11 Escape

Zen took the child in his care.

He was frantic, he didn't know how to care for a child, much less a clan scion this was too much pressure for him.

When he saw the mark, he immediately thought that the mistress did it. Since it was the initial of their clan.

He felt lucky, the infant didn't cry in his arms, not even when blood gushed out from the mark. He saw the child keeping a straight face, sometimes even looked like in deep thought.

The child he held was quite sensible, he noticed how he cries only when he's hungry and needed to change.

The coach shouted, "We're nearing the town!"

Zen who was partially asleep at that time woke up. He glanced at the peacefully sleeping baby. "Ah so much work" He mulled, he had no choice but to follow the mistress orders, especially if it's about their child, he needed to safely handle this.

Arriving at the town, he checked in at the inn. The town only had few people in it, Zen was curious so he asked why.

"Ahh You probably haven't heard but this place isn't safe anymore. Most of those who live here have left, they're terrified for their lives." Said the innkeeper, "I only stay here because business never stops" the innkeeper chuckled.

Zen was surprised. Even the fighting has reached such a small town, even affecting its inhabitants.

So he made a decision to move to a farther town or village and stay hidden, he would return to the master and mistress once the fighting subsided.

If only he knew that a hundred kilometers away there was a small army approaching the town, he might've left at that moment. But he didn't, they stayed at the town and will leave at 2 days, enough for the army to arrive.

They unpacked and Zen went inside a room with the baby in his arms.

He fed him skimmed milk and he rested on the bed beside the baby.

***

"I have information that the Rivera Clan scion is hiding inside a town, our job is to eliminate the scion and leave without any trace." a man donned in armor said.

The army before him shouted at the top of their lungs, "We live to serve!"

***

A day passed and no incidents have happened, Zen was quite thankful that it was still peaceful.

He fed the baby. Then he left the room, and ordered the guards to be on their guard.

He was still nervous, since he doesn't know what to do if they were ever to be attacked. He had no training, he could barely swing a sword, much less kill anyone. He was also afraid of death.

But he had no choice, if they were attacked he would not hesitate to protect the child even in his death, his family was under the Rivera Clans grasp. If any accidents were to happen and he returns alive without the mistress baby, he would endanger his family.

Just like this another day passed, with the repeat of feeding and changing the baby's diapers (I don't know what its called archaically).

He always went out after doing this, he would also always ask the guards if there were any strange movements or approaching armies.

Night arrived. Zen was inside the room caring for the baby, entertaining and distracting him.

Suddenly loud bangs was heard at the door and a shout from one of the guards, "Zen you have to get out of here! We have been surrounded! We will open up a way for you. Get out of there now."

Zen who was still playing with the baby, was anxious once he heard those words. He grabbed his cloak and a pouch filled with gold, and in a hurry left the room.

Once he opened the door, he could hear the cries of the towns folk. Some of the buildings were on fire and the towns folk lined up outside, like sheeps waiting to be slaughtered.

Two guards accompanied him and went at the back of the town. It wasn't guarded by any soldiers, although they encountered a few, the 2 guards who accompanied him would take care of it.

They went through the houses and inside the forest. But it seemed that the enemy soldiers were alerted by their escape as dozens of soldiers were chasing them as soon as they were inside the forest.

"Over there!" The soldiers shouted.

"I can see them! Everyone charge!" Another one shouted.

One of the guard turned around and said to Zen and the other guard, "Go now! I'll hold them off!"

The latter nodded and pushed Zen to move forward. They were already aware of the dangers of this mission, yet they still accepted it, they also accepted the consequences.

"Dammit!" Zen muttered under his exhausted breaths.