reply a kid ran in and said to the soldier.

"Trouble at inn, you are needed there quickly"

Soldier looks at Rio and said.

"Your luck just saved you boy", then he goes out followed by his comrades.

Rio loses his grip on his knife under the table. He Smiled at his friends and said.

Rio: That was a close one.

While soldiers were following the child who led them to the nearest inn where a crowd was starting to gather. They made their way to the center of the crowd where two men were lying. One man's head was crushed and his both legs were cut, or so as it seemed. Second man's eyes were closed and looked like he was taking his last breaths. He was saying and repeating some words I very low voice.

"Mountain.....run".

"Get some water' someone shouted.

But His body took some shakes and then he stopped breathing.

Crowd started whispering as soldiers began to investigate the witnesses.

Past five days were very strange for people. First Lord Henry died and on the next day two travelers died in a weird manner, afterwards three miners went missing near the mountains. A whole family of eight people vanished near Blue forest and on the next day it happened again with five soldiers. With No Lord in Henry's place, nobody was to look into this matter. Lord Henry lived alone with no heir. Closest Lord was Lord Artis who put his son in charge of his land and took over lord Henry's place. In normal circumstances it would not be so easy, other lords would go against Dake but right now immediate attention was required to missing and killings.

Right now the group of same soldiers was reporting to Lord Artis in Lord Henry's castle.

Captain of these soldiers was Jonald Kane who was explaining everything to Lord Artis.

Jonald: Witnesses saw him running scared with other body on his shoulders. He was running and yelling gibber gabber. After reaching the inn he just fell and spoke some nonsense.

Lord Artis: and what was this nonsense?

Jonald: just two words my lord; he spoke them over and over again.

Lord Artis: speak them for me.

Jonald: Mountain...run.

Jonald's voice echoed in the throne room.

Lord Artis: Pretty clear. Miners went missing near the mountains too... check those mountain for anything...form a search party.

Lord Artis's order turned soldiers faces a little worried. Jonald looked at them and said.

Jonald: My lord, that may not be possible, soldiers are scared.

Lord Artis laughed and said.

"What kind of men are you?"

Jonald felt insulted.

"My lord, head of that man was not smashed by any weapon"

"By a rock?"

"No my lord, seemed it was pressurized by something... also limbs were not cut but pulled till they were torn apart"

"And that scares you?"

"Any man would be scared my lord"

"You will take your men on the mountains"

"What if they die my lord?"

"I don't care captain"

Jonald looked at Lord Artis in surprise and anger; then he said.
Jonald: My lord, I cannot lead my man in to the unknown danger.

Lord Artis shouted: What a bunch of little girls, I order you to do so.

Anger spread on Jonald's face, he turned to his soldiers and with a little nod, ordered them to go outside. Soldiers start walking towards the door. Then Jonald said to Lord Artis.

Jonald: I don't take orders from you.....my lord. You are not lord of grassy plains by law.

Then he turned around and started walking. Lord Artis turned red with anger but he tried to keep himself calm, he said.

Lord Artis: I am just trying to look after the innocent people of your beloved Lord Henry, and right now only Grassy Plains is getting affected, I don't need you but your people need you.

Jonald didn't stop, he keeps on walking and said.

"We are keeping the peace in grassy plains already, but if you think I am going to take my man in unknown danger, then think again my lord.

Lord Artis watched him leave, He stood up from throne and started walking towards the halls leading to inner parts of castle, he wanted to rest.