Chapter 1: The Entourage

An entourage was moving along a forest range. It surrounded a luxurious carriage. A 15yr old girl was inside the carriage with a sad face. A few soldiers and two warrior Knights were escorting the carriage and the vehicles behind towards the capital. The caravan carrying the girl belonged to a powerful magician.

"Little miss we are really going to the capital. Do you know all the people in the family are jealous of your luck" said the maid. The girl just smiled sadly at the maid's excitement.

The girl belongs to one of the counties under the Empire. She is from a noble family of the counties, "the Poalm family". Her father, the current leader of the family is a Baron of the county. Baron, the title was actually inherited from her grandfather after the old baron passed away. The girl, Sachi Carlie Poalm the young daughter of the family was selected as the mistress to the magician of the Rimus Empire, Black noir.

Black noir, the famous mage of the Empire Rimus is the only saint level mage and guardian of the empire and very close to the emperor.

Emperor Bantyn Zeigh Rimus of the Zeigh Rimus family is the current ruler of Rimus empire. Actually it was a kingdom, however the previous ruler self named it as empire and declared himself as the emperor. There were two counties and two kingdoms in this empire.

The noble families and kingdoms usually guard the mines and look after the lands for the empire. Gold, Red metal, Spirit, Mythril, and many other ores were produced from these mines. Gold is used by empires for currencies and normal people. Mythril, Ardmatniun and other ores like cold steel, red metal are the mines very useful for magicians and warriors. These minerals have a type of magical energy used by the magicians for their cultivation, comprehension and exchange them as currency as well.

Recently a Mythril and Savitonium mines were found by the Poalm family. The news quickly travelled to the kingdom and the empire. Magician Black Noir and his disciple were travelling nearby when they heard about this, so they quickly reached the place and used their authority to covet the mines.

The head of the Polam family tried to negotiate to get some resources and position. He offered Sachi Poalm as the concubine. However the negotiation was done by the brother of the family head and other elders. As people were required to guard the mine, Black Noir agreed to their suggestion without thinking much, as there will be working dogs for free.

Her mother did not agree at first; however the pressure from the elders and her husband's brother made her become quiet. The brother Alder Poalm had a son in law who is a warrior class. He specialized in spear wielding.

In this world Mage was a respected job class. Their status is higher than nobles, like magicians, warrior Knights were also a class which has good status compared to normal soldiers and nobles though their status is next to mage they are respected equally or maybe a little less than mage. They are also, checked with the weapon affinity. And Morten Elvis was considered above average in talent with good affinity to spear weapon.

Black Noir agreed and promised them some resources and informed that he will look into the empire's biggest academy Gavin Academy for a seat after he returns to the empire.

Sachi was also tested and confirmed that she was average in water magic. As she was destined to be the mage's concubine she will be placed in the academy as well.

So the entourage began three weeks after the mage Black Noir left.

Sachi's mother cried as she was unable to see her daughter betrothed as concubine. However no one in the family cared about it. Her father Sibyl Poalm was little sad at first but as a head of the family he has to think about everyone so he relented.

Triki the maid assigned to Sachi was little ecstatic as she was going to accompany the lady to the capital and Academy. The maid felt like a fish jumping from a well to a pond. The scenery along the way was beautiful. So she was happy and smiling.

"Little miss try to cheer up, don't be sad" the maid tried her best to cheer up the sad girl.

Sachi did not feel happy at the maid's word. On the way the maid tried her best to show the good points of being a concubine.

However Sachi felt different.

"I understand Triki. However, what is the point when someone controls your life and destiny. There is no freedom in this. It's a cage" she said.

Triki did not understand the words; she just thought the girl doesn't have brain.

The leader of the entourage a level 3 warrior Martin McAlester reined the horse slowly towards the carriage and informed that they were half way from the capital of Rumis. As the soldiers and group are tired from walking they will be taking a small break and then continue.

The soldiers felt relived as the leader order for the halt. They slowly started to prepare some food, search a place to lie down.

Suddenly there was a whooshing sound.

"We are being attacked quickly form a circle" ordered the head of the troops.

There was a screeching sound and few guards at the front of the group fell to the ground, their bodies filled with arrows.

Slowly people came into the view with bows and spears in their hands. , they were completely covered in black.

It was bandits!

Their expressions were extremely fierce. The leader of the group who looked strong and well built looked at them with narrowed eyes. It was filled with coldness and cruelty. He did not cover his face like the others.

The leader of the entourage looked at the man and said "we warn you, this is the carven going to the capital and we are mage Black Noir's people."

The bandit leader looked at them suddenly shocked.

The leader Martin felt pleased by the shocked expression. However his expression suddenly changed.

The bandit leader who had shocked expression gave a big smile which sent chills. Martin thought he blurted the wrong phrase.

The bandit leader raised his hand without a word, the people around him quickly attacked without warning. The leader jumped at Martin and they fought.

Martin was shocked at the bandit leader's skills and fight. "You..." he was shocked "you are not a bandit" he said realizing something. "Who are you people?" They did not look like bandits at all. Instead, they looked like a team of trained killers.

However that man just smiled and increased his speed and strength. His eyes shined with black light as he pierced Martin in the chest. "Shadow organization" said Martin with wide eyes.

Then he shouted his last words "Save the mistress" and fell, before closing his eyes he sent a secret SOS message to Black Noir. "

Sachi looked around her as tears were running down her face; she lay on the ground covered in blood and her life force slowly draining away.

"So this is the end of my life" she thought looking around her as she leaned on the carriage wheel.

She looked at the girl who was full of vigour and hopes till evening. However now she lay there in blood. An arrow pierced her heart and a sword in her stomach.

Sachi felt pity for her. How small is life without knowing what happens next. Any minute life can be extinguished. She did not like this at all.

She slowly closed her eyes.

The leader of the party who attacked looked around and then walked to the carts which contained the mined materials. The Mythril and Savitonium were very rare mines and sought after.

The party's mission was to steal them and they have successfully completed it. He looked at Sachi who lay eyes closed and covered in blood. "Poor luck, she was a fine seedling with good skin and can be considered a beauty of mortal world" he commented. After that they left with the materials.