Chapter 7

In the master house, Sir Lee who was writing down a document for annexation finishes and puts it in a fancy golden fleece bag though it was actually dyed bright yellow.

"Father will this really work?" "It will kid." "But Sir." "I know your worried. But right now, we have no other way." "He's right son. Making fake documents of annexation is the best move for us." "..." "Don't worry I have the Kings stamp. I was able to model the real one. We show this to the border captain and he'll let us right through."

"But we have to move fast before word gets to the King." said the Commander. "Then we won't have to worry about the sick. We can just take them in carriages."

"Yes, if we can fool the captain that is." "And if we don't father." The commander touches his sword. "Then we have no choice but to fight."

"How many do we have?" Asked Lee. "I say about 100 men and 80 beast men out of 200." "And the border?" "An entire Battalion Sir."

I thought to my self why have such a large force close the border? "We'll have to make a run for it. If they find the document forged by us." "I hired a Witch that will give us a fog for camouflage. If we have to run."

"Hopefully we won't have to. Many of us won't survive the fight." "We all understand that. Even the beast-men know that."

"And the Black coats Sir." " We'll let them do their inspections. After that we wait a few days. We don't want them staying around. Eventually they will leave the duchy and head back to the main capitol."

"I sure hope a Forerunner is not in our kingdom."

"The worst of the Black coats." "I hope so to son." 

Me and Shea laid on a hill staring up at the night skies. What's wrong Shea?" "Just reminiscing." "About what?" "Do you remember when we first went out, as husband and wife." "I do. We wanted to show society that we loved each other. Though it was just a play we were doing."

"Yeah. we stayed out all day and into the night. We laid on a hill just like this." "Yeah. We talked about many things. And the hardships we went through."

"We said that we would help each other. And that no matter what we would stand by each other to support one another."

"What's wrong Shea?" "It's just I wish I could help you. I'm stuck like this in bed. You have to cook for me. I wish I could just help myself." "Shea. One day you'll be able to walk again. I will find away. And you being here is already helpful. I want to help you every day even if you never ended up like this."

"But I feel like deadweight for you." "No, you are my lover. And you spoke about it. We will always be on each other's side. Always." Her tears came out. I hugged all night long. No one will ever hurt her again. No one.

The very next day we wait for the black coats to arrive. Many were on edge some never came out of their homes. "Kuma." Argo is a deer beast-man. He is to say the speaker of the beast-men hear. "Yes Argo?"

"Are you feeling aright." He is kind person. He was separated from his daughter some time ago. By now she should be a grown adult. "As fine as I can be." "I wonder what awaits us in these lands." "Hopefully a better path." 

"And where is Shea?" "In the shed." "You should bring her out. Don't want her in there when they are doing their inspections."

"I will." 

Sir lee waited outside his home's doors looking and waiting for his watcher's signal. "Luckly there is no Forerunner with them." "He if one was. They have no power to do anything unless the high master lets them." 

"It's so strange. They used to be protecters. Now they do this." "I remember when you were a boy you wanted be a Black coat like your mother." "I did but the current regime destroyed that dream." 

"There here! There here!" The watcher spotted dust kicking up a mile away and sent word that the Black coats were here. We were all told to stay outside our rooms and cabins. And to not move under any circumstances. The faces of everyone were intense dred.

Just get through this that's all. We'll be fine. Afterwards we can leave. "Kuma." "I'm fine dear." 

About 30 riders wearing black coats and silver arrived with dust following them. "Welcome." "Mister Lee." "A man gets off his horse and hands him a paper." "We're here for inspection with orders from Emperor Weston."

"Please. Feel free." Many of them had weapons. They broke up in groups and looked for anything out of the ordinary. Kuma and Shea stayed outside their shake. Shea who couldn't walk anymore or has a problem walking sat in a chair near the entrance. Three Black coats approached us. Two of them walk in the shake. Everything was a mass like an animal nest.

Good thing we it made look like that or else there would be trouble. The third Black coat that was waiting outside watched. He approaches Kuma and Kuma did not look at him. "Thats good. You know your place. But your friend here. Why is she sitting down? Does she not know that you are to either lay on your knees or stand up?"

"It's not like that sir. She has a problem standing sir." "...Oh." He walks over to her. "Such pretty legs its shame you can't use them. Shea didn't look at him and the Black coat smirked. "I get it. That is a common thing in the world." He kicks the chair from under her and Shea falls to the ground and Kuma tends to her aid. He laughs hysterically at us.

"Thats better." My emotions were getting the better at. The black know I was angry because of the way I stared at him. "You got some nerve to be looking at me like that rabbit." I was knocked out with his heated sword. The sword hand burned my cheek. "Kuma!"

