Chapter Twelve

Ludwig bounds through the Cineian Forest, glancing down at the map he holds in his hands now and then to ensure he is going the correct way. He has decided to meet with the Wrynrett bloodline of Keiju first, followed by the Kuu, and finally the Fielnon, primarily because if the first two leaders, Targel and Rye respectively, got on his nerves, Frederick would be able to bring him back to his usual self so he could be in the ideal mood to rescue Theo. And Edgar. Supposing Scary Black Spear Guy was even possible to save.

Ludwig didn't like Edgar after two close calls with the sharp point of his black spear. Though Theo saved him both times, Ludwig doubted, after the second time, that he would be so willing to do it again. If there weren't any trees around, who knew how far Ludwig would have been blasted backward?

The back of his head still hurt from hitting the trunk of the tree, and Yor mentioned some healing magic was used on the left side of his head, where blood turned his dark brown hair black. So that side of his head ached now and then, which was hard to ignore, being the only pain his body was in at the moment.

Thankfully the blood from the side of his head was gone, and Ludwig could admire his beautiful brown hair if he ever found himself in front of a mirror (which was going to be near impossible taking into account exactly where he was going now and his eventual travel to Luimesha). A lake might work pretty well, though. Maybe they would come across a nice little lake on their journey.

Continuing through the forest, Ludwig notices the vegetation surrounding him gradually lessen, revealing a clearer path and fewer branches threatening to scratch his unprotected face. He lifts his right hand up to brush his right cheek, a thin, fading scar being a reminder of just how disrespectful forests were in general to the spy.

He looks down at the map, then at the area of the forest ahead of him. Sunlight is just barely able to shed light along the path Ludwig travels on, but the humidity of the forest makes up for how cold it would be with the lack of sunlight actually reaching him.

Dismissing the uncomfortable surrounding environment, he continues forward and is able to see two people who resemble Keiju of the Wynrett bloodline up ahead, confidently blocking his path.

Sparing a glance down at his outfit, still dressed in his cloak and comfortable grays, Ludwig approaches the two people like he would anyone: with a bright smile and wave.

"Hello! Are you two members of the Wynrett bloodline of Keiju?" Ludwig lets his eyes switch between the pair, one male and one female.

The two examine the spy's outfit, both interest and a bit of hostility gleaming in their eyes. Eventually, the female speaks.

"Yes, we are. What business do you have here in our territory?"

Her voice is cold, and her stare is freezing. But Ludwig just meets her gaze with the continuous smile he is determined to not let fade despite the tension he can feel between him and the two Keiju.

"Yor, from the Moreen bloodline of Keiju, has sent me to talk with the leaders of each bloodline, save for Rosenrough, to help search for the missing Crown Prince of Luimesha, Theo Veles. She guesses the prince, and a boy named Edgar, were taken to the Rosenrough camp and it's my sworn duty to see, at the very least, the Crown Prince saved," Ludwig explains, and is relieved when the two exchange glances.

"Very well. Please follow us."

The male Keiju turns around and begins walking in the direction Ludwig was going, and the spy happily follows, noticing the female waiting several seconds before following behind him.

The all three people walk in silence for a few minutes before Ludwig decides to strike up a conversation. Maybe he could gather some information on this Fidel person Yor mentioned was coming into the Wynrett camp to speak with Targel.

"Do you two like Targel?"

Ludwig is met with a slightly lowered heard and raised shoulders from the male, and a snort from the female. He regrets asking his question for a second, but it is answered by the male Keiju regardless.

"She was fine before Fidel began his visits. Ever since then, she spends most of her days shut away from us, and her second-in-command, Lero, has taken her place until she is in a better mental state to look over us like she used to," the male explains, and Ludwig nods in acknowledgement.

"What can you tell me about Fidel?"

This time, the female answers from behind the spy.

"Outgoing when you first meet him, but he's becoming quite ambitious and more assertive with his demands from Targel. I think he wants some of our fighters for some border disputes that the Rosenrough and Moreen bloodlines have been debating over. We don't want to get involved, and Targel knows that. She keeps telling Fidel she doesn't want to get her bloodline involved, but he won't accept no as an answer."

"Huh. I'm sure I could knock a bit of sense into that head of his. Let me at 'em!"

"I'd think twice about getting into a fight with him. A few of us have challenged him a duel, but they die from Fidel's bow that synthesizes arrows that home in on their target. Rumor has it that the bow is Aviva's own. When you come into camp, you'll notice most of us are lined on the inside of the stone walls, far away from Fidel's location," the male explains, just as the trio stop in front of two female guards.

They all stand under an arch made of branches that are decorated with leaves the colors of red, orange, and yellow, those only found in the autumn season. Ludwig feels a bit more comfortable with a variety of colors around him, and he takes a few deep breaths, suppressing the pain in his head if only for a few minutes.

"Who is he? Why is a non-Keiju here?" the female guard to the right of the arch snaps, poised to strike the spy if necessary.

"Relax, Hina. He is Ludwig Casimir, sent from Yor to speak to each of the leaders of the Keiju bloodlines about the missing Crown Prince of Luimesha. He also claims he may be able to deal with Fidel, despite knowing how deadly he is," the male puts a hand up to stop Hina from going any further with what her body language proposes, to which she sighs and returns to standing upright.

"Fine. Best of luck to you, Ludwig Casimir. May Paline bless you."

Hina and the other guards step away from the arch to let the three through, and Ludwig emerges into the camp, seeing exactly what the male Keiju told him he would see.

The Keiju of the Wynrett bloodline are crowded on the outside of the middle of camp up against the walls of stone surrounding the area, staring at a hut made of branches and stones that have two golden fists acting as a keystone. Though there are similar huts around the camp, the one to the far right of the camp seems the most decorated.

"That's Targel's hut. You're welcome to enter, or just wait out here for Fidel to finish whatever he's talking to her about. Your choice," the male whispers into Ludwig's right ear before both he and the female disappear into the surrounding groups of Keiju on the outside of the camp.

The spy walks over to the hut and brushes back the vines that cover the entrance.