8- Spirits of the forgotten (2)

The rattle of a door opening was heeded as footsteps stridden into the room.

"She did nothing wrong, She was trying to safeguard the little girl," Robert explained as he stepped through the door, moving towards Samuel.

Samuel, whose head was against the chair as he sat with his eyes shut then opened his eyes.

"What she did was revolutionary. She went against the King's words, my words. She deserves discipline."

"The little girl was entrusted to her for protection, surely it wasn't against his words," Robert reasons.

Samuel slams his hand on the table before him. He stands up angrily,

"That girl is the only solution to this dilemma, And Katherine fucking knew it. What's the use of protecting one girl when she'll die either way,"

"The--"

A knock came on the door.

"Sir Samuel, King Magnus just arrived." A voice informed from outside the door.

Startled, Samuel stared at Robert. He then turns his head towards the door.

"I'll be down shortly," He replied.

He swivels his gaze back to Robert.

"Did you know he was coming?" He asked. Who would travel at nighttime? He looked at the clock and it was 11:49 at night. He looked at Robert again but seeing his surprised expression he knew Robert wasn't aware either.

Without waiting for Robert's reply, he strolled towards his door and went out.

Descending the stairs he strides towards the exit door.

He stepped out of the Mansion and then toward King Magnus who already climbed down his carriage and stooped.

"I didn't know you'll be here at this time," He let out as he walked beside King Magnus.

"Alteration of plans." King Magnus replied, his voice calm. "Where's Katherina?" He inquired. They walk into the Mansion.

"In... the dungeon, Sir,"

King Magnus halted.

After a few seconds, he asked,

"Why?" His voice became fr0igid and excessively calm.

"She committed treason, Sir, She-"

"Bring her to me." King Magnus said. He strides to his room.

_____

"Wake up..." The soft patting on the cheeks woke Alexandra. She opened her eyes gradually but got up hastily when she saw where she was.

"Don't worry, You're safe.."

The woman in front of her was an elderly lady. Few of her hair was gray and she was averagely heightened. Lexi looked around and knew at once she wasn't at the Mansion, Nowhere was this old and dusty in the Mansion.

"Who are you?" Her voice came out very low and hoarse.

"I'm nobody, child, just a pass-by helping a little girl in need."

"Where are... those men? I was with them, where are they?" Lexi inquired. She was feeling uneasy crouching in front of an unfamiliar woman. But the woman didn't reply, instead, she took hold of her hand and ran her thumbs on her palm surface. She was staring closely at her palm like she was reading it.

"You have to run, child, they are emerging soon... They are coming for you," Lexi couldn't comprehend what she was saying, she tried to withdraw her hand from the woman's grasp but she tightened her grip.

"You have a great destination ahead of you, you shouldn't let them get to you."

"What are you talking about?" Lexi asks, she instantly draws back her hand the moment the woman loses her clasp

"Do not return to that Mansion. It isn't safe," The woman said. Her voice was very faint like she was whispering.

"I... I need to go, Ma'am, They must be worried about me now,"

The woman smiled.

"Very well, If that's what you wish."

Alexandra didn't know what happened next. All she remembered was everywhere spinning.

______

"She's WHAT?" king Magnus asked, he was furious.

"We were attacked, Sir, by a-" The guard reporting was cut off.

"By an old woman. Does it make any sense? Huh? Does it?"

"She isn't any woman, Sir, she's a witch, we witnessed it." The guard explained.

King Magnus was looking furiously at the head guard in front of him. He just arrived and everything he left behind had turned chaotic. The catha had disappeared before he came, but he was sure it would appear the next day. His second in command almost ended the life of a girl he was supposed to protect, thankfully Katherina protected her.

He looked at the clock again. It was 2:38 am. For more than three hours Alexandra had been missing.

"Gather the guards, search every nook and cranny, make sure she's found. Don't return until she's found."

"Sir, She's found," Another guard stooped and notified as he sauntered closer to King Magnus.

"She was found just outside the Mansion, passed out. She's in Robert's cabin right now,"

King Magnus sighed in relief.

"Call Katherina for me,"

The guard leaned and departed.

"You may go." He urged the head guard, the guard stooped and ambled towards the door, and left.

A few minutes later

Katherine arrived. She walks closer to King Magnus.

"You sent for me,"

"Yes, I did." He replied. He hesitates for a few seconds,

"I need you to organize a set of well-trained.. men. It doesn't have to be from among the guards, it can be from anywhere, they just have to be trusted and trained." He paused again, before continuing,

"I need a guard for Alexandra, she'll be the one to pick her guard. Organize them as soon as possible. It seems problems are always lurking around her."

"I'll do that. But does she have to be the one to pick? what if she picks a bad guard?" Katherine asks.

"That's why they all have to be trusted and trained."

Katherine nods. Seeing he had nothing more he needed from her, she turned around and left.

_____

While all these were happening, At a place far from the kingdom was a man having a nightmare. His silver hair glowed in the dark as the lamps and candles went off themselves. Sweat crawled from his head down to his body. He appeared to be in much pain. His fingers clutching tightly at his bed sheet as he swivels his head sideways violently.

*knock*

*knock*

The knocking on the door jolted him from his painful slumber.