12 - Departure

"How'd it go?" Aurelia leaned against the window frame, one leg raised and resting on the windowsill. Quite breeze blew against her to ruffle the strands of her hair; the stormy shade of crimson enhancing her beauty.

Karl smiled despite himself. "Well," he said. "We will be departing in about half an hour."

"Are you sure you want me to accompany you?" She asked, doubt evident from her tone. "Father would be a much better choice."

Karl sighed. He could understand her worries, the insecurities she nursed, alongside that dark promise of a future that shrouded everything under its dark gloom. Not only her, but most of the residents of this castle felt the same. That there was no future for some of them; that they were going to fail.

Facing such a pressure, it was understandable to doubt your qualifications. Even he wasn't spared from such thoughts. The weight of responsibility grew heavier by the day, threatening to break him. Still, he had stood against the pressure, all so that he would've no regrets until the end.

"Aurelia, I need you to understand that this is not only my home. This is our home." He spoke with heavy emotions tinged to his tone. "Make no mistake, I'm grateful for everything you have done for this place. But remember, everything I did and continue to do is for our home. So, if we're going to face this, I want you to stand by my side."

For a brief moment Aurelia forgot to breathe, her eyes gaining moisture and her heart filled with so much joy. She leapt to her feet and in an excited hop crashed against his chest.

Karl smiled as he embraced the raven haired girl in his arms. He had meant every word he said, but the reason behind his spiel had been to reassure this girl.

"I hope you had a good-night's sleep yesterday," he said, "the journey might prove debilitating."

After falling unconscious in his room yesterday, the result of mounting fatigue and later exchange of blood that sapped her remaining vitality. He'd had to carry her senseless form back to her room so that she could sleep off the exhaustion.

"I sure did." She replied. Aurelia slipped from his arms and stretched her back. "I need to prepare some things before we leave."

Before she could leave, Karl called out. "Rea, please don't take too long. We have to be on our way soon to make it to our destination on time."

"No need worry, I will be on time." Saying so, she departed from the room leaving Karl alone in the room.

"Are you sure this is the route you wish to take?" Floating forth, Cinis had her arms crossed with an impassive look on her face. "It will be too abrupt, and might attract some vultures."

Her warning was valid, but it was between this and an inevitable war that he had no way of winning. Besides, "It's fine as long as I can advance faster than they can react, right?" He grinned at his hovering companion.

Cinis sighed and looked away. "That may be true, but I hope you understand the risk you're taking."

"Better than being dead." He concluded.

Before their departure karl had a few matters to finish. One of which was feigning sickness and confining himself to his room. The Bloodrock castle was littered with spies and it would do no good, should his adversaries become aware of his absence. They might not pose much threat to the Crimson Vale itself, but it was another thing if the lord of the county disappeared somewhere in the woods.

It took some time to arrange the prop and set the stage. When the time came, Aurelia would leave the castle under the pretext that she had been issued another order. Among her retinue, who would pay attention to two nondescript knights covered in heavey armour?

A knock sounded on the door and Karl hurried to open it. Ronald slipped inside just as he shut the door.

"Are all the preparations ready?" Karl asked.

"Yes." His uncle nodded. "You will have a week to finish your business."

"I understand." Karl acknowledged.

"Um, Karl." Ronald hesitated. Karl perked up; it was unusual for his uncle to call him by his name, instead of 'Lord' or 'Count'. "Even though we have made our preparations," he continued, "there's a remote chance Aamon may become aware of your absence. You have to be careful out there."

It was a risk, he understood. But it was risk that he needed to take. Not just for his own sake, but for the well-being of his family and territory.

"I know. And I will be careful." Saying so, Karl smiled. Even if things were turning dire, even if the world came close to falling apart, he wouldn't have to shoulder the burden alone. His family would always be there to support him. "Thank you, for everything."

Ronald mirrored his smile and left after a pat on his back. Karl looked to his desk where he promptly took seat to scribble on the paper. There could be no mistake in this upcoming journey.

***

It was early in the morning when the castle gates were opened to allow Aurelia and her group of five to leave the gates. Ronald had come to bid his daughter farewell and good luck on her new journey, while it was unfortunate that Count Bloodthrone had become a target for some serious affliction. Rumours of an attempt at assassination that caught Karl unaware which the assassin took advantage of to inflict the poison.

That story would make rounds around the Crimson Vale for days to come, while manny would suspect the credibility, few would know the true agenda of their Lord.

Karl meanwhile, stood in a clearing alongside Edward and Aurelia. The rest of the men had been sent to a remote site with hefty pockets to keep them busy for the week. He proceeded to take off the armour, finding cool air liberating to his senses.

"If we want to make it by nightfall, we have to be on our way now." Edward informed. "Though, if you're in no hurry we can take our time dilly dallying."

"You jest, Sir Edward," Karl said. "I was just taking some time to shrug off the weight from my shoulders. It could hardly be called a waste of time."

"Apologies if I seem on edge, Lord Bloodthrone," the man replied, looking anything but apologetic. "My agreement only holds till midnight. After that, I cannot have anyone accompanying me, should I wish to cross the portal."

"I'm sure he understands your worries," Aurelia interjected, "and we will proceed with haste, no doubt."

Her glance at Karl made him snicker a little, which earned him a glare. Karl could tell she knew his intentions, and disapproved of them strongly. He understood her reasoning, but his pride demanded he establish his dominance. Still, he relented.

"Lead the way." He pointedly ordered the mage. The man seemed to be on the verge of exploding but chose to not voice his thoughts. It was only now Karl realized, that his earlier bout of suppression had earned him the ire of this mage.

The rest of the way was spent in peaceful silence. If the weight of the upcoming meeting wasn't weighing so heavily on his mind, he might have even taken the entire expedition as an elaborate stroll alongside Aurelia.

Crimson Vale was a figure of vitality. Tall trees dotted the surroundings, the vegetation the colour of blood with yellow pigments dominating the wilds. Far beyond, he could make out the mountains. It would've made up for a beautiful scenery had these mountains not been the very cursed existence that put them in this spot in the first place.

Edward had secured five horses near a river. But since Karl had only brought Aurelia along, the rest of the two were released into the wild. It was unknown whether they would survive the forest and the abominable creatures housed within, but it was better than starving to death and being helpless as a bound prey.

Every time Karl found out just how far-fetched his preparations went, his brow would twitch and he would've to hold himself off from making any show of power. It said something about their image in the outside world, where people assumed karl Bloodthrone was dying of thirst and piss pouring beggar would be thanked for his generosity. The wound was further exacerbated when he realized he had accepted the help. This made him laugh inwardly; Pride really was a sin.

Morning passed into evening and eventually they had made their climb through the mountain-path and neared a clearing.

"We will rest here for a moment." Edward announced.

Karl frowned and asked. "I thought you wanted to make it out of here as fast as possible. What changed?"

The man grinned back. "Your identities."

Shooting a confused looked at Aurelia Karl was about to ask what he meant, when Edward suddenly dismounted and walked up to a tree. There was a hole in the heart of the wood, where a bag was kept hidden.

Edward pulled the bag out, and rummage through the items before pulling out two clothes. "Put these on, please."

Karl and Aurelia took the cloaks in hand, and understanding washed over.

"From now on, you're my assistants. And you will refer to me as Lord Magus."

Karl swore the bastard managed to look insufferable despite wearing a neutral expression.