Machine of Fire and Blood

THREE

Elden Danson let out yet another sigh as he stared out the window. The people scuttling about in the town below were like ants from where he sat perched in his bedroom. He was so bored he wanted to cry. This is what it was always like at the Manor, day in and day out. The only remotely exciting thing that had happened to him recently was when he'd been allowed to take his father's position and let out the two contract workers who had finally paid off their debts. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the cool glass, letting out a groan.

"Excuse me, Young Master."

Elden turned his head slightly, keeping it pressed against the glass. "Yes, Rell?"

"I just received urgent word. It's about your father."

Elden turned toward him fully, taking in the butler's worry lined face.

"What happened, Rell?"

"We got news that the guards your father was travelling with were found slaughtered on the way to Iblis. All three horses including your father's Faxis were killed too. There was no sign of your father, though."

Elden's blood ran cold. "And these sources are sure? That it was my father's men? My father's horse?"

His father had reared Faxis himself, and ridden the horse for as long as Elden could remember. His father wouldn't just leave the horse to die without a damn good reason.

Rell nodded. "The guards bore the Rodham Hill Manor crest on their cloaks. And the horse without a rider was a black stallion with a long white stripe down its left haunch."

Faxis.

Elden was on his feet in a moment. "Is there any sign of who attacked them? Any sign of where my father might have gone?"

"I'm not sure, but as you know, Young Master, the forests between here and Iblis are dangerous, especially at night-"

"I have to go," Elden cut him off. "I have to go and find my father."

Elden stormed to his dressing room, grabbed a bag, and began shoving personal items into it.

"Young Master, please. You cannot just go storming off into the forest on your own. Your father is already missing, someone must stay behind and manage the Manor."

Elden continued packing. "Rell, you're my father's right hand man. You know more about running this place than I do. You'll do a much better job of it."

"It's dangerous. We have no idea where your father went or why he was attacked. What if you meet the same fate by going after him?"

Elden smiled a wicked smile. "I hope I do. So I can make whoever did that to my father and his men pay."

"Now, Young Master," Rell chided. "That's quite enough. I cannot allow you to go."

Elden stalked over to the dresser and picked up the sword that was leaning up against it. It was one of the finest swords money could buy, simple in design but perfectly balanced. Everything he owned was the best money could buy.

"I'm not asking for permission," Elden replied.

Rell let out a huff and opened the bedroom door.

"Send for the rest of the guards. We need to ensure that the Young Master does not leave this building," Rell called to the closest guard.

"Rell," Elden growled warningly. "Don't make things difficult."

"I could say the same to you," Rell shot back.

Elden strapped the sword to his back and made his way to the window. He unlocked it and flung it open.

"Try to stop me, and I will throw myself out this window," Elden warned.

Rell eyed the window warily. He knew as well as Elden did that it was a straight drop to the concrete courtyard below. Elden would at least break every bone in his body, if not die upon impact.

"Stop being so dramatic," Rell sighed. "Let's just talk this out, and we'll find a solution together. We can send a squadron of your father's men out there to investigate."

Elden glanced out the window, down at the ground far below. Just as he'd expected, the cart that brought all of the food up to the Manor was parked in front of the building, piled with crates. He'd seen it making its way up the street earlier. He eyed the drop for a moment.

"I need to go and see for myself," Elden said, turning back to Rell as he slowly backed towards the window.

Rell stepped forward, reaching out for Elden. Before he could get any closer, though, Elden reached the window.

"Sorry, Rell," Elden said. "But this might be the only chance I'll ever get to get out of this place before getting trapped here for the rest of my life."

With that, he turned and swiftly pulled himself up onto the window sill. Rell let out a cry behind him, but he was already launching himself down onto the pile of crates below. He hit the crates, pain jolting up his legs despite his bent knees. He didn't risk stopping, though. He ran across the crates and down onto the driver's seat of the cart. The horse strapped onto the front let out a huff as he jumped onto the concrete. He could hear shouting behind him as he shot down the driveway. The guards had all been making their way to his room when he'd jumped, so now they were clamoring back down the stairs and through the main foyer, likely knocking over servants as they went. A small bubble of feeling started growing in his chest. Exhilaration, excitement, but something more... freedom. He felt like he was flying as he sprinted down the driveway and towards town. He knew exactly where he was headed. He'd go straight to Kavrin Stables, the same place that had supplied horses to them for years. Then, once he had a horse, it would be straight on to Iblis.