Snippet #1579979

A path was led before him. A path leading towards a small cottage surrounded by thick forest. The clock was way past dusk and darkness surrounded that large figure as he took one steady step after the other towards the small cottage. He could see some small lights coming out from it and upon reaching closer he could finally hear voices from inside. They were whispering, but they were still there. The man approaching the cottage was wearing a large silver armor and the ceremonial White Knight helmet. In his clenched hand, a large hammer lied and in the other a shield covered his flank. Behind him two other figures walked, both with black colored armor and with each a different weapon; One were holding a sword and a shield while the other held a large two-handed sword. Sweat ran down the White Knights forehead as he reached ever closer to the small door. He could now hear the voices pretty clearly:

"Is this really worth the risk, Theron? " One of the voices whispered. It was that of a female.

"The assassins are a blight upon these lands. I know this more than anyone else. They must all die. Not a single one can survive, not even the children." The man obviously named Theron hissed with a voice void of any kind of human feelings. There was a moment of silence before he continued. "I can understand why you have doubts about this. However, why do you think I've put you through all these trials if not to complete your main objective? To kill all of them. That's why."

"But what have they done to deserve such a fate? Can't we simple push them out from Valcre--"

"No! You heard Theron the first time we were enlisted; We cannot show mercy because none will be shown to us. I'm with you, master." A young female interrupted the older boy. Several other "Me too, master" followed as more and more swore their allegiance and life to Therons cause. What the cause was, the White Knight had no idea about. Theron had been a known member of the Wolf Hunters and frankly, he had been presumed dead for three years until just recently. The White Knight named Daniel took one last step and looked back at the other two Black Knights behind him and nodded slowly at the door.

"I have a map over the area, a plan I've forged during my three years in hiding and your positions as well during the ambush. Remember: Dani and Sebastian are mine to kill and mine alone." Theron was able to say just before the door into the cottage exploded open and a battle ensued between the group of Wolf Hunters and Daniel and his two Black Knights.

---

Daniel opened his eyes and looked around. He was for a short moment struck by panic and tried to rise up but was stopped by the pain in his shoulder. It wasn't as intense as a couple of hours ago, but it surprised him nonetheless. He suddenly realized where he was and leaned back in his bed. It didn't take long before company arrived; It was the assassin he had been meeting with outside Newhaven and she immediately began to speak:

"Very well... Leah Ashmore told me that her sister, who worked for the queen, was paid to deliver a ring to the orphanage, to a little girl that had been recently sent there. The woman concluded that the girl was the queen's daughter. She also told me that, little over a year ago, a man wearing healers robes came to see her and ask the same questions I did."

Daniel didn't say anything, but his face expression said more than a thousands words; He now knew the name of the former queen's daughter. Ella was her name. Daniel finally saw his task before him; Find this Ella and bring her back to Newhaven whether she likes it or not. They would have a ruler and she would accept her destiny sooner or later.

"When we found the impostor passing himself as King, he had a girl prisoner, her name was Ella. We rescued her and she stayed with us for some time, but... She couldn't handle training, and after a few months she asked my mother permission to leave us. I haven't seen her since and I have no other information or proof that this is the girl you're looking for, except... There are too many coincidences to ignore. So, you see... If you have given me the breathing room to do so, I would have tried to find her." The assassin explained and Daniel was surprised once more. Why was she lying to him after everything he had told her? After trusting her? Was this how she showed her appreciation? By lying him straight in the face? A frown found its way up to Daniels face, if jus for a second or two before he returned to his normal calm state.

"Girl, I've been with the White Knights over twenty years, almost your entire life or more I bet. During these years I've not only developed a good amount of knowledge about warfare and defense, but also when a person is lying to me. Every single person who lies, does something out of the ordinary when they do so. You, for an example, twitched with your left eye for a split-second. It was something a normal person wouldn't notice, but I'm not so normal." Daniel explained, his voice void of any kind of feelings. He rose up from his bed and stood up once more. The pain was starting to fade, but it was still present either way.

"I will only ask you once and I sincerely hope that you can answer me truthfully this time. Where, is Ella?" He continued and gazed coldly at the assassin. The trust he had put in her before was almost gone and his respect for her was starting to fade as well.