Echoes of Ashes, Whispers of Power
The Next Day:
The sun had risen, but its light held no hope for life.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed on the cobblestone paths. Amidst the burnt houses and corpses, the wind carried the stench of blood and ash. As soon as they reached the center of Harvest Square on horseback, a heavy voice was heard—
> "Captain, we have thoroughly searched the entire village. I don't think this was a normal accident…"
These were the words of Sergeant Darius — vice-captain of the North-West Army of the royal capital, 35 years old, a strong man with short black hair and black eyes.
Just then, Scout Helena, 28 years old, tall and lean with sharp eyes, entered Harvest Square at high speed on his horse and said,
> "Captain! The priestess has arrived!"
Hearing this, the three of them headed out of Harvest Square towards the outskirts of the village.
One of them — 42 years old, with black hair, brown eyes, and a sturdy build — got off his horse and said,
> "Sergeant, recheck the surrounding areas. Scout, check how much longer it will take to collect the bodies."
Saying this, he walked straight towards a tent. Entering inside, he found standing before him—
A 25-year-old girl with golden hair and green eyes, wearing a white priestess robe. Her presence exuded an aura that made the air feel filled with fragrance.
With a sweet smile and soft voice, she said,
> "My name is Sister Elowen. I am a student of the head priest of the royal capital's church. I am very pleased to meet you…"
Captain Cedric put on a serious expression and said in his deep voice,
> "I am Captain Cedric Vane, Captain of the North-West Army of the royal capital."
Just then, Sergeant Darius also entered the tent. Introducing him, Cedric said,
> "And meet him, he is Vice-Captain Sergeant Darius of the North-West Army — one of my most trusted men."
Sister Elowen bowed slightly with a gentle smile and said,
> "Very pleased to meet you, Sergeant."
The Sergeant bowed his head slightly in return and said,
> "Likewise, Sister."
Then Darius's expression turned serious, and he said,
> "Captain, during the search, we found a body near the river."
Hearing this, both Cedric and Elowen exited the tent.
Reaching the riverside, they saw — a girl's dead body, her clothes torn, deep claw marks, and dried blood on her body. Her face was contorted in terror.
Sister Elowen closed her eyes and began to pray, while Captain Cedric observed the corpse intently.
Just then Scout Helena returned and said,
> "Captain, all the bodies have been collected and the graves are ready."
Cedric looked at him and said,
> "Alright, begin."
After that, Sister Elowen prayed for all the bodies and they were buried in the graves.
After the prayers, Elowen sat in the buggy, and all the soldiers mounted their horses and set off towards the capital.
On the way, Cedric looked towards Elowen and said,
> "We will travel without stopping through the night and reach the capital by morning."
Sister Elowen gave a faint smile and replied,
> "Alright…"
Then she looked out the buggy window into the darkness, as if searching for something within it…
---
Capital Arrival:
After traveling the entire night, Captain Cedric and the rest arrived at the gates of the royal capital.
There, two soldiers were checking everyone one by one. As soon as they noticed Captain Cedric, they straightened up instantly and said,
> "Captain Cedric, welcome!"
They immediately cleared the way. Cedric turned to his two companions and said,
> "Darius, Helena — you two take Sister Elowen to the church. I have to deliver the report."
Cedric tugged his horse's reins and passed through the tall walls and towering buildings of the royal capital, heading straight towards the records hall.
The royal guards posted at the entrance opened the gate at once upon seeing Cedric. Entering, Cedric opened the door to a room filled with old parchments, leather-bound files, and documents sealed with wax.
At the desk sat Lady Marianne Holt — 26 years old, with long blonde curls, sharp green eyes, and perfectly fitted royal clerk uniform — someone who could attract anyone at first sight.
Seeing Cedric, she exclaimed in surprise,
> "Captain Cedric, what brings you here today…?"
Cedric replied in his calm voice,
> "Here is the report on Silverbrook, Marianne."
Lady Marianne took the report, read it carefully, and sealed it with the official stamp. Then she stood up from her seat and came very close to Cedric — so close that her perfume lightly brushed his senses. Bringing her finger near Cedric's cheek in a flirtatious manner, she said,
> "Dinner with me tonight? How about it?"
With his experience and discipline, Cedric stayed calm and replied,
> "Forgive me, I must leave immediately for the royal kingdom. I ask your leave."
Saying this, Cedric turned around and exited the hall.
After he left, Lady Marianne glanced after him, then carefully placed the report on a side shelf and said with a faint smile,
> "Silverbrook… a small village, but on the route of the capital's most important resources. That's why the capital wants this incident to simply be labeled an 'accident' and covered up…"
Night had grown thick…
Silverbrook had now completely turned into a heap of ashes.