"Hey." A man stood in at the entrance of the door. He was not too big, but his mana was enormous made him feel like giant. "Sorry sir just having a bit of some fun." "I don't care. Know that we are not here to have fun. Our forerunner is waiting for us in Isabella. So, hurry up and get back on your horse." "Yes sir." "We cleared the entire area already, so do yours." "Yes sir."

After a brief check they left the shed. Shea was crying.

Before he left, he turns to a crying Shea and me. His face was filled with confliction. "He pulls a blue potion and pours it over Kuma since the other two were gone. "Why?"

Shea asked. "My stepmother was a Fox beast-women. She would be mad at me if I didn't do anything." He helps her onto the chair and lays me on the bed. "Then why are you with the Black coats?"

"I have a half-sister. A Half-blood I need to protect."

He reminded me of Lender but in a reversed role. Humans are cruel but they do have feelings. "Shea?" "Thank the Earth. You're ok." "The Black coats?" "They left." "Shea, did they!?" "No." I breath a sign of relief. "Just lie down." I lay back down on the bed. She holds my hand. She tried not to cry. She broke down holding her face. She was glad I was alive.

"Seems you check out Sir Lee." "Thank you for coming. And have a safe trip."

He nods and gets on his horse. "Well come back in a month to do another check. Until then Good Day. And may the Flaming Eagle protect you." After leaving there was sign of relief in the station. "Sir" "Yes?" "Kuma has been injured but he was healed by a potion from the captain that just left."

"Seems there's still a little humanity left in them.... We should start to get ready and make sure the doctor visits Kuma to see if there are any lingering side effects from his injury." "Yes sir." We need to move fast."

The next few days we spent our time gathering materials and food that we were going to need for our journey. "How are you feeling Kuma?" "I feel fine sir. Thank you for asking."

"We have to make our move soon. Right now, I want you to organize the beast-men." "I will handle it." "Good. Son. Make sure the staff is ready as well." "Yes."

"Commander. The men are ready when you are." "Also, Kuma your wife will be riding in one of the carriages and so should you." "I understand."

"Let's hope the God of light is on our side." We gather a large number of carriages during the last month. We were ready to leave. Smiles and laughter were potent in the group. Excitement for a new beginning. I turn to look at the Station and so does Shea.

"This was our home. For 16 years we worked here. It made new memories for and us." "Shea." "I feel sad leaving it." "We both knew it was only resting spot for our future. But now our new beginning has begun."

"Well make a new home. We can start our family somewhere safe." Me and Shea...our own child. I never though the day of wanting to have children of my own.

"Yeah, our family should live a better life than this." I hug her and speak. "I can't wait for children to come into our lives." "Me too. But." "Yes?" "You said Mr. Lee was heading to an area were a savior, a protector will lead us."

"Are you worried about who ever it is?" "I just can't help be cautious." Shea. She still has a hard time trusting people. I want to put her at ease but even I'm unsure about this person. "If they are not what we thought them to be. Then we can go to the Land of the Sun."

"We'll have to find a boat. To cross the high sea." "But how?" "Let me figure that out." "Ok...I believe in you."

A few hours later we arrived at the border. There was large military camp to right off the dirt road. To have this many men they are either expecting an invasion or planning one. "Stay calm." As we approach the border. I saw fields of grass. It reminded me of Sultrae. The scenery was beautiful than Sultrae.

"Sir lee!" "Hm."

A well-dressed man approached Sir Lee. He didn't have much response to the man. "What business brings you here?" "Captain Holan." He hands him the documents. The captains look thoroughly and for a split second he did doubt the evidence. But notice the stamp of the king.

"....Well then. I didn't think his majesty would approve of this." "True. Maybe he's grown tired of his small kingdom." "...Maybe." There was a tense silence between, but he did let us through. "I hope you stay safe out there. Make sure our reputation is not tarnished." 

"I will. Tell your father I send him my regards. And please guard this border with your life." As Sir Lee bows the carriage begun to move. Holan seemed very disgusted with Lee. We made slight eye contact. I immediately fell back to avoid his eyes. "We made it?" "Yes Shea." They both breath a sign of relief and smiled. "We did."

"Were...free." "Yes...we're free." The doors swing open and on the other side was the open plains of the Southern. The Sea of grass

"Sir."

"Yes Commander?" "Will they not follow us?" "They will I have no doubt I didn't expect the captain of the border to be the son of our family's enemy. He will no doubt try to kill us...make sure you deal with them One by one." "Yes Sir."

Hopefully our savior is close to us. And if we meet sooner than I am expecting. I will pledge myself to you. Savoir of unknown.