CHAPTER ONE (2): MONSTER CHILD

Lebwin grabbed onto Almathea as she fell to the ground. Turning to his wife, he spoke in a loud whisper, "You shall take her to the back of the stables. There is a donkey-drawn cart prepared to wait there. Do your best to stay hidden."

Maore grabbed her daughter and carried her on her back. The shouts that previously seemed distant were moving closer and closer to the door. Maore bowed at the waist, "As you wish, my lord. I shall return."

With one sword in her hand, and the other hand supporting Almathea so that she wouldn't fall, Maore walked up to the desk that Lebwin used.

She pressed one of the buttons that were next to a pen holder. The desk rumbled as it pushed itself to the side, revealing a tunnel that was big enough to fit them both. She took a few steps down the stairs and when only her head was visible, she turned to the two people still in the room, "Stay alive."

Lebwin glanced at her before nodding. "You as well." before he pressed the button once more and the tunnel began to close.

After the two females of the house had left, he took his place behind the oak table.

Fazian followed in his footsteps and stood beside him.

Lebwin blew a stray hair out of his face and began sorting through some papers, the gun he had taken out of the drawers sat still on his lap.

"If you and her ladyship had not gone to visit her during the day, no one would have discovered..."

Fazian bowed his head, "I know my lord. I am ready to take any punishment."

As if he was not listening, Lebwin continued to sort through papers.

They had only stayed in that position for a few minutes before the door was forced open.

People moved into the small office one by one. Some were carrying rakes in their hands, others were carrying fire torches, and others normal torches.

The leader of the group moved forward. He was a stocky man with dark skin and wiry hair. All who knew him knew he had always coveted the position of the first lord and had had the idea of becoming the new Lord of the town over and over. He utterly detested the Bastete family and wished for their demise.

Who would have thought he would catch the Bastete family hiding such a large secret.

He snickered and sneered at the man seated behind the desk as if he was unaware of the trouble brewing.

All he had to do was ask those in the room to do a thorough search of the mansion. They would surely find the unknown child and bring it forth.

Lebwin, in line with his character, pushed his head up and looked forward quite lazily, "Kimani Verishe, what is the meaning of this. Breaking into this lord's house in the middle of the night. Have you no shame."

As if he had already won, the one called Kimani raised his head and puffed his chest, "It is time for you and your family to pay for your crimes. Bring that monster child of yours forth and you might be able to see another day."

The people standing behind Kimani raised their torches and rakes. "Bring the child monster forth!" They chanted.

Lebwin's lips pulled down into a frown. "What is this? Are you calling my son a monster child?"

His words made the people in the room look at Fazian who was standing quietly by his father's side. He had a frown on his face and anyone who met his eyes felt a chill run down their spine.

However, Kimani was quite foolish. He took a large step forward and smacked the table behind which Lebwin was seated, "You cannot lie to us any further. We know that you have hidden it somewhere in this house. It would be in your best interest to speak now."

Lebwin smirked, "What proof do you have to show that I am keeping a monster child in my house. If you would so desire, I will cut off your tongue for provoking me so."

Undeterred, the stocky man shook his head, "Even now you refuse to admit to your crimes. If this Lord does not, then we will have to take larger measures and search the house."

Lebwin's smile faded, "On what grounds do you have to search my house? Do you have no shame?"

Kimani took this as fear of his secret being revealed, therefore a larger smile fell on his chapped lips, "This venerable one shall not be worried, we shall only be doing a search. After all, your features are quite prominent. We would not mistake another child for your own."

As if he already owned the place, Kimani placed forward some orders to search the mansion.

The townspeople did not move. Who in the town did not know how dangerous Lord Bastete was. If he did not wish to pull the monster child out willingly, then they would keep quiet and leave. Notifying the authorities would be much easier.

They looked up at the foolish Kimani who was still dishing out orders.

Just then, a soft voice came from outside the office doors. "What is the meaning of this. Why have you all broken into the lord's mansion?"

They all immediately recognized that voice, and like the parting of the blue sea, they all gave the woman outside a chance to walk into the room.

With her task completed, Maore had already changed into her sleepwear. She had tousled her hair and her eyes seemed a little hazy. She gave those in the room a single look each as she walked to her husband's desk and bowed, "Venerable husband. What is happening here."

Lebwin frowned as if displeased. He moved off his chair and offered it to his wife. Maore did not feel like complaining so she immediately took it.

With both men standing on either side of her, she looked every inch a regal queen. A gun was stuffed into her lap and she held it tightly in her hands.

"These men would like to search our house, Venerable Wife. They say that we have raised a monster child."

Maore gasped, and in a flurry of anger, she slammed her hand on the wooden table. This left a small handprint that was only visible to the two men standing on her sides.

"You dare accuse the Bastete family of such high treason. I shall give you all a chance to search the mansion if that is what you desire. However, if you dare come out empty-handed, I shall be the one handing out punishments for disturbing my sleep this evening."

The men in the room reflexively shuddered. Compared to lord Bastete, the lady Bastete was harder to get along with.

If she did not like something, the lord would dispose of it without question.

As such, everyone knew to beware of the Lady Bastete. If she was angered, her husband would kill all who had angered her without question.

To Kimani, however, how could they leave at this moment in time. He felt that the anger Maore was showing was a bluff. She had come from sleeping, therefore she expected her anger to chase them off.

He bowed, "If this Lord and Lady have no qualms, then we shall begin our search."

Maore watched them as they left the room. She still had that frown on her face and her chin was pointed up.

Kimani left a few men in the office as if he feared that they would do something that would impede their search.

Lebwin stood behind his wife, giving her a massage on her shoulders. She calmed down slightly, leaning back to relax further.

Maore's hand, which was holding the gun, raised up slightly, giving him a thumbs up. He relaxed. She had managed to get their daughter away. That was enough for the moment.

His eyes then turned dark, "How many shall we kill for them calling our child a monster?" He whispered only for the two ears that were close to him.

Maore checked the number of bullets in the gun and sighed, "It seems we can only kill six people, my dear. It's a pity. They need to be taught a lesson."

Fazian discreetly placed the gun he was holding on his mother's lap and her eyes shone. "It seems that the number has increased by five. This is a good number."

The two males next to her nodded. Those who were standing guard in the room felt a shiver run down their spine. They looked to the Bastete family. However, Maore Bastete was not even looking at them.

Her eyes had flitted to the window that showed the beautiful night sky. "I hope she is safe wherever she is."

S/T:

Almathea: (Wakes up in the middle of nowhere with no memories whatsoever) ... Wut the ...