2.2 CHAPTER TWELVE: THE LOST MAN

2.2 CHAPTER TWELVE: THE LOST MAN

Lucian exited the duke's private study room after reporting the war's critical events. Messengers had been utilized during the war, but every commander had a duty to personally report to their higher-ups afterward. He ran a hand through his deep-black hair as he walked through the hallways he was becoming familiar with.

He had just received news that his men would arrive the morning after. And there was no way he would stay at castle de Serin a moment longer than necessary. They would be traveling to Kizzura as soon as possible. Especially since Lucian no longer needed to show his presence at the palace for his report. As soon as Lucian entered the duke's private study, the royal mage opened up a two-way portal; so that the king could hear the news from Lucian himself.

The knight commander took the roundabout way of getting to his room by passing the gardens. Castle de Serin was well-known for its ground, as it grew different, rare flowers and trees alike. Not to mention plants with prices that could feed a whole village for a few months.

Such as the one he was standing in front of at the moment. An Iloe tree stood in the middle of the garden like it was its pride and joy. Lucian could guess it would be as old as a decade and more. The older the Iloe tree, the more expensive it is.

He touched the trunk, closing his eyes in the process. It was there that he first saw his wife. Where he'd seen her crying on their wedding day. Imagining the face of a person he could never see once more, Lucian sighed as he opened up his eyes.

Something at the lower part of the tree caught his eyes. He knelt down on the grass to take a look. Something was carved at the trunk. Sloppily done as if the one who did it had no prior experience.

"Ki muragen, Karme, moro mou,"

A smile graced Lucian's lips as he caressed the words with his fingers. He could feel the love in it. And he figured it must have been why his wife would always be with the tree, even on her wedding night. Suddenly, Lucian heard someone behind him. He stood up and turned to face the maid, who he was beginning to detest. For she would also appear where he was.

"My lord," she started. "The Sagma knights have arrived. They are awaiting you at the courtyard,"

Lucian reunited with his order. Uli reported no casualties despite having a few run with monsters in the forest. The knight commander patted him on the shoulder and commended him for a job well done of keeping everyone safe.

"We will be leaving for Kizzura at dawn break," Lucian announced, which was met with a lot of protest and groans.

"What is the hurry to leave, Lucian?" Uli asked in a whisper as the two of them walked away from the knights making camp at the royal duke's courtyard.

"I just do not want to stay here more than necessary, Uli," Lucian answered in the same low voice.

His vice-commander nodded in understanding before he seemed to have remembered something.

"How is it? Lady Urian–I mean?"

Lucian stopped walking as he turned to face his friend solemnly. He shook his head in answer.

"She is gone, Uli,"

~oOo~

The Sagma knights marched out of the boundaries of Vasilios and into the forests once more. Lucian reminded his men to be careful as the forests between Vasilios, and Athanasios is known to be home to plenty of monsters, especially so close to migration season.

"Keep into the outskirts of Athanasios," Lucian announced. "There is no need to present ourselves in the palace. The faster we get home, the better,"

Hours into their journey, the sky was steadily turning violent. What once was a forget-me-not blue sky had turned into a dark, tri-colored one. There was an apparent towering thundercloud above. The lights were blue with a reddish tinge of the approaching sunset, which illuminated almost everything below it a color of green.

The wind, which was calm and merely a breeze in the early hours, turned into howls.

"I feel like I have to say it since no one is saying it," Sen started as he caught up with Lucian and Uli. "But the sky is darkening. Judging by the strength of the wind, I can see we can expect a storm soon,"

"I agree," Uli replied, staring up at the sky. "We have to find shelter soon, commander. Not only because of the coming storm but monsters tend to roam during these bad weathers,"

"If I remember correctly, there is a small village over by the river," Lucian answered, pointing in the direction and leading his men toward it. "Make haste. We must be off of the forest before the storm starts,"

But as soon as those words left his mouth, a light pierced through the sky. It was followed by a deafening sound of thunder which spooked the horses. Lucian's particularly. His steed neighed as its two front paws raised in the air, kicking.

"Whoa, Atlas," Lucian pulled at the reins as he calmed his horse down, gently patting it on the side of its head.

"Are you alright, commander?"

"I'm fine!" Lucian answered as Atlas, his steed, slowly calmed down. "Let's make haste. The storm is before us,"

The Sagma knight fastened their marching, but the rain started falling before they could even see the river. Uli kept repeating commands to hurry as they could hear the faint sound of the river water. Lucian stayed back at the end of the brigade to ensure none of his men would be left behind.

With every minute that passed, the rain fell harder. Lightning and thunder ruled the sky, which had long since turned a violent color of purple and black.

"The river water is raging! Make sure to cross with caution. We can't have you dying here after all this time!" Aleksy shouted above the sound of the storm.

As the last Sagma knight safely crossed the river, Uli turned back to call his commander over. But there was no one else on the other side. Not even a shadow nor his horse.

"Lucian!" Uli shouted, his eyes canvassing his surroundings, but there was no evidence of his friend's presence. "Damn it, Lucian, answer me!"

But the storm made it impossible to see the other side of the river. The trees became blurred figures over the heavy rain and howling winds.

"The storm is getting worse, lord Uli!" Sen yelled beside the tall man. "We must bring everyone to safety. I know you are worried about the commander, but this is him. If anyone can survive this storm in the forest, it is him,"

"The mage is correct, Uli. For now, let us take shelter. We cannot help the commander later if we all die here now," Aleksy added.

Uli growled under his breath, but he knew the two men were right. With a nod and one last look across the river, he ordered everyone to continue to march toward the village.

"Be safe, Lucian," Uli whispered before he, as well, turned his back on the river.