Chapter 7 : Migrating To Safety

(Third-person POV)

It has been two days since Azriel broke into a high fever and fell unconscious. Yeomfra and Tyr managed to eliminate the threat and went back to the cabin, only to find Azriel in a critical condition.

Darcio has been running back and forth between towns and the cabin to buy medicine for Azriel. When his fever went down drastically, the four guys let out a deep, relieved breath they've been holding for what it seems like an eternity.

They're all in the small room in the cabin. Tyr, Yeomfra, and Morfeo were sitting with their legs crossed in front of Azriel's limp body and Darcio sitting across from them with his arms crossed.

"It's time to move,"

Darcio's sudden words made the three boys whipped their heads toward him with wide eyes.

"A-Are you sure? I understand that moving is the safest option since the enemy can get this close already, but later as we look for another hiding place, we'll be more exposed to bigger risk,"

"They were mages. Wearing black robes and arrows made from vysu. Meaning that they could definitely sensed Azriel's since his vysu expanded a lot," Yeomfra said as he furrowed his eyebrows.

"Another reason for us to leave this forest," Darcio pressed, successfully shutting Tyr up.

"Where do we go?" Morfeo asked.

Darcio pondered for a while. Eyes unconsciously wandered to Azriel's sleeping face.

"We'll have to go to Oftr,"

"!"

"The capital of Vysu Contest?!" Morfeo gasped. "You're expecting Azriel to stay still and not wander around the town? Darcio, he's more curious than a cat. If he know about the contest, he'll want to participate,"

"It's you, Tyr's and Yeomfra's duty to protect him at all costs. No matter the circumstances," Darcio reminded him firmly. "As long as he understand his situation, he'll be more cautious. And If he wandered off, you three better protect him before I do something regretful toward you three,"

The three boys gulped in unison.

"What about his face? He looked like the exact copy of his parents," Tyr asked again, albeit nervously.

"He'll wear a mask to cover his face," Darcio answered easily.

Tyr, Yeomfra and Morfeo exchanged glances silently, nodding their heads.

"We'll keep him safe, don't fret, you three. Besides, with his remarkable talent of controlling vysu at a very young age, I'm sure he won't require our assistance in three or four years," Darcio said, fondness laced in his voice.

"But even if Azriel become stronger than all of us, I'll always follow him wherever he go," Morfeo declared with a determined tone.

Yeomfra rolled his eyes. "You'll just be a hindrance for him,"

Morfeo gasped, scandalized. He glared at Yeomfra. "What?! No way! I'm so helpful!"

"Yeah. You're only helpful when Azriel is too full to eat another bite so you finished his food for him," Tyr said with an innocent smile. "You should be Azriel's official general of leftovers,"

"Why you—"

"Nnh,"

"!"

Everyone stopped when they heard a small, almost silent whimper coming from Azriel. The boy frowned briefly before continue sleeping.

Darcio shot an intimidating glare at the three boys. "Make another sound and I'll make sure you three won't be able to talk forever,"

"..."

***

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***

When the skinny old man didn't receive news from the five mages, he informed his Lord, Raiden Adkins, who gave him the orders to seek Prince Azriel's whereabouts. The lanky man knocked on the two giant doors, waiting for permission to come in.

Once the doors opened, he strolled in and saw a man adorned in costly accessories sprawled on the luxurious bed. There was two beauty clinging on each side of his body, and the man stared at the lanky man with his sharp eyes.

"I'm assuming since you rarely make an appearance, you're here to give me important report," The man said, lazily stroked one of the woman's back with the tips of his fingers.

"Yes, My Lord. The mages that I sent haven't returned,"

"And?"

"I think they were attacked. They went to the forbidden mountains far away from this town,"

"So you're saying that there's a possibility that these high-ranked mages were eliminated by the Imperal family's most trusted knight, Darcio Maller, and those three little knights that pledge their lives to the Prince?" Raiden asked with a menacing smile.

"Yes, My Lord,"

"Excellent. Send more mages to the forbidden forest. Make sure every pathways and every corners in that forest thoroughly inspected,"

"Yes, My Lord,"

The lanky man quickly jogged out of the lavish bedroom. Raiden pushed the two women aside, smirking as he got up and fixed his robe.

"I'll make sure that I'll be the one who can get the Prince's head, and make the Marquis proud,"