In the pale moonlight, a few black carriages stopped near the village. The place was now nothing but a scene of ruins.
People dressed in black robes from head to toe stepped down from the carriages. Silently, they began digging up coffins, examining some bodies, placing them in the carriages, and left without leaving any evidence behind.
Only the scent of ash and death lingered in the air…
One month later...
On the outskirts of Alderfall city, in a cozy wooden house, Dr. Lucien Vale was sitting. He was around twenty-five years old, tall, with deep brown hair and sharp blue eyes. While sipping steaming hot coffee, he was reading old parchments and documents. The room had dim lighting, and the sound of light rain could be heard outside.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Lucien's assistant Clara, who was twenty-two years old, with shoulder-length red hair and hazel eyes who always carried a bright smile, opened the door. Standing outside was a royal courier, who handed her a sealed letter with a royal seal. Clara quickly flipped the letter — it was written on it:
> "To Dr. Lucien Vale — Urgent."
Clara took the letter to Lucien and handed it to him. As soon as Lucien opened the letter and started reading it, his eyes widened. Looking at Clara, he said in a deep voice:
> "Clara, get ready. We have to leave for the Capital right now!"
Clara immediately began preparations, and soon both of them sat in the horse carriage waiting outside the house. The carriage moved through the streets of Alderfall at the speed of the horse, heading towards the Capital.
---
Capital Arrival:
After several hours, the carriage reached the massive gates of the Capital. Outside the gate, soldiers were strictly checking each carriage and person. The tall stone walls surrounding the city, with burning torches, were adding to the grandiosity of the Capital. Lucien, looking outside the carriage window, was soaking in everything — the large gates, royal flags, and the tight security everywhere.
Inside the carriage, Clara had dozed off lightly. Lucien looked at her and said in a soft voice:
> "Clara, wake up… we're about to reach the Capital."
Clara, rubbing her eyes as she woke up, said:
> "Oh… when did I fall asleep?"
Just then, Captain Cleder's eyes fell on a man in the crowd. He had been keeping a watchful gaze on everyone from afar and He noticed that the man was drenched in sweat , with fear was clearly visible in his eyes. The Captain quickly approached him and said:
> "I will do your checking myself!"
The man's face turned pale as if blood drained from it. He tried to run, but the Captain swiftly kicked his legs, and the man fell there unconscious. A soldier ran up and caught the man. Another soldier said:
> "Captain, there are illegal medicines in his bag!"
Lucien saw the entire scene from the carriage. While leaving, the Captain told the soldiers:
> "You handle the rest; I'm moving ahead."
After the check, Lucien's driver showed the soldiers the royal letter, and seeing it, they granted entry to the carriage. The carriage quickly entered the grand Capital streets — where stone-paved roads, tall clock towers, busy markets, and royal guards were everywhere.
---
Arrival at Rosehwal Manor:
After a while, the carriage stopped in front of Ravenshade Manor — with large steel gates, well-maintained flower gardens, and a beautiful fountain in the middle, making it one of the grandest mansions in the Capital. The carriage went straight to the mansion entrance and stopped. From inside came maid Sophie, who was around twenty-eight years old, with golden hair tied in a neat bun and green eyes, exuding graceful presence. She said:
> "Welcome to Ravenshade Manor, please follow me."
Sophie led them up the marble stairs and stopped in front of a large wooden door, saying:
> "Sir, Dr. Lucien has arrived."
A panicked voice came from inside:
> "Come in!"
Lucien opened the door — inside was a royal-style office, with old paintings on the walls, large bookshelves, and a massive desk. In the room, Lord Gregory Ashford was pacing back and forth continuously. He was about forty-five years old, tall, with silver-like hair and worried eyes clearly visible on his face. As soon as he saw Lucien, he ran to him, grabbed his hand, and said:
> "Doctor, my daughter's condition is very bad… you are my last hope!"
Lucien, in a calm and reassuring tone, said:
> "Don't worry, I will do my best. I need to see the patient."
Sophie led them to the adjoining room. There, on a large bed, Evelina Ashford lay unconscious. She was around eighteen years old, with raven-black hair, milk-like fair skin, and delicate features enhancing her beauty even more..
Whisper of secret....
Why did the royal capital seem so eager to quickly label what happened in Silverbrook as an "accident" and cover it up — could there be a deeper conspiracy connecting the village's destruction, the secretive black-robed figures collecting bodies, and Evelina's mysterious illness?
TO BE CONTINUE.....