Chapter 10: No Man’s Land

Seraphina (POV)

We decide to put the assassin in the back carriage where the luggage was placed. Then proceeded on putting the luggage it's self in and on top of the carriage and Sir Brandon sat at the back of the carriage to watch over the assassin and feed him the black powder so he will not wake.

As time went by we reached the end of Meek forest and got into a small village called Tera just outside No Man's Land we stayed only for one night and the next morning we were on our way. By Twilight we reach No Man's Land. As me and Lizzy look outside of the carriage to the cold empty desert we realise that it is true what the stories say about this land. The overwhelming energy that flows in the atmosphere which is also uncontrollable and dangerous for people who are born with non magic abilities. The reason why No Man's Land is as it is, is because of the war that the kingdom of Kronos de Lux was in before it became a kingdom of one Emperor. The story goes that the first Emperor was the chosen one to help destroy evil monsters and creatures that roam the lands. Before those monsters use to rule the lands and kill and destroy any human that lived but not all the monsters just killed the humans no. Other monsters were more intelligent and had magical abilities that they used against us for at that time humans didn't have any magic. Those monsters used to look like us and deceived the humans so that they would go to war and would kill each other then after they killed each other those monsters would take the lands of the people and use it to create more monsters out of the blood and dead bodies of people by trapping the souls and condemning them to a eternal torture of death. Those monsters where called the Ottomen.

We don't know if that is they true name but it is the name that people gave them. They have long been destroyed and forgotten but they stories are still told by parents to they naughty children as bedtime stories. How the Ottomen will come at night and feed you with his dark magic, take you to his castle and turn your body and soul to the dead.

When the war happen No Man's Land was the last place where all the Ottoman came together and fought with the first Emperor and the Saintess. The Saintess dead on the battlefield but the first Emperor lived and formed the kingdom Kronos deLux with the families that helped him in the war. As before the Saintess pass away on the battlefield she blessed the new generation and the generations to come with magical abilities that we have today but only the Emperor family line is the strongest of them all magical abilities surpassing the other clans and people in the Kingdom except the RavenCrest clan but the RavenCrest clan is not part of the Kingdom of Kronos deLux.

The darker it gets outside the colder it becomes. They say that the atmosphere here in No Man's Land could kill any non magical human for we use our magical core to keep our bodies warm but using our magical core makes it hard to breathe so we need to focus on breathing in and out slow so we do not over use our core energy for if we do over use our core it will have a burn out effect that will destroy the flow of energy and oxygen in the body that can also remove or damage your magic and if you lose control of you magical ability in No Man's Land it can kill not just you but everyone and everything around you cause of the unstable atmosphere. Sir Brandon has to us his core energy to keep not just himself warm but the assassin too. That takes up a lot of focus and energy.

" Is Sir Brandon going to be ok Miss. Should we go and be there with him or help." Lizzy said in a worried tone.

"You and I both know that if we go and see Sir Brandon right now he will lose focus on his Core energy. We have to leave him to it and trust that he will make it through the night Lizzy. Stop worrying and focus on your Core." I said in stern voice.

'I know that wasn't nice of me to say but she know the consequences of losing focus on your core energy in this place and the driver is also working overtime by getting us through this cold desert as quickly as possible so by morning we will be at the end of No Man's Land.'

"Rest we will need the energy." I said lastly and we slept. Morning came and we reached the end of No Man's Land. Sir Brandon Core energy was over used but not burnt out. After getting out of No Man's Land we reach a large Village by the border of No Man's Land called Nix. It's a old trader village well kept and better maintained than Tera. The village is lively and vibrant and full of people from all over.

"Wow Miss look. This village is completely different from any other village that I have ever seen before. Look at the beautiful landscape and buildings also the stores. They have bakery, jewellery and clothing stores like the Capital does." Lizzy said with her face pressed on the window, wide glowing eyes and smile big.

"Yes your right." I said as I look out the window and saw what Lizzy was seeing. From the well built building and the clean stores and the well kept gentleman and very well dressed ladies.

"They clothing style is as the same as in the Capital how is that possible. They live across from No Man's Land how are they well maintained like this?" I said in confusion. 'I need to look into that'

I sat back on my chair as the carriage stopped at an Inn. The driver got off and come around the carriage to us by the window.

"We can stay here for the night. This Inn is the best in town and the prices are good." The driver said in a happy tone.

"Yes, that will be good we will come and help off load the luggage and book the rooms for us. I will also book a room for you sir so make sure your clothes are with our luggage."

"Oh no Miss I will stay in the barn with the horses I need-"

"No. I will book you a room with Sir Brandon both you and him will share a room with the assassin since he is still unconscious so you don't have to worry but you must sleep on a bed good Sir. I order it." I said in a noble manner. "You helped us out in Meeks forest back then and also got us out of No Man's Land quickly and safely so let me do this for you. Please. A hot meal and a warm bed will do a good man like you some good." I said as I stepped out the carriage looking up a him. He smiled down a me with his white hair.

"Ok Miss since it is an order I will obey." He bowed then went around the carriage and I followed to get the luggage out the back. Sir Brandon came out the back carriage and came to us and also helping remove the luggage.

" So what's the game plan princess." He said with a smile on his face but his tanned skin is pale and has dark circles under his eyes showing that he hasn't slept. He overworked himself. I sighed inwardly.

"You and the driver will be in the same room."

"And our other friend?" He said nodding his head to the side of the back carriage."

"He will sleep in the same room as you guy since he is unconscious. That will also help you watch over him and feed him the black powder through out the night."

"And the driver is fine with that?"

"Yes I have already spoken to him. Is there any black powder left?" I asked

"Yes about three to four days worth." He said as he off loaded the last of the bags.

" What will you do with him when we get to RavenCrest?" Ha asked as we walked in the white stone building of the Inn. "Will you let the Duchess deal with him."

"Yes and No and no I will not tell you now and Yes you will help." I said quickly shut down any other questions the Sir Brandon had.

We got in the Inn as Lizzy was speaking to the front person and then turned to gave us our keys for the two room.

"Miss they said that meal time is at six here so we can go up and rest till then." She said and we all nodded and I pick up my luggage.

"I'm going to get our friend in the room first so that nothing happen while we moving our things" Sir Brandon said. Then he turned and left.

"I will take his things for him." The driver said as he carried the luggage.

Lizzy and I smiled and nodded at him as he pass us to go upstairs.