Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 41: Dan

At present, Dan is sending a tourist out of the Rainbow Village. Suddenly, there were logs that fell in front of them, blocking their way. The horse neighed and raised its forelegs. The wagon rose and then shook, and Dan fell from the back of his rose after he was startled and let go of the rein.

“What… What happened?! Aaaaahhh!!!” the tourist inside the wagon screamed and clutched the wagon for his life. After the wagon stabilized when the horse calmed down, he peeked out only for his eyes to widen in shock when he saw a group of men with clothes over their heads and holding weapons. “Thieves?!” he exclaimed.

He has already heard about them and felt he was lucky to not encounter them before when he entered the Rainbow Village. But, it seemed that his luck had run out and now he met them.

“AAAAHHH!!!” he screamed as he jumped out of the carriage and ran away, back to the Rainbow Village. He was panicking so much he didn’t turn back, forgetting the wagon driver and even his belongings, just to save his life.

Fortunately for him, the thieves aren’t interested in his meager life.

“Get his belongings.” Their leader said and looked at Dan who was sprawled on the ground and weakly raised his body.

But, Dan suddenly hissed when he felt a pain in his leg. His eyes widened in shock because he had dislocated his leg! “ARGH!” he cried as he clutched his leg.

The leader of the thieves walked towards him with a grin on his face. “What’s wrong, Dan?” he asked, acting concerned but it is obviously false. He then squatted next to him.

Dan’s face paled and he broke into a cold sweat because of pain. He didn’t expect for the horse to stomp on his leg! “You…” he gnashed his teeth as he hatefully glared at the leader of the thieves.

“You don’t think I don’t know that you are also planning to break off from our group?” the leader of the thieves asked. He didn’t wait for Dan to answer as he punched him!

“Ngh!” Dan cried as his head turned to the side and his nose bled.

“Tch. What a bummer.” One of the thieves said when they saw that there were only a handful of things inside the wagon.

“You are back to living honestly now?” the leader of the thieves asked Dan and then punched him again.

Dan spat out blood and lost some teeth.

“Don’t think you are still clean even if you’ve returned to doing an honest job!” the leader of the thieves became mad seeing Dan has no reaction. He grabbed Dan’s hair and then smashed his face to the boulder, where the words ‘Welcome to Rainbow Village’ was written.

Blood flowed on the boulder from Dan’s eye that was cut. Suddenly, they heard a thunder, and then it was followed by a lightning flash.

“Once you’ve entered the group, don’t think about leaving it!” the leader of the thieves continued and smashed Dan’s head on the boulder again.

The other thieves just watched on the side. Today, only the extremists are present.

“Unfortunately for you, Dan, those two that escaped have alerted me. Now, you can only leave through death!” the leader of the thieves said as he threw Dan’s now lifeless body towards the others and then faced them. “Throw his corpse in the Forbidden Forest. And smash the wagon.” He told them.

“Yes!” they answered and immediately acted.

Lightning crashed in the sky, and then was followed by a heavy rain. The thieves left along with Dan’s corpse and wagon, while the cold rain washed away the blood on the boulder and the road.

…

“Ah!” Mhir cried when another lightning flashed. She covered her head and hid under the table, along with the twins.

Leui and Marie immediately covered the windows by the curtains. “Such a heavy rain…” Leui muttered.

“Dan still hasn’t come home…” Marie said and looked at the clock. It was pointed at one in the afternoon.

“Maybe he found a shelter.” Leui comforted her.

Marie sighed and nodded. Then, she cleaned the table. Bringing the dirty plates, she went to the kitchen and saw that the rice and the dish she cooked had gone cold. She decided to reheat it for their dinner later.

Suddenly, one of the plates fell because her hands were shaking and it broke when it crashed on the floor.

…

“So, it’s tonight?” Fedrich spoke as he read the report of his subordinates who just returned from the nearest station.

“Yes.” One of them answered. “We almost missed it because they have a spy there. He was the one passing information about the merchants and tourists to the group of thieves. It seems he is a relative of their leader.” He explained.

The station is also a checkpoint so their staff would have the information of the identities of the merchants and tourists, as well as their goods and their belongings they are bringing in their travel. With this, the thieves would know who to target and then steal from them.

“Did he confess who are the members of the group?” Fedrich asked.

“Yes. It seems it was a former knight who was once loyal to the kingdom, but was demoted to a civilian because he harassed a citizen when he was drunk.” His subordinate answered. “He never married nor had any children. He didn’t find a job after he was demoted.” He added.

“He did.” Fedrich spoke. “It was thievery.” He said.

They all snickered.

“For a knight to have fallen to this shameless state… it will definitely make His Majesty cry.” Fedrich shook his head.

“No one is at fault.” Melton spoke. “If there is no order, how can the peace be kept? And, he is a knight and should be the one who is upholding order in the kingdom, yet he was the one who broke it. He should’ve been prepared for this outcome.” He explained.

“Vice-captain is right!” the knights said.

Melton turned to them. “I am also talking about you all!” he told them. His voice and face stern.

“Yes, vice-captain!” they answered and saluted.

Fedrich chuckled. “What are you getting mad for?” he turned to Melton. “You just finished recuperating.” He said.

Melton ignored the sound of concern in Fedrich’s voice. “The rain is too heavy… won’t this affect our mission later?” he asked.

“Instead of interfering with us… I think the rain can help us instead.” Fedrich said as he leaned on the back of his chair.

The knights listened carefully to their captain’s instructions. Just as they were finished planning, they suddenly heard a knock outside.

“See who it is.” Melton spoke.

One of the knights came out and went to the entrance. “Mr. Leui?'' He was surprised to see the Leui standing outside with his umbrella protecting him from the heavy pouring of rain.

“Hello.” Leui greeted. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but can I see your captain? I have a request, and is hoping that he would grant it.” he explained.

The knight was taken aback. “That…” he said.

“Come inside first.” Fedrich spoke.

Leui saw him and nodded, uttering thanks. The door opened wide and he entered after he folded the umbrella he borrowed from Marie and then left it outside. He is confident no one would steal it as there are knights around.

“What do you want to request?” Fedrich asked as they were seated.

“It’s like this…” Leui spoke. “You already know that Mhir and I are currently living in Dan’s house. But, this noon, Dan didn’t return.” He said.

The knights have already investigated everyone in the Rainbow Village and know that Dan is a wagon driver and his daughter is sick. It was planned that they would be bringing with them back to the Capital Dan’s family and would find his daughter the best doctor to cure her to repay their favor to Leui who saved the people that was caught by the Dream Weaver.

But, the head of the family suddenly disappeared.

“I am not an alarmist.” Leui spoke when he noticed their expressions. “I guessed that Dan must be taking a shelter somewhere because of the heavy rain.” He told them.

“Then, what is it that you want to do?” Fedrich asked.

“I won’t ask you to find Dan since I know that you are all busy and that you still have a mission ongoing.” Leui spoke. “I also have troubled you enough by taking Dan’s family to the Capital and find his daughter a doctor. So – “ he looked at Fedrich. “ – I want to go with you and find Dan myself.” He told him.

“You…” Fedrich slowly spoke. “You think that something happened to Dan?” he frankly asked.

“Yes.” Leui honestly answered. “I have a bad feeling…” he looked at the rain outside.

Fedrich and Melton turned and saw the dark sky. “Okay.” Fedrich spoke. “Come here later at four. Don’t be late.” He told him.