The Dark One

After gathering some firewood, Leon prepared a simple breakfast for the princess. The weather looked a little chilly and they needed to warm themselves before they started their journey into the unknown. Aria was sitting by the fire wrapped in a blanket that Lylla had given to her earlier before they left. As she stared at the flying sparks of fire, she couldn't help but think of that dream. Was her mother really alive? What if it was all but a trap and something unknown waited for them beyond just to kill them?

"We need to keep going princess," Leon said once Aria was done with her breakfast. Aria nodded in understanding and the two set off after clearing the place. But they forgot to put off the fire. Hardly did they know that this would cost them a great deal.

Back in Leon's house, Lylla was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Blackwood paused by the door. She held her breath to prevent causing unnecessary attention from him. Blackwood was about to exit the room when he remembered something. A portrait. Yes, he had seen a portrait of Leon with Lylla on the walls of this house. He turned around surveying the room once again and spotted it in the middle of the room just above a door that led to another room.

Lylla looked at Blackwood's every action and followed his line of sight until it landed on something she least expected would be there. Why this portrait here of all the things? She had earlier on removed it from her mother's room as no one was there since she was admitted to the healer's den. Now she cursed herself for doing such a stupid thing.

Lord Blackwood began striding at Lylla now with his eyes fully focused on the portrait and Lylla knew everything she had done has now crumbled to dust. But she was not going to just stand there idly and wait for this man to get hold of her. Taking back a few steps, Lylla entered the next room and closed the door. Lord Blackwood slammed on the door but she couldn't open it.

Once the knight heard the commotion going on inside the house, they came in immediately. "Break this door at once!"The knights swung into action by the order of Blackwood. Lylla panicked as the slamming increased and she knew that the door would break soon. She did not want to get caught so she devised an escape plan. The window by the room was nailed so she could not access it. But it was the only way out.

Taking a stone that was there, she gave the window a hammered knock with all that she got. And true to her surprise, the window opened. She gathered her dress and jumped outside in time as the knights hit the door open.

"Catch her!"The captain yelled but Blackwood stopped the knights.

"Let her be for now," he said, "she will lead us exactly where the princess is." He said flashing that wicked smile of his.

"Gather the dogs and trackers immediately. We need to find her before dusk."The captain yelled another order as Blackwood made his way to his dark horse. Everything about him was dark. Some people even referred to him as "The Dark One".

Lylla ran into the forest and came to a halt when she was sure no one was following her. Taking measured breaths after the run, she decided to find Leon and Aria and tell them what happened. They had to know before it was too late. She lifted her dress and continued up the forest to find them.

"I think we will find your daughter today," Blackwood said addressing no one in particular. The king, who was now looking in the far distance of the hills, turned his attention at Blackwood with a worried face.

"Please promise me that you will spare my daughter," he pleaded, "she is innocent." The king was trying to put some sense into this man's mind.

"I will try, my king," he said holding Marcus' shoulder," for now go and take some rest. I will bring your daughter home."King Marcus nodded his heart heavy with emotions and fear for his daughter's safety. She was the only family member he was left with. If she died, that meant the king's position would automatically go to the man standing in front of him. This man would lead the kingdom astray. But the king was sure Blackwood would kill Aria definitely with any chance he got.

Blackwood raised a brow when the king seemed hesitant to leave. Marcus cleared his voice nervously before turning around and leaving. As he walked through the hallways, he couldn't help but feel something bad would happen to his daughter. Never for once in his life had he fallen for the mercy of another person. He felt weak when he pleaded with Blackwood to spare his daughter. He could do nothing for now as the whole magic matter rested on the shoulders of the council.

As he approached his chambers, the king thought of a plan to save his daughter. He would not just sit idly in the palace waiting for the news of his daughter's untimely death. An idea crossed his mind and his eyes shined with determination. He halted by the door to his chambers and turned to the guard by the door.

"Tell Lord Lukas that I wish to have a word with him in my chambers," he said facing the knight.

"Yes your majesty," the knight marched away and went to fetch Lord Lukas.

Lord Blackwood exited the throne hall after confirming that the king had entered his chambers. He went to the training ground and there, knights clad in black and trackers with menacing dogs were paraded waiting for him.

"Everything is set as planned my Lord," the captain said approaching him and bowing slightly.

"Good. Now we wait for darkness to set in. We will attack them when they least expect us," Lord Blackwood said looking at the position of the sun in the blue sky. The captain nodded and ordered the knights to rest and prepare for what awaited them by evening.