Natoyian Demons

"Yes your Majesty, I want to get justice for my people who were wrongly slaughtered and cursed. I want justice for this little girl Sky who was left for dead and nearly starved when I found her. I understand you have things of your own to do but please help us, I have no idea who else to turn to", I plead.

The king tilts his head staring at me while seemingly deep in thought. Will he help us I wonder or would he send us away not caring how far we had traveled? My eyes begin to well up at the thought that this could all be in vain.

"What are you willing to do in order to pay for this information you need", the king asks. I look up shocked unsure of what he means. Elias was right I guess, they won't do anything without payment in return.

"I can bring you gold from the palace treasury. If you need something delivered or picked up no matter how far I'll do it", I say not for sure what else I could offer.

"And what of the vampires Elias? The last time I checked your father's kingdom has plenty to offer. Though you're not the heir anymore I'm sure you still have some pull", he asks politely. My eyes were frozen on Elias. The elven King had just said that Elias was a prince and the two months we had known each other he never told me anything about that. He knows basically everything about me and I know so little about him. " I was sorry to hear about the death of your betrothed Mara, such a tragic thing".

I feel floored, he had been engaged to someone and her name had been Mara, the same name he had chose for me. Was the concealment charm to make me look like her too? Was that why he called me that name most of the time when we were together. I felt sick at my stomach knowing this I honestly felt like puking.

"Having left my settlement I have nothing I can offer you", I hear Elias say. I keep my eyes on Sky who reaches her hands up to wipe my tears away.

"What about you werewolf, what can you offer", the king asks now staring at Dante.

"We have a large supply of moonbeam root that your kind uses for many of your elixirs. I will bring all of our supply to you", Dante offers. The elven king scratches his chin in thought contemplating the offers.

"Seeing how important this is to you all I will look at the scroll. We don't require a payment as of now but if we have need of you in the future you must come to our assistance immediately", the elf king says and I feel overcome with happiness and gratitude. I raise from my spot on the floor and reach the scroll to one of the king's guards who in turn gives the scroll to the king.

I watch him open the scroll and study its contents. A frown finds it way to his face as he looks worriedly at the scroll.

"These symbols and words are that of the Natoyian demons. The words underneath the symbol are meant as purge. They are trying to carry out part of an ancient tradition where they slaughter and sacrifice people in order to receive their life energy.Its a barbaric practice which has been forbidden in all kingdoms and settlements.

"How do you break the trance that the demons create", I ask quickly wanting to help my mom and free her from the curse. "That's the difficult part, in order to break the trance you will have to find the demon that cast the curse and spill his blood during a full moon. Not to cause alarm but the longer the trance lasts the higher chances that the victims will lose their memories."

Having received the answers I needed things feel even more hopeless than before. It feels impossible to find the very demon that had did the curse and to wait and kill him during the full moon? Not to mention we are now on a timer for how long our people can last in the trance without forgetting everything.

"I'll send two of my best men with you to help. Carrying out a heinous act like that goes against the Aligning Kingdom's code and we will see to it that justice is dealt for those that are dead or are cursed", the king says ordering his guards to relay the message to his two chosen men.

"Thank you your majesty," I say bowing again in thanks.

"While you are here please take refuge for the night and eat with us", the king offers. Though the offer sounds tempting I think about Luna outside by herself and how she is scared of the dark. Maybe I'd eat with them but Sky and I would sleep in the carriage for the night. The king who told us his name was Freymire rises from his throne before clapping his hands ordering his people to get back to their normal routines and he leads us to the feasting hall were we are waited on as if royalty.

Fresh baked chicken and a garden salad are given to Sky and I. Dante and Elias are given a piece of rare meet and a goblet of what I can assume is blood. I notice Elias try to make eye contact with me several times but I avoid it and focus on the delicious chicken and feeding Sky.

"How did you end up traveling with Elias if you don't mind me asking", the king Freymire asks from his spot at the table his chin sitting on his closed fist. I swallow my mouthful before looking at the king to tell him the short story.

"My carriage was attacked and bandits had captured me. Things were going to take an even worse turn when I managed to escape. I was being chased by the horrible man over the bandits and Elias saved me from him. I thought I was going to die or be sold into slavery", I respond remembering how scary it had all been. How the only reason I had came out with my purity still intact was because of Elias. Which made my anger at him dissipate just a little. He had saved my life and he was helping me when he didn't have too. After eating I thank the elves once again before walking to the carriage letting Luna out to use the bathroom.

Elias who walks behind me closely grabs my shoulder making me turn to him. His eyes search mine worriedly and he can feel the sadness coming from me I'm sure. "Hana we need to talk. Let me explain", he pleads lowering his face to mine to look directly in my eyes.

Those warm, flustered feelings return and something about the sincerity on his face makes me calm down enough to hear him out. "Okay let's talk", I say as the both of us and Sky take a seat in the carriage.