6 Campfire and Dread

A small bonfire offered warmth and protection to the travelers.

"The hearth is said to be a blessing from the goddess Hestia, offering sanctuary and protection for strangers." Anton explained to the young lady Rhine who took note of it in another page of the book on her lap, she sat on a log alongside with her brother and their servants.

"Hmm that's a nice story." Gus murmured to himself as he prepared a cup of tea for the lady.

"You know what's good to be cooked here David? Chocolate!" Hyde twirled the sausage on a stick over the open flame, as he talked with one of the guards beside him. After making sure that the meat was evenly cooked, he handed it over to the young guard. "I should have brought some if I knew we would have a camp fire."

"Thank you Master Hyde." David grinned as he received the food and took a big bite, "Mmm, you cook as well as my wife could." He stopped for a moment as his face reddened in mortification, "I didn't mean anything by it!" he waved his hands in the air wildly.

Hyde clutched his stomach, his laughter erupting through the air, "I'll take that as a compliment. I'm more eligible for marriage than Rhine could ever be." He threw a quick wink at Rhine's way.

"Ugh." Rhine made a face and shifted her gaze to find Gus who was then placing more firewood into the fire, "It is sir Gus who's quite prepared, preparing the logs beforehand. You wouldn't be able to show your skills if it weren't for him."

"Anyway, this place is great! The temperature is really cold and the fire is just so warm, don't you think so Jonathan?" Hyde yawned and covered his mouth,

"I agree Master Hyde, one could sleep comfortably at this temperature." The young man yawned as well, he received a smack from David.

"Now Jonathan, we can't have you slacking off such an important job." David's eyes narrowed on the younger man who held his hands up.

"My apologies sir, this trip has been rather tiring. It's like we're sleeping while on our horses." Jonathan scratched his head before bowing towards Hyde, "Not that it is a trouble to serve our young masters."

"Pfft… just tell us when you're tired. I'm sorry that we're rushing, it's a delicate mission that we need to arrive quickly to the land of Zourian for some reason." Hyde explained and stretched an arm lazily, "To be honest, I think we should all take a rest. I'm stuffed."

"You haven't eaten anything at all." Rhine murmured and crossed her arms, if there was anything that she knew of her brother… he was always up to troublemaking. She wouldn't be fooled.

"Why do we need to hurry to Zourian again?" Hyde rubbed his eyes and cast a look at the starry night. "Isn't it supposed to be a diplomatic envoy? Why can't we take things slowly?"

The red haired woman shook her head, "We simply follow orders from our father and His Majesty, if they say we should arrive as soon as possible- we shall do our best, regardless of whatever besets us."

"Even if our men get sick?" Hyde rolled his eyes, "You don't even want to stop at an inn. My back is aching for sleeping at the couch, how much for them?" He gestured towards the guards.

"I-I… my apologies, please take the time to take ample rest. After the land of Nyx, we finally reach Zourian Kingdom and I assure you that every one of us will get a long deserved rest and relaxation." Rhine smiled at everyone, a hand on her heart. It was to be rest and relaxation indeed, the perfect time to strike and search the libraries of Zourian Kingdom.

"Thank you Lady Rhine!" Anton, David and Jonathan bowed in gratitude, "We are grateful!"

"Ah I'd like to get a massage." Jonathan rubbed his back, "My entire body is ready to collapse."

***

He opened one eye, it was darkness but he could make out the sleeping form of his sister on the other side of the carriage. Gus was sitting and leaning against the door. It was perhaps intended.

Alas, he couldn't be dismayed with such a thing. Hyde quickly grabbed his quiver and bow and then carefully drew the window open, now his sister and Gus wouldn't mind if he were to take a short walk right?

A gust of wind blew into their room, scraps of paper flying from Rhine's grasp and blowing the hair covering Gus' face. Hyde grimaced and swiftly squeezed himself out of the window and landed on his feet. He threw a quick look around; David seemed to be nodding off to sleep while Jonathan was stargazing.

Hyde bolted out towards the distance and ran as fast as he could.

"Ack crap it's a bit too dark." Hyde cursed to himself as he squinted up to the sky above. The stars and the moon provided some light but a thundercloud was looming to them. He held back a sigh, perhaps he should just get back to the camp site. Now that he thought of it, a sandstorm didn't sound good.

He looked back and now admired the camp as it was like a beacon from the distance, he soon began to jog back, leaving the darkness behind him.

The wind blew around him as Hyde walked back, somewhat uncomfortably. It was really cold, how did his guards and the coachman survived the temperature?

"Master Hyde!" His eyes widened at the sight of Jonathan, a torch in hand.

"You'd almost given me a heart attack." Hyde clutched a hand on his chest.

"Thank the gods you are alright!" A relieved smile etched on the young guard's face. "I saw your foot tracks and got w-" The man dove in front of him and pushed him out of the way.

It was the last expression that he'd ever see